Hiding Under the Ninth Earth
Book 02 : A Bit Of All Right
by I Got Tired of Waiting
Part III : Conflict
Chapter Thirty : An Empty Cheque
21 June 2003 (Continued)
Harry Apparated into Diagon Alley directly from the publisher's offices after casting a 'Forget Me Spell' to keep from getting mobbed by well-wishers. He resized the books and put them in the inside pocket of his robes. He stood for a short moment pretending to be a rock in the middle of a stream as the throngs of shoppers split and passed him by. He decided he would go to the jeweler's first, so he would have an idea how much to withdraw from the vault. He'd made a fair amount of money during his schooling, but his more recent purchases and the cost of his education had put quite a dent in his earnings over the last four years, even if they had not touched the principle his parents had left him.
As he walked to the jewelers, he saw The Prince's Albert, a body piercing parlor that had opened the year before to the ridicule of the Wizarding Community. 'Seems to be doing a rousing business now, though,' he thought as he slowed to look through the large front picture window. Inside he saw several younger Wizards looking over the displays of hardware while their friend came out of a curtained room off the back, looking pale but proud. He stuck out his tongue at his friends for them to admire the new post he'd just had done.
Moving on, Harry chuckled. The image segued smoothly into a picture in his head from the book this morning in the technique section entitled ~How to Disengage Your Tongue Ring From His Prince Albert Wand~. He shook his head remembering Severus' rather naïve comment, "They MUST be joking!", and his equally droll reply, "I don't know, it's kind of cute." He briefly wondered if Severus had found his notes yet.
While the delicate task of separating the two pieces of hardware had looked like the ultimate mood killer, he had to admit the wand itself was interesting. There'd been another article in the practical section entitled ~The Don't-Swallow-My-Prince-Albert-Blow-Job~. He knew Severus was going to throw a wobbly when he saw his note, "Uh Sev, have you ever considered--? Never Mind--". He laughed out loud as he walked towards the jewelers' picturing Severus' face should Harry ever get one. It earned him a strange look from a witch just leaving a nearby store.
****
The bell rang on the door and the proprietor, a goldsmith of some renown, noticed the young man step through and silently approved when he stepped to the side and patiently waited his turn behind another customer in the shop.
When the witch (a dowdy old thing wanting something for her daughter's birthday) was finished with her small purchase and had left the store, the goldsmith wiped his hands on the striped apron he wore, a large smile splitting his jovial face. "Ah, Mr. Perkins. I see you got my Owl. Let me just nip in the back for them." He bustled to the rear of the store behind a curtain while the young man idly browsed the showcases, looking at all the fine pieces for sale.
Mr. Langley came out of the back with a double ring box of the kind he reserved for couples getting married. During the conversation with the young man last week, when he'd first brought the rings in for modification, the goldsmith had learned Mr. Perkins' paramour was male. While that had surprised him a bit, work was work, so he'd agreed to make the changes, telling the young man they would be an fine asset to the unusual, beautiful set of gold nuptial bands.
He set the box on the counter and pulled over a light ball to hover over it. Opening the box, the rings within sparkled in the augmented light against the black velvet lining. It had not been an easy job to take apart the Gimmal rings and add two bands each and then reweave them into a cohesive set, but it was well done if he did say so himself. He'd liked the challenge. Each of the other three bands had to be reshaped as well. He'd first stripped them of their original magic and then reassembled them with new spells, so they would bind as one to be used freely by another couple. Of course, he'd cleaned them all, polishing them until they gleamed.
The man took one of the sets out of its groove in the box and held it in his hand obviously awed at the flawless workmanship; Langley knew the snakes he'd had added as outer bands were life-like. Perkins commented, "The snakes--they're perfect. The whole thing is perfect. Thank you ever so much."
"Aye, you're welcome. I'll admit, I had a bit of help on the snakes. I copied them from a Celtic Glyph I have that was originally made for warding joined warrior partners," he said with some pride. "Do you want to see it?"
"Sure, that would be fine," he said intrigued.
They walked over to a case on the left, the light ball following the merchant. When he got to it, the young man immediately focussed on the heavy gold piece Langley was talking about. The two snakes, engraved finely in rounded relief, were entwined at the top and their delicately articulated bodies cascaded down the sides to tangle at the bottom in an intricate lover's knot. The snake anaglyph was laid over an ancient shield design made of more Celtic weaving. The entire filigreed design was repeated on the back. The general shape of the piece was round and measured about 2 inches in diameter with a loop at the top edge so it could be suspended from a chain.
The goldsmith could tell the piece had caught his fancy. He was positive when asked, "Is it for sale?"
The goldsmith eyed him, noting his clothes and appearance. He was very young, maybe in his twenties, his face and hands soft and not used to hard manual labour. He'd paid the steep deposit for the rings without batting an eye. The robes he wore were expensively cut even if a few years old and maintained in the manner of one who has house-elves. Maybe he could afford it after all.
"Aye, it's for sale," was all he said, though.
Perkins tilted his head and considered his words, his voice not quite wary but not as cheerful as before. He cagily asked, "By the by, how much will I owe you for the remainder of the work on the rings? I'm sure the deposit just covered the cost of materials."
The smith named a sum that was reasonable given the workmanship. "And if I add the glyph?" he asked, holding his breath. The total sum was high, but Langley could tell he wanted the piece. "May I see it, please?"
Without hesitation, Mr. Langley took the amulet out of the case and handed it to Mr. Perkins. The moment it touched his hand with its heavy weight, Perkins jerked in surprise. He idly touched with his free hand the heavy fringe of hair covering his forehead and then looked closely at the object saying, "This talisman has great power in it--can you make it into a clasp for a heavy formal robe without disturbing its potential?"
The question took him by surprise. He thought about it a moment. As far as he could remember, it was inert. "Frankly, I didn't feel anything out of it. Perhaps, if you could tell me its Schema I can work around it." He didn't hold out much hope--most Wizards didn't even know what a Schema was; only a few Wizarding specialists, such as himself, worked with them.
Perkins put his other hand over the glyph; closing his eyes, he concentrated. Langley could almost see him delving into the object and within moments he'd opened his eyes, looking into the startled face of the goldsmith. "It was made with an Iugia Proeliator Schema out of Scotland. I'm not sure you need more information than that, but it's all I can sense. Otherwise, it feels empty."
"No, that's enough information. I can look it up in my notes and work around it." He was amazed. This young one had some power to him.
"I have to go to Gringotts to get a draught. How long would it take you to make it into a brooch?" he asked, neglecting to mention the cost. Langley supposed he would get a blank cheque; he didn't seem bothered with the amounts named so far.
"About a week to do the job right. I could Owl you when the work is finished, so you could pick it up. I wouldn't dare send it by Owl, though; it's much too valuable."
Disappointed but overtly excited too, he told him that might be fine and left the bemused goldsmith standing at his counter wondering just who Mr. Perkins was.
****
Severus was prowling the shops in Diagon Alley looking for a gift for Harry. He had no idea what he sought other than he wanted a talisman, or something to which he could add a protection charm. The idea had occurred to him out of the blue while he'd been penning his comments and wouldn't shake off. He'd got dressed and headed to Hogsmeade first, thinking he would use a set stone. When he'd found nothing to his liking, he'd Apparated here to see if he could find something better.
He'd started off thinking he was getting a birthday present for Harry. After all it was only a month away, but the more he thought about it, the more he wanted to get him a "just because" kind of gift. He'd never got him one before and he reckoned it was time he started. Which was how he found himself in a jeweler's shop specializing in wardable stones.
Not finding what he was seeking, he politely thanked the merchant and, turning on his heel, he started to leave the shop. As he approached the front door, he stopped short when he saw a young man striding down the street. Catching only a glimpse of him through the shop window before he disappeared out of sight, there was something about the younger man that drew his attention. Perhaps it was his confident walk, or his demeanor, tall and strong; whatever it was, it had reminded him of Harry. He shook his head at his fancy as he walked out the door into the street. As he suspected, he was long gone, the street now filled with people who did not interest him and, dismissing his thoughts, he moved on to the next shop down the Boulevard.
****
Right after Mr. Perkins had left, the bell of the shop rang again. Langley, just coming out of the back, saw an austere gentleman come into the shop; he looked vaguely familiar although the goldsmith could not begin to place him. With an acknowledging glance at the goldsmith and a nod, he started on one side and worked his way around silently; his hands behind his back in the manner of someone who does not wish to be disturbed. The owner moved to stand behind the center counter with a small box in his hand. He understood the posture well and watched the well-to-do man cruise his wares. He knew he may have made a sale when the tall man stopped and straightened, his hands coming forward to rest on the glass case as he bent to peer closer at an object within.
As Langley approached him, he saw the man had spied the gold piece Mr. Perkins had seen earlier and coveted. Almost to himself, the customer said quietly in a deep cultured voice, "Perhaps I could use this." Looking up at the merchant, he asked, "How much for this Celtic Warrior Glyph?" Langley couldn't read the degree of the man's interest, but took his cue from the overheard comment.
"1,200 Galleons, sir," he said with only a tiny wince. This was the piece the young man had said he might want. 'Wouldn't you know it. Can't move it for months and now I have two potential buyers in one day.'
Nonchalantly, he said, "A bit steep. May I see it, please?" He'd made no other comment and didn't seem distressed, so the price was obviously not a problem, but the goldsmith was not fooled by his casual manner; this man was definitely interested in the piece. Langley unlocked the case and handed it to him, containing his excitement.
The man hefted the Talisman's silky weight, felt with both hands along its sides, let his fingertips slide delicately over the carved surface, and measured it with his dark eyes. He was obviously puzzled by something about it and held it for a long moment, thinking deeply.
Taking in the man's general appearance, from his lanky black hair to the finely tapered hands scrubbed unnaturally clean to the lingering whiff of herbs and magic about him, Langley realised this man made potions for a living. He chuckled to himself knowing that anyone who made potions to the obvious standard this man did (judging by the richness of his clothing and the precision of his hands) would have no trouble measuring the weight of the gold, to the grain, just by touch alone.
Langley watched him carefully, now knowing he was reading the amulet. Most people just heard the cost and walked away. It was a good price and he suspected this man would appreciate its value more than Mr. Perkins. 'Oh well, first come first served,' he thought, hoping he wouldn't lose both sales. The piece had been held for far too long as it was. He'd not known the loop he'd added would prove such a problem and resolved not to deal in antiquities again. At least, if he could sell it at his asking price, and this man looked like he liked to bargain hard, he could make a fair profit and be done with it. He'd deal with the younger one later.
"This piece is very old and genuine. I apologise; I thought it a reproduction when I first saw it. I admit to some curiosity, though. It's empty and uncharged, making it mint--yet the price you ask is much too low for such an object. What's wrong with it?" Before Langley could answer him, he held up a hand, forestalling any comment. He turned it over to scan the repeated design carved precisely on the back. He raised his brows at the heavy gold loop, its surface scaled like the snakes on the front, clearly a more recent addition welded neatly on the top edge making it ready for a chain.
"The loop is nicely done--whoever did this clearly knows his art but nothing about antiquities. I surmise this addition is what has substantially lowered the value?" At the goldsmith's nod, he continued, "To a true collector of such things the added loop ruined its worth as an original. To someone who just wants a fine piece the price is too high unless they can feel its other values. Truly a conundrum for you, of course, but it suits my purpose just fine."
The potion maker looked him in the eye; feigning indifference, he asked, "Will you take a draught?"
The shopkeeper hid his elation and asked with polite inquiry, "Drawn on Gringotts, sir?"
"Of course," he said, as if there was any other choice.
"Then yes, I can accept it."
"Good. Add a 30 inch gold chain suitable for a man, the weight, and the style of this object at no additional charge and I'll not dicker the price," he said, handing the piece back to him. He raised a brow, saying with some amusement, "Not that I don't enjoy a good haggle every now and again."
Mr. Langley breathed an inner sigh of relief and smiled. "Thank you, sir. I suspect 'a good haggle' with you would have left me substantially poorer," he said and turned to get the chain. He was rewarded for his bold words with a rich chuckle.
As he rummaged on one of the shelves behind him he suddenly realised who was at his counter. Severus Snape, one of the heroes of the war with Voldemort, rumoured to be a former Death Eater spy and a formidable Wizard. With this thought the austere face and manner now made some sense--there was a presence about him which spoke of secrets and old magic.
With a start he also realised the young man in here earlier, despite his different appearance, had been Harry Potter, not Mr. Perkins. He didn't know why he hadn't put the two together before, but he concluded with a chuckle that it didn't matter if the young man didn't buy the glyph--he would be receiving it soon enough, if he could make a guess, given the rings he'd just customized and the other rumours he'd heard. Well, it didn't matter--he'd keep their secret, as it seemed to be their wish, the world none the wiser. Besides, he would be a poor, unsuccessful jeweler if he hadn't learned discretion by now.
He put away the simple heavy chain he'd been about to take and went to a case on the other side where he kept the custom pieces. Opening the back, he pulled out a heavy gold chain done in the rounded serpentine method with each tiny link a snake's head swallowing the one before it. He held it up to the light comparing it to the glyph to test it as a potential match. Having walked to the other side of the store to stand in front of the case, Severus held out his hands and the merchant lovingly laid it across them for him to see it better.
Hefting its fine weight, he commented on the smoothness with which the links moved; there was no clasp. He raised a brow and eyed the merchant. "There is no magic in this piece, in itself unusual. The workmanship is exceptional and the suitability is undeniable. Did you work the gold yourself?"
"On this one, yes," the goldsmith answered with some pride. It was one of his finer works and had taken days to cast and assemble.
Severus looked duly impressed. "I'd wager there are not many left who can work gold with this level of craftsmanship and, I suspect, with no magic. Just like the loop on the glyph? You worked by hand?"
He looked sheepish and rubbed his neck, "Yes, sir. I had no choice in the matter of the amulet. I could have confused it had I used magic and made the piece worth only its weight in metal."
"You could have just removed it, none the wiser." Severus waited patiently for his reply.
"Well, yes, I suppose I could have but it wouldn't have been honest," he said with conviction.
Severus chuckled. "Nor would me taking this fine chain from you at no cost. What do you normally sell it for? 500, 600 Galleons?"
"500, sir."
"Then make the price an even 1,500 Galleons and I'll take both."
"That's more than fair, sir. Thank you. Would you like that boxed?" the goldsmith asked, taking the chain from Severus' hands.
"And wrapped if you will. It's a present for--a friend. I'll wait, if you don't mind."
"No problem, sir. Be back in a moment." Mr. Langley disappeared once again behind the curtain, his last glimpse that of a thoughtful Potions Master reaching for a quill to fill his empty cheque.