Left with no choice, Jack reluctantly obeyed his mother's command to sell their old cow at the market.
"I'm sorry, old girl," he murmured, offering a final pat to the cow's flank. "I didn't have a choice."
The cow, being just a cow, simply chewed its cud in response.
As they trudged along the road, Jack spied a carriage approaching in the distance. Probably just another group of out-of-towners, he thought. He'd seen plenty of such carriages passing through, usually filled with wealthy folk who wouldn't give his small town a second glance.
But this time, he was wrong. The carriage halted.
To Jack's surprise, a group of people in rich robes emerged. It was none other than Tom and his Death Eaters.
"Is this the place, sir? Is this it?" Harry asked eagerly.
Jack cast an envious glance at Harry's fine robes, shook his head, and continued leading the old cow towards the market. Harry, for his part, likely never imagined anyone envying his clothes. But then again, Harry had once been stuck wearing Dudley Dursley's cast-offs, while Jack's clothes were practically ancient heirlooms. In fact, perhaps only Ron Weasley could rival him in the "heirloom" department. Though when it came to overall quality of life, Ron definitely had the edge.
But back to Jack…
His mood soured by envy, he continued pulling the old cow, oblivious to the fact that the group from the carriage had caught up.
"Hey! Kid! Over here!"
Jack, hearing the shout, looked up to see an old man hurrying towards him. His clothes were unremarkable, but he radiated an odd sort of energy.
"Are you selling this cow?" the old man asked, excitedly patting the animal.
"Uh, yes, sir…" Jack began, wanting to be polite to a potential customer.
The impatient old man pressed him. "Well, are you selling or not?"
"Yes! Sir, this cow is…"
"I don't have any money!" declared the old man.
Jack stared, dumbfounded. Why would someone want to buy a cow if they had no money? Was this some kind of scam? Or was he trying to steal the animal? Jack eyed the old man with newfound suspicion.
"I know what you want; just hold your horses…" The old man rummaged through his pockets and produced five ordinary-looking beans. "Here, take these. I'll take the cow."
"…"
Looking at the plump, green beans, Jack's face fell. "Five beans? For my cow? Are you crazy, or am I?" Surely, this old man wasn't trying to treat him like a charity case. As if he needed charity from anyone!
Without a word, Jack tugged on the cow's rope, attempting to brush past the old man.
Harry and the others watched with amusement, ready to intervene, but Tom gestured for them to stay back and observe.
Just as they expected, the old man blocked Jack's path once more.
"Child," he said, lowering his voice conspiratorially, "these five beans aren't ordinary beans!"
The old man glanced furtively around, his eyes settling momentarily on Tom and his companions. That shouldn't be happening… there shouldn't be anyone around at this time, he thought, before swiftly returning to his act.
"These are magic beans! They can bring you endless wealth!"
Hearing this, Jack paused, intrigued. "Endless… wealth?"
"Yes! Endless bread, endless clothes, endless money…"
Sensing that Jack was wavering, the old man poured on the charm.
"…"
Jack fell into contemplation, picturing the scenarios the old man had painted. Selling the cow for money equals not having enough to eat and barely surviving. Trading the cow for magic beans equals the possibility of endless wealth!
"Okay! I'll trade!" Jack snatched the five "magic" beans from the old man's hand and thrust the cow's reins into his.
"Moo…"
Jerk! the old cow seemed to moan. You were just telling me you 'didn't want to either,' but in your eyes, I'm not even worth five beans! The old cow gazed at Jack resentfully, tears of "misplaced trust" welling in its eyes.
"Hehehe… child, you won't regret this," the old man cackled as he led the cow away with an air of triumph. He couldn't help but be happy! Those five beans were just some he'd picked up in the grass that morning; he never expected to trade them for an actual cow! What a steal!
And Jack, much like the old man, thought he'd come out on top.
But as soon as the old man was gone, Jack's elation faded. He'd traded his only cow for five beans he knew nothing about?!
Oh no! They'd sold the most valuable thing they owned, and all he got in return were these beans! Of course, it wasn't his intention, but he knew he'd be in for a scolding when he got home.
Just then, Tom and the others approached.
"Your name is Jack, isn't it?"
Harry stepped forward. "May I see what you're holding?"
"…" Seriously?! Jack thought, panic rising. I only have beans left, and you're trying to steal them too! Disheartened, Jack prepared for the worst. In his distress, he didn't notice that they knew his name despite him never having mentioned it. Couldn't be a guess, could it? Although there are quite a few people named Jack, there are bound to be some.
Tom, too, approached, producing a small bag of gold coins. "We require a place to stay, but there don't seem to be any inns nearby. If you can help us find suitable lodgings, this bag of gold coins is yours." He pressed the bag into Jack's hand.
"…"
Through the opening of the bag, Jack caught a glimpse of the tempting, glittering coins. So, you're using these to test me?!
"Ahem… Sir, if you wouldn't mind, I could go back and discuss it with my mother. We have a spare room in our house," Jack offered, his earlier frustration vanishing in an instant. "Of course, if you prefer, I can try to find another place for you to stay." He had no doubts Tom was being sincere. There really weren't any hotels in their town and opening one would mean losing everything.
And Jack wasn't lying, either. If Tom didn't want to stay at his house, he'd try to find Tom and his companions lodging with the neighbors, or use some of the gold coins to pay for it. In short, that bag of gold coins was his lifeline! He wouldn't give it up for anything!
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