Chapter 29: The Professor Without a Wand
Mr. Ollivander looked momentarily baffled. "You mean… you don't have a wand?"
Professor Gale Daep spread his hands. "You know, this world is vast. Some wizards in certain regions simply don't use wands. I've been working in Wagadu, Africa, until now."
¿Podrías especificar en qué documento o texto deseas que cambie el nombre de Audrey Astre a Audrey Astley? Así podré ayudarte mejor.
"That's true—wizards in Wagadu indeed don't use wands," Ollivander nodded. "However, wands are regulated by the Ministry of Magic. If you haven't registered with them or provided proper guarantees, I cannot sell you one."
Daep was prepared. With a wave of his hand, a document appeared in his grasp.
"This is a certificate issued by Albus Dumbledore," he explained. "He vouches for me. The wand I am about to purchase will not be used for illegal purposes."
"All right, all right," Ollivander said, reading the document with some effort. "This is indeed Dumbledore's handwriting…"
He pondered for a moment. "Then, to prove your claim, please demonstrate wandless magic. I've been curious for a long time but never had the chance to visit Africa myself."
Audrey's curious eyes widened. Daep served in Africa?
No way! Pale as a vampire, with a Danish-German accent—he looked nothing like someone who had spent years on the African plains.
She was eager to see how this old fox had fooled Ollivander.
Daep clasped his hands together.
"Lumina Flare!"
Bright white light shot from his fingertips.
Again, he brought his hands together.
"Inferno Blaze!"
Flames roared up from his palms.
Once more, he clasped his hands.
"Phoenix Guard!"
A silver-white phoenix appeared in the wand shop, circling Daep and singing a beautiful melody.
"Unparalleled!" Ollivander exclaimed. "Such skill is impressive."
Daep gathered his magical display, smiling. "Now, may I buy the wand?"
"Of course, of course!"
After some browsing, Daep selected a fourteen-inch willow wand with a phoenix tail feather core. He was slightly surprised that the phoenix feather recognized him, but it merely caused him to tilt his head in approval.
"That will be forty-three Galleons."
A first wand for a young wizard receives a Ministry subsidy, so for children, the cost is just seven Galleons.
As they left Ollivander's, Daep was about to Apparate Audrey away when two wizards approached.
One said, "Serenissis is too strong-willed. The Sidis family only pretended to obey her. Why would anyone expel them?"
The other replied, "But under her leadership, our family has improved year by year."
Serenissis—the Gray family!
Audrey couldn't miss this. She signaled Daep and followed them.
Daep only smiled, letting her go. He believed that a proper amount of moderately strong enemies is the best catalyst for a wizard's growth.
The Gray family member continued, "Indeed. Five years ago, we owed massive debts. Our family was on the verge of collapse!"
"Exactly. As long as the traitor Bode and that little beast Hydras aren't caught, we have no peace!"
"Yes. Last month, the Hyland family was massacred, their wealth stolen. Rumor has it the method resembled Bode's. To avoid panic, Serenissis didn't reveal the truth, just blamed passing dark wizards."
"He has no source of income, so he has to rob former allies."
"We'd better be careful. Bode is incredibly strong."
"Right. We must stay cautious. Let's deposit the money in Gringotts and return home once done."
"Home may not be safe."
"What should we do then?"
"Buy a house together as a safe house?"
"…"
Listening to their strategies, Audrey followed them into Gringotts.
Daep patted her shoulder. "How is it? Seeing the enemy family again—any thoughts?"
Audrey shook her head. "What could I think? Just eavesdropping."
"Then we're done. If you have no thoughts, we can go back."
Audrey's eyes twinkled. "Not yet, Professor. Look inside Gringotts." Through the doorway, she saw the two Gray family members entering to deposit their gold. "You bought my wand for me. I need to repay you."
She smiled mischievously like a little fox. "Don't be fooled—my vault has some savings."
Daep nodded. For a 'lady' of the Lestrange family, having her own vault was normal.
"Wait a moment. I'll be right back."
"All right, we'll meet at the Leaky Cauldron later."
"Okay!"
Audrey found her old acquaintance, Puzi.
"Puzi, I'm here to deposit some money."
The banker looked up, puzzled by the unfamiliar face. "Do we know each other?"
"I'm Audrey Astre."
Of course, Puzi remembered Audrey Astre, owner of Vault 870—a small heiress indeed. But the girl in front of him didn't match the image in his memory.
Audrey waved her vault key. "I have the key-based service."
"All right!"
The mismatch of faces was a minor issue. As long as the key was correct, it worked.
They boarded the cart, heading deep into the vaults.
The anti-theft waterfall had no effect on disguises, so as before, Audrey's disguise remained intact while passing through. (In this story's setting, the anti-theft waterfall does not affect disguise charms.)
Passing the Gray family's Vault 833, Audrey saw them close the door and head toward the cart. Perfect—they'd completed their deposit.
Reaching Vault 870, Audrey acted as she had five years ago, having Puzi close the door. This allowed Puzi to mentally overlay the image of the girl before him with the one from five years ago.
Perhaps hair dye? Perhaps she had blossomed into a young lady?
While Puzi mused, Audrey transformed into Hydras, activating her house-elf trait. Whoosh! She disappeared into the vault.
Unlike last time, she didn't Apparate directly from outside because it was now working hours. A hasty Apparition onto the track could have collided with moving carts.
The Gray family had finished depositing their gold and left.
The gold piled into small mountains.
In five years, Lestrange family profits had all gone to the Gray family, accumulating at least 100,000 Galleons. If not for other pureblood families eyeing Lestrange assets, the amount would be even greater.
Hydrus didn't need money. She really didn't.
Today she merely ran into the Grays and remembered their past misdeeds. Following the principle of "why not seize the opportunity," she decided to take a little profit while she could.
Was it much? Converted to pounds, about £500,000. Considering the purchasing power of Galleons, less than £1,000,000.
One million pounds? Audrey Astre could earn that with just a few words and a cute smile. Couldn't? Then a few more words, a few more smiles. How hard could it be?
So, Gray family, what exactly are you risking everything for?