https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-38-Infiltrating-Hogsmeade-Village/13437950/
Chapter 39: Sorry, We Don't Sell Love Potions to young wizards
After a long walk, when Ivan lifted the trapdoor at the end, he found himself in a cellar filled with cardboard boxes.
Ivan understood that this must be Honeydukes Sweetshop in Hogsmeade Village.
Creak
Ivan carefully pushed open the cellar door but did not see the bustling scene he had imagined. Instead, the spacious shop was rather empty.
That makes sense. It's not Christmas yet, nor is it the weekend. Those third-year and above young wizards don't have much time to come here, Ivan thought.
Due to the lack of cover, Ivan's plan to sneak away was quickly foiled.
"Hey, kid, when did you get in here?" The owner of Honeydukes, a kind wizard who always wore loose robes, immediately scolded when he saw Ivan wandering around his cellar.
"Just now, maybe you didn't notice?" Ivan was not flustered but instead teased casually.
Ivan's casual attitude made the Honeydukes owner dismiss the idea that he was there to steal candy. His tone softened, and he teased back.
"You must have snuck out from Hogwarts, right? Third-year kids aren't as short as you, no wonder I didn't see you earlier."
Ivan's lips twitched, regretting that he hadn't learned a Silencing Charm or something similar. He was already one of the taller ones in his first-year class!
Feeling depressed, Ivan took a silver sickle from his pocket and placed it on the table.
"So, you're not going to sell me any candy?"
"Of course, I will", the Honeydukes owner quickly pocketed the silver sickle with a speed Ivan couldn't see and then took out various snacks from the cabinet, introducing them one by one.
"What do you want to buy? Fizzing Whizzbees? Chocolate Frogs? Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans? Or how about some Cockroach Clusters? They're the Headmaster's favorite."
Ivan bought a bit of everything and, out of curiosity, bravely tried the Cockroach Clusters. As expected, they looked really disgusting, resembling a large cockroach.
Ivan carefully broke off a leg and, suppressing his nausea, took a bite. To his surprise, it was sweet, clearly made with syrup. It was just a bit crunchy, like chewing on a real bug.
"By the way, do you know where I can find places that sell potion ingredients in Hogsmeade Village?" After trying a few more Chocolate Frogs and Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans, Ivan asked nonchalantly.
"There's only one potion shop in Hogsmeade Village." The Honeydukes owner's expression suddenly became serious, and he looked around cautiously.
Ivan's heart raced, wondering if he had said something wrong. Then, the owner leaned in and lowered his voice.
"If you want to buy Love Potions, you'd better go to Diagon Alley. They've been cracking down on it here recently. Old Rick doesn't sell those prohibited items."
Love Potions? Ivan rolled his eyes. Why would he need something like that?
He was only eleven, and even if he had the desire, he certainly didn't have the capability.
Ignoring the Honeydukes owner's lecherous smile as he left, Ivan turned into a small alley and saw a half-fallen sign that faintly read "Potions." The inside was filled with a strange and unpleasant smell of potions.
Ivan pinched his nose as he entered and didn't see the owner. He could only faintly see green smoke coming from a room at the end.
Just as Ivan was about to say something to catch the other person's attention, a voice came from inside the room.
"Basic potion ingredients are placed by the door. The Polyjuice Potion and Elixir to Induce Euphoria are in the cabinet next to them. The combination of Love Potion and Invigoration Draught is not for sale to underage young wizards, no matter how much money you offer!"
Ivan was too tired to complain about the Love Potion issue. How many young wizards must have asked about it for the response to be so practiced?
Ivan walked over to where the potion ingredients were placed.
Fortunately, his potion-making skills had successfully improved to the Fourth Level in recent days, and he quickly sorted out the ingredients needed for the Blood-Bonding Potion.
To prevent anyone from guessing the potion formula based on the ingredients he chose, Ivan also picked some unnecessary herbs and made slight adjustments to the quantities.
After Ivan had finished selecting, Old Rick, wearing a patched coat, opened the door. The pungent smell of potions still lingered around him, the same as what Ivan had smelled at the entrance.
"What are you buying so many ingredients for?" Old Rick thought Ivan was here to buy Elixir to Induce Euphoria, but was surprised to see him picking a large pile of ingredients.
"Just to practice with money." Ivan placed nine Galleons on the table.
Old Rick immediately fell silent, quietly putting the money away and then handing over twelve silver Sickles to Ivan.
"Where are the Bonesnatcher and Bloodroot?" Ivan asked, taking the remaining silver Sickles.
Old Rick’s expression changed. He bent down, his bloodshot eyes fixed on Ivan for a while before speaking.
"I don’t know what strange recipe you found in the Hogwarts library, but I advise you not to try it casually. Both Bonesnatcher and Bloodroot are prohibited materials, used only in a few highly advanced potions."
"What if I pay double the Galleons?" Ivan asked.
"Bonesnatcher, one ounce for three Galleons; Bloodroot, one ounce for two Galleons and seven silver Sickles." Old Rick’s eyes were full of sarcasm.
"Double that?" Ivan frowned.
"No, that’s before doubling." Old Rick smiled.
Why don’t you just rob me? Ivan almost blurted out. After all, in Diagon Alley, one ounce of dragon liver costs seventeen silver Sickles, and dragon blood is probably about the same.
Even with the price drop due to dragon farming, these are still top-tier materials.
Why should a Bonesnatcher and Bloodroot cost so much?
"I told you, they are prohibited items. Every sale requires a record, and no place will sell them to underage young wizards." Old Rick noticed that the young wizard in front of him didn’t have enough Galleons and lost interest, but still gave a warning.
"Even if you pay, I can’t give them to you right now. You’ll have to wait for a while."
Ivan sighed, giving up the idea of buying Bonesnatcher and Bloodroot.
He had won a lot of money from gambling, and with what he already had, he only had eleven Galleons. It was still far from enough to purchase all the ingredients.
Ivan had considered using Floo Powder to teleport to Diagon Alley to check the prices, to avoid being ripped off by Old Rick.
But Diagon Alley was much more dangerous than Hogsmeade Village.
At least here, third-year young wizards often wandered alone, so both the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts School strictly monitored the area, ensuring its safety. This was why Ivan dared to come here alone.
(End of Chapter)
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