Chapter 9 - Stone Rabbit

The winding alleys of Knockturn Alley were shrouded in a grim and gray atmosphere. It was a cold winter afternoon, with the sun hidden behind dense clouds that seemed to weigh heavily on the old, worn buildings. The uneven cobblestones, damp from a recent drizzle, glistened faintly under the diffuse light that managed to penetrate through the narrow gaps between the tightly packed structures. In this oppressive darkness, Ron Weasley and Bruna Nichols walked side by side, their footsteps echoing softly in the silent alleys.

The cold air made Bruna Nichols adjust her scarf more tightly around her neck, while Ron pulled his coat closer to his body, his eyes constantly alert, scanning every corner of Knockturn Alley. This place, known for harboring the darkest elements of the wizarding world, was a labyrinth of secrets and dangers, and both knew that any misstep could be fatal.

The experts at the Ministry of Magic had uncovered nothing about the mysterious jewel they had found at the crime scene. After filling out exhaustive paperwork for two hours in the evidence room, they finally left with the jewel, a small diamond less than 0.25 cm in diameter that seemed to pulse with an inner light, as if holding a dark secret.

Ron, with his experience in unusual situations and strange magical objects, decided that the best place to get answers was the second-hand shop called "Stone Rabbit". The shop, located at a discreet corner of Knockturn Alley, was known for housing rare and dangerous items and being frequented by figures from the magical underworld.

"Let's hope this is a decent lead" Nichols murmured, looking around warily. Knockturn Alley had never been a place of good memories for her.

"I have a good feeling about this" Ron replied, trying to inject a bit of optimism into the situation. "If anyone knows something about this jewel, it's Maggie, the owner of Stone Rabbit."

Nichols raised an eyebrow and looked at Ron with curiosity. "Maggie? Is she dangerous?"

Ron shook his head, his eyes shining with a mix of respect and caution. "She's a very experienced woman, with more contacts in the underworld than anyone I know. She's not exactly dangerous, but you need to appear firm when you talk to her. If you seem weak, Maggie will never stop mocking you."

Nichols nodded, determined to show confidence. They arrived at the shop and the door creaked in protest as it opened, revealing an interior crammed with shelves filled with various items, from dusty books to dangerous-looking magical artifacts. A dim light hung from the ceiling, casting a yellowish glow over everything.

Behind the counter stood Maggie, a short woman of over 70, with curly hair reaching her shoulders in a vibrant shade of red. Her skin was marked by time, and she wore heavy lipstick, red blush and had a smoker's raspy voice. She was dressed in a short-sleeved polka-dotted shirt and a floral skirt, complemented by a shop apron with the embroidered logo.

"Ron Weasley. It's not every day that a war hero visits my humble shop. And who is your charming companion?" Maggie said, her voice firm and full of authority.

Nichols, wasting no time, responded confidently, "Bruna Nichols, Auror in training" and showed her badge.

Maggie let out a loud laugh that echoed through the shop's walls. "It's so cute when you lot come in here flashing badges" she said with a sarcastic smile. "As if that makes any difference in Knockturn Alley."

Ron ignored the provocation and pulled a small pouch from his pocket, placing it on the counter. "We need to know what this is and what it's for. The Ministry's forensics department tried fitting it into rings, bracelets, necklaces and diadems, but so far nothing. The only thing we've discovered is that it belongs to the Malfoy family."

He removed a small diamond from a small enchanted velvet pouch. Using his wand to open the pouch, he carefully handed the transparent diamond to Maggie.

Maggie adjusted her glasses and took the jewel with careful hands, examining it under the light. As soon as she took the first look, she started laughing.

"If they couldn't figure that out, they'd be in real trouble" she said, laughing. "This 'MF' is a Malfoy family marker, known to every wizard who works with magical jewelry."

She turned the small diamond at every angle, her eyes narrowing as she examined the stone. Taking a magnifying glass, she took a closer look and suddenly began laughing, a rough, amused sound that filled the shop.

"You said the forensics tried putting this stone into other jewelry?" Maggie asked.

Weasley nodded, and she let out an ironic laugh. "That's the problem with men in that department. They tend to overlook matters they consider feminine, thinking them trivial. Any experienced witch would know what this is and how to use it. No offense, Bruna, but I bet they don't credit what a young woman like you says."

Nichols blushed with embarrassment while Ron smiled and said, "Well, we could have the best Auror in the field if she hadn't chosen to retire and open a shop in Knockturn Alley."

At that moment, Bruna's eyes widened, and she stared intently at Maggie, feeling a shiver run down her spine. She was standing before Margareth Muller, the Auror who had inspired her to pursue a career and who had possibly inspired every young witch who ever dreamed of becoming an Auror. Intelligent and relentless, Margareth stood out in a predominantly male universe, never diminishing her femininity, always wearing her unmistakable red lipstick. Margareth Muller was widely recognized for her great skill in casting a large number of spells using only her hands, without needing to speak or use a wand. Bruna was standing before a true legend.

"Maggie... By any chance, are you... Margareth Muller?" Nichols ask, her voice trembling slightly.

Maggie raised an eyebrow and gave an ironic smile. "Yes girl, it's me. But I haven't used that name in a long time. Here, I'm just Maggie from the Stone Rabbit."

"I can't believe it!" Nichols exclaimed, still in shock. "You were the reason I decided to become an Auror. Your feats are legendary. All I want in life is to be like you."

Maggie gave a rough laugh and shook her head. "That was a long time ago, dear. Things have changed. Now, I help in other ways. But I'm flattered to know that I inspired someone."

Ron, observing the scene, added with a smile: "Bruna, you're standing before one of the best. We all lost out when Maggie stepped away."

Nichols, still incredulous and with her eyes shining with admiration, asked, "Ma'am, what happened? Why did you no longer want to be involved in the wizarding world? You could easily be the Minister of Magic."

Maggie let out a rough laugh, her eyes shining with a mix of nostalgia and weariness. "Thank you, dear" she said, a soft smile forming on her lips. "But I'm still very much involved with the wizarding world. It was the bureaucracy I wanted to distance myself from."

She looked at Nichols, her eyes full of wisdom. "Being an Auror is one thing. Being on the front lines, facing danger and protecting the innocent... that's what always motivated me. But the politics, the endless paperwork, the meetings that lead nowhere... that drains your soul."

Maggie paused, taking a deep breath before continuing. "Here in Knockturn Alley, I can use my experience and knowledge to deal with situations that really matter, without having to worry about protocols."

Nichols nodded, understanding the depth of Maggie's words. "I understand, ma'am. And I admire your decision even more. I'm much more reassured knowing that Knockturn Alley is under your protection."

Maggie smiled, a glint of pride and a touch of irony in her eyes. "Thank you, Bruna. I wish I could do more, but I'm getting old. The other day, I ended up falling asleep like everyone else during the Mr. Goodnight incident. I'm so angry, you have no idea. I ended up breaking a bewitched music box that was in my hand at the time I fell."

She leaned down and pulled a music box from beneath the counter, showing the damage. "If it really is Lucius Malfoy, I'd like him to pay for this. Can you let him know that?"

Ron, visibly embarrassed, replied: "Yes, Maggie, but at the moment we don't have any evidence against Mr. Malfoy. We're investigating."

Maggie let out a mocking laugh. "Evidence, huh? Well, good luck with that. Malfoy always had a way of getting off, but if you manage to make him pay for this box, it would be a miracle worth noting."

She returned her attention to the jewel, her gaze narrowing as she examined it.

Ron asked, "You said that if it were a mature woman, she would have identified this jewel. Is it involved in some sort of feminine secret?"

Maggie raised her head, an ironic smile on her lips. "In a way, yes. About 15 years ago, there was a trend among witches to insert diamonds into their nails, anyone who knows this trend would recognize it immediately."

Ron made a thoughtful face. "I don't remember that."

Maggie huffed, clearly irritated. "It may have been a little more than 15 years ago, Weasley. The point is, among common wizards, they only used cut glass, which provided small temporary changes in appearance, almost like instant makeup, making nails colorful, teeth whiter, etc. But then, the aristocratic witches decided to use real diamonds. These diamonds weren't just more valuable, but they also allowed for much more powerful spells, elevating the practice to another level."

Ron and Nichols exchanged surprised looks. "What kind of spells?" Nichols repeated, somewhat afraid.

Maggie sighed, placing the jewel back on the counter. "Spells of seduction, to begin with. These real diamonds, when embedded in the nails, could cast incredibly powerful glamour and charm spells. They could completely transform someone's appearance, enhance attraction and influence over others, even induce temporary submission."

Ron asked, intrigued: "How can we find out what this specific jewel does?"

Maggie laughed, amused. "Oh, my dear, by experimenting."

Ron and Nichols exchanged worried glances. Nichols, hesitant, said, "According to the regulations, we must ask for authorization from our immediate superior."

Maggie rolled her eyes, took the jewel from Weasley's hands, and said: "Give that to me."

With a quick flick of her wand, she made a small cut on her own nail and embedded the jewel, observing with a challenging smile on her lips.

At that moment, Maggie's red nails lost their color, turning pale and natural. Her strong lipstick faded, leaving her lips a soft pink, while the blush vanished, revealing clear, time-marked skin. Her curly hair began to straighten and lose its vibrant red hue, turning into completely gray and thin strands. The hardened, experienced look softened, giving way to tender eyes typical of a sweet grandmother.

"What happened?" she asked, touching her face and looking at her pale nails.

Ron and Nichols didn't say anything, trying to suppress their smiles. Maggie took a mirror and looked at herself, horrified.

"What kind of curse is this? What a terrible jewel! Who would want to look bare-faced, for Merlin's sake?"

Ron and Nichols couldn't hold back their laughter, amused by her reaction. With a quick flick of her wand, Maggie removed the jewel, instantly returning to her normal appearance.

"What a terrible thing!" she grumbled, looking at the two of them. "And I don't want to hear a word about this from either of you."

Nichols, still confused, asked: "I don't understand. What exactly does this jewel do?"

Maggie, still a bit irritated and with a tone of irony, replied: "This jewel, it seems, temporarily reverses any cosmetic or glamour spell. It's as if you go back to your natural appearance, without any magical artifice. A wonder for anyone who wants to look like a sweet old grandmother." She said with full sarcasm.

Ron, trying to understand better, asked: "So, it's a kind of antidote to appearance spells?"

Maggie nodded uncertainly. "It seems to be used to undo beauty enchantments. But, Weasley, from what I know of these magical jewels, this probably isn't the only thing this jewel does."

Weasley, as if having a good idea, said: "And what if this jewel is for men? Men don't usually use appearance spells."

Maggie let out an ironic laugh. "You'd be surprised, dear."

Ron, losing a bit of his enthusiasm, insisted: "I still think it's worth a try."

Maggie rolled her eyes and replied: "Okay, go to your immediate superior for authorization, or try it right here and I can help interpret the jewel's effect."

Ron thought carefully, and on impulse, took the jewel. Nichols became very apprehensive.

"Weasley" Nichols said, with evident concern in her voice, "This is not a good idea. If you end up in the hospital, how am I going to explain this?"

Ron hesitated for a moment, but determined to discover the truth, made a quick cut with his wand on his nail and embedded the stone into it.

Immediately, his hair became silkier, with an intense and healthy shine, his face lost its oiliness, becoming clean and even, and his cheeks turned more rosy, giving him a vibrant appearance.

Nichols blushed at Weasley's newfound good looks. Maggie, however, smiled and said: "Wow, what a charmer."

Ron, still surprised by the transformation, asked: "How do I look?"

Maggie, with a mischievous smile, replied: "It seems this jewel enhances your natural beauty, my dear. It removes all kinds of appearance magic, but what remains is the best of you."

Nichols, still a bit flustered, added: "You look very handsome, sir."

Ron, frustrated, removed the jewel from his nail, immediately returning to normal.

"This puts us back to square one" he said, irritated. "How can a jewel that makes people look good..."

Maggie interrupted him, looking at him with a severe expression, "...or that removes your makeup..."

Ron continued, completing the thought, "...or that removes your magical makeup, be connected to the incident in Diagon Alley that made everyone fall asleep, including the Minister of Magic and Maggie Muller?"

"You'll have to appeal to whoever altered the purpose of this jewel" Maggie said, her voice firm and resolute.

"What do you mean?" Ron asked, confused.

Maggie held the jewel between her fingers and turned it so that Ron and Nichols could see. "Look here" she said, pointing to a series of almost imperceptible scratches on the surface. "These scratches... I had noticed them before, but I thought that by using the jewel, I would discover what they meant."

Nichols approached, her expression becoming more serious. "Altered? The jewel was tampered with?"

Maggie nodded slowly, her eyes fixed on the details. "Yes. These scratches aren't random. They were made by someone who knew what they were doing, someone who had a very specific intention. These alterations might have completely changed the original function of the jewel."

Maggie looked at Ron seriously before responding: "Many wizarding families alter the purpose of their jewels without notifying the department responsible for regulating magical jewels. They do this in secret because, once altered, if the magical properties become destabilized, which almost always happens, these jewels can no longer be kept in personal vaults. They must be stored in Gringotts or specialized locations, where they are under strict protection and supervision."

She paused, observing Ron and Bruna's reactions before continuing. "Whoever did this clearly didn't want this jewel to fall under the control of the authorities. And this raises even more suspicions about the purpose of this alteration."

Nichols, feeling the weight of the situation, asked: "Do you know anyone who could have done this?"

Maggie hesitated for a moment before pulling out a yellowed piece of parchment from a drawer below the counter. She quickly wrote something on it and handed it to Ron. "You need to go to this place."

Ron opened the paper and frowned as he read the name of the place. "The Coliseum? I've never heard of this place, Maggie. I imagine it's not legal, right?"

Maggie gave an ironic smile and crossed her arms. "Do you want to find out what this jewel does or not, Weasley?"

Ron looked again at the paper, clearly uncomfortable. "Lena?" he asked, looking up at Maggie. "Is that my contact there? Lena who?"

Maggie huffed, a sneer curling her lips. "In that place, no one has a last name, Weasley. And it's best if you don't have one either. Just say Maggie sent you."

Nichols, standing beside Ron, tightened her coat as she felt a chill down her spine. "Maggie, this place... is it safe?"

Maggie let out a short, humorless laugh. "Safe? No. But you didn't choose to be librarians, did you?"

Ron pocketed the parchment in his coat and exchanged a serious look with Nichols. "Do you have a spare wand?" he asked, the concern evident in his voice. Nichols shook her head, indicating she didn't.

Without hesitation, Ron bent down and pulled a wand from his boot, handing it to Nichols. She accepted it but quickly asked, worried: "What about you?"

Ron smiled slightly and, in response, lifted the leg of his other boot, revealing a second wand hidden there. "I always carry two spares" he said with a glint in his eye.

Maggie, who had been watching the scene, let out a soft laugh. "That's Alastor Moody's influence, no doubt."

Ron and Nichols approached Maggie for a quick farewell. "Thanks for everything, Maggie" Ron said, giving a slight nod. "You were a great help."

Nichols added, with a sincere smile, "Take care, Maggie. We'll see you soon."

Maggie returned the smile, waving her hand. "You too, stay safe. And good luck with whatever you're about to face."

With that, Ron and Nichols left the shop, the sound of the creaking door echoing in the cold night of Knockturn Alley, both determined to press on in solving the mystery of the jewel.