Chapter 17: The Ancient Spirit Pavilion

Gringotts could be said to be the tallest building in Diagon Alley.

Levi and Tom stood before the towering white structure, scrutinizing it carefully.

“These goblins really know how to make an impression,” Tom sneered.

“I’ve heard they control all the wizarding world's wealth. Having such a grand façade is only natural,” Levi said with a note of admiration.

Tom frowned. “I still don’t understand why wizards would entrust their riches to a completely different species…”

“That’s something we can look up in a history book later. For now…”

Without further delay, the two quickened their pace toward the gates.

Gringotts had two large doors; the first was a gleaming bronze portal.

On either side stood two goblin guards dressed in crimson uniforms trimmed with gold.

It was the first time Levi and Tom had ever seen such creatures.

They were short, with large heads, long ears, pointed noses, and long limbs.

Levi noticed their arms seemed longer than their legs.

As Levi and Tom gave them a quick once-over, the goblins bowed politely.

Now they approached the second door, a silver one.

Engraved upon it was a poem-like inscription:

“Enter, stranger, but beware
Greed’s fate is none to spare
Taking all without a deed
Will face the harshest penalty indeed
So if you seek to claim below
A wealth that’s never truly owed
Thief, heed this final warning well
You’ll find not treasure, but a curse to dwell.”

Beyond the silver door lay a spacious marble hall, where a hundred or so goblins busied themselves behind large counters.

Some weighed coins on scales, others examined gems through lenses, while some attended wizard customers, hastily jotting notes in large ledgers.

After surveying the scene, Levi approached a seemingly less occupied goblin’s counter.

“Excuse me,” he said.

The goblin, hearing the voice, set down his quill and leaned over the tall counter to look at Levi and Tom.

Both were dressed elegantly in fine clothes, resembling young scions of pure-blood families.

Seeing their attire, the goblin’s initial impatience melted into a wide grin.

“Welcome! What business do you seek today?” The goblin’s voice was sharp and high-pitched.

Levi didn’t produce any pounds but instead pulled out five small gold bars from his pocket. “I’d like to exchange these for Galleons.”

“Ah! Very well! I’ll weigh them right away!”

The goblin’s eyes brightened at the sight of the bars, and his tone grew more obsequious.

He placed each of the five bars on a small scale.

“Oh my, the purity on these is excellent! I can offer you the highest price…”

“Hmm… today’s rate is ten Galleons per gram. Each bar weighs a hundred grams, so that’s five thousand Galleons in total. How does that sound?”

Tom’s eyes lit up at the mention of five thousand Galleons. Considering he currently only had twenty Galleons to his name, that was a fortune!

Yet Levi shook his head. “Ten Galleons per gram? Your fee is a bit steep. I think I’ll try another counter.”

Tom glanced at Levi in disbelief—five thousand Galleons was a lot!

“Wait! Don’t go!” the goblin quickly stopped Levi from turning away. “How about this… my name’s Ralzak. If you promise to come to me for all your future dealings at Gringotts…”

Ralzak glanced around cautiously, then whispered, “I can offer twelve Galleons per gram. What do you say?”

Tom hurriedly rubbed his face, pretending not to react, to keep his expression in check and not jeopardize Levi’s negotiation.

Levi feigned hesitation.

“Oh, sir, although gold prices fluctuate daily, this is already the top rate. I really can’t get higher approval…” Ralzak said helplessly.

“Alright, then. Let’s proceed as you say…”

“Excellent! I’ll get your money right away! By the way… would you like to open a vault? You know, having a vault lets you keep your pocket money safe—I guarantee your family will never find out!”

“I’ll take one. And put these other bars in there too,” Levi said, producing the rest of the gold bars.

Ralzak’s eyes gleamed; he had guessed right—the two young masters came from wealthy families! Even their pocket money was in gold bars!

...

By the time they stepped out of Gringotts, their wallets were bursting with wealth.

Tom asked curiously, “How did you know that greedy goblin wasn’t telling the truth?”

Levi smiled. “Goblins are greedy by nature. How could they be honest? Believe it or not, twelve Galleons per gram isn’t even the highest price. Ralzak definitely pockets a kickback.”

“Then why did you trade with him?” Tom asked in shock.

“Tom, if you want someone to handle your affairs with care, you have to give them a little incentive. Especially when dealing with creatures like goblins,” Levi said casually.

“Here, this is for you.” Levi pulled a pouch from his pocket and tossed it to Tom. It contained five hundred Galleons. “We each take five hundred for now. That should be enough; the rest stays in Gringotts.”

Tom nodded silently and pocketed the pouch.

“All right, we need to return our clothes and then… buy a wand!” Levi’s face was alight with anticipation.

Levi had always practiced magic without a wand. Now he wanted to try the sensation of wielding one. Tom felt the same.

After returning their robes to Mr. Mogen and purchasing their school uniforms, they hurried to Ollivanders Wand Shop.

The shop looked small and shabby, its golden sign peeling. It read, “Ollivander: Makers of Fine Wands Since 382 B.C.”

Inside the display window, on a faded purple cushion, sat a solitary wand.

Levi and Tom pushed open the door and stepped inside.

The shop’s interior was cramped and bare, save for a long bench in the corner.

Thousands of narrow wand boxes stacked from floor to ceiling were coated with a thin layer of dust.

“Welcome to Ollivanders! Ah… two young wizards preparing for Hogwarts, I see.”

A young man with silver eyes emerged from between the crowded shelves.

“My name is Garrick Ollivander. You’ve come to the right place to find your wand.”

“With so many wands, how do we choose?” Tom asked, eyeing the towering piles.

Ollivander chuckled. “Ah, but it’s not the wizard who chooses the wand, it’s the wand that chooses the wizard! Now then… who goes first?”

Levi nudged Tom forward. “You go first.”

Tom frowned at Levi, suspecting he was up to some scheme again.

Yet this time, Levi genuinely just wanted to see if Tom would once again receive that destined wand made of purpleheart wood.