#194 - Finding trouble

"Rebound? If he dares to rebound, just press him back down." Anduin sneered. He originally thought he was just here to eat, drink, and take pictures, but he didn't expect there might be a good show to watch.

"Anyway, just be careful. With Headmaster Dumbledore backing you up, and since this is all just hearsay, you don't need to be too nervous," Charles suddenly thought of the headmaster, feeling he might be overthinking things, and offered comfort.

"My only backer has always been myself." Anduin shook his head. "Charles, you must remember one thing: relying on others will always lead to being looked down upon. People must rely on themselves."

Seeing Anduin's determination and considering his true strength, Charles nodded in agreement.

"Anduin, what are you two doing huddled in the corner? Come over here!" Vivian's voice called out, interrupting their conversation.

"What's wrong?" Charles asked, tilting his head.

"The banquet is about to start. Haven't you seen the reporters being let in?" Vivian gestured towards the entrance. Sure enough, many reporters were walking into the hall. "Let's go, Anduin, take some pictures with us. That way, when it's published in the newspaper, we'll be known as companions of a hero. How impressive is that?"→

Vivian's eyes were gleaming as she looked at the two, while Charles rolled his eyes speechlessly.

Looking towards the entrance, Anduin noticed more familiar faces entering. It was the Weasley family, but only Arthur, Bill, Charlie, and Percy were present. Molly, the twins, Ron, and Ginny were not there.

Aside from Bill, Anduin hadn't seen the Weasley family in two years, so he happily went up to catch up with them.

"Anduin!" "Big Brother Anduin!" ×3

"Arthur, Bill, Charlie, Percy, long time no see!" Anduin said with a smile.

"Big Brother Anduin, is it true that you single-handedly defeated 5 Death Eaters?" Charlie asked with wide, curious eyes.

"Of course! I know Big Brother Anduin's strength. How could a mere five Death Eaters be a match for him? Even if there were five more, they wouldn't be enough for him to handle!" Bill, claiming to know Anduin well after following him for a year, immediately stepped forward to brag.

"Big Brother Anduin, I heard you're a combat hero in the Ministry of Magic now. So impressive!" Percy was clearly more interested in the honors Anduin had received.

Anduin was immediately bombarded with questions from the young children, leaving him unsure how to respond, so he simply chuckled.

"Alright, this is a public place, don't make such a racket," Arthur turned to the others to remind them, then looked back at Anduin. "It's been a long time. I didn't expect you to change so much in just two years. You've gotten taller and more handsome."

"You flatter me. Why didn't Molly and the other children come?"

"The children are still young and mischievous. I was afraid they'd be difficult to manage if I brought them, and it would be bad if they caused trouble. Molly has to stay home to watch them. I happened to be out on a mission the day you came to the Ministry, so I didn't get a chance to see you. By the way, thank you for inviting us."

"You're too kind. It's the least I could do. I've missed you all quite a bit. After I arrived at the Longbottoms', I was thinking of visiting you. It just so happened that the Ministry of Magic was holding a banquet, so I thought I'd invite you over to catch up."

"It doesn't matter. You're welcome to come play at the Burrow whenever you're free. We'll always welcome you. Molly always mentions you. She was almost scared to death when she saw the news of your attack the other day," Arthur said with an exaggerated expression.

"But when Mom heard that Big Brother Anduin was alright and easily defeated five Death Eaters, she smiled again," Charlie said, licking a lollipop he'd somehow acquired.

"Easily? That's just laughable. Only you Weasleys would believe such nonsense."

Just as they were talking and laughing, a mocking voice suddenly interjected.

Arthur and Anduin frowned and turned to look in the direction of the voice.

"Avery, what do you mean?" Arthur looked at the other man with some dissatisfaction, then quickly leaned in to Anduin's ear. "This is Avery. He was previously accused of being a Death Eater, but he claimed to have been under the Imperius Curse and escaped imprisonment. He was a close friend of Torgil when he was alive."

Anduin nodded upon hearing this, then thought of what Charles had said earlier, and immediately understood the situation.

Looking to cause trouble, huh? Perfect, you're on the list too, so don't blame me for being ruthless.

Avery, who had made the sarcastic remark, chuckled. "Heh, I know exactly how those people were arrested, but the tall tale of an underage wizard defeating five Death Eaters is simply unbelievable."

"Avery, if people want to put on a show, just watch quietly, why do you have to expose them? You'll offend people like that," another voice said from the side, blaming Avery in a strange tone, but every word he spoke was directed at Anduin.

"Lucius, I can't stand people using such exaggerated performances to deceive others. What, aren't we allowed to say a few words?" Avery looked at Lucius Malfoy, a blond-haired man, and laughed.

Looking at the two people in front of him, exchanging words with exaggerated tones, Arthur's face flushed red with anger.

Meanwhile, the many reporters who had already entered the venue, seeing the commotion, immediately gathered from afar, cameras pointed at the group, and quills quickly poised, clearly not wanting to miss this big news.

"Anduin is a combat hero awarded by the Ministry of Magic, and his actions have been recognized by Minister Bardeau. What, are you prepared to deny the Ministry of Magic, to deny Minister Bardeau's judgment?" Arthur stepped forward immediately, refuting the two.

"Oh, I wouldn't dare to have any opinions about the Ministry of Magic, let alone disrespect the Minister, but the truth is the truth. I just feel sorry for the Ministry of Magic and Minister Bardeau. They were deceived by a little wizard without realizing it. How could the Minister be fooled by a few words?" Avery sighed, saying with great distress.

Hearing Avery's words, the surrounding reporters gasped. Could there be hidden secrets behind the attack a week ago? They then began to scrutinize Anduin.

"I see, so you suspect that Anduin shamelessly deceived the Ministry of Magic and Minister Bardeau?" Lucius chimed in from the side.