Chapter 16: Dumbledore Must Have His Reasons!
Tom was dazzled by the sights on the way to Gringotts Wizarding Bank...
The shops on both sides of the street mostly sold goods that the two of them had never seen before.
There were shops selling owls, shops selling all sorts of strange potion ingredients, shops selling cauldrons, shops selling flying brooms...
To Tom's surprise, there was even an ice cream shop!
As they passed a shop called "Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions", Theo suddenly stopped.
"What's wrong? Aren't we going to the wizarding bank to exchange money?" Tom asked, puzzled.
In fact, he couldn't wait to explore these shops, so exchanging money first was crucial.
"We need to buy two decent sets of clothes," Theo said.
"Of course, but we have to exchange money first, right?" Tom said, frowning.
He didn't understand why Theo was talking nonsense.
"When we asked where the bank was earlier, that gentleman told us that the wizarding bank is called Gringotts, and it's run by goblins, right?"
"That's right."
"He also said that goblins are very greedy creatures, right?"
"Yes."
"Then what do you think will happen if we go to Gringotts to exchange money dressed like this?" Theo asked.
Tom looked at the clothes on his body. Although they looked clean, they were very old, and many places were patched...
Then Tom understood the key issue.
"You mean... those goblins will see us like this, not like rich people, and suspect that our gold is ill-gotten, and then take the opportunity to drive down the price?"
Theo nodded, "That's right, Tom. You know, this gold is hard-earned, and I don't want to give it away to those greedy goblins."
It was indeed hard-earned. They almost lost their lives encountering the transformed Nagini.
"You're right." Tom's little face also became serious. "Let's go, we need a set of clothes. I just hope we have enough money... Dumbledore only gave us twenty gold Galleons each..."
Theo smiled and said, "Don't worry, leave it to me, I guarantee I can get two good sets of clothes for both of us."
Tom looked at Theo suspiciously, "You're not planning to rob someone, are you?"
"Do you think I'm like you... robbing people at the drop of a hat."
Tom rolled his eyes when he heard this and took the lead into the shop.
"Ding dong!"
As soon as the shop door was pushed open, the bell on the door rang.
"Welcome, two lovely young gentlemen. Are you here to buy school uniforms for the entrance?"
A tall man with gold-rimmed glasses, two small mustaches, and a gorgeous and exquisite swallowtail suit was smiling at them.
He was dressed as if he had just come from a banquet.
"Actually, we want to buy two sets of nice clothes first. Then we'll come back later to buy school uniforms." Tom said.
"Oh..." The man sized up the two people's clothes. "You really should change your clothes. Your current outfit doesn't match your appearance at all! Come on, leave it to me!"
"Well... I want to say, we don't have much money..." Tom said uneasily.
After all, they can't just take out gold bars to spend directly. It would be too strange for them to have gold bars on them with this kind of dress.
"I understand, children. You don't need to say it, I know what's what. I've been doing business in Diagon Alley for many years. I've seen many children like you. The clothes I recommend for you are definitely affordable!"
The man took Tom over first, and two or three tape measures flew over, and then automatically measured him in Tom's surprised eyes. "Are you Mr. Malkin?" Theo suddenly asked.
"Yes, child, my sign is outside." Mr. Malkin replied enthusiastically.
"Then... sir, can I try on this suit?"
Theo stood in front of a suit that looked expensive and asked politely.
Mr. Malkin stroked his mustache, "This suit is not cheap, child."
"Can I rent it? I want to rent it for two hours, the rent is negotiable. Also, this is a deposit." Theo said, and a small gold bar appeared in his hand.
Tom's eyes widened when he saw Theo take out the gold bar, looking at Theo like an idiot.
If this gold bar could be taken out directly without any scruples, I could have done it myself! Why would I need you?
After Mr. Malkin took the gold bar and carefully examined it, he looked at Theo in surprise, "You... this is actually real gold, I thought you were joking with me! But... the value of your gold bar is much higher than this suit! Are you so trusting of me? What if I..."
"Since Mr. Malkin has been doing business in Diagon Alley for so many years, his reputation is naturally beyond doubt, and besides... we are actually doing things for Professor Dumbledore, otherwise, where would the gold come from?" Theo said calmly.
Mr. Malkin suddenly realized and said, "Ah! So it's Professor Dumbledore's task! I understand! Haha, it's another strange little test, isn't it?"
"I've long heard that he likes to give his students all sorts of strange little tests, and it's true!"
"Since it's for Professor Dumbledore, then forget about the deposit, you can take this gold back, and I'll choose two suitable sets for you!"
When he heard Dumbledore's name, the last bit of doubt in Mr. Malkin's heart also completely disappeared, and even the source of the gold was explained.
How could the famous Dumbledore not be able to come up with a few gold coins? As for what small test, what task... it has nothing to do with him, Mr. Malkin.
Dumbledore must have his reasons for doing this!
By the time the two of them had changed into two sets of expensive new clothes and walked out, Tom was still a little dazed.
Theo suddenly smiled and said, "Tom, have you noticed?"
"What?"
"As long as it's something related to Professor Dumbledore, no matter how strange it is, others can always accept it quickly."
Tom sighed, "Maybe it's because he's usually crazy? But, he doesn't look like it, and besides, can a crazy person be a professor?"
However, when Tom recalled Dumbledore's exaggerated dress when he first met him, Tom suddenly felt that he could understand.
"Well, I just hope Dumbledore doesn't find out that you're doing this under his name..." Tom said worriedly.
The scene of Dumbledore burning his wardrobe is still vivid in his mind! He was afraid that after being discovered, Theo would implicate him...
"No, no, no, Tom, you're wrong." Theo stretched out his index finger and waved it repeatedly.
He pointed at himself, then at Tom, "It should be the two of us, working under his name together... after all, you're wearing the clothes too."
Theo deliberately emphasized the word "together".
Tom's forehead twitched, "You... bastard!"
He was accidentally dragged onto a thief ship again!
"Tom, your vocabulary for cursing is a bit lacking. If you need it, I can actually teach you..."
"Get lost!"
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(End of this chapter)