Seeing Kramer's strong reaction, Herman couldn't help frowning, but then he remembered how the books described goblins: give them enough money, and they would even sell themselves.
So Herman took out all the pounds he had just retrieved and slapped them onto the desk with a smack. "Everything from before, plus a book on alchemy, and all these pounds are yours," he declared lavishly.
Looking at the pounds on the desk, Kramer immediately began to waver. On one hand, ancestral rules could not be broken lightly; on the other, the temptation of all those pounds was simply too great.
Seeing Kramer's conflicted expression, Herman immediately understood that this was the part where he had to offer more money. He added, "This is only a small portion, just a start. I have more pounds back at the inn. I think we'll have plenty more opportunities to work together. I'll be doing a lot of business with you in the future."
Hearing this, Kramer stopped hesitating and found himself a justification. He wasn't defying his ancestors' teachings; this was a tiny price to pay for opening up a greater enterprise for goblins. His ancestors would forgive him.
"Deal. I'll go get it for you." With that, Kramer raced into the office like a gust of wind. After a flurry of frantic rummaging, he ran back out holding a thick book.
The book had a distinctly goblin style. Its cover was metal inlaid with gold, and it looked priceless at a glance.
"We don't have dedicated books for learning alchemy. We pass it down by word of mouth. There's only this Alchemy Materials Science, which covers the classification and processing of materials, with the occasional case study analyzing alchemical items," Kramer explained.
Herman reckoned he couldn't wheedle anything else out of him, so he agreed. "Fine, that'll do."
As he spoke, Herman moved to pack everything into the magical suitcase and take it away.
Seeing this, Kramer hurriedly pressed a hand onto the suitcase. "Wait, we haven't signed the contract yet!"
"Contract?" Herman asked in confusion, thinking that requiring a contract even for a retail sale was rather rigid and doctrinaire. No wonder business was bad.
Kramer explained, "Goblins never sell things to wizards. We only lease them to you. Everything belongs to the goblins. Those are our rules."
You still haven't been beaten hard enough, Herman grumbled inwardly, but aloud he accepted the goblin's position and asked, "All right, how do we write the contract?"
This wasn't Kramer's first time selling things to a wizard. He immediately produced a previously prepared contract and handed it to Herman.
Herman skimmed it. It essentially stated that Kramer's sword, Kramer's shield, the magical suitcase, and Alchemy Materials Science would be leased to Herman for one hundred years, after which the aforementioned items were to be returned to the goblin Kramer.
"There's a bit of a problem with this lease term."
Kramer asked in puzzlement, "A hundred years is hardly short. Most of you don't live that long."
Herman couldn't help feeling displeased at Kramer's words. Though true, who didn't want to live a few more years? He retorted, "Hasn't Dumbledore lived for over a hundred years?"
Kramer showed no tact this time and continued, "How many wizards are as powerful as Dumbledore? A hundred years is plenty."
"I'll certainly try my best to live a few more years," Herman said irritably. "Anyway, change that clause."
Only when he saw Herman getting angry did Kramer catch on. He thought for a moment and said, "How about this? We'll change it to a lease to Herman, lasting until your death. What do you think?"
Kramer had his own calculations. He wasn't happy about extending the term, but with this change, it might not even last a hundred years.
Herman couldn't find anything wrong with Kramer's suggestion, so the two signed the agreement. Then Herman arranged with Kramer to write ahead before any future transactions, and finally left the Kramer Goblin Supplies Shop carrying his suitcase.
Outside the shop, Sirius and Harry were staring at each other, waiting around in boredom.
One was a hopelessly straight man, while the other was a cold-natured little delinquent girl. Once they had finished discussing business, they really had no common topics left.
Seeing Herman come out, Sirius hurriedly said, "All done? Let's get moving. Once I've seen you out, I should be leaving too. I've got other things to take care of."
"Yes, sorry for the trouble." Herman hastily expressed his gratitude. Without Sirius, he really might have ended up going to Hogwarts without a penny, which would have been rather embarrassing.
Once they left Knockturn Alley, Sirius departed first. Harry also said goodbye to Herman and left through the public fireplace in Diagon Alley, leaving Herman to walk back to the Leaky Cauldron alone.
Over the following days, Herman occasionally read, but spent most of his time wandering around.
Now that he had money, Herman went on a shopping spree in Diagon Alley. He bought all sorts of materials mentioned in books, some interesting magical foods, and various strange magical toys.
Herman also went into London and bought plenty of Muggle things. Although school uniforms were required at school, he still needed to prepare underwear and the like.
Herman wasn't short of money now, and he had room to carry things, so he bought plenty of comfortable clothes and picked up a few gifts in return along the way. He also stocked up on Muggle food, mostly snacks and drinks. After all, with the magical suitcase, he could fit a great deal inside and didn't have to worry about running out of space at all.
The days passed, and soon it was time for school to begin.
His days at the Leaky Cauldron during this period were peaceful. He regularly exchanged letters with Hugo to discuss their insights into their studies, and nothing eventful happened.
That day, Herman settled his bill at the Leaky Cauldron, planning to have breakfast before heading to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. While eating, he ran into Professor Quirrell.
But not only had this Quirrell arrived at the Leaky Cauldron at a different time, he looked somewhat different too. Of course, Herman was already used to this wildly altered world. At least this Professor Quirrell was still a man, and even a little handsome.
He had long blond hair, fine features, and a slightly scholarly air. At a glance, he looked like an educated man.
Naturally, Herman hadn't recognized Quirrell looking like this. He had only found out by overhearing Old Tom chatting with him. Sure enough, as long as Old Tom lived long enough, he knew everyone.
That day, Herman had been sitting in his usual spot near the bar, reading a newspaper, when he suddenly heard Old Tom say, "Quirrell, you're back. How was Germany? I heard you went to Durmstrang Institute over the holidays."
Herman immediately pricked up his ears at Quirrell's name. Quirrell settled himself at the bar with practiced ease. Rather than rushing to answer Old Tom, he first ordered a drink, then slowly said:
"The German wizarding world is a little colder than Britain's. They regulate everything. Perhaps it has something to do with certain events in the past. The school was the same. It felt very different from Hogwarts. The requirements were rather strict, and the professors were very stern. Still, I was only visiting, so they weren't strict with me. Headmaster Karkaroff even arranged a private room for me."
Herman had little reaction to Quirrell's words. After all, he didn't have much of an impression of Quirrell and felt he hadn't had much presence in the original story. He only remembered that Voldemort should have been possessing the back of Quirrell's head at this point.
Herman secretly studied Quirrell, but that full head of blond hair didn't look as though it could conceal Voldemort. Could Quirrell not be the miniboss this time?
While Herman's thoughts wandered, Old Tom told Quirrell, "My granddaughter Hannah will be starting at Hogwarts this year too. I heard from Hagrid that you'll be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts. I'll have to ask you to take extra care of her."
"This will be my first time teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts too," Quirrell said modestly. "I can't claim I'll be taking extra care of her, but I'll certainly do my best. I'm sure your granddaughter will be excellent, Tom."
As Old Tom talked with Quirrell, he looked around, wanting to call Hannah over to meet her professor in advance. But Hannah, perhaps unwilling to work when she would be leaving shortly, had gone off to the guest rooms to enjoy some peace and quiet, and he couldn't find her just then.
Just then, Old Tom spotted Herman nearby and said to Quirrell, "This little fellow, Herman, is a new student this year too." Hearing Old Tom's introduction, Quirrell turned to look at Herman.