As Wentworth sat there momentarily stunned, Malika had already taken a seat beside him without the slightest hint of hesitation. Although Wentworth was nearly finished with his breakfast, proper upbringing dictated that he remain seated. So, he stayed, silently, not yet excusing himself.
Malika nibbled delicately at her breakfast, softly humming to herself as she ate. It wasn't until some time had passed, when she finally finished and Wentworth prepared to rise and take his leave, that Malika suddenly broke the silence:
"Wentworth, why don't you just marry me?"
"Cough! Cough! Cough!"
Wentworth nearly choked on his own saliva. Her words struck him like a rogue Bludger, sending him into a fit of coughing.
Malika merely watched him, her face radiant with a mischievous smile as she said lightly:
"Wentworth, I'll say it again, you shouldn't think that what you saw yesterday is all there is to me. The truth is… I've still kept my first time for my future husband."
As she spoke, she handed him a glass of fruit tea.
Wentworth took the tea and gulped down several large swallows before gradually regaining his composure. Then, with a look of disbelief, he turned to her and asked:
"Is this some kind of joke? Don't tell me you've fallen in love with me after just one meeting yesterday, that's ridiculous!"
Malika let out a melodic laugh, one that somehow stirred the air around her. Though she wore nothing more than a plain T-shirt, its simplicity did little to hide her figure, especially when she laughed, which caused her chest to sway noticeably.
After her laughter faded, Malika turned her gaze to the distant horizon and spoke in a much quieter, more contemplative tone:
"Love you? Even I don't believe that. But at the very least, I don't hate you. Wentworth, you don't understand Africa, and you certainly don't understand the Kalembo tribe."
"In our tribe, most witches don't escape one fate. Political marriage. Congratulations, Wentworth Dumbledore. Your name has just been added to the Kalembo alliance list. And not just anywhere. You're ranked very high."
"To marry you would be far better than being handed off to some old wizard five or six decades my senior. At least you're young, handsome, and talented, isn't that true?"
Wentworth's eyes widened in disbelief.
"An arranged marriage? That still exists here? Africa still practices such... outdated customs?"
Malika nodded.
"Outdated, perhaps. But effective, wouldn't you agree?"
"You needn't worry, Wentworth. If you really did marry me, I wouldn't interfere with your life in any way. I would fulfill the duties of a proper wife, quietly and with dignity."
"More than that, if we were wed, the Kalembo tribe would offer a dowry of considerable value to curry favor with Albus Dumbledore. Perhaps useless to him, but for you, it would be more than helpful in the future."
Wentworth stared at her, saying nothing. Malika straightened her back proudly, causing another involuntary twitch of confusion in his gaze. Flustered, he quickly waved his hand and muttered:
"Alright, that's enough. Put away your... magic."
Malika laughed again, her voice like silver bells. But just as the air lightened, Wentworth suddenly asked:
"Was this your father's idea? Did Juma send you?"
Malika froze for a beat, then shook her head with calm honesty.
"No. What I did yesterday, that was at Juma's request, yes. It was for the tribe. But I failed."
"Today? Today, everything I've said, everything I've done, is for myself. If I'm going to be used as a bargaining chip, then I'd rather be the one who chooses who holds that card. Is that alright… Master?"
Her soft, teasing tone made Wentworth swallow again involuntarily.
"Malika," he said, a note of apology in his voice, "I'd like to help you. I truly would. But not like this. Your marriage may be a negotiation, but mine isn't. I won't turn it into a transaction."
Malika nodded gently, unoffended, and said with a quiet smile:
"I understand, Wentworth. Forgive me for overstepping. I suppose I'm like a fish dying of thirst. When I finally found a spring, I just leapt toward it, haha…"
Her laugh turned slightly bitter near the end. As she stood up to leave, Wentworth raised a hand to stop her.
Malika looked at him, puzzled. Wentworth said calmly:
"I told you, I do want to help you, just not in the way you proposed. I can take you with me. Back to Europe."
At that, Malika's eyes lit up, but then dimmed just as quickly. She shook her head and replied:
"Thank you, Wentworth. But it's no use. You don't understand the Kalembo tribe. Even if I fled to Europe, even if I hid at Hogwarts, they would never stop hunting me down. Unless I never left Hogwarts again, for the rest of my life."
Wentworth, however, seemed utterly untroubled.
"Then we just have to make sure they don't dare retaliate. I can offer you protection. But in return, you'll need to help me with something."
Malika's eyes sharpened.
"What kind of help? If you can really free me from the Kalembo tribe, I'll do anything you ask, Master."
Wentworth cleared his throat, visibly uncomfortable with her choice of address, and finally said:
"I heard... that your tribe has been dealing secretly with Headmistress Adisa. I want to know exactly what kind of deal it is."
Malika blinked, frowning slightly in thought. Then, after a moment of hesitation, she looked him in the eye and said:
"I'll tell you. Everything. But Wentworth, you have to promise, absolutely promise, that you'll get me out of Kalembo. Out of Africa. Somewhere safe."
Wentworth nodded, utterly confident.
"You have my word."
And what Malika told him next was exactly what Nala Nwadike had already revealed.
At last, Wentworth had confirmation. Lakayla Adisa, Headmistress of the prestigious, ancient wizarding school Uagadou, had indeed been secretly selling admission spots, and at an absurd discount, had been supplying Kalembo with student herbs grown at the school for profit.
Wentworth looked up at the sky, watching the drifting white clouds above. A slow, crooked smile spread across his face as he whispered:
"Didn't expect that… Quite the unexpected gift."
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TN: This fanfic has been fully translated and is available on my Patreon —— patreon(.)com/PrimalDemon [remove the parentheses ( )]