Chapter 1116 Valuable Defense Against the Dark Arts
After leaving the safe house, Albert used transfiguration to disguise himself as a red-haired middle-aged man. He couldn't just go straight to Diagon Alley, it would be too ostentatious, he would put himself in danger, and it would probably cause trouble for the trio and the new joke shop.
So, it's best not to let too many people know that you are related to that store, otherwise you may be targeted by Death Eaters.
After all, the next thing to do is really a bit of hatred.
When Albert walked into the Leaky Cauldron, he found that the lively bar had become extremely deserted, without even a single customer. The old owner was sitting on the bar. After hearing Albert's footsteps, He stopped wiping the wine glass and raised his head hopefully, expecting the guests in front of him to sit down and have a drink.
Albert nodded to Old Tom, and under the disappointed eyes of the other party, he walked through the bar lobby to the small yard behind where the trash cans were placed.
The entrance to Diagon Alley is here.
He didn't Apparate directly to Diagon Alley, but passed through the entrance of the Leaky Cauldron. In fact, he wanted to figure out the current situation in the wizarding world without attracting the attention of others.
Albert raised his wand and tapped a brick on the wall, where a doorway immediately appeared, leading to a winding cobblestone path. He lifted his foot across the doorway and walked directly into Diagon Alley.
Today's Diagon Alley has completely changed its appearance. The prosperity of the past has disappeared, replaced by gloomy and deserted streets. Wanted lists of Death Eaters were posted everywhere, and many dilapidated small stalls popped up on both sides of the street. Those peddlers were wizards who used to walk on the edge of gray. Now that the Ministry of Magic has no extra energy to manage Diagon Alley, all the ghosts and monsters who had been hiding in Knockturn Alley have emerged.
On the way to No. 93, Diagon Alley, Albert saw a slovenly little wizard selling a silver amulet to passers-by, claiming to be able to resist werewolves, infernal corpses and dementors.
That kind of suspicious thing obviously cannot provide any help to the wearer, only a fool would believe it and be willing to spend money to buy it.
However, some people around the stall were hesitant.
It can only be said that the resurrection of the mysterious man made most people panic and desperately seek protection!
Pedestrians on the street are no longer willing to stop and chat with people, or even stay in Diagon Alley for too long. People always come and go in a hurry, or get together in small groups to act, as if alone will happen what a terrible thing.
It is human instinct to report to the group to keep warm.
Wizards who wander into gray areas don't pay attention to them.
However, Albert still doubts the effect of people's grouping together. It may be useful to have a large number of people, and it can also bring comfort to everyone.
But what about the real Death Eaters and You-Know-Who?
Is it possible to take advantage of the large number of people?
There is a saying: You can’t outrun a bear, but outrun you
Together to resist?
If everyone really had the courage to fight against the dark forces, Voldemort would not be able to stay in Britain long ago.
When I walked to the door of No. 93 store, I found that it was still under construction.
The project of "House of Joy" is still in the preliminary renovation stage. Lee Jordan is talking to two wizards, who are obviously wizards who specialize in helping people decorate houses.
As long as there is money to make, you can always find a corresponding job.
Make money, not shabby.
"Why are you alone?" Albert smiled and greeted Lee Jordan.
"You... why are you here?" Lee Jordan was slightly taken aback when he saw the red-haired middle-aged man raising his hand to greet him, and then thought that the guy in front of him was Albert.
Probably because he didn't want to be recognized by others, so he made a simple disguise.
Albert mentioned this to them last night. His current identity is a wealthy Weasley, and his red hair is the best proof.
"Come and see how your store is doing."
Albert smiled and nodded towards the two wizards, then moved his gaze to Lee Jordan: "Why are you alone, Fred and George?"
"They are all busy people, so I can only look at the shop here." Lee Jordan said in a resentful tone, and led Albert towards the back of the shop.
After walking outside where the two could not hear, Lee Jordan lowered his voice and asked, "How did you make yourself like this, I almost couldn't recognize it."
"It's not good for people to see it." Albert said with a smile: "You don't want to be troubled by others, do you?"
"If you've seen the advertisement prepared by Fred and George, you won't think that way." Lee Jordan pushed open the door behind the store and led Albert into a weird room with a tent.
Because the shop was still under renovation, the three could only temporarily live in tents.
There is a large box in the tent, and when it is opened, there is a staircase going down. Although it is not as spacious and comfortable as Albert's suitcase, it is enough as a laboratory for making black magic defense props.
"They are rushing to produce Defense Against the Dark Arts items." Lee Jordan said mysteriously, "Yesterday, three Aurors from the Ministry of Magic came to the store to order a large number of Defense Against the Dark Arts items, and Fred and George were going to have a big fight. "
"So, they left you to decorate the store?"
Albert didn't get into the box, but walked towards the kitchen of the tent, where Fred and George were enjoying iced watermelon.
These watermelons were actually planted by the house elves, and Albert had to find something to do for the house elves staying in Hogsmeade.
"Who are you…"
Seeing Lee Jordan leading a red-haired middle-aged man here, Fred and George were slightly taken aback, and stretched out their hands to their wands.
"It's me." Albert said.
"How did you make yourself look like this?" George's reaction speed was faster than Fred's, and he quickly recognized the guy in front of him as Albert. He just mentioned this matter last night, but the two of them have been too busy recently and have already forgotten about it.
"You two bastards..."
Lee Jordan angrily grabbed a large piece of steaming watermelon, quickly took a big bite, and even forgot the complaints in his mouth.
"Yesterday, the Ministry of Magic ordered fifty sets." Fred excitedly shared the good news with Albert, "They said that they may continue to order, and maybe they will buy one for all the staff of the Ministry of Magic. "
"The Ministry of Magic has at least five hundred staff members, and that's a huge order!" Lee Jordan muttered, "To be honest, I doubt whether the Ministry of Magic is willing to pay the money."
"They will, and they can use it to buy people's hearts." Albert didn't think the other party would renege on it. Anyway, the money was paid by the Ministry of Magic, and the new minister got the benefit.
"Defense bracelets, defense badges and detection pocket watches are the best sellers." George introduced to Albert, "By the way, Scrimgeour seems to be interested in ordering more advanced defense items from you. We will keep them temporarily according to your wishes." His contact information. See when you are free, and then get in touch with him to discuss related matters."
There are advanced customization services in the store, and more effective and longer-lasting defense against the black arts props, but the price is very expensive, and whether you can buy it depends on your luck.
"It seems that the effect is good." Albert was a little surprised by Scrimgeour's approach. Was this intention to befriend him on purpose?
If he were Scrimgeour, he would actually understand.
After all, Albert is a master prophecy and has demonstrated extraordinary abilities, so he is totally worth wooing.
Now the prophecy that he will become Minister of Magic may be coming true, but the second half of the prophecy is that he may die while in office.
For Scrimgeour, this is not good news.
Spend some money to build a good relationship with Albert, maybe the other party will give him a little reminder at a critical moment and help him tide over the difficulties.
Everyone cooperates for a win-win situation, and there is nothing wrong with it.
"The effect is good?" The three turned their heads to look at Albert.
"I gave Scrimgeour a book, and there was an advertisement for Defense Against the Dark Arts items in it. It seems that they have already approved of our Defense Against the Dark Arts items." Albert was quite satisfied with the result, as he expected , the field of defense against the dark arts has completely become a cash cow during this period.
"So that's it. I said why the Aurors from the Ministry of Magic suddenly came to the door." Fred suddenly realized, "I thought it was our advertisement in the "Daily Prophet" that worked."
"After they briefly tested the samples you left behind, their expressions were very exciting, and then they ordered 50 copies directly from Gallon. It's just that they are in a hurry. It would be great if you could help." George ate the watermelon and asked Ai Burt complained, "We've been going nuts lately."
"You can find someone to help you." Albert said without hesitation, "Lupine is not bad. He should be getting married soon, and he definitely needs a lot of money. You can offer him a good salary and let him come here when he is free. Help, I'm sure he won't turn down the well-paid job."
"Lupine is getting married?"
Fred and George looked at each other with surprised expressions. If they hadn't heard the news from Albert, they would not have believed it anyway.
After all, being a werewolf is the biggest obstacle.
"It should be soon, next year." Albert said without hesitation, "Remember to keep it secret, if some things are revealed, it may affect the result."
"Who is Lupine going to marry?" Fred asked gossipingly.
"I think you'd better pay attention to your business. This kind of opportunity to make money won't last long." Albert reminded: "It's only two years at most, so you have to seize the opportunity to make a good fortune. When the standard is met, spread the word of mouth as much as possible, so that the water will flow in the future.”
The three of them looked at each other, a little surprised that Albert actually asked them to hire someone.
However, they are really busy now. They have been living directly in Diagon Alley recently, and they are busy until late every day. Fortunately, there are house elves to help, otherwise life does not know what it will be like!
"We'll ask Lupine for his opinion sometime, if he's willing to help."
"Defense against the Dark Arts props should be combined into various packages, which are packaged and sold at a lower price than the unit price, and come with instructions for correct use." Albert began to instill sales methods into the three, "We should correctly teach them how to save themselves, For example, if a dark wizard tries to break into your home, how should you protect yourself and your family?"
Albert spoke slowly, and listed the preventive and protective effects of those black magic defense items, and packaged these things into a package for sale to those wizard families who lacked a sense of security.
"You can try the effect of the package first. If the effect is good, you can take the time to ask Lupine, Moody and others about various self-protection measures." Albert continued to say to the three, "You can give them a Galleon Do consulting fees, or provide the Order of the Phoenix with some defense against the dark arts props."
"Look, not only us, the Order of the Phoenix, but even the wizards who bought those Defense Against the Dark Arts packages can benefit from it, and can better protect their own safety during this turbulent period." Albert continued to fool around. What he said is actually true, but it's really hard to say what the real effect is without a real practice test, but at least it is worthy of the Garen that the other party has paid.
As Albert said, this is a proposal that everyone can benefit from.
"At that time, we can develop corresponding black magic defense props according to the proposals of Moody and the others." George thought Albert's proposal was very good.
"I think the name of the store should be changed." Lee Jordan couldn't help complaining, "It would be nice to call it a Defense Against the Dark Arts store."
"We just want to make some money now, and Albert also said that this kind of business won't last long." Fred and George didn't care about Lee Jordan's complaints, and took out their notes seriously to write down Albert's Opinion.
They really never thought of doing this before, it's because Albert's brain is good.
Those proposals are totally doable.
From the Ministry of Magic brochure received last time, it is not difficult to see the situation of ordinary wizards.
Several of them have read the safety measures for dealing with Death Eaters in that pamphlet, and they are simply rubbish.
I secretly changed it later, and brazenly copied some of the content in Albert's "Guide to Self-Defense".
The Ministry of Magic doesn't care about the lives of other wizards at all, otherwise those pamphlets wouldn't be so crotchless. It's not surprising that the Ministry of Magic recommends everyone to buy "Guide to Self-Defense".
With the Ministry of Magic unreliable, they still have to rely on themselves to protect themselves.
In the following time, Albert continued to instill the next strategic direction to the three, and by the way let them know that they are not only making money, but also contributing to the cause of justice, (providing help to the Order of the Phoenix as much as possible) , fighting for great ideals, (supporting Harry, working hard to defeat the mysterious man and restore peace to the Ministry of Magic), or helping everyone, (teaching everyone to protect themselves in turbulent times), so much together, believe Fred, George and Lee Jordan certainly had enough motivation to work hard.
After being taught by Albert, the three people who regained their spirits are all satisfied with what they are doing now.
Albert is also very satisfied. These two years are the best time to make money. If you want to get rid of poverty and get rich, you have to work harder.
As for someone who is jealous to steal business, Albert is not afraid at all. He has spent so much time researching and planning, how could he be easily cracked and robbed of the final result, and as long as the brand is sold, other people cannot be opponents at all. .
God knows whether the quality of counterfeit products can pass the test. If at a critical moment, the black magic defense props suddenly fail, it will be fatal?
Certainly no one wants to make fun of their own lives.
The most important thing is that Arthur Weasley will become the director of the Counterfeit Defensive Spells and Protective Items Detection and Confiscation Office. He is completely his own, and other counterfeit products will not have any competitiveness at all.
(end of this chapter)