Muntungus

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Snape, visibly surprised, walked up the creaking stairs of the run-down hotel, with Ethan following close behind.

The dilapidated wooden staircase groaned under the weight of the two men, trembling immediately.

Ethan ascended cautiously, navigating around the decayed steps, mindful of the witcher's fear of falling, even from a low height—an anxiety specific to Ethan, yet incomprehensible.

Snape swiftly guided Ethan to a room at the far end of the second-floor corridor.

"Leave the pricing and negotiations to me," Snape informed Ethan.

Knocking on the battered door with a distinct rhythm, Snape received no response. After waiting patiently, he hit again.

No sound emanated from within, testing Snape's patience. "Mundungus, I know you're inside; quickly open the door..."

Before he could finish, the worn door swung open. Inside stood a short, stout, unshaven wizard with stubby legs, disheveled hair, and bloodshot eyes, emanating a blend of tobacco and alcohol.

"Damn it! Don't mention my name here!" Mundungus exclaimed nervously, reacting to Snape's abrupt behavior. Peering cautiously into the hallway, he sighed in relief when it appeared empty.

"Don't linger outside, come in."

Mundungus seized Snape's sleeve with grimy hands, pulling him into the room, with Ethan following suit.

The room's condition mirrored the exterior, with worn-out furniture, peeling wallpaper, stained floors, hole-ridden cupboards, a broken-backed armchair, and a three-legged bed—the sum of its furnishings.

"Did anyone follow you here?" Mundungus inquired nervously, placing his ear against the door after Ethan and Snape entered.

"We're not as foolish as you, Mundungus!" Snape, already impatient, responded with a frown.

"I apologize," Mundungus scratched his messy hair. "Aurors have been causing trouble lately. It's wise to be cautious. I don't want to end up in Azkaban."

Suspiciously eyeing Ethan, Mundungus approached Snape and whispered, "Who is he? Can we trust him, or will he betray us?"

Snape, clearly displeased with Mundungus, interrupted, "Enough, Mundungus. We're not interested in your tales. Start the trade."

Mundungus, seemingly apprehensive of Snape, shrunk back and stammered, "Did you bring anything? Show me."

Snape signaled Ethan, who opened the bag, revealing unicorn hair and eight-eyed spider venom obtained from centaurs covering the room's floor.

Mundungus, his eyes filled with greed, fought the urge to claim the items as his own. Pretending to examine unicorn tail hairs, he declared, "Not bad, Severus. I can offer 3,000 Galleons."

Seething with anger, Snape retorted, "Enough of your tricks, Mundungus. I know their value. 10,000 Galleons."

"10,000?!" Mundungus reacted strongly, "You can't sell them on the market for such a high price! You're asking for a lion's share!"

After uttering his plea, Mundungus shut his eyes, adopted a distressed expression, and extended his dirty palm. "5,000 gold Galleons! That's my final offer."

Snape scoffed at Mundungus' act, then turned to Ethan, stating, "Pack up. Let's go. He's not interested in doing business."

Understanding Snape's bargaining strategy, Ethan cooperated in packing up the items.

Initially indifferent, Mundungus couldn't resist when Ethan was nearly done. "Fine, fine, we can negotiate."

Seating himself on the lone three-legged bed in the room, Mundungus, with his hefty frame, elicited a groan from the old bed.

"8,000 gold Galleons. If not, we'll leave immediately!" Snape declared coldly, his patience stretched thin.

Mundungus gritted his teeth, producing a creaking sound. After hesitating, he relented, "Fine, fine, you win. 8,000 gold Galleons."

"But I don't have that much cash on me right now. You can take the goods and wait a few days..." Mundungus suggested, rolling his eyes.

"Enough with your tricks!" Snape stepped forward, suddenly seizing Mundungus's dirty collar. "No more games. Pay with one hand, take with the other!"

"Fine, fine!" Mundungus, startled, tried to break free, fumbled in his pocket, and eventually pulled out a checkbook.

After some effort, Mundungus, under Snape's watchful eye, tore a check from the book and handed it to Snape.

"This is a bearer check from Gringotts. Don't rush to withdraw the money. Give it a few days," Mundungus advised, straightening his collar that Snape had grabbed, though it remained disheveled.

Mundungus retrieved a large black leather suitcase, neatly stowing away the unicorn hair and spider venom spread on the ground by Ethan. The suitcase exhibited an invisible extension charm.

After some time, Mundungus finally completed the packing. He stood up, took a large cloth, and wrapped his head and face.

"That's it for today. Remember, if anyone asks where you last saw me, say it was at the Pig's Head Bar a month ago," Mundungus' muffled voice issued from behind the cloth.

As an afterthought, Mundungus turned to Snape and Ethan, "Don't follow me. Wait for half an hour after I leave!"

Snape rolled his eyes, showing no intention of heeding the advice.

Mundungus didn't plan to exit through the conventional door. He opened a window in the room, revealing a narrow alley outside. After ensuring no one was present, he attempted to hoist himself out of the window and onto the ground.

Despite his efforts, Mundungus struggled and couldn't escape due to his bulk. Eventually, Ethan assisted him, enabling Mundungus to exit successfully.

Upon landing, Mundungus displayed an agility incongruent with his physique, swiftly disappearing from Ethan's view by maneuvering through the alleys.

Once Mundungus departed, Snape showed no inclination to follow his instructions. He handed Ethan the check, instructing him to deposit the amount into his account, and then left the room.