A certain Hogwarts professor of runes

Chapter 241 Mundungus

Felix walked into the filthy bar and looked around. There were only a few customers in the bar, one of whom was a short, plump witch wearing a thick veil.

"Hmm, they probably haven't arrived yet."

He sat in a prominent spot by the window. The bar owner came over and asked gruffly, "What would you like?" Felix smiled and replied in an androgynous voice, "A flaming whiskey."

Not long after, the bar owner brought over a stemmed glass with a bright flame burning inside, filled with a bluish liquid.

Felix had no intention of drinking it, because of the suspicious stain on the glass. However, the flaming whiskey was the code he had previously agreed upon.

A few minutes later, the witch draped in a thick veil stood up. Felix thought she was going to leave, but she got up and sat down opposite him.

"This place is taken, ma'am." Felix frowned.

"That's me," the witch said in a triumphant, deliberately low male voice. "Although I don't know who you asked to contact me, the Hog's Head is not a good place to meet. I was banned from coming here more than ten years ago and had to do some disguise."

Felix stared in surprise at the "witch" opposite him. He tapped the edge of the table, which became muffled, and the sound was confined to the narrow space.

He resumed his original voice and asked curiously, "Mundungus Fletcher?"

Mundungus muttered, "Who told you that I prefer to be called by my code name—All-rounder?" His back was to the bar owner, so he loosened a corner of his scarf to reveal a stubble-faced man with droopy eyelids and bloodshot eyes.

He picked up the Flaming Whiskey. "You shouldn't drink it? It's too obvious, kid. In reality, you must be a person of status, someone who values ​​things—" He took a sip of the whiskey. "Unlike me—hiss~" He inhaled and exhaled a burst of heat from his mouth.

Felix laughed. "Consider it my treat, but if you don't bring what I want—"

"Oh, another threat. I've heard it all the time!" said Mundungus, glancing furtively around—though unnecessary and more like a deeply ingrained habit—before pulling a flat package from under his stomach and grinning. "You'll be satisfied..."

Felix made the package open automatically, revealing its contents—a dusty silver plate. He gently brushed it across, and the dust vanished instantly. Mundungus, sitting opposite him, looked at him with growing caution.

The plate revealed its true form: a shallow stone basin with ancient runes and magical symbols carved along its rim. It was a meditation basin.

"It doesn't look like it's in very good condition..." Felix said softly, while constantly sensing the state of the Pensieve and secretly assessing the possibility of it being repaired.

"Ha, how fresh! Otherwise, I wouldn't have kept it for two or three years." Mundungus took a swig of his drink, staring at Felix. "Are you an alchemist? From the alleyway, or the Cannon? Or a lone wolf?"

"None of your business, Mundungus."

"Oh, don't mind me, I think we can establish a stable connection without going through an intermediary. It's too much of a rip-off. I need to pay a sum of money to get accurate information, you know that," Mundungus muttered. "That's two Sickles. I wouldn't have come if I hadn't heard they wanted the Pensieve."

Felix laughed and said, "You'll make more. Aren't smugglers all about profit?"

"Hey! When I was young, I also wanted to do great things and achieve fame and fortune... I almost thought I succeeded and climbed up to a big shot. I was loyal to him, but in the end, I found that these gray corners were more suitable for me."

"Or rather, a gray tomb?" Felix said casually, picking up the Pensieve and examining the magical symbols on it closely.

Mundungus showed no shame whatsoever. "I still have to live—at least 200 Galleons. To get that, one of us died, and another is half-dead."

Felix glanced at him, and he doubted that even if he gave this guy 200 Galleons, Mundungus wouldn't obediently share it with his companions, and even if the companions he mentioned were just a hastily assembled team.

He thought for a moment, "200 Galleons? A hundred at most. I'm not a sucker. This thing is trash in your hands, and I can't guarantee it can be restored to its original state. I can have more—but I need you to help me find some information, ancient ruins... and ancient magical artifacts."

"A broker? No problem! Old Mundung is well-informed," Mundungus said smugly.

"But," Mundungus's bloodshot eyes widened, "I need a deposit! A deposit..."

"Bang!"

A bag embroidered with green and blue patterns appeared on the table, making a crisp, pleasant "rustling" sound.

Mundungus swallowed hard. He opened the bag, and the golden light inside was almost blinding.

"What charming little creatures... listen to their sounds..." He held out his dirty hand. "You're a generous man, I'll take the job. Just wait and see—oh dear, what's this!"

As Mundungus reached for the bag, a small, grayish-green snake suddenly appeared, bit him, and then swam its gray body back to Felix, transforming into a transparent glass bottle.

A few drops of blood remained in the bottle.

Mundungus stared at him with a grim expression, as if he were about to explode at any moment.

"I've heard about your reputation, Mundungus Fletcher, a smuggler, a liar, a thief, a robber... I don't dare to believe your words easily, and to avoid giving you bad ideas, I think—it's best to take some precautions."

Mundungus was initially furious, but then he seemed to realize something and his expression calmed down.

"I never break my word, and all that's outside is slander against me! But... whatever, now, no more snakes will pop out of the bag, will they?" He glanced at Felix, who gestured for him to proceed. He muttered, "Slytherin," and tucked the bag into his robes.

Felix said, "100 Galleons is the price of the broken Pensieve. You can use the other 900 Galleons to collect and buy magical items, or to gather information... it's up to you. I don't want modern things, and don't try to fool me with dark magic items."

"As long as I think it's worth it, you'll keep getting money from me."

Mundungus found Felix's black and white mask more palatable. "How should I find you?" he seriously considered.

Felix tossed him a stone, a variant of Gennat's. "Infuse it with magic. As long as you're in Hogsmeade, I'll find you."

"I'm even more certain now that you're an alchemist." Mundungus put the stone away and muttered, "It's not fair. You know me, but I don't know you."

Felix said, "You'll find out, but we need time to build trust."

(End of this chapter)