Chapter 253: How Dare You Open a Shop With Nothing?
Chapter 253: How Dare You Open a Shop With Nothing?
The two of them hurried away.
Fred blinked and suggested in a low voice, "Should we follow them and have a look?"
"I've never been to Knockturn Alley," George said, also intrigued. "Mom never lets us go to places like that."
"Mom is right," Percy said sternly. "All of you stay here and don't go anywhere."
George acted as if he had just noticed his presence and exclaimed in surprise, "Oh, Fred, we're being lectured by a prefect..."
"Is he going to deduct house points from us...?"
"...because we're disobedient."
"Ten points from Gryffindor?"
"Hey, shut up!" Percy said, his face reddening.
"Yes, Prefect!" Fred replied with a grin, turning to ask, "Kyle, do you want to go and take a look at Knockturn Alley?"
"No," Kyle shook his head. "But I suggest you go and take a look."
"Why?" George was surprised by Kyle's response.
"Because I brought my camera today."
Kyle patted his pocket. "When Mrs. Weasley scolds you later, I'll be sure to capture the best pictures. If I sell them to the Daily Prophet, I might be able to get Ginny a new set of robes."
Hearing Kyle's suggestion, Ginny, who had been worried a moment ago, suddenly burst out laughing.
She looked up at Fred and George, seemingly urging them to hurry over.
"Oh, Ginny, we're your brothers!" George said discontentedly.
Ginny pouted, "But I want new robes more."
"We'll buy them for you!" Fred said impatiently.
"And a new wand, as long as you stay away from that Kyle guy," George added.
George glared at Kyle and gritted his teeth. "Damn, why did we invite you to Diagon Alley with us?"
After a bout of laughter, everyone's worries lessened considerably.
Kyle also informed them that there were ways to trace the whereabouts of a Floo Network fireplace, and even if Harry wasn't in Knockturn Alley, they could inquire about his location at the Floo Network Authority, a subsidiary of the Magical Transportation Department.
While such records were usually not accessible to the public, he believed that they wouldn't refuse if they were asking about Harry Potter.
Afterward, the group left the bustling Leaky Cauldron and made their way to Diagon Alley through the backyard entrance.
Fred and George kept their promise and took Ginny to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, where they bought her a new set of robes.
As they exited the store, they happened to see Ron, Mrs. Weasley, Harry, and Hagrid approaching.
Before visiting the robe shop, George had sent Ron to keep watch at the Gringotts entrance with an ice cream treat.
It was right across from the entrance to Knockturn Alley, so if anyone came out, he would spot them immediately.
"You were right, Kyle," Mrs. Weasley called out from a distance. "He really was in Knockturn Alley. When we passed by, an old wizard was bothering him."
"That's good... Are you alright, Potter?" Kyle asked, looking at Harry.
Harry shook his head. "I'm fine," he said, though his expression was still somewhat dazed.
"Harry! Harry!"
Harry suddenly heard someone calling his name and looked up to see Hermione standing at the Gringotts entrance not far away. She ran over, her bushy hair flying behind her.
"You look so disheveled... Hello, Kyle, Fred, George, and Percy. It's great to see you all again... Are you going to Gringotts, Harry?"
"We'll go once Mr. Weasley is here," Harry replied.
"Then we can go together," Hermione said.
At that moment, everyone realized that Mr. Weasley hadn't returned with them.
"Where's Dad?" Ginny asked.
Mrs. Weasley looked up, bewildered, and glanced around, indicating that she didn't know the answer to that question either.
"Oh, sorry... Molly, kids," Mr. Weasley said as he strode toward them, rubbing his shiny bald head. He quietly explained, "I thought I saw Lucius Malfoy in Knockturn Alley just now, but he disappeared in the blink of an eye."
"Malfoy?" Harry asked, turning his head. "The Malfoy from Slytherin?"
"Nothing, he went to sell something."
Mr. Weasley nodded solemnly and approvingly, "Ha, I knew it, he's scared too..."
Before he could say another word, Mrs. Weasley pulled him away.
"We've already wasted a lot of time... Kyle, dear, are you going to Gringotts?"
Kyle shook his head.
"We're not going either," said Fred and George together.
"Then let's meet at Flourish and Blotts in an hour, I'll get your textbooks, and you two...don't you dare go to Knockturn Alley!"
Mrs. Weasley gave a few more instructions before leading the others to Gringotts.
As soon as she was out of sight, Fred and George dashed towards the joke shop, laughing and joking.
The joke shop in Diagon Alley was much larger than Zonko's in Hogsmeade.
Kyle, however, did not join them and instead headed to another store.
"Preal's Fantastic Flora."
This was a herb shop, and every time Kyle came to Diagon Alley, he would browse around to see if there were any rare varieties.
The owner, Mrs. Preal, recognized Kyle as a regular customer and smiled at him, "What are you looking for today? The cloak fern is growing wonderfully."
"I don't need any more cloak ferns, I still have plenty at home," said Kyle, thinking for a moment before asking, "Do you have any Armor Pumpkins?"
"No." Mrs. Preal shook her head, "That's a rare commodity, you won't find it anywhere in Britain's magical community."
"Professor Sprout has one in her greenhouse," Kyle thought to himself.
He continued, "What about Sphinx lilies... preferably the golden variety."
"No."
"Flesh-Eating Grass..."
"No."
"Mibumi Treasure Plant..."
"No!"
...
"How dare you open a shop with nothing?" Kyle muttered.
Mrs. Preal's forehead veins popped out.
This kid was treating rare plants as if they were common cabbage!
If it weren't for the fact that Kyle had spent a lot of money here before to buy an Eight-Leaf Flower, she would have kicked him out already.
Mrs. Preal maintained her smile with effort. "Apart from the Sphinx lilies... if you're willing to wait, we can help you find the others, but it might take some time, about a year or so.
Also, you'll need to pay a 200-galon deposit first."
"A year? That's too long," said Kyle, shaking his head.
He was just here to try his luck; it didn't matter if he found what he wanted or not, there was no need to wait that long.
Additionally, while the plants were not cheap, 200 galons was still a hefty price, especially as a deposit. He wasn't going to spend money so recklessly.
Just as Kyle turned to leave and find Fred and George, he noticed a large water tank in the corner with something that looked like octopus tentacles inside.
"Is that Gillsweed?"
"This plant is quite obscure, you rarely see it even in potion shops."
"Yes," said Mrs. Preal casually, "I must have been out of my mind to buy it from that Greek witch. Ever since the Bubble-Head Charm was invented, British wizards have no use for this."
"The Bubble-Head Charm is indeed a great spell," said Kyle casually, "By the way, how many galons did you buy it for?"
"Twenty..." Mrs. Preal said, sounding a bit pained.
"Is it that expensive?..." Kyle clicked his tongue, "What a shame, I was curious about what it would feel like to breathe underwater, but twenty galons..."
He hesitated for a moment before shaking his head and leaving the store.
"Never mind, this game is too expensive."
"Wait!"
Mrs. Preal suddenly called out to him, "As a loyal customer, if you're interested, I can offer you a satisfying discount."
"That doesn't feel right..."
Kyle paused and naturally walked back into the store.
...
(End of Chapter)
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