Borgin and Burkes'
Hermione's Point of View
Mr. Borgin froze. He quickly tried to regain composure, though. "I beg your pardon?" he managed to splutter.
I leaned closer to Mr. Borgin. "I said, I would like to know what happened the night Arthur Weasley died."
Mr. Borgin's expression turned into a snarl. "How, would I know what happened?"
I decided to push my luck. "I think you do, Mr. Borgin." I said quietly, before adding "And" I artfully placed my purse on the counter. "I am open to paying good money for information."
"Who are you?" he asked slowly.
"A butterfly" I smiled sweetly. "Perhaps it's better for you not to know, Mr. Borgin, who I really am." I was being vague, deliberately. I could not afford to fumble in front of him. "More importantly, could we do business?" I added.
"I choose my business associates carefully, my Lady."
"I hardly think so" I waved my hands lightly, dismissing him. "If it is any reassurance to you, I am not in any way related to the Ministry."
"How do I know?" he said quickly, before adding hastily, "Why would I care if you are related to the Ministry or not?"
Perfect. This oily fellow knows something. Just perfect. Hermione one, Borgin zero.
I cleared my throat, before casually walking around the room, pretending to survey the shop. "How's business, Borgin?"
"Very well" he sneered.
"Really?" I knew he was lying. Since the fall of the Dark Lord, Voldemort, dark arts artifacts had fallen drastically in value, with the Ministry of Magical Law Enforcement clamping down dark arts like a vengeance. No, business was not good for Mr. Borgin. That, was his weakness and money was my bait.
"You're lying, Borgin. Come now, it's no loss to you. I merely ask of you to share what you know. And I will pay you good money. It is that simple." I pushed further.
I looked at him expectantly. "Perhaps I need to demonstrate my sincerity, Borgin." I reached for my purse and placed a stack of galleons on the counter. Mr. Borgin eyes gleamed. Quarter of a month's wages, I groaned inwardly.
Mr. Borgin looked at me, hesitating. I placed my fingers on the galleons, and using one hand, unstack them, before letting them fall back into a stack. The sound of money……
"Deal."
I smiled in satisfaction "Good".
"Follow me." He shifted his head around, as if he was afraid that someone was watching us.
He led me to the back of the shop. It was dark except for a candle which gave out dim light.
"Sit." He beckoned to wooden chair. I sat down, placed the galleons on the table, and was all ears.
"It was snowing that night" began Mr. Borgin. "The street were empty, and I had closed the shop at quarter to six. I was at the back of the shop, here" and he placed his hand on the table, "having my supper, when I remembered I had forgotten to bring in the ledger. I got up and went back to the front of the shop, and just as when I was about to heave the ledger off the counter, I saw Arthur Weasley outside through the shop window."
He stopped. "Well?" I probed. His hands reached for the galleons, but as quick as lightning, I cupped my hands over them, and drew out my wand. "How do I know if you would go back on your word?" he snarled.
I rolled my eyes. Well, it wouldn't hurt, I thought, and I threw him a galleon. "That's all, and not until" my tone was final, wand still pointing at him.
He sneered, and continued "Arthur Weasley was talking to someone……"
"Who?" I sharply.
He shrugged. "The figure was hooded, I could not make out the face" But seeing the expression on my face, he added hastily "They were arguing."
"And then?"
"They were arguing. The hooded figure suddenly pulled out his wand & pointed at Arthur Weasley. It was an Unforgivable Curse. Arthur Weasley slumped to the ground."
I was shocked. "Just like that?"
"Just like that" Borgin echoed, in a final tone.
"But how, why?" I was confused.
"I don't know!" he exclaimed. "That's all I saw" And he reached for the galleons again.
"No, you won't!" I cupped one hand over the galleons and looked at him. I stared at him, debating whether or not to believe him. "You are not telling me the truth, Borgin." I said in a soft, dangerous voice.
"That's all I know!" he snarled.
"I believe we have a deal, and if you are not intending to keep your part of the bargain, neither am I. And do not think you can hex me, Borgin. I am more than you think I am." I got up, and pretended to leave.
"Wait!" he said, as if hesitating again.
"I will not pay until I am convinced" I said in a final tone.
Borgin looked at me. "You are one smart witch."
I smirked. "Come now, I believe we have a deal. Convince me." And I leaned back on the chair.
Mr. Borgin sighed. "It was snowing that night" he began again. "The street were empty, it was a quarter to six, and I had to close the shop early, when……" he paused, before saying "Young Master Malfoy walked into my shop".
"Draco Malfoy?" I questioned sharply.
"Yes, Young Master Draco Malfoy. He was browsing around my shop. I told him I was about to close the shop, but he was quite insistent to look around. You know these rich people, they do not care a tuppence. And he was, after all, Lucius Malfoy's son………so it was rather difficult for me……arrogant young brat, he would not have gotten himself into Azkaban if he had not insisted."
"Why?" I leaned forward.
"I was expecting a customer that evening. When he walked in, he was quite displeased to see Young Master Malfoy at the shop. However, Young Master Malfoy seemed to know this gentleman customer of mine".
"Why, fancy seeing you here. Hasn't my father kicked you out of the Ministry yet?" And Young Master Malfoy sniggered.
The gentleman scowled at him. "You would do well to mind your attitude, Young Malfoy or I see that you'll meet the same sorry state as that slippery father of yours!"
Young Master Malfoy smirked at him. "Well, now look who's talking, Weasley!"
"Weasley?" I probed almost immediately.
"Percy Weasley".
Author's Note: Sorry, no Draco angst in this scene. I promise there will be in my next chapter. The plot is thickening or rather, I'm trying to thicken it!
I recently came across a story in fanfiction.net that resembles my storyline very much. Because the resemblance is very great, I would just like to say here: 1) that my story is published much earlier than the other story and that 2) all the ideas in this story are entirely my own. Thanks for all the reviews so far!