Volume 5: The Burning Golden Flame Chapter 377 Transaction
During the conversation, neither the Malfoy father and son nor Jon himself took off the hoods on their heads.
In today's Britain, their faces are basically known to the public. If they are discovered appearing in the Hog's Head Pub today, it will definitely be on the headlines of the next day's newspapers.
It is also because of this that, although Lucius can look John in the eye, he cannot accurately detect the changes in his facial expression.
In fact, John didn't think Malfoy would know more about the ring, because when Slughorn handed the ring to him, he clearly stated that there were only two people in the entire wizarding world who understood the true value of the ring.
One is the dead Adrian Fawkes, another is Slughorn himself, and Jon is the third person after that.
This is why Slughorn insisted that he learn Occlumency first before teaching him the secret of the ring.
At a time when there is no information about the magic on the ring that every wizard in the wizarding world can learn about, the fewer people who know about it, the better.
"Just knowing the origin of the ring I'm wearing is not an attractive offer, Mr. Malfoy," Jon said calmly.
Faced with John's reaction, Malfoy remained calm.
"But you have to take it with you into the Forbidden Forest when you participate in your first competition. It is very precious to you, right?"
Jon did not deny this, nor did he need to deny it.
"It's just something an elder left me. Of course I will always carry it with me."
"I have investigated your past and know that no wizard can be found in your mother's family or your father's family for three generations. This means that before you were recruited by Dumbledore into the school, you had no connection with magic. Therefore, it is basically impossible for this ring to be passed down in the family. But since it can appear in your hands, it means that you know Fawkes, an unknown wizard. So I think you must be very interested in Fawkes, right?"
Interested in Adrian Fox?
Of course Jon was interested. Not to mention that the ring on his hand was created by him, he had no idea about the whereabouts of the two remaining gems on the ring.
And if there is information about Adrian himself, John will definitely have ideas, but the prerequisite is that what Lucius has in his hands must be valuable.
John didn't lose his temper and ask Lucius what he knew. Instead, he leaned back and relaxed on the chair that kept creaking, making people wonder how long it could last. Then he picked up the whiskey that Lucius had no interest in since he ordered it, and took a sip.
"I thought that Mr. Malfoy, who is known for his cunningness, would not be unable to figure out such a simple thing. You and Mr. Fawkes only met once at a banquet, and I have something that he once carried with him. Anyone should be able to see how close we are to him, right?"
Draco carefully looked up at John, who was drinking underage. His strange eyes seemed to show that he couldn't understand why John could tolerate the greasy stain on the cup.
In fact, Jon didn't want to drink it. He had always disliked Aberforth's personal hygiene, but during negotiations, he had to drink something to stabilize his aura and control the rhythm of the topic.
He didn't mind ensuring Draco's safety in the next game. As long as he didn't provoke him, he had no intention of taking any harsh measures against this arrogant young master.
The key point is that since Lucius wants him to make a promise, what kind of sincerity can the Malfoy family show?
"Perhaps in terms of relationship, you may indeed be closer to Mr. Fox, but you have definitely never met him in person. Because he was already dead when you really came into contact with the wizarding world, and the ring you obtained was most likely given to you by another person. After that banquet, I had in-depth contact with this knowledgeable wizard because of some special things. As a result, I got to know and obtained some things that belonged to him. Can these things complete this transaction between us?"
"You secretly hid the table knife he used, which was also something that once belonged to him. I have to know what this thing is, right?"
After hearing what Jon said, Malfoy was silent for a moment. He seemed to be weighing things, but soon he finished thinking.
"A key. A spell-cast key that can open the door to Adrian Fox's house."
Jon suddenly sneered.
"I suppose your means of obtaining this key were not very honorable."
"No, this is legal and compliant." Lucius said calmly, "He was suspected of illegally making and collecting magical contraband. As the head of the Auror Command Office, I have the power to issue a search warrant and search his residence. That very night, he fled the UK overnight."
"So you've already searched it. What use is there to me in a house that can be opened with a key?"
"You don't need to use this method to cover up your demands. Since I dare to use this as a bargaining chip, it has been confirmed that you must care about things related to Fox. If you really have a close relationship with him, the house where we have searched and found nothing may not be completely empty for you."
Lucius stared at Jon, as if trying to see his expression clearly through the shadow.
"I came here with sincerity, Mr. Green. My request is very simple. As long as you can guarantee the safety of my son, I will be honest with you about this, so I hope you can be straightforward too."
Jon thought, tapping his fingers lightly on the old wooden table, and soon he gave his answer.
"How can you make me trust you?"
Hearing him say this, Lucius finally breathed a sigh of relief, he knew that John agreed.
"I will draw up a contract, and you can take it back and let Dumbledore cast a spell on it. We will sign it together. As long as Draco is intact after the game, I will give you everything I know and the key."
"Okay, but that's not enough. I need to add one more condition."
"What conditions?"
"I am also interested in the house-elf Dobby you sent over to deliver the message. You should include him in the list."
Jon was indeed very interested in Adrian's affairs, but he also realized that Lucius actually wanted to get something for nothing. The key was no longer useful to him, and using it to trade with Jon was purely a waste of resources. It would not cause any loss to him at all. How could Jon let him get what he wanted?
A house-elf in exchange for the safety of one's own son, this is an acceptable deal, isn't it?
"……good."
After confirming that the deal could be done, Lucius began to organize his tone again and started the next equally important transaction attempt in a tentative tone.
"One more thing, do you need someone who can provide you with information within the Ministry of Magic?"
