I'll Call You Brother, You Call Me Dad!

William did indeed know quite a few of the wizards invited by Professor Slughorn, or had met them once before.

This is actually quite normal.

United Kingdom has only a handful of wizards, and even fewer who are truly famous.

William established Akali's Mystery Shop, whose high-end business consisted of expensive alchemical items and Potions.

This isn't something sold to ordinary families. They can't afford it... like Felix Felicis, a Potions.

Therefore, many wizards here have traded with him. Even if they don't recognize each other, they become acquainted after a few words.

Although disappointed, Slughorn quickly realized that this was his most important opportunity.

He had to bring William, this promising and wealthy young man, into his network of connections.

In this way, he will live the most comfortable life for the next few decades.

At that moment, Slughorn was indeed tempted.

He began to consider whether to make a comeback and return to Hogwarts.

The Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor is definitely out of the question; whoever takes it will die. While Severus is already in Potions Class, we can kick him out and have him teach Defence Against Dark Magic instead.

Plans in place!

While Slughorn was pondering, William was already entangled with someone.

"Mr. Stark, my name is Elder Worple, author of Bloodbrothers: My Life Among Vampires... This is my friend Sanguini."

Worple, a short man with glasses, grasped William's hand and held it warmly.

The vampire, Sanguini, was tall and thin, with dark circles under his eyes, and looked tired.

His eyes kept glancing at the fair-skinned and delicate Cedric.

He seemed curious and excited, as if he wanted to give Ced a bite.

"Mr. Stark, I am so happy!" said Worple, staring up at William's face with his nearsighted eyes.

"I was just saying to Professor Slughorn the other day, 'Where is the William Stark biography we've all been eagerly awaiting?'"

"Interested in an autobiography? I'd love to write one—people are eager to know more about you, to grasp the legendary tales of the Death Eaters, Paris, and Venice."

For a moment, William seemed to see Rita.

However, he was more principled Rita; if it were Rita, her quill pen would definitely have already started working.

"Dear Stark, if you would grant me a few interviews, four or five hours each, then the book could be completed in a few months."

It won't take any of your time, I promise... Ask if Sanguini is -- Sanguini, don't go!

Worple's expression suddenly turned stern as the vampire nudged Cedric closer, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

Cedric was genuinely startled when he felt someone touch his buttocks. Then, he was filled with immense anger.

Even when he attends a banquet, people try to take advantage of him.

That's going too far!

Aunt!

Hmm... this technique, this force... hmm... not... simple at all.

You've probably been groped quite a few times on public buses, haven't you?

Cedric turned around with difficulty, startled by the ugly face of the man behind him, and his limbs went weak.

He burped and swallowed the Mandrake he had been holding in his mouth for half a month.

Damn! (Mandrake)

"Here, have a sausage. I'll deal with you when we get back, Sanguini."

Worple stormed over, grabbed a sausage from a tray of House-elf, and stuffed it into Sanguini's mouth.

Then, attention turned back to William.

"Mr. Stark, you can't even imagine how much money you can make—"

"Sorry, I'm not interested in money." William shook his head, suppressing a laugh.

He suddenly discovered that it wasn't just Merpeople; vampires were also interested in Cedric.

However, his pale face did indeed resemble that of an United States vampire.

Malfoy, who had just entered the tent, was struck dumb upon hearing William's words, and trembled all over.

"William, of course we know you're not interested in Galleon. You've made hundreds of thousands of Galleon just from betting on football lately... Can you tell us your secret?"

Slughorn asked enthusiastically.

Everyone looked up at William, including Malfoy.

William spouted some toxic positivity, saying, "You have to be persistent when it comes to betting on sports. How can you earn a million Galleon if you don't have the guts to lose half a million?"

Don't think that just because you lost 300,000, you'll never gamble again.

A man who hesitates will never succeed.

"... Oh!" Malfoy said thoughtfully.

Someone coughed softly behind him, clearly indicating their skepticism and amusement at William's words.

Everyone turned to look and saw a young wizard, about thirteen or fourteen years old. He had high cheekbones, dark skin, and narrow, slightly slanted brown eyes.

William recognized the student as Blaise Zabini from Slytherin House, a year younger than him.

Zabini blushed and stammered, "Stark... he was just lucky... if you gave me Galleon... I could have..."

"Shut up, Blaise, apologize to Mr. Stark right now!"

In the distance, a voluptuous witch in gorgeous clothes walked by, like a splendid peony.

Her appearance immediately drew the attention of all the male wizards, yet none dared to approach her.

Especially the vampire named Sanguini, who seemed to have been toyed with, was terrified.

William recognized the woman.

The famous Mrs. Zabini was married six times and widowed six times.

Each of her husbands died under mysterious circumstances, leaving her a large inheritance.

Mrs. Zabini attended the banquet, clearly to find her seventh husband.

Hmm... it's also about finding a seventh father for his son, Zabini.

Zabini seemed very afraid of his mother and quickly apologized.

Hermione took William's arm and walked towards the corner, away from Mrs. Zabini was giving her flirtatious looks.

William glanced out of the corner of his eye and saw the twins quietly leave, running towards Malfoy.

They were clearly up to no good.

William and Hermione avoided the crowd, intending to find a quiet place to rest for a while, but unexpectedly saw Professor Trelawney.

Professor Trelawney sat in the corner, clutching a bottle of sherry and chugging it down.

After finishing one bottle, a House-elf next to me immediately handed me another.

The whole process takes less than twenty seconds.

"..."

At this rate of drinking... either Trelawney will die suddenly, or Professor Slughorn will be "bankrupted" and then die of exhaustion.

"William, do you still have any of those rings you sell?" Professor Trelawney hiccuped.

"The kind that can hold a lot of things."

William lost a ring with Undetectable Extension Charm.

"Don't worry... I'll pay..." Professor Trelawney chuckled. "I have plenty of money... fill me up with sherry."

She handed the ring to the House-elf.

"..."

For years, she's been the one getting fleeced by Professor McGonagall; now it's finally her turn.

Professor Trelawney was rambling on about betting on soccer.

They had no choice but to listen patiently.

"Hermione, you stay here and watch over the professor."

After a while, William said, "I'm going to the restroom, I'll be right back."

Hermione nodded, sat down on the sofa, then took out her notebook and began questioning the House-elf:

Do you have a job? How many people are in your family? Do you know any unemployed House-elf?

She was as serious as a neighborhood committee auntie checking household registrations (just kidding)... young lady.

The toilet was on the right side of the tent. William locked the door and went inside.

Standing in front of the toilet, just as I was about to pull down my pants, I heard the wooden door being magically opened.

Are people even spying on you when you go to the toilet? Is there no hope for the world anymore?

William turned around abruptly, only to be startled.

--Mrs. Zabini!

She locked the door again and walked gracefully toward him.

"Madam, this is the men's restroom." William cleared his throat. "Are you lost? You should go to the next one."

Mrs. Zabini, as expected of a woman who could have six husbands, looked at William, smiled sweetly, and said in DiDi:

"This place is just fine, child."

Did you encounter a female hooligan?

Someone please save me!

William, with a stern face and an extremely serious expression, said, "Auntie, Zabini is my classmate... You can't do this."

Mrs. Zabini clutched her chest, feigning resentment, and said with seductive eyes, "Just don't let him know. Or... you can each do your own thing."

"..."

William suddenly remembered that sentence:

I call you brother, and you call me dad!

The witch continued walking towards William, her eyes sparkling with desire, her face full of spring-like allure.

The witch suddenly turned hostile; she pretended to lift her sleeve, gathering a curl from her sideburns, but instead grabbed her wand.

William seemed to have anticipated this; he moved even faster, and the wand was already in his right hand.

Suddenly, the small bathroom was fraught with danger.

William only had one thought in his mind:

Could you wait until he goes to the restroom?

(Please give me your recommendation votes and monthly tickets, everyone.)

Thank you to the guild leader "Life is short and tiring" for the generous donation.

The second alliance leader, so he owes ten more chapters, for a total of 27 chapters!

(I've just arrived on Mars, don't worry.)