Chapter 24
(Daphne POV)
The clearing in the middle of the Forbidden Forest was aglow with the whispering embers of the fire. The two cloaked figures stood on opposite sides of the fire, attempting to summon the spirits that lay within. It was her first training session since being promoted to the next superior one and they had delved straight into manifesting fire spirits or sprites. As hard as Daphne was trying to concentrate on bringing these beings into existence, she couldn't keep her thoughts on the task at hand. Her tutor noticed.
'You are distracted my child. What appears to be the problem?'
'It is Isobel isn't it?' Daphne said to her tutor as she cast another wave of spiritual energy into the fire. 'The fourth member to join the fight?'
'Ah…You mustn't let the problems of your own prophecies get to you my child.' The woman paused. 'Close your eyes and focus on releasing your energy into the fire. All will be revealed in no time.' She whispered. 'Close your eyes, Daphne.'
Daphne closed her eyes and brought all her attention to releasing her thoughts into the fire, sending wave after wave of spiritual energy into the fire.
'That's it my child. Keep going.' She heard the positive reinforcement of her supervisor and continued to release every thought that came to her mind into the fire. She could sense herself getting tired but it didn't stop her, she needed the answers and she was going to get them no matter how much energy it took for her.
When she was completely spent, her supervisor gasped in surprise and instructed her to open her eyes. As she did, she collapsed on the ground but looked around her. Little, orange, glowing sprites were bursting out of the fire and dancing around the clearing giving the illusion of fireflies. Oh, how she wished Theo could see this right now. It was the most beautiful scene she had ever experienced in her life. A wave of euphoria rushed over her body as she watched the delicate, yet blazing creatures dance around. A moment later, she felt her tutor's hand on her shoulder give her a delicate squeeze.
'You did it my child. I'm so proud of you. You know, it took me three practice sessions for me to get it right. For you to do it in your first try is an incredible achievement. I can tell you are destined for great things.' She replied.
As she continued to watch in awe, Daphne suddenly realised they were sending her a message intuitively. Closing her eyes once more, she tuned into their message.
To find the answer in which you seek, look into your heart, what does it speak?
Well that insinuated that she already knew the answer. So, Isobel was the fourth member of the prophecy then. She need not have asked them for the answer.
Child with so much power, it's your gift we praise this hour.
Smiling to herself for finding the answer to her question, she felt ease rush over her body. As she opened her eyes, she noticed the fire spirits beginning to fizzle away back into the fire. They had given her what she needed and knew that they were there whenever she would need to call upon them later. Looking up to gaze at her supervisor, she noticed the woman was also smiling down on her.
'Dear child, you have a remarkable gift.' She replied, joining her on the ground, soaking up the last of the warmth of the now dying fire.
'The fire spirits told me what I needed to know.' Daphne replied.
'They always do.' The older woman replied. 'I think that is enough for tonight. Are you sure you can get home alright?'
'Yes. Theo is waiting for me at Hagrid's hut.' She replied.
'Ah Rubeus. Such generosity, such gift…' The other woman trailed off on another tangent. 'That Theo, also a very gifted seer. How blessed we are to have such young and powerful people with the gift of inner sight. You hold on to him dear. You are both destined for great things, true. But nothing is more powerful than the love a couple may share for each other.'
'Thank you superior one. I will.' Daphne replied, picking herself off the ground and began to help the older woman up.
'Go. May the spirits guide you towards great blessings.' She announced and waved Daphne out of the clearing. Daphne was bewildered. Had she really just summoned fire spirits on her first try? The superior one herself had just admitted that it had taken her three tries. It had been the most miraculous experience. She tried to retain the picture in her mind so she'd be able to show Theo it later. Feeling relaxed, she rustled through the bushes in the darkness. The sound of centaur hooves to her right made her look up but knowing the dangers of this forest she knew to never deter from her path. She felt the brisk autumn chill wisp around her and she pulled her cloak in towards her and willed herself closer to the edge of the forest.
About twenty minutes later, she approached the clearing and made her way towards the hut. She heard the booming laughter of Hagrid from within and smirked to herself. As much as people thought Slytherins were cold-hearted, some of them were not as horrible as they seemed. She and Theo had visited Hagrid all the time during school. Looking up to the now reformed school, she sighed. She would be back in it's walls next week. She couldn't wait to get back to that life. Back to some sense of normality. All she ever wanted was to finish her education and retire to a little seaside village where she and Theo could live out ordinary lives. She supposed being a high-order seer wouldn't grant her such an opportunity. But she'd be damned if she couldn't at least live out some of her dream. Sighing a wishful sigh, she turned back to the door and knocked. As she waited for Hagrid to open the door, she heard Fang bark and scratch at the door.
'Out of the way, you old sook.' Hagrid said, opening the door but Fang jumped on top of her. He licked her playfully and she just laughed.
'Hey boy…' She laughed.
'Alright you sook. That's enough drooling on our guest.' He pulled the dog away. 'Daphne. How nice to see yer. Come in. Come in. Theo and I were just having a cup of tea. Would you like one?' He gestured for her to come in.
'I would love one, thanks Hagrid.' She removed her cloak and sat down next to Theo. He peered over the top of his glasses at her and she mouthed later at him but with a big grin. He relaxed and draped his arm around her on top of the lounge whilst Hagrid poured her some tea.
'Theo here was just telling me about all the shenanigans that yer been up to in Grimmauld Place.' Hagrid said and placed the cup in front of her.
'Has he just? And what kind of shenanigans would that be?' She questioned, looking between the half-giant and the man.
'Oh, yer know. You kids being kids.' He replied. She had to admit that ever since Blaise and Isobel had joined the house it had gotten much livelier in the Black house. She chuckled. Pranks had been played, a lot of teasing not to mention the banter. She would have to admit that she kind of wished they had all been friends since first year. It had been the best week and a half of her life.
'It has been fun getting to know people we haven't had a chance to know before.' She admitted. 'When this all over, I reckon we'll be friends for life.'
'That's good to hear. We all need a bit of happiness in these dark times.' Hagrid replied.
'Couldn't have said it better myself Hagrid.' Theo agreed, taking a sip of his tea.
'So…how are Harry and Ginny going?' Hagrid asked.
Daphne sighed as she recalled the day when Ginny had come over.
They had all been in the dining room at Grimmauld Place when Ginny had flooed in. She had looked startled to see all of them there but regained her composure quite quickly.
'Hello. What's happening here?' She asked.
'We're playing exploding snap. You want to join?' Blaise asked.
'Uh. No thanks. Where's Harry?' She asked.
'He's in the library with Ellie. I need to talk to Ellie so I'll come with.' Daphne replied and the pair left Theo, Blaise and Isobel to their game. 'So how have you been Ginny?'
'Fine.' The girl said coldly and stepped a bit further away from her.
'Ginny. I'm sorry for the way we may have treated you during school. I promise we didn't mean anything we said, it was all for appearance's sake. I know you don't trust us but I would really like us all to be friends. We are in the order now. We are one of you guys not the enemy.' She replied. The redheaded girl looked at her through glaring eyes as if she were wondering whether to trust her or not. After another moment she sighed.
'Alright. I'd like that too.' She stuck out her hand and they shook hands, laughing at how ridiculously professional it felt. They continued laughing as they entered the library, making the other two look up.
'What's so funny?' Ellie asked, quirking an eyebrow.
'Oh nothing. It was a had to be there moment.' Ginny answered before embracing her friend. 'I've missed you Ellie. How have you been?'
'As good as I can be, being cooped up here with all these Slytherins and Isobel. You remember her? Luna's friend.'
'Oh yeah. I do. She's great.' Ginny said. Harry coughed, alerting them to his presence. 'Harry. I need to explain.' She turned to him. 'A little privacy please?' The girls then walked out of the library but Daphne pulled an extendable ear out of her pocket so they could listen in.
'It's not what you think.'
'What the hell was I supposed to think? You were pulling away Gin. Without explanation.'
'Harry, please. Let me explain.'
'Fine. Go on. I'm listening.' He sounded really angry at her.
'Well. I missed my period.'
'YOU WHAT?' He yelled.
Ellie and Daphne shared a widened look and mouthed 'what the hell?'
'I missed my period Harry and I thought that I was pregnant. So, I went to the doctor and she confirmed it. But…' She sniffed. 'I lost him Harry…I've been so stressed that I lost him. Please don't hate me.' Ginny broke down and they could hear Harry walk over to her.
'Hey…shh…I could never hate you. I love you Gin.' He said. 'Is that why you were pulling away? Because you were afraid of angering me?'
'Yes. I know how much you want a family Harry and I was so happy when I found out and I was going to surprise you. But then I lost him and I was devastated. I thought you'd hate me. So, I pulled away. I needed to heal before I could bring myself to tell you.'
'Oh Gin. I don't hate you. I just hated the fact you couldn't tell me what was going on. There's plenty of time for a family later on. Please. Gin. Can we just focus on being together again?' He kissed her forehead or somewhere. Daphne couldn't tell.
'Come on.' Ellie said. 'Let's give them some privacy.'
Daphne nodded and extracted the extendable ear as they both walked downstairs heavily saddened by the news of Ginny's miscarriage. Upon entering the dining room, they shared the news of the conversation they had eavesdropped on to their friends on the promise that they wouldn't tell anyone. A promise that didn't need to be fulfilled for an hour and many rounds of exploding snap later, Ginny and Harry told them the news. They had all given their friends as much support as they needed. But since then had tried to help them to move on.
'They're trying to keep it together. It's hard when you wanted something for so long and something ruins your chance of getting there. But they're getting better. Ginny will move back in after the school year.' Daphne answered.
'I can only imagine.' Hagrid replied. 'How are you two keeping up?'
The couple looked between themselves before answering.
'We're doing great at the moment actually.' Theo said with optimism.
'No complaints here.' Daphne agreed.
'We've decided to sell Nott Manor and save whatever my father didn't owe towards a down payment on a seaside cottage for after we graduate.' Theo said proudly. The idea had never seemed more enticing than right now.
'I'm so glad that the war didn't keep such a great couple apart.' Hagrid sniffed. 'Oh no. Look I'm getting all emotional. Don't mind me.' He blew his nose into his handkerchief.
'Oh Hagrid. Don't cry. The war was hard on us all.' Daphne soothed.
'Yes. Well. Some more than others. Help yourselves to some rock cakes.' He replied.
'No thanks. We ate a big dinner before.' Theo answered. Hagrid coughed to get his emotions in check.
'Alright, sorry about that. Still getting over it.' He feigned a smile. 'Now, have we heard from Draco yet?'
Daphne clearly remembered the day they received Draco's letter. It was a few days after they had begun to reread everything in the library when he had sent the letter over with Aquilla.
Ellie and Daphne were in the dining room reading books on Celtic gods when Aquilla flew in through the fireplace. They both looked up recognising the owl and nearly snatched the letter from her talons in anticipation.
Ellie opened the letter and all the colour drained out of her face when she read it. She passed the letter to Daphne to read.
Erin,
I'm sending this letter from the edge of our apparition borders at the edge of the estate. He knows and so this will be my last letter to you. I have everything we need to know but I can not pass this information on right now as it might be intercepted. Please meet me in the dining room at half past eight tonight. I won't be able to speak long. He is keeping tabs on me now.
Damien x
P.S. Keep Aquilla. She won't be safe here. Return her when I see you.
Daphne looked up at Ellie who was now pacing back and forth in front of the fireplace. Lucius knew about their correspondence. So, what did that mean for them? How careful did they need to be from now on? What was going to happen to Draco?
'HARRY! BLAISE! THEO! ISOBEL! GET DOWN HERE NOW!' She called up the stairs out of the dining room.
'Coming!' They called and a rush of footsteps could be hear throughout the house. When they saw the anxiety on Ellie's face, they knew something was up and then they saw Aquilla.
'It's Draco.' Blaise said first. 'What did he say?'
Daphne handed the note to Harry who read it. 'This isn't good.' He then passed it to Blaise and Theo who both read it. Blaise then informed Isobel. 'We need to extract Malfoy right now. It's getting too dangerous for him.' Harry commanded. 'Lucius could unravel the whole operation.'
'We can't Harry. He's got an anti-apparition spell placed on him.' Ellie exclaimed.
'Shoot. You're right. Well. Um. I don't know what to do then.' He mumbled.
'Calm down everyone.' Daphne exclaimed. 'Draco's a big boy. He can handle himself for another week until we get to school. Let's just see what he has to say tonight.'
A mumble of agreement occurred through the group. Aquilla bit Ellie's finger.
'Ouch. Aquilla.' She yelped and then went to fetch the bird a treat before she flew off up to join Opal in the attic turned owlery.
'Anyone up for a game of chess?' Theo asked as everyone dissolved back to what they were doing.
(Later that night)
They gathered around the dining room fireplace awaiting Draco at twenty-five past eight. Ellie had her piece of parchment and quill ready to take down all the information they needed from him and everyone was whispering in hushed tones.
'Do you think he's really solved the Gwydion thing?' Isobel whispered to Blaise.
'If I know Draco, he will have.' Blaise replied slipping a kiss on her forehead.
'I'm nervous Ellie. What if this weapon is too strong? What if we can't stop it?' Harry was pacing up and down the room.
'Calm down Harry. We have to take this one step at a time.' Ellie answered. 'Besides it is prophesised that we will defeat this.'
'Yeah mate, sit down before you give us all anxiety.' Theo said and Harry came and joined them as they awaited Draco.
At eight thirty-eight, he finally appeared. 'Hey. Sorry I'm late. I couldn't get away from him.'
'Draco, good to see you alive man.' Blaise said.
'Yeah. We thought Tori might eat you alive.' Daphne agreed.
'I see the whole calvary is here.' Draco mused. 'Anyway. I haven't got long. Father will be back to check on me in fifteen. So, here's what you need to know. Gwydion was a welsh warrior/magician who could shapeshift things.' Ellie was furiously scribbling down notes. 'He made the misguide so that the person who possesses it can deceive their target by altering the form of a situation, place or person.'
'Hang on. That sounds like it doesn't work on a large scale.' Harry said.
'For once I agree Potter. But the book said that a vial of Demiguise blood may be able to enhance the effects of it.'
'By what magnitude?' Ellie asked.
'Could be anything from a tiny bit to a hundred-fold. They are unsure as it was last reported to exist in the 1500s and no one knows how it worked.'
'So that does mean that the death eaters used the misguide in the Milan attack doesn't it?' Isobel asked.
'Well it would make sense wouldn't it if they did? The place was destroyed and there was no trace of anyone there.'
'An object like that would have to have an extraordinary amount of power.' Ellie mused. 'Does it absorb the demiguise blood permanently or do they have to keep reapplying it?'
'Well given they haven't done anything else since the attack, I would assume that they have to reapply it. Demiguise blood is particularly rare too so getting a hold of it and in large quantities would be costly and would take some time. That reminds me. I need someone to go to the Knockturn Alley Apothecary for me.'
'Why?' Harry asked. 'What do you need from there?'
'Norman was talking to a portrait of a Milton Xavier Greengrass.' Ellie scribbled name down. 'He used to manage the apothecary there and solicit illegal and rare ingredients. I'm sure Daphne can give you more details but I need someone to find out if there is a portrait of him in the shop and if he's the one collecting Demiguise blood for the death eaters.'
'Alright. I'll get my aurors onto it.' Harry said.
'No. It would be better if you send someone in that isn't associated with the aurors. The manager will know. Blaise and I can go in.' Theo said. Blaise nodded in agreement.
'Think about it Potter. The more aurors we get involved, the more suspicious they will become of us. It needs to be us. I severely doubt a simple apothecary would recognise us.' Blaise reasoned.
'Alright. I see your point.' Harry resigned.
'Oh, and one more thing. Greengrass is definitely in this plan. He was talking to the guy I assume was in the Hogs Head. I didn't manage to get a look at him. But he was under the imperio and I think there might be a family hostage situation involved. But he knows us. He knows me and my connections. He is suspicious of my connection to the Zabini's and reported it to Norman. We need to be careful from now on. Both Norman and Lucius are suspicious.' Draco explained.
'Ok. Well the same guy dropped a map in Fred and George's shop the day of the attack with the spot marked on it. He stole some fireworks but they didn't get a chance to look at him either. Jamieson in forensics wasn't able to identify any DNA on the map apart from mine and the twins. So, we have no leads there.' Harry replied.
'Well I hope this information was helpful.' He looked behind him. 'I'm sorry. I've got to go. Someone's coming. Stay safe.' Draco said and he disappeared out of the flames.
It had been a lot of information to take in at the time but Ellie being the proficient note taker she was, was able to dictate everything they needed back to them after. Harry had neglected to tell the rest of the order the news, holding back until Blaise and Theo went to investigate the apothecary. They were expected to go there tomorrow. They had spent the better part of the week preparing their story for when they went in there.
Whilst Daphne had been remembering the situation, Theo had relayed the information to Hagrid.
'That Malfoy fellow has done some solid work for the order since he joined. That Lucius should be ashamed of himself for the way he treats him.' Hagrid replied.
'I couldn't agree with you more Hagrid.' Theo said and watched Daphne yawned. 'But perhaps we had best be getting back. Daphne appears to be falling asleep as we speak.'
'Right you are, Theo. Right you are. Well, off you go then. I'll see ya in a week.' He said and gently ushered them out the door.
Theo wrapped himself tightly around her and together they apparated back to Grimmauld Place where they entered in from the outside.
Daphne said goodnight to Theo and went upstairs to her bedroom. She had used too much energy tonight and she needed to sleep it off.
The following morning, Daphne, Ellie and Isobel stood in the main entrance of number twelve Grimmauld Place and wished Blaise and Theo luck as they set off to complete their apothecary mission. As the boys left, Daphne felt an overwhelming surge of spiritual energy run through her. Something wasn't quite right but she brushed it off. The boys would be fine. She was just being paranoid for no reason. Right?
(Blaise POV)
Blaise woke up early, ready to find out more about this Milton Greengrass person. Daphne had elaborated to say that he had died from an illegal trade gone wrong but over the years he had still remained in contact with the descendants of his original traders and buyers and somehow manages to gain access to them for the current shop owner. How a portrait did that, Blaise didn't know, but magic worked in strange ways.
He and Theo had designed a plan to get all the information they needed. They would go in as Italian traders of the rare and illegal fox-spell plant wishing to invest in a trade with the apothecary. Because it was unlikely that anyone in England knew what the plant actually looked like because it was a plant forged from the Cliffs of Manarola and was actually illegal to transport into the country, Ellie transfigured a fake look-alike plant out of a goblet. The plant was spindly and curled out like a fox tail, hence the name. It was a particular ingredient used in dark, banned potions which would surely entice the owner and Milton. They were to ask about Demiguise blood but in such a roundabout way that they wouldn't suspect a thing. Blaise was feeling nervous but he was sure they could do it. He wasn't exactly sure what they were going to say but he knew he wasn't going it alone either. He just hoped he didn't panic on the spot and blow their cover. Getting out of bed, he went downstairs to the kitchen where Ellie was already sitting and drinking a coffee.
'Morning.' He said as he walked into the room.
'Good morning fratello.' She replied.
'You learned a new word in Italian, I see I'm rubbing off on you.' He grinned and went to pour himself a cup of coffee.
'Hah. In your dreams. Daphne has been helping me learn a bit.' She countered. 'How are you feeling?'
'Nervous. But we should be fine. Get in, ask and get out. Right.' He said, coming to join her.
'And your emergency exit strategy?' She asked.
'Relax Elles. We got it under control.' He soothed and took a sip of his coffee. 'Mm. That's some strong coffee. Did you not sleep well again last night?'
'Not at all. I feel awful. I just wish there was someway to help Draco out.' She replied. Blaise smirked but didn't mention the sneaky thought that came to mind about his sister and best friend.
'We'll be back at school next week and the anti-apparition spell will lift. Until then, he can look after himself.' Blaise replied.
'I didn't mean that. I meant the marriage contract. I've gone over it nearly a dozen times and unless we castrate him, I don't see a way out of this for him.' She exclaimed.
'Elles. You're the smartest witch I know. Surely there would be a way to break the contract that doesn't involve dismembering Draco's private parts.'
'If there is, I one hundred percent can't find it.' She sighed frustratingly.
'Don't give up. Do you want me to bring home some dreamless sleep potion? It might help.' He asked.
'If you wouldn't mind.' She shone her amber coloured eyes at him.
'Absolutely not. It's what brothers are for.' He said and got up to start making breakfast for the household. 'So, bacon and eggs or pancakes?'
'Definitely pancakes.' She replied.
'One Zabini special coming right up.' He said and went about making the pancakes.
Three hours later and Theo and himself had been kitted up, given their goodbyes to the girls (Potter had left to go somewhere) and had apparated to Diagon Alley. They were wearing matching suits, briefcases and sunglasses. The sunglasses were Isobel's idea. She said it reminded her of a muggle film she once watched. Men in Black or something. He reminded himself to ask her about it later. Blaise stopped by the potions shop and picked up some medicines that they might need as well as Ellie's dreamless sleep potion before the pair cautiously made their way down into Knockturn Alley.
Knockturn Alley Apothecary was a dimly lit store up the end of the street. Taking out their wands and muttering Lumos, the two men continued up the alley towards the store, making sure to stay well away from the beggars and street urchins.
Upon arrival at the door, Blaise looked around to ensure they weren't being watched before asking Theo 'You ready mate?'
'As ready as I'll ever be.' He nodded and they both walked in the door.
The stench inside the shop was a mixture of borage and pond slime mixed with various other smells that Blaise assumed were illicit ingredients. There was no sign of a portrait but he assumed it would be in one of the back rooms. Potion upon potion sat around the walls of the store, ingredients lay in boxes across the middle of the room and bats hung from the ceiling. It was an eery place and Blaise honestly didn't like it. The anxiety hit him and he swallowed hard as they walked up to the front desk and tapped on the bell.
'Buongiorno?' He asked to the air.
'Ah hello Monsieurs. How may I help you?' A tall lanky French man, with a name tag that read Clyde entered from the backroom. He was wearing a white shirt, trousers and an apron. He didn't appear more than thirty years old.
'Buongiorno. I am Don Pepino and this is my associate San Marzano and we are Italian foreign traders in Foxspell plants.' Blaise said mentally slapping himself. He panicked and aid the first thing that came to mind.
'Excuse moi. Did you jist say Foxspell plant?' Clyde looked taken aback. Obviously, he had heard of the plant.
'Ci.' Blaise replied.
'Excuse moi, Mr. Pepino, Mr. Marzano, someone shall be back in jiffy.' The man excused himself and went into the back room.
'Really Blaise. Couldn't think of better names? We're now pizza sauce and tomato. Nice to meet you.' Theo replied.
'Alright, I panicked. Sue me. This place gives me the creeps.' Blaise admitted.
'You're not wrong there.' Theo agreed. 'It's like a Halloween hoedown in here.'
Another man, this time a greying Englishman dressed in a similar manner as the other man except with a bowler hat and a moustache, suddenly came out of the backroom. 'Gentlemen, I'm Harris Mitchell, the owner of this establishment. How may I assist you today?'
'Ah yes. We are foreign traders in Foxspell plants and were wondering if you'd be interested in stocking them in your store.' Blaise asked.
'Foxspell plants, you don't say. Well come right this way, gentlemen why don't you.' He gestured for them to follow them into the backroom. Although the backroom wasn't actually a backroom at all. It was a corridor. Along the corridor were portraits of various other apothecaries that Blaise assumed had either worked in or owned this apothecary. He winked at Theo who nodded and they followed the man down the hallway reading the names as they went. 'Now what did you say your names were?' He asked.
'I'm Don Pepino and he is San Marzano.' Blaise said. The man started chuckling in the most unprofessional way.
'Don Pepino and San Marzano? Don Pepino? San Marzano? Pizza sauce and tomato? You fellas must be kidding me.' Harris laughed.
'Yes. Well you didn't expect us to use our real names did you. Confidentiality in this business is of the utmost importance, I'm sure you must know.' Theo said. Blaise was pleasantly surprised by his friend's quick thinking. That may have just saved them.
Harris suddenly sobered and looked suspiciously between the two men. Blaise tried hard to keep a stern and unemotional face and Theo looked to be doing the same.
'Hmm. Quite right you are. Come along then.' Harris turned and continued to walk down the hallway. Blaise and Theo followed closely behind, still observing the names at the bottom of the portraits. When they reached the last one in the hallway, Blaise felt a nudge in his side and he looked at Theo.
'That's him.' He mouthed. Blaise nodded.
They entered the room behind Harris and were blinded by the amount of white light that was in it. A little table with three chairs sat in the middle of the room. The room otherwise seemed devoid of furniture. Harris sat on one side of the table and gestured for the other two men to sit. When they did, he got straight down to business. Blaise felt like he was being interrogated.
'Now. These Foxspell plants, how many have you got?' Harris questioned them.
'I'd say about five thousand of them, San?' He looked to his associate.
'Oh yes Don. Five thousand is about how many we have here.' Theo agreed.
'So, you're willing to sell me, how many?' Harris continued.
'Six hundred for the first lot and if that sells a regular shipment can be reached.' Blaise stared down the man. Harris calculated the idea for a moment before asking them to go on. 'We would send a regular monthly shipment under the description of snakeweed, it's sister plant, so it goes undetected right to your doorstep.'
'And how much would this shipment cost me?' Harris said.
'Three hundred galleons a month.' Blaise replied.
'Three hundred galleons! You must be joking.' Harris exclaimed. 'They must be bloody good if they're that dear. Do you have one you can show me?'
'Indeed. San, if you will?' Theo pulled the plant out of his briefcase and placed it on the table. The foxtail swished around in the light as Harris examined it.
'Hmm…still think three hundred galleons is a bit too much.' Harris then explained.
'Well then. Do you trade in anything else? Goblin wax, Niffler fur, Demiguise blood?' Blaise asked. Harris sat and observed the two men in front of him and looked torn. It was as if he didn't want to tell them what they were hiding. But after a moment he gave in.
'Alright. Because you gentlemen are being so generous, I will let you in on a secret. I have a guy that can get you some Demiguise blood. He's the first portrait on the wall on the way out. He's been dealing in the stuff a lot lately. A customer needed a large shipment of it. Anyway, I'll have a chat to him and see if we can strike some sort of a deal. If you're still interested, come back to the shop say tomorrow afternoon and we can chat again. Deal?'
'It's a deal.' The man shook hands with them both.
'But did you say a customer needed a large shipment of it? Whatever for?' Theo asked.
'Oh, he wouldn't say. Although he did need it shipped to Milan for some reason. Horrible thing to happen there. I do hope the shipment arrived ok.' He stopped. 'I shouldn't be telling you this. Get out now both of you. We shall discuss our business tomorrow. Good day.' He shooed them out of the room, up the hallway and out of the shop in the rudest manner.
Blaise couldn't believe how quick and painless that had been. But they did it. They confirmed Draco's theory. Harris wasn't going to be happy when they didn't show up tomorrow but they at least confirmed that Milton was the guy supplying the death eaters with the Demiguise blood. No one in Milan needed large quantities of the stuff for nothing. They had also confirmed that they needed large quantities which meant the effects didn't last long. They had done it and the death eaters didn't even suspect a thing.
'Well done Don Pepino.' Theo said.
'Well done yourself San Marzano.' Blaise replied and they walked up the alley again. 'Now let's get out of here, this place is giving me the creeps.'
The two men apparated back to Grimmauld Place to inform their housemates of their news. The only problem was, now that they knew, what were they going to do about it?
This story took a turn that I wasn't initially intending it to take but I'm kind of liking it. The pizza sauce and tomato part was so much fun to put in there.
Anyway, stay safe y'all.
Until next time Zozo :)
