"Mr. Cully can directly withdraw Galleons from your vault?" Wade whispered to Marchioni while waiting for Professor Moray in the hall.
"Don't worry." Marchioni knew what he was thinking and likewise lowered his voice, secretly saying, "Goblins—they can put Galleons into the vault, but they can't take them out without the owner's authorization. The Ministry of Magic established a very old and powerful contract with the goblins a long time ago. It's precisely because goblins absolutely won't steal from their own bank that people are accustomed to depositing valuable things in Gringotts."
"But I heard—Gringotts was broken into this summer?" Wade recalled a news report he'd once heard mentioned.
"Yes, there was such a thing."
Griphook, the goblin who was walking over with Professor Moray, heard Wade's words and immediately emphasized, "But he didn't steal anything. Gringotts remains the safest place in the wizarding world."
Professor Moray, who had gone to retrieve something, still had empty hands. Marchioni didn't ask further. After they stepped out of Gringotts, he said to the two, "Excuse me, Professor, Wade, I need to arrange for the new product to be put on shelves as soon as possible. There are only a few days left until the start of school, and many businesses need to be coordinated!"
Professor Moray nodded. "You go ahead, Marchioni."
"See you next time, Mr. Marchioni." Wade also said goodbye.
Marchioni tipped his hat with one hand and hurried off. Wade saw that he seemed to be heading towards the Daily Prophet office. Although he had already marveled at it several times in his mind, he couldn't help but say it again, "Mr. Marchioni is truly someone who seizes every minute."
"He's always more proactive than anyone when it comes to money," Professor Moray said, leading Wade down the steps. "But he's an excellent businessman—I don't mean he's more honest than others, but he has a more long-term vision. To gain greater profit, he can spend years, even more than a decade, building a foundation."
He looked at Wade with an appreciative gaze and said, "If you were already thirty or forty years old and only accidentally came up with the idea for the 'Book of Friends,' then I would have to warn you—Marchioni might try every means to extract more profit from you. But you are only eleven years old—"
He paused, then inexplicably smiled.
Wade guessed, "Being young doesn't make it easier to be deceived?"
"No, Wade—" Professor Moray said with emotion, "Being young is your current weakness, but it's also your strength—Marchioni, like me, believes in your potential and anticipates your brilliance in the future. Therefore, he will now do his best to help you, dedicating time, resources, and energy, even willing to cede some extra profit to support your growth, hoping that you can bring him greater returns later."
Wade frowned slightly.
Professor Moray didn't look down at him, but he seemed to know what was on his mind and smiled, "Unhappy? Do you think he's too realistic?"
"—Not unhappy," Wade didn't admit, but said, "I understand that most relationships between people stem from being needed and being utilized, but Mr. Marchioni is very enthusiastic… it's hard to accept that his inner considerations are so—"
He hesitated, unsure how to delicately describe the contrast.
Professor Moray smiled and said, "—Cold-hearted? Prioritizing practical benefits too much?"
Wade nodded silently.
Professor Moray said, "Wade, in this world, the most frightening thing is not being exploited—because 'being exploited' is also an acknowledgment of your talent and value. A person who is completely without value is truly sad, like a speck of dust, whose disappearance or existence goes unnoticed by anyone. So, don't be afraid or disgusted by others' intentions to exploit you. You must learn to leverage your talents and overcome obstacles within such relationships of self-interest, using these resources to foster your own growth. However, always remember to maintain a clear mind and protect your own interests. Don't become a tool for others; instead, become your own master."
He looked down and saw the boy's grey eyes intently focused on him. Although he said nothing, Moray knew that this child would remember his words and ponder them thoughtfully, learning from them.
A complex current surged within him.
On one hand, Terence Moray felt the satisfaction and gratification of sharing wisdom and experience, watching a student grow from ignorance to knowledge, from immaturity to maturity.
On the other hand,he also felt that he seemed to be transmitting the cruel, ruthless, and complex realities of adult society to an innocent child, worrying that the child might take a wrong path due to negative influences. A sudden pang of regret and guilt surged within him.
So Professor Moray changed the subject, saying in a relaxed tone, "However—these things are too far off for you, so don't worry about them for now. Just remember, don't make promises lightly—if you don't know what to do, just come to me."
Professor Moray made a promise he would normally never utter.
"Thank you, Professor." Wade looked up and asked, "Since we met, you've given me so much help. I'm truly grateful—how can I repay you?"
"Then, please continue to maintain your passion for learning and your relentless curiosity for the unknown, Mr. Gray," Professor Moray said with a smile. "For a professor, what—could be a better reward than seeing the fruits of his hard work?"
Professor Moray used the Floo Network again to send Wade home. However, since the Floo Network management's familiar contact had already gone home for the day, they couldn't temporarily connect the Gray family's fireplace to the network. They had to Floo to a nearby location first, then walk the rest of the way.
"Professor?"
"Hmm?"
"I heard Apparition can instantly transport you to another place?" Wade asked, patting the soot from his hair. "Why do we use the Floo Network?"
"Because Apparition isn't a suitable travel method for carrying children," Professor Moray said gently. "It's a profound and dangerous magic; one careless mistake can lead to disastrous consequences, and children are especially vulnerable to harm. So, when there's no need to escape, we should choose safer modes of transportation."
It was late when they returned home. The Gray couple were anxiously waiting, one peering out the door, the other by the fireplace. Fiona, standing by the window, saw the two, one large and one small, slowly walking towards them. She cried out in surprise and rushed out of the house, holding up her skirt.
Professor Moray stopped and looked at Wade, smiling. "Child, you've experienced a lot today. You must be very tired. Although as a teacher, I shouldn't say this, but—go home and get some good rest. Don't read tonight, alright?"
"Yes, Professor." Wade said respectfully and gratefully.
Seeing that the two still had something to say, the Gray couple stopped at the doorway, waiting for them to finish.
"Finally, because your first work pleased me greatly, I want to give you a small reward." Professor Moray took a small box from his pocket and handed it to Wade.
Wade immediately guessed this was what Professor Moray had specifically gone to Gringotts to retrieve—how valuable could something Professor Moray kept in his vault be? He didn't know, but instinctively refused, "No, Professor, I—"
"Don't refuse, Wade." Professor Moray unceremoniously pushed the box into his hand, saying, "This isn't just a reward, but also a test—use it well, Wade."