Hogwarts: Don't call me Wandmaker

Chapter 309 Ludo Bagman's Bet
"This trip was definitely worth it," Xilun couldn't help but exclaim.

In just a short while, he witnessed special magic from more than five different countries, as well as more than a dozen large and small wizarding organizations.

Besides the well-known Extraordinary Apothecaries Association and the Anti-Dark Magic League, there are also the Transfiguration Enthusiasts Alliance, the Salem Witches' Guild, and The Siren's Song, but compared to these, their fame is not as high, and they may only be heard of in specific countries and regions.

Anyway, Xilun had never seen these before.

Along the way, Xilun also encountered many acquaintances.

Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas were both his fourth-year classmates in Gryffindor.

Their tent had been decorated in the shape of a clover, clearly belonging to fans of the Irish team.

A blonde witch warmly welcomed Siron and asked for his opinion.

“Of course I support Ireland,” Celen said without hesitation. “I’d bet a hundred Galleons that Ireland will win.”

The blonde witch, who was also Seamus's mother, immediately became happy and kept stuffing all sorts of snacks and candies into Siron's pockets.

Of course, she didn't forget to remind Celen of another thing.

“Supporting the Irish team is fine, but gambling is out of the question,” Mrs. Finigan said seriously. “Especially… well, let’s put it this way, if you run into that Ludobagman guy, remember not to talk to him or listen to him.”

“I will,” Xilun readily agreed.

After leaving Simo's tent, Xilen saw several other familiar classmates, but he was busy arguing with a group of Bulgarian fans and didn't notice them.

Like the Irish fans, the Bulgarians also made some changes to their tents.

They didn't use any fancy decorations, but each tent had the same sticker: a gloomy face with thick, dark eyebrows.

Before he had taken two steps, Oliver Wood suddenly walked towards him.

He was previously the captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team, but has now graduated and is reportedly in contact with professional Quidditch teams.

If we're lucky, we might see Oliver Wood represent England in the next Quidditch World Cup.

Although Xilun and he weren't very familiar with each other, they knew each other and chatted for a few minutes when they met.

"Which team do you support?" Oliver Wood asked expectantly.

Okay, here comes the question again.

Silen glanced at Wood, his gaze settling on the white, green, and red hat on his head.

“Is there even a question? It’s definitely Bulgaria,” Siren blurted out. “I bet a hundred Galleons that Viktor Krum will catch the Golden Snitch!”

“Me too!” Wood said excitedly, slapping Xilen’s arm hard.

Just then, they heard someone laughing loudly behind them.

"I heard someone say, 'One hundred Galleons'?"

It was a strangely dressed wizard, wearing an ill-fitting, tight Quidditch robe with black and yellow stripes and a huge wasp printed on the chest.

“Ludo Bagman…” Wood exclaimed, “Are you Mr. Ludo Bagman? The greatest hitter in the history of the Wimbledon Hornets!”

“Oh, your compliment makes me blush,” Ludo Bagman said. Judging from the wide smile that kept tugging at the corners of his mouth, he was clearly pleased with the compliment.

"Could you sign your name for me?" Wood pulled out a pen from somewhere.

“Of course, of course, no problem.” Bagman readily agreed and signed his name on Wood’s Bulgarian team jersey.

“Oh, by the way, I just heard you guys talking about… a bet.” Bagman handed the pen back to Wood and brought up the topic again.

"Want to place a bet on the game, kids?" he asked, making the pockets of his black and yellow robe jingle loudly, as if they already contained quite a few gold coins.

Xiren was stunned. He didn't look like an adult wizard at all... asking a minor wizard if he wanted to place a bet on the competition?
No wonder Seamus's mother emphasized that he shouldn't talk to Ludo Bagman; that guy really is no good.

However, the more he acted this way, the more satisfied Xilun became.

Wood looked somewhat embarrassed when he heard him ask that question.

He'd just graduated and didn't have much money at all. His talk of betting 100 gallons was just empty boasting; where would he possibly come up with that much money?

But Wood felt too embarrassed to tell the truth in front of his former idol, so he gritted his teeth and took out all his savings.

"This is two Gallons, nine Shekos, and ten Nats. I'm betting on Bulgaria to win!"

“Two Galleons…” Ludo Bagman looked somewhat disappointed; this was far less than the one hundred Galleons he had just heard about.

But it's better than nothing.

Bagman quickly put on a smile again and stuffed the wad of change into his pocket.

He then looked at Xilun and quickly came to a conclusion.

This is clearly a wizard who is not yet an adult, at most around the fifth grade, and he can certainly offer even fewer stakes.

Forget it...

Bagman shook his head. Rather than wasting time here, he might as well try his luck somewhere else.

However, just as he was about to leave, he heard a clear and melodious tinkling sound.

In just a moment, Bagman understood.

That was the sound of gold coins clinking together, and it had to be gold coins; silver coins couldn't produce such a pleasant sound.

Bagman subconsciously turned his head again and noticed that Xilen had somehow acquired a heavy bag in his hand.

Upon opening it, I found it was filled with glittering golden Galleons.

"you……"

“I told you, I’d bet a hundred Galleons that Viktor Krum will definitely catch the Golden Snitch!” Siren chuckled. “Here’s a hundred Galleons.”

Ludo Bagman couldn't help but lick his suddenly dry lips.

This was the first time he had received a bet of more than one hundred gallons after running around every corner of the camp for so long.

You've misjudged them. Are all young wizards this rich these days?
Seemingly afraid that Xilun would regret it, he quickly pulled out his own notebook and quill pen.

So what's your name?

“Sirlen Ollivander,” Sirlen said.

Ollivander… Ludo Bagman’s hand paused for a moment, but quickly returned to normal.

"So you also want to bet on Bulgaria to win, right?"

“No.” Siren shook his head. “I bet Viktor Krum can catch the Golden Snitch.”

Ludo Bagman didn't care too much, since "who can catch the Golden Snitch" was already one of his choices anyway.

He wrote Siren's name in scribbled handwriting. He then wrote the same words on a small piece of parchment and handed it to Siren.

"It's done!" Xilun took the parchment slip he was handed over, and couldn't help but curl the corners of his mouth into a smile.

……

(End of this chapter)