Beyond the bronze doors was an entrance hall, followed by a second set of doors made of silver.
A warning was engraved upon the doors:
Enter, stranger, but take heed
Of what awaits the sin of greed.
For those who take, but do not earn,
Must pay most dearly in their turn.
So if you seek beneath our floors
A treasure that was never yours,
Thief, you have been warned, beware
Of finding more than treasure there.
Vade scoffed at the warning. It was well written, but ultimately amounted to little more than empty words.
Those without the ability to rob a bank would be restrained by common sense.
Those with the ability would have no need to rob one. There were plenty of faster ways to make money, and turning to crime would hardly be worth the consequences.
As for anyone determined to rob the bank, a warning carved into the doors would not stop them.
Two goblins stood on either side of the silver doors. Beyond them lay a vast marble hall.
Behind rows of long counters, hundreds of goblins sat on high stools, weighing coins, examining gemstones, recording figures in ledgers, and stamping documents.
Countless doors lined the hall, while goblins guided customers in and out.
McGonagall led Vade to an unoccupied goblin.
"Mr. Moria would like to exchange some money."
The goblin glanced at McGonagall before turning his attention to Vade.
"Muggle banknotes?"
"No, these."
Vade placed the two gold bars on the counter. A greedy gleam immediately appeared in the goblin’s eyes.
He promptly brought out a set of scales and several testing instruments to assess the value of the gold.
"Sir, these two gold bars can be exchanged for six hundred Galleons."
Vade looked at McGonagall. Only after she gave a slight nod did he feel somewhat reassured.
He had his doubts about the goblins’ honesty. Who knew whether they might take advantage of him simply because he was young?
"Professor, roughly how many Galleons will everything on the Hogwarts list cost?"
Professor McGonagall considered the question for a moment.
"Less than a hundred Galleons. Board and lodging at Hogwarts are free, and you should have little need to spend money during the school year."
"Then I’ll keep two hundred Galleons. The things on the school list can’t be the only items worth buying in Diagon Alley."
"That is true, but you should not spend carelessly."
"Of course."
Vade nodded solemnly, then turned to the goblin.
"I’ll keep two hundred Galleons. Can the remaining four hundred be deposited here?"
"Gringotts provides a private vault for every witch or wizard who wishes to deposit money. However, the process is rather complicated and will take some time."
Vade turned to McGonagall without saying a word, but his meaning was obvious.
"Very well."
"Please follow me."
The goblin led them through one of the doors and out of the hall to complete the complicated formalities.
More than two hours later, Vade received a small golden key.
He had deposited only four hundred Galleons, so he was hardly an important client. His vault was also one of the most basic kind, nothing like those protected by elaborate traps or guarded by dragons.
Even so, Vade was perfectly satisfied.
The vaults of Gringotts served as the banks of the wizarding world, and both their reputation and security were reliable.
For a young wizard with no family, few connections, and little strength, depositing his money in a bank was unquestionably the sensible choice. At the very least, he would not have to worry about it being stolen.
"Vault 996," the goblin said. "Whenever you wish to withdraw money, simply bring the key to Gringotts."
The corner of Vade’s eye twitched.
Nine hundred and ninety-six.
For some reason, the number felt like a joke at the expense of honest working people.
Suppressing the urge to complain, Vade accepted a pouch from the goblin. It contained two hundred gold Galleons.
They left Gringotts and returned to the street outside.
Under Professor McGonagall’s guidance, Vade first visited a shop on the southern side of Diagon Alley.
Ollivanders.
From the outside, the shop looked small and shabby. A sign above the entrance read:
Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C.
"A wand is extremely important to a witch or wizard," McGonagall explained. "It is the instrument through which they channel their magic."
"Does that mean a wizard cannot use magic without a wand?" Vade asked curiously.
"No. Some witches and wizards are capable of wandless magic.
However, it requires intense concentration and extraordinary skill, making it extremely difficult."
"A wand guides a wizard’s magical power, focusing it and allowing them to achieve more complex effects."
Vade understood.
Wands were indeed important.
Even if two wizards of equal ability were both capable of wandless magic, the one carrying a wand would undoubtedly hold the advantage over the one without one.
The two of them entered the shop, and a tinkling bell rang out, seemingly announcing the arrival of customers.
The shop was very small. A long bench and several chairs stood in one corner, while the walls were lined with narrow boxes stacked almost to the ceiling.
"Good afternoon, Professor McGonagall, and to the young wizard preparing for Hogwarts."
Ollivander climbed down from a ladder and studied Vade.
"Mr. Ollivander, Mr. Moria requires a wand."
"Naturally."
Ollivander smiled, then picked up a measuring tape from the table.
"Mr. Moria, which is your wand hand?"
"My right."
"Very well. Raise your arm, and I shall take your measurements."
Vade did as instructed.
He had assumed Ollivander would simply measure the length of his arm. Instead, the wandmaker also measured from his shoulder to the floor, from his knee to his armpit, the circumference of his head, and even the distance between his nostrils.
Vade wisely chose not to ask any questions. After all, the wizarding world differed greatly from the Muggle world.
Besides, Professor McGonagall showed no reaction, so this was clearly Ollivander’s standard procedure.
Once he had gathered all the necessary measurements, Ollivander put the tape away and began searching through the shelves, pulling out one long box after another.
"Try this one."
Ollivander removed a black wand from its box.
"Holly and unicorn tail hair, twelve inches."
"Give it a gentle wave."
Vade picked up the wand and lightly waved it.
A faint breeze passed through the shop, but nothing else seemed to happen.
"Not quite right."
Ollivander took the wand back and replaced it with another.
"Ebony and dragon heartstring, nine inches."
Vade waved the second wand.
White light burst from its tip, followed by a faint arc of electricity.
"More particular than I expected."
Ollivander seemed slightly excited.
"But no matter. The wand chooses the wizard. Every wand is unique, and somewhere in this shop, we are certain to find the one best suited to you."
However, Vade tried one wand after another until his arm began to ache, yet none of them managed to satisfy Ollivander.
Yes, Ollivander was the one who remained unsatisfied.
The wandmaker only grew more excited, as though finding the perfect match for a particularly difficult customer gave him a special sense of fulfilment.
"Try this one. Acacia and phoenix feather, nine and a half inches.
Very selective, but also exceptionally loyal. It will refuse to serve anyone other than its owner."
With little hope remaining, Vade gave the wand a wave.
Unsurprisingly, it failed as well.
Ollivander’s interest only deepened.
He was about to return to the shelves for another batch of wands when Vade called out to stop him.
"Wait, Mr. Ollivander. Could you let me choose one myself?"
(To be continued.)