Daily Life at Hogwarts - Chapter 10

Gabriel Drummond really had no other way, so he could only accept Albert’s proposal. Getting expelled from Hogwarts was an outcome he could never accept.

After writing the letter, Drummond watched the departing owl and turned to Albert, asking, “Is this really going to be okay?”

“The school might also be startled by this. I don’t think they’d expel a student without clarifying the situation,” Albert consoled. The freckled face of the young Drummond seemed somewhat soothed, probably influenced by Albert’s calm demeanor.

“May I see that letter?” Albert inquired.

“Oh, here. Truly an unexpected misfortune,” Drummond said ruefully. “In my first-year summer vacation, I was warned by the Ministry for using magic in front of my family.”

He handed the letter over, explaining, “Hogwarts students aren’t supposed to use magic outside school.”

“Why wasn’t Albert warned after using magic then?” Nia was confused.

“It might be because he hasn’t started school yet,” Drummond was equally unsure.

“Probably some loophole,” Albert began reading the parchment:

Dear Mr. Drummond: We’ve received information that you used a levitation charm at 10:40 a.m. in a Muggle residential area, in front of a Muggle…

Albert’s emotions were mixed as he read. He knew who the referred ‘Muggle’ was. Taking a deep breath and collecting his emotions, he continued.

Given your previous official warning for violating Article 13 of the International Confederation of Wizards’ Secrecy Law, we regret to inform you that you must attend a hearing at the Ministry of Magic by 10 a.m. on August 17. If charges are substantiated, you may be expelled from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and your wand may be destroyed. Take care.

Yours sincerely, Mafalda Hopkirk. Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office.

“I suggest, once this issue is resolved, you demand mental compensation from the Ministry,” Albert, coming from a family of lawyers, was well-versed in exploiting legal loopholes.

Drummond looked dazed, still grappling with Albert’s suggestions.

“I’d bet that the Ministry has ways of monitoring your surroundings, but they probably couldn’t determine who actually used the magic,” Albert continued. “I came here with my sister for the summer holidays just a few days ago. You happened to stumble upon us, so the Ministry thought you used the Levitation Charm and are preparing to expel you. In reality, it’s their serious oversight. Besides, that letter surely gave you quite a fright, right? You almost lost control. They absolutely owe you compensation for mental distress.”

“Right, it’s entirely reasonable to demand mental distress compensation,” Nia chimed in.

“My family are all lawyers, so I know these things better than you,” Albert persisted, “There will definitely be people coming over, or at least someone will write a letter. Anyway, you should first clear yourself. Then, raise a complaint about the Ministry’s mistake. Demand compensation for the scare they’ve given you. Ask them for 100 Galleons.”

“Isn’t that too much?” Drummond was taken aback by Albert’s audacious suggestion.

“This is the best way to negotiate,” Albert responded without hesitation. “At the very least, 50 Galleons is not excessive. If it’s below this, don’t take it; they might feel like they can easily handle a child. Adults are all like this; they think children are easy to deal with.”

“If the Ministry doesn’t pay, I can write a letter for you, and let the Daily Prophet anonymously expose this. I believe they’ll be willing to pay you 50 Galleons. However, you’d have to give me half when you get the money, as a fee for writing the letter for you,” Albert’s words made Drummond realize that this kid was incredibly… formidable.

…

At Hogwarts, in the Headmaster’s office, Dumbledore had just received notification from the Ministry of Magic about Gabriel Drummond. The young man had allegedly used the levitation charm in front of a Muggle and was required to attend a hearing at the Ministry. If found guilty, Drummond would be expelled from Hogwarts.

This was not good news, especially since Drummond had been warned by the Ministry once before for using magic in front of his family during his first-year summer vacation.

Just as Dumbledore was preparing to head to the Ministry for clarification, an owl-delivered letter took him by surprise.

The letter explained that Drummond had nothing to do with the incident. Instead, he had merely stumbled upon an incoming student practicing the levitation charm in the park, with the mentioned Muggle being the newcomer’s younger sister.

This did not seem like a lie, especially since there was another letter included, from one Albert Anderson. Albert had expressed regret for the confusion caused and had mentioned his willingness to vouch for Drummond.

Dumbledore remembered the name from the new first-year enrollments; indeed, Albert hailed from a Muggle family.

Relief washed over Dumbledore. He believed this was most likely the true sequence of events. Expelling a student was not something he, as the Headmaster, wished to see.

Dumbledore immediately went to the Ministry, where he discussed the letters and situation with the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office. The matter didn’t seem severe enough for a formal hearing. After all, such an error could make the Ministry a laughingstock. Both Dumbledore and the Ministry officials knew that the Trace was not foolproof.

As Albert had predicted, an official from the Ministry arrived, and Dumbledore was there too. The old wizard watched the two children in the park converse, wearing a beaming smile.

“It appears to be a misunderstanding,” Dumbledore chuckled to the Ministry official beside him.

“I assume you are Headmaster Dumbledore,” Albert remarked, taking a good look at Dumbledore before shaking his hand, “You look just like your Chocolate Frog card.”

“Mr. Anderson?” Dumbledore gazed at Albert and replied with a smile, “We received your letter, young man. May I see your wand?”

“Oh, of course,” Knowing Dumbledore’s intentions, Albert promptly handed over his wand.

As expected, the Headmaster used the Prior Incantato spell, which revealed the recent spells cast by the wand’s owner.

Dumbledore looked at Albert with astonishment; the boy had mastered five spells in just a few days.

“Drummond just corrected the gesture I was using for the levitation spell; I’ve just grasped it,” Albert explained.

“And your wand?” The Ministry wizard turned to Drummond.

“I didn’t bring it. It’s at home. If you need to inspect it, you can accompany me to retrieve it,” Drummond said confidently, unafraid of any checks.

“It seems we have a misunderstanding here, Nottley,” Dumbledore said with a smile.

“Yes, it appears so,” Nottley nodded, “I think I need to redraft my report.”