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You know what you're talking about, right?" Robert asked in a deep voice.
"I... I'm very clear. I want to join your mutual aid society!" Abraxas said, his voice trembling.
"You realize that we were enemies not too long ago..." Robert said slowly.
"I used to be your enemy, but I can't be anymore! You know that!" Abraxas responded quickly.
"That's hard to believe... Who knows what motives you might have in joining us?" Ryan looked at Abraxas with suspicion.
"I know I was wrong before. I sincerely apologize for everything. I... I beg for your forgiveness."
Robert looked thoughtful, as if he were seriously considering it.
Seeing this, Abraxas believed Robert's resolve was weakening. He continued hurriedly, "Please, give me a chance. Let me correct my mistakes. I truly want to change."
Robert's voice was calm. "When I first recruited members, I made it clear that anyone could join our club—except those with ill intentions. You should know how our members view you."
"But... I... I truly understand my mistakes!" Abraxas was on the verge of tears.
Robert sneered. "You know you were wrong? No, you're just desperate because you have nowhere else to go."
"I..." Abraxas was speechless, overwhelmed by despair. Robert had seen through his situation completely.
Abraxas had burned bridges with his former allies when he betrayed them. Now, if Robert refused to accept him, his only option would be to transfer to another school... But where? Beauxbatons? Durmstrang? Ilvermorny? He would be an outsider there, just as Robert once was at Hogwarts.
But unlike Robert, Abraxas didn't have the strength to carve out his own place in hostile territory.
Just when he was about to lose all hope, Ryan suddenly spoke, "You said you knew you were wrong, right?"
"Yes! I truly do!"
"Words are easy. I don't want empty promises. If you genuinely regret your actions and want to join us, prove it." Robert's gaze was piercing.
Abraxas, clinging to a glimmer of hope, asked, "Tell me. What do I need to do?"
"You need to prove that you're not the same pure-blood bully we despise," Robert said, his tone sharp. "You know how many people you've wronged, don't you?"
"I... I've changed..."
"Answer my question!"
"I... I remember..."
"Write down the names of everyone you bullied and apologize to them. You have three days. If you're sincere and they forgive you, we'll let you join. If not... there's nothing I can do for you."
Robert didn't wait for Abraxas's response. He walked past him, his expression resolute.
Tom followed, giving Abraxas a cold look before leaving.
Due to the increasing number of members, Robert had to request a larger room for their club activities. He and Tom were using levitation spells to decorate the new space.
"I thought you would accept Abraxas without hesitation," Tom said curiously.
"People don't appreciate things that come easily," Robert replied with a smile.
Tom's eyes brightened. "I see... But what if he can't get forgiveness from those he wronged?"
"Then he can't join us," Robert answered simply. "If his so-called sincerity isn't enough to earn forgiveness, then it isn't sincere enough."
Tom chuckled. "I think I know how he'll try to earn their forgiveness."
"Oh? What do you mean?" Robert asked, intrigued.
"Sincerity has a price. He'll probably use gold Galleons to buy his way to forgiveness," Tom said knowingly.
Robert smirked. "You've learned a lot about these pure-blood families, Tom. But if that's the price he must pay for his mistakes, then so be it."
Tom sighed, admiring Robert's wisdom. "You always seem to know so much."
Robert's eyes grew distant. "The more you experience, the more you understand..." Memories of his past life surfaced, bringing a twinge of melancholy.
Although the magical world was wondrous, the thought of never returning to his former life left him feeling a little lost. Tom noticed Robert's somber expression and misunderstood. He assumed Robert had a troubled family background.
The mutual aid society grew rapidly, and Robert became increasingly busy. To manage the workload, he appointed several members as key leaders to handle day-to-day affairs.
Wednesday night was set for the society's first group gathering, where Robert planned to announce the club's charter and rules.
By midweek, the influx of new members finally slowed, but the club had already reached capacity, so the decline in new sign-ups wasn't a concern.
Interestingly, Abraxas managed to earn forgiveness from all his former victims and was accepted into the club. Only he knew the true cost of his redemption.
On Wednesday evening, the expanded activity room was bustling with excitement. Long tables lined the walls, piled high with food brought in by Alphard and his companions, courtesy of the house-elves.
At the center of the room stood four long tables arranged into a platform where Robert, the club leader, and Professor Slughorn, the faculty advisor, were preparing for the meeting.
As the clock struck eight, a chime echoed through the room, drawing everyone's attention to the stage.
Professor Slughorn nodded at Robert. "Go ahead, Robert. Meet your members."
Robert stepped to the center of the stage. Applause erupted from the crowd. His reputation preceded him—after all, he had staged a duel that Dumbledore himself called the most thrilling student duel in Hogwarts history.
In a matter of days, Robert had defeated several pure-blood bullies, including upperclassmen, without facing any repercussions. His courage and strength earned him widespread admiration.
He raised his hand to quiet the crowd. "Friends... No, brothers and sisters, welcome! You're here because you seek change—equality, justice, freedom. You reject outdated traditions that divide us by blood status."
The room was silent, captivated by his words.
"People say I hate pure-blood supremacists. But no... I don't hate them. Our club isn't built on hate. We don't fight out of hatred. They're not truly evil—just misguided by old values. They need our help to change."
His eyes fell on Abraxas. "Take Abraxas Malfoy, for example. He was once my enemy but is now my friend. His transformation shows that change is possible."
Applause erupted, and Abraxas blushed but managed a grateful bow.
"We're all wizards, miracles of life. Why should we let bloodlines divide us? The future of the wizarding world is ours to shape! Let's learn, grow, and build a better future together!"
His words stirred the crowd, sparking a sense of unity and purpose.
Even after he left the stage, the applause continued, echoing long after.
Tom watched Robert's retreating figure, filled with admiration and envy. He thought, This is what a real leader looks like.
Professor Slughorn clapped enthusiastically. "Robert, your speech puts me to shame. You're right—Hogwarts should be better. But with you leading the way, I believe that change has already begun."
Meanwhile, at Nurmengard, Grindelwald rubbed his temples, exhausted by bad news.
Vita reported, "The team sent to investigate the Forbidden Forest has vanished. There's no news from Annie either—she's busy helping Robert with his student club."
"A club?" Grindelwald's interest was piqued. He read through Annie's notes, his expression turning thoughtful.
"A mutual aid society... Interesting. But why does this speech sound so familiar?"
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