Morris and Lupin entered the store one after the other.
" Frick, where are you?" Morris called out, looking around. "I need to use your kitchen."
It was getting late, and he needed to eat something.
Footsteps echoed in the dimly lit corridor, and Frick slowly emerged.
"You're here, Morris." He greeted him, his gaze passing over Morris and landing on Lupin in the doorway, a hint of surprise on his face. " Lupin? Long time no see. How have you been?"
"Not bad," Lupin smiled gently. "It's still the same as it was five years ago."
Sure enough, the two knew each other.
Morris had no interest in their small talk and went straight to the kitchen.
"Don't touch my refrigerator!" Frick shouted at his retreating back.
Morris waved his hand without turning his head.
The first thing he did after opening the kitchen door was to open the refrigerator.
The room was filled with unidentified long, black objects.
Isn't this the dried Grindylow fingers sold at the nearby store?
Morris gave a slight smirk.
He remembered that Frick had been extremely resistant to this thing last time.
However, he has no interest in trying this exotic food right now.
Morris rummaged around for a while, and finally only took out a piece of bread.
When he returned to the shop, Lupin had disappeared, leaving only Frick standing behind the counter, humming a song as he wiped a human skull.
Morris stepped forward and asked, "Where's Lupin?"
Frick didn't even look up, continuing to rub the skull. "Let's go."
"So soon? What's Lupin doing here?"
"He's looking for a job," Frick said casually, turning the skull to examine it closely under the light. "As a Hogwarts student, you should know he resigned. But unfortunately, I don't need anyone here."
"I see," Morris nodded, then asked, "You two have a good relationship?"
Frick stopped what he was doing, looked at Morris, and gave him a cryptic smile.
"Probably. They're just acquaintances."
Morris didn't press further and took a bite of his bread.
It was hard and dry.
He decided to go to the Leaky Cauldron later to buy a sandwich.
Frick put the Prophecy skull aside and began rummaging under the counter.
"And you?" he asked without looking up. "What are you doing here? You didn't come just to freeload a meal, did you?"
"Yes," Morris replied sincerely.
Frick paused for a few seconds, then slowly said, "I recommend Grindylow's fingers; they're absolutely delicious."
"Please allow me to refuse."
A dozen seconds later, Frick pulled a small cloth bag from under the counter and casually tossed it to Morris.
"Next."
Morris reached out and caught it.
The feel of it tells you what's inside – Galleon.
"You've sold a few of those gems," Frick explained. "That's a share of the profits."
Morris accepted it with a smile. "I like this news."
The two chatted for a while longer.
Morris naturally brought up the previous theft from Frick's warehouse.
Frick's face fell instantly.
"Don't even mention it." He waved his hand, looking utterly dejected. "It's been investigated; it was that bastard Mundungus Fletcher did it."
Morris raised an eyebrow. " Mundungus Fletcher, it really is him?"
"Who else could it be?" Frick scoffed. "I got most of the lost stuff back, and I even beat him up."
"That's good." Morris said, "You got my Aura Concealment Gem back too?"
"No, not at all," Frick shook his head. "It was discovered too late; he'd already sold the gem. He got it for fifty Galleon... That bastard!"
Morris shook his head helplessly.
Since it has already happened, there's no point in saying anything now.
"Oh, right," Frick suddenly remembered something, " Morris, didn't you want my stolen skeleton? Now it's back. Even Mundungus Fletcher doesn't know what to do with it."
Morris's eyes lit up. "Really?"
That skeleton held immense significance for him.
After all, he had only just come into contact with magic at the time, yet he was able to sense that the skeleton was different from others.
Frick chuckled twice, stood up, and said, "Wait a minute."
He turned and disappeared behind a door.
Morris stood still and swallowed the entire loaf of bread in his hand.
A few minutes later, a creaking sound came from afar.
Frick pushed out a dilapidated handcart, on which lay the human skeleton that Morris had been longing for.
He pushed the cart to the counter and patted the cart.
"Look, is this it?"
Morris stepped forward and stared at him intently.
The skeleton lying on the trolley gleamed beautifully in the dim light.
Even now, he still can't take his eyes off it.
"That's it!" Morris affirmed.
Seeing his unusually flustered state, Frick couldn't help but ask, "What's so special about this skeleton?"
"I don't know," Morris shook his head, "But my subconscious tells me I deserve it."
Frick was somewhat speechless.
What kind of answer is that?
However, in fact, Morris was not lying; he spoke only his true feelings.
"Can you sell me this skeleton?" Morris asked.
Frick leaned against the counter and waved his hand casually. "Take it."
Morris was extremely surprised. "You mean, for me?"
You should know that when they first met, Frick refused to sell this skeleton no matter what.
"Yes." Frick's casual expression vanished, and he looked at Morris seriously. "I've studied this skeleton for over a decade but haven't figured out anything special about it. The only thing I'm certain of is that it's resistant to all magic. Giving it to you might allow it to reach its true potential."
Oh, I see.
Morris understood.
Frick, now his friend, knew how much he desired the skeleton and was willing to give it to him.
Since that's the case, he decided not to be polite anymore.
"Thanks."
Morris placed the skeleton into his briefcase.
Frick chuckled. "Hope this helps."
97
Leaving Knockturn Alley, Morris didn't even bother with dinner, immediately returning to the Ship in a Bottle.
The first thing he did was take the skeleton out, place it on the table, and examine it carefully.
According to Frick, all magic has no effect on it.
Morris immediately took out his wand and cast a Severing Charm on the ribs.
The spell was immediately deflected, striking the Guantou lying nearby and severing a small tuft of hair from its head.
Ignoring the Guantou food's shouts, Morris tried a few more spells.
Without exception, they were either deflected or had no effect whatsoever.
It seems Frick was right; this thing really can resist magic.
He put away his wand and fell into deep thought.
So why is that?