"The best?! Two copies?" the wizard rejoiced. After Richard nodded, he continued, "I can offer you a dragonhide scabbard infused with an anti-hell potion and protection against alluring and disarming spells."
"That'll do," Richie agreed. "Is there anything else you could offer us, sir?"
Mr. Kiddell seemed to glow with happiness like a little sun.
"Mr. Rich, you're an excellent customer. I can offer you special wand covers that fit over your wand and offer the same protection as a sheath. They'll keep your wand from slipping in your hand."
"Let's have it all, sir. And one more thing-the wands look very fragile to me. Is it possible to get spares?"
"No, Mr. Rich. I'm sorry," Mr. Kiddell smiled apologetically. "The Ministry of Magic forbids wizards from owning multiple wands. If, by some misfortune, a wand breaks, you'll have to order a new one. But it's best to avoid that. The longer a wizard uses a wand, the more it gets used to them-magic becomes a little easier. Therefore, no wizard would trade in an old wand for a new one without a good reason."
- I understand you, sir.
Then Richard had the idea to disguise the magic wand as a magician's cane or even a technologically advanced gadget.
"Sir, could you make a wand case in the shape of a cane? Preferably, so that one could perform magic in it."
- It's possible, but with a cane you'll only be able to cast simple spells.
"I'd like to place a commission, sir," Richard said. "Let me send you some sketches by owl and we can discuss the price over email."
"Of course, I'd be happy to take on your order, Mr. Rich. But it won't be cheap, and it won't be ready anytime soon. I'd guess at least six months, maybe even a year."
- It suits me. How much?
After such words, Richard expected to hear some cosmic sum, no less than a hundred thousand pounds or, in local candy wrappers, twenty thousand galleons, but when the wandmaker answered, the young Lord barely found the strength in himself not to laugh.
- Around a hundred galleons, maybe a little more or less. Depends on the materials and the scope of the work.
"I'm fine with that, sir, even if we go way over budget due to the rare materials. How much will it cost us for everything?"
The wizard levitated all the ordered items with a wave of his hands, only having to pick up the sheaths and scabbards with his own hands. He then quickly calculated the purchase price:
- That'll be seventy-three galleons.
Richard, from the compartment of his wallet enchanted with Undetectable Extention, silently laid stacks of gold coins on the tabletop.
"Thank you, sir," he said.
"Thank you for your shopping," Mr. Kiddell beamed at the boys, lingering a little longer at Richard. "Come again. I look forward to your owl, Mr. Rich."
"Well, boys," said the sullen Detective Potter, who felt awkward, because he had once dreamed of being in these boys' place, but everything turned out differently, "for the robes?"
"Yes, sir," Richard answered politely.
When the trio found themselves in Diagon Alley, Harry said:
- Richie, I'll give you the money.
- Harry, forget it. Consider these just another birthday present.
"No, kid," Scott said. "A gift is one thing, but back-to-school shopping is quite another. I understand you have money, but you shouldn't spend it mindlessly."
"Sir, give me some sweets," Richard waved his hand dismissively. "I'm not exactly spoiled at home. They keep scaring me with scary words: diet, cavities, healthy eating..."
"Sweets?" Scott asked.
"Well, yeah. We're going to the middle of nowhere for ten months. Send Harry a big bag of candy... We're going to Madam Malkin's shop; I think they sell uniform robes there."
"Whatever you say, kid," Scott said. "You'll get some candy."
Madame Malkin turned out to be a squat, smiling sorceress dressed in pinkish-purple robes.
"Good afternoon. Are you going to Hogwarts?" she asked before the boys could say anything. "You've come to the right place."
"Greetings, ma'am," Richard said, bowing politely.
"Hello," Harry muttered.
- Boys, I'll wait for you at the cafe down the street.
Scott quickly retreated before anyone could object. It was obvious he didn't like shopping.