Chapter 3 The Knockturn Alley Incident

Generally speaking, Maca didn't have much interest in the Weasleys. As I said before, he didn't like such lively scenes very much.

It's just that Ron, as a member of the future trio, has too many stories involving him. Although Maca couldn't remember many details clearly, it didn't stop him from wanting to get to know Ron. In his opinion, this is the closest breakthrough to him to make good friends with Harry, Hermione and others.

Of course, it doesn't need to go too deep.

That day, Maca and Luna had lunch at the Weasleys' house, played at the Burrow for an afternoon, and then returned to the Lovegood's house again.

It is worth mentioning that he has already made an appointment with Mrs. Weasley, and they will go to Diagon Alley together at the end of next month to buy the necessities needed for admission - Ron has also received Hogwarts Admission Notice.

The days at Lovegood's house passed quickly, and Maca and Luna chatted together every day. Sometimes the topics of conversation might be a bit wrong, but most of the time they talked very quickly.

It's just that the happy days always seemed very short, time passed quickly, and soon the date agreed with Mrs. Weasley came. That morning, Maca said goodbye to Luna's father and daughter, and then stepped into the fireplace of Lovegood's house again with his suitcase.

He has lived in Luna's house for nearly a month, no matter how cheeky he is, Maca reckons it's time to say goodbye. Of course, before leaving, Maca helped Mr. Lovegood repair the dilapidated fence, which left a good impression on him.

At the final parting, Luna showed some reluctance for the first time. Maca pondered, is this a pretty good start? To be honest, he still has some affection for this girl who is sometimes smart and sometimes very off-line, although not to the extent that he likes it.

Boom!

Luna and her father were staring blankly at the empty fireplace when Maca arrived in Diagon Alley. Obviously, this time someone finally discovered the vision of Maca when using Floo powder-they were taken aback.

The green tongues of flame, soaring high, passed their eyes, and almost licked Mr. Lovegood's torn robes. If he had stood any closer, he would have gone to Diagon Alley with Maca.

...

Maca's appointment with Mrs. Weasley was Patchy's Cauldron, which opened behind the Leaky Cauldron. According to Ron, he doesn't have to buy anything, because all he'll be using is Charlie's used second-hand stuff.

Except for a new cauldron, because the bottom of Charlie's one leaked. Ron looked reluctant when he said this, I would rather leak a copy of Standard Spells, Beginner, which is more expensive. some, and without looking so stupid.

But when Maca stood at the door of the crucible shop and looked in, he realized that he probably came a little earlier.

Anyway, let's go to Gringotts first! Maca looked around and decided to follow the original plan.

Gringotts is the only bank in the wizarding world, which is run by goblins and has branches all over the world. The goblins provide businesses related to depositing money and renting out vaults, and of course, there are little corners like currency exchange.

Under the bow of several goblins at the door, Maca walked into the marble hall of Gringotts. As soon as he entered, he was overwhelmed by the busy but orderly scene inside.

About a hundred or so goblins sat on stools behind a long counter, some weighing coins with copper scales, and some examining gems with eyepieces, while swishing entries in the large ledger. There are countless doors in the hall, leading to different places, and many goblins guide customers in and out of these doorways.

To be honest, this kind of scene is rare. Maca stood by the door and looked at it for a while, and then walked over to the counter with the nameplate of Muggle Currency Exchange.

Time is money, my friend, Maca looked at a young goblin on the high stool, couldn't help pulling out a famous saying, and then asked, What's the exchange rate for the pound?

Oh——, yes, yes, the goblin at the counter heard the words, his eyes lit up suddenly, as if he had heard some wise words, he examined the Maca carefully, and then he answered, Today's exchange rate for the British pound is 5.01, distinguished guest, do you need to exchange? The handling fee is 1.5 points.

Maca quickly took out most of his money from the suitcase, and deposited all of it in Gringotts after going through the exchange procedures, leaving only 100 Galleons for himself as a spare.

It's my pleasure to serve you, sir, and I wish you good fortune! Finally, the goblin happily said goodbye to him in a shrill voice.

Just when Maca walked to the gate, he vaguely heard a familiar shout coming from behind him.

Time is money my friend!

It's really touching. Maca grinned and left here with cheerful steps.

Okay, where are we going next? How about we go around first?

Just when Maca was thinking about going that way, his eyes were attracted by another fork in the road opposite Gringotts.

The shops in Diagon Alley are already crowded enough, but that side looks obviously narrower, and even the light is mostly blocked by strange-shaped buildings, which makes people feel a little gloomy.

Maca hesitated for a moment, then walked over there.

The doors of the three shops at the intersection were closed tightly, and the windows were tightly drawn with thick velvet curtains. The names of the shops on the foreheads could not be seen clearly. Obviously, they had been abandoned for some time.

A few steps further inside, a small shop called Giant Spider was open, and there seemed to be many strange creatures locked in cages, which reminded him of an item on the shopping list— —Students may bring an owl or a cat or a toad.

Maybe it would be good to go in and take a look, anyway, he came too early today and still had a lot of time.

Welcome, young customer. In the innermost part of the shop, an old witch wearing a wide-brimmed peaked hat whispered in a gloomy and hoarse voice, ...please take a look.

Maca glanced over there a few times, and then looked at the creatures in the cages on both sides one by one.

To put it bluntly, he just took a look, and he didn't recognize most of the creatures inside, but this didn't hinder his curiosity.

Suddenly, he saw a black owl, which looked very big, at least two circles larger than the species in the Yila Owl Shop that he passed by before.

What kind of owl is this? Maca turned his head and asked the old witch inside.

The long-eared owl (xiao), native to Sumatra, is good at hunting and warning, and is good at predicting the coming of earthquakes and tsunamis. A mouthful of yellow teeth is clearly visible.

Maca looked at the owl in the cage again, and saw that it was looking at him quietly, so he couldn't help but ask, How much?

The old hag grinned, her stiff smile made one's hair stand on end, Twenty Galleons, my sir.

Maca glanced at the old witch, her expression remained unchanged, Come on ma'am, I'm not a group of youngsters from Hogwarts.

The old witch looked Maca up and down hesitantly, then raised her arched back a little, and spoke louder, Okay, sir, fifteen Galleons are the same price.

This time Maca didn't even look at her, turned and walked out, walking as fast as if she was fleeing some filth.

Wait, wait, sir, ten, no...eight, at least eight! The old witch suddenly shouted when she saw this.

Maca turned her head when she heard the words, and didn't cut down again. He guessed that although there must be a lot of profit at this price, it is almost the same, and he probably won't be able to buy it if he wants to bargain.

Deal. Maca took out eight gold Galleons and put them on the counter, then picked up the cage and walked out of the shop.

Wait! The price of the cage will be calculated separately! The old witch chased to the door, only to find that Maca had already disappeared into the crowd on the street.

At this time, when she stood at the door, she was surprised to find that this old hag was two meters tall!

Damn it! What a nasty little dwarf, just like those vampires in America! The old witch couldn't find her target, so she had to go back cursing.

Of course, Maca didn't run very far, he just took two quick steps, and then got into a shop called Meloci Museum.

Welcome to the Meloki Museum of Treasures. There are everything here. You can choose slowly! A small man who was shorter than Maca suddenly popped out from behind a shelf, and his shrill voice was louder than that of a Gringotts goblin. And half a tune higher.

I'm just watching.

Maca said casually, and took out a... oh no, half a wand from the large basket next to the shelf. This half of the wand was heavily scarred. There were several deep scratches on the wand, and the dirty core of the wand could even be seen at the break.

Is this a rare treasure? Maca looked at the half stick in his hand with a strange expression.

But the short wizard seemed to think it was a treasure. He waved his hands and shouted excitedly, Oh, yes, yes! The wand used by Greenwald when he was a student, yew wood, dragon's heart key rope, ten Four and three quarters... I mean once.

Maca sighed, and threw the half of the wand back into the basket.

Afterwards, Maca picked up a few gadgets from the shelf to watch, while the dwarf danced around him, babbling out a series of stories that sounded fake enough, as if hoping to attract Maca's attention.

Just when Maca put down the things in his hand and was about to leave, he suddenly caught sight of an inconspicuous blue light flashing through the gaps in the shelves from the corner of his eyes!

Maca immediately looked away and pretended to squat down to check other goods, but he had some calculations in his heart.