Chapter 78: The Malfoy Family's Private Collection
This so-called "standard experience" was anything but simple. You should know that the author of The Secrets of Meditation spent his entire life trying to revive meditation. In the end, due to a lack of understanding of proper training methods and results, he struggled his whole life without ever being able to reproduce the true power of meditation.
After the Forbidden Forest incident, Malfoy deeply realized the importance of strength. George had told him that once school started, he would train together with Harry and the others. This only strengthened Malfoy's determination to improve.
Throughout the entire summer, he didn't slack off for a moment. He trained hard, and it was precisely because of his outstanding performance that his father, Lucius, brought him along this time. Besides giving him a proper lesson, Lucius also intended to prepare some rewards for him.
George's meditation experiments were unique in the entire wizarding world—extremely rare. During the summer, George didn't forget to check on everyone's progress, including Malfoy. After Malfoy asked him a few questions, George gave appropriate answers while also reminding him about the membership fees he owed to the mutual aid association, as well as the consulting fees he was entitled to.
This time, George knew Lucius would be handling his assets in Knockturn Alley—this was the biggest benefit he had gained from Malfoy.
Mr. Borgin soon came running out from the back room again, holding a thick book in both hands. Slightly out of breath, he said:
"Mr. George, this is the book. Ancient Curse Revelations. It records reconstructions of some ancient foundational spells. It's one of a kind and extremely valuable."
As he spoke, he wore a proud expression and handed the book over.
"Have you tried it?" George asked casually as he flipped through it.
Borgin's expression shifted again. After a moment, he forced a jealous smile.
"I'm not as capable as you, Mr. George. These ancient spells have only gathered dust in my hands."
"So, in other words, it's useless." George glanced at him disapprovingly.
This old fox was always able to exaggerate ordinary items into priceless treasures. Many unsuspecting people had been fooled by him—but deceiving an outstanding Ravenclaw student like George was far from easy.
"The book is real. Even if it's not very useful, I'll take it."
After briefly skimming through it, George carefully closed the book and said:
"Tomorrow, go to Malfoy Manor and take a look at his collection. Try to persuade him to sell more items. Based on your current offer today, raise the price by another 20%. I'll then pay you 20% more than your purchase price."
Borgin looked uneasy and cautiously asked:
"If you're interested in the Malfoy family's property, why not go there yourself?"
He was clearly trying to test how much influence this mysterious Mr. George had over Malfoy Manor.
"Don't try to be clever."
George's voice rose slightly as he began tapping the table rhythmically.
"Don't… don't… I understand, Mr. George!"
Borgin's heartbeat quickened along with the tapping. He immediately gave in:
"You must want to avoid drawing Malfoy's attention, so you plan to treat those items as ordinary goods and gradually raise their value…"
"Make your money honestly. Don't play tricks. You won't get a second chance."
George's voice turned cold again, almost like a curse, causing Borgin to break out in a cold sweat.
"Besides the Malfoy family, I'll also keep an eye on anything others are selling in Knockturn Alley. If there's anything you need, I'll reserve it for you."
Borgin hurriedly bowed in apology, regretting his earlier probing. He knew how dangerous this man was—why had he taken the risk?
"Good. I'll come back in three days."
George ignored him and walked out directly.
Why didn't George go directly to Lucius, but instead start from Knockturn Alley?
On one hand, as Borgin said, buying from shop to shop was very different. If George handled it himself, there would be no negotiation—only force. Many valuable items would simply be treated as junk.
If he personally made purchases, even doubling the price would only raise suspicion, drive prices higher, or make others think the items held hidden secrets—leading them to refuse selling altogether.
The Ministry of Magic's recent investigations didn't just affect the Malfoy family. Even powerful families like theirs had begun quietly dealing with their assets, especially those belonging to others.
At a time like this, George certainly didn't want to attract attention.
Knockturn Alley, as a massive black-market hub, was the only place capable of absorbing half the wizarding world's wealth without raising suspicion.
As for these so-called "forbidden items"—dark magic and such—the Ministry had clearly outlawed them.
But George didn't see it that way.
The wizarding world had been peaceful for too long. After experiencing Voldemort's dark reign, it had become overly cautious—like a frightened bird. Many once-unthinkable things had now become commonplace.
Forbidden items?
Since when did wizards talk like that?
Power is power—whether it's poison, curses, or dark magic.
Power does not define good or evil. Only power can oppose power.
And the Ministry?
It was already in chaos.
They tried to maintain peace by suppressing dark magic and eliminating forbidden items—but if Voldemort returned, how would they respond?
George had no intention of warning them.
They were unreliable, incompetent, and stubborn.
Most importantly—he was benefiting from the situation.
Just like today.
Because of this chaos, he had already obtained nearly half of the Malfoy family's accumulated wealth over generations.
And not just that—during this sensitive period, more "opportunities" would continue to surface in Knockturn Alley.
Such chances were incredibly rare.
If the entire wizarding world hadn't been thrown into panic by Voldemort, none of this would have been possible.
This was the law of survival:
"The timid starve, and the brave perish in battle."
After this upheaval, if George handled things properly, then aside from Hogwarts, he might very well control the majority of wealth and resources in the entire wizarding world.
And with the Ministry's investigations forcing hidden collections into circulation, rare books and magical items were now slowly emerging into the open.
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