[Next day] [Knockturn Alley]
To make the hounds better and stronger, Ryan decided to buy some wolves. He can extract their souls and fuse them with the hounds' bodies, giving them the intelligence of a wolf along with the spectral properties. So, what could be a better place to look for wolves than the Knockturn alley?
Ryan was accompanied by Bellatrix and Narcissa. He wore dark hooded cloaks like all the other wizards lurking in that dark place. Since Ryan wasn't familiar with that place, he asked Bellatrix to take the lead.
The atmosphere of Knockturn Alley was deeply ominous, the air inside thick with a mixture of the alley's own peculiar gloom and tendrils of dark magic that seemed to seep through the very stones of the ancient buildings. The cobblestone street twisted and turned. It was narrow and claustrophobic; the high walls on either side seemed to close in, casting deep shadows that invited madness.
"This place looks kinda gloomy," Ryan commented, looking around.
"This place was always like this, filled with dark wizards and witches who sell illegal items," Bellatrix replied as she took a turn to the right.
Shadows flickered from the hidden alcoves, and the faint sound of whispers floated in the air, creating an atmosphere of unease and suspense. Ryan could feel the dark energy radiating from the ground. It was as if something sinister lurked just beneath the surface, waiting to pounce.
'Dang! Just what kind of shit is hiding beneath this place? This amount of dark energy can only come from a powerful dark artifact, a mythical beast, or someone's dead body... Someone strong enough in his life to leave this much residual energy even after death,' He thought.
The shops that lined Knockturn Alley were the complete opposite when compared to the bright, welcoming establishments in Diagon Alley. Many had closed up, their windows boarded up and signs faded through time and neglect. The few that still did business displayed their wares with an almost brazen disregard for decency: cursed objects, dark artifacts, and potions of questionable origin.
From Borgin and Burkes with its collection of malevolent trinkets to the shadier corners where nameless stalls hawked illicit goods, Knockturn Alley was a cesspool of crime and debauchery. Ryan found it rather intriguing. It was a glimpse into a darker side of the wizarding world, a reminder that not everything was sunshine and rainbows.
The trio walked past a small shop selling a variety of potions. The proprietor, a greasy-haired man with a pointed beard, eyed them suspiciously, clearly not trusting the presence of three people in hoods. Ryan ignored him, his eyes scanning the products on display. There were several shelves stocked with bottles of various sizes and shapes. The glass containers glowed with a multitude of colors, some vibrant and others dull.
"Those are all fake. It's lucky that this bastard is even alive after scamming so many people with fake products," Bellatrix whispered in Ryan's ears.
"How do you know?"
"A girl I once knew got scammed by buying one of those love potions. It made her fall in love with a werewolf," Bellatrix chuckled softly.
"And she's still alive?" Ryan raised his eyebrows.
"Well, it was actually a good thing. The werewolf was quite handsome and treated her really well."
Ryan nodded, "Interesting..."
"Yeah, that was only at the beginning. Later her headless body was found at home after the werewolf ate her head to the last bit. That bastard escaped the Aurors," Bellatrix shrugged as they resumed walking further down the alley.
'It seems the war taken its toll, huh?' Ryan thought noticing the situation.
Dark wizards and shady figures lurked in the shadows, their eyes darting suspiciously at the rare passersby. The war had taken its toll on Knockturn Alley, and the once bustling center of dark commerce now felt like a ghost town. The few people present moved quickly, heads down, cloaks drawn tight around them as if to ward off the ever-present chill.
Bellatrix stopped in front of a particularly decrepit shop, its sign barely legible: "Fenrir's Fangs." She turned to Ryan, a sly smile playing on her lips. "This is the place. If anyone has what you're looking for, it's Fenrir. He deals in all manner of magical creatures."
Ryan nodded, stepping forward as Bellatrix pushed the door open. The inside of the shop was dimly lit, the air thick with the smell of damp fur and something acrid that burned the back of the throat. Cages lined the walls, some empty, others housing creatures that growled and hissed as they sensed the presence of intruders.
From behind the counter emerged a tall, gaunt man with a predatory gleam in his eye. His long, matted hair and ragged clothes gave him a feral appearance, accentuated by the sharpness of his features. This was Fenrir Greyback, a notorious werewolf and purveyor of dark creatures.
"This shameless bastard even sells his own kind to other dark wizards!" Narcissa finally spoke with disgust on her face.
"Good evening, gentlemen, and ladies, what brings you to my humble establishment?" Fenrir said with a toothy grin, revealing yellowed teeth.
Bellatrix removed her hood, revealing her face.
"Well, well, if it isn't Bellatrix Lestrange," Fenrir sneered, his voice a guttural growl. "A wanted woman with ten million gold coins on her head... What brings you here? Come to sell yourself? I might be able to get you a good price. The Dark Lord is furious."
Bellatrix took out her wand and pressed it on the guy's neck, "I wouldn't test my patience if I were you, Greyback. We're here to buy wolves. I know you have them. Don't waste our time."
Fenrir raised his hands in surrender, his eyes never leaving Bellatrix. "Of course, of course, whatever you want."
Bellatrix's eyes gleamed dangerously as Fenrir Greyback led them deeper into the shop.
The dim lighting and the damp smell of the place did nothing to ease the tension in the air. Ryan walked silently behind her, his senses keenly alert. Narcissa followed, her face set in a grim expression. The further they moved inside, the more oppressive the atmosphere became.
'A trap, huh?! Interesting. Let's see what you have got in store for us, Fenrir,' Ryan thought with a smirk as he noticed Fenrir made some signs with his fingers while walking. It was fast enough for an untrained eye but Ryan caught it immediately.
Fenrir led them down a narrow staircase that descended into the basement. The steps creaked under their weight, and the walls were lined with grimy, flickering torches. As they reached the bottom, a heavy door loomed ahead, bound with iron and etched with strange symbols. "This way," He said with a low voice. He pushed the door open, revealing a large room filled with cages.
The wolves inside snarled and paced restlessly, their eyes glowing with a wild, feral light.
Ryan stepped forward, as he looked around the room. "These will do," he said, his voice calm but commanding. "How much?"
Fenrir's grin widened, a gleam of cunning in his eyes. "For you, a special price. Ten thousand galleons each. A bargain, considering the quality."
Bellatrix scoffed, "Do you take us for fools, Greyback? We know the market rate. You're not getting more than two hundred."
"That's way too low. Considering the situation and lack of sales, I won't go down below two thousand. But then again, why should I settle for just pennies if I can have ten million galleons?" Fenrir pulled out a small, ancient artifact. The room suddenly pulsed with dark energy, and a magic circle flared to life beneath their feet. The wolves in the cages began to howl, sensing the shift in the air.
"SHIT! TRAP!" Narcissa yelled as she took out her wand.
"Now, just sit there like good kids..." Fenrir said with a sinister grin.
Bellatrix raised her wand, ready to cast a spell, but Ryan stopped her with a raised hand. "Wait," he said, his voice calm. He stepped forward, his eyes fixed on Fenrir.
"You think a simple magic circle can hold us?" Ryan asked, his voice cold and confident. He raised his hand, and a dark energy began to swirl around it. The magic circle glowed brighter, the symbols on the floor pulsing with power, but Ryan didn't flinch. With a flick of his wrist, he unleashed a wave of necro energy that collided with the circle's barrier.
[Carakle! Spark!] The barrier shuddered, cracks forming along its surface. Fenrir's eyes widened in shock as the energy surged through the room, overpowering the artifact's magic.
Ryan slashed through the barrier with ease. The magic circle shattered, the symbols disintegrating into dust. Fenrir stumbled back from the aftershock. Blood dripping from his nose and his right hand. The artifact shattered, causing the dark magic to seep into his hand.
"Impossible..." he muttered, his voice shaking.
Ryan stepped forward, his eyes locked on Fenrir, but he walked past him as Bellatrix and Narcissa aimed their wands at him, waiting for Ryan's command. But he walked toward the cage where a big white wolf was growling at him. He unlocked the cage and reached out with his hand. The wolf bared its fangs, ready to bite him, but Ryan grabbed the beast by the neck and looked into its eyes.
"Know your place, beast," His voice echoed into the wolf's head.
Whine! Whine! The wolf instantly calmed down, its eyes glazing over as it submitted to Ryan's will. Bellatrix and Narcissa looked at him with awe and shock. They couldn't believe what they just saw. Not only did he break the magic circle with ease but he also tamed a wild wolf in a matter of seconds.
'Conversing with beasts, so, this is how it works, huh?! Telepathy. Nice,' He pointed at Fenrir. "Do what you must." He left the wolf.
The wolf growled, its eyes flashing with rage. It lunged at Fenrir, its fangs sinking into his flesh.
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