Chapter 16: Dumbledore must have his reasons for doing this!

On their way to the wizarding bank—Gringotts—Tom had his eyes wide open…

The shops on both sides of the street were selling things that he had never seen before.

There were shops selling owls, others selling various strange magical potion ingredients, some selling cauldrons, and even shops selling flying brooms…

What surprised Tom was that there was even an ice cream shop here!

As they passed by a store named Mr. Muggins' Robes, Wade suddenly stopped.

"What's wrong? Aren't we going to the wizarding bank to exchange money?" Tom asked, somewhat confused.

In fact, he was already impatient to explore these shops, so exchanging money was the most important thing to him right now.

"We need to buy two proper sets of clothes," Wade said.

"Of course, but we should exchange money first, shouldn't we?" Tom frowned and said.

He didn't quite understand why Wade was talking nonsense.

"When we asked where the bank was earlier, that gentleman told us the wizarding bank is called Gringotts and is run by goblins, right?"

"That's right."

"He also said that goblins are very greedy creatures, right?"

"Yes."

"Heh~ Then what do you think will happen if we go to Gringotts, dressed like this, to exchange gold?" Wade asked.

Tom looked at his clothes. Although they looked clean, they were old, and many parts were patched up…

Then Tom understood the key issue.

"Ah! You mean… those goblins will see us looking like this, and since we don't look like wealthy people, they'll suspect that our gold is from illegitimate sources and take the opportunity to undercut us?"

Wade nodded. "Exactly, Tom. You know, this gold wasn't easy to come by, and I don't want to let those greedy goblins get it for cheap."

Indeed, it hadn't been easy at all. They had almost lost their lives when they encountered the beastly Nagini.

"You make a good point." Tom's face became serious. "Let's go, we need some clothes. I just hope our money is enough… You know, Dumbledore only gave us twenty Galleons each."

Wade smiled. "Don't worry, leave it to me. I guarantee I'll get us two good sets of clothes."

Tom looked at Wade in confusion, "You don't mean you're planning to steal, do you?"

"You think I'm like you? Always ready to steal at the slightest disagreement."

Hmph! Tom rolled his eyes at this remark and led the way into the shop.

Clink, clink!

As soon as the door was pushed open, a bell above the door rang.

"Welcome, you two charming young gentlemen. Are you looking to buy your school uniforms?"

A tall man with gold-rimmed glasses, a small mustache, and wearing a luxurious tailcoat smiled at them.

He looked as though he had just come from some grand banquet.

"Actually, we'd like to buy two sets of good clothes first, and then come back later for the school uniforms," Tom said.

"Oh..." The man looked them over, "You two really should get new clothes. The outfits you're wearing now don't quite match your looks! Leave it to me, I'll take care of it for you!"

"Well... I just want to mention that we don't have much money right now..." Tom said anxiously.

After all, they couldn't just pull out the gold bars and use them directly. With their current appearance, it would be too strange if they were carrying gold bars.

"I understand, kids. No need to worry, I know what I'm doing. I've been doing business in Diagon Alley for many years. I've seen many kids in your situation. The clothes I'm recommending are definitely within your budget!" 

The man quickly pulled Tom over, and a few measuring tapes flew over. To Tom's surprise, they automatically started measuring him.

"You're Mr. Mogen Malkin, right?" Wade suddenly asked.

"Yes, kid, there's my sign outside," Mr. Mogen replied warmly.

"Well then... sir, could I try on this outfit?"

Wade politely asked as he stood in front of a set of clothes that looked quite expensive.

Mr. Mogen stroked his little mustache. "This outfit is quite pricey, kid."

"Can I rent it? I'd like to rent it for two hours, and the rental fee is negotiable. Also, here's the deposit." Wade said as a small gold bar appeared in his hand.

Tom's eyes widened when he saw Wade take out the gold bar, staring at him as if he were looking at a fool.

If I could just casually pull out a gold bar like that, I'd take care of it myself! Why do I need you?

Mr. Mogen took the gold bar, carefully examined it, then looked at Wade in surprise. "This... this is real gold! I thought you were joking with me! But... this gold bar is worth far more than this outfit! Do you really trust me this much? What if I...?"

"Since Mr. Mogen has been in business in Diagon Alley for so many years, his reputation is naturally unquestionable. Besides... we are actually doing a task for Professor Dumbledore. Where else would the gold come from?" Wade said calmly.

Mr. Mogen suddenly understood. "Ah! So it's a task for Professor Dumbledore! I get it! Haha, another one of those peculiar little tests, huh?"

"Yeah, he says he sees huge potential in the two of us... sigh, can't believe we are stuck doing some random tasks for him."

"Ahaha~ I've heard that he likes to give his students all sorts of strange little tests. So it's true!"

"Since it's for Professor Dumbledore, forget about the deposit. You can take the gold back. I'll pick out two fitting sets for you right away!"

Upon hearing Dumbledore's name, the last bit of doubt in Mr. Mogen's heart was completely dispelled, and the source of the gold was easily explained. 

The famous Dumbledore couldn't spare a few gold coins? As for the little test, the task... that had nothing to do with Mr. Mogen.

Dumbledore must have had his reasons for doing this!

After both of them changed into their expensive new outfits and walked out, Tom was still a bit dazed.

Wade suddenly laughed and said, "Tom, did you notice?"

"What?"

"As long as it's something related to Professor Dumbledore, no matter how strange or unusual it is, people always accept it quickly."

Tom sighed. "Maybe it's because he's usually so crazy? But then again, he doesn't seem like that... Besides, can a crazy person really be a professor?"

However, as Tom recalled his first meeting with Dumbledore, with that exaggerated outfit, he suddenly thought it made sense.

"Alright, I just hope Dumbledore hasn't found out that you're doing this under his name..." Tom said, a bit worried.

He still vividly remembered the scene where Dumbledore burned his wardrobe! He was afraid that if they got caught, Wade might drag him down with him...

"No, no, no, Tom, you're wrong." Wade shook his finger repeatedly.

He pointed at himself, then at Tom. "It should be the two of us, doing things under his name together... after all, you're wearing the clothes too."

Wade deliberately emphasized the word "together."

Tom's forehead twitched with veins bulging. "You... bastard!"

He had accidentally been dragged onto the boat again!

Wade: "Tsk! tsk! Tommy boy, your vocabulary for swearing is a bit lacking. If you need help, I could actually teach you..." 

"Get lost!"