Compared to that huge jar of Norwegian tentacles, the freeze-dried glacier krill looked downright pathetic, but Hagrid didn't have much choice.
He counted out twelve Galleons and bought the six small bags.
"All right, Richie, your turn," Hagrid said, jerking his head toward the counter.
Richie stepped up.
Kern leaned forward, looking down at the boy with a merchant's calculating stare.
"What'll it be, kid?"
"If I've got it and you can afford the price, I'll sell it. If I don't have it but you can pay enough, I'll get it for you."
Richie didn't waste time. "I'm looking for books on curses and counter-curses."
Before he could finish the sentence, Hagrid's massive hand clamped onto his shoulder and yanked him back.
"Curses?!" Hagrid's voice cracked with panic. "Richie, did someone curse you?!"
Richie patted the huge arm. "I'm not cursed, Hagrid. I just want to read about them."
He turned back to the goblin. "Got anything?"
"Of course!" Kern's thin lips curled into a smile. He snapped his fingers.
BANG.
A thick, heavy book slammed onto the counter.
"Another young wizard once came in asking for curse books. I recommended this one." Kern stood the volume upright. The cover was solid black. When Richie looked closer, a tormented face pressed against the inside of the leather like it was trying to claw its way out.
"The Origin of Pain," Kern said, voice dropping to a silky, hypnotic tone. "That book taught the boy a lot. It gave him confidence. It showed him the true nature of suffering. It gave him real power."
He slid the book closer. "This is exactly what you need."
"No way!" Hagrid cut in before Richie could speak. "He is not buying that!"
Richie nodded in agreement. The whole pitch sounded shady as hell.
Kern huffed, snatched the book back, and made it vanish with another snap of his fingers.
"Fine. No book, then." He shrugged. "If you still want one, I can track it down… but it won't be cheap." The goblin rubbed his fingers together in the universal money gesture.
"Let's go, Richie," Hagrid said quickly. "We're leaving."
Richie shook his head. "We came all the way here, Hagrid. I'm at least going to get some answers."
He looked at Kern again. "Since I'm not buying a book, can I ask you a question instead?"
Kern arched a brow. "Questions cost money too."
"How much?"
"You ask first," Kern said, folding his arms, eyes glittering with greedy curiosity.
Richie kept it simple. "If I have a book about curses, how do I make sure nothing happens to me when I open it?"
"Three Galleons," Kern said instantly. "No haggling."
Richie pulled three gold coins from his pocket and set them on the counter without hesitation.
Kern picked them up, flicked each one, and listened to the clear ting. A satisfied smile spread across his face.
"New customer," he murmured, then straightened up. "All right, since you paid so nicely, I'll give you the straight answer."
He blew a soft puff of white smoke across the counter. The smoke thickened and began to shape itself.
"Most curse books have protections built in—either by the author or by later owners. Could be straight-up dark magic."
The smoke formed a tiny figure and a tiny book.
"First kind: physical curse. The second you open the book, it hits you with an immediate attack—fire, poison, whatever. Simple defense works: water for fire, shield charm for flying objects." The smoke figure opened the book and instantly burst into flames.
"Second kind: corrosive curse. It doesn't attack right away. It slowly messes with your emotions and mental state. Over time it wears you down." The burning figure cooled, turned pale, and started shaking violently.
"Third kind: knowledge poison. The curses inside are so evil that just reading them twists your mind. You start thinking differently—more extreme, more dangerous." The shaking figure stopped. Its white smoke darkened to pitch black, crackling with tiny lightning bolts.
"There are other kinds, sure, but those usually need special objects, not just a book."
Richie frowned but stayed quiet, waiting for the rest.
Kern looked impressed that the kid could keep his cool. He continued.
"So if you've got a cursed book, you check for all three, one by one.
"First—physical. Open it with basic protections ready. Fire? Douse it. Rocks? Block them.
"Second—corrosive. Learn Occlumency. Shut your mind tight. It won't stop the long-term damage, but it slows it down.
"Third—the knowledge poison. Occlumency is useless here. This one comes from inside. The only defense is staying strong in your own head. Don't let it change who you are."
Kern flicked the last of the smoke away and gave a sharp-toothed grin.
"That's the complete answer—for three Galleons."