Bab 19: Chapter 19
"Alright then… time for the big boy. This auction will be a bit different from the traditional ones. All of you will be allowed to bid secretly and when the bidding time ends, the one with the highest bid wins." Alex said as he gave them all a thin wooden strip that was two inches wide and four inches long.
"Write your name on this thing along with the amount that you would like to bid. You have one minute."
Everyone looked at each other's faces before writing down their name and the amount that they wanted to bid. Alex received everyone's inputs and threw the wooden pieces into a small box which soon displayed the name of the winner along with the amount that was bid.
Surprisingly, Alex didn't have to use his plan B as the bid amount was higher than what he expected.
"So the winner of this bid will be… Draco Malfoy!!"
Malfoy smiled as he gave Alex two gold coins before listening to the explanation on how to use the thing.
"Place this cube at any place you want to, except on water and fireplaces. Then tap on this key thrice to open it and to close it after use. The key will stop working after twenty hours. Yes, by a one day rental, I mean twenty hours as I need time to hold auctions for the next day."
Malfoy then happily walked over to the Slytherin table where he showed off his new toy to his fellow housemates as he sneered at Harry for not being able to win it.
'Ah man… these two are so useful.'
He had originally planned on making Hannah bid one Galleon to set an unofficial price tag but, Malfoy had helped him out.
He happily counted the two galleons and eighteen Sickles before going back to the dormitory to wake Aman up for dinner.
While eating, he glanced at Harry and felt good about the plan being successful. The chances of Malfoy calling Harry out for a duel would now be highly unlikely and even if he did, the chances of Harry accepting it was even lower.
'No duel means Harry won't sneak out at night and no sneaking out means that they will not enter the third floor corridor. If this doesn't happen, harry will not be able to meet Voldy… at least in the end of this year.
There are other ways to deal with him instead of using the ancient protection charm that Lily gave Harry. I want to destroy the wannabe snake myself… and maybe reap some profits while doing so.'
*********
Things had gone as he had expected. He observed the Gryffindor duo and the Slytherin trio for a week and saw no movements on either of the sides. At night he read the books that he had received from Snape and in the day, he spent his time drawing and writing down the theories and plans he came up with for a few traps and random things which he expected to be of use in the future.
Everything went smoothly for him after the first auction as the price at which people rented his game was always above a Galleon. However, right before one week from Halloween, he was approached by professor McGonagall.
"Jordan, the school is willing to buy your… game board. How much are you selling it for?"
Alex raised his left eyebrow as he looked at her and waited a few seconds before answering, "Sorry professor. The game isn't for sale."
"We are willing to buy it for a very large amount, Mister Jordan."
"How much, I wonder?"
"About sixty galleons."
Alex simply shook his head as he smiled like it was hopeless.
"Professor, I can make that much in just two months or less and I can keep making more if I don't sell it."
McGonagall simply stared at him. No one could tell what was going on in her mind as her poker face didn't change.
"Alright. He did say that there was a chance of rejection and it seems like he was right." She said as she nodded calmly before continuing, "Professor Dumbledore would like to speak with you. He was also the first one who noticed the popularity of the game and wanted to buy it."
"Umm… now?"
"Yes Jordan, follow me." She said and strolled off while Alex followed her nonchalantly.
A minute or two later, they reached the head master's office. McGonagall stood in front of the door and said, "Minty Chews."
Alex walked inside and looked around, only to come to a conclusion that the room was exactly the same as the description in his head.
"Professor Dumbledore, I have brought Alex here."
The headmaster walked out from nowhere and smiled at them before dismissing professor McGonagall.
He observed Alex for a while before speaking up, "You must have rejected the offer. Am I right, Alex?"
"Yes… Headmaster."
Dumbledore nodded as he sat down on his chair. "May I know why?"
Alex listened to the old man's voice which seemed to have a tone that soothed him.
'This old… ugh… is this occlumency or legilimency… I should've read a bit about this topic. Ah… patience Alex, patience. For the sake of money, patience.'
He took a slow but deep breath before looking at the old man in front of him. He wanted to go on with the next step of his plan to make more money but the scenario of meeting the headmaster directly was the worst one among all since garnering the attention of Dumbledore was the last thing he wanted.
"Alex?" Dumbledore said as he peered through his half-moon spectacles.
"Ah sorry. Yes professor, I can tell you why but well… as one of the greatest wizards in history, you should've already guessed the reason."
There was a glint in the headmaster's eye as he nodded slowly, "I can tell, but isn't it better to sell it to the school and then continue renting the game after making one more?"
Alex shook his head slowly, "well… isn't it better to rent out two boards instead?"
"Headmaster." He hastily added.
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