Chapter 10: My Family is Professional

Gabriel Truman didn't have any better solutions, so he could only accept Albert's proposal. Being expelled from Hogwarts was an outcome he couldn't accept no matter what.

After finishing the letters, Truman watched the owl fly away and then looked at Albert. "Is this really enough?"

"The school might also be taken aback. I think they won't expel a student lightly. At least they will figure out what's going on," Albert reassured him. This freckled-faced boy finally calmed down a bit, influenced by Albert's composure.

"Can I take a look at that letter?" Albert asked.

"Oh, sure. It's really an undeserved disaster," Truman smiled bitterly. "During the summer vacation in my first year, I used magic in front of my family and was warned by the Ministry of Magic."

He handed the letter to Albert and explained, "Hogwarts students are not allowed to use magic outside of school."

"But why wasn't Albert warned after using magic?" Nia was confused.

"It's probably because he hasn't started school yet," Truman wasn't entirely sure either.

"It should be some loophole," Albert began reading the contents on the parchment:

Dear Mr. Truman,

We have received intelligence that you performed the levitation charm in a Muggle residential area at 10:40 a.m.

Upon this action, which constitutes a serious violation of the Restriction of Underage Sorcery, and considering your prior formal warning for violating Article 13 of the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy, we regret to inform you that you must stand trial at the Ministry of Magic by 10 a.m. on August 17th.

If the charges are proven, you will be expelled from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and the Ministry will proceed to destroy your wand.

Take care of yourself.

Yours faithfully,

Madfald Hopkirk

Improper Use of Magic Office

Ministry of Magic

As Albert read this, his emotions became somewhat complex. He knew who the Muggles mentioned here referred to. He took a deep breath, sorted out his complicated feelings, and continued reading.

"I suggest that once this matter is resolved, you apply for mental distress compensation from the Ministry of Magic," Albert's family were all lawyers, and he had learned a thing or two about exploiting legal loopholes.

Truman was a bit stunned. He hadn't even figured out what was going on, and the other person was already suggesting that he apply for mental distress compensation from the Ministry of Magic?

"I can assure you that the Ministry of Magic must have a way to monitor your surroundings, but they can't figure out who exactly used magic," Albert continued, "My sister and I arrived here for summer vacation just a few days ago, and because you happened to bump into us, the Ministry of Magic assumed it was you who performed the levitation charm and prepared to expel you. In fact, this is a grave mistake on their part, and that letter surely gave you a big fright, didn't it? You almost lost control, and that definitely calls for compensation for mental distress."

"Yeah, demanding compensation for mental distress is completely reasonable," Nia chimed in.

"My family are all lawyers, so I know more about these things than you do," Albert continued to instigate, "Someone will definitely come here soon, or at least they will send a letter to clear up your situation. Then, you can file a complaint against the Ministry for their mistake and demand compensation for the cost of the scare, asking for 100 Galleons from them."

"Isn't that too much?" Truman was startled by Albert's exorbitant request.

"That's how negotiations work," Albert replied without hesitation, "At least 50 Galleons wouldn't be excessive. If it's lower than that, forget it, so they don't think they can easily deceive children. Adults behave like this, and they think it's easier to handle kids."

"If the Ministry doesn't pay, I can write a letter to the Daily Prophet anonymously and expose this matter. I believe they would be willing to pay you 50 Galleons. However, if you receive the money, you'll need to give me half as a fee for writing the letter on your behalf," Albert's words made Truman realize that this kid was incredibly... impressive.

...

Hogwarts, Headmaster's office. Albus Dumbledore had just received a notification from the Ministry of Magic, informing him that Gabriel Truman would need to stand trial at the Ministry for using the levitation charm in front of Muggles. If the Ministry's charges were proven, Truman would be expelled from the school.

This was not good news. Truman had a prior warning, as during the summer vacation of his first year, he had used magic in front of his family and was warned by the Ministry of Magic.

Just as Dumbledore was preparing to go to the Ministry to confirm the situation, an owl-delivered letter caught his attention.

The letter described that Truman was not involved in the incident. He had merely encountered a new student who was practicing the levitation charm in the park, and the Muggle mentioned in the letter referred to the new student's sister.

It didn't sound like a lie, especially since there was another letter enclosed, signed by its owner, Albert Anderson.

In the letter, Albert expressed regret for bringing unwarranted trouble to Truman and offered to testify for him if necessary.

Dumbledore found the name familiar in his memory. Indeed, Albert Anderson was a first-year student from a Muggle family.

Dumbledore couldn't help but feel relieved. He believed that this might be the true situation regarding the matter. Expelling a student was definitely not something he, as the headmaster, wanted to see.

Albus Dumbledore immediately went to the Ministry of Magic and discussed the letter and the situation with the personnel from the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office. The situation wasn't severe enough to warrant a trial, and if it was merely an accident, the Ministry could end up being the laughingstock.

After all, both Dumbledore and the Ministry personnel knew that the Trace had its loopholes.

As it turned out, the Ministry had sent someone, and Dumbledore also met with them. The old man smiled as he watched the two children conversing in the park.

"It seems like a misunderstanding," Dumbledore said with a smile to the Ministry personnel beside him.

"I believe you must be Headmaster Dumbledore," Albert said, sizing up Dumbledore and extending his hand to shake it. "You're just like the chocolate frog card."

"Mr. Albert?" Dumbledore examined Albert and said with a smile, "We received your letter, young man. Can you hand me your wand, please?"

"Oh, of course, no problem," Albert knew what Dumbledore intended to do and handed him the wand.

As expected, the Headmaster used the Priori Incantatem spell and detected the recent magic performed by the wand's owner.

Dumbledore looked at Albert in astonishment. This child had managed to learn five spells in just a few days.

"Gabriel just corrected me on the levitation charm gesture. I just learned that spell," Albert explained.

"What about your wand?" the wizard from the Ministry asked Truman.

"I didn't bring it. It's at home. If you need to inspect it, you can come with me to get it," Truman replied confidently. After all, he had nothing to fear from an inspection.

"It seems to be a misunderstanding, Nathley," Dumbledore said with a smile.

"Yes, I think so too," Nathley nodded. "I guess I'll need to rewrite the report."

The Ministry of Magic didn't have the authority to expel Hogwarts students or confiscate wands unless the charges were proven.

This was my oversight. I should have gone to the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office at the Ministry first, and only if the charges were proven would the student be expelled and the wand destroyed.

(End of this chapter)