Hogwarts: This professor is too Muggle.

Chapter 28 Heading to the Rally
“Hanging man with a noose;

“Opal necklace;

"Suffocating puppet..."

The merchandise that had been on the shelves for several years was moved away from its original location, leaving a slightly cleaner mark on the dusty wooden boards. It was then packed with special kraft paper to ensure that no black magic or curses would leak out, placed in the included wooden box, and sealed and locked.

These steps were a bit tedious but not complicated. Mr. Bogin was immersed in the pleasant busyness, going back and forth around the shelves several times, and still felt a little unsatisfied at the end.

Bogin returned to the counter and looked up to see Professor Lewynter waiting nearby. He observed the professor's expression, but unfortunately he could see nothing.

Mr. Borgin quickly regained consciousness, and fearing he was about to undercut him, he let out a mock sigh. "These items are of considerable value, though slightly flawed. If they could find a skilled alchemist, perhaps they could be restored to their former glory. Professor Lewynter, considering our friendship, I'm already offering a low price, even lower than I paid for them."

Melvin glanced at him and said, "It's only our second meeting, but you're willing to give us a 30% discount on our relationship. I'm surprised."

"It's been an honor to meet Professor Lewinter."

Mr. Borgin realized that he had no intention of bargaining, so he immediately put on a smile, pushed his nose and nose glasses, and while settling the bill, he asked in a slick tone: "Would you like to take these packaged goods? Our store provides an owl mail service, free of charge, and it will arrive at Hogwarts this evening..."

Melvin thought for a moment and said, "Then mail it back."

These things are used to design levels and nominally have legitimate uses, but dark magic items are dark magic items, and defective ones also need to be taken seriously. Bringing them back to school in a suitcase without reporting always feels like a disrespect for the principal's authority.

In comparison, owl mail is more suitable. At least Dumbledore can look at the list when signing for it.

It would be even better if he could get the bill reimbursed...

"When does the rally you mentioned in your letter begin?"

"We'll set off in half an hour."

……

A "Temporarily Closed" sign was placed inside the window;
Then cast a few warning spells on the copper bell;

I went outside and locked the door, then cast a few protective spells and anti-locking spells...

Mr. Borgin went through the entire process meticulously, with steps more elaborate than sealing cursed cargo. This level of care would surely earn him full marks in the Defense Against the Dark Arts exam.

Melvin was a little silent, and had a new understanding of the business environment in Knockturn Alley.

It took five minutes to complete the anti-theft measures, and then the two of them officially set off and stepped into the winding alleys of Knockover Alley.

Knockturn Alley is still dark and damp, with narrow and winding roads. There are almost no straight roads, and you have to turn several corners every time you walk a certain distance.

Only a few shops along the street had signs hanging on their heads. Some of them were boiling unknown liquids, and it was impossible to tell what kind of potion they were; some were rummaging through moldy herbs and crucibles; and some were just sitting idly at the door, only glancing at them when they passed by.

Expressionless and lifeless.

When passing the candle shop next door, Mr. Borgin slowed down his pace but increased his weight, making a noticeable sound. Before Melvin could ask why, he saw the half-open door of the shop suddenly open, and a skinny old wizard stuck his head out and shouted in a hoarse voice:

"Bogin! Since when have you started taking on tours?"

"Shut up, old salamander, and help me watch the store."

"..."

Melvin followed Mr. Borgin.

It was a bit unexpected, but also seemed reasonable.

Because of the two people's shouting, the silence accumulated in the alley was broken, the damp smell everywhere also faded a little, and the alley seemed to become lively.

Knockturn Alley is a very special place, existing outside the mainstream magical world. Its goods lack long-term, stable distribution channels, and it has no direct connection with Muggle society, making it difficult to obtain cheap daily necessities. He lacked understanding of the business models of these shops, only having some information gleaned from what he had seen and heard during his last visit to Knockturn Alley.

The merchants and residents who settled here were not truly Dark wizards. The old witches who went out to buy things would lead the way for a few Sickles, and their service was quite considerate. The wizards who tried to rob people pretended to be fierce, but they did not know any evil and powerful Dark magic. They tried their best to complete the business they were threatened to negotiate. Mr. Borgin would also go to the Leaky Cauldron for a few drinks in his free time...

All signs indicate that the wizards here still follow some kind of order.

How do they make a living if they don't have any business income? Do their children also go to Hogwarts? How many of them believe in pure blood and how many are Muggle-born?
Many wizards who set foot in Knockturn Alley for the first time will be curious about how these dark wizards and merchants survive.

Melvin asked with some confusion, "Mr. Borgin, Knockturn Alley doesn't seem to have many customers, and the shops along the street don't seem to be doing well. How did you manage to survive until now?"

"Because the gentlemen from the Ministry and the pure-blood families offered their help."

"Would you mind explaining it?"

"hey-hey……"

Mr. Borgin gave a slick smile: "The high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Magic need to be promoted based on their achievements, and the Aurors need to arrest criminals to fill the empty rooms in Azkaban. Every once in a while, they will start a cleanup, not just of Knockturn Alley, but also of some pure-blood families, especially those with Death Eaters in their family.

"Every time a noble pure-blood wizard has to deal with something that can't be seen in the light of day, it could be that the source of the item is not clean, or the item itself is not clean. These are all valuable things that they collected in the past. They don't want to throw them on the roadside, nor do they want to destroy them directly, so they come to us.

"Whether it's illegal Dark Magic items or banned potions, they resell them to the shops in Knockturn Alley, which are us. We buy them at low prices and then resell them to other countries, such as Albania or Africa. We basically make a profit."

"So that's it."

The slick businessman paused. "The Ministry of Magic officials have achieved something, the pure-blood families have gotten rid of their burden, the Dementors in Azkaban have a new snack, and we mice can also fill our stomachs. We will usher in a period of relative peace until the next inspection."

“Your business model is cyclical.”

"Different wizards have different ways of living."

"..."

After winding along the road for more than ten minutes and turning the last corner, the view suddenly opened up.

There were almost no pedestrians on the spacious and clean streets, and the sound of car horns from the next street could be faintly heard. It was a completely Muggle street scene.

Melvin looked around while piecing together a vague map of the nearby area in his mind. Based on the distance he had taken, he determined that this was neither Knockturn Alley nor Diagon Alley, but a block outside Charing Cross Road, two blocks away from the Leaky Cauldron.

The venue for this rally is a community appliance repair store.

"..."

Melvin looked up at the shop sign, feeling a little weird.

The secret gathering of wizards was held in a Muggle repair shop, which seemed to be a combination of magic and technology. He became more interested in this gathering.

Melvin followed Mr. Borgin and was about to walk into the store when he suddenly noticed a suspicious figure next to him.

The figure was wearing a brown linen cloak with a hood covering its head and the hem dotted with holes of varying sizes. The style was a bit sloppy, as if it had been deformed from a potato sack. He was hiding behind a street sign, quietly examining the repair shop's facade.

Various signs indicate that he also came to attend the rally.

The suspicious figure seemed very nervous. He paced back and forth, looking up at the repair shop sign from time to time. He hesitated and struggled for a few minutes, but still did not go in.

As Melvin studied him, the suspicious figure noticed them both, hesitated for a moment, then turned and hurried away. Perhaps in a panic, the hood flipped up a little as he turned, revealing a wisp of red hair.

"Weasley..."

Melvin's lips curled up into a faint smile.

(End of this chapter)