Why Is It Always Gringotts

Shelves have been set up Diagon Alley.

With the Quidditch World Cup just around the corner, Quidditch -related merchandise is selling like hotcakes. Shopkeepers have also dug out old stock from their warehouses and put it on the shelves, hoping someone might take a liking to it.

Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, the Secondhand Robe Shop, and the Twilfitt and Tatting's all displayed a variety of Muggle clothing for sale—the ball game was being held in Muggle territory, and wizards needed to dress as Muggle.

It seems that a Muggle-born wizard helped select the items, because the clothes that were hung up were indeed Muggle- style, with nothing out of the ordinary.

However, perhaps to conceal their whereabouts and avoid attracting the attention of Muggle, the clothes sold in these clothing stores were very plain in style and color, even rudimentary. Wizards who were used to extravagant dressing styles basically looked down on them, and even children didn't like them. Only people like Mr. Weasley would buy some.

On the shelves lining both sides of the street, you can see all sorts of things, from ancient alchemical items and mysterious Potions that have been sealed away for who knows how long, to limited edition Signed Book by a certain person who won the Most Charming Smile Award from Witch Weekly five times a few years ago, to all sorts of Fantastic Beasts ingredients and magical artifacts whose functions are unclear. The shops' main selling point is that everything is done as one pleases, and customers buy things entirely based on their own preferences.

Although Loren had seen many disassembled diagrams of ancient alchemical artifacts in the Fantasy Book, and could discern the general function of the surface magic runes and magic circles, he was uncertain about the complex patterns inside. He was not sure how to determine the specific function of a magical item, whether it was incomplete, or how many times it could be used.

Moreover, some Alchemy would add extra interference patterns to prevent their creations from being dismantled by others, just like encrypting them.

However, he wasn't completely clueless. His eyes could discern the Magic Power contained within magical artifacts. He couldn't be sure about the colorful Magic Power, but the black and blood-red Magic Power was definitely not a good thing.

Some of the bronze skull pendants and the wooden carvings in the shape of ferocious bird claws exuded an ominous, cursed aura; they were clearly Dark Arts items at a glance. These things should be in Knockturn Alley next door, not Diagon Alley.

Seeing the wizard customers examining these items with great interest, Loren finally understood where the patients at the St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries came from.

However, since these items survived the Ministry of Magic's massive crackdown on Dark Arts items and can still be openly sold in Diagon Alley, the curses on them aren't life-threatening. At most, they might shift facial features, grow a few extra fingers, or have a few extra arms...

Seek medical attention promptly.

Loren didn't pay much attention, happily strolling around watching the commotion while enjoying his ice cream, occasionally scooping a spoonful of ice cream to feed Hermione beside him.

Both the Wizarding Weekly and the Daily Prophet published their own lists of recommended spectator items, including tents, Telescope, flags for supporting teams, and plenty of food and beer.

The best-selling item is the magic tent. No one can predict the length of Quidditch Match; some last only a few minutes, while others can take several months. The last Quidditch World Cup final lasted for five days, so spectators need to prepare camping tents.

Some wizards also tried using Wit-Sharpening Potion to stay awake until the end of the competition, so they could get a good night's sleep, of course, in a ward at St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries.

Returning to the topic of tents, wizard tents enchanted with the Untraceable Extension Charm are large enough to accommodate a family, some even larger than some villas. Ordinary, inexpensive tents simply expand the space, while high-end magical tents are fully equipped, complete with bedrooms, living rooms, Kitchen, and bathrooms.

Some tents look like normal tents, but some wizard tents seem to have magic written on their outer canvas. Specimens of fire-breathing lizards and flapping vultures hang on either side of the tent entrance, and various Fantastic Beasts come to life on the canvas.

"Sir, take a look. All the tents here are newly made this year." A young shop assistant greeted the two warmly, showing no disdain for their youthful appearance. "Buy now and get a free Ireland shamrock flag."

Loren found it amusing and asked with a grin, "What if we were supporters of the Bulgaria team?"

The young shop assistant's expression turned serious. "I'm sorry, sir, you might need to buy a tent from another store—"

Before the words were even finished, the shop assistant was kicked aside by the shop manager, who was leaning against a pillar sunbathing nearby. The slightly overweight shop manager greeted him with a smile, "Don't listen to his nonsense. Whichever team's flag the customer needs, we'll give them to them for free. If both teams want them, we can give them to them for free."

Loren and Hermione couldn't help but laugh. Loren said, "Thank you, shopkeeper. We'll take a look ourselves and come back to you if we need anything."

"Of course, I wish you both a pleasant shopping experience."

The slightly overweight store manager stepped back a few steps and began to severely reprimand the Ireland fan employee for lacking professional ethics. The employee shrank back, and it seemed that this was not the first time such a situation had occurred.

"It seems like we could modify a regular tent..."

As Loren looked at the tents displayed on the shelves, he muttered to himself, "I remember your family has a home camping tent. We used it when we went to Dean Forest during the summer vacation of our first year."

Hermione sipped her ice cream and hummed twice. She remembered that night, the tent was too crowded, and Loren lay next to her. She stayed up most of the night before she could fall asleep.

After finishing the last spoonful of ice cream, Hermione exhaled a breath of cold air. "I don't think it's wise to buy things from the Wizarding Weekly's list of advertisements. Maybe we should ask Ron, or Neville."

Loren thought about it and realized it made some sense.

"Let's go buy the tickets first."

Where can I buy it?

"Although I don't know where the official ticket office is, I know I can definitely buy tickets from the goblins in Gringotts."

After passing through a street of shops, they arrived at the snow-white building, nodded to the goblin servant in his scarlet and gold uniform, and passed through the Winky Bronze Door. As usual, they glanced at the warning signs on Loren Bronze Door and Silver Door Gringotts Hermione.

Upon entering the marble hall, as before, over a hundred fairies sat on high stools behind a long counter, conducting transactions, weighing coins and precious metals with scales, examining gems with eyepieces, and efficiently recording them in ledgers.

Loren and Hermione noticed a surge in Muggle currency transactions at the counter, with many goblins explaining the different denominations of the Pound Sterling, their usage, and exchange rates to the wizards.

As soon as a goblin finished a transaction, Loren and Hermione walked toward an empty counter. "Good morning, we'd like to buy tickets for the Quidditch World Cup. Does Gringotts offer that service?"

"Oh, sir..."

Like most goblins, this goblin had a shrewd look in his dark face, and his pointed beard was somewhat similar to Professor Flitwick's in his first year. The goblin trader glanced at the two of them without showing any emotion and tentatively said, "Gringotts does not offer ticket services."

"Is that so?" Loren raised an eyebrow.

"However, the fairy's principle is to serve our clients..." the fairy spoke slowly, "We are willing and able to provide you with tickets, but... the price—"

"The price goes without saying."

A cold male voice came from the side, and Bill, with long hair tied in a ponytail, walked over from behind. Just like the last time we met, he had fan-shaped earrings hanging from his ears that swayed gently, and his Dragon Hide boots had more creases.

"Bill Weasley?" The goblin trader clearly recognized him, his brow furrowed and his face grim. "This is not your place to meddle. Your job is to Curse-Breaker!"

Bill glanced at him dismissively, then ignored him and beckoned Loren and Hermione toward the door, while the goblin trader behind him was so angry his beard stood on end.

Passing through the silver and bronze doors, Loren was puzzled. Why did he always seem to be interrupted when he was trading in Gringotts?

Hermione was somewhat surprised. "Bill? Long time no see, what are you doing here?"

"Long time no see, Loren. Hermione ... I just happened to be back on vacation to watch the Quidditch World Cup," Bill explained, his voice calm and unhurried, a personality completely different from his striking appearance.

"George, Fred, and Ron always talk about you guys, and Mom and Dad said they would invite you to watch the game together. I never expected to run into you guys at Gringotts."

"Wouldn't that be too much trouble for you? We can buy our own tickets and then meet up at the stadium," Loren said.

"If that happens, my mother will definitely be heartbroken and cry."

After leaving Gringotts, Bill continued to lead the two forward, "Besides, Gringotts tickets are now three times more expensive than through normal channels. Why let these greedy goblins take advantage?"

Thinking of the enthusiastic Mrs. Weasley, Loren and Hermione exchanged a glance, realizing that continuing to refuse would be inappropriate.

When they came to their senses, they had already arrived in the Diagon Alley. Before the two could react, Bill pushed Loren and Hermione together, saying, "Hold on tight!"

The curling space caused the surrounding light and shadow to rotate and lengthen, like ink spreading in a vortex and then quickly contracting. The three of them disappeared from the spot with a "whoosh".

Standing beside a dilapidated tall building, Loren and Hermione helped each other catch their breath for a while. The sudden attack and the mediocre Apparition made it the last time they had experienced such an uncomfortable teleportation experience, which was when Professor McGonagall first took them to Diagon Alley.

"Actually, you could have just told us the address..." Hermione muttered under her breath.

Loren was now certain that Bill and the Twins were brothers. He didn't believe the Weasley family didn't have a mischievous streak. "Leaving spatial traces so we can catch up ourselves is fine..."

Bill didn't hear what the two were saying, but he extended his hand with a hint of pride and introduced them, "Welcome to the Burrow, the Weasley ' home!"

Loren and Hermione were looking at the Weasley family house for the first time. On the far right were several shacks made of corrugated iron, which used to be a large pigsty made of stone. Opposite them was a lake.

The most eye-catching thing is this small building. It seemed to have started as just a small hut for guarding the pigsty, but it was piled up to be several stories high, crooked and leaning. Only magic could have built such a house.

There are four or five chimneys on the red roof. The chimneys are painted in several colors. The pink one should have been painted by Ginny. The Humungous Bighead painted in white on the middle chimney should represent Percy. It is undoubtedly the work of George and Fred.

A sign that read "The Burrow" was stuck diagonally in front of the house. Some high-top leather boots and a Scabbers crucible were lying next to the gate, and several plump brown chickens were pecking at food in the yard.

It was very dilapidated, but the traces of the Weasley family on it gave it a unique charm.

Just as the two were carefully examining the place, a loud and somewhat piercing scream came from the first floor of the Burrow:

"Bill! The clock says you're back! What are you hiding for? Go help your brothers clear out the Gnome in the backyard!"

"..."

Mrs. Weasley has a wonderful voice.

Loren and Hermione stared intently up at the Burrow's chimney.

Bill smiled helplessly, opened the wooden door to the front yard of the small building, and led the two inside while calling out loudly, "Mom, we have guests!"

The sound of footsteps rang out, and Ginny was the first to peek out from the door. Her Winky eyes dimmed the moment she saw Loren and Hermione, and she slumped to the side with her head down.

Next came Mrs. Weasley, who came out of the room wearing a faded plaid apron and carrying a wooden-handled spatula. Her eyes lit up with surprise when she saw Loren: "Loren! Hermione! What brings you here!"

Molly shoved the spatula into Ginny's hands, then ran quickly to the two of them, wanting to hug them, but then realized her hands were greasy. She rubbed them on her apron repeatedly before carefully tucking her hands behind her back and hugging Loren and Hermione.

"Oh, darling, we were just planning to invite you last night..." Molly drawled, as if coaxing a child, "It's all Arthur's fault, he broke that thing called a telephone..."

She was so enthusiastic that Loren and Hermione felt a little embarrassed and couldn't say anything.

In the brief moment of their embrace, the three brothers who were playing Gnome in the backyard also ran out. Ron saw the two of them and exclaimed in surprise, running around them in circles, but couldn't find a chance to interject, and his face turned red with anxiety.

"I happened to run into them when I was handing over my work at Gringotts. They were planning to buy Gringotts ' expensive tickets." Bill shrugged and walked over to George and Fred. "Since you two had been talking about it, I brought them back."

"Well done, Bill!" George and Fred gave him a high five and cheered.

"Why did we have to buy tickets from those greedy goblins..." Molly grumbled, releasing the two of them and pulling them into the house. "We're discussing inviting you and Harry to visit us. You can stay here until school starts, and then you can all return to Hogwarts together."

"You two can play games together, tutor each other, and supervise each other's homework... It couldn't be more perfect."

Molly became happier and happier as she spoke, her tone becoming increasingly cheerful, and the last sentence almost sounded like she was singing.

Loren quickly interrupted, "I'm afraid that won't work, ma'am. We haven't told our families yet, and we still have a lot of luggage to pack."

"Look at my brain, it's become malfunctioning ever since Ron was born!" Molly slapped her forehead, beaming. "Of course, I need to discuss it with my family. Here's what we'll do, honey, you leave your address, and Arthur and I will visit them tomorrow."

"Well..."

The progress was too fast; Loren and Hermione couldn't keep up with her pace for a while.

"That's the decision!"