Something Fishy

To help Albert win the Barnabus Finkley Award for Outstanding Spellcasting Techniques, Bard began giving Albert intensive tutoring as soon as they arrived in Spain.

In Bard's view, Albert's spellcasting techniques were already excellent. What held him back from winning was largely his complete lack of knowledge about the competition.

So Bard told Albert a great deal about the Barnabus Finkley Outstanding Spellcasting Techniques Competition, hoping to deepen his understanding of it and guide him in displaying his strengths.

"Your spellcasting techniques are already excellent. The problem now is how to show them off. Although most of the judges have a good eye, you still need to take the initiative and display your outstanding techniques. That is very important." Bard had great confidence in Albert, or he would not have so strongly recommended him for the competition.

What Bard did not know was that Albert's current spellcasting techniques came from Voldemort. The Dark Lord was renowned, and his understanding of spellcasting naturally far surpassed that of ordinary wizards. He had his own unique set of spellcasting techniques.

It was just that Albert usually did not make his spellcasting techniques too obvious when using magic.

Dumbledore knew Voldemort better than anyone. Being too flashy in front of him could easily draw his attention, and that was absolutely not something Albert wanted.

Besides, Dumbledore would die in a few years. Then, once Harry sent Voldemort packing, the Dark Lord's spellcasting techniques would truly become Albert's own.

Though plagiarism was shameful, there was no need to feel embarrassed when the victim was Voldemort.

Near dusk, someone knocked on Bard's door. The visitor was a middle-aged woman who seemed to be an acquaintance of Bard's.

Bard exchanged a few words with her in the corridor, then came in and called Albert downstairs for dinner.