The impromptu cocktail party Ares held at the Leaky Cauldron was naturally a delightful event for both the host and the guests!
None of these shop owners were fools. They could naturally see that the business Mr. Delfino advocated was a sure-fire profit.
Such business was unimaginable in the past... because no one had the guts to go before the great Mr. Dumbledore and ask him to allow Hogwarts to open up commercial channels to them.
Compared to the difficulty of that, the trouble that might arise from stealing business from their counterparts in Hogsmeade seemed insignificant.
The sun set in the west, and the sky grew dark.
The shop owners, having spent most of the day at the Leaky Cauldron, hurried back to prepare their goods overnight.
"It takes time to prepare the goods, Mr. Delfino. Should I prepare a guest room for you to rest?"
The pub owner, Tom, came to Ares, whose cheeks were flushed from round after round of toasts, and asked softly.
His attitude was even more respectful than before.
After all, Mr. Delfino saving the future of the British wizarding world was one thing, but helping the pub earn a monthly profit was quite another!
"Ah, thanks, Tom... no need—"
Ares leaned against the bar and said with a beaming smile.
"I—won't stay long, leaving soon... I'll be back to pick up the goods before tomorrow evening."
"No need to rush so much, Mr. Delfino,"
Old Tom said eagerly.
"Don't rush back to Hogwarts. Rest here for the night?"
Hic~
"Not Hogwarts, Tom—"
Ares took small sips of Butterbeer to sober up, smiling and waving his hand.
"It's... hmm, a private visit—oh, I hope I'll be welcomed... because it's an unannounced visit... So, can you hail the Knight Bus for me, Tom?"
"Ah, with your contribution to the wizarding world, no one would unwelcome your visit now, Mr. Delfino!"
Old Tom was obviously curious about who Ares, now possessing considerable fame, was going to visit. However, he tactfully didn't ask, just offered a compliment, turned around, and went to the Muggle street side to hail the bus.
"I hope so."
In the emptying Leaky Cauldron, a low murmur lingered in the air filled with the strong smell of alcohol mixed with food, not dispersing for a long time.
........
Having spent half the day at the Leaky Cauldron, the shop owners of Diagon Alley praised Mr. Delfino's wisdom and noble character of 'reciprocating favors' while hastening back to their respective shops, preparing to gather goods for smooth delivery before tomorrow evening.
The owner of Quality Quidditch Supplies was no exception.
According to Mr. Delfino's request, he needed to prepare dozens of full broomstick care kits, many popular Quidditch star figurines, exquisite Quidditch pitch models, and the hottest broomstick of the moment—the Nimbus 2000.
Of course, the shop owner wasn't too keen on the last item.
Mr. Delfino hoped he could provide at least four or five Nimbus 2000s—this was almost the entire stock in the shop.
Leaving aside whether the young wizards at Hogwarts were truly wealthy enough to afford Nimbus model broomsticks—after handing over these expensive brooms, he would have to restock, which would undoubtedly tie up the shop's cash flow.
With hesitation, the boutique owner returned to his shop... Just as he was about to enter, his gaze swept across the display window and saw a middle-aged wizard dressed in strange white monastic robes, admiring the Nimbus 2000 on display with great interest.
Just a looker—
The thought flashed through the boutique owner's mind... but before entering, he stopped again as if possessed.
This middle-aged wizard was staring at the displayed Nimbus too intently... his nose was almost pressed against the glass. Moreover, the material of his white robe was very exquisite, not something an ordinary 'poor ghost' could afford.
A potential customer—the boutique owner redefined him.
"Ah, esteemed guest, how may I address you?"
The owner of Quality Quidditch Supplies walked forward with eager steps, piling on a polite, warm smile to strike up a conversation.
"Ah, Lari Gaspard."
The middle-aged wizard snapped out of his daze, a very cultivated smile on his broad, square face.
"Ah, pleased to meet you, Mr. Gaspard—"
The boutique owner rubbed his hands.
"You can come inside to view this Nimbus up close. While you enjoy the complimentary drinks provided by the shop, I happen to have time to introduce its performance to you in detail!"
"Ah—"
Gaspard seemed pleasantly surprised. He nodded slightly and said with a smile,
"That would be greatly appreciated."
The two moved inside, and a shop assistant quickly served a cup of coffee.
"—Needless to say, you must know this broom is the Nimbus 2000."
The boutique owner said with a beaming smile.
"A product with epoch-making significance launched by the Nimbus Racing Broom Company this year. Its performance completely surpasses the Cleansweep and Comet series brooms!
This broom was born for Quidditch matches. Its static acceleration performance is extremely superior, capable of accelerating from 0 to 80 miles per hour in just 3.5 seconds.... Blah blah blah!"
"Ah, I understand—"
Gaspard smiled warmly, looking at the broom with satisfaction.
"I haven't paid attention to broomsticks for a while... but, oh, actually I plan to buy one as a gift... hmm, what is its price range?"
"Using a Nimbus as a gift absolutely befits your status!"
The boutique owner smiled even more, selling hard.
"As for the price... Oh, seeing as you are a decent gentleman, 450 Galleons—but you have to place the order today... otherwise, I'm afraid you'll have to wait a while."
"Why is that?"
"Mr. Ares Delfino, do you know of this person?"
"Ah, naturally—awarded the Order of Merlin, First Class, for stopping the runaway Hogwarts Express—"
Gaspard said gently.
"The Daily Prophet has been reporting on it extensively recently... I think the entire European wizarding world knows him."
"Yes, he practically grew up in Diagon Alley."
The boutique owner smiled with a hint of pride.
"Just now at the Leaky Cauldron, he held a cocktail party."
"Ah, I am aware... I actually wanted to chat with him, but... oh, I'm afraid he wouldn't be willing to talk to me in a crowded place anymore... Hmm, what was the cocktail party for? Thanking old neighbors?"
"Something like that—"
The boutique owner kept a smug face.
"We did take care of him when he first came here two years ago—hmm, he reserved all the broomsticks in my shop, planning to take them to Hogwarts to see if any of those young wizards need them."
"All of them?"
Lari Gaspard opened his mouth slightly, revealing a bit of surprise.
"Yes, he thinks they can be sold—"
The boutique owner shrugged, his tone revealing a feigned regret to play hard to get.
"So, either you order today, right now. Or, I'm afraid you'll have to wait a while, Mr. Gaspard."
Silence materialized.
Lari Gaspard frowned slightly, thoughts flickering in his bright eyes, seeming deep in thought.
After a long while—
"Hmm, alright, I understand... it's like this, I can't make up my mind immediately... Can you let me see the other Nimbuses in the shop... Oh, nothing else meant by it, just, I want to compare the condition of a few brooms..."