Perhaps because it was still early, there were no other customers in Madam Malkin's at this time.
The moment Alina entered, she was welcomed by a short and plump witch wearing a purple robe and a genial smile. This was the owner of the store, Madam Malkin.
"A new Hogwarts student? What's your name?"
Madam Malkin smiled and said before Alina could speak.
The witch glanced out the door at the man that was leaving. "Dumbledore? How rare! He doesn't bring students to Diagon Alley himself much now that he's no longer the Transfiguration Professor."
Drawing back her gaze, Madam Malkin curiously examined the silver-haired girl in front of her and smiled. "Come on. Let's go to the back and try out some clothes."
The space behind the robe store was very large, much wider than it seemed from the street. Madam Malkin had Alina place a foot on a stool and gave her a robe to put on. The needles in her hand flew as she adjusted the robe and happily patted her hands.
"Okay, the measurements for the robe are done. Dear, do you want to sit on the sofa? And then you can take your time picking out any other clothes you need to purchase?"
"The other clothes I need to purchase?"
Alina slowly repeated the words. This tone made her recall those hairstylists from her previous world. What should have been a slight trimming of the bangs would often inexplicably turn into a skincare membership that costs several thousand yuan.
The girl warily gripped the money pouch on her waist and courteously shook her head. "There's no need. I recall that the list said..."
Madam Malkin helplessly shook her head and warmly chuckled.
"Oh, Dear, you don't think all the Hogwarts students go the entire school term wearing only three black wizard's robes, one cloak, and one wizard's hat do you?"
The plump witch shrugged her shoulder and immediately continued to explain. It was clear that this was not her first time encountering such questions.
"As long as they're not too poor, the majority of students will choose to have a few shirts, blouses, and sweaters for the autumn and winter made for them. I might as well add that Hogwarts is a year-round boarding school, so it's best if you get all your clothes prepared in one go."
Was this not the legendary half-forced bundle expense?
From the look of it, if a poor child wanted to go to wizarding school, they would first have to learn how to resist the terrifying magic of 'Levicorpus.'
It seemed evident that a certain Potions professor who will remain unnamed had probably refused this half-forced expense, leading to a series of tragic love stories.
In truth, the money Madam Malkin made from the additional clothes orders from Hogwarts students made up at least 80% of her store's revenue.
After all, compared to the robes that were used in all four seasons, just the clothes worn daily for all four seasons would come at great expense. Besides that, young witches would also have to pay for their underclothes and stockings.
"In addition, Dear, a pretty witch like you needs to also prepare clothes in different sizes. I encourage you to peruse the list of clothes the majority of young witches usually buy. After all, you'll soon grow into a big girl, and if you have outdoor classes..."
Although Madam Malkin had been rather tactful, Alina completely understood what she was saying. If she didn't want to go out naked, she would have to wear some ordinary clothes to wear under her robes.
Alina imagined the scene of her riding a broomstick, the crisp sensation as the wind hit her body, and every man in the school was able to look up and see what was beneath her robes. She couldn't help but shiver.
"There's no need to say anymore. You're completely right. I'll buy it! But, honored Madam Malkin, I think there are a few details that are worthy of discussion."
The silver-haired girl sat up straight and began to look through the album that Madam Malkin had offered her.
The trend was stronger than any person, and she was not the stalwart and determined man that Professor Snape was. Not buying was not an option.
But if she just gave up and allowed herself to get ripped off, she wouldn't be Alina Kaslana, the bargaining terror of the Scottish highlands who made all shop owners pale in fear.
...
By the time Dumbledore returned to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, Alina and Madam Malkin's negotiation was only halfway finished.
Just as Alina had speculated, Madam Malkin's 'custom-made clothes' package had quite a few items that could be left out.
"I'm definitely not going to wear high heels before the age of sixteen. Please remove any shoes from the list that make my soles unable to rest level on the ground."
Alina pointed at the photo album and sternly said.
The plump witch had lost her relaxed expression, and she pondered this request like she was facing a major enemy before she slowly replied.
"Very well, but I suggest that you switch them out for several pairs of flat-bottomed leather shoes, sneakers, and lady's shoes. This will save around 11 Sickles."
"There's no need. I already have a lot of flat-bottomed white shoes and some ankle boots."
Upon hearing Madam Malkin's proposal, Alina firmly refused.
Raising her head, she happened to see Dumbledore outside the window, raising up two large ice creams, and her eyes lit up.
"Oh, excuse me...I have to go for a bit. Professor Dumbledore is looking for me."
"Go, go...let me rest a little and sort out what we talked about."
Madam Malkin rubbed her forehead and weakly waved a hand. Frankly speaking, never in the history of her store had she encountered such a frighteningly difficult opponent.
The size and material of the clothes, what the clasps of the cloaks were made of, how it was produced, and even the physical structure of the human body...this silver-haired girl, through various crafty and irreproachable angles, had been able to patiently shave away at a price, Knut by Knut.
At some point, Madam Malkin felt that she wasn't conversing with a ten-year-old new student of Hogwarts, but was instead trying to negotiate a major contract with a goblin from Gringotts.
"After so long, you're still not done buying clothes?"
Dumbledore offered the ice creams to Alina as he asked in confusion. He had always taken Madam Malkin to be a very capable and experienced witch.
"We only got halfway...I have to admit that Madam Malkin is much more formidable than the clothes shop owner in the village. I suppose that's to be expected of someone who can successfully open a store in Diagon Alley."
Alina sat down on the stone steps of the store; her eyes squinted as she licked at the large strawberry ice cream that was half the size of her fist.
The summer light, the cold air rising from the pink ice cream, and the bits of fruit complimented with raspberry jam only increased her appetite. The sweet chill instantly washed away all her fatigue.
"Only halfway? Mmm..."
Dumbledore was taken aback. He truly couldn't think of anything that could make buying some robes for school so time-consuming.
But given what he knew about Alina, he could guess from the miserable look on Madam Malkin's face that Alina had probably begun to put her almost devilishly eloquent mouth to work again.
"Since that's the case, I'll head to Flourish and Blotts first to buy all the books you need for school. If you finish things here early, you can wait for me here, and then we can go together to buy your wand."
After a few seconds of thought, Dumbledore made up his mind. Turning around, he prepared to head toward Flourish and Blotts.
"Mmm! Wait..."
Hearing Dumbledore's words, Alina hastily stood up and stood herself in front of Dumbledore (Her left and right hands were both holding ice cream, leaving her no other choice).
Dumbledore swiftly came to a halt, barely avoiding running into the girl.
"Oh? Is there a problem?"
"Mmm! Galleons, for buying books. Use my money."
Alina swallowed the ice cream in her mouth and turned to the side, displaying the pouch of Galleons on her waist.
"You know that Hogwarts has a special fund for this sort of thing. Buying your books for the class is no problem..."
Dumbledore squatted down to level with Alina's eyes as he smiled.
"Father Benitez said that I'm not an orphan, so I don't need the school's scholarship."
Alina shook her head and firmly replied.
"..."
After a half-second of silence, Dumbledore solemnly nodded. He extended a hand and took twenty Galleons from Alina's pouch. "My apologies. I will give you the receipt for the books afterward. Is there anything else?"
"Anything else..."
The silver-haired girl blinked her bright eyes, her mouth cutely pursing as she tilted her head in thought.
She softly whispered, "Mmm...if possible, besides 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,' can you buy a few other works by Mister Newt Scamander? I've always liked the fantastic creatures of the Magic World."