Those unfamiliar with Voldemort's reign couldn't comprehend the terror: Death Eaters invading homes, loved ones perishing instantly. Even uttering "You-Know-Who" left deep scars.
Yet, this audacious individual used Voldemort's name as a gimmick, a sheer disregard for life. Some even shattered their wine glasses.
The wizard in the golden leather jacket leaped onto the roundtable, punching Pete to the ground. Casting a Shield Charm, he yelled, "Everyone, I apologize on his behalf! Please be patient. Someone will offer compensation shortly. This exclusive roundtable is canceled."
Despite their complaints, the wizard's reputation commanded respect. Everyone rose, eager to depart.
At that moment, Snape stood up.
"Mr. Tucker, my time is precious. You promised something worthwhile in your letter."
The leather-jacketed wizard apologized, "I sincerely apologize, Mr. Doe."
Snape shook his head. "No need. I just hope the roundtable continues. I want to see what he's offering."
At Snape's words, the murmuring crowd paused. The bearded strongman nodded. "Yes, it would be a waste to end it." The exclusive roundtable would proceed.
Anton glanced at Snape, a soft smile touching his lips. 'Mr. Doe? Intriguing.' He finally understood Snape's presence; the 'You-Know-Who' gimmick must have drawn him.
The golden-jacketed wizard grabbed Pete by the collar, lifting him, whispering angrily. Pete nodded fearfully, then returned to the center of the roundtable.
"Alright, something just happened," Pete declared, eyes twinkling, drawing laughter. "Two months ago, fearing a powerful dark wizard, I used alternative means to reach Albania." He spoke with feigned emotion, visibly shaken. The crowd laughed again.
"As we all know, that place is as desolate as the edge of the world," Pete's enthusiasm grew, "but little did I know, besides the forests, there are hundreds of thousands of bunkers."
The bearded strongman scoffed, "So many? Impossible! Albania is impoverished."
Pete shrugged. "They say they were built with something called 'cement' from a distant Muggle country in the East. I'm not sure, and who really cares." He started to say, "I didn't find anything there..." but the stern gaze of the golden-jacketed wizard silenced him.
"But I did find this!" he announced, walking to the iron cage and dramatically pulling off the black cloth.
Inside, a massive, twelve-foot python lay revealed. But beyond its size, the viper was in terrible condition: its body covered in wounds, large patches of scales missing, and bright red flesh exposed in places.
"That's it?" the bearded strong man bellowed, "You're just wasting my time!"
"Don't worry, this is a very, very magical snake. Not an ordinary one," Pete said, smiling mysteriously as he drew his wand. He glanced at the golden-jacketed wizard. "May I cast a spell?"
Permission granted, he dramatically addressed the crowd, "Now, eyes open, everyone! This will last only a moment." With a flourish, he waved his wand, incanting, "Crucio!"
The curse struck the python, which screamed and writhed. Briefly, its triangular head became an woman's, with billowing black hair. The transformation vanished instantly, leaving an ordinary snake.
Anton gripped the tree branch tightly. 'Could it be? Isn't this Nagini?'
In "Fantastic Beasts," Newt and Dumbledore sought an acquaintance, and this snake later became Voldemort's pet, a Horcrux, ultimately beheaded by Neville. Anton, knowing Pete found it in Albania, deduced Voldemort's hiding place.
He stared blankly at Pete, who preened on stage. "I released him, otherwise she would have died. Damn, Voldemort never met his pet because he wasn't dead?" he muttered to himself. Did Snape miss Nagini?
"Oh god," He murmured, "Did I change the plot?"
Nagini, a crucial character, one of Voldemort's seven Horcruxes, even killed Snape. As he pondered this, he glanced diagonally ahead. Indeed, Snape appeared intrigued, holding up a sign.
"Very well," the golden-jacketed wizard announced, presiding over the auction. "This gentleman has raised his bid. Anyone else?"
Pete eagerly rubbed his hands, eyeing the assertive bearded man. The strongman shrugged, uninterested. "Her head is unique, but I don't want my baby in a snake's mouth. Disgusting." Laughter rippled through the crowd.
A wizard about to bid quickly lowered his sign, explaining to his female companion. The bearded man's remarks had effectively killed all bidding interest. Pete's face darkened, as if wanting to cover his mouth.
"No more bids?" the wizard asked three times, then declared, "Congratulations to Mr. Doe! You've won the auction for this exquisite round table."
Two staff members discreetly placed the iron cage into a suitcase using a traceless stretching spell. The crowd dispersed. Anton glanced at Snape one last time before leaving. Wandering the hall, he found someone exchanging Muggle currency, but they only had British pounds, no francs.
The pound, a legitimate, non-decimal currency with 2.13281 grams of gold. Anton, recalling Sherlock Holmes's 60-pound comfortable living, exchanged a hundred. This cost 9 Galleons in the black market, compared to 20 at Gringotts.
Ministry bans on wizard-Muggle interaction meant dark wizards were less reckless than imagined. They rarely used Muggle currency; its low value stemmed from the "hassle to extract gold." He agreed, wondering why not just buy gold directly?
Having exchanged his money, Fiennes warned that relaxed gatherings often hide dangers. He proceeded without delay.
Before reaching his broom's hiding spot, a spell hit him.
"Expelliarmus!"
His wand flew from his hand. He calmly turned, retrieving Fiennes's spare wand from his robe.
Seeing the approaching figure, he raised an eyebrow.
Snape?