Harry Potter and the Secret Treasures

This set of protective clothing did not involve much magic. Its core was the creatures in the middle layer. When hit by Avada Kedavra, these creatures would die in place of the person wearing the protective clothing, thus serving as protection.

‘Research specific protection products based on the characteristics of different spells.’

Evan proposed this idea. They didn’t necessarily have to think from the perspective of magic, and the protective products they would create wouldn’t necessarily have to involve magic. As long as they were effective, there would definitely be many people willing to buy them.

Many Muggle items and concepts also had strong protective properties, capable of resisting Dark magic.

Of course, compared to magic items, these things had more restrictions and were mostly useless. For example, a simple spell could render Muggles’ electronic and mechanical equipment useless, and not everyone would be willing to wear a product like a protective suit against the Killing Curse all the time.

The real direction of development was still in Alchemy, and wizards were more accustomed to accepting it.

Evan told Fred and George what he had seen at the International Alchemical Conference and suggested that they contact those teams to jointly research and produce alchemical equipment.

“That American team has developed a magic weapon that could replace wands, though it is not yet mature…”

As he spoke, he suddenly stopped, turned around and looked at the opened door, and Hermione hurried in.

She looked worried, as if something had happened.

“Hermione?”

“What’s wrong? Did those house-elves reject you?” Fred asked with a smile.

“That’s to be expected, don’t tell them about S.P.E.W again…” said George.

“It’s Harry and Ron, they’re missing,” said Hermione anxiously.

The atmosphere froze suddenly, and Evan, Fred, and George all stared at her.

Harry and Ron were missing? Where had they gone?

They knew how important Harry’s safety was right now. If Voldemort and the Death Eaters took him. …

“They couldn’t have gone outside. Hagrid is guarding the door. If something happened, he’d know,” said Fred immediately. “He wouldn’t let Harry and Ron run off.”

“So they must still be inside the shop. Maybe there are too many people, and you missed them…” George mused. “Don’t worry, Hermione. We should go take a look. I bet those two boys are hiding behind some counter, up to no good.”

“I’ve looked carefully, they’re definitely not here,” said Hermione with certainty.

“If this is true, then the problem is serious.”

“Does Mum know about this?” Fred asked seriously.

“Not yet. She’s at the counter with Ginny, looking at those dangling Pygmy Puffs at the counter. Mr. Weasley is delightedly examining a pack of Muggle marked playing cards. None of them have noticed that Harry and Ron are gone, and I didn’t dare tell them.”

Fred and George’s shop wasn’t Hogwarts, and there were many ways to take someone away from here.

But no matter the method, it would require Harry and Ron’s cooperation. Otherwise, any struggle would surely draw attention.

Even if the Imperius Curse was used suddenly, the possibility of this happening was not very high.

Harry and Ron must have left on their own accord. Harry, with his Invisibility Cloak, was able to get around Hagrid. …

Perhaps the only thing that could have suddenly piqued Harry’s interest, causing him to chase after without discussing it with them, was probably Malfoy.

“Don’t worry, Harry used his Invisibility Cloak to sneak out with Ron. I know where they are,” said Evan to Fred and George. “Hermione and I will go find them. Don’t let Mrs. Weasley find out about this. If nothing goes wrong, we’ll be back in ten minutes,” he said, and Disapparated directly with Hermione.

The next second, they appeared in Knockturn Alley, the side street devoted to the Dark Arts, which looked completely deserted.

Even the shops on both sides were quiet, and seemed to have no customers at all. On the surface, this street was still under the control of the Ministry of Magic, and it was a bit of a giveaway in these dangerous and suspicious times to buy Dark artifacts — or at least, to be seen buying them, which would expose their identities.

“Knockturn Alley!” Hermione looked around nervously. “Harry and Ron are here?”

“They must have seen Malfoy come here and followed him,” said Evan, glancing around to get his bearings. “Animagus transformation, Hermione. We can’t let others see us.”

Two cats, one black and one white, appeared at the entrance of Knockturn Alley, moving forward in an unnoticeable manner.

They headed for Borgin and Burkes Dark Arts shop, which specialized in selling all sorts of dangerous and sinister objects.

It was the largest Dark magic shop in Knockturn Alley, and if Malfoy was after something, this would be the place…

Sure enough, through the dirty window, Evan saw Malfoy standing behind a large black cabinet, and he was talking animatedly.

The proprietor of the shop, Mr. Borgin, an oily-haired, stooping man, stood facing Malfoy. He was wearing a curious expression of mingled resentment and fear.

Evan had seen Mr. Borgin’s future self — by then, he was much older, his body severely hunched, and his face deeply lined with wrinkles.

The decline of Dark magic had caused the business of Borgin and Burkes to plummet, but Borgin still did business with Voldemort’s daughter, Delphini. In the end, he had been scared to death by a fifteen-year-old Riddle. If that was the fate of the largest supplier of Dark magic items, it was a truly miserable end.

“Meow!” Hermione called softly.

Evan knew she was asking where Harry and Ron were.

The two of them were probably hiding nearby, under their Invisibility Cloak, or following Malfoy into the shop.

Evan thought the possibility was low. The shop was filled with cases full of skulls and old bottles, and the space was too cramped, making it very likely they would be discovered.

He and Hermione didn’t dare get too close. It would be too strange for two cats to just walk in!

“Meow!” Hermione called again and raised her front paw.

Following her pointed direction, Evan saw Extendable Ears poking out from a side window of the shop, intermittently visible before finally disappearing behind a pile of old bottles. Harry and Ron must be hiding there.

“Meow!” Evan responded and motioned Hermione to come over.

Before they could do anything, Malfoy and Mr. Borgin came out of the shop.

Malfoy looked very pleased with himself, while Mr. Borgin wore a stiff, false smile.

Evan and Hermione tried to be as cat-like as possible, and Malfoy had no doubts, and he even intended to kick Evan.

Evan dodged with a leap and jumped onto the box next to him. Malfoy cursed.

Hermione ran to the corner where Harry and Ron were, turned around and disappeared. …

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