Capítulo 125: Chapter 125: Robbing Gringotts? No Way to Make Money That Fast
Knockturn Alley was a place where dark wizards and shady characters gathered, located right next to Diagon Alley, the largest commercial street in the British wizarding world.
However, despite being adjacent to each other, hardly anyone was willing to venture into Knockturn Alley, even during the day.
This particular day was Christmas, and every shop in Diagon Alley was adorned with festive decorations, filling the entire street with a joyous atmosphere. Yet, at the intersection of Diagon Alley and Knockturn Alley, the latter remained as deserted as ever, creating a stark contrast between the two streets.
"Let's go, stay close to me," said Lynn, extending his left hand towards Irina, who was behind him.
Irina gently took Lynn's hand, and together they stepped into the confines of Knockturn Alley.
Upon entering, they could immediately sense the gloomy atmosphere surrounding them, as the black-robed wizards nearby eyed them with ill intent.
The eerie ambiance made even the usually bold Irina shudder slightly as they walked down the street.
"Lost your way, dearie?" a sickening voice suddenly called out from not too far ahead.
An old witch stood there, holding a tray filled with what appeared to be dead human fingernails. She squinted at Lynn and Irina, revealing her moss-covered teeth.
"Crushio!" Lynn coldly glanced at the old witch and flicked his wand, casting a Crushing Curse that shattered the tray she held.
The dead fingernails scattered onto her feet, seemingly carrying a corrosive curse as black smoke began to rise from where they landed. The old witch let out a horrifying scream.
"Cruci—" Enraged that these seemingly second or third-year students dared to attack her, the old witch whipped out her wand, aiming it at Lynn.
But before she could complete the incantation, Irina raised her hand and cast a non-verbal, wandless Freezing Charm, encasing the old witch in ice.
"Diffindo!" Lynn followed up with a Severing Charm, shattering the ice sculpture and killing the old witch instantly.
Witnessing this, the other nearby dark wizards who had been eyeing them with malicious intent quickly dispersed, hurrying off in different directions.
Although Lynn and Irina appeared to be mere second or third-year students, their willingness to kill without hesitation made even the hardened residents of Knockturn Alley wary of them.
Lynn didn't actually want to kill, but he knew the law of the jungle that governed places like Knockturn Alley. If he didn't demonstrate his threat, appearing harmless instead, even his power wouldn't prevent him from being ambushed and potentially subdued by the combined efforts of the dark wizards, leaving him at their mercy.
Irina felt a twinge of nausea after witnessing the old witch's death, but her previous experience of killing a dark wizard in Hogsmeade had steeled her nerves. She managed to swallow the urge to vomit and followed Lynn's lead.
Knockturn Alley wasn't particularly large, and they soon reached their destination – a shop called "Deadly Plants and Curses."
This store specialized in selling dangerous magical plants and plant-based materials prohibited by the Ministry of Magic, which was precisely the reason for Lynn and Irina's visit.
Lynn lowered his hood and entered the shop first. As soon as he stepped inside, his alchemist's intuition alerted him to the numerous offensive and cursed alchemical formations set up throughout the premises.
Anyone attempting to rob or attack the shopkeeper would likely be killed instantly by the activated formations.
It seemed that only those with exceptional skills could operate a business in a place like Knockturn Alley, as Lynn observed the scarred old wizard behind the counter with a hint of surprise.
"One bag of Venomous Tentacula seeds and one bag of Chinese Chomping Cabbage seeds, please," Lynn said flatly as he approached the counter.
Each seed bag contained ten seeds of the corresponding magical plant, with the type clearly labeled on the bag.
"Fifty Galleons in total," the old wizard growled, placing two seed bags in front of Lynn.
Lynn scoffed, "Two Galleons per seed? Why don't you just rob Gringotts, old man? It would be faster!"
The old wizard sneered back, "Robbing Gringotts? No way to make money that fast! Just tell me if you want them or not. These are magical plants the Ministry forbids private cultivation of. Go ahead and ask around Diagon Alley and Knockturn Alley – see if anyone else dares to sell them!"
"Fifteen Galleons," Lynn said without expression.
The old wizard's eyes bulged. "Kid, that's not how you haggle! Fifteen Galleons, and I'd be losing money! Forty Galleons, and I won't go any lower!"
Lynn turned to leave at those words, but before he could exit the shop, the old wizard called out, "Wait, kid! Throw in a bit more, will you? Selling these banned magical plants is risky for me, you know?"
Lynn eyed him sideways. "Risky? Those who can open shops here don't care much about the Ministry. Fifteen Galleons, take it or leave it."
With that, he made to leave again. Finally, the old wizard relented with a frustrated sigh. "Fine, you're getting a great deal today, kid!"
Lynn merely scoffed and placed fifteen Galleons on the counter before taking the two seed bags.
Unlike the shops in Hogsmeade, the ones in Knockturn Alley were notorious for their exorbitant pricing, so Lynn refused to pay full price, haggling them down instead. However, he noticed a hint of glee on the old wizard's face after pocketing the Galleons, making Lynn feel like he might have still overpaid.
As they exited the shop, Lynn tossed the two seed bags into Irina's arms. Irina carefully stowed them away, glancing at Lynn as if she wanted to say something.
But before she could speak, Lynn waved his hand dismissively. "Don't worry about paying me back. Consider it a Christmas gift, along with that magical plant package."
Irina could only smile contentedly and follow Lynn's lead.
(End of chapter)
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