After leaving the safe house, Albert used Transfiguration to disguise himself as a red-haired middle-aged man. He couldn't go directly to Diagon Alley, as that would be too conspicuous and put himself in danger, and might even cause trouble for the three people and the newly opened joke shop.
Therefore, it is best not to let too many people know that you are related to that store, otherwise you will most likely be targeted by the Death Eaters.
After all, what we are going to do next is indeed a bit hateful.
When Albert walked into the Leaky Cauldron, he found that the formerly bustling bar had become extremely deserted, without even a single customer. The elderly owner was sitting at the bar. After hearing Albert's footsteps, he stopped wiping the wine glass and looked up hopefully, expecting the guest in front of him to sit down and have a drink.
Albert nodded to Old Tom, and under the other's lost gaze, he walked across the bar hall and headed for the small yard at the back where the trash cans were placed.
The entrance to Diagon Alley is here.
He did not Apparate directly to Diagon Alley, but went through the entrance of the Leaky Cauldron. In fact, he also wanted to find out the current situation in the wizarding world without attracting other people's attention.
Albert raised his wand and tapped a brick on the wall, where a doorway immediately appeared, leading to a winding cobblestone path. He stepped through the doorway and walked directly into Diagon Alley.
Today, Diagon Alley has completely changed. The former prosperity is gone, replaced by a gloomy and deserted street. Wanted notices of Death Eaters are posted everywhere, and many shabby stalls have suddenly appeared on both sides of the street. Those vendors are all wizards who used to wander on the edge of the gray. Now the Ministry of Magic has no extra energy to manage Diagon Alley, and the monsters that used to hide in Knockturn Alley have emerged.
On the way to 93 Diagon Alley, Albert saw a sloppy, wretched little wizard selling a silver amulet to passers-by, claiming that it could resist werewolves, inferi and dementors.
Such a suspicious thing obviously cannot provide any help to the wearer. Only a fool would believe it and be willing to spend money to buy it.
However, there were actually some people around the stall who were hesitant.
All we can say is that the resurrection of the mysterious man has caused most people to panic and seek protection desperately!
Pedestrians on the street were no longer willing to stop and talk to others, or even stay in Diagon Alley for too long. People were always coming and going in a hurry, or moving together in groups of three or five, as if something terrible would happen if they were left alone.
It is human instinct to gather together for warmth.
Those wizards who live in the gray area will not pay attention to them.
However, Albert still doubts the effectiveness of people banding together. Strength in numbers may really be helpful and can bring psychological comfort to everyone.
But what about when you actually face the Death Eaters and the You-Know-Who
Is it possible to take advantage of numbers
There is a saying: I can't outrun a bear, but I can outrun you.
Let's resist together
If everyone really had the courage to fight against the dark forces, Voldemort would have been unable to stay in Britain long ago.
When I walked to the door of store 93, I found that it was still under construction.
The "Happy House" project was still in the initial renovation stage. Lee Jordan was talking to two wizards, who were obviously wizards who specialized in helping people decorate houses.
As long as there is money to be made, there is always a job to do it.
Making money is not shameful.
"Why are you alone?" Albert walked up to Lee Jordan and greeted him with a smile.
"You... why are you here?" Lee Jordan was stunned for a moment when he saw the red-haired middle-aged man raising his hand to greet him, and then he realized that the guy in front of him was Albert.
Maybe he didn't want to be recognized, so he made a simple disguise.
Albert mentioned this to them last night. His current identity is a wealthy Wesley, and his red hair is the best proof of that.
"Come and see how your store is doing."
Albert smiled and nodded to the two wizards, then turned his gaze to Lee Jordan: "Why are you alone? Where are Fred and George?"
"We are all busy people, so I have to watch the store here alone." Lee Jordan said resentfully, taking Albert to the back of the store.
When they were outside and out of earshot, Lee Jordan lowered his voice and asked, "How did you get yourself into this state? I almost couldn't recognize you."
"It's not good to be seen by others." Albert said with a smile: "You don't want to be troubled by others."
"If you had seen the advertising slogans prepared by Fred and George, you wouldn't think so." Lee Jordan pushed open the door at the back of the store and led Albert into a strange room with a tent.
As the shop was still under renovation, the three of them could only live in a tent temporarily.
There was a large box in the tent. When it was opened, there was a staircase leading down. Although it was not as spacious and comfortable as Albert's suitcase, it was sufficient as a laboratory for making props for defense against the dark arts.
"They are rushing to make Defense Against the Dark Arts props." Lee Jordan said mysteriously, "Yesterday, three Aurors from the Ministry of Magic came to the store and ordered a large number of Defense Against the Dark Arts props. Fred and George are ready to make a big move."
"So, they just left the job of decorating the store to you?"
Albert did not enter the box, but walked towards the kitchen of the tent, where Fred and George were enjoying iced watermelon.
These watermelons were actually planted by Albert at the request of the house-elves. The house-elves in Hogsmeade had to find something to do.
"Who are you… "
Seeing Lee Jordan leading a red-haired middle-aged man here, Fred and George were slightly stunned and reached for their wands.
"It's me." Albert said.
"How did you get yourself into this state?" George's reaction speed was faster than Fred's, and he quickly recognized that the guy in front of him was Albert. He mentioned this matter last night, but the two of them were too busy recently and had forgotten about it.
"You two bastards..."
Lee Jordan angrily grabbed a large piece of steaming watermelon and took a big bite, forgetting even his complaints.
"Yesterday, the Ministry of Magic pre-ordered fifty sets." Fred excitedly shared the good news with Albert, "They said they might continue to pre-order, and maybe they will buy one for all the staff of the Ministry of Magic."
"The Ministry of Magic has at least five hundred staff members. That's a huge order!" Lee Jordan muttered. "To be honest, I doubt whether the Ministry of Magic is willing to pay this money."
"They will, and they can use it to buy people's hearts." Albert didn't think the other party would default on the debt. After all, the money was paid by the Ministry of Magic, and the benefits were taken by the new minister.
"Defense bracelets, defense badges, and detection pocket watches are the most popular products," George introduced to Albert. "By the way, Scrimgeour seems to be interested in ordering more advanced defense items from you. We will follow your wishes and leave his contact information for now. When you are free, contact him to discuss related matters."
The store offers advanced customization services, and provides more powerful and longer-lasting defense against the dark arts props, but the prices are very expensive, so whether you can buy one depends on luck.
"It seems to be working well." Albert was a little surprised by Scrimgeour's behavior. Was he planning to make friends with him
If he were Scrimgeour, he would actually understand.
After all, Albert is a master of prophecy and has demonstrated extraordinary abilities, and is totally worth winning over.
Now the prophecy of him becoming Minister of Magic might come true, but the second half of the prophecy was that he might lose his life during his tenure.
This was not good news for Scrimgeour.
Spend some money to build a good relationship with Albert, and maybe the other party will give him some hints at the critical moment and help him overcome the difficulties.
There's nothing wrong with everyone cooperating and winning together.
"The effect is good?" The three of them turned to look at Albert.
"I gave Scrimgeour a book with an advertisement for Defense Against the Dark Arts props inside. It seems that they have recognized our Defense Against the Dark Arts props." Albert was quite satisfied with the result. As he expected, the field of Defense Against the Dark Arts completely became a cash cow during this period.
"I see. That's why the Aurors from the Ministry of Magic suddenly came to our door." Fred suddenly realized. "I thought it was because of the advertisement we placed in the Daily Prophet."
"After they briefly tested the samples you left, their expressions were very interesting, and they directly paid Galleons to order 50 copies. It's just that we're a bit pressed for time, so it would be great if you could help." George complained to Albert while eating watermelon, "We've been really busy lately."
"You can find someone to help you." Albert said without hesitation, "Lupin is a good choice. He will be getting married soon and will definitely need some money. You can give him a good salary and ask him to come and help occasionally when he is free. I think he will definitely not refuse this well-paid job."
"Lupin is getting married?"
Fred and George looked at each other with surprised expressions. If they hadn't heard the news from Albert, they would never have believed it.
After all, the werewolf identity is the biggest obstacle.
"It should be soon, maybe next year." Albert said without hesitation, "Remember to keep it confidential. If some things are revealed, it may affect the results."
"Who is Lupin going to marry?" Fred asked gossipingly.
"I think you'd better pay attention to the business. This money-making opportunity won't last long." Albert reminded, "It will only be two years at most, so you have to seize the opportunity to make a good profit. If the product quality is up to standard, try to spread the word of mouth as much as possible, so that you can make steady profits in the future."
The three of them looked at each other, all a little surprised that Albert actually asked them to hire someone.
However, they are indeed very busy now. They have recently moved directly to Diagon Alley and are busy until very late every day. Fortunately, they have the help of house-elves, otherwise who knows what their life would be like!
"We'll get Lupin's opinion sometime, if he's willing to help."
"We should combine the defense against the dark arts into various packages and sell them in packages at a lower price than the individual prices, and also provide instructions for correct use." Albert began to teach the three people how to sell. "We should teach them how to save themselves. For example, if a dark wizard tries to break into your home, how should you protect yourself and your family?"
Albert spoke slowly and listed the preventive and protective effects of the defense against the dark arts items, packaging them into a package and selling them to those insecure wizard families.
"You can try the effect of the package first. If it works well, you can take some time to ask Lupin, Moody and others for advice on various self-protection measures." Albert continued to say to the three people, "You can give them a sum of Galleons as consulting fees, or provide some dark magic defense props to the Order of the Phoenix."
"You see, this will benefit not only us, the Order of the Phoenix, but also the wizards who purchased the Defense Against the Dark Arts Package, and will be able to better protect themselves during this turbulent period." Albert continued to deceive. His words were actually correct, but it was hard to say what the real effect would be without real practical testing, but at least it was worth the Galleons the other party paid.
As Albert said, this is a proposal that everyone can benefit from.
"At that time, we can also develop corresponding dark magic defense props based on the suggestions of Moody and others." George thought Albert's suggestion was great.
"I think we should change the name of the store." Lee Jordan couldn't help but complain, "It would be nice to call it the Defense Against the Dark Arts Store."
"We just want to make some money now. Albert also said that this kind of business can't last long." Fred and George didn't care about Lee Jordan's complaints. They took out their notes and seriously wrote down Albert's opinions.
They had never thought that this could be possible before. Albert must have a good brain.
Those proposals are entirely feasible.
From the pamphlet I received from the Ministry of Magic last time, it is not difficult to see the situation of ordinary wizards.
They had all read the booklet that described the safety measures for dealing with Death Eaters, and it was complete rubbish.
It was secretly modified later, shamelessly copying some of the content from Albert's "Self-Defense Guide".
The Ministry of Magic doesn't care about the lives of other wizards at all, otherwise those booklets wouldn't be so bad. It wouldn't be surprising if the Ministry of Magic recommended everyone to buy the "Self-Defense Guide" one day.
Since the Ministry of Magic is unreliable, they still have to rely on themselves to protect themselves.
In the following time, Albert continued to instill the next strategic direction into the three of them, and let them know that they were not only making money now, but also contributing to the cause of justice (providing as much help as possible to the Order of the Phoenix), fighting for great ideals (supporting Harry, working to defeat the mysterious man and restore peace to the Ministry of Magic), and helping everyone (teaching everyone to protect themselves in turbulent times). With all these added together, I believe Fred, George and Lee Jordan will definitely have enough motivation to work hard.
After Albert's teaching, the three men regained their spirits and were very satisfied with what they were doing.
Albert was also very satisfied. The past two years were the best time to make money. If he wanted to get rid of poverty and become rich, he had to work harder.
As for someone jealous enough to steal his business, Albert is not afraid at all. He has spent so much time on research and planning, how could someone easily crack the code and snatch away the final results? Moreover, as long as he builds up the brand, no one else can be his rival.
God knows whether the quality of the counterfeit products can meet the standards. If the defense against dark magic props suddenly fails at the critical moment, wouldn’t that be fatal
No one is willing to joke with their own life.
The most important thing is that Arthur Weisley will become the director of the Office of Detection and Confiscation of Counterfeit Defensive Spells and Protective Items. He is completely one of our own. Other copycat products have no competitiveness at all.