Chapter 25: An Order from Knockturn Alley

Although Ollivander was eager to continue the experiment, he could see Leonard was exhausted. He decided not to teach him any more magic and instead told him to rest for a few days.

Before heading back to the Leaky Cauldron, Leonard dragged his weary body and aching hands to Slug & Jiggers Apothecary.

"What's this, here for some Invigoration Draught?" Jigger teased as he stacked shelves, noticing Leonard's tired face.

"No, I've had enough already. Too much of that stuff isn't good," Leonard shook his head. "I'm here for ingredients."

"Oh? What do you need?" Jigger asked.

"Wormwood. And… do you have Horklump juice?" Leonard said.

"Got both. From the looks of you, planning to brew Invigoration Draught?" Jigger chuckled. "If you weren't so young, I'd think you'd been up to something."

Leonard rolled his eyes. "Three portions of each. How much?"

"Wormwood's fifteen Knut a portion, Horklump juice one Sickle a portion. Total… uh, one Sickle equals twenty-nine Knut, so forty-five Knut equals…" Jigger scribbled with his quill, struggling for a while.

"Four Sickle and sixteen Knut," Leonard said with another eye-roll. "Your math could use some work."

"Not my fault—blame this cursed currency system," Jigger shrugged. "Alright, four Sickle sixteen Knut it is."

"I bet if I underpaid, you wouldn't even notice," Leonard muttered.

"Just a few copper coins, no big deal," Jigger said carelessly. "By the way, if you're brewing Invigoration Draught, need a little guidance?"

"Why so generous all of a sudden?" Leonard shot him a look. "Come on, what's the catch?"

"Tsk, no trace of that clear, innocent charm kids your age usually have," Jigger sighed.

"You mean the clear, innocent stupidity kids your age usually have?" Leonard shot back. "Out with it."

"One of my old customers asked me to order a few bottles of good Essence of Dittany. I think yours is exactly what she needs. Honestly, I'm curious—how do you make such poor-quality Essence of Dittany work so well?" Jigger leaned on the counter, peering down at him.

"Trade secret. No comment," Leonard replied flatly, then glanced up. "Wait—did you say 'she'?"

"What? Trying to dig into my customers' business? No chance. I'm a professional," Jigger said with mock righteousness.

"You're just worried I'll cut you out and deal with her directly, aren't you?" Leonard exposed him without hesitation.

"Alright, fine, you got me. This is my channel—I'm not giving it up, not even to a brat like you." Leonard waved a finger. "So, are you in or not? Two Galleons a bottle—that's double the market price."

Double?

Leonard raised a brow. "Your client's from Knockturn Alley?"

"Damn… you're getting scarier, kid. How'd you figure that out?" Jigger grimaced.

"I'm not stupid," Leonard said coolly.

Jigger twitched his mouth. So he was saying only an idiot wouldn't notice? What a blunt kid.

Way too cool.

"Just tell me if you're taking this deal or not. Yes, my old client really is from Knockturn Alley, but business there isn't something a kid like you should get involved in. The place is crawling with dark wizards, and people go missing all the time. If you go, be careful—some old hag might drag you off and sell you," Jigger warned.

Leonard sneered inwardly. Sorry, but an old hag wouldn't be able to drag him anywhere. He'd already killed one before.

Dangerous, Knockturn Alley? He'd walked right in, killed a malicious old witch, and even crippled Fenrir Greyback, the werewolf wizard leader.

Leonard gave Jigger a calm look, as though staring at an idiot.

That gaze made Jigger shift uncomfortably. "So… are you in or not?" he asked awkwardly.

"I'll think about it," Leonard said.

"Don't take too long. Wizards in Knockturn Alley can change their minds any time," Jigger reminded him.

"I'll give you an answer by the day after tomorrow at the latest." Leonard pulled out a pile of copper coins, counted out one hundred and thirty-two, and tossed them onto the counter under Jigger's dumbfounded stare.

"Wait… what's with all these copper coins? No Sickles?" Jigger quickly asked.

"Oh, I'm just worried you'll miscalculate again when the next customer shows up. Wouldn't it be clearer to just settle in Knuts from now on? Straightforward, easy change. I'm doing this for your own good," Leonard said with righteous seriousness.

Of course, he wasn't about to admit he was just annoyed at carrying around so many copper coins.

And it was a small bit of payback for Jigger raking in big profits without cutting him in.