章 11: Chapter 11: Offer

Luke and Luna sat on the floor, surrounded by a group of kittens, while Booker lay proudly on Luna's lap, looking down at the kittens below with a victorious expression.

Luna gently stroked Booker's fur while watching Luke beside her. He was holding a copy of 'The Quibbler', his expression serious. Although there was still a hint of amusement on his face, it was clear that he was taking it far more seriously than most people, who usually dismissed it with disdain. She wasn't sure why, but from the moment she first saw this boy, she felt a strange sense of fondness for him. Was it because he was so good looking?

But then Luna shook her head. Good looks certainly had their advantages, but she didn't think she was someone who would care that much about appearances.

"Uh, this story about the Crumple-Horned Snorkack..."

Luke said, looking puzzled at Luna.

"The Crumple-Horned Snorkack is real. They should live in Sweden. My father and I once planned to go search for them!"

Luna immediately said when she heard him mention the Snorkack. Her tone, though as dreamy as ever, was resolute.

Seeing her reaction, Luke could only nod and smile, saying, "Alright, we can go together. I'm interested in magical creatures like that too."

Seeing Luna's smile return, Luke also felt a sense of relief. Though he knew that the so-called Crumple-Horned Snorkack didn't actually exist, but he had a system! After all, the basilisk was a man-made magical creature. Even if the Crumple-Horned Snorkack was a myth, perhaps he could create one with the system's help.

With this thought in mind, Luke began to study the story about the Crumple-Horned Snorkack more carefully. If he wanted to create a magical creature, he at least needed to understand what characteristics it was supposed to have.

Noticing Luke's serious expression, Luna's smile grew even brighter.

"Luke!"

Professor McGonagall called out as she opened the door.

"Here, Professor. What's the matter?"

Luke responded, lifting his head. From his composed expression, it was clear he had been expecting her call.

"Come over for a moment, Catherine has something she wants to discuss with you," Professor McGonagall said with a smile.

Without hesitation, Luke stood up and walked over. To be honest, he hadn't anticipated that the Gaunt family would come with so many connections and responsibilities. He had underestimated the mess left by such an ancient family.

As he entered the sitting room, the faint smell of alcohol lingered, but both Professor McGonagall and Mrs. Catherine appeared to be in good spirits.

"Are you reading 'The Quibbler'?"

Professor McGonagall noticed the magazine Luke held and asked with some surprise.

"Uh, yes. Some of the content seems a bit absurd, but it's still a book worth taking seriously. At least the editor has the courage to present a different perspective."

Luke admired people like that. He firmly believed that nothing was entirely perfect. Even if everyone else was singing its praises, there should always be someone pointing out its flaws and downsides.

"Xenophilius certainly is that kind of person, though it would be better if his views were more grounded in reality," Professor McGonagall remarked with a bit of helplessness.

After speaking, she gestured towards a chair by the table.

"Have a seat. This is something important to you. If you don't want to agree, you don't have to."

Hearing this, Luke's mind calmed down a bit. He sat quietly in the chair, looking at Mrs. Catherine across from him. However, his gaze now lacked the softness it once had. Although he still smiled, there was an unmistakable air of authority emanating from him.

Catherine took a deep breath before she prepared to speak.

"Mrs. Catherine, you want to discuss the contract between the Lance family and the Gaunt family, correct?" Luke's sudden question caught Catherine off guard, immediately undermining her confidence. Still, she pressed on and forced herself to speak.

"Yes, I want to annul the contract."

Luke leaned back in his chair, his expression relaxing slightly as he smiled and said, "Before coming here, I actually didn't know about this contract. Of course, I would have found out eventually, because even if you didn't mention it, other nobles—especially those with grudges against the Lance family—would have reminded me."

"You should be grateful to have a friend like Professor McGonagall."

"This contract wasn't signed by my ancestors. You could say that when the family split, although we kept the Gaunt name, our ties became quite distant. I don't agree with this contract itself, nor with the harm it's caused your family. So, I'm willing to cancel it."

"But," Luke added with a smile, "there's a price for that."

His casual yet commanding demeanor stirred up many unpleasant memories for Catherine. But as before, there wasn't much she could do. Back then, they had relied on this contract to preserve the family.

Now, everything they were enduring was merely the result of their past actions. Luke's willingness to cancel the contract today was largely out of respect for Professor McGonagall.

"We are willing to offer enough money..." Catherine began.

"I hope you'll be a bit more sincere, Mrs. Catherine," Luke interrupted with a smile. "I'm sure Professor McGonagall has told you that money is not something I lack. Or do you think the Lance family's wealth now surpasses the Gaunt family's inheritance?"

Catherine glanced at Professor McGonagall, who was now looking at her with a slightly cold gaze. She realized that her husband's suggestion had been profoundly unwise.

She decided to reveal her trump card.

"Our Lance family recently acquired a very old magical notebook. Based on our research, this notebook belonged to Godric Gryffindor, and it's filled with his personal encrypted notes. I believe this notebook is precious enough."

"In addition, we will offer significant Industries. While you may have plenty of money, these businesses are essential for a noble family—after all, you can't live off your inheritance forever."

"And finally," Catherine gritted her teeth, "we will negotiate with other families to obtain a seat on the Hogwarts Board of Directors and give it to you."

Professor McGonagall was shocked by the scale of this offer.

Luke, on the other hand, was secretly delighted, though he remained calm on the surface.

"Those are excellent terms. I see no reason to refuse," he said, extending his hand.

"When you've prepared everything, come find me for the exchange."

Catherine's expression was complicated—relieved, yet with a hint of pain.

"Alright, we will gather everything as soon as possible."

"Oh, one more thing," Luke added. "What's your relationship with Luna?"

Catherine looked at Luke with a slightly strange expression, but since he was only eleven, she refrained from giving him a more severe look.

"I was friends with Pandora Lovegood, Luna's mother. Xenophilius sometimes gets caught up in his own world, so Luna occasionally stays with me for a while."

Luke had a pretty good sense of Luna's feelings toward the woman in front of him.

"Thank you for clarifying, Mrs. Catherine."

With that, he stood up and left the sitting room.

As Catherine watched Luke's figure disappear, her expression was peculiar, and she frowned slightly.

"Minerva, they're still just children..." Catherine said with some complexity.

"Luke is quite mature, but don't worry. He's very measured. Besides, I think, for now, it's more curiosity between them," Professor McGonagall replied, a bit surprised herself. She hadn't expected Luke to be so direct, nor did she understand what kind of charm that little girl, Luna Lovegood, had to make Luke take such initiative.

"You seem to trust him a lot," Catherine remarked, puzzled. This wasn't just the attitude of a teacher toward a student.

Professor McGonagall paused thoughtfully and then said, "He's given me far too much."

Catherine: ???