Disclaimer:
Harry Potter and all of its characters belong to J.K. Rowling.
I own nothing but the original characters I make.
"Dialogue"
'Thoughts'
-Author notes-
Chapter 94: The Black Rose
"H-here we are… My Lord…"
The young thief was being overly polite to James after seeing all his friends turned into statues in front of him.
"Wonderful." James glanced at the shop in front of him. This one was in the very center of Knockturn Alley.
As strange as it sounded, the central area had the best illumination.
There was a circular formation of buildings at the center, allowing sunlight to come in.
"It doesn't look like we are still in Knockturn Alley, right?" It even had some grass and plants. And the shop in question was a wooden cabin with a backyard filled with flowers. He had heard about this place, but it was the first time he had come in person.
"This is the most dangerous area of the alley…" the thief said while trying to avoid looking at the wooden cabin. "Not many dare to come here without permission from one of the residents. This is as close as I'll get to that garden."
James smiled. "That's fine. You've done enough."
"If you don't know the witch living in that shop, you better turn around. I heard she turns uninvited guests into fertilizer for her garden…" the thief warned.
"Are you worried for me?" James chuckled. "I'm still not paying you again."
"You could at least give me my wand back," the thief rebuked.
"Just buy yourself another one." James walked toward the cabin while the thief shouted after him.
He could detect several charms and enchantments woven into the small grassy area. This only made him more curious about what kind of wizards and witches lived here.
As Harry Potter, he had learned a bit about Knockturn Alley during his Auror Academy days, and he had personally met some of the most notorious figures, like that old man from the previous shop. But there were still many mysteries left, especially in this era, since he wasn't even born yet.
James arrived at the door, and it opened by itself.
"Mister Potter, I knew you were going to visit soon," a soft and seductive female voice came from inside.
Even without the thief's warning, James knew this witch was dangerous. Perhaps even more dangerous than the old Bellatrix Lestrange.
But she was also his best client and a good professional relationship with her would be very beneficial for his future.
James looked around as he strolled through the cabin. The walls were filled with interesting items, but he didn't even recognize some of them.
This person was neither a potioneer nor an alchemist. She was a merchant of anything rare and valuable.
Had he trusted her, she would've been his first choice to sell the basilisk body to instead of the goblins. But that wasn't the case, as he had only known her for a few months, and this was the first time he saw her in person.
"Oh my, you are as young as I expected. But much more handsome."
The woman was sitting comfortably on a large leather sofa, holding a drink in her left hand.
"I assume you know why I'm here." James moved closer. He had no idea how old this witch was supposed to be, but she was certainly older than she looked.
The seductive woman had a long mane of black hair and a pair of piercing blue eyes. She wore an elegant crimson dress that accentuated her curves and just the right amount of makeup.
She smiled gently. "It's not every day that I hear about a Hogwarts student blowing up the castle. Not to mention one with the same name as the supposed Potion Master I've been dealing with for months."
She took a sip and placed her drink on the table beside her.
"You're here because you want to make sure I'll keep buying potions from you...even if you obviously have no license and won't have one for many years… You're in the fourth year, right?"
James shrugged. "Age is just a number. And the Ministry permit is just a piece of paper. I'm sure you can tell by the quality of my potions that I'm someone worth buying from."
He handed her a piece of parchment. "That's my new Dropbox and alias."
She took it and gave it a quick glance before setting it down. "Ivory… it doesn't fit you."
'It used to fit me better when I had a long white beard, I suppose.' James thought of his past.
"It's just a name."
"What about the alchemist part? Is that also just a name?"
Her eyes moved to the white ring on his right hand.
"Do you mind if I take a closer look at that thing on your finger?"
"It's not for sale," James replied. The fact that she detected Primum's magic so quickly just went to show how skilled this woman was.
"I see." She didn't seem offended by his refusal. "I will, of course, continue to buy potions from you, for so long as you can maintain the quality. You see… I only buy the best."
"That's perfect, because I only sell the best."
"But if you really are an alchemist, perhaps there's something else you can make for me…"
"And what would that be?"
His only alchemy projects so far were the ones he was making inside his briefcase. Those took more time, attention, and materials than potions. That's why he hadn't considered selling them.
"I need a Time-Turner Sand Synthesizer," she said nonchalantly.
"No." James didn't have to think about it.
"No, as in you don't know how to make it? Or you don't want to do it?" she asked.
"No, as in no. The reason doesn't matter."
"So, it's the second one then. That's interesting… I've never found an alchemist who knew how to synthesize time sand...other than Flamel. But he won't even talk to me anymore." She pouted slightly.
"He probably doesn't want to become the Ministry's number-one criminal. And neither do I. If there isn't a serious request, I'll take my leave," James said.
She chuckled. "Come on, Mister Potter. I was just testing you a bit. I thought someone of your age would have more of a sense of humor."
James was fairly sure her request hadn't been a joke.
"I do have something you could help with. I'll reward you handsomely," she offered.
James waited for her to speak again.
"There are a couple of sphinxes that are giving trouble to one of my associates. I need something to keep them distracted while… he completes his task."
James raised an eyebrow. He wanted to ask which ancient tomb she was trying to rob, but that wouldn't be too professional.
At the very least, it was far less illegal than her previous request.
"I'll think of something."
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