Chapter 283: The Wizarding Items Merchant
Chapter 283: The Wizarding Items Merchant
Mundungus was in high spirits. The crucibles he had "imported" a few days ago had all been sold, and on his way back, he had visited a lonely elderly man. Before leaving, he had also casually taken some old junk to fill his small briefcase.
An owl landed before him, and Mundungus opened the note, scanning its contents. His mood improved further as the young rich kid from last time seemed eager to trade with him again.
Although Mundungus didn't know what the other party wanted with the hair of a Swamp Digger, it didn't stop him from ripping off their wallet.
Where there was demand, he could sell at a good price. As a merchant, Mundungus knew how to transfer galleons from others' pockets into his own.
The next morning at 9:30, Mundungus appeared outside the Hog's Head as expected from the letter. If possible, he would have liked to go inside.
It was just that the owner of this place didn't welcome him.
Mundungus took out his pocket watch to check the time and then opened his briefcase, setting up a stall in a nearby snow-free spot. He knew that many people didn't like others to see them making private transactions, but buying something from a stall was another matter.
The briefcase had been enlarged with the Tracelet Charm, and it displayed a variety of items, like an antique shop window.
Not long after, Mundungus spotted the rich kid. He had little impression of the other party's appearance, but he vaguely remembered the red-haired Weasley beside him.
However, this time, only one of them had come.
Mundungus' smile widened as he rubbed his hands together and asked cheerfully, "Would you like to buy something?"
As he spoke, he pointed to a corner of the briefcase and told Albert that that was the hair of the Swamp Digger.
However, what confused Mundungus was that the other party didn't look at the hair in the briefcase but instead stared at him. The gaze of this kid made him feel uncomfortable, as if he had been seen through.
Having mixed in the lowest levels of the wizarding world for many years, Mundungus was no fool. He immediately understood what this meant, and the smile on his face froze instantly.
"Four galleons and ten sickles." The boy spoke calmly, and the price he quoted shocked Mundungus because it was exactly twice his import price.
"This...it's a bit low!" Mundungus immediately felt uncomfortable. He had originally thought that it was just a kid, but he hadn't expected...
"It's not low. You doubled the price, and I think this price is very reasonable."
"Doubled the price?" Ron Weasley shifted his gaze from the goods to Mundungus, and that look was not unfamiliar to him. Those who wanted to rob him would often show such eyes.
Were these two kids planning to rob him?
Mundungus found it funny, as he wasn't someone to be trifled with, but...his instincts told him that the boy in front of him was not to be provoked. The boy's face showed little emotion, and then he thought of the other party's letter from the last time.
"Five galleons," Mundungus said in a low voice. "That's the bottom line."
"Don't you think it's better to have a steady stream of small profits?" Albert reminded him. "Of course, six galleons, plus that old antique broom."
"What kind of broom is this? It looks very old."
"Silver Arrow. It's a handmade broom, an old one, but it's still a fine product." Mundungus didn't finish his sentence before he was interrupted.
"I'll only pay six galleons. Oh, and have you found a buyer for my snake egg?" The brown-haired boy shifted the topic.
"It's hard to come by even in the black market," Mundungus muttered, comparing the benefits before nodding in agreement.
He took the six galleons, handed over the item, and prepared to leave.
"Are we just going to let him go?"
Before the phantom appeared, Mundungus heard the red-haired boy's question and couldn't help but curse under his breath. The phantom disappeared from view.
"That's a smart move!" Albert took out the bag Hagrid had given him and put the item inside. This thing was actually a space bag, but its capacity wasn't that big.
"I thought you two were going to rob Mundungus." An old man walked out, sizing up the two boys whose disillusion charms had been removed.
"You seem happy to see Mundungus get robbed?"
"That scoundrel often does some petty thievery. It's not surprising if he gets robbed," Aberforth sneered. "Come in. No one will come to the pub today."
This was actually an unspoken rule in Hogsmeade Village. During the days when Hogsmeade was open to Hogwarts students, those troublemakers would voluntarily stay away as a form of protection for the students, and it was also a decision made by the merchants of Hogsmeade.
"That guy didn't go far. He's probably hiding somewhere and eavesdropping!" Albert narrowed his eyes and looked in a certain direction, where Mundungus was hidden under a Disillusion Charm.
"How did you know?" Mundungus cursed under his breath and couldn't help but ask.
"Footprints." Albert pointed to the ground.
"Come in. Don't mind that idiot Mundungus. By the way, have you really learned how to cast a Patronus Charm?" Aberforth glanced at Mundungus and gestured for Albert to come inside. He was curious about how this young man had learned to cast a corporeal Patronus in just a few months.
"Aberforth, don't you want to take a look at my new merchandise? You might find something you like." Mundungus called out to Aberforth, deliberately trying to irritate him. The two of them had indeed done some business together, and Aberforth occasionally bought antiques from Mundungus.
Fred and George looked at Aberforth curiously, and Lee Jordan even asked, "Dealing in stolen goods?"
"Yes, this place is one of the black market trading spots. But today, since the Hogwarts students are visiting Hogsmeade, no one will come," Aberforth replied, unconcerned about their gazes.
"Do you sell things yourself?" Albert was curious.
"No, I'm just the pub owner. Now, let's begin!" Aberforth interrupted, not wanting to dwell on the topic.
"Accio Patronus."
Albert raised his wand and summoned the lion-eagle hybrid. The pale Patronus illuminated the dim Hog's Head with its presence.
"No matter how many times I see it, I still think the lion-eagle hybrid is cool. I wonder what my Patronus would be." Fred watched the Patronus pacing with light footsteps and murmured.
"If you're curious, just practice when you have time. I think your Patronus would be the same as George's," Albert said, rolling his eyes.
"George, you know what to do!" Fred immediately said to his twin brother.
"You too, give it your best shot." (End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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