Hogwarts: From Selling White Peppers to Becoming a God

Chapter 19 Keep it to yourself

"Tell me, what happened?"

After breaking the curse on Alex, Murphy woke him up and asked him about what had happened.

"Mr. Parker, I'm so sorry!" Alex Wood wept bitterly, seemingly terrified. "He tortured me, I... I'm so sorry..."

It took Alex a lot of effort to calm down and tell Murphy about his miserable experience that day.

The process was pretty much as Murphy had guessed. The bald wizard, named Papad, suddenly grabbed him as he was about to return after buying the materials. He took him back to the barn and tortured him with the Crucifixion Curse, forcing him to reveal the name Peter Parker.

Then they forced him to call Murphy.

After listening, Murphy patted Wood on the shoulder and handed him a cup of hot chocolate. "Never mind, it's not your fault."

Wood was clearly a fairly standard, ordinary wizard who never thought he would need to fight, so his combat ability was almost zero. Facing a dark wizard who could use the Cruciatus Curse on people at will, he was completely powerless to resist.

Moreover, it is very difficult to keep a secret from a wizard. Even if he survives the Cruciatus Curse, the other party may have truth serum or be able to use Legilimency.

Murphy wouldn't blame the other party for being forced to give a fake name.

"However, this place can no longer be used."

Although the guy who came this time was a fool and didn't discover Murphy's core secret, he might bring a few smarter partners when he gets back.

Malfoy might even file a false police report, prompting the Aurors to intervene. In that case, his violation of the Wizarding Secrecy Act by selling potions to Muggles would be exposed.

Thinking of this, Murphy tossed Wood a bag. "Are you feeling better? If you're alright, lend a hand and pack everything up here."

After everything was packed, Murphy did a final check of the barn to make sure there were no useful traces left. He then drew his wand and waved it, directing the several buckets of gasoline he had prepared to be poured all over the inside and outside of the barn.

Then, "Flames roar!"

Once the flames had completely engulfed the barn, Murphy grabbed Wood's arm. "Empty your mind. Apparition!"

Murphy led Wood to the old mansion in Darkholm. "You can't go to Diagon Alley anymore, and don't even go home for a while. That guy has memorized your face and knows your name. If you keep showing up in the wizarding world, they'll find you sooner or later."

Alex panicked. "What should I do? Can I report this to the Aurors? They'll protect me, right?"

Murphy looked at Alex with surprise. "Are you Harry Potter, or is your father the Minister for Magic?"

Alex was confused. "What?"

"Forget it, how many Aurors are there? Unless there's solid evidence, they won't send anyone specifically to help you, a nobody like you."

"What should I do?" Alex was distressed and began to regret accepting the job.

"I can protect you," Murphy said. "That guy was beaten half to death by me, he probably won't dare to come after me."

However, this might not be the case for Malfoy.

But Alex doesn't need to know that.

"Really?" Alex breathed a sigh of relief. If Mr. Parker could defeat that dark wizard, then there would be no need to worry about safety when he was by his side.

"But there's a condition," Murphy said. "You need to say goodbye to the wizarding world for now. I don't have time to be by your side all the time, so you'll only be safe if you temporarily leave the wizarding world. I have some influence in Muggle society and will ensure your survival here."

"No, no, no, that won't do. I've never been in contact with Muggles. They'll find me, and I'll be burned at the stake..."

Alex quickly shook his head.

He grew up in the wizarding world and had never lived in Muggle society. For Alex, leaving the wizarding world and going to Muggle society felt like being thrown into the metropolis of London, filling him with fear and trepidation.

"Burn to death my ass! It's the 20th century, man. Who would burn you to death? Whatever, I don't care anymore. Do whatever you want. If you want to die, go back home. I won't stop you."

Alex hesitated. Thinking of the terrifying bald black wizard he'd encountered earlier, and the agony of the Cruciatus Curse, he wavered. "How long... how long until I can go home?"

"It will take at least one or two years, and at most three or four years, but it won't be too long," Murphy said.

By then, perhaps I will have the power to contend with the Wizarding Secrets Act, and perhaps I will no longer need to act secretly.

"So long?" Alex frowned bitterly, and after a long while asked in a pitiful tone, "Then, can I write a letter to my mother?"

"Nonsense! Go write it now! Oh, and don't reveal anything about me, and don't say you were threatened, so the old folks won't worry. Just say you went on a trip, it'll save you trouble."

"I'm not stupid!"

"Oh."

In a Muggle society, you'd be fooled into going to Gaizi in northern Myanmar, wouldn't you?

This time, we lost a Muggle barn, but we brought back a wizard. It seems like... it's not a bad deal?

But how to buy materials later became a problem.

There are only a few potions shops in Diagon Alley, and the amount of materials I need is enormous. No matter where I buy them, I might be targeted.

Hogsmeade?

To be honest, Murphy only knew of a few wizarding communities.

Although the original owner came from a wizarding family, his parents had been imprisoned long ago, so he never enjoyed any intelligence benefits. In some aspects, Murphy's understanding of the wizarding world was even inferior to Alex's.

With that in mind, Murphy approached Alex, who was about to write a letter, and asked, "Besides Diagon Alley, where else can I buy a large quantity of potion ingredients?"

"This... is it Tumbler Alley?"

Oh?

Murphy has never actually been to Knockover Alley.

It is said that dark wizards roam the area, and since he has no particular needs, he naturally has no need to deal with such a dangerous place.

But since it's a lawless place, it's certainly difficult for official forces—like the Aurors—to control it. For Murphy right now, it might even be safer than Diagon Alley.

After all, people like Malfoy are just clowns; what Murphy is really worried about is the authorities finding out about his violation of the Wizarding Secrets Act.

Perhaps I should find some time to visit Flip-Over Alley.

In addition, perhaps he should open a potions shop to cover his tracks.

Since Malfoy was able to discover the anomaly this time, even if he buys materials in Knockturn Alley in the future, it's hard to guarantee that he won't be noticed and investigated.

If there were a potion shop, and materials were purchased under the name of a potion shop, many things would be much easier to explain.

As for the location, it's best to choose Flip Lane. The regulatory oversight is much less than in Diagon Alley, and there probably won't be many customers. It's perfect for someone who just wants to create a facade.

Do what you want to do.

Murphy instructed Alex, "Stay here and don't move. I'm going to buy some oranges... cough, anyway, you'll stay here for now, and I'll find you a place later."

"If you need anything, call me..."

After thinking about it, it seemed that there was no landline installed in the old house, and this mobile phone felt a bit ominous; every time he answered a call, it was never a good thing. Murphy was almost traumatized by it.

"Never mind, keep it to yourself. We'll talk about it when I get back."

Alex: "?"

(End of this chapter)