It’s Only Worth a Single Silver Sickle!
6: Chapter 6: Dumbledore’s Face?
It’s Only Worth a Single Silver Sickle!
Even though the person escorting Elavin today was Dumbledore himself, the “financial aid” fund was ultimately allocated by the school — public money.
So they still needed to make a trip to Gringotts to get the funds.
Gringotts was located in the center of Diagon Alley, the largest and most conspicuous building there.
The interior hall was decorated quite luxuriously, with marble floors and crystal chandeliers.
Though not as fancy as the Ritz Hotel where Elavin had been staying, it had its own charm.
There were many teller windows in the hall, and behind each sat a short, long-nosed, pointy-eared goblin in a suit.
“These are goblins.” Dumbledore, seeing Elavin staring intently at the goblins, assumed he was simply curious and explained, “Gringotts is run by goblins.
Despite their looks, these little fellows are natural financial experts.” Elavin looked away and couldn’t help commenting, “You wizards are way too trusting, letting a non-human species run something as important as a bank.” Goblins weren’t just non-human — their values were completely different from humans’.
Elavin genuinely couldn’t understand what the wizarding world’s administrators had been thinking.
“If it’s because wizards are bad at math, then why not just add a math class at Hogwarts?” Dumbledore said, “I’m sorry to tell you, I can’t do that.” “Why not?” “Because magic is an idealistic force, and math would make people too rational.” Oh, so that was the reason.
That actually explained a lot.
Elavin pursed his lips.
“Fine, I get it.” “But if you ever want to start a math class at Hogwarts, I think I’d be perfectly qualified to teach it.” Just then, a voice behind them interrupted their conversation.
“Welcome, Professor Dumbledore.
What brings you here today?” Turning around, they saw a short, sleazy-looking goblin standing nearby, all smiles and deference.
The goblin’s nose twitched constantly, as though savoring the lingering scent of Galleons in the air.
Seeing this, Dumbledore temporarily shelved the discussion about a “math course” and focused on business first.
“I’m here to apply for financial aid for a new student, and to open a new account for him as well.” The goblin looked toward Elavin.
His previously fawning gaze gradually shifted into surprise and confusion.
This young wizard was dressed so well, and Dumbledore had personally brought him here — yet he needed financial aid?
But if he needed financial aid, then he had to be poor!
The goblin’s expression finally turned into undisguised disdain and contempt.
“Account opening fee is one Silver Sickle.” Elavin: “???” He had already seen through the goblin’s attitude.
This damned goblin was courting death!
Believe it or not, I can reenact what the Dark Lord of a century ago did!
“Hey, buddy!” Elavin pointed at Dumbledore beside him.
“Open your eyes and take a good look.
Dumbledore brought me here personally, and you’re still charging me an account fee?” The goblin glanced warily at Dumbledore.
Seeing the old wizard acting as though he hadn’t heard a thing, the goblin immediately grew bolder.
He sneered at Elavin.
“This is already out of respect for Professor Dumbledore.
Otherwise, I’d charge you two Sickles!” Elavin narrowed his eyes and nudged Dumbledore with his elbow.
“So your face is only worth one Sickle here?” Dumbledore: “…” Goblin: “…” The Slytherin side of this young wizard had finally revealed itself.
Now he truly possessed traits from all four houses!
It was the final missing piece, completing the perfect mix of all four houses.
Dumbledore’s emotions instantly became complicated.
Beside him, the goblin’s face had already turned even greener than before as he inwardly panicked.
An innately evil human wizard!
So young, yet already this vicious — setting him up like this!
Now even if he waived the account fee, Dumbledore would only think his dignity was worth two Silver Sickles instead of one!
The atmosphere instantly became tense.
“Griphook, what are you doing?!” Another voice rang out, saving the panicking goblin.
Griphook looked as though he’d been granted amnesty.
He hurriedly retreated behind the newcomer.
“Manager, Professor Dumbledore wants to apply for financial aid for this new student.” With that, Griphook lowered his head and didn’t dare say another word.
But Elavin clearly had no intention of letting him off so easily.
He stared directly at him with a cold smirk.
“Oh~ so your name is Griphook?” Griphook?
Wasn’t that the guy who tricked Harry and the others before eventually being killed by Voldemort?
“Good.
I’ll remember you.” It was over!
He’d revealed his name!
And this damned young wizard was still pressing the attack!
The goblin manager immediately understood what had happened the moment he saw the scene.
Why?
Because they were all goblins.
Who didn’t know each other’s nature?
But since the manager had climbed to his position, he naturally had far better judgment than low-level employees like Griphook.
He understood very clearly that even if this young wizard was dirt poor, as long as he had come with Dumbledore, Gringotts had to show him proper respect.
Fifteen minutes later.
Elavin walked out of Gringotts cheerfully behind Dumbledore, swinging a jingling money pouch while swaying his shoulders.
Inside the pouch were the forty Galleons he had just received.
“Woohoo~ got myself some free cash~” Thanks to successfully freeloading some money, Elavin was in an extremely good mood.
The two quickly arrived at their second stop — Ollivanders Wand Shop.
The sign above the door read: “Makers of Fine Wands Since 382 B.C.” As the heavy wooden door opened, the brass bell hanging above it let out a crisp chime.
The moment Elavin stepped inside, a head popped out from behind the counter.
Ollivander was already quite old, yet there were surprisingly few wrinkles on his face.
The first thing people noticed wasn’t his messy silver-white hair, but those deep eyes that seemed capable of seeing through everything.
Ollivander stared deeply at Elavin for a moment before the corner of his lips curled upward.
“You will accomplish great things, young wizard.” Elavin smiled.
“Do you say that to every customer?” Naturally, Ollivander would never admit such a thing.
He immediately shook his head.
“No, no.
I don’t say that lightly to just any wizard.” “But you…
you…
that golden hair, those blue eyes…” “Merlin’s baggy Y-fronts!” “You look almost exactly like him!”