Chapter 120: Chapter 120: House Elf
"You heard it right, it's Liquid Luck Potion. Look at this attractive light golden liquid, and see the mark on the potion."
"According to the appraisal of Blackstone Auction, this bottle of potion was refined by the top potion master, Horace Slughorn."
"With just one drop, you can touch the soft little hands of the goddess of luck, and you can..."
As the goblin's seductive introduction continued, Lockhart turned to Snape. "Snape, are you sure this was made by Professor Slughorn?"
Snape nodded. "The potion is genuine, and the mark is Professor Slughorn's. I know the appraiser at Blackstone Auction; he's reliable."
Snape then added, with a hint of doubt, "But why would Professor Slughorn sell this? He shouldn't be short of money. If he needed money, he'd sell other potions. Liquid Luck Potion is too rare and valuable for that."
Being deeply involved in the potion business, Snape understood which potions made the fastest money. Those explicitly prohibited by the Ministry of Magic were always in demand. Quick to make potions, like the Dream Soul Potion, provided immediate benefits, while those easy to refine ensured a steady income. Liquid Luck Potion, however, was difficult and time-consuming to make, with a high risk of failure. It was best used to build relationships rather than generate quick profits.
Seeing the Liquid Luck Potion, Lockhart didn't hesitate and pressed the button to participate in the auction. The price had already risen to 360 gold Galleons. He had previously acquired a bottle of Liquid Luck Potion from Professor Slughorn and given it to Thor. Attempts to procure another through the same channels had failed, leaving him to seek other means.
As the bidding climbed to 560 gold Galleons, the pace slowed. Lockhart gritted his teeth and continued bidding.
Snape watched but said nothing. Lockhart had once sought his help to refine a bottle of Liquid Luck Potion, offering many benefits. However, upon learning the process would take at least four months, Lockhart hesitated. Snape understood why Lockhart was eager to buy a ready-made potion now.
The price eventually reached 700 gold Galleons, with Lockhart still pressing the button. No other wizards raised the bid, and the goblin auctioneer tried to incite further bidding.
"730 gold Galleons. Does anyone want to increase the price?" the goblin coaxed. "Just one drop, and you'll understand the thoughts of the girl you love, solve any difficult problem."
The other wizards, seeing Lockhart's determination, did not bid further. The auctioneer's hammer fell, and the Liquid Luck Potion was Lockhart's.
The next auction item was a magic item from Kamar-Taj, the Boots of Hermes, which allowed wizards to walk in the air and increase their speed. Flying was usually limited to broomsticks, and flying spells were rare, generally kept within pure-blood families. The Boots of Hermes addressed a significant need and sold for 710 gold Galleons, pleasing Lockhart.
Several high-quality items followed, but Lockhart wasn't interested in most of them. Snape bought a rare potion ingredient for 520 gold Galleons. Lockhart admired the variety and quality of items at the auction.
Soon, a new item caught Lockhart's attention. On the high platform stood a house elf, wearing clean but ragged clothes.
"Dear wizards, pay attention. This auction item is quite rare and can serve as the foundation of a wizard family—a house elf!"
The goblin's exaggerated claims about the house elf's value were mostly hyperbole, but Lockhart knew the truth. House elves were indeed loyal and hardworking, making them invaluable to wizard families. Having one could ensure a high quality of life for generations, even safeguarding the family during hard times.
The appearance of the house elf excited many wizards, especially pure-blood families without one. For them, having a house elf was a status symbol.
Lockhart joined the bidding, watching prices soar. After considering his plans, he decided to press the button repeatedly, determined to win the auction. Finally, at 1,200 gold Galleons, Lockhart secured the house elf.
Although the price was high, Lockhart felt it was worth it. As his strength and influence grew, acquiring more house elves would become easier and less costly.
The auction continued with several more items before officially ending. Lockhart left the auction satisfied, having secured the Liquid Luck Potion and the house elf, both valuable additions to his plans.
=========================
[More Chapter and More Update Weakly at p@treon.com/goldengaruda]
=========================
Chapter 121: Chapter 121 The Ruthless Ancient Wizard
Backstage at the Blackstone Auction.
"Professor Lockhart, here are your items, as well as the gold galleons from the auction, after deducting the previous expenses."
"For a valued customer like you, our boss has decided to only charge a one-point handling fee this time."
"Also, this is a medal given to the most distinguished guests by our Blackstone Auction. Please remember to keep it. Information about subsequent auctions will be notified through the medal."
The goblin who had just hosted the auction had a flattering look on his face and said to Lockhart in a sycophantic manner.
He held the space extension bag in both hands, and next to it was a dark green medal. From the middle of the medal, a dark black stone was carved.
On the edge of the medal, the name of the Blackstone Auction was written.
Lockhart looked at the goblin's obsequious expression, raised his eyebrows, took the space extension bag, and asked calmly, "Then help me thank your boss. And where is my house-elf?"
"Professor Lockhart, wait a moment." In response to Lockhart's question, the goblin immediately replied, "The Avery family will be here soon, and then the house-elf handover ceremony will be done."
"Blackstone Auctions guarantees that nothing will go wrong."
His circle is different from Gringotts. Through his network, he knew that Professor Lockhart had taken action recently, which was considered generous.
Various potions and magic items were purchased in large quantities.
It's like the God of Wealth has arrived!
In response to the goblin's answer, Lockhart nodded slightly, thought for a moment, took out three gold galleons from the bag, handed them to the goblin, and said calmly, "Your auctioneer level is quite good. Consider this a tip."
"Thank you, Professor Lockhart, thank you."
Hearing this, the goblin was a little surprised and quickly took the money. He kept expressing his thanks and his attitude became even more fawning.
But what he didn't know was that the moment he took it, a pale golden mark engraved on the gold galleon disappeared into his hand.
Then, Lockhart sat down on the sofa next to him, opened the space extension bag, and checked whether there was anything wrong.
He looked at the large amount of gold galleons and various magic items inside.
Of course, the most important thing was the small bottle of light golden potion at the top – The Liquid Luck or Felix Felicis, with a satisfied smile on his face.
This time, the trip to the auction was very successful.
"Chirp Chirp"
Sunny, the Golden Snidget sitting on Lockhart's shoulder, sensed his owner's excitement and got a little curious. He tilted his head and looked at the bag in the owner's hand.
Then he raised his head very disdainfully.
It's not food, what's so exciting about it? the bird thought.
Sunny didn't quite understand and continued to look at the novel environment around him.
Lockhart, on the other hand, looked at Snape, who was also coming back with a space extension bag, and waved.
"Snape, I still have something to do here. If you want, you can go back to Hogwarts first."
"I'll go back after I'm done."
Snape took a look at the bird on Lockhart's shoulder, nodded, and said briefly, "Okay!"
Then he passed directly by Lockhart and walked out of the Blackstone Auction.
He certainly knew what Lockhart was going to do.
He witnessed with his own eyes that Lockhart spent more than 1,000 gold galleons to buy a house-elf.
Although he didn't know why Lockhart bought a house-elf himself, he wasn't curious either.
His gains were significant this time as well.
The potion materials alone were worth going back to study carefully.
After a while, the goblin seemed to have received some message and said to Lockhart, "Professor Lockhart, the Avery family is almost here."
"The house-elf handover ceremony will begin soon."
As he said that, Lockhart saw a middle-aged man wearing a black wizard robe coming from a distance, followed by the house-elf he had seen on the magic projection before.
Seeing this, the goblin immediately came forward to greet him, and Lockhart stood up from the sofa.
"Hello, Professor Lockhart, I am Hanson Avery."
Hanson Avery's attitude was a bit embarrassed. His family had fallen on hard times, and he had to sell the house-elf. This was a scandal for the pure-blood Avery family.
Especially since the other person was a professor at Hogwarts and his son was studying in Slytherin house, this made him feel even more embarrassed.
But Lockhart didn't think much of it. He gently shook the hand offered by the other party very naturally, then put it down and said gently.
"Mr. Avery, let's begin the ceremony."
"Okay!" Hansen Avery nodded, and then ordered the timid house-elf next to him, "Coffy, stand in the middle."
The house-elf Coffy, who was wearing rags, also knew his fate. He walked unsteadily between Lockhart and Hanson Avery.
He looked at his future master, Lockhart, and then at his current master, with confusion and panic in his eyes.
"Coffy, from now on, you are no longer a house-elf of the Avery family."
"Your master will be Professor Gilderoy Lockhart."
"According to the ritual, you are not allowed to reveal any secrets about the Avery family. Other than that, all orders by Professor Lockhart must be obeyed. The Avery family has nothing to do with you."
"Professor Gilderoy Lockhart will be your only master."
With that said, Hansen Avery handed out a black sock and ordered coldly, "Now, hand it to your current owner."
"Okay, Master." The house-elf's expression was full of disappointment, and his arms trembled as he took the black socks from his former master.
Then he walked towards Lockhart step by step and handed the black sock in his hand to its current owner, Gilderoy Lockhart.
Lockhart, who knew this handover ceremony in advance, picked it up naturally and then put the sock into another space extension bag that contained nothing.
He was full of the desire to complain about this ritual.
When the master gives a house-elf socks, it means the house-elf's freedom.
And when the house-elf hands the socks to another person, it represents surrender.
It's a bit childish, but this is a tradition formed by house-elves after being enslaved for many years. It is engraved in their bones and forms their instinct.
It has to be said that the ancient wizards were really ruthless to turn such a bizarre ritual into a house-elf tradition.
What outrageous things did house-elves do back then?
It actually made an ancient wizard do such a thing.
Forcibly, this behavior that seemed like child's play, after years of deliberate cultivation, became a house-elf tradition, engraved in their bones.
Hanson Avery let out a sigh of relief when he saw Lockhart put away the socks.
The ceremony was over, which meant that the more than 1,000 gold galleons in his pocket were finally settled. This money was a life-saving straw for the Avery family.
In his family, apart from him, only his son is a wizard. The others are all squibs, and his son is currently studying in Slytherin House.
However, when he thought of Lockhart's identity, Hanson Avery hesitated but still said, "Professor Lockhart, my son Anthony Avery is currently studying in Hogwarts's Slytherin House. Please help take care of him."
As he spoke, he reached out and found a dark purple magic book in his hand, which he handed to Lockhart.
"Professor Lockhart, I heard from my son that you usually like to read. This is a magic book inherited from our family."
Lockhart looked at the book in front of him with slight magic fluctuations, glanced at Hanson Avery, shook his head slightly, and smiled.
"Don't worry, Mr. Avery. I think Anthony is a good kid. If I can take care of him, I will take good care of him."
"No need for gifts."
Speaking of this, Lockhart recalled the situation of the Avery family and said something meaningful.
"Maybe we will have a chance to cooperate in the future!"
=========================
[More Chapter available and More Update 10 chapter Weakly at p@treon.com/goldengaruda]
=========================
Weekly Power Status
200+ Power
Ranking 
0 Power
stone You may also Like
Paragraph comment