Gabriel Truman didn't have any better ideas. He accepted Albert's proposal, as being expelled from Hogwarts was a result he absolutely could not accept.
After the letters were written and the owl was gone, Gabriel looked at Albert. "Is that really going to be enough?"
"The school will probably be just as shocked as you are," Albert said reassuringly. "I don't think they'll expel a student without at least figuring out what really happened."
The younger boy's calm was infectious, and Gabriel finally began to settle down.
"That letter," Albert asked, "can I see it?"
"Oh, here." Gabriel let out a bitter laugh. "What a completely random disaster. I already got one warning from the Ministry during the summer after my first year, just for using magic in front of my family."
He handed the parchment to Albert. "Hogwarts students aren't allowed to use magic outside of school."
"Then why didn't Albert get a warning when he used it?" Nia asked, confused.
"It's probably because he hasn't officially started school yet," Gabriel admitted. "I'm not entirely sure."
"It must be a loophole in their system," Albert said. He began to read the letter:
Dear Mr. Truman,
We have received intelligence that at 10:40 AM today, you performed the Levitation Charm in a Muggle-inhabited area, in the presence of a Muggle.
Albert's feelings were complicated. He knew he was the one who cast the spell, and Nia was the "Muggle" in question. He took a deep breath, composed himself, and kept reading.
This act constitutes a severe violation of the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery.
As such, you are hereby expelled from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Representatives from the Ministry of Magic will be sent to your place of residence shortly to destroy your wand.
As you have already received a formal warning for a previous breach of Section 13 of the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy, we regret to inform you that you are required to attend a disciplinary hearing at the Ministry of Magic at 10:00 AM on August 17th.
Yours sincerely,
Mafalda Hopkirk
Improper Use of Magic Office
Ministry of Magic
"I suggest," Albert said, looking up from the letter, "that after this is all cleared up, you sue the Ministry for damages for emotional distress."
Albert's entire family were lawyers. He had learned a thing or two about how to exploit legal loopholes.
Gabriel just stared at him, dumbfounded. He hadn't even processed the "cleared up" part, and this kid was already talking about suing the Ministry?
"I'm willing to bet the Ministry has some way of monitoring this area, but they can't tell who actually used the magic," Albert continued, laying out his case. "My sister and I only came here for the summer holiday a few days ago. Because you just happened to be here, the Ministry assumed you were the one who cast the spell. This is a serious error on their part. And this letter, it terrified you, didn't it? You almost lost control. That absolutely warrants damages for emotional distress."
"Right, right! A fee for emotional distress is totally reasonable!" Nia chimed in.
"My family are professionals at this, so I know what I'm talking about," Albert said, coaching him. "Someone will definitely be here soon, or at least send another letter. First, you get your name cleared. Then, you file a complaint about the Ministry's mistake and demand they compensate you for the shock. Ask for 100 Galleons."
"Isn't... isn't that too much?" Gabriel was shocked by Albert's high-ball demand.
"It's a starting point for negotiation," Albert said without skipping a beat. "Settle for 50. Don't go any lower, or they'll think they can just brush you off. That's just how adults are; they think kids are easy to handle."
"And if the Ministry refuses to pay," Albert added, "I can write an anonymous letter to the Daily Prophet and leak the whole story. I guarantee you they'll be willing to pay 50 Galleons to keep this quiet. Of course, you'd have to split that 50 with me, as a fee for my services."
Gabriel stared at the first-year. This kid was... fright... no, amazing.
Meanwhile, at Hogwarts...
In the Headmaster's office, Dumbledore had just received the Ministry's notice that Gabriel Truman had been expelled. This was not good news. Mr. Truman already had a prior offense.
Just as Dumbledore was preparing to go to the Ministry to confirm the details, another owl arrived, bearing a letter that surprised him. It was from Gabriel, insisting he was innocent and had merely run into a new student who was practicing the charm in front of his own Muggle-born sister.
It didn't seem like a lie, because the owl was also carrying a second letter... from an Albert Anderson.
In his letter, Albert apologized for the "unwarranted disaster" he had caused Mr. Truman and offered to serve as a witness. Dumbledore searched his memory and recognized the name: a new Muggle-born first-year.
Dumbledore let out a sigh of relief. This version of events was far more likely. Expelling a student was the last thing he wanted. He immediately left for the Ministry to discuss the matter with the Improper Use of Magic Office. If this was just an accident, the Ministry would become a laughingstock for expelling the wrong person.
After all, both Dumbledore and the Ministry knew about the loopholes in the Trace.
Back at the park...
Things happened just as Albert had predicted. A representative from the Ministry arrived, and he was accompanied by Dumbledore. The old wizard smiled as he approached the two boys.
"It seems we've had a bit of a misunderstanding," Dumbledore said to the Ministry official next to him.
"You must be Headmaster Dumbledore," Albert said, sizing up the man. He offered a handshake. "You look just like your Chocolate Frog Card."
"Mr. Anderson, I presume?" Dumbledore smiled, studying the boy. "We received your letter, child. May I see your wand for a moment?"
"Oh, of course." Albert knew what Dumbledore was going to do, but he handed it over.
The Headmaster performed a charm, and the wand revealed the spells it had cast in the last few days. He looked at Albert with open surprise. The boy had somehow managed to learn five spells in just a few days.
"Mr. Truman was just correcting my wand movement for the Levitation Charm," Albert lied smoothly. "I've just gotten the hang of it."
"And your wand, Mr. Truman?" the Ministry official, a wizard named Nately, asked.
"I don't have it on me. It's at home," Gabriel said, his confidence restored. "If you need to check it, you're welcome to come with me."
"It appears this was, indeed, a misunderstanding, Nately," Dumbledore said with a smile.
"Yes, sir, I believe it was," Nately nodded. "I'll... I'll have to go write a new report."