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It mainly concerns topics related to Flip-Over Alley.
Frick's description of Knockturn Alley was pretty much what Morris had imagined.
First of all, Turndown Lane is a chaotic place, with both honest businessmen like Flick and those who make a living by cheating and swindling.
According to Frick, only half of the shops here are reliable.
As for the rest... at least the locals wouldn't easily set foot there.
In addition, Flip-Flop Alley has a "manager".
It was a small group, mainly composed of dark wizards, that barely maintained order here.
They set some simple rules, but rules are rigid while people are flexible. As long as you have a good enough relationship with the "manager," you can do whatever you want in Fandao Lane.
"Doesn't the Ministry of Magic care?" Maurice asked curiously.
Frick chuckled. "Of course they can't control it all. The 'administrators' of Knockturn Alley have a delicate relationship with the officials of the Ministry of Magic. You know, some deals are hard to do in the open, but there are always people who need them."
Morris nodded.
As expected.
The magical world really needs such a place.
He then asked, "Who exactly are those 'managers'?"
Frick placed the cleaned skull on the shelf, his tone laced with disdain. "A bunch of scum. Black wizards, ex-convicts, some even hardened criminals on the run. They rely on their ruthlessness, or some dubious support behind them, to form gangs, take over this territory, collect protection money, and mediate disputes—of course, it's all about money and connections."
"You sound like you hate them," Morris said.
"Yes." Frick nodded matter-of-factly. "They've taken a lot of Galleons from me."
Suddenly, his expression turned serious, and he said, "Blake, I advise you not to get involved in this mess. It's a high-risk job, and every now and then, the 'managers' are replaced."
Morris chuckled. "What do you take me for? I'm just an eleven-year-old wizard. I don't think about those things. I just want to run my little business quietly."
"That would be best," Flick said.
He still remembered the scene when Maurice attacked Kroenke and his two companions.
An ordinary junior wizard wouldn't be so clean and efficient.
It's already good enough if they don't wet their pants.
"jingle!"
Just then, the doorbell rang.
A figure dressed in a black robe appeared at the doorway.
Morris quickly conjured a bone mask on his face to conceal his identity.
Flick stretched.
The guests have arrived; get ready to receive them.
Chapter 74 Quirrell and Snape
The man in the black robe walked straight to the counter.
Morris suddenly smelled a familiar, faint scent.
He frowned.
This smell... seems familiar, and it's been there for a while now.
What is it...?
Before Maurice could even think of anything, the man in black robes spoke, his voice deliberately hoarse, "I need a standard-sized bucket of processed Nix krait venom."
Frick paused for a moment. "Sir, we don't have that kind of product here. If you need the bone of a Nixon silver ring snake, I can provide it, though it will be missing half a head. But trust me, the quality will be absolutely top-notch."
"bone?"
The man in black repeated himself, then shook his head. "I don't need it."
After he finished speaking, he immediately turned and left without the slightest hesitation.
Morris stepped aside to make way for the man in black, and the familiar scent became even more pronounced as he passed by.
Ah, right, it's garlic.
Morris had smelled a similar odor when he was studying at Hogwarts.
He has a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor named Quirinus Quirrell.
The professor's teaching ability was mediocre, he always had a thick scarf wrapped around the back of his head, and he always had that lingering, somewhat strange smell of garlic on him.
It is said that this was to drive away the vampires he encountered in Romania.
So, this man in black robes is very similar in height and build to Quirrell, and walks in the same way.
Morris initially determined that this was Quirrell himself.
What is the venom of the Nix krait used for?
Morris was slightly curious.
If you're buying something from Fandao Lane, it's highly likely that it's not something legal or compliant.
"Nix banded krait venom isn't cheap," Frick seemed a little disappointed at not making the deal. "Unfortunately, my stock sold out two years ago; it's a hot commodity."
"What is this venom usually used for?" Morris asked casually.
Frick pulled a notebook from under the counter and began writing and drawing as he explained, "That stuff is incredibly toxic. But after special processing, it can become a very precious medicine, and I've heard it can even extend a wizard's lifespan."
Morris nodded.
Although wizards generally have long lifespans, who would complain about living too long?
Three minutes after Quirrell left, the doorbell rang again.
This time, a wizard wearing a silver mask walked in. He wasn't very tall, but he was very thin.
He walked straight to the counter, raised his hand, and took off his mask.
Morris glanced over there and was startled—
It was Snape, his Potions professor.
Knockturn Alley is really lively today. Are the Hogwarts professors holding a meeting here?
Frick was very enthusiastic about Snape's arrival.
"What brings you here, Severus?" he said, wiping his hands as he emerged from behind the counter, his voice light. "What would you like today? The fangs of a venomous leopard, would you like to take a look?"
Snape said nothing, looked around, and his gaze lingered on Maurice for a moment.
Frick immediately understood and turned to Morris, saying, "Could you please leave for a moment, Mr. Black? I'm sorry, we have some private matters to discuss."
Morris nodded and turned to walk towards a room at the back of the shop, which was a lounge.
However.
"etc!"
Snape's cold voice rang out, his gaze piercing Maurice's back like needles.
"Your name is Blake?"
Morrison was somewhat helpless at the moment.
The surname Blake is still very memorable, and Morris didn't try to disguise his physique.
Snape should have already guessed his identity.
However, it doesn't matter if I'm recognized.
Morris turned around, his mask slowly melting away, and greeted him calmly, "Professor Snape, I never expected to see you outside."
Flick was taken aback. "You two know each other?"
Morris shrugged and said casually, "What are you talking about, Mr. Frick? At my age, I'm obviously a student at Hogwarts."
Flick suddenly realized.
It's no secret that Snape is the Potions professor at Hogwarts.
It's perfectly normal for students to know professors.
Snape stared blankly at Maurice, then slowly began, "So, Mr. Black, what brings you here during the Christmas holidays?"
"Working, Professor," Morris said innocently. "A student like me, without parents, has to find a way to earn some Galleons for myself."
Snape snorted.
Working in Flip-Flop Alley? That's fantastic!
Flick remained silent, simply observing.
He felt the atmosphere was somewhat tense.
This makes sense, though; a professor would obviously do this if he discovered his student was hanging out in shady places.
"I don't want to concern myself with your business, Mr. Black," Snape said in a low voice, "but since you've chosen to work here, you'd better stay here. Knockturn Alley isn't exactly a student's garden for a stroll."
After he finished speaking, he glanced at Flick, seemingly questioning why he would allow a small child to work there.
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