Chapter 64: The Bottom Line of Free Floating

Chapter 64: The Bottom Line of Free Floating

In a vacant classroom in Hogwarts, the evening cast a dim, flickering light from a single oil lamp, throwing long shadows of the three people present onto the walls.

"We're glad you came to find us, Kyle, but we can't do this."

Fred lowered his head, hiding himself in the shadows beyond the reach of the light.

"We've known each other for so long, but this is the first time you've come to us for help since you started Hogwarts. I can't even remember the last time we had dinner together."

"Last Wednesday." Kyle paused for a moment, thinking. "You wanted to sell my homework to Gryffindor freshmen."

"My friend, you refused very decisively."

George said flatly, "You don't even know how heartbroken we were when you left."

"I just didn't need Professor McGonagall's detention." Kyle said, "Selling homework in bulk? How did you even come up with that? You think Professor McGonagall is Ron, that she can't even notice something like that?"

"Ahem… alright, maybe you're right." Fred raised his head and looked directly at Kyle, "So, why aren't you worried that Professor McGonagall might find out?

It's not difficult. You can do it yourself, or just find anyone in Hufflepuff, can't you?"

"Snape is watching us closely."

"Understood. Whenever you need dirty work done..."

George sighed, "You found your place in Hufflepuff. You like it there. The professors and students like you too.

To be honest, you might not need our friendship. You've never even called us 'Mr'!"

"Stop the chit-chat, do you want to do it or not." Kyle's eyes twitched. He said impatiently, "Mr. Weasley... I'm counting to three. If you don't answer, I'll find someone else."

"One!"

…

"George, look, he's threatening us."

"Yeah, Fred, we're not falling for that."

"Two!"

…

"I think you can count faster."

Kyle didn't say anything. He just reached into his pocket and took out a shiny gold card, waving it in front of Fred and George.

" …Three."

"We're in!"

Fred and George appeared behind Kyle, one on each side. They instantly put on a smile.

"Kyle, what card was that you were holding? Is it an Agrippina?"

"Hmm-hmm…" Kyle nodded.

Fred said obsequiously, "Can I take another look? Just one look."

Kyle took out the rare card again and waved it in front of them.

Fred and George's eyes immediately went wide, their gaze following Kyle's arm as it swayed back and forth.

After about ten seconds, Kyle put the card away and said to the two, who were still wanting more, "See this Agrippina? If you succeed…"

Before Kyle could finish, George said excitedly, "You'll give it to us?"

"You wish." Kyle said, "If you succeed, I'll lend it to you for ten minutes."

"Ten days!" Fred frowned.

"Nine minutes…"

"No, at least a week." This time, it was George.

"Five…

"One day, that's our bottom line!" The two of them said in unison.

"Deal."

Kyle extended his hand and high-fived them.

The deal was struck. Next, they had to discuss the specific plan.

"We weren't planning on refusing."

Fred chuckled as he patted Kyle on the shoulder, "As long as Slytherin gets screwed over, we're always happy to help."

"But you have to provide the props." George said, "Those things need to be custom-made. They're very expensive. We can't afford them."

"Of course, I've already prepared them."

Kyle took out a pile of Galleons and put them on the table, "There are twenty Galleons here. It should be enough for those two things, right?"

"More than enough."

Fred picked up the Galleons from the table and gently rubbed them in his hand… He had never seen this much money before.

Although he knew Kyle had made a lot of money selling maps, it was just speculation. It was completely different from seeing so many Galleons piled up together.

Were maps really that profitable?

"Kyle, we…"

George looked at the pile of Galleons in front of him. It seemed like he wanted to say something.

Kyle looked at him questioningly.

"Forget it. Let's talk about it later." George thought for a moment and shook his head. Then he said,

"If it's twenty Galleons, Zonko's will definitely be able to deliver your things on time."

Kyle didn't mind. He discussed some of the details with the two of them and then prepared to leave.

"I can't wait." Fred said excitedly, "Slytherin messed with you. They're going to be in for a world of hurt."

Kyle glanced at him and reminded him, "Don't be silly. What does it have to do with me? I don't know anything."

"Ha, cunning Chopper."

"Heh, foolish Weasleys."

...

After saying goodbye to Fred and George, Kyle didn't go back to the Hufflepuff common room right away. Instead, he wandered around the third-floor hallway for a while.

He needed to find a specific ghost. The fat ghost had told him that he liked to hang out near the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.

But Kyle had been wandering around for ten minutes and hadn't found anything.

Just as he was about to go back and try again tomorrow morning, a balloon filled with liquid suddenly flew toward the back of his head.

Kyle tilted his head slightly and narrowly dodged it.

The balloon hit the ground, releasing a foul odor.

"Heh heh heh, annoying little first-year. Wandering around at night, not sleeping. Tsk tsk tsk, naughty. You'll get caught."

A small dwarf suddenly appeared in mid-air. It had wicked black eyes, and anda big mouth, and was floating in mid-air with its legs crossed. It was still holding two more balloons.

"Should I tell Filch? Stupid big guys and little brats. This is so much fun."

Kyle stood there and looked at him with interest. "You're Peeves?"

For a moment, Peeves's small black eyes showed a hint of confusion, but it quickly turned into anger.

The little brat dared to stand there and not run away. He was clearly looking down on him. How could he stand for this?

He threw the other two balloons at Kyle, "That's right. I am the great Peeves. I'm going to tell Filch you're sneaking out. He'll put you in detention."

He said solemnly, "I'm telling him this for your own good. You understand?"

Kyle pulled out his wand, tossed the two balloons aside, and said calmly, "I agree with you, but it's still five minutes before curfew. That doesn't count as sneaking out. Besides, I'm here specifically to find you."

"Specifically to find me?"

Peeves was surprised. Not many wizards at Hogwarts would take the initiative to find him.

"Yes." Kyle looked around and lowered his voice, "I have an idea. I don't know if you're interested."

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