While Richard was practicing charms under Madam Marchbanks' guidance that Sunday, an armored bank vehicle from Mr. Finch-Fletchley's bank arrived at Eaton Hall. Along with the cash-in-transit guards came an appraiser.
As a result, the bank employees hauled away the platinum, and in Richard's study there appeared a small pyramid of ninety-three gold bars, each weighing on average around four hundred troy ounces—twelve kilograms and four hundred grams. In value, this roughly corresponded to the agreed amount: the price of the platinum minus ten percent.
The following day, Richard, accompanied by Scott Potter, went to Gringotts Bank, where he arranged with a goblin he already knew to exchange gold for galleons. The rate proved favorable to both parties.
Yes, there were limits on currency exchange at Gringotts—but not on precious metals, which the goblins recognized as gold and silver.
The goblin bank earned only one percent on the deal, which suited Richard perfectly well. For a single gold bar, the boy received eighteen thousand seventy-seven galleons. He took the "small change" with him and left the round sum in his vault.
Richard and the detective walked nearly to the end of Diagon Alley, examining the various shops. On the right appeared a clean and cozy little street. The sign on the nearest building read: Flower Alley. After walking it to the end, the young wizard and the squib found themselves in a noisy marketplace.
Stalls stood in the central square, with merchants and customers gathered around them. Witches and wizards bustled between the counters. Most were dressed in old-fashioned attire; many wore robes, though occasionally one could spot wizards in suits. All in all, Richie and Scott did not stand out much against the crowd.
Richard noticed that the merchants mostly sold foodstuffs, herbs, minerals, and secondhand goods, like at a flea market.
On both sides of the marketplace, numerous small shops occupied the ground floors of the buildings.
Walking along one wall, Richard stopped in front of a transparent shop window behind which bags and suitcases were displayed.
"Mr. Potter, this is where we're going."
"Mm," the detective nodded without breaking from his task—carefully scanning the surroundings to protect his client from pickpockets.
In the bag shop, Richard acquired a handsome leather satchel enchanted with an Extension Charm for just fifty-six galleons.
Perhaps, for wizards with their incomes, such a price for an enchanted bag might seem high. But Richard considered his purchase extremely advantageous.
Mr. Potter placed a hand on Richard's shoulder and said:
"Kid, isn't that what you're looking for?"
Turning in the direction the detective indicated, Richie spotted a sign:
Spencer & Phillips
We build everything from a shed to a castle
"Thank you, Mr. Potter. That's exactly what I need."
Inside, the construction firm's office proved small—a four-by-four-meter room. One cloudy window was set into the wall with the door. Along another wall stood an antique sofa upholstered in worn fabric. In front of it was a polished writing desk, behind which, facing the entrance, sat a stout, bald wizard in a black robe.
The moment the visitors entered, the wizard rolled out from behind the desk like a dumpling. He turned out to be about Richard's height. A broad smile never left his face.
"Good afternoon! Delighted to see you, sir!" the wizard rattled off, addressing the detective. "I'm Mr. Oliver Spencer. Would you like to place an order?"
Mr. Potter stood slightly behind his employer on the right. He answered the wizard, gesturing toward the boy with his palm.
"Count Richard Grosvenor is here to see you. I'm the bodyguard."
"Oh! My Lord!"
The wizard's eyes widened in astonishment, his mouth falling open.
"Good afternoon, sir," Richie inclined his chin in a restrained nod, carrying himself with aristocratic dignity. "You are engaged in construction?"
"Yes—yes, of course. Good heavens, Count, why are you standing? Please, have a seat."
Mr. Spencer gestured toward the sofa. Richard accepted the invitation and settled comfortably on the right edge.
Scott remained standing, having shifted away from the entrance door to the section of wall without a window.
Mr. Spencer pulled a wand from a sheath at his belt, flicked it, and levitated a chair from behind the desk over to the sofa. He then sat opposite Richard.
"Sir, it is such an honor for me to welcome a lord to our firm. Would you like something built?"
"You're very perceptive, Mr. Spencer. But first, I'd like to know what types of construction your firm undertakes."
"My Lord, without false modesty, I'll say that even the Ministry of Magic turns to us. Recently, we built an entire settlement for magical farming estates: houses, greenhouses, and utility buildings. Very respectable wizards come to us to have homes constructed."
"And could you build an office building?"
"Of course!" The wizard's green eyes gleamed with excitement. "Of course, sir! There's nothing beyond us. We work quickly and with quality."
"Mr. Spencer, my family has long been in construction. From experience, I know perfectly well that 'quickly and with quality' automatically means expensive."
"Count Grosvenor, I've never heard of wizard-builders with that surname," the wizard said skeptically.
"Wizard-builders?" Richard smirked. "What are you talking about? My family owns an international corporation in the Muggle world that undertakes construction projects all over the globe."
"In the Muggle world…" Mr. Spencer drawled with disdain.
"Do you have something against ordinary people?" Richard asked coldly, demonstratively raising his right eyebrow.
A sheen of perspiration covered Mr. Spencer's bald head. It suddenly dawned on him that he had said too much. One could hate Muggles all one liked—but not when money was involved. He realized at once that he might lose a client.
"I—I'm sorry, n-no…" the wizard forced out. "It's just unusual. If you're involved in construction, then why come to us? Are you trying to poach us into your firm? We work exclusively with magic, so we can't operate in the Muggle world."
(End of Chapter)
P@treon: /SadRaven
🥳Joining P@treon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰