At one point, Senna even asked Lys to bring out Gobang for some fresh air when they encountered a crowded shop. The sight of the enormous snake scared off the noisy, jostling crowd, leaving them free to shop in peace.
They eventually left the store under the owner's enthusiastic farewell. The shopkeeper thought to himself that, despite the snake being carried on the girl's shoulders like a pet pig, it still terrified the ladies and madams, scaring away several of his usual patrons. Fortunately, the woman's spending today had made up for the losses.
Senna glanced at the dazzling, glowing wand sleeve Lys was carrying and gave her a puzzled look. This little lunatic's taste… Who would've thought? Quite flashy!
Having visited all the shops they wanted in Diagon Alley, they still had some money left. Senna, disliking the feeling of unspent money, turned and led Lys—still carrying the snake—into Knockturn Alley.
Although Lys had spent some time in Knockturn Alley stores before, she hadn't been out here much. It still looked the same as it had when she was eleven.
She turned to look at that street corner. Just one turn, and the dark, grimy alley of Knockturn Alley, filled with shadowy figures exuding malice, stood in stark contrast to the bright, warm streets of Diagon Alley. It felt like two entirely different worlds.
One corner—that's all it took to separate two worlds.
This was the stark difference between the public lives of dark and light wizards.
Lys dutifully kept their belongings safe, pointing her blackthorn wand at an approaching wizard with ill intent, signaling for him to back off.
Senna paid no attention, striding ahead with her robes drawn close. As for where her wand was pointed, Lys wasn't sure—maybe at that toothless old man nearby?
Occasionally, someone jingling with trinkets would approach, hawking, "Vampire teeth! Mutant bats from Albania! Take a look—I've got all sorts of curiosities!" Others silently opened their robes to reveal contraband. Senna would glance at them but walk away uninterested, and Lys would follow closely behind.
After turning a corner, Senna tossed a string of obviously illegal potion ingredients to Lys, telling her to put them away.
Now empty-handed, Senna stood in front of a shop called Borgin and Burkes, mentally calculating their remaining Galleons.
Before entering, she warned Lys, "Don't touch anything. The curses on these items are far more dangerous than your little tricks."
Lys nodded obediently, gripping Gobang's tail tightly. She had noticed the shop's cramped interior, filled with densely packed items. Carrying so many things, she worried about accidentally bumping into something.
The shop's low doorway seemed to be a standard feature of Knockturn Alley. Upon entering, the first thing that caught the eye was a massive bronze contraption radiating a strong stench of blood. Squinting, Lys read the label: a cursed torture device lined with spikes. Once trapped inside, it would puncture the victim with dozens of holes.
Piles of skulls, shriveled body parts of unknown creatures, and bizarre decorative items littered the floor.
Lys watched as her mother whispered to the greasy-haired shopkeeper. Knowing her place, Lys stood by a counter, observing a shimmering, oil-slick-colored candle that emitted a strange odor. She stepped back, reading the label: a candle made from giant's neck oil, effects unknown.
Wrinkling her nose in disgust, Lys quickly moved to another spot. This one was better—a wall and a row of counters displaying jewelry.
The shopkeeper, aware that gemstones needed sunlight to truly shine, had positioned the shop's only window beside this display. Though he didn't rely on these items to make a living, the setup was still enticing.
Lys examined the items carefully, recalling knowledge from books on gemstone identification.
An opal necklace with a powerful curse—flashy but lacking refinement. A Chinese jade bracelet imbued with resentment—subtle and elegant, but fragile.
Oh! That emerald gemstone was stunning! But the intricate settings were overly ornate. And what did "Amorous" mean as an effect? Then there was an African opal, a unique locket. Unfortunately, opals were prone to losing their luster without proper care.
The most eye-catching piece was a labradorite bracelet. Not overly luxurious but impressively large, each bead measured about 13mm (1.3 centimeters). When rotated to specific angles, the beads reflected different colors. The base color was a muted gray, and each bead was intricately carved with complex geometric patterns.
Wow, beautiful.
As she admired the bracelet, Lys kept an eye on her mother. Seeing Senna extend her hand, she quickly handed over the money pouch.
"Borgin, pack up the materials I mentioned earlier. And…" Senna glanced at the bracelet Lys had been eyeing. "Wrap up that dull-looking thing too."
With a few Galleons left in the pouch and no desire to continue shopping, Senna handed the pouch to Lys. "Here, little lunatic—your pocket money."
Senna had entered Knockturn Alley to test whether anyone still remembered Noah Black or Senna Black. Borgin's information and the reality confirmed that time was the most effective eraser, washing away past troubles.
As they left Knockturn Alley, Senna let out a breath. As long as they kept a low profile and avoided trouble, the names Noah Black and Senna Black could once again reappear in the wizarding world.
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