Since Ares was expelled from Hogwarts in his fifth year, he had been struggling to make a living in Diagon Alley.
With his sharp mind and increasingly exquisite spell-casting skills, he quickly carved out a niche for himself here. He helped many people, charging only nominal fees. Naturally, these mostly kind-hearted Diagon Alley shop owners reciprocated, looking after this boy whose background and experiences were a bit pitiful.
For example, after Ares neatly organized the bookshelves for the owner of Flourish and Blotts, the owner would always lend him a few precious magic books from his family collection that were absolutely impossible to find on the market.
After Ares successfully escorted a large batch of ready-made clothes to a designated location for Madam Malkin, she would also smile and gift him two suitable robes.
Mr. Wiseacre of Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment liked Ares the most because his business included selling potions.
Potions were the item with the highest demand among all magic-related supplies, but also one of the most troublesome.
In the wizarding world, apart from a limited number of magical potions that had achieved mass production, the vast majority of potions relied on the individual potion-making skills of wizards. Wizards who could brew precious potions were, without exception, highly sought after and charged exorbitant prices.
Ares was the only wizard Wiseacre could find who could brew almost any potion and charged reasonable prices.
Even Ollivander, who was initially unhappy that Ares hadn't kept the flawed wand he sold him, soon discovered Ares's 'value'.
Although famous and almost the official wand shop designated by the Ministry of Magic, Ollivander's business was steady, but the profits weren't as high as imagined... For Ollivander, the real money-making business came from [Custom Wands] ordered by some high-status wizards.
You see, rich people often had some weird little quirks.
They liked to be different, liked to hype up things that were expensive but hard to use—they would specify the wand core and wood material for Ollivander.
Ares was the only one who could get those things, and he kept his mouth shut.
So—
When they learned that Ares invited them to a cocktail party at the Leaky Cauldron, most people immediately dropped what they were doing and came. A few who had urgent matters also put them aside and rushed to the gathering, considering Ares's new identity as a recipient of the [Order of Merlin, First Class].
The small, sun-drenched pub was crowded with people.
As Ares spoke, the initial curiosity in people's eyes disappeared, replaced by a gleaming light!
"...I think you should understand now, this is big business!"
Ares used a low table as a stage and addressed everyone.
"But currently, we can't be sure about the sales volume—for the first batch, Tom, I plan to take 200 bottles of Butterbeer from you first;
Fortescue, 50 tubs of ice cream from you;
For students, school supplies are the bulk. So Scribbulus Writing Implements, at least get me 2000 quills and 200 pounds of parchment... I'll also need some regular ink and color-changing ink;
50 bundles of Dr. Filibuster's Fireworks are the minimum, this will be handled by Gambol and Japes Wizarding Joke Shop;
Madam Malkin, I need all kinds of fashionable wizard robes and inner wear... especially for girls. Girls at this age love to dress up. Then, let me think... Oh, Flourish and Blotts.
Yes, that's right, I want some books... Oh, not those serious books used for studying, there are plenty of those in the Hogwarts library. What I want are some... er, unserious books.
You ask how unserious... well, you know Gilderoy Lockhart, right? Just follow that standard. Young wizards at this age love reading made-up legendary biographies!
.....
Finally, Quality Quidditch Supplies... Yes, definitely need some... I know your items have high costs, but at least send two Nimbus 2000s—you're afraid students won't have money to buy them and will break your stuff?
You must be joking. You probably don't know that at least a quarter of the students at Hogwarts are rich second-generation kids!"
Ares took the Butterbeer Old Tom attentively handed over, gulped down a few mouthfuls to quench his thirst, and then looked at everyone solemnly.
"Everyone, you are all professionals. You should understand that the key is not the profit of a single item, but opening up commercial channels. So, the prices of all goods must not be the same as in your shops, understand? Give the young wizards the maximum discount. A steady stream runs long; giving convenience to others is giving convenience to oneself... Also, absolutely no shoddy goods!"
"We understand the logic, Mr. Delfino!"
Potage, who sold cauldrons, raised his hand, looking a bit aggrieved.
"And we all know this is a good thing for us and the young wizards... But, you... cough, you just said no deposit of even a single Knut for all goods. For us, this..."
Many people nodded hesitantly.
"When opening up commercial channels, spare no cost, understand, Potage!"
Ares said with a dark face.
"This is a critical moment. We must first let the school administrators see that this business is mutually beneficial, a win-win, so it can be implemented... Besides, my reputation is here. What do you have to worry about?"
"This is not a small amount after all, Mr. Delfino... How often do you plan to settle payments with us?"
Even Wiseacre seemed very hesitant.
"My current plan is once a month. If business is booming, restocking will also be once a month."
Ares said. He saw that many people still looked hesitant. After a moment of thought, he fumbled in his pocket for a while and took out a coin gleaming with gold.
"Order of Merlin, First Class!"
Potage gasped in amazement.
"Cough cough, exactly—"
Ares was very satisfied with people's awe of this coin. He flipped the medal like a coin on his fingertips.
"If you are afraid of losing everything, I can pledge this medal here with you.
I can sign an agreement with all of you. If there really is a loss... you can auction it off to make up for your losses. How about that?"
Even putting up the Order of Merlin as collateral?
The eyes people fixed on Ares flickered with shock.
The [Order of Merlin, First Class] was a symbol of honor and power!
For a wizard, obtaining such a medal meant not only instantly becoming a guest of honor among the powerful class in the entire European wizarding world, but even after death, descendants could rely on this medal to gain the protection of those in power.
This was a proper 'family heirloom'!
The shop owners of Diagon Alley hesitated no more, rubbing their hands and rolling up their sleeves, ready to go all out.
"Since everyone has made up their mind—"
Ares looked spirited, jumped off the table, and raised his glass to everyone.
"Everyone, raise your glasses. Let us celebrate the establishment of the [Diagon Alley Chamber of Commerce] today!"