Hogwarts: The Child Who Improves Too Much!

"Knockturn Alley!"

On the way from Florin's Ice Cream Shop to the Leaky Cauldron, Ethan's attention was caught by a signpost with a bloody hand, facing a shadowy alley.

The sign next to it read "Knockturn Alley".

Standing at the entrance of the alley, Ethan hesitated for just a moment before walking in. 

The dark alley seemed to promise something exciting, even though it felt a little wrong. 

Earlier, he had bought a stack of textbooks, spending most of his Galleons, and leaving his wallet much lighter. 

The books were necessary for his studies, but now, with the coins slipping through his fingers, the weight of his decisions hung over him.

He needed money, but how could he get it?

Making money the usual way wasn't easy, especially for a child like him.

But there were faster, riskier ways to earn gold.

The laws about how money was earned were meant to keep things in check, but in his situation, rules weren't a luxury he could afford.

Anyway, Ethan can use any magic, as long as it is not seen with his own eyes, no one will notice it.

With this ability, it is perfect to do things outside the rules.

This Knockturn Alley is the black market of the wizarding world, specializing in trading some shady magic items.

Of course, there are also many wanted criminals of the Ministry of Magic.

It is still risky for underage wizards to go in, but the three unforgivable curses at full level made Ethan ignore these threats.

After all, how strong can they be if they are hiding in Knockturn Alley?

As Ethan moved forward, the road became more and more gloomy.

Unlike the sunny Diagon Alley, it seemed that the sun could not reach here, and everything was shrouded in shadows.

The contrast difference between them made Ethan stay sharp on his toes.

Diagon Alley is bustling with people as many wizards come and go but in Knockturn Alley even if there were people it was eerily silent.

Only Ethan is different from them. His face is full of curiosity and excitement as he jumps around in front of each stall.

He resembled those naïve young wizards who, after hearing the legends of Knockturn Alley, would sneak off to explore its corners, far from their parent's watchful eyes. 

"These are powerful magical artifacts. With them, you'll dominate any wizard duel. Care to take a look?" 

The old wizard, leaning against the grimy wall, flashed a toothy grin as he eagerly promoted his wares to Ethan.

Ethan looked at the things on the stalls.

There were skulls—some human, others likely from unidentifiable creatures—strung alongside beads, cryptic sculptures, and tiny, unlabeled potion vials.

It was clear these weren't legitimate magical items.

"No, thank you. I don't need any of this," Ethan replied curtly.

Taking two quick steps back, he waved a dismissive hand and hastened forward, eager to leave the unsettling display behind.

"Ha!"

Seeing Ethan hurriedly leave, the old wizard sneered twice and did not try to stop him.

Although most of the items in his stall were counterfeit, if Ethan had shown a willingness to spend money, the old wizard might have offered a friendly warning about the danger around this place—after all, they were close to the intersection. 

But now? Let him be devoured by the vultures lurking further ahead!

"Come and take a look! The latest wizarding novels—The Witch and the Seven Fairies and The Witch and the Werewolf! These are the hottest best-sellers, not available anywhere else."

On the stalls full of books, the middle-aged boss with a pockmarked face recommended his products to the passing wizards.

Seeing the erotic book covers on display, Ethan instantly shifted his gaze and walked forward quickly without looking back, looking like a pure little boy.

Just like that, Ethan looked around and acted, as if he was interested in everything, but because of his timidity, he walked away without buying anything.

Because of this, he attracted many eyes along the way.

"Lost, right? Do you need me to take you out?"

Finally, some of the people lost their patience and decided to approach Ethan.

Three wizards, cloaked in tattered robes with their faces hidden beneath hoods, blocked Ethan in a corner.

Soon after Ethan entered Knockturn Alley, these three wizards have been watching him closely. 

Other groups of people also noticed Ethan, seeing him as an easy target to fool, but the three wizards quickly sent them away.

Wizards were valuable, especially to those who used them for dark experiments.

There were rumors of young wizards being sold to cruel alchemists, their magic drained in terrible ways.

Some were used in dark rituals, their lives treated as nothing more than a trade for power.

If a wizard came from a rich family, they might be able to pay a ransom for their freedom.

But even then, there was no guarantee they would be saved, and many simply disappeared.

"Thank you, I know the way."

Ethan lowered his head, trying to slip past the wizard in front of him. 

But they had no intention of letting him go.

One of them placed a hand on Ethan's shoulder, leaning in close to whisper, "I think you need our help. What do you think?" 

"Think carefully before you answer." 

The second hand landed firmly on Ethan's other shoulder, pinning him in place. 

With his head lowered, Ethan spoke in a voice so quiet it was almost inaudible, "I need your help..."

The three wizards exchanged knowing smiles, clearly pleased by his scared, submissive demeanor.

But in the shadow of his lowered gaze, none of them noticed the subtle, almost imperceptible smile on Ethan's lips.

'You want to catch me? Well, I happen to have the same idea.' Ethan snickered in his heart.

"That's right, follow me, I'll take you out," the first wizard said, gripping Ethan's sleeve and pulling him deeper into Diagon Alley. 

In their eyes, this young wizard was already captured.

Before them, even a second-year student from Hogwarts would struggle to cast spells effectively, let alone escape. 

What kind of trouble could someone like him possibly cause? 

The other wizards around them, used to such exchanges, barely spared them a glance, their indifference showing how common such scenes were.

After walking about fifty meters, Ethan and the three wizards stopped in front of a hidden doorway, its dark outline barely visible in the shadows.

Ethan's heart raced, but his face remained expressionless as he yanked his sleeve free, feeling the grip of their hands tighten around him.

He stopped dead in his tracks, his voice suddenly cold, cutting through the air like a blade, "Where are we going?"

The three wizards faltered, momentarily caught off guard by the sharpness in his tone, but they quickly recovered, sneering at his apparent courage.

One of them grinned, clearly enjoying the power he held, and answered casually, "We're heading to the base in Knockturn Alley."

Ethan's eyes narrowed, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. "How many people are in the base?"

"Just one."

The response came without hesitation. 

And the wizard who said that has his tone almost too relaxed.

The other two wizards also had the same look.

A strange expression lacking any suspicion on it.

Something was off.

Why were they so willing to answer a captive's questions and provide crucial information about their base?

Yet none of the wizards seemed to notice anything unusual.

Ethan's jaw tightened, the faintest hint of a smirk tugging at his lips as he stared at them.

"Lead the way."