Based on the faded house number, Morris managed to find his destination— 21 Knockturn Alley.
It's a messy, three-story old building.
Please forgive him for using "a complete mess" to describe it, because he simply couldn't find a more fitting word.
This house looks like a toy haphazardly built by a drunken Giant using various discarded items, and then weathered decades of wind and rain.
The wooden sign at the entrance was quite exquisite, and it was even coated with paint.
" Frick's Bones and General Store ".
The name of the store is engraved on it.
It seems this is the right place.
Without a second thought, Morris pushed the door open and entered.
"Jingle!"
A crisp sound came from above. Morris looked up and saw a brass bell hanging inside the door frame, its clapper made of a small finger bone, swaying gently.
The store layout is similar to that of a regular store; it's not large, with shelves all around displaying various skeletons and miscellaneous goods.
In the corner stood a huge animal skeleton, still covered with dried flesh and blood.
This matches Morris's imagination of the place perfectly.
Surprisingly, the air was very fresh.
Contrary to expectations, there was no bloody or rotten smell; instead, a faint, pleasant fragrance permeated the air.
"Is anyone there?" Morris called out tentatively, but no one answered.
So he started wandering around the store by himself, observing the items on the shelves, especially the bones.
Morris was mesmerized as he gazed at these exquisite creations that had once sustained life.
The Skeleton Dog followed at his feet, curiously observing its kind.
Morris walked to the back of the shop and suddenly stopped in front of an inconspicuous, ordinary wooden door.
A faint voice came from behind the door, a man and a woman.
"How was the technique?"
"Just right... Oh, a little lighter, that's very sensitive... A little to the left, yes... Ah, even lighter..."
Morris wanted to leave immediately and look up to check the address one last time.
Did he wander into some place that someone his age shouldn't be at?
Half a minute later.
"That's enough, Madam Caroline," the man's voice rang out again.
"Thank you, Mr. Frick, your massage technique is as superb as ever. This is a tip." The woman's tone was also very satisfied.
Then, clear footsteps came from inside the door, approaching from afar.
Morris quickly turned around, pretending to be engrossed in studying the row of bat skeletons on the nearby shelf.
"Squeak."
The wooden door was pushed open.
Morris pretended to have just been startled by the sound of the door opening and turned around naturally.
However, the sight before him startled him.
The woman who emerged from the door was not the woman of any age he had imagined, but a skeleton.
Yes, a living skeleton.
Tall and slender, with bones that were ivory white and had a delicate luster.
"It's beautiful, "Morris thought.
The skeleton put on the robe and left the shop.
Then, a middle-aged man of about thirty years old came out of the door. He was thin and bony, with dark red hair, no glasses, deep-set eyes, and several iron rings embedded in his flesh on his face.
This must be Ezra Frick.
Morris removed his mask and spoke first, "Hello, Mr. Frick."
Frick looked at Morris's young face and paused for a moment. "Do I recognize you?"
Morris explained, "I bought a Crup skeleton from you through an owl back in the summer."
Upon hearing this, Frick immediately showed a look of sudden realization. "Oh, it's a guest. Let me think... Mr. Black?"
He extended a hand and smiled warmly. "Nice to meet you."
I'm glad you still remember me.
Morris shook hands with him.
The shop owner seemed to have a good attitude and could accurately remember customers' names.
He's a shrewd businessman.
Frick glanced at Morris's face and said strangely, "So, before we begin our formal conversation, could you revert to your original appearance? It doesn't really matter, but you're making me feel like I'm talking to a child... It's so weird!"
Hearing this, Morris felt somewhat helpless.
Clearly, the other party had a preconceived notion that he was an adult who had used Polyjuice Potion.
He had no choice but to patiently explain, "This is who I am, Mr. Frick. No Polyjuice Potion, no disguise."
Frick gave him a look that said, "I don't believe it."
Seeing this, Morris could only shrug and say seriously:
"Let's get down to business, Mr. Frick."
"As I just mentioned, I once bought a Crup skeleton from you."
"I spent thirty Galleon, but the skeleton is missing a toe!"
"This matter has caused me a lot of trouble."
A look of confusion crossed Frick's face.
Missing a toe? A huge problem?
In addition to Polyjuice Potion...
He suddenly understood.
This person is deliberately trying to cause trouble!
Then he won't hold back.
Just as he was about to turn cold, Morris bent down, picked up the Skeleton Dog, and showed him its right front paw. "See? It's missing a toe."
Frick squinted and took a step closer.
Indeed, the second toe on the right front paw of the Skeleton Dog is somewhat empty.
but...
"I don't recall ever selling Crup skeleton that moved!" he said in surprise.
Morris said calmly, "It's an undead creature now, so it's reasonable for it to move."
Frick took a step back, looking Morris up and down with suspicion in his eyes.
"Alright," he finally sighed, crossing his arms and leaning against the wall, "Let's accept this for now. So, Mr. Black, what exactly do you want me to do today?"
Without hesitation, Morris replied clearly, "Find and replace that toe, or return the thirty Galleon to me."
Of course, he secretly hoped it was the latter.
After all, he's short of money right now.
As for the Skeleton Dog's toes... well, that's not important.
"Jingle!"
Just then, the doorbell rang again.
The two turned around and saw that the skeleton guest who had left earlier had returned and was standing by the door.
" Mr. Frick," Madam Caroline's jaw clenched, "I forgot something... Could you get me another bottle of Skele-Gro?"
"Of course, madam."
Frick immediately turned and walked to a shelf near the door, quickly taking a slender crystal bottle from the second shelf, and said obsequiously, "Here you are, Madam Caroline. Same price as always, 20% off."
Madam Caroline gracefully accepted the bag with her fingertips and placed it on a low cabinet beside her. "Fifteen Galleon in total."
Then, her skull suddenly turned toward Morris and the Skeleton Dog in his arms.
"Oh!" she exclaimed in surprise, "A live Skeleton Dog! When did you start selling these things, Frick? It looks so exquisite... How much?"