Montongus was in a good mood. A few days ago, all the imported cauldrons had been sold, and on top of that, he had paid a visit to a lonely old man. Before leaving, he casually took away some old junk to fill his small suitcase.
An owl landed in front of him. Montongus opened the note and quickly scanned its contents, his mood improving further. It seemed that the wealthy-looking young lad from last time was eager to make a trade with him.
Although Montongus had no idea why the other party wanted the fur of a swamp-dwelling creature, it didn't matter. He was fully prepared to make a hefty profit.
When there's demand, you can sell at a good price. As a merchant, Montongus knew well how to transfer galleons from other people's pockets into his own.
The next morning at half-past nine, Montongus appeared outside the Hog's Head Inn, just as the letter had predicted. He wanted to go inside, but the owner of this establishment didn't particularly welcome him.
Montongus glanced at his pocket watch, opened his small suitcase in a spot nearby where there was no snow, and began setting up his stall. He knew many people disliked being seen conducting private transactions, but buying things from a stall was a different matter.
His small suitcase had been expanded with the Disillusionment Charm, and it was filled with a variety of items, like a showcase in an antique shop.
It didn't take long before Montongus saw the wealthy young lad. He didn't quite remember the lad's appearance, but he did remember the Weasley with red hair who was with him.
However, this time, only one person had come.
Montongus's face lit up even more, and he rubbed his hands together before cheerfully asking, "Would you like something?"
As he spoke, he pointed to a corner of the box, indicating that the swamp creature's fur was there.
However, to Montongus's confusion, the lad didn't look at the fur inside the box. Instead, their eyes met. The young lad's gaze made him feel uncomfortable, like he was being seen through.
Having spent years mingling in the lowest echelons of the wizarding world, Montongus wasn't a fool. He immediately understood what this meant, and his smile froze on his face.
"4 galleons, 10 sickles," the boy spoke calmly, revealing a price that left Montongus dumbfounded. It was exactly twice the price he had bought them for.
"Well, that's a bit low!" Montongus suddenly felt quite uncomfortable. He had thought it was just a young lad, but...
"It's not low. You've doubled the price, which I find reasonable."
"Doubled the price?" The red-haired Weasley's gaze shifted from the merchandise to Montongus. That look wasn't unfamiliar; he had seen that kind of gaze in people who tried to rob him before.
Two young lads trying to rob him?
Montongus found it somewhat amusing. After all, he hadn't been idly mixing in the wizarding world. However, his instincts told him that the lad in front of him wasn't someone to be trifled with, as his face showed almost no emotional changes. That, along with the memory of the letter the lad had sent him before, made Montongus realize that he was in a peculiar situation.
"Five galleons," Montongus murmured, "That's the bottom line."
"Don't you think a steady stream is better?" the brown-haired boy reminded him. "Of course, six galleons and that old antique broom."
"What kind of broom is that? It looks quite worn out."
"It's a Silver Arrow, a handmade broom. It's quite old, but still a quality item." Montongus's words were cut off before he could finish.
"I'll only pay six galleons. By the way, do you have a way to deal with my snake egg?" The brown-haired boy changed the subject.
"It's even hard to get that thing in the black market." Montongus muttered, comparing the profits and nodding in agreement.
He took the six galleons and handed over the items to the other party, ready to leave.
"You're just letting him go like that?"
Before the Disillusionment Charm faded, Montongus heard the red-haired boy's question, and couldn't help cursing internally as the Disillusionment Charm disappeared.
"That's being sensible!" Albert took a bag that Hagrid had given him from his pocket and put the items inside. It was a kind of pocket space, though not particularly spacious.
"I thought you guys were planning to rob Montongus." An old man walked out, surveying the now-deillusioned pair and grumbling.
"You seem quite pleased with the idea of Montongus being robbed?"
"Well, that scoundrel often engages in some thievery and trickery, so it wouldn't be surprising if he got robbed," Aberforth sneered. "Come in, today no one will be coming to the shop."
This was an unofficial rule in Hogsmeade Village. On the days when the village was open to Hogwarts students, all sorts of questionable characters would voluntarily keep their distance. It was a form of protection for the Hogwarts students, a decision made by the merchants of Hogsmeade.
"That guy didn't go far, I bet he's hiding somewhere eavesdropping!" Albert squinted and looked in a certain direction. Montongus, still under the Disillusionment Charm, was right there.
"How did you know?" Montongus mentally cursed and couldn't help but ask.
"Footprints." Albert raised his hand and pointed to the ground.
"Come in, don't mind that idiot Montongus. By the way, have you really learned the Patronus Charm?" Aberforth glanced at Montongus, motioning for Albert to come in. He was curious how this kid had managed to learn the Patronus Charm in just a few months, and even summon a corporeal Patronus.
"Aberforth, aren't you interested in my new merchandise? Maybe you can find something you like." Montongus greeted Aberforth with a wave, deliberately being provocative. They had indeed done some business before; Aberforth occasionally bought antiques from Montongus.
Fred and George looked at Aberforth curiously, and even Lee Jordan couldn't help asking, "Buying and selling?"
"Yeah, this is one of the places for black market trades," Aberforth replied nonchalantly, ignoring the stares of the others. "However, today no one will be coming because of the Hogwarts students visiting Hogsmeade."
"You're selling stuff too?" Albert was a bit curious.
"No, I'm the pub owner. Anyway, let's get started!" Aberforth interrupted, not wanting to dwell on the topic.
"Expecto Patronum."
Albert raised his wand and summoned a Patronus in the form of a lion-headed eagle. The pale-colored Patronus moved around the bar, instantly illuminating the dim Hog's Head Inn.
"No matter how many times I see it, I still think the lion-headed eagle is cool. I wonder what my Patronus will be," Fred mumbled as he watched the corporeal Patronus run around gracefully.
"If you're curious, find some time to practice. I think your Patronuses will probably be the same," Albert said, rolling his eyes.
"George, you've got this!" Fred immediately turned to his twin.
"You got this too!"
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(End of this chapter)