"What exactly do you want me to do? Surely you didn't really come to discuss homework." She lowered her voice, a trace of suppressed anger in her tone.
Having a twelve-year-old student plant a Blood Contract in her soul had dealt her a greater blow than being caught by Dumbledore. After returning, she had nightmares for several nights, dreaming that Gerald destroyed her soul in a fit of displeasure.
"Don't be nervous, Lila. It's nothing major. I just want you to come to the Soviet Union with me on a business trip and help handle any parts that might get troublesome. You know things aren't peaceful over there right now. As a twelve-year-old, it isn't convenient for me to show my face while doing business, but you can."
Gerald leaned against the vegetable garden fence, his tone quite casual.
"Of course, I won't make you work for nothing. I can provide some special potions you can't buy on the market, or you can take the equivalent in Galleons, paid per trip."
"Do you think I'm short of money?"
Winslet folded her arms across her chest and raised her chin slightly, recovering that particular arrogance of the Saints.
The Rosier family's financial support for the Saints organization had never stopped, and her annual salary as a Hogwarts professor was far from low. Money really wasn't a problem for her.
"Of course not. I just felt that ordering you around directly would be a little inconsiderate-what, would you rather I gave you a direct order?"
Winslet's expression froze.
She stared at Gerald's smiling face, then forced a few words through gritted teeth. "You! I want the money!"
"Isn't that better? There's nothing wrong with going along with me, right?"
"Hmph!" Winslet turned her face away, refusing to engage in any further friendly