Chapter 6

The sky was as black as the depth of a well but it didn't seem to bother Ajas as he studied in the dark. He coul discern the scriptures on the book as if it was daytime. Ajas's eyes skimmed over The Magical Energy's introduction, making sure he didn't omit any details. He reread the footnotes he carefully made at the sides of each paragraphs.

The author had a very interesting theory ; it opened new horizons in Ajas's mind. Such material had never been taught in Hogwarts while it was part of the curriculum in some shamanic higher magical studies establishment in Siberia. The author analysed the concept of magical practices and explains why "conventional", "institutionalised" magic may not be the best choice for everyone. For instance, the use of wands and pronounced spells ; it may help a majority of people to channel their magic but it's not universal. Some individuals may find wandless magic easier than practicing it with a wand. In fact, in numerous cultures, magic is done bare handed. It is the case of most asian countries because wandless magic there is thought as better. The same fact applies to the spells ; in every countries spells comes differently and yet they have the same effects. For an example, the chinese equivalent to "Petrificus Totalus" is "Fa Dai". This demonstrates the triviality of spells ; it's another mean to help channelling magic. Therefore, the author believes that magic depends on someone's will, which also explains how "accidental" magic happens.

According to the writer, magic is in fact energy in it's purest form. The energy that makes the universe, the energy that makes matter. Beings are magical because of a surplus of energy in their bodies – there's no such thing as a magical core and as long as a wizard/witch is alive, he/she can exert magic. He also affirms that since the universe is made of energy, it might be possible for wizard to draw magic from their surroundings ; it is why such things as ritual magic is necessary.

Ajas just felt his lids droop and he rubbed them. This theory about wandless magic might just apply to him and if it doesn't, it will be only a matter of training. On these thoughts, Ajas fell asleep.

He woke up a few hours later, feeling absolutely refreshed. It was strange in a way since Ajas only slept for 4 hours. He sat up, wondering – surely it was due to his changes ; after all he's no more human now, is he? He stretched himself and started doing his morning exercises : push ups, sit ups until his muscles felt he showered quickly, got dressed and went downstairs for breakfast.

Alistair served him eggs and bacon before speaking joyfully about last night's football match : Manchester United vs Liverpool. Ajas, not being a football fan anymore since he was 9, remembered that Man U was his favorite team. He used to discretely watch Man U playing on the telly.

He then left the pub, before entering the wizarding world. Once again he wore the dementor's cloak, gliding among the buildings. It was still early when Ajas took a turn into Knockturn Alley. The street was as grim as usual, almost empty at that time of the day. The sinister buildings towered above him but Ajas felt calm and comfortable with being there.

"Hey kid, watchya doin here?". An unshaved greasy haired, yellow teethed, tall and broadshouldered man asked. He then pushed Ajas against the wall, pointing his wand at the boy's neck before snickering

"Happen to have 'ny galleons on ya now?"

Ajas winced – the man's breath smelled like rotten corpses. Yet he felt no panic, no fear. Nothing. A complete lack of emotions, even if he had no wand on him. Ajas just sneered at the man, tasting his aura, tasting his feelings. It felt so delicious to feel someone's else sinful soul and he couldn't help relinquishing the idea. He stared straight into the man's eyes, smirking

"Now, it's none of your business isn't it?"

The man paled instantly, beads of sweat appearing on his face, his body convulsing violently. He backed off immediately, staring at Ajas in horror. Ajas almost squirmed in pleasure at the taste of this man's soul. So sinful….so fearing…so delicious. He couldn't help feeding on the man's distress but he knew he had to put an end to his ministrations. Because some small part of his brain screamed in outrage, accusing him to be a monster. Ajas reluctantly decided to leave the man but before he turned, the man asked :

"What….what…are you?" He muttered, fear overpowering his thoughts. Ajas smirked ;

"I'm called Lord Mephysto. Tell to your friends to leave any man dressed with a dementor's cloak alone…"

The man ran off, not daring to look back. I'm starting to like this A LOT! Ajas laughed to himself, before going deeper into Knockturn Alley. Then he reached Basilius alley, dimly lit and narrow. Yet it seemed more crowded than the main streets of magical London. Ajas observed for a while, hooded. It seemed that there was only males walking around; there were a few pubs, concert halls in the area and something that might be the wizarding version of sexshop. Laughters and loud conversations reached Ajas ears and he decided the explore the alley, looking for building number 4. He spotted it ; it was a large 3 storey building made of red bricks. Everything was red ; the lanterns hanging on the façade and the window shutters. The crystal entrance door was also framed by red metal. There was a large signboard popping over it, on which was written "The Red Orchids". He hesitated for while before…

"Hey! Hey boy!" A very beautiful black haired women called for him, her voice marked by a heavy russian accent. She was dressed in a mini red flashy dress with an incredibly deep low cut. Ajas couldn't help but blush. "You been standing out here for a while! Come in, don't hesitate! It won't cost much…"

Ajas replied immediately

"No I don't want any services you offer. I just saw that there was an appartment for sale at the third floor of this building but obviously it was fake…". The russian witch felt slightly stressed out and she stuttered:

"Yes yes yes please don't leave! There is an appartment for sale….Linda!There's a potential buyer!" She called out. The crystal door opene, revealing one of the most seductive women Ajas had ever seen…probably a veela or a half one. She'd give Fleur a run for her money… The women beamed at him.

"Hello, I am Linda. I heard that you're interested in the appartment above?". Ajas nodded. The women addressed him the most charming smile she could give out, her golden hair waving like a flag behind her even if there was no wind. Ajas felt glad that he wasn't as affected by Veela charm as he used to be…tormentor thing, he inwardly noted.

"Quit your game, Linda. Now would you please show me the appartment?" Ajas said, his voice toneless. The veela paled slightly before inviting him into the building. It was only once he went through the door that he was assaulted by a mix of music, moans, groans, giggles and barks of laughter. Many scantily dressed witches ran around, sitting randomly on man's laps, sexually playing with them. On the far corner, several pole dancers were performing. Now Ajas understood why no one would buy this appartment; after all who would want to live in a building with a brothel at the first floor? But such details were trivial to Ajas ; he needed the appartment.

"Are there any silencing wards on the appartment?" He asked Linda. She smiled at him, before assuring that there are several layers of warding on the appartment. She then led him upstairs, to the third floor. The upper floors were rather nice. A red fitting carpet covered the ground and the walls were of a light pinkish tone. There were at least 20 wooden doors (25 rooms? Ajas questionned himself) on the second floor. Linda explained

"These are the girl's rooms. There are 5 more rooms on the 3rd floor and the appartment. It used to belong to the man pimping us, but he's in Azkaban now. This brothel is now a cooperative" . Ajas nodded at the information, still feeling the women's curious gaze on him. After all, no one saw his face and he was dressed in dementor rags. They reached the appartment ; it was large enough according to Ajas's floor was covered by a dark brown parquet ; the walls were light blue. There was no entrance hall, the door lead directly to the living room, but Ajas did not mind. There was a red brick chimney at the opposite, surrounded by 3 plushy looking blue couches and a small wooden table on a cream colored whool carpet. There were two doors at the left side ; the first one leading to a small kitchen and the second one leading to a rather large study. It was only furnished with a desk and a chair under a window. There was also 2 doors at the right side of the living room ; the first one leading to a small yet luxurious looking bathroom made of white marble and the second one leading the bedroom. It was furnished with a four poster double sized wooden bed, isolated from the room by thick plue carpets. It reminded Ajas of Hogwart's bed. There was a small nighttable at it's side, a wardrobe and another window.

The appartment looked perfect for Ajas. He wondered if the goblins would move the bookshelves from his vault to his appartment – it does lack in furnishing. He'll ask for it tomorrow.

Ajas felt the witch worrying due to his lack of reactions ; she was afraid that he would decline. So he turned to her and said

"I'll take it. Now" He announced in a sharp voice. Linda squealed and hugged the mysterious man, joy overflowing her; she was almost getting desperate. Ajas felt it and chuckled lightly, still refusing to reveal his face. He'll do once he worked the glamour charms out. Linda ran out of the appartment before running in again, panting. She handed him the contract and Ajas surveilled the terms, before blood signing it.

"To which vault shall I make the transfer?" Ajas asked Linda, and the women answered excitedly

"Vault number 231, sir. By the way what is your full name?"

"I am Lord Mephysto...Ajas Mephysto. " The witch's eyes slightly widened ; she didn't expect a pureblood head of line buy this appartment but she didn't question any further. Ajas took out his Gringotts card and made the payment before processing to identify the wards that was set up. The appartment was heavily warded ; there was a possibility that the previous owner knew that he will get problems with the job he did. Anti Apparition wards, silencing ward…Now Ajas would need to set a new one ; a signature recognising ward. He heard of it but must learn how to do it ; it's a ward that would only let the owner or invited people enter.

"I'll be moving here by the afternoon. What is the floo address?" Ajas asked out. Linda replied :
"It's called Red Orchid Flat. Oh and there's also an access to the muggle world nearby. There's a brick wall at the left side of the building, you can just walk past it and you'll be in a a muggle cul-de-sac".

Ajas thanked the veela and left the brothel, approaching the brick wall Linda spoke of. He walked through it, landing in front of several muggle trashcans. Ajas smiled ; this impass alley was right at the corner of Sherlock's Inn, making things more practical for him. He went up to his room in the inn, exchanging few words with Alistair. Ajas packed everything (which isn't much…) and was about to carry his trunk down the stairs when a thought surged in. Ajas gazed at the trunk, wondering ; could he cast something as simple as a featherlight spell wandlessly?

He pointed at the trunk, staring at it. He almost feel his eyes popping out due to concentration as he tried pulling out the energy from his body and pulling it to his finger, just like he would do with a wand. Ajas almost shrieked of joy when a blue halo envelopped the trunk, rendering it featherlight. He was overjoyed, discovering that he was part of that small percentage of natural wandless practionners, something that even Dumbledore or Voldemort aren't. He went downstairs and paid with his gringotts card, earlier than expected, before leaving the inn. He felt his stomach rumbling and stopped at a nearby fish and chips stand, buying some. Then he walked through the brick wall, finding himself in the wizarding world again.

He glanced around, content ; he will be living in his world from now on. He carried the trunk through the brothel, bumping into prostitutes now and then before reaching for his flat. Suddenly, a petite asian called him out

"Hey! I heard you're the new owner of the appartment! "

Ajas turned around to face the girl, feeling a light blush tinging his cheeks. The girl for once did not seem to be intimidated by his clothing – his face was hooded and he did look like a dementor. He scrutinized the girl ; she was shorter than him, but slender. Her long black hair fell on her back like an ebony cascade and she looked at him happily with her beautiful large slanted eyes. Ajas did realise last year that he had something for asian girls and this one was probably the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen even if she was no veela.

"You heard right" Ajas tried keeping his voice neutral, extending his hand. " I'm Ajas. Ajas Mephysto"

The girl smiled briliantly at him before shaking his hand. "I'm Mai". Ajas could discern a lovely east asian accent so he inquired

"Where are you from, lovely Mai?"

The girl blushed before answering " I'm originally from Vietnam…and oh! I can help you settle down! " She continued, seeing that Ajas was pulling his trunk around. Ajas refused politely

"Well if you need any help, just call me! I'm the one charged with household chores and I'm right next door."

"Oh…so you don't do the…" Ajas was interrupted as the girl bursted out in giggles

"No no no! I'm not of age yet and if I was, I'd remain a maid" She said. Ajas wanted to continue the conversation with Mai when someone called her.

"Ok I gotta go, it was nice meeting you! Bye!" She winked, running off. A very pretty girl indeed…Ajas thought, as he sat on the couch. Suddenly a barn owl flied in , droping a Gringott's letter on Ajas's lap. Surely the result of the inheritance test, Ajas thought as he began reading the parchment.

And he almost fainted.

A.N : Ok ok I took the idea of Harry/Ajas staying in a brothel from fic Out of the night by Raining Ink. I just found it really fun – no one would expect to find the Golden Boy in a brothel now, would they? And yeah I know I know…cliffie :p