Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all of its characters belong to JK Rowling. I own nothing but the original characters I make.
Chapter 63: Rich Man
"Wait, did you say you keep all that money inside this castle?" Dudley asked again, he feel like he have misheard something.
"Yes, I keep it in my office," Argus repeated. Dudley took a moment to process what Argus had just said. Oddly enough, he didn't care much about the amount of Galleons Argus possessed. After all, he himself had acquired a fortune from his Hogwarts Legacy adventure. But there was something that didn't sit right with him.
It finally dawned on him—Argus was talking about more than 200,000 Galleons hidden inside the castle.
"You keep that much money in the castle?" Hannah asked, clearly shocked by the revelation.
It's not just Dudley, even the other girls were stunned. Keeping such a vast amount of money inside Hogwarts seemed ludicrous. Two hundred thousand Galleons was an enormous sum, especially considering it had been stashed away in secrecy within the walls of the castle. If students like Fred and George Weasley stumbled upon such a fortune in one of Hogwarts' many hidden corners, it was almost certain they wouldn't be able to resist taking it for themselves.
Dudley's thoughts drifted to the many fanfiction stories he had read about transmigrators searching for treasure inside Hogwarts. These stories always started with the Room of Requirement, which was said to be used by some as a secret vault. According to legend, certain wizards had long kept valuable possessions hidden in that room, ensuring no one else would find them.
Dudley had even tried searching for treasure in the Room of Requirement himself. He remembered walking in front of the hidden entrance three times, asking for a place that could reveal wealth, hide item and even room of the founders. When the room finally opened, however, all he found were a few sickles left lying around. Most likely, the previous occupants—or possibly even Voldemort—had already emptied the room of its riches. Based on the stories Dudley had read, Voldemort was known to be the first person to discover the Room of Requirement, and he had every motive to take whatever Galleons were inside to help fund his army.
Now, however, Argus had just casually revealed that he kept a massive sum of money inside his office.
"Wait a second," Dudley said, suddenly remembering something important. Didn't Fred and George steal a map from Argus office during their detention. "Are you telling me you keep the money inside your office?"
"Yes," Argus replied nonchalantly, "I keep it inside the office but then someone give this expandable bag to me." He then pulled out a pouch and showed it to the group.
"Where did you get that bag?" Susan asked, her curiosity piqued. They all knew it wasn't easy to get an expandable bag unless you made one yourself, or you were wealthy enough to afford it.
"Newt Scamander gave it to me as a gift after my secret was exposed," Argus said with a small smile.
"Did he know you're a Squib?" Dudley asked, sensing that there was more to this story.
"Yes," Argus replied, recalling the moment when Scamander discovered the truth about him. "He found out, and he gave me the bag as a farewell gift"
"Argus, if you're looking for a descendant, there are many Muggle-born witches who live in poverty. You should consider marrying one of them. Your child is more likely to be a full wizard instead of a Squib," suggested Dudley.
"Mr. Dursley, do you know any Muggle-born witches?" Argus asked curiously.
"I know plenty of young people, but in your situation, you'd need someone around 30 to 40 years old," Dudley replied thoughtfully.
"But why 30 to 40 years old?" Argus questioned, sounding puzzled.
"Because you're already in your 60s. You should let younger people marry within their age group," Dudley explained.
"Hmmm," Argus muttered, considering the idea.
"Why do you want someone young?" Dudley pressed further.
"Well, I'm old now, and I'm not strong enough to be a parent anymore. Having a younger wife seems better than someone middle-aged," Argus replied frankly.
"I get it, but someone around 30 to 40 years old would be more loyal than the younger witches," Dudley pointed out.
Hermione, Susan, and Hannah exchanged confused glances, not fully grasping what Dudley was saying.
"Loyal?" Argus asked, seeking clarification.
"Yes. Women in their 30s have likely faced a lot of challenges and job rejections. Younger witches, those around 18 to 28, are still hopeful about their future, thinking they have plenty of chances to get rich and climb the career ladder," Dudley elaborated.
"So, you're saying those in their 30s would be more suitable?" Argus asked, starting to understand.
"Exactly. These witches have seen the reality of the world and would likely be more open to marrying someone like you," Dudley affirmed.
"Alright then, I'll start looking for someone in their 30s or older," Argus agreed. "But there's one problem."
"What's your problem, Argus?" Dudley asked, sensing a shift in the conversation.
"My, uh, equipment doesn't work anymore," Argus said awkwardly.
"What?" Dudley was taken aback, but he quickly noticed the confusion on the girls' faces. Realizing that they were about to delve into the delicate topic of the male reproductive system, Dudley decided to steer the conversation away. "Don't worry, we'll deal with that later. Just meet me afterward."
There were plenty of potions that could help Argus with his problem. If the issue was caused by magic, it might be more complicated to resolve, but if it was simply due to old age, there was still hope.
"Besides, Argus," Dudley added, "there are plenty of options to help with your situation. The magical world has advanced a lot, and there are potions and spells specifically made to aid wizards in their older age, you are a squib and those potion works well with your body. If it's just due to you getting older, it's nothing to be ashamed of. We can sort it out."
Argus looked relieved, though a bit embarrassed, as he nodded slowly.
"But remember, even if you find someone in their 30s or 40s, the relationship is about more than just having children. You need someone who shares your values and can stand by your side. Building a family isn't just about magic or age," Dudley said, giving Argus a reassuring smile.
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