Chapter 253: How Dare You Open a Shop with Nothing?

The two of them left in a hurry.

Fred winked and suggested in a low voice, "Why don't we go have a look too?"

"I've never been to Knockturn Alley before," George admitted, a bit intrigued. "Mum never lets us go to places like that."

"Mum's right," said Percy sternly. "You all stay here and don't go anywhere."

George gasped, as if suddenly realizing Percy was there. "Oh, Fred, we've been told off by the prefect…"

"Is he going to dock our points…"

"For disobeying…"

"Ten points from the Leaky Cauldron?"

"Hey, shut up!" Percy said, turning red.

"Yes, Prefect!" Fred replied with a grin, then turned to Kyle and asked, "Kyle, want to go and check out Knockturn Alley?"

"No," Kyle shook his head. "But I suggest you go and have a look."

"Why?" George asked, surprised that Kyle would encourage it.

"Because I brought my camera today," Kyle said, patting his pocket. "I'll get some great shots when Mrs. Weasley gives you two a thrashing. If I sell them to The Daily Prophet, I might even be able to buy Ginny a new robe."

Hearing this, Ginny, who had looked worried just a moment ago, burst out laughing. She looked up at Fred and George, her expression practically urging them to hurry off.

"Oh, Ginny, we're your brothers!" George said, sounding hurt.

Ginny shrugged. "But I want a new robe even more."

"We'll buy you one!" Fred snapped.

"And a new wand, if you stay away from that jerk Kyle," George added, glaring at Kyle. "Honestly, why did we invite you to Diagon Alley with us?"

After some more laughing and joking, everyone's spirits seemed to lift. Kyle also told them that the Floo Network had tracking logs. Even if Harry wasn't in Knockturn Alley, they could go to the Floo Network Authority under the Department of Magical Transportation to find his last known location.

Although such records were generally off-limits to the public, Kyle reasoned that if they were looking for Harry Potter, exceptions might be made.

Afterward, the group left the bustling Leaky Cauldron and made their way into Diagon Alley through the back entrance. Fred and George kept their word and took Ginny to Madam Malkin's Robes for a new set of clothes.

When they came out of the shop, they saw Ron leading Mrs. Weasley, , and Percy toward them. Before they'd gone to the robe shop, George had sent Ron—with the promise of an ice cream—to keep watch at the entrance to Gringotts, right across from Knockturn Alley, so he'd be the first to spot anyone coming out.

"You were right, Kyle," Mrs. Weasley called out from a distance. "He really was in Knockturn Alley. When we went over, he was being hassled by some old git."

"That's good… Potter, are you hurt?" Kyle asked, looking Harry over.

"No," Harry shook his head, though he still looked a little dazed.

"Harry, Harry!"

Harry suddenly heard someone calling his name. He looked up and saw Hermione standing nearby at the entrance to Gringotts. She ran over, her bushy hair flying behind her.

"Why do you look so disheveled… Hello, Kyle, Fred, George, and Percy, it's so good to see you all again… Are you going to Gringotts? Harry!"

"We're just waiting for Mr. Weasley," said Harry.

"Oh, great, then we can all go together."

At this, the group realized that Mr. Weasley hadn't returned with the others.

"Where's Dad?" asked Ginny.

Mrs. Weasley looked around, clearly confused and trying to figure out the answer herself.

"Oh, sorry… Molly, kids,"

Luckily, Mr. Weasley strode over at that moment, rubbing his shiny bald head. He lowered his voice and explained, "I thought I saw Lucius Malfoy in Knockturn Alley a moment ago, but he disappeared again in the blink of an eye."

"Malfoy?" Harry, who had been talking to Hermione, turned his head. "Is that the Malfoy from Slytherin? I saw him and his father at Borgin & Burkes."

"Yes, that's the one!" Mr. Weasley nodded, intrigued. "Was he shopping?"

"No, he was selling something."

Mr. Weasley nodded gravely, though with a hint of satisfaction. "Ha, I knew it—he's nervous too…"

But before he could continue, Mrs. Weasley tugged him away. "We've already been delayed long enough… Kyle, dear, are you coming to Gringotts?"

Kyle shook his head.

"We're not going either," Fred and George chimed in at once.

"Meet us at Flourish and Blotts in an hour to get your textbooks. And you two… don't go wandering off into Knockturn Alley!"

After giving a few more instructions, Mrs. Weasley led the others toward Gringotts.

As soon as she was out of sight, Fred and George dashed happily off toward the joke shop, one of Diagon Alley's highlights for them. This shop was much larger than Zonko's in Hogsmeade and filled with new pranks to explore.

Kyle didn't follow them but instead headed to another shop.

Madam Pryor's Magical Botanical Garden.

This was a shop specializing in magical herbs, and Kyle liked to stop by whenever he visited Diagon Alley to see if there were any rare varieties in stock. The shopkeeper, Madam Pryor, recognized him as a regular and smiled.

"What can I help you find today? The Lady's Mantle is coming along beautifully."

"No, I've got plenty of that at home," Kyle replied after thinking for a moment. "Do you have any Fortified Pumpkins?"

"No," Madam Pryor shook her head. "Those are rare. There might not be a single one in all of Britain's magical community."

"Professor Sprout has some in her greenhouse," Kyle murmured to himself, then continued. "How about Sphinx Orchids… preferably the golden variety?"

"No."

"Fluxweed…"

"No."

"Mimbulus Mimbletonia…"

"No!"

...

"How dare you open a shop when you have nothing?" Kyle muttered under his breath.

Madam Pryor's forehead veins pulsed. Did this boy think those rare plants were mere cabbage that could be bought casually? If he hadn't previously purchased an Eight-Leaf Flower here for a high price, she'd have driven him out by now.

Forcing a smile, Madam Pryor said, "Aside from the Sphinx Orchids... we can also try to find the other plants you need, but it may take some time—about a year. And you'll need to pay a deposit of 200 Galleons."

"A year? That's too long," Kyle said, shaking his head.

He'd just come in on a whim, hoping to find what he wanted. If it was available, great; if not, he wasn't about to wait a whole year. Besides, while those plants might be rare, 200 Galleons as just the deposit was outrageous. Spending that kind of money on a gamble? Not a chance.

As he turned to leave and go find Fred and George, his gaze landed on a large water tank in the corner, where something that looked suspiciously like an octopus tentacle floated inside.

"Is that... Gillyweed?"

"That's a rather rare plant," Madam Pryor said offhandedly. "I doubt you'd find it in any other magic shop."

"Yes," she continued, half to herself, "I must've been out of my mind to buy it from that Greek witch. Ever since the Bubble-Head Charm was developed, wizards in Britannia have had no use for it."

"The Bubble-Head Charm is indeed a brilliant spell," Kyle replied casually. "Out of curiosity, how much did you pay for it?"

"Twenty..." Madam Pryor admitted reluctantly.

"Twenty? That's pricey..." Kyle said, raising an eyebrow. "It's a shame, really—I'd love to know what it's like to breathe underwater, but twenty Galleons…"

After a moment's hesitation, Kyle sighed, shook his head, and started toward the door. "Forget it. This kind of experiment is just too expensive."

"Wait!" Madam Pryor suddenly called after him. "For the sake of an old customer, I can give you a special discount, one I think you'll find very reasonable."

"Well, if you insist…" Kyle stopped, then strolled back into the shop.