https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-156-The-Powerful-Black-Wizard-Jerry-First-Update-/13459760/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-158-Look-Hidden-Weapons-Third-Update-/13459764/
Chapter 157: The Aurors' Pursuit (Second Update)
Chapter 157: The Aurors' Pursuit (Second Update)
"This is not quite what I expected!"
When Jerry arrived at the second underground level, he had assumed that the underground market would be as fantastical and romantic as the French Ministry of Magic, filled with magical decor.
But what he found was surprisingly simple, even crude.
It was just a massive enclosed space, with about twenty wizards in their robes sitting cross-legged on the ground, each with a carpet laid out in front of them.
Yes, it was the simplest form of street vending, with no shops or counters. The wizards had spread black cloths on the ground, displaying the items they wanted to sell.
Wizards with similar intentions to his own moved about these small stalls, their faces masked as they browsed for the items they desired.
After a brief moment of surprise, Jerry didn't dwell on it. After all, his main goal was to pick out suitable magical items, and it didn't matter to him whether they were displayed on stalls or counters.
So, he stepped into the crowd of wizards who were selecting items.
"Deadly potions, cursed potions—just one drop can turn your hated wizard into bones!"
"Hand of Glory, the favorite of thieves and bandits—just light a candle, and you'll see the light in the darkest places!"
"Cursed rings—give one to your friend, and you'll attend their funeral the next day!"
Jerry walked past each stall, listening to the vendors enthusiastically describe the prohibited magical items that the Ministry of Magic did not allow to be sold.
Among them, he saw bags, boxes, and suitcases created using alchemy and the Extension Charm. Unfortunately, even after a thorough inspection, the largest space he found was still less than one-tenth the size of the box he carried.
This made him marvel at Quirrell's capabilities. Indeed, to become a Hogwarts professor, his skills must far surpass those of these outside wizards.
But then he thought of Newt's suitcase from Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
It was no wonder that a wizard who could go toe-to-toe with Grindelwald had mastered the Extension Charm to its peak.
Halfway through his browsing, his eyes suddenly caught a pair of gloves on a stall to his right, and as he sensed the magical fluctuations, his face broke into a smile.
He had finally found what he came for today.
"How much for this pair of gloves?"
Jerry approached and squatted down to ask.
The stall owner was a skinny old man with white hair and a missing tooth. Seeing Jerry's interest in the gloves, he replied in a low voice, "Five hundred galleons!"
Jerry's eyebrows furrowed. He knew the gloves were a Portkey, and five hundred galleons was indeed a steep price.
Though his monthly salary was five hundred galleons, that was a special case.
Ordinary national Quidditch team players earned around three hundred galleons a month, which was already considered high. By comparison, a regular auror's monthly salary was only one hundred and forty galleons.
This pair of Portkeys would cost more than three months' salary for an average auror.
"Portkeys aren't something any ordinary wizard can make. Out of all the stalls here, only I sell Portkeys. If you want them, it's five hundred galleons, no haggling!"
The old wizard glanced at Jerry and replied matter-of-factly.
"Alright, I'll take this pair of Portkeys!"
Jerry picked up the gloves and was about to pay.
In reality, he could have tried to haggle. While the old wizard was the only one selling Portkeys, not many people would buy them. It was likely that his Portkeys had been unsold for a long time.
Since a portkey operates on a point-to-point teleportation system, under normal circumstances, you can apply to use one at the Ministry of Magic for a very small fee.
Only wizards who are wanted or banned from leaving their country by the Ministry of Magic would need such a portkey.
However, these people generally wouldn't buy a portkey themselves, as the use of a portkey is always monitored by the Ministries of Magic in various countries. You'd be surrounded by aurors the moment you use it.
The only way around this is to find smugglers who specialize in this business. They have already smoothed out the necessary connections, so using their portkeys won't be detected. It just costs a bit more.
However, Jerry didn't bother to haggle. It wasn't necessary; he really needed that portkey, and he didn't want to risk any problems.
"Aurors! Run!"
Just as Jerry was about to hand over the money, a frantic voice suddenly called out from the stairwell.
Turning around, he saw the French wizard who had been blocking the door.
After shouting the warning, the French wizard immediately Disapparated on the spot.
Then, a dozen aurors rushed in from the stairwell.
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
The wizards standing next to Jerry immediately Apparated away upon hearing the warning. The vendors, who seemed to be accustomed to this, quickly gathered their wares and Disapparated as well.
Only then did Jerry realize why the transactions were conducted in this makeshift market—apparently, it made it easy to evacuate when aurors showed up!
"Your... money... okay!"
When Jerry turned back, he found that the old wizard had already Apparated away with his belongings. Jerry had no choice but to toss the portkey and galleons into his box space.
For the old wizard, creating a portkey wasn't a difficult task. If he lost one, he could always make another in a few days. But if he were caught by aurors, he'd be spending a few years in prison.
"I'm done for... I can't Apparate!"
Watching as a few slow-reacting wizards were hit by Stunning Spells and the rest Disapparated, Jerry felt a headache coming on. He had yet to learn how to Apparate and now had to rely on his agility to dodge the occasional magical attacks from the aurors while thinking of a way to escape.
"Stop resisting, wizard!"
By now, all those who could escape had Apparated away, and those who didn't make it in time were stunned and lying on the ground.
Jerry was the only one left standing in the entire basement, neither having Apparated away nor been stunned.
So, all the aurors now pointed their wands at Jerry.
"Looks like I'll have to get rough... No, better not make a scene!"
After a quick glance around, Jerry saw that the only exit was blocked by aurors. He smiled and raised his hands, showing that he had no wand to ease their suspicions. However, he was secretly muttering a spell:
"Smokescreen!"
A thick cloud of smoke instantly filled the entire basement.
The aurors were caught off guard, not expecting Jerry to cast a spell without a wand, and they hesitated for a moment.
But they reacted quickly, and with a wave of their wands, a strong wind blew through, dispersing the smoke.
However, Jerry was nowhere to be seen in the basement.
"Revealing Charm!"
...
(End of Chapter)
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