The bell at Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions chimed with a “ting-a-ling.”
Aiwen pushed the door open, bringing in a warm dusk breeze from Diagon Alley.
The shop was quiet, save for the rhythmic *snip-snip* of several rolls of fabric being automatically cut in a corner.
“Good afternoon, dear.”
Madam Malkin looked up from behind the counter.
She was a squat, middle-aged witch with a kind smile, currently holding a tape measure.
“Are you here alone?
Where are your parents?”
“Just me.
I’d like to buy a wizard’s robe, just a standard one.”
Aiwen lowered his hood, revealing a fairly handsome face.
Madam Malkin sized him up; his old clothes didn’t fit well, but they were clean enough.
She didn’t ask further questions; the wizarding world had plenty of strange children.
“Of course, dear.
Stand right over here.” She flicked her wand, and a footstool slid over to the mirror.
Aiwen stepped onto it.
In the mirror, his hair was a bit messy, but he wore a faint smile.
Madam Malkin set the tape measure to work, and it began measuring his shoulder width, arm length, and sleeve length automatically.
“Today just happens to be the day Hogwarts sends out the acceptance letters.
You’re a first-year, aren’t you?” Madam Malkin chatted idly as she recorded the measurements.
Aiwen shook his head.
“No, I didn’t receive a letter.”
“Oh.” Madam Malkin paused.
“Well, maybe the owl is still on its way.
You know, owls don’t deliver much during the day; it might be napping in a tree somewhere.”
“But since you’re here, do you want to order your school uniform as well?
Hogwarts requires three sets of plain work robes, a pointed hat, a pair of protective gloves, and a winter cloak.
You’ll need them sooner or later anyway.”
Aiwen thought about it.
“Sure.”
One extra set wouldn’t hurt; he had the inventory space anyway.
Besides, who knew if the school uniform might actually come in handy later?
“A wise choice, dear,” Madam Malkin smiled.
“A lot of children wait until the end of the month to squeeze in here.
The line stretches out the door then.”
The tape measure finished the last measurement of his leg length and snapped back into her hand.
“One standard wizard’s robe and three sets of school uniforms.” She walked toward the fabric racks.
“What about the color?
The uniforms are black, but do you want to pick something you like for the daily robe?”
Aiwen glanced around.
“Dark gray.”
It was inconspicuous—perfect for someone on the run.
“Good taste.”
Madam Malkin pulled out two rolls of fabric.
With a light tap of her wand, the fabric flew toward the workbench and began the automated process of cutting and sewing.
“It’ll be ten minutes.
Do you want to look at anything else?”
“No, I’ll just wait here.”
“Alright, take a seat then.”
With that, Madam Malkin began her dazzling operation—threading needles, folding fabric, stitching, and pressing.
The efficiency of a magical tailor was terrifyingly high.
“Your parents didn’t come with you?” Madam Malkin asked casually while controlling the magic.
“Why let you come to Diagon Alley all by yourself?”
“They’re…
quite busy.”
Busy sending people to catch him and toss him into a volcano.
“Well, be careful out there on your own!” Madam Malkin glanced at him, offering a kindly reminder.
“Thank you!” Aiwen smiled in gratitude.
Ten minutes later, four robes and a pointed hat floated over.
The plain work robes were standard Hogwarts style, while the dark gray daily robe was simple and sleek, with subtle patterns decorating the cuffs.
“That will be twelve Galleons and three Sickles, dear.
The uniforms are a bit more expensive; the fabric has been pre-treated with Scouring Charms.”
Aiwen reached into his shirt and pulled out the bag he had used for his escape supplies, pretending it had been enchanted with an Undetectable Extension Charm.
He opened his inventory interface and selected the option to withdraw Copper Knuts.
*Clatter, clatter, clatter.*
The golden-brown copper coins poured out of the bag like a flood from a broken dam, pitter-pattering onto the counter and quickly piling into a small mountain.
Madam Malkin watched, dumbfounded.
“Merlin’s beard!” She took half a step back, staring at the pile of copper coins that nearly submerged the counter.
“How…
how many is this?”
“Six thousand and three coins.
I’ve counted them,” Aiwen said, his face unchanging.
“Dear…
I-I never said I wanted the entire payment in Knuts.” She looked at the pile of at least five thousand copper coins, trying to keep her tone polite.
“If it’s the number you say, it is indeed enough to cover the bill, but…
over six thousand Knuts?
How long will it take me to count them!”
“I’m sorry, ma’am, I only have Knuts.
Maybe you could use a spell to count them?” Aiwen smiled sheepishly.
Madam Malkin rubbed her temples.
“Even with a counting spell, this many copper coins will take time.
And after I’m done, I’ll have to make a trip to Gringotts.” She paused and lowered her voice.
“Child, why didn’t you exchange them for Silver Sickles or Galleons before coming to buy things?
This is far too conspicuous.”
Aiwen shrugged.
“I just like using Knuts!”
He did indeed like using Knuts, but not for the thrill of spending a mountain of coins.
It was mainly because paying in Knuts was more cost-effective for him.
He couldn’t help but peek at his inventory interface again.
[Currency: Gold: 3947, Silver: 28, Copper: 72]
Excellent.
This expenditure was 60 Silver coins, but he had net-profited more than eleven Galleons.
Delightful!
Aiwen was ecstatic inside, but he didn’t let it show on his face.
Although Madam Malkin seemed kind, there was no guarantee she wouldn’t whack him with her wand for this.
Sure enough, Madam Malkin stared at him for a few seconds before finally sighing and raising her wand in resignation.
“Fine…
Coppers, line up.”
The tip of her wand glowed with a faint light.
The copper coins on the counter vibrated, and after a buzzing sound, they flew into the air, forming neat rows.
They clustered into piles of twenty-nine, hovering in mid-air.
Passersby outside the shop gathered curiously, whispering among themselves.
“Hoh, Madam Malkin’s in a strange mood, playing with Knuts in her shop!”
“I don’t think she’s playing.
It’s probably a customer paying for robes.”
“Could it be that kid?
Why would he carry that many Knuts around?”
“His parents must be airheads…”
Aiwen pretended not to hear them.
Ten minutes later, all the Knuts were divided into 207 piles.
Madam Malkin wiped the sweat from her forehead.
“Six thousand and three coins.
The amount is exactly right.
I’ll take these then.
As for the change…
oh heavens, I must have counted so much money my brain is fried, there is no change…”
She flicked her wand, and the copper coins flew like obedient little birds into a large iron chest under the counter.
“Do you want to change now?
The fitting room is over there.” Madam Malkin composed herself and pointed to the side.
“Yes, I need to change.”
Aiwen carried the robes into the fitting room.
He took off his old clothes, stuffed them into his inventory, and put on the dark gray robe.
The fabric was soft and had the distinct scent of new cloth.
He checked himself in the mirror; he finally didn’t look like a refugee.
When he stepped out, Madam Malkin was packaging the school uniforms.
“Do they fit?”
“Yes, perfectly.” Aiwen rotated his arms.
“That’s good.” She put the wrapped uniforms into a bag.
“Come again soon, dear.
Oh, and by the way—”
“If—and I mean if—the acceptance letter never arrives, you could go and ask Professor McGonagall.
She’s the Deputy Headmistress and a very kind person.
In a situation like yours, she would definitely help you.”
Aiwen took the paper bag.
“Thank you.”
He pushed the door and left, the bell chiming “ting-a-ling” once more.
As soon as he was sure no one was watching, he tucked the bag into his shirt, and the uniforms instantly vanished into an inventory slot.