The man in the black robe walked straight to the counter.
Morris suddenly smelled a familiar, faint scent.
He frowned.
This smell... I feel like I've smelled it somewhere before, and not long ago.
What is it...?
Before Morris could even think of anything, the man in black spoke, his voice deliberately hoarse, "I need a standard-sized bucket of processed Nyx Krait venom."
Frick paused, "Sir, we don't have that kind of product here. If you need the bone of Nyx Krait, I can provide it, though it will be missing half a head. But trust me, the quality will be absolutely top-notch."
"Bone?"
The man in black repeated himself, then shook his head. "I don't need it."
After he finished speaking, he immediately turned and left without the slightest hesitation.
Morris stepped aside to let the man in black pass, and the familiar scent became even more pronounced as he did so.
Ah, right, it's garlic.
Morris had smelled a similar odor when he was studying at Hogwarts.
He has a Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor named Quirinus Quirrell.
The professor's teaching ability was mediocre, he always had a thick scarf wrapped around the back of his head, and he always had that lingering, somewhat strange smell of garlic on him.
It is said that this was to drive away the vampires he encountered in Romania.
This means that the black-robed man's height and build are very similar to Quirrell's, and his walking posture is exactly the same.
Morris initially determined that this was Quirrell himself.
What is the venom of the Nyx Krait) used for?
Morris was slightly curious.
If you're buying something from Knockturn Alley, it's highly likely that it's not something legal or compliant.
" Nyx Krait venom isn't cheap," Frick seemed a little disappointed at missing out on the deal. "Unfortunately, my stock sold out two years ago; it's a hot commodity."
"What is this venom usually used for?" Morris asked casually.
Frick pulled a notebook from under the counter and began writing and drawing as he explained, "That stuff is incredibly toxic. However, with special processing, it can become a very valuable medicinal herb, and I've heard it can even extend a wizard's lifespan."
Morris nodded.
Although wizards generally have long lifespans, who would complain about living too long?
Three minutes after Quirrell left, the doorbell rang again.
This time, a wizard wearing a silver mask walked in. He wasn't very tall, but he was very thin.
He walked straight to the counter, raised his hand, and took off his mask.
Morris glanced in that direction and was startled—
It was Snape, his Potions Class professor.
Knockturn Alley is really lively today. Are the Hogwarts professors holding a meeting here?
Frick was very enthusiastic about Snape's arrival.
"What brings you here, Severus?" He wiped his hands and emerged from behind the counter, his voice light. "What would you like today? The fangs of Nundu, would you like to see?"
Snape said nothing, looked around, and his gaze lingered on Morris for a moment.
Frick immediately understood and turned to Morris, saying, "Could you please leave for a moment, Mr. Black? I'm sorry, we have some personal matters to discuss."
Morris nodded, then turned and walked towards a room at the back of the shop, which was a lounge.
However.
"Etc!"
Snape's cold voice rang out, his gaze piercing Morris's back like needles.
"Your name is Black?"
Morris was somewhat helpless at that moment.
The surname Black is still very memorable, and Morris didn't try to disguise his physique.
Snape should have already guessed his identity.
However, it doesn't matter if I'm recognized.
Morris turned around, his mask slowly melting away, and greeted him calmly, " Professor Snape, I never expected to see you outside."
Frick was taken aback when he saw this. "You two know each other?"
Morris shrugged and said casually, "What are you talking about, Mr. Frick? At my age, I'm obviously a Hogwarts student."
Frick suddenly realized.
It's no secret that Snape is the Potions Class professor at Hogwarts.
It's perfectly normal for students to know professors.
Snape stared blankly at Morris, then slowly asked, "So, Mr. Black, what brings you here during the Christmas holidays?"
"Working, Professor?" Morris said innocently. "A student like me, without parents, has to find a way to earn Galleon for myself."
Snape scoffed.
Working in Knockturn Alley? That's fantastic!
Frick remained silent, simply observing.
He felt the atmosphere was somewhat tense.
This makes sense, though; a professor would obviously do this if he discovered his student was frequenting shady places.
"I don't want to concern myself with your business, Mr. Black," Snape's voice was deep, "But since you've chosen to work here, you'd better stay here. Knockturn Alley isn't exactly a student's strolling garden."
After he finished speaking, he glanced at Frick, seemingly questioning why he would allow a small child to work there.
But Frick simply whistled and hummed a tune, offering no explanation.
"I understand, Professor Snape. Thank you for reminding me. I will be careful," Morris said obediently. "Then I'll take my leave. You two talk."
After saying that, he went into the lounge.
A few minutes later, Frick also pushed the door open and came in.
Morris immediately asked curiously, "Are you familiar with Professor Snape, Mr. Frick?"
Frick pushed a steaming cup of tea toward Morris, picked up another cup for himself, and blew on it.
" Severus? Oh, of course I know him. You'd be hard-pressed to find a respectable businessman on this street who hasn't dealt with him."
"Almost everyone has bought Potions from him. He's also a regular customer of my shop, often coming to buy Potions ingredients. I think, as a Hogwarts student, you should know about his abilities."
Morris nodded.
Snape seemed to be a celebrity in Knockturn Alley.
"Speaking of which, is it alright for a Hogwarts professor to be so active in Knockturn Alley?" Morris asked again.
" Severus is no pushover; he's cunning, and he has powerful connections." Frick glanced up at Morris, his expression somewhat subtle. "But what exactly is your relationship with him? Are you really just professor and student?"
Before he left, he specifically told me to take good care of you.
Morris smiled slightly. "My Potions grades are pretty good."
There's no way around it; good students just get special treatment from professors.
However, he initially thought that even if Snape knew his identity, he would simply ignore him.
From this perspective, Snape valued him quite a bit.