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Chapter 1263: Guide
🕑 Added 2024-10-15 21:46:52 +0000 UTCFrom this, it was clear just how chaotic the management of this place was.
Even the Hog's Head Inn in Hogsmeade, which Evan thought was the dirtiest place he had ever been to, was cleaner than this place.
At the very least, Aberforth would wipe the tables and the drinking glasses clean.
But the owner of this place didn’t care at all and there was garbage everywhere.
Empty bottles and glasses were piled up randomly, some were thrown ruthlessly on the ground and broken, and some were scattered on the tables.
The only reason the entire space wasn’t completely covered was because the patrons were reusing them.
The customers of the bar took these cups, which had been used by who knows how many people, and went to the barrels at the bar to get wine. Or rather, it was an unknown turbid liquid that smelled like alcohol.
Whether these glasses and liquids were safe and hygienic did not seem to be a consideration for the patrons of the Murderer's Bar.
Evan was speechless. Did those Dark wizards and creatures have no requirements for the environment and grade of the bar? Or had Dark magic messed with their heads so much that they actually liked this sort of special atmosphere?
If that was the case, then it truly was a rather peculiar taste.
But that wasn’t even the worst of it. The most unbearable part of this bar was the pungent smell in the air.
Even outside, Evan had clearly smelled that strange odor, a mix of heavy alcohol and blood.
Now that he had come in, the smell had become even more pungent, as if in addition to serving drinks, the Murderer’s Bar also provided its customers with raw food — likely freshly slaughtered. He could vaguely see the kitchen opposite the door, and the chopping board inside, on which lay the carcass of some animal.
It had been butchered terribly, showing just how incompetent the slaughterer was.
No bar would operate like this — except, perhaps, one catering to werewolves.
Because of the wildness in their blood, many werewolves ate raw meat even when they were not transformed.
They were like beasts, with habits much like actual wolves, even in their human form.
If a large number of werewolves frequented the Murderer’s Bar, it would make sense for them to prepare such food. In addition, some Dark wizards and other Dark creatures also fed on raw meat, and they might also be regular customers of this bar.
As soon as Evan and the others walked in, Hermione started coughing violently because she couldn't stand the smell in the air.
Harry and Ron also had painful expressions on their faces. They both tried their best to breathe through their mouths, trying not to think about how dirty the air they were breathing was.
Evan gently patted Hermione's back. The stench was making his stomach churn as well.
It was obvious from their reactions that this was their first time here.
Apparently, the other patrons in the bar thought so too.
A few ragged wizards sitting in the corner were whispering stealthily, raising their heads from time to time and looking at them with malicious eyes.
Behind the bar, the bar owner was also looking at the four uninvited guests, but because he had hidden his whole body in the darkness, Evan couldn't see his appearance clearly.
In the flickering candlelight in front of the bar, a pair of bloodshot eyes could be seen.
"You four, this isn’t the place for you," he said, his voice cold.
"We’re going to the Underworld," Evan replied.
"Hmph!" The bar owner snorted heavily and said nothing.
The atmosphere was a bit awkward and the group exchanged glances.
Hermione lowered her voice and reminded, "Ask him if he’s seen Malfoy."
"Has anyone been in there before us?" Harry asked immediately.
If Malfoy had indeed been here, the bartender would surely know — he’d been stationed behind the bar the whole time.
"That’s a secret. You should know the rules."
"Of course, but if you’re willing to share that secret, these could be yours," said Evan as he took out a few Galleons.
In a place like Knockturn Alley, there were only two so-called rules: powerful force and gold.
Sure enough, the Gold Galleons that Evan threw onto the bar disappeared instantly.
"Someone just went in. What do you want to know?" asked the bar owner, leaning forward.
By the candlelight, he could see that he was a middle-aged wizard, very fat, with a scruffy beard, messy dull golden hair, and a fake smile on his face, unable to hide the greed in his eyes as he looked at Evan.
"We're looking for someone who was about five minutes ahead of us. He's about sixteen, and..." Harry described Malfoy's appearance. "Well, did you see him?"
"There was such a person," said the bar owner, "who went in before you!"
Evan and the others looked at each other and realized that Malfoy had indeed been here.
"If you’re willing to pay more Galleons, I can give you some additional information."
Evan tossed a few more Gold Galleons over, and the bar owner swiftly pocketed them.
"No, these are not enough. Give me ten more."
"Let’s hope what you have to say is worth the price," said Evan, handing over ten more Galleons.
"Ah, lovely Galleons, always so hard to refuse," he said, his gaze growing even greedier as he looked at Evan. "Sharing this information puts me at considerable risk, you know. You might not be aware, but that boy didn’t go in alone. He was escorted into the Underworld by Jareth. You understand what that means, right?"
Evan, Harry, Hermione and Ron exchanged confused glances. They didn’t understand.
Judging from what the other party said, this Jareth seemed to be a very famous person.
"Who’s Jareth?" Evan asked.
"He’s a werewolf, one of Fenrir Greyback’s most trusted lieutenants," the bartender whispered, his voice so low it was almost just a mouthing of the words. "Greyback is a follower of You-Know-Who. Now do you understand?"
So, Malfoy did come here to meet Greyback, and they were planning some conspiracy.
"I don’t care what you’re up to, but for the sake of those Galleons, I’ll give you one more piece of advice: don’t mess with the werewolves while you’re here," the bartender continued. "Even though you’re wearing those ridiculous hoods, I could tell at a glance that the four of you don’t belong here. Every year, idiots like you come here, unaware of how dangerous this place is, and end up dead. Leave now, before it’s too late."
"Thanks for your advice, but we can take care of ourselves," said Evan. "We plan to go down and take a look."
Evan didn't think they could catch up with Malfoy. They had just wasted too long at Borgin and Burkes. Just as Hermione said, if the space below was really that big, they wouldn't be able to find Malfoy even if they went in.
He planned to go to the Underground World to see what it was like.
"If you insist on going down, I suggest you find a guide, which can save you a lot of trouble," The bar owner licked his lips and said, "I know the place very well and can take you down there for just ten Galleons. What do you think?"
