The Hogwarts Emerald

Chapter 542 Borgin-Bock
Knockturn Alley is the largest grey trade centre in the British wizarding world, where you can find almost all items banned by the Ministry of Magic, and even evil products of black magic.

However, Voldemort's return still dealt a heavy blow to the industry in Knockturn Alley. There were only two or three cats and kittens on the street, and the shops that were open were deserted and extremely cold.

There is nothing that can be done about it. Voldemort's existence has terrified everyone, and without the desire to shop, these shops can only hold on. Compared to Diagon Alley next door, Knockturn Alley is not the worst.

In Borgin and Burke's, Mr. Borgin is taking care of his thick blond hair. This does not make him look more handsome or younger, but only makes him look particularly greasy.

With the pleasant sound of the bell hanging in front of the door, Ada and Laura walked into Borgin and Burke.

The hunchbacked Mr. Borgin immediately straightened his back and greeted enthusiastically. Even though the person in front of him was a wanted criminal of the Ministry of Magic, Mr. Borgin did not show any negligence.

"Ah, Miss Drizzt, welcome!" Mr. Borgin's emphasis was slick, as if he had taken a bottle of lubricant.

Mr. Borgin did not let Ada and the others stay in the lobby, but led them to the small room at the back. After the host and the guest sat down, Mr. Borgin offered them a glass of red wine and continued to compliment them.

Mr. Borgin has seen many dark wizards, so he would not be surprised by Ada's identity as a wanted criminal. However, as a dark wizard, Ada has a very good reputation. After all, in the general public's perception, she only works for the Ministry of Magic.

"Miss Drizzt, what can I do for you?" Mr. Borgin said. "It would be an honor for Borgin and Burke to help you with your great cause."

Don't be fooled by Mr. Borgin's smiling face now, but he is actually a ruthless and cruel man, and he is also a damn profiteer!

"No need to be so polite, Mr. Borgin." Ada also said with a smile, "This is not the first time we have dealt with each other. We did a business deal a few years ago."

The smile on Mr. Borkin's face and the movements of his hands froze for a second, and then he continued to greet Ada, not letting the atmosphere become dull.

And in that second, Mr. Borgin carefully recalled when he had met Ada. Considering Ada's appearance and reputation for toughness, it was impossible for him to not have an impression of her if he had met her.

"Let me help you recall, Mr. Borgin. The last time we met, I sold you the skin shed by the basilisk." Ada said, "Do you remember? You were very enthusiastic then, much more enthusiastic than today."

Mr. Borgin remembered now, and his back became even more hunched. Before receiving the basilisk skin, there had been no news of basilisks in England for four hundred years, not to mention that Mr. Borgin, who was planning to rob his thieves, had lost four of his men for this.

The atmosphere seemed to become cold because of Ada's words, and Mr. Borgin also felt a little suspicious. It was rumored that Esmeralda Drizzt was a vengeful woman.

"We can be said to have known each other for a long time, Mr. Borgin." Ada gave him a way out.

Although she claimed to be doing justice for the heavens and to overthrow the profiteers, Ada had no real intention of doing anything to Borgin and Burke. She had already taught him a lesson. She should show mercy when she can, and there was no need to kill Borgin and Burke.

"Of course, of course. You were already a great man at that time, and it was me, an old fool, who was blind to your vision." Mr. Borgin complimented, and addressed Ada with more respect.

"No, no, I can run a shop for decades thanks to Mr. Bogin's good management..."

Listening to the two people complimenting each other, Laura kicked Ada under the table and told her to get to the point.

After being kicked, Ada stopped beating around the bush and said directly, "I came here today to ask for a favor. I hope Mr. Borgin can do me a small favor."

Mr. Borgin was just a businessman, he didn't want to have anything to do with Dumbledore, Voldemort, or Ada.

"How can I help you?" Mr. Borgin asked. "I will help you if I can. If I can't help you, Miss Drizzt will surely understand our difficulties."

Mr. Borgin's words were very tactful, but he also left a way for himself to refuse help. Mr. Borgin did not dare to refuse directly, for fear that Ada would punish Borgin and Burke for both crimes, and his old bones could not stop Ada now.

Everyone present was smart, so they could understand Borkin's refusal. Laura quietly moved closer to the door to prevent any unexpected situation.

"It's just a small thing. I just need a piece of your memory." Ada still smiled and said without getting angry. People who achieve great things have thunder in their chests but their faces are calm.

"Many, many years ago, a young pregnant woman sold a locket here, the locket of Salazar Slytherin. Do you remember this?"

Ada continued, "By the way, the young pregnant woman only received ten gold Galleons, even though the locket was worth a fortune."

Mr. Borgin certainly remembered this, as it was the most profitable business since the founding of Borgin and Burke. Ada only reminded him a little, and Mr. Borgin immediately recalled the scene that made him laugh even in his dreams.

But Mr. Bogin did not say it immediately, but looked embarrassed, as if he could not remember, or was in some difficulty. This is a common problem among businessmen, they will not release the eagle until they see the rabbit.

"I hope Mr. Borgin can help me. We are friends, aren't we?" Ada said with a smile. "I have many faults, but there is only one good thing, that is, I like to take care of my friends."

That is to say, Laura was present today. If Laura was not present, Ada would probably say: I, Esmeralda Drizzt, have been in the business for so long relying on three things: ruthlessness, loyalty, and many brothers.

With Ada's promise, Mr. Borgin finally opened up and told the story of how he acquired the locket.

It was before Christmas, with a heavy snowstorm, when a ragged, haggard pregnant woman broke into Borgin and Burke's. She said she was in urgent need of money, so she took out a locket, saying that the locket had belonged to Slytherin. I don't know if the young pregnant woman didn't know the market or she was really in urgent need, but she was satisfied with just ten Galleons.

Mr. Borgin said smugly, "The locket did belong to Salazar Slytherin, and those of us in this line of work have our own ways of distinguishing authenticity. But I suspect that the woman stole it, and not as she claims."

Mr. Borgin did not sympathize with the pregnant Merope, but instead treated her as a stupid thief.

"The locket?" Ada demanded.

"It has been sold long ago. It is our most profitable business." Borgin continued, "I am sorry that I cannot tell you where the locket has gone. This is the rule of the trade. If the rule is broken, Borgin and Burke will be dead."

Borgin added sincerely: "I hope Miss Drizzt can understand our difficulties."

Now that it was confirmed that the locket had briefly appeared in Borgin and Burke's, it was sold to someone else. Ada was thinking over and over again in her mind, thinking about how she could get Borgin and Burke to tell her where it was.

After thinking for a while, Ada said in a deep voice: "The young pregnant woman is not a stupid thief."

"What did you say?" Mr. Borgin asked, "Does Miss Drizzt know the pregnant woman?" Thinking about the time and Ada's age, Borgin changed the subject and asked, "Do you know the pregnant woman?"

"Yes, her married name was Merope Gaunt, the Gaunt you know," said Ada. "You didn't sell the locket without knowing its origins?"

Mr. Borkin's expression changed slightly, and he was hesitating.

"Merope was pregnant and later gave birth to a baby boy. May I tell you his name, Mr. Borgin?" Ada placed the last weight on the already tilted scale.

After a long thought, Borgin finally said, "Well, I can tell you who I sold the locket to. But even then, you won't be able to find it."

(End of this chapter)