The Healer | Part 1: The Hogwarts Years

The Giant Squid

George

The following morning at breakfast, Fred and I watched the sky as we always did for any sign of post from Bagman. As usual, we were disappointed. I was beginning to lose hope that we would ever see our money again. Maybe Professor McGonagall was right, maybe Fred and I would have to get some other jobs until we had enough saved to invent full time.

'Expecting something?' Lee said, noticing us watching the owls swooping through the Great Hall.

Fred and I exchanged a quick glance. We hadn't discussed the situation Bagman with Lee at all, he had no idea what had happened.

'What?' Lee raised an eyebrow.

I think he knew that there were things that Fred and I kept between ourselves. He must, we were twins after all. But he had never mentioned it before. I looked at Fred again. It couldn't hurt to explain what had happened. Lee might actually have some insight and a couple of ideas on how to at least get an answer out of the bloke. Fred and I were practically at the end of our rope and hope was fading fast.

Fred nodded his head slightly and I exhaled heavily before turning back to Lee.

'You remember the World Cup?' I asked him. He nodded slowly, still looking a little confused. I looked around to make sure no one was listening in and dropped my voice. 'Ludo Bagman was taking bets on the outcome of the match.'

'Bagman?' Lee repeated slowly, comprehension suddenly dawning on his face. 'You two made a bet, didn't you?'

It sounded like such a stupid idea hearing it said out loud. Fred and I should have known better. What if we had lost? I suppose it didn't matter, we'd still be in the same position as we were now.

'Our entire life's savings,' Fred nodded grimly.

'And... you lost?' He asked, raising his eyebrows.

'No,' I told him.

'We bet that Krum would get the Snitch but Ireland would win,' Fred explained.

'Brilliant!' Lee said. 'How much did you win?'

'Loads,' I told him. 'Only the slimy prick paid us in leprechaun gold.'

Lee cursed loudly, drawing the attention from several students close by.

'Shh!' Fred hissed, looking around quickly.

Lee looked around himself and then leaned across the table so we were closer.

'You know, this isn't the first time I've heard of Bagman trying to pull a fast one,' Lee lowered his voice again. 'My dad made a bet with him on the outcome of some Quidditch match this summer too, must have been Lancashire, they're who Dad supports. Apparently Bagman badgered him into it, just wouldn't take no for an answer. But then Dad won and he wouldn't pay up, made up some stupid technicality. Dad was a little upset about it, but he hadn't lost that much money and it wasn't worth the aggravation of chasing after Bagman.'

'Oh?' Fred and I said simultaneously.

'Any why didn't you tell us this before?' Fred asked indignantly.

'Oddly enough, it never crossed my mind that you two would make a bet with him!' Lee exclaimed. 'I clearly should have known better.'

'It's too late now,' I said, running a hand through my hair.

'Can't you go to somebody about it?' Lee asked.

'Like who?' Fred rolled his eyes. 'His boss? Fudge? His mother?'

'We're underage,' I reminded Lee. 'Technically we had no business gambling.'

'But that doesn't make a difference if you won and he ran off with your money! He could have at least returned the money you gave him.'