HP: Hogwarts Snake

Leah was able to fish in troubled waters of fear very successfully, her prestige had been accumulated, and her extra income was also increasing.

As for this extra income, to put it bluntly, she was collecting protection money in Diagon Alley.

To be precise, at the beginning, it was some weak shop owners who were reluctant to leave who gave her protection money. However, thanks to the wanted criminal Sirius Black who briefly appeared in Diagon Alley during the manhunt, her subordinates composed of house-elves and foreign wizards had the opportunity to maintain order in the sensible shops.

Taking this incident as a starting point, many things will follow naturally.

Leah was not greedy for the protection fee. Although the dependence and obedience represented by this fee did fascinate her, the main purpose of this action was to ensure her individuality.

Her tavern was initially only assigned the task of money laundering. Leah tended to attribute this action to Della's kindness. The task was easy and did not necessarily have to be assigned to her, a Muggle. It was just that Della wanted to give her a stable future.

Leah was grateful for this kindness, and was also eyeing the blue ocean that she was fortunate enough to set foot in. The turning point that made her heartbroken and excited soon came - Della left silently, and Maggie still followed Della's arrangements. She owned the most things left by Della.

Snakes, birds, a wand made specifically for her, and even traces of Della's past residence made Maggie Riddle a frequent visitor to her place.

If paying a huge price to appear in front of an important person was useless, there wouldn't be so many people doing it throughout history.

The opportunity is right in front of her, and it would be unforgivable not to seize it. Just like that, from money laundering to the head of a new force, Leah, who originally only had house-elves, now has wizards under her command, and her future power is set in stone. Her external image can no longer be that of a simple watchdog.

Maggie's gloom and cruelty are very terrifying, but his ability is unquestionable. Leah can piece together a high-pressure future from his few words, and immediately understands that the power she is now assigned to create will gain no less prestige in that high-pressure future, and if she acts carefully, she can get the best of both worlds.

The oppressor party expends less energy, and the oppressed party makes less sacrifices. This is the direction of her future.

Leah was looking forward to that future, so she was paying close attention to Diagon Alley. This street, which had existed for a long time and had fallen into a stable stagnant state, was now rippling in front of her eyes.

Number 93 Diagon Alley, the shop with an excellent location but vacant for a long time, has welcomed its new owner and a new look.

Leah has always played the role of the midnight boss in the wizarding world, because Maggie behind her is the top authority in the wizarding world. She no longer needs to make subtle flattering gestures to certain people like she did in the Mist Shop, so the image of the midnight boss has always been associated with coldness and strength. If she implements this role, then for the new store, she should adopt a wait-and-see strategy.

But the new owner of the shop was named Weasley. Leah didn't feel any resentment towards Fred, one of the Weasleys who had once given her roses. The main reason was that Della had been very close to the Weasley family. In Maggie's mouth, their family was called "the ready surrender."

So Leah, who knew that she couldn't touch Weasley but didn't know how to do it, visited the fancy, half-decorated shop. When she entered, Fred and George were playing around with the paint.

"Hi, the door is open, so I came in." Leah put on a robe to follow the local customs, but her broad shoulders and sturdy figure made her ordinary robe look different from others. She walked into the still empty shop, glanced up and down, and greeted the twins generously, "My tavern is just around the corner. I came to see my new neighbors."

George swore that Fred jumped down from the shelf at an unprecedented speed, and the connecting movements in the middle were also extremely fast. When he reacted, his brother was already peacocking in front of the handsome woman Leah.

"I know you run that pub, and I've talked to Ice Ball several times," Fred looked at Leah eagerly, "It's a pity that I never met you once. I was thinking of visiting you later."

"What? Pub?" George also came down from the shelf and said in surprise, "How come I didn't know? Why didn't you call me when you went there?"

How can you call someone brother when you are picking up girls?

Leah and Fred glanced at George in tacit understanding, with this thought in their minds.

"I can't help it. Snowflake, Ice Ball, and Frost are too capable, so I have nothing to do," Leah said with a bright smile, while walking with long legs to visit the high shelves and spiral staircases that were just taking shape. "What are you planning to open here? I see the yellow and red paint outside the door are so bright. It should be a very impactful store, right?"

"It's Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes," Fred followed Leah and winked at George, signaling him to go somewhere else. "It will be the most lively and funniest shop in Diagon Alley in the future!"

"Ahem," George pushed Fred, displeased that he forgot his brother for the sake of a woman, "and George and Fred are both owners of the best store!"

"Shop owner? You two? Aren't you here to help the adults at home?" Leah asked curiously, "You should still be in school, right? Did you graduate early?"

"Ahem," Fred also coughed twice, and said seriously, "We have indeed graduated from that little society in school."

Leah raised her eyebrows. Having seen many troubled teenagers, she understood the situation at a glance, "He dropped out of school, huh?"

“There’s more to life than academic qualifications,” George said insightfully, “Not many people can open a store right out of school.”

"You're right," Leah snorted and nodded, then looked around the vibrant store and the energetic twins. Feeling that she had a good understanding of the situation, she began to say goodbye, "Well, I've seen enough of the neighbors, and it's time for me to go back. Next time you come to my store for a drink, just say my name and I'll buy you a drink."

"Are you free now, Leah?" Fred came over with a smile and climbed up the pole. "Why don't I go drink that cup with you now?"

"I have to go buy some goods later. I won't be able to entertain you if you go now," Leah smiled and said readily, without any embarrassment on her face. "But we are all neighbors, and there will be many opportunities for us to interact in the future. Take your time, Fred."

The sound of "Fred" excited Fred. His thin cheeks flushed slightly, and his cynical smile was mixed with a bit of silliness. "Okay, we have a long way to go, Leah!"

George was a little disgusted at first when he saw Fred's attentiveness, but when he looked at Leah, a handsome type they had never met before, he could understand Fred.

Leah waved her hand and made a quick goodbye gesture. Just like when she came, she walked out slowly with her long legs and walked back to her tavern, which was still empty.

"Frost, I'm going to be out for a while. If anyone comes looking for me, I'll send them away." She walked to the bar and said hello to Frost, the house elf on duty today. "If they really have something to do, let them have a couple of drinks. I'll give you a signal when I come back."

"Okay, Sister Leah!" Han Shuang, wearing a tailor-made suit, wiped the cup and agreed with full energy.

Leah nodded and went back to the office. She stood in front of the cold fireplace and turned a silver candlestick on the small platform above the fireplace. A green flame burned in the hearth. Leah walked into the heatless movement. As her figure disappeared in the fire, the fireplace returned to silence.

This was the only fireplace that led directly to Riddle Manor, and it was a small personal privilege she received because of Della.