Chapter 10 - 10. Anything For A Friend
When you are with friends you like spending time with, time tends to move faster. So, 5 days went by in the blink of an eye. Magnus was not able to get out of his home because the journalists were still outside. His parents had told him that he can't go out without their permission and supervision of them.
Finally, it was Sunday and Magnus had asked his dad to take him and Bobby to the park. He showed it like he wanted to play there but in reality, he wanted to find the strange kid whose mother had called him a filthy muggle before. Because this was what the portrait in Buckingham Palace said, so there must be a connection.
So, Magnus took his bicycle along. It had a backseat too so it wasn't going to be a problem for both of them to make a trip. Magnus's memory had gotten very good so he was easily able to remember the whole way.
*Bump*
Suddenly, just like the last time, a flying disc came out of nowhere and bumped on his head. Magnus looked to the side and said the same old fat kid.
"Ah, aren't you the guy from last time? What was the name? Ronan?" Magnus asked. He had a good memory but that didn't mean he would remember insignificant things too.
The fat kid's eyes twitched, "It's Vernon, actually. Huh..."
"What's his problem?" Bobby questioned.
"Diabetes maybe. I heard about it on T.V. Pretty horrifying disease. You have to get injections daily. I'd be mad if I were him." Magnus replied and they continued their excursion. Adam as usual took a spot on a bench and read the newspaper.
"Okay, Bobby. Sit on the backseat. I will be very fast." Magnus said.
Bobby sat down and lifted his feet a few centimetres above. Soon, Magnus started paddling it like no tomorrow and soon they were talking to the air. This time, Magnus knew the right way, he reached the place quickly.
"It's supposed to be here," Magnus muttered. He looked at the building and hoped to see the boy outside. They waited there for a few more minutes but nobody came out.
"Do you know his name? Maybe we can shout it?" Bobby asked.
Magnus shook his head, "Nah, mate, his mother was too scary. I couldn't ask as I was busy running away."
Soon, they lost patience and went ahead to press the doorbell. But, they still couldn't find the boy in the whole building.
*Sigh*
"I guess we should head back now. Maybe his family is not at home." Magnus decided. He sat back on the bicycle and pedalled back to the park. But while going away, they saw another kid, with black hair but smaller height walking towards the building. But they were already back on their way.
The little kid went back to his house and found his big brother, "Brother, someone was waiting for you outside. Two boys, rode on a bicycle."
"Regulus, why didn't you call me? The blonde kid was the one that could spew fire out of his mouth. I'd have shown you. Well, he must want to talk to me, so I'm sure he will come again. I will look for a charm that can notify me of his visit." Sirius decided.
"Hah, sure brother." Regulus shrugged, totally not taking his words seriously.
On their way back, Magnus had another thing in his mind, "Bobby, tell me something, how much is your parent's mortgage left?"
"Ummm... I don't know. I don't even know what Mortgage is." Bobby answered.
"Well, it is the money borrowed usually from the bank to buy your house. You keep on giving them money every month for a few years. If you don't then the house will become theirs and you will lose all the money you've already given." Magnus explained.
"Ow, I understand now. But, I really don't know the amount needed. Maybe I can ask them." Bobby decided.
"Listen, Bobby, what if I lend you money? I really meant mine, not my parents'. Can you then convince your parents to pay the whole mortgage with that and say that you'll return the money when you grow up?" Magnus suggested.
"You have money?" Bobby asked in scepticism.
"Not yet, but if you promise that you will convince them, then I will get the money," Magnus asked seriously.
"I... I don't know, Mag. We are just 9-year-olds. My parents think I am too immature and don't even talk about stuff with me. How can I convince them?" Bobby asked.
He was tempted to take the offer because he didn't want to leave his friend and the house he grew up in. But, he also stayed a bit realistic about it.
"Just tell them that Magnus has the money. Tell them that I earned it and have lent it to you. Tell them that you have promised to give it back. Mate, I don't wanna lose my only friend either. Dumb as you may be, a friend is still a friend." Magnus said teasingly.
"Yeah... wait... what? Who's dumb?"
...
That evening, Bobby went back to his home because the school was starting to continue from the next day. But, today he needed to talk to his parents about Bobby's situation.
"Mummy, Daddy, I want to help him," Magnus said.
"Sure, Mag. I think we can help them. We both earn enough for that," his parents agreed.
Magnus' father, Adam, was a Colonel and his salary was about 6100£ (87,000£ today) while Grace was a Lieutenant Colonel and her yearly salary was 5100 Pounds £ (83,798£ today). The average cost of a home was now £2,530 (approximately £55,784). So, it was not very tough for them to help.
But, Magnus denied. "No, I don't want you to do it. If you give money then uncle and aunt will feel bad. So, I want to do it myself. Daddy, aren't there a lot of news people out there? Will they pay me if I give them an interview? What if I give the BBC an interview or some radio station?"
Adam looked at his wife with a smug face suddenly. They just realised that their son was going too fast for his age, at least in a mental capacity.
Adam jokingly thought ~My boy will become a big businessman it seems.~
"Mag, are you sure you want to do this?" Grace asked.
"Yes mom, not many people remember the news anyway. They will forget about it in a few days." He assured.
"Good, then I will see what arrangements can be made." Adam got up and went to the telephone to call some people.
...
Hogwarts,
"Professor Dumbledore, Minister for magic, Eugenia Jenkins is here. She has some urgent business with you." McGonagall told the old man.
"Yes, Minerva. Leach has retired already and I am yet to meet this new Minister. A good opportunity it is. Send her in." Dumbledore said from his seat.
McGonagall left the room and soon an uptight witch entered. She was certainly not a pushover like Nooby Leach.
Dumbledore humbly received her into his chamber and gave her some tea. "Minister, what can I do for you today?"
"You flatter me, Professor. Can't I just come and visit our esteemed Headmaster of Hogwarts?" She replied like a true politician.
"Haha, I am too old now, not many people find charm in meeting me." Dumbledore was also trialled and tested when it came to politics.
"Then I will get straight to the point. Professor, what did Nobby talk about with the Crown? The Queen has especially named you and wants to meet you." She revealed.
Dumbledore didn't show any reactions except a bit of light shining on his pupils. ~It seems she didn't find him. Then does this mean...?~
"Minister, you do not need to worry about this. It's a muggle matter, something about the line of succession. It seems old Merlin had enchanted some stone tablet with King Arthur's decree. Now it is shining and warning the royal family of a curse. They likely want me for that." He explained, leaving bits of pieces of info alone.
"Will you be going?" Minister asked.
"It will be quite demeaning to go there for me," Dumbledore muttered. In fact, he was playing a game. He knew there was more to get from this.
"I recommend that you go there, Headmaster. It will set up good relations with the royals, also, the queen has generously agreed to pay 50,000£ to the Ministry of magic. Of course, half of it will be given to Hogwarts funds, directly to be used by you." she offered.
Dumbledore was tempted by this. Money was always welcome for maintaining Hogwarts. He was also interested in Merlin's magic so he agreed.
"I will visit the crown. But tell them not to keep their hopes very high," he announced.
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