Chapter 91.1 The Attempt

— ...so we have come to the conclusion that a young wizard, even if he was not born in the territory of Britain, but wants to live here, on our land, with us, must be protected! — A young lady with a fiery face and unpleasant facial features said expressively. — We are obliged to take care of the children, to protect them! And who can do this better than an adult who grew up in our society and knows our culture? We think that Mr. Sora Hoshino should be assigned a guardian, a member of the Juvenile Welfare Department. Thank you. — The sorceress smiled even more unpleasantly and sat back down.

In the gallery, the conversations of those present could be heard. The wizards and sorceresses discussed what they had heard, and I watched them, glancing at my lawyer, who was really working, not just pretending.

David Shekelle had already managed to silence and intimidate some of the cutthroats, but now the real opponents finally came out. He also explained that the contract Dumbledore had slipped me was a standard document, but it was unclear why the Headmaster had hidden part of the text.

At my lawyer's request, I kept a poker face and remained silent for the time being, but the further I got, the more I wanted to speak up. Especially on one of the basic tricks, when the cutthroat leads you into such a thicket, when the attention is diverted from the actual fact/topic being discussed to his condition.

That is, it's as if the discussion is no longer about whether we should take custody of the boy, but about who exactly we're going to give him to and under what conditions. By the way, this is the second hour of the hearing.

— I don't agree with Mrs. Norman, — Dumbledore said from his chair. — I think the tradition should not be abandoned and the guardianship should be given to one of the senior teachers of the school. Whichever Dean of the Faculty Mr. Hoshino is admitted to... .....

Again, there was an uproar among those gathered, but I couldn't hold back any longer, as the wizards had gotten used to the idea of mandatory guardianship. Okay, the stupid rule with the mandatory payment for the entire course of study, even if you go for one year, I swallowed, but THIS is not going to happen. When the wizards had calmed down a bit and the secretary had already taken a breath, I spoke.

— What makes you all think I'm going to take anyone into custody? — My confident voice and mocking expression caused a surprised silence, everyone looked at me as if I were something amazing. — Or have you all decided that you have the right to decide my fate?

— Mr. Hoshino, — the old man who was now the court clerk spoke dryly, condescendingly. — As a minor, you don't have the right to vote unless granted by a special decree of the Chief Justice... ....

— I'm not interested in your nonsense. And I only came here because I am interested. — I stare into the Mudblood's eyes with open disgust, turning my head to Dumbledore and the other officials in the special section of the stand behind him. — And to you I say this. Just because you've forgotten or ignored the laws of magic doesn't mean everyone else has! I know my rights, and I will not recognize anyone's guardianship over me, even if there are a hundred decrees to the contrary. And to your earnest desire to put your hands in my pockets, I say forget it, or you'll lose them faster than you realize. I've said my piece. — I turn and, ignoring someone's angry threats and outrage, proudly walk out of the courtroom.

Who the hell are they to behave like that? I leave the ministry through the special exit, feeling irritation bubbling up inside. Maybe we should really gas them? All their paperwork is worthless unless they have a direct lever with which to nail me. I've already withdrawn all my winnings from the goblin bank, and the remaining amount is enough for current tax payments and ingredient purchases.

Most of the materials and metals I buy in the world of the muggles are supplied by a special group of wizards who scour the junkyards, so I have plenty of the most common metals and alloys, such as iron, steel, copper, bronze, brass, stainless steel, and aluminum, and more — I have begun to stockpile.