Disclaimer:
Harry Potter and all of its characters belong to J.K. Rowling.
I own nothing but the original characters I make.
"Dialogue"
'Thoughts'
-Author notes-
Chapter 217: Rare Materials
"I didn't think you would be in the mood for shopping after what happened in Azkaban," Andromeda said as they walked into the main road.
" I'm not, but there are some important materials that I need to acquire," James answered.
Andromeda glanced at him. "More of your experiments? I thought you had other things to worry about now."
James didn't say anything in response, but the two current projects he was working on could finish the war by themselves, so the sooner he could finish them, the better.
"It's okay that we left like that?" Andromeda asked. "Won't the Aurors get pissed at us for disappearing?"
"And do what?" James said. "The Auror Department has more important concerns than finding a few kids. Like all of the inmates who managed to escape." He still didn't know who the Death Eaters were after, other than Sirius's mother.
They arrived at the main street and looked around the alley.
Andromeda made a dejected expression. "I hate seeing the alley like this… so empty."
There was no one in sight, and only a few of the shops were even open.
"Things will go back to normal one day, I promise you that," James said with a grave tone. He didn't want this war to go on for years like it had during his time.
Andromeda smiled. "You know? When you speak with such confidence, it makes me want to steal you from Bella." She added a playful wink at the end.
James shook his head and sighed. "Go see your boyfriend. I'll go fetch you at the Leaky Cauldron in two hours. That should be enough time, right?"
"But I also have my portkey. I can just return wi—"
"No." James interrupted her. "I can't go back without you. And it's not safe to stay here for too long." He was sure that Death Eaters could have someone keeping an eye on the alley, and if they recognized Andromeda, someone could start getting ideas.
The girl seemed like she wanted to complain. After all, she was still supposed to be two years older than James. But seeing the serious expression on his face, she knew it was better not to.
"Give me your hand," James said.
"My hand?" She extended her right hand, and James grabbed it gently before taking a silver bracelet from his wrist and placing it around hers.
"It's that? … what was his name?"
"Tertivor. He will keep you safe if anything bad happens."
"Oh? … you are such a gentleman," Andromeda said.
"Two hours," James said one last time before he parted ways with her, going directly for the dark corridors of Knockturn Alley.
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Unlike the main road, this part of the shopping district didn't seem to be affected by the Death Eater attack.
The shops were all open, and one would see the occasional witch and wizard walking around.
James seemed to earn some attention as he passed by, as it was uncommon to see someone this young coming to such a place by themselves.
This was until some of them started to recognize him, and James began to hear their murmurs getting louder.
'Looks like I have become a bit infamous in these parts after that battle at Hogsmeade.' He kept hearing something about white flames and a death witch.
He shrugged and continued. As long as they let him walk in peace, he didn't really care about what they had to say.
It took him a few minutes to locate the corridor leading to the shop he was looking for, and he did it without the need for guidance this time.
The sign for the 'Creeping Ivy' could be seen hanging from the wall. This was one of the two Knockturn Alley shops he had visited over the past year.
The old man was sitting behind the counter. His eyes moved immediately to him as he took a step inside the shop.
"Mister Alchemist… it has been a while since you visited my humble shop."
"Greetings." James closed the door behind him. "So? … did it work?" He was referring to the instructions he had given him the last time.
This old man was trying to save someone important to him, and James had made a deal, offering the method to cure them in exchange for some materials and a favor.
The old man smiled. "It did… which means that I owe you a favor, as per our deal. Is that the reason for your visit?"
"Not yet." James had not forgotten about that, but it was not yet the time for it. "Today I'm just a customer." He approached with a list of items in his hand.
"Let's see…" He took the list and began reading.
Uneasiness started to reflect on his face as he continued to go through the long list. "These are… quite unique things that you are requesting."
James knew that when this person was saying 'unique,' they meant expensive.
"Coins are not an issue. What can you get from there?"
"That depends… how much of a hurry are you in?"
"I need them as soon as possible. One week would be ideal."
The old potioner raised an eyebrow. "A week? … if that is the case." He glanced at the list again. "I can get maybe half of these items. The ones at the bottom could take me months… and I couldn't give you any guarantee. I mean, skin from an albino Occamy, heartstring from an ancient Thunderbird, ashes from a black phoenix… do they even still exist?"
"Mark for me the ones you can get me." James didn't look too fazed. He had already expected this when he came up with that list.
"Are you going to visit Lady Rose next?" the old man asked.
"Why you ask?" James said. "I hope this doesn't offend you. I came here first after all."
"Hehe, not at all. I just don't think she will be able to get them either… at least not those last three."
"We'll have to see." James could only hope the old man was wrong, after all, if he couldn't get these ingredients, it would make things very difficult for him.
He had originally expected to have years before the start of the war, but his actions had caused this one to shift into full gear much earlier.
Now he had no choice but to speed up all his plans.
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