Chapter 4:
It was dusk by the time Malcom and Jerry had made it to the warehouse.
By this time, Harry had awoken, and was walking under his own power. His Berretta was tucked in the waistband of his shorts, which on him looked like short pants.
Jerry looked over at Malcom "I will need to contact Kenny to let him know what happened, but I think that after we grab some supplies from this market you are taking us to, he might be willing to give us a place to stay at if I tell him about the boy."
"do you think that this Kenny guy will try and take Harry?" Malcom asked, not wanting the ticket to his success in the underworld slip through his fingers.
Jerry looked thoughtful for a moment, "I don't think so, Kenny has a live and let live attitude in regards to the gang. As long as it profits him, he doesn't really care what projects we do on the side, as long as we know that our projects might be taken to be used occasionally. He does this with all of the chemists he has employed. Occasionally, one of use will make something really good and he starts to produce and sell it."
Harry piped up "what do you mean taken? Do you mean that I would help him out sometimes?"
Jerry looked at Malcom "yeah, sure. Sometimes Kenny needs a bad man put down and so he hires people to do it for him. With your unique abilities, he would need you to help take down some of these men…" Jerry trailed off, not knowing how willing Harry would be to "help out" if he knew that he would be used in a gang war for specific hits on other gangs.
Malcom leaned towards Jerry "how are we going to train him? I just know guns and fighting, and you only know chem's, so how do we make him useful to the gang?" he whispered softly
Jerry whispered back "that is what Kenny will help with. He actually has a program that he puts new recruits through to teach them what he needs them to know for the job they are going to do. His gang is actually very organized, with it basically set up as a normal company. It even has a human resources department to resolve inter-gang disputes."
Their conversation stopped as they walked out of the woods to see a large warehouse with a parking lot with a variety of vehicles occupying several slots. The sign out front said 'welcome to Ship's lumber yard', presumably to throw investigators off their suspicions about the building.
They walked through the double doors at the front and entered a surprisingly classy lobby area, with a well dressed blonde woman in a pantsuit sitting behind a desk with a state of the art computer.
She looked up at the group and smiled "Hi! Welcome to Ship's lumber yard. Is there anything I can do to help you gentlemen today? Can I help you with any PROJECTS?" she emphasized the word, and Jerry realized that it was a code.
Malcom stepped up to the desk "Hi, yes, I have a need for some heavy machinery and some high end tools, along with some lumber and screws. For my friend here, some safety equipment and perhaps some nails, and finally for the little guy here, maybe some new apparel." Malcom calmly rattled of a list of items, as if he were actually ordering construction equipment.
The woman looked at him for a minute, her cheery demeanor dropping sharply "Identification?" she asked, her fingers hovering over her keyboard.
"14346" Malcom said, watching as she checked his credentials in the automated system.
Her cheery demeanor resurfaced at once "Welcome to Ship's lumber, Mr. Jenkins, I hope you find what you are looking for."
She ushered them behind her desk, where she pulled open the top and bottom drawer of a metal filing cabinet, and then pushed it to the side revealing a hidden door. She guided them through the door, watching carefully as they descended a stairway and she calmly shut the door behind them.
The stairway descended deep into the earth, until finally it opened up to a catwalk overlooking a massive cavern the sized of several football fields.
They walked along the catwalk to an elevator. They got in and descended to the warehouse floor.
Massive industrial lights illuminated the huge space, throwing everything into sharp relief.
On the ground below, hundreds of people milled about looking at various booths and shops. It looked like a Costco, but with weapons, drugs, and all manner of illegal goods instead of food.
The lift clattered to a stop against the floor. A stand with pamphlets about the store awaited them a few feet from the elevator. Harry picked one up and started leafing through it as they walked through the warehouse.
The Warehouse, also known as the Ship lumber company was established in the seventies on an abandoned phosphate mine that had beams put over the gaping void below and had a floor built on top of that, and then had millions of tons of dirt place on top, where the land was purchased by Malcom's gang. They tunneled their way to the void below the dirt and rock and installed lighting and began laying down industrial concrete flooring. The project was decades in the making and is now a haven of black market dealing. The lumber company front is also fully operational with legitimate customers who actually bought lumber from them.
The group made their way deeper into the market until they reached a booth that sold protective apparel. Inside all manner of hidden ballistic vests were on sale. Cheery easy listening music played overhead as they strolled on the polished tile flooring past mannequins wearing bullet proof vests, plate carriers, lead jackets and even a bullet proof baseball cap!
Malcom strolled up to the counter of the shop "I would like to speak to the manager please" the store clerk took one look at Malcom before walking to the back of the store where a room said, "employee's only."
The clerk knocked on the door, "Mr. Mathers?" he asked, "a customer wishes to speak with you."
A middle-aged balding man walked out in a grey suit and tie. "Is that you Malcom?! Good God, what's it been, 3-4 years?"
Malcom walked up to him and embraced him "Walter, buddy! What's poppin?"
Malcom released him and looked back at Harry and Jerry "Walter served in the army with me. In fact, he was the one that offered me the original job that got me into the life."
Walter nodded "that Malcom, he always was a wild card, always loved to play by his own book! Anyway, what can I do for you fine gents this evening?"
Malcom pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Walter "we will need these items plus a few pairs of clothing for the kid. My go bag was recently destroyed, along with his car" Malcom said, pointing at Jerry.
Walter looked the list over for a few seconds "okay, I think that I have all of these in stock. Now, about the kid. Do you want his clothing fully kitted out? I don't think he would need to carry that much…"
Malcom looked at Walter "The kid has some special powers, so that might make him a target from some people who don't want him using it, and he took out a cop a few hours ago, which will bring even more heat down on his back. So, I think he needs full protection with as little weight as possible. We have some traveling to do, and I need him safe for the journey."
Walter looked more closely at Harry "and what is you name little guy? How old are you?" he asked kindly.
"My name is Harry Potter, and I am almost 7" he said, looking Walter in the eye. "what do you sell here?"
Walter laughed "well, I sell a lot of things but at this store specifically, I sell armor intended to blend in with normal life, like a jacket that will stop a bullet that you can wear to a dinner."
Malcom looked at Harry "do you remember that man in the car that you stopped? The one with the red and blue flashing lights? The clothes you get here will protect you from people like that. It might be a little bit heavier, but it might save your life one day,"
Harry brightened "You mean it will protect me from Uncle and Auntie?" he asked in understanding.
Walter looked sharply at Malcom while Harry's back was to him "was this kid in a bad home?" he mouthed at Malcom.
Malcom nodded sharply before looking at Harry. "yes, it will protect you from them, but I already told you that you aren't going back there…" Malcom was confused that the kid still seemed to think that he would end up back with the Dursleys.
"I know, but before when I tried to run away, this man with a beard or a lady with black hair or this guy with a big nose would find me and tell me that I needed to go back and that I wasn't safe out here. Then they would say these strange words and I would wake back up in a cupboard. The first time I thought it was a dream, but it kept happening. I think the words were suptify? Or maybe sputefy… and the other one was oblivi- something. Eventually, I started to get headaches, after like the 5th or 6th time, so I stopped trying to tun away and just tried to avoid their punishments." Harry said matter of factly, as if his life was completely normal.
The adults looked at him for a moment, and then decided to not talk about it.
"so do you think you could measure him and get him fitted with, lets say 5 outfits? One of them formal, one cold weather and the other three casuals. I want some leather jackets as well, with a few boots and some running shoes as well." Malcom listed off a few more items for Jerry and himself "I am calling in that favor you owed me a while back, and I need this to be a rush order, I would like it to be done in a few hours."
Walter looked at Harry "okay, let me take a few measurements and you can either hang around here for a few hours, or walk around the market, but either way, it will be done tonight." He then proceeded to pull out a measuring tape and he took a few measurements from Harry's arms, chest and legs. He jotted a few note down and called out to the clerk "Joe! Close the shop for a while, and then I need your help with something."
With that, he disappeared through the same door he came from. Harry, Malcom and Jerry walked out the front entrance and continued on their way.
The trio was walking back to the front when Jerry motioned for them to stop "if we need weapons, I have a credit at one of Kenny's associates booth. I helped him out a while back and he was very grateful. I just assumed we needed more since by now that crater would have been discovered and we will probably drive through some heat on our way to Kenny, whether from a rival gang, or from the cops when they find the dead police officer."
Malcom spoke up "I actually need some weapons and was willing to call in some of my other favors, but if this guy has all that we need, then all we need next is a vehicle."
Jerry waved airily "don't even mention it, I mean, if we are going into business together, I can't let you pull all of the weight, right?"
Jerry lead the way down a side lane to a building with glass display cases showing all manner of firearms and ammunition.
"now," Jerry said "this guy has been in the biz for a long time. He customizes firearms and occasionally builds some from scratch. Before we go in there, we need to know how much we need and what load outs we want. I myself usually run with a medium to long range rifle, and a small side arm, usually 22wmr or 9mm. I don't think Harry has any preference, aside from his Berretta, but I don't know what you want Jenkins."
Malcom shrugged "usually I just use a submachine gun with a pistol, but I'm good with anything. I like big guns, little guns. If it shoots, I have probably used it before. I do like silencers on my pistol, but I've used some without one."
Jerry looked at Malcom "if you aren't that picky, he will most likely give you something he feels you would do well with. He has a unique quirk, and if you want to buy a gun from him, he will interview you first to see if it is right for you. But, if you put up with his eccentricities, you will never have a better gun."
With that, Jerry ushered Malcom and Harry inside.
Inside the doors was a small lobby with a few chairs and magazines. The room was decorated in tasteful colors, with black accents and a few paintings on the walls.
There was a desk at the end of the room that was currently abandoned, with a sign that said "I have gone to the bathroom, I will be back."
The toilet flushed and a door behind the desk opened.
The man that exited it had white hair and bright grey eyes. He looked ancient, but walked with the grace of a 20 year old.
"Mr. Ollivander? This is Harry Potter, and Malcom Jenkins. They are associates of mine and wish to purchase some weapons."
Upon hearing Harry's name, Ollivander's eyes brightened. "Ahh, Mr. Potter. I was not expecting to see you in my shop, Although I thought you might have seen my brother Garrick in a few years time."
Harry looked at him curiously "do you know me?" he asked inquisitively.
Mr. Ollivander chuckled "No, child, but I know OF you. There is a rather large difference between the two."
Mr. Ollivander looked as if he were seeing from a great distance for a moment, and then cleared his throat and straightened, walking behind his desk and sitting down. He removed the sign from the desk and steepled his fingers in front of him "well gentle men, you need guns you say? I dare say you have found the correct place. My name is Derick Ollivander and I sell weapons, of all shapes and sizes. No two creations of mine are the same and all have a unique SOMETHING that make them superior to most firearms. I understand that the three of you are going on a journey and need protection. But a weapon is not merely a tool to be used and discarded. It is an extension of you, and the force of your personality. It enforces your will on others and makes them yield before your power. Yes, indeed a weapon will carry you far in life. Others will tell you otherwise, that a weapon is nothing except a tool to be wielded, but a true match will make it seem as if the tool is wielding you."
Jerry gave Malcom a meaningful glance as Malcom began to fidget in his seat.
Mr. Ollivander's eyes snapped to Malcom "ahh, a non-believer! How refreshing. How very few of those walk into my shop these days. Tell me, Mr. Jenkins was it? Have you ever had one thing you were passionate about to the exclusion of all things? Trust me when I say that you have not. It is both my families curse and our greatest accomplishment. We have had talents manifest in our family for generations, and each member of our family has proved to be exceptional in our chosen field. My chosen area was weapons of war, violence and bloodshed. I am the premier expert in my field and am accredited with seven of the worlds most famous firearm designs. I have been on this earth for nigh on 900 years and will continue to be until my calling is extinct! Trust me when I say I know what I am talking about."
Malcom's cheeks flushed and he lowered his head.
Seeing that Malcom had been suitably chastened, Mr. Ollivander continued. "Now, my services are not usually cheap, but in this one instance I owe Jerry here a favor. A friend of Jerry is a friend of mine and so this round of crafting will be 'on the house' as the kids say. I will need to talk to each of you individually to find your ideal weapon. I will start with Jerry and end with Harry. After using one of my guns, I guarantee you will be a repeat customer and stake my personal honor on the quality of my guns. Now, Jerry? If you will?"
Jerry rose from his seat and walked with Mr. Ollivander down a hallway to the side of the room and into a door at the end.
Jerry walked out of the door with a strange expression on his face with a pistol holstered at his side and a semi-automatic Scar H Creedmoor rifle chambered in .308 Winchester cradled in his arms like a newborn child. He sat down next to Harry and motioned to Malcom "He wants to see you next."
Malcom walked down the hallway to the door. Harry and Jerry watched as the door opened and Malcom walked inside.
Malcom walked out of the room with Mr. Ollivander in tow. He looked surprised and emotional "I had never looked at it like that before. Thank you, Mr. Ollivander." He said simply.
Ollivander looked at Harry "And now it is your turn, young man. How about you follow me to my workshop and we will see what we can help you find what you need." He said, motioning for Harry to follow him down the hallway.
Harry entered the door and watched as it closed behind him.
AN: I feel like this is a good intermediate chapter length, but I thought that I should get this to you guys as soon as possible, you know, the 70 people that have read this. I appreciate you reading this. Please don't be afraid to point our mistakes. This story is not currently Beta'd, however, if you still want to help, you can beta, or just message me with some plot points you would like to see included.
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Licorice Lord out.