Dark Wizard Gathering

The Old Wizard did not continue accompanying Anton. Though he had not been here in ten years, the Dark Wizard circle was not that large. He did not want to run into old acquaintances from the past while in ghost form.

Anton understood. He landed in a relatively secluded spot, covered the Flying Broomstick with dirt, and had the Old Wizard keep watch over it.

"Ho ho ho~" Anton felt the unfamiliar voice coming from his hoarse throat and let out a shrill, bizarre laugh.

Then he picked up a dried tree trunk as thick as an adult's arm to use as a cane and staggered toward the entrance of the underground cave.

His left hand was hidden inside the loose sleeve of his Wizard Robe, gripping his wand tightly.

In a dangerous place like this, Dark Magic was clearly more intimidating than White Magic.

As he walked, he worked up the emotions needed for the Displacement Soul Curse.

He needed to make sure he could cast the spell successfully at any moment, rather than reflexively firing off a Cruciatus Curse when he got worked up.

"This habit is bad~"

Disguised as a strange old man, he muttered around the tree trunk he was using as a cane. "If this keeps becoming a conditioned reflex, I'm afraid I really will end up in Azkaban."

At the same time, he placed mastering Animagus transformation among his highest priorities.

If he really did end up in Azkaban by accident, only Animagus transformation could help him escape!

After rounding a massive stone, he saw a cave entrance lit by eerie purple lights. Noisy heavy metal music blared from within. Strange creatures of every kind periodically emerged from all directions and entered through the opening.

A Centaur missing an arm, a Goblin carrying a huge crate, an Old Witch in a wheelchair pulled by a Snake-headed Dog...

And...

Anton's eyes narrowed beneath his mask.

Snape!

Even with that freakish mask on, that greasy, instant-noodle-like long hair was far too obvious.

"Caw caw caw." Anton laughed in a low voice and swayed along behind Snape.

They followed the purple-lit corridor into the cave. It seemed to slope downward, and soon a modest stone hall appeared before them.

A Giant sat beside the tiny passageway, which was only wide enough for one person to pass through. With a round pot fastened to his back, Anton could not raise his head very high. After entering, all he could see were the Giant's gray thighs.

A somewhat more normal-looking wizard stood in front of those thighs, though the heavy-metal-style Leather Jacket worn over his Wizard Robe looked rather strange.

The Leather Jacket Wizard repeatedly struck a wooden board beside him with his wand and shouted, "Welcome to Snot Bubble Music Hall."

Anton wore a strange expression.

The Old Wizard really was unreliable. He had introduced Anton to a café from more than a decade ago, yet it had changed owners now. Who knew whether currency trading was still available here?

The Leather Jacket Wizard continued loudly, "Wandering visitors, come collect a black bouquet. Those wishing to sell goods or conduct trades, please collect a yellow bouquet. You must pay a fee, and we will ensure that those without yellow bouquets cannot sell items and compete with you."

"Those conducting non-physical transactions, please collect a red bouquet. Once inside, go to the bar and find Eric first. He will provide you with a quiet, confidential place."

"Lastly, Snot Bubble members, please collect a gold bouquet. You will receive the best treatment inside."

Anton gave a low chuckle. "Kid, is this a forum?"

The Leather Jacket Wizard was startled, then burst into laughter. "Merlin's Underwear! Someone actually noticed! You're the first."

He personally picked up a gold bouquet and stuffed it into Anton's hand. "From now on, you're one of our members. Congratulations!"

Then he let out a low, snickering laugh. "You'll be entering the bottom tier of our music hall."

"Ha~ ha!" Anton shrugged. "So I'll have some decent privileges too?"

After saying that, the two exchanged knowing smiles.

Anton found it quite interesting. He had thought the Wizarding World was always steeped in the decaying stench of rigid tradition. It was already 1989, yet Britain's Wizarding World seemed to still be living in the last century.

As a programmer in his previous life, he instantly felt a sense of kinship with the man.

"Kid, I like you."

Anton cackled and staggered into the passageway.

The hall was packed with people. Very few held gold bouquets, and Snape was among them.

After descending another long flight of stairs through the passageway, they finally entered an enormous, spacious cavern. It looked as though it had been expanded from a natural lava cave.

The cave floor was not level. Its uneven terrain naturally divided it into many platforms. At the highest point, a band was frantically producing heavy metal noise.

At least Anton could not hear any sense of rhythm in it.

After entering, the crowd scattered in all directions, each heading to their own destination. Anton continued tailing Snape toward a corner.

Gradually, only people carrying gold bouquets remained nearby.

A protruding stone had been flattened into a round platform, while a long raised streak of lava formed a bench, curving around the platform in an enormous circle.

Snape found a seat and quietly waited for something.

Anton did not approach him and instead chose a spot far away.

Before long, the area was full. A wizard wearing a Gold Leather Jacket led another person onto the platform.

"Welcome to Snot Bubble Music Hall's Premium Roundtable." The Gold Leather Jacket Wizard pointed at the other person. "This is Pete. He will be the seller at today's Premium Roundtable."

After speaking, the Gold Leather Jacket Wizard snapped his fingers. A bubble-shaped rock protrusion behind him suddenly vanished with a pop, revealing a huge Iron Cage in its place, covered by an enormous black cloth.

He gestured for Pete to proceed, then jumped gracefully off the platform and sat on a small Stone nearby.

Pete was a lively-looking young man with shoulder-length golden hair, stubble on his thin face, and blue eyes set in sunken sockets.

The young man nervously rubbed his hands together and looked at the crowd. "I believe everyone has heard a certain rumor."

"The Dark Lord did not die. He is recuperating in Albania, waiting for an opportunity."

Everyone immediately erupted into an uproar.

Many people began whispering among themselves. One Bearded Strongman leapt to his feet in excitement and pointed at the cage behind Pete. "Don't tell me this is..."

The sound of people sucking in cold breaths rose all around them.

Pete, the lively young man, jumped in fright as well. He hurriedly waved both hands, his voice cracking with panic. "You really dare say that? No, no!"

Anton heard countless people sighing in relief.

He narrowed his eyes at Snape, seated diagonally across from him. Unfortunately, Snape looked lifeless and utterly devoid of the will to live, as if nothing in the world could affect his mood.

Anton turned his gaze back to the platform. He knew this so-called Pete.

When Anton had first transmigrated, he did not yet understand the Old Wizard's rules and had accidentally let a wizard prisoner used for potion testing escape. The Old Wizard had not blamed him, merely made Anton drink the potion that had originally been intended for Pete.

The effects had been remarkable. Anton got a taste of what it meant to feel like he was floating among the clouds.

He had vomited blood for three whole days, until stars danced before his eyes and his entire body felt hazy.

It was hard to forget.

Two months later, this White Mouse looked quite presentable and much more energetic.

P.S. The rumor that Voldemort had not died and was hiding in Albania was widely known in the Wizarding World. Harry Potter's first-year Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Quirrell, had gone to Albania because of that rumor and "luckily" found Voldemort.