Chapter 121: A Delivery Mission
Chapter 121: A Delivery Mission
A light rain had fallen the night before, lasting for a good two to three hours. Even as the sun rose, the streets of Diagon Alley remained damp, with green moss creeping in the corners and between the bricks.
Vader, his hood pulled low, walked down the street. His worn boots trampled over the moss, leaving behind green footprints on the dark gray stones. He appeared as a middle-aged man, his cheeks hollow and eyes bearing dark circles, his wizard's robe patched and tattered, giving him a dispirited air.
The alley was still relatively quiet, a stark contrast to the bustling crowd at Lockhart's book signing the day before. Shop owners were busy directing brooms and mops to clean up, sparing only a lazy glance at Vader as he passed by, showing no interest in greeting him.
A few children were running and playing on the street, while some had already claimed their spot outside the Quidditch Supplies Shop, gazing mesmerized at the newest model of the Nimbus 2001 through the window.
Next to the Quidditch shop was a moderately-sized Hogshead Tavern. A young man was arranging items on the shelves while admonishing the children. "Be careful, don't bump into people."
"Okay!" the children replied loudly.
But saying so and actually doing it were two different things. With not many people around, the children played with abandon.
One child, turning to call out to his friends, ran straight into a wizard standing by the roadside, cloaked in black.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to!" The child quickly apologized, not daring to look up. But before he could say more, he felt a hawk-like hand grip the back of his neck.
"You bump into someone and think a mere apology is enough?" Fingers thin as twigs dug into his neck, and a sinister voice hissed in his ear.
The young man from the tavern rushed out upon seeing this. "I'm sorry, this is my little brother. I apologize on his behalf... Erm, would you like a free drink?" He looked up at the wizard, a chill running down his spine.
The man had an ashen face, his eyes glowing with an eerie green light, prominent cheekbones, and a sinister scar twisting at the corner of his mouth. He exuded a strange odor.
The wizard licked his lips and offered a chilling smile. "I don't want your free drink." His voice was hoarse. "But if you truly want to apologize, show some sincerity... How about you do me a small favor?"
The young man's scalp tingled, but he dared not refuse. He swallowed and asked, "...What favor?"
The man produced a thick letter. "How about delivering this letter for me?"
The young man glanced at the address on the envelope. It was nearby and not in Knockturn Alley, a place notorious for its dark dealings.
He hesitated, looking at his little brother who was still being held by the wizard, tears welling up in his eyes but bravely held back. Finally, he took the letter. "Okay, what else do you need?"
The wizard's cold eyes swept over the two brothers. "The recipient has a foul temper. Taking your little brother along might make him more forgiving."
Hearing this, the young man actually felt relieved. If that was the case, it was understandable that the wizard didn't want to deliver the letter himself.
"Also," the wizard continued, releasing the little boy, "the moment you took this letter, you were cursed by me."
As the young man's face paled, the wizard let out a sinister chuckle. "What happens if you don't deliver the letter in time... well, let's just say I can't guarantee your safety."
The young man took a deep breath. "I'll deliver the letter on time.
"All right, hope everything goes well for you." The wizard cackled and turned to leave.
The young man clenched his jaw and patted his little brother's head with his free hand. "I'll deliver the letter. You head home quickly."
"No, I want to come with you!" The little boy sobbed.
"It's just delivering a letter, there's no danger. I'll be back soon."
"No, I'm coming with you!"
The little boy didn't understand what had just happened, but he knew he had caused trouble for his brother, and he couldn't stop crying.
Moreover, he remembered the strange man's words—if he went along, the recipient wouldn't get angry at his brother.
The young man tried to persuade his little brother, but to no avail. He could only leave a note on the counter, close the shop, and set off with his brother toward the address on the letter.
"We should be back in a few minutes if all goes well," he thought optimistically.
Besides, their father should be returning soon from Gringotts with the money. He would surely see the note and come looking for them.
The young man didn't notice that the wizard soon turned back, pushed open the shop door, and after a short while, exited again, heading in the direction they had taken.
A middle-aged man sitting on a bench nearby sighed and slowly stood up, watching as the group disappeared from view.
...
The young man held the envelope and compared the address to the door numbers along the street, eventually leading them into a quiet alley.
He walked back and forth but couldn't find the address on the letter.
"Big brother..." The little boy tightened his grip on his hand.
"What is it?" the young man asked.
"I'm scared..." The little boy whimpered.
The young man looked up and down the narrow alley, the doors on either side firmly closed. He made a quick decision and turned around. "Let's go back and ask Dad to come with us."
But just as they took a few steps, their bodies stiffened.
The wizard who had asked them to deliver the letter was standing at the entrance of the alley.
"Bad children, breaking your promise."
His voice, like sandpaper, scraped out, "You haven't delivered the letter yet, and you want to go home?"
The young man quickly drew his wand, shielding his little brother behind him. "I'm not breaking my promise. I just can't find the place."
As the wizard approached, he said, "I know where it is. Let me take you there."
"You can deliver it yourself!"
The little boy shouted, "We're going home! Dad is waiting for us!"
"No, he isn't waiting for you. He doesn't even know where you are."
The wizard dropped a crumpled piece of paper at their feet, and the young man recognized his own handwriting on it.
It was the note he had left for his father.
He took a step back, fear washing over him, and then his wand twitched. "Stun!"
A beam of red light shot toward the wizard, who didn't expect this young child to know the Stunning Spell. He dodged by diving to the ground! The spell grazed his hair and hit the wall.
"Run!"
Without realizing his spell had missed, the young man pulled his brother along, only to hear a voice shout, "Petrificus Totalus!"
The two instantly froze, their bodies stiffening.
An old witch stood before them, slowly putting away her wand.
The witch cackled, her voice grating like glass scratching, "Even little ones can have sharp claws, hmm?"
The wizard, his nose bleeding from the fall, stomped over and kicked the petrified young man, causing him to roll over. He pointed his wand at the boy's heart and said coldly, "Cruciatus Curse!"
"Bang!"
In a blinding flash, the wizard's chest exploded in a spray of blood, and his body flew backward.
(End of Chapter)
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