Gabriel Truman had no better solution; he could only accept Albert's suggestion. Being expelled from Hogwarts was a result he absolutely could not accept.
After writing the letter, Truman watched the owl fly away, then looked at Albert and asked, "Is this really enough?"
"The school must have been startled too. I don't think they'd casually expel a student; at least they'd try to figure out what happened," Albert comforted. The freckled young man finally calmed down, or rather, he was infected by Albert's composure.
"That letter, can I borrow it to read?" Albert asked.
"Oh, here. It's really an unprovoked disaster," Trumansaid with a wry smile. "I was warned by the Ministry of Magic once during the summer of my first year for using magic in front of my family."
He handed the letter to Albert and explained, "Hogwarts students are not allowed to use magicoutside of school."
"But why wasn't Albert warned after he used magic?" Nia was very puzzled.
"It's probably because he hasn't started school yet." In fact, Truman wasn't entirely sure either.
"It must be some loophole." Albert began to read the contents on the parchment:
Dear Mr. Truman: We have received intelligence that at ten forty in the morning, you performed a Levitation Charm in a Muggle residential area, in front of a Muggle.
Upon seeing this, Albert's emotions were a bit complex. He knew who the Muggle referred to here was. He took a deep breath, composed his complex emotions, and continued reading.
This act severely violates the decree for the reasonable restriction of underage sorcery. Given that you have previously received a formal warning for violating Article 13 of the International Confederation of Wizards' Statute of Secrecy, we regret to inform you that you must appear before the Ministry of Magic for a hearing at ten o'clock on the morning of August 17th.
If the charge is upheld, you will be expelled from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and the Ministry of Magic will destroy your wand.
We hope you take good care of yourself.
Yours faithfully, Mafalda Hopkirk, Ministry of Magic, Improper Use of magic Office.
"I suggest that after this matter is resolved, you apply to the Ministry of Magic for emotional compensation." Albert's family were all lawyers, so he had learned a bit about how to exploit legal loopholes.
Truman was a bit stunned, not even understanding what was going on. The other party actually told him to apply to the Ministry of Magic for emotional compensation?
"I dare say the Ministry of Magic definitely has a way to monitor your surroundings, but they can't figure out exactly who used the magic," Albert continued. "My sister and I only came here for the summer a few days ago. Because you happened to run into us, the Ministry of Magic thought you used the Levitation Charm and was preparing to expel you. In fact, this is a serious mistake on their part, and this letter also scared you quite a bit, didn't it? You almost lost control just now. This absolutely warrants compensation for emotional distress."
"Yes, yes, demanding compensation for emotional distress is completely reasonable," Nia echoed.
"My family are all lawyers, so I know more about these things than you do," Albert continued to instigate. "Someone will definitely come over soon, or at least someone will write a letter. Anyway, first clear your name. Then, file a complaint about the Ministry of Magic's mistake and demand they compensate you for the fright you received. Ask them for 100 Galleons."
"Won't that be too much?" Truman was startled by Albert's exorbitant demand.
"That's how it's easier to explain," Albert said without hesitation. "At least 50 Galleons is not too much. If it's less than that, don't take it, lest they think children are easy to fool. Adults are all like this; they think children are easy to deal with."
"If the Ministry of Magic doesn't pay, I can write you a letter and have The Daily Prophet anonymously expose this matter. I believe they'll be willing to pay you 50 Galleons. However, if that happens, you'll need to split the money with me, as payment for writing the letter for you." Albert's words made Truman feel that this child was simply too... too amazing.
...
Hogwarts, Headmaster's office. Headmaster Dumbledore had just received a notice from the Ministry of Magic, learning that Gabriel Truman needed to appear before the Ministry of Magic for a hearing because he had used a Levitation Charm in front of a Muggle. Once the Ministry of Magic's accusation was upheld, Truman would be expelled from the school.
This was not good news. Truman had a record; during the summer of his first year, he had been warned by the Ministry of Magic for using magic in front of his family.
Just as Dumbledore was preparing to go to the Ministry of Magic to confirm the situation, a letter from an owl surprised him greatly.
The letter described that Truman was not involved in the matter; he had merely encountered a new student who was about to enter the school practicing a Levitation Charm in the park, and the Muggle referred to was the student's sister.
This did not seem like a lie, as there was another letter enclosed, whose owner was Albert Anderson.
Albert expressed regret in his letter for bringing an unprovoked disaster upon Truman and said he could testify for him if necessary.
Dumbledore found the name in his memory; it was indeed a first-year student from a Muggle family.
Dumbledore couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. He felt that the situation of this matter was very likely as described. Expelling a student was something he, as the Principal, was never willing to see happen.
Dumbledore immediately went to the Ministry of Magicand discussed the letter and the situation with the people from the Improper Use of magic Office. The matter was not serious enough to warrant a hearing. If it was just an accident, the Ministry of Magic might become a laughing stock.
After all, both Dumbledore and the people from the Ministry of Magic knew there were loopholes in the trace.
The facts were pretty much as Albert had guessed. People from the Ministry of Magic arrived, and he also saw Dumbledore. The old man smiled as he watched the two children talking in the park.
"It seems this should be a misunderstanding," Dumbledore said with a smile to the Ministry of Magicstaff member beside him.
"I suppose you must be Headmaster Dumbledore." Albert sized up Dumbledore, extended his hand to shake his, and said, "You're just like your chocolate frogcard."
"Mr. Anderson?" Dumbledore looked at Albert and said with a smile, "We received your letter, child. Could you lend me your wand for a moment?"
"Oh, of course, no problem." Albert knew what Dumbledore wanted to do, so he still gave him his wand.
The Principal indeed used the Prior Incantato spell to detect the magic the wand's owner had used in the past few days.
Dumbledore looked at Albert in surprise. This child had actually mastered five spells in just a few days.
"Truman just corrected my hand gesture for the Levitation Charm; I just mastered this spell," Albertexplained.
"Where is your wand?" The Wizard from the Ministry of Magic looked at Truman.
"I didn't bring it; it's at home. If you need to check it, you can come back with me to get it." Truman was very righteous, as he wasn't afraid of the inspection anyway.
"It seems this is a misunderstanding, Nataly," Dumbledore said with a smile.
"Yes, I think so too." Nataly nodded. "I think I need to write a new report."