https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-202-New-York-Sanctum-First-Update-/13459839/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-204-The-Expensive-House-Elf-Third-Update-/13459841/
Chapter 203: Heading to French Magic Street (Second Update)
Chapter 203: Heading to French Magic Street (Second Update)
In the twenty days before the start of the school term, Jerry didn't plan to spend all his time in Diagon Alley. Instead, he intended to make another trip to the French Magic Street.
However, because he was under the trace, he couldn't perform magic outside of British witch gathering places, and without a passport, he couldn't fly. So, he decided to take a train to the coastal city of Hastings first, and then ride Nightmare Black Coal across the Channel into France.
Fortunately, Hastings wasn't too far from London; the train ride took only about two hours.
He could have ridden Nightmare directly from London to France, but London was the headquarters of the Ministry of Magic, and the risk of encountering other witches was too high.
Therefore, using ordinary transportation was a safer choice.
On a stretch of coastline near Hastings, Jerry released Black Coal and rode it across the Dover Strait into France.
After casting a Disguise Charm on both himself and Black Coal, he and the creature flew toward Paris.
Black Coal's flight speed was incredibly fast, and in less than half an hour, he was already above Paris.
Landing on a famous pedestrian street, he stowed away Black Coal and used the Illusion Transformation Spell to transform into an elderly man with a cane, dressed in a suit and exuding an air of nobility.
Wandering to the center of a staircase leading up from the left side of the pedestrian street, he found a rectangular stone pillar with a sculpture of a half-naked Greek maiden.
Jerry approached and grasped the maiden's hand, channeling a bit of magic power. The stone statue immediately came to life, and a stone door large enough for a person to pass through appeared beneath her.
Pushing open the stone door, he entered the passageway. When he emerged, he was already in the French Magic Street, which he had visited once before.
The last time, he had arrived here with the Quidditch team using Floo Powder provided by the French Ministry of Magic. This time, he entered through the official entrance to the Magic Street.
After entering the Magic Street, Jerry didn't go shopping but instead checked into a reputable witch's inn.
He might stay there until the start of the school term at Hogwarts.
The purpose of Jerry's visit to the French Magic Street was still the black market, but this time it wasn't for magical items. Instead, he wanted to see if he could purchase some capable Fantastic Beasts or their eggs.
Now that he had learned how to perform Contract Magic, he could easily enter into contracts with a few Fantastic Beasts, even though he couldn't handle thousands.
However, buying powerful and dangerous Fantastic Beasts through official channels was impossible.
So he thought of the black market in France.
If he could find a Fantastic Beast that suited his needs, that would be ideal. If not, purchasing some decent magical items wouldn't be a bad outcome either.
And in France, he didn't have to worry about the trace; he could use magic freely.
"Could you please give me a room?"
Jerry, leaning on his cane, approached the inn's reception desk and placed a bag of Galleons on the table.
The goblin, who was standing on a chair to count money, immediately looked up with a fawning expression at the sight of the bag full of gleaming Galleons.
"Of course, sir, it would be my honor!"
With that, he hopped off the chair and personally led Jerry upstairs.
Unlike house-elves, who are akin to slaves, goblins are currently the only beings in the witch community that can rival humans.
It's not that they are particularly powerful, but they control a significant portion of the economic lifelines in the witch world.
The only bank in the witch world, Gringotts, is essentially run by the goblin race, and many shops on magic streets have their backing.
Moreover, goblins are exceptionally skilled at crafting precious special metals and silverware.
The sword of Gryffindor, which can kill basilisks and absorb their venom to infinitely strengthen itself, was forged by the most powerful goblin king in the Middle Ages.
However, despite this, in terms of raw power, they still cannot match the witch community. The few goblin rebellions in history were effortlessly quelled by witches.
Following the goblin owner into the room, Jerry closed the door and leaped into the box space.
By now, after continually expanding it with the Extension Charm, the box space was five times larger than before.
Additionally, he had recently flown to the outskirts of New York, disguised as a merchant, to purchase a large number of cattle and livestock, which he now kept in the expanded enclosure.
This was mainly for Norbert and Black Coal to eat.
As for Crookshanks, a single fish could last it for two meals.
After three months of growth, Norbert's size had increased significantly. Although it still couldn't fly, it could hover in the air for several seconds.
If it weren't so fat, Jerry felt it might stay airborne longer.
Norbert's flames were no longer small sparks but intense, black-smoke-laden infernos. They were quite powerful, especially since they could cover a wide area from above, making it a true area-of-effect spell. And it could be cast without a wand or incantation, just by opening its mouth.
However, Jerry had already ordered it not to breathe fire in the box space unless necessary, to avoid accidentally burning down the house.
After several hours of studying magic in the box space, he estimated that it was already completely dark outside. He left the box space and quietly exited the temporary hotel.
The black market, of course, only operated at night.
It was the same familiar bar entrance, the same familiar portrait of a French witch dancing in a dress.
To be safe, Jerry used the Disguise Charm to change his appearance once more before stepping into the bar. The bar was as lively as ever.
It seemed that the last Auror raid had not frightened these Dark Witches.
Indeed, if this bar was allowed to operate openly, and the Aurors were fully aware that there was a black market beneath it, then things were not as simple as they seemed.
Most likely, the Auror raids were just a form of warning.
For instance, the last raid was probably due to the upcoming Quidditch World Cup. The French Ministry of Magic did not want any trouble during that time.
Otherwise, the black market would not be able to operate so brazenly.
Approaching the stairs leading to the underground black market, Jerry snapped his fingers quietly before the guard could react:
"Confundus Charm!"
Instantly, the guard's eyes became dazed.
The Confundus Charm is an advanced mind-control spell that leaves no trace, causing the victim to become confused and disoriented.
Upon waking, the victim would only think they had dozed off.
By the time Jerry had entered the lower level, the guard had regained consciousness, scratching his head in confusion:
"What just happened? Was I sleepy?"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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