After casting a few more spells, Hermione, rather reluctantly, handed the ring back to Harry.
Just then, Mrs. Granger pulled Harry aside, clearly wanting a private word. Hermione watched them suspiciously. Harry expected Mrs. Granger to inquire about Hermione's school performance and social life. But to his surprise, she asked about the ring.
"Oh, Harry, can this ring be bought? We'd love to get one for Hermione. You see how much she enjoys magic, and her father and I don't want her to go the whole holiday without being able to cast a single spell."
"Mrs. Granger, please don't worry. Hermione is a great friend of mine. I'll make sure she gets a ring, and you won't need to spend a Galleon."
In the end, Harry did take the 50 pounds Mrs. Granger offered, though he fully intended to find a way to return the money to Hermione. As he was leaving, Mrs. Granger quietly asked if Hermione had made any other friends.
"Of course! Hermione is very understanding, and Hagrid is a good friend to both of us."
Mrs. Granger seemed quite pleased and let Harry go, saying she was off to make a delicious feast. When Harry returned to the living room, Hermione immediately pulled him into the hallway. Once she was sure Mrs. Granger wasn't looking, Hermione eagerly asked, "Harry, what did my mum say to you?"
"Nothing much, just asked if I was your boyfriend," Harry teased, trying to get a rise out of Hermione. But she just gave him a look of utter disdain. "Alright, alright, I'm just pulling your leg. She wanted to know how many friends you've made at school."
Hermione's eyes widened with alarm. "What did you tell her?!"
"Why, I told her the truth, of course! I told your auntie you mostly spend your time in the library," Harry continued, enjoying Hermione's increasingly flustered expression. "But you have made friends, like me and Hagrid!"
After dinner, Harry politely declined the invitation to stay the night.
"Harry, remember to write to me often!" Hermione said, clearly reluctant to see him go.
Bidding Hermione farewell, Harry pulled out his wand and summoned the Knight Bus, which whisked him back to the Leaky Cauldron.
The next morning, Harry woke up early, determined to check the vault for any extra rings. The goblins at Gringotts were as arrogant as ever, perched high on their stools, glaring down at everyone. Only when Harry presented the Potter vault's key did their haughty expressions falter. Unfortunately, after searching thoroughly, Harry couldn't find a second ring.
Leaving Gringotts, Harry returned to the Leaky Cauldron, grabbed his black robes, and after a moment's hesitation, took Humphrey with him. Once again disguised, he ventured into Knockturn Alley.
Harry headed straight for "Uncle Fried Chicken's" magical creature shop. After mercilessly knocking down a few dark wizards who tried to rob him, Uncle Fried Chicken finally opened his window.
"Golden Snidgets (Class 4X), 500 Galleons each!"
"I'm not here for Snidgets. Do you know where I can find a ring like this?" Harry showed him the ring on his finger. Uncle Fried Chicken was stunned; he'd assumed Harry was there to buy a Snidget, not a ring.
"Blimey, kid, I don't know which pure-blood wizard you robbed, but there won't be another ring like that on the market."
Harry silently handed over 3 Galleons.
"These rings were created after pure-blood families struck a deal with the Ministry of Magic. That's why they can hide the Trace," Uncle Fried Chicken said with a grin as he pocketed the Galleons.
Harry understood. No wonder Uncle Fried Chicken said he wouldn't find another ring like it on the market; the pure-blood families had a monopoly on them. But then, it hit him – not all pure-blood families remained prosperous. Some had fallen on hard times, surely some rings must have found their way into the market.
"Which fallen pure-blood families are selling these rings?" Harry asked directly.
Uncle Fried Chicken seemed surprised that Harry had pieced it together so quickly, but he didn't answer, just chuckled and rubbed his hands together. After Harry handed him 5 Galleons, Uncle Fried Chicken finally smiled and said, "Try Borgin and Burkes."
Just then, a passerby leaning against a wall overheard their conversation and scoffed, "Fool! Borgin and Burkes is the biggest shop in Knockturn Alley, you've been played!"
At the sound of the mockery, Humphrey slithered out from Harry's collar, hissing. The passerby immediately gave a hasty French military salute and backed away, disappearing quickly. Uncle Fried Chicken had already closed his window.
Harry sighed. He'd been caught out due to a lack of information, and he knew he'd have to accept it this time. Since Humphrey refused to go back into the black robes, Harry had to cast a Hovering Charm on him. Humphrey coiled around Harry's neck, constantly surveying their surroundings, and the lurking dark wizards seemed to vanish without a trace.
After asking a few "helpful" passersby, Harry found Borgin and Burkes. From the outside, it looked like an ordinary shop, nothing particularly distinctive for Knockturn Alley. Inside, it was dark and dusty, with shelves displaying withered hands, golden skulls, bloodstained cards, and other items that screamed "dark wizard." There was no one behind the counter, as if the owner was confident nothing would be stolen.
Harry rang a bell, and a hunched wizard suddenly appeared behind the counter, holding a pair of pince-nez. Borgin observed his customer: not particularly tall, completely hidden in black robes, with a Runespoor coiled around his shoulder, flicking its tongues at him. He likely held a wand in his hand too, definitely not looking like a newcomer.
"Welcome to Borgin and Burkes, unknown customer. I am Borgin. What can I do for you?" Borgin said with a smile.
Harry showed him the ring on his left hand and said, "I'd like another ring just like this."
Borgin recognized the ring, realizing it was a big sale, and his smile widened. "Of course, of course, Borgin and Burkes can procure anything on the market, let alone a mere Anti-Trace ring... though the price won't be low, as these rings are only found within pure-blood families."
"Money isn't an issue."
"We don't have any in stock right now—"
"Are you messing with me?"
Humphrey obligingly opened his three gaping mouths at Borgin. Borgin eyed the Runespoor warily and explained, "You misunderstand. The items displayed here are ordinary. The good stuff is with Burke. Leave a 50-Galleon deposit, and come back in a few days."
Harry tossed a pouch of Galleons onto the counter, ignored Borgin's attempts to peddle a so-called Hand of Glory, and walked straight out.
Back at the Leaky Cauldron, Harry began to reflect. Had the peaceful life at Hogwarts made him soft? He shouldn't have been so easily tricked by Uncle Fried Chicken.
"Though, I didn't realize you were so recognizable, Humphrey! Those dark wizards scarpered as soon as they saw you."
A series of hisses echoed through the room, and then darkness fell.
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