Chapter 194 "Small Amount of Money"

After hearing Cassandra's request, Mr. Burke eagerly nodded in agreement. However, a hint of anxiety flickered in his eyes as he spoke, "Well, Miss Cassandra, while the magical world does prioritize first-hand and prompt delivery, you see, could you possibly provide a deposit upfront? I do need to purchase raw materials, after all."

Subconsciously, Cassandra touched a few gold Galleons in her pocket. However, without hesitation, she responded, "No problem. I'll give it to you this afternoon. How long will it take to craft this set of magic items?"

Observing Cassandra's prompt agreement to the deposit request and her subsequent inquiry about the timeline, Mr. Burke felt a surge of joy. He was convinced that Cassandra was genuinely committed to having this set of magic supplies crafted.

Overjoyed, Mr. Burke quickly replied, "I'll work swiftly, Miss Cassandra. I only need a week—no, five days! Just give me five days!"

Satisfied with Mr. Burke's commitment, Cassandra nodded and stated, "Alright, I'll pay you twenty-five gold Galleons for each poker card, and I'll settle the payment this afternoon."

With that, Cassandra turned decisively, preparing to exit. Mr. Burke, equally eager, concurred from behind, "Alright, Miss Cassandra, I'll start preparations right away. This set of magic supplies will undoubtedly shine in the magical world! I am honored to have the chance to create such a set for you. Thank you for providing me with this opportunity to make a name for myself in the magical community!"

Upon hearing Mr. Burke's words, Cassandra, on the verge of leaving, couldn't help but pause momentarily. With a nonchalant response, she uttered, "Certainly." Pushing the door open, she exited Mr. Burke's store.

As Cassandra strolled out of Diagon Alley and reached the Leaky Cauldron Inn, her father, Thomas Vole, sat in a secluded corner, quietly sipping a Shirley liquor.

Seating herself across from her father, Cassandra was met with Thomas's inquiry, delivered without looking up, "Have you finished your business?"

Cassandra nodded but then shook her head again. Observing her conflicting gestures, Thomas set down his glass and asked, "What's the matter? Are you in trouble?"

Cassandra nodded and confessed to her father, "I need money, a lot of money as soon as possible, this afternoon!"

Upon hearing Cassandra's plea, Thomas paused for a moment and casually inquired, "How much money do you need?"

After pondering for a moment, Cassandra sighed and stated, "At least 1,400 gold Galleons."

Thomas fell silent, realizing it was a substantial sum. After a brief pause, he remarked, "Cassandra, gathering such an amount quickly is near impossible. Even if we consider selling our manor, it won't happen immediately."

Upon hearing her father's words, Cassandra nodded in silent acknowledgment. Her keen intellect enabled her to grasp these truths even before her father voiced them.

Inquisitively, Thomas ventured, "Why don't you ask him?"

Thomas's words lingered between them for a while, before Cassandra hyped herself up and replied to her father with a determined look. "I'll try, father. Although I know Wentworth is a good person, but asking for quite a sum from him would definitely bring trouble for me..."

"You should try it first, dear. I know that's impossible as well, but if you are in need of help, then who else besides the Young Lord that could help you? As much as I wanted to stop you from going to him, it feels like I am drawn into his influence as well whether I like it or not." Thomas comforted Cassandra while gently caressing her head.

***

At noon, when Wentworth, Cedric, and Green headed to the Hogwarts auditorium for lunch, they coincidentally encountered Cassandra at the entrance.

"Cassandra, how's your father doing? Is he getting better?" Wentworth inquired as soon as they met.

Cassandra offered a slight nod, "Yes, thank you for asking..." and then glanced at Cedric and Green.

Cedric appeared perplexed, but Green swiftly intervened, guiding Cedric into the auditorium.

With a nod towards Cassandra, Green suggested, "Both of you talk first! You have lots of catch-up to do, while for us, let's grab some lunch first!"

Observing Green pull Cedric away, Wentworth asked curiously, "Is something amiss, Cassandra?"

Cassandra took a deep breath and began, "Wentworth, I need to borrow some money from you. Don't worry; I'll definitely..."

Before Cassandra could conclude her sentence, Wentworth interjected with a smile, "How much do you need to borrow?"

"1,400 gold Galleons. I know it might seem a bit steep, but I truly have..." Cassandra started explaining.

Without allowing her to finish, Wentworth raised his hand in front of Cassandra's face, telling her to stop talking. Reconsidering Cassandra's request, he smiled and remarked, "Not much. Do you need it right away?"

Cassandra paused, dumbly nodding in response. "Y---yes..."

Subsequently, Wentworth led Cassandra back to the entrance of Hufflepuff's common room. As Cassandra waited outside, Wentworth briefly disappeared into the lounge.

He returned shortly afterward, handed her a small bag, and said, "There are 1,500 gold Galleons in here. Take them!"

Cassandra accepted the packet but didn't immediately leave. Instead, she asked, "You won't ask about what I'm going to do with this much money?"

Hearing Cassandra's question, Wentworth shrugged nonchalantly and replied, "It doesn't matter. It's all small money anyway."

Cassandra fell into silence when she heard Wentworth utter that the value of 1400 Galleons is considered small for him... Although the Vole family is by no means a poor family, but having such an amount is quite out of reach for Thomas, who was working himself to the bone for the Minister of Magic.

Upon her return to the Leaky Cauldron Inn, she found her father, Thomas Revo, still in the same spot. Inquiring with a drunken gaze, Thomas asked, "How about it? Have you got the money from him?"

Cassandra nodded. "Yes, father..."

After a brief silence, Thomas Rever inquired further, "Did he ask anything? Or make a request?"

Cassandra shook her head slowly and explained, "He didn't ask anything. He didn't say anything."

Hearing Cassandra's response, Thomas nodded approvingly and commented, "It's a sum for significant matters. With this much money and no questions asked, it's not just trust but also courage."

Upon hearing her father's words, Cassandra couldn't help but offer a bitter smile and remarked, "He said it's all small money."

Thomas was struck with the same expression as Cassandra when he heard what Wentworth had just said. He can only look at Cassandra momentarily before taking another sip of alcohol to clear his mind away.

***

Upon her return to Diagon Alley, Cassandra noticed from a distance that Mr. Burke eagerly awaited her in front of her store.

Without hesitation, she handed the Golden Galleon in her possession to Mr. Burke, declaring, "In a week, I'll have something for you!" With those words, Cassandra left before Mr. Burke could respond.

A week later, when Cassandra returned to Diagon Alley and approached Mr. Burke's store, her eyes immediately fell on the prominently displayed deck of playing cards.

However, a hint of perplexity clouded Cassandra's expression. Mr. Burke, noticing Cassandra's entrance, warmly greeted her, unaware that at that moment, Cassandra had her wand discreetly at the ready.