Chapter 11: Chapter 11: Stirring up Trouble
"Sir?" Truman took a deep breath and said loudly, "Are you just going to leave like this?"
"What's the matter?" Nathley looked at Truman with confusion.
"So, I'm fine now?" Truman was displeased with the Ministry's attitude.
"Yes, it was completely a mistake," Nathley's tone was formulaic.
Truman glanced at Albert beside him and said coldly, "I need an apology, sir. Do you have any idea how much this letter has affected me? Do you know how angry I was when I found myself inexplicably facing the risk of trial and expulsion? Now you're saying it's nothing, trying to brush me off. Do you think it's easy to bully a child, sir?"
Truman's tone grew even stronger. The fact that the Ministry of Magic was planning to leave just like that infuriated him. With the groundwork that Albert had done for him not long ago, his slightly trembling voice had gradually become resolute. "I demand an apology from the Ministry of Magic. This entire incident was caused by your mistake and has nothing to do with me. And... the Ministry must compensate me for my emotional distress." In truth, if the Ministry apologized to him, Truman wouldn't ask for any emotional distress compensation. But their actions made him extremely furious and irritated.
"I'm sorry, I didn't catch that," Nathley's expression froze, and even Dumbledore's face became quite intriguing.
"Apologies, and emotional distress compensation, sir," Truman clenched his fist. "100 Galleons."
"I'm sorry, child. It's unfortunate that we caused you trouble, but emotional distress compensation... there's never been a precedent for it," Nathley raised an eyebrow.
"I don't accept your apology, sir. You're insincere," Truman said angrily. "Do you think you can bully me just because I'm a child?"
Nathley and Dumbledore exchanged glances.
"I think it's reasonable, gentlemen. I was present when Truman read the letter and rushed towards me. I even suspected he had gone mad. It took me a long time to calm him down and suggest that he write a letter to Headmaster Dumbledore," Albert calmly looked at the two individuals in front of him, showing no fear. Honestly, he didn't like the Ministry of Magic, at least not when he read the novels. And after seeing how the Ministry handled this situation, he disliked them even more.
After making such a major mistake, they should at least offer a sincere apology! Bastards, how can they just leave like it's nothing?
In the end, they were just a group of people abusing their authority. No wonder they ended up in such a sorry state under Voldemort's control.
"Also, I believe your apology lacks sincerity," Albert squinted his eyes and said, "I've seen adults like you before. One of my teachers was such a person."
Nathley's face immediately turned dark.
"Of course, you can also treat us as children," Albert suddenly smiled, reaching out to pat Truman's shoulder. "Some people are just like that. Don't take it to heart. Go back now. I'm feeling a bit hungry. We can chat about academic matters another day through owl communication."
Nathley left, his face still blackened. He had no idea what he would be facing.
"Well then, goodbye, Headmaster," Albert nodded slightly towards Dumbledore. "Thank you for helping Truman resolve this trouble. If he gets expelled because of me, I will feel guilty."
"Goodbye, Mr. Anderson, and Mr. Truman," Headmaster Dumbledore also left.
"Those guys are so annoying," Truman clenched his fist and said, "What kind of attitude was that? I can't stand it. I really want to punch him hard."
"So, are you going to write a letter to the Daily Prophet?" Albert smiled at Truman after Dumbledore left.
Just now, Albert triggered a task called "Truman's Displeasure," which was one of the reasons why he decided to help Truman.
"Yes, we must expose this matter."
"Remember, you have to share half of the rewards with me," Albert had no fear of causing trouble. The reward for this task was quite generous, with 3000 experience points and an additional 25 Galleons.
"Alright, you write it. By the way, are your family members really lawyers?" Truman couldn't help but ask.
"Of course, they are all lawyers. So, I'm quite good at dealing with these matters. Besides, we are not wrong in this situation. Society sympathizes with the weak, and people would certainly enjoy seeing the Daily Prophet expose the Ministry of Magic's scandal. We can discuss it with the journalists and make sure our names and photos don't appear in the newspaper. Also, keep the Ministry's letter safe."
Albert knew someone who would be perfect for this task.
...
In London, at the headquarters of the Daily Prophet, Rita Skeeter was contemplating today's special edition. Lately, there hadn't been any major news to write about, which was giving her a headache.
People enjoy reading sensational news, whether it's true or exaggerated. As long as a newspaper can capture readers' attention, Rita Skeeter believed it to be a successful newspaper.
She was questioning her assistant, trying to find some news that could generate discussions.
Soon, several letters were placed on Rita Skeeter's desk. She opened the envelopes, finding some insults and others revealing insider information. However, one particular letter successfully caught Rita Skeeter's attention. After reading it, she knew it was the news she was looking for because it also included a photograph.
A few days later, the Department of Misuse of Magic at the Ministry of Magic became famous. The Daily Prophet, as described by Rita Skeeter, depicted it as a department that constantly caused blunders and refused to apologize for its mistakes, displaying a terrible attitude in handling issues.
Nathley was singled out as well, becoming the target of countless criticisms.
At the end of the article, Rita Skeeter wrote that the victim doubted whether the Ministry of Magic was still worthy of trust. He exposed this matter to the Daily Prophet and demanded 50 Galleons as compensation for the Ministry's unwillingness to provide spiritual compensation, which was originally supposed to be covered by them, and they also owed the child a sincere apology."
After seeing this newspaper, Nathley suddenly felt that his initial decision was terrible. He remembered the words of that boy: "Do you think it's easy to bully a child, sir?"
However, the other party proved with facts that he was not easy to bully.
The newspaper immediately caused a sensation upon its release.
Nathley was forced to be temporarily suspended without pay because the Department of Misuse of Magic suffered the consequences, receiving a flood of letters.
Rita Skeeter, with her pen, showed everyone the power of words. With the accounts and descriptions she obtained from the two individuals, this skilled journalist skillfully used those words to fabricate the content she desired, while making a mess of the Ministry of Magic in the process.
She wasn't worried about the credibility of the content because it also included the contents of the letter from the Department of Misuse of Magic. There was no room for denial.
Truman was in a very happy mood. He received 25 Galleons as compensation, a sum of money he could never have imagined.
Moreover, the female journalist did not expose his and Albert's names. Just as Albert had speculated, the Daily Prophet made this matter the headline, fiercely criticizing the Ministry of Magic and making the person in charge of that department suffer.
Albert was also in a good mood. His task was completed, and he gained Truman's friendship. They would often communicate through owls during the summer break, with Truman providing him with some help in magic.
As for the share of the Galleons, Albert used them to subscribe to the Daily Prophet.
(End of this chapter)
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