Chapter 15 - Sweet Memories

The other day, the Weasley brothers went to Diagon Alley early. The day was busier than usual, with wizards walking around hurriedly.

While they were putting everything in its place, the old witch, Mistress Lora, walked slowly to the front of the tent. She had a calm smile on her face. She was probably one of the friendliest people the brothers had ever dealt with.

"Good morning, boys. How are you?"

The old lady said approaching the store, holding one hand in the other. She looked like he was trying to warm her hands.

"Good morning, Madam Lora! We're doing brilliant, how 'bout you today?"

Fred soon volunteered to help the old lady and walked beside her to help her walk to the tent. It was just 3 more steps.

"Oh, I feel great, dear. Today, I woke up to a call from my niece asking for some Rosea Venti flowers. I had to get up right away to pick the flowers haha. Luckily, today wasn't so cold in the morning, otherwise my hands would freeze…"

The old lady started to talk to Fred.

"I took advantage of waking up early and decided to stop by to get my cauldron. Did you manage to solve my problem?"

Lora asked, trying to widen her eyes to see if the cauldron was there.

"Yes, we did! I'll get that for you. Give me one moment."

Fred said, heading towards Ron.

"Is it ready? Have you put the stone in place yet?"

He asked, trying to look at what Ron was doing since his back was facing the tent's entrance.

"Here it is."

Ron turned quickly, handing the cauldron into Fred's hands.

Quickly, Fred handed the cauldron to Lora, who was chatting with George about a random topic in her life.

Lora stopped for a moment and held the cauldron gently.

It was possible to see Fred, Ron and George staring at Lora without blinking, curious if the stone would work or not.

Lora turned the side of the cauldron where the stone was, closed one of her eyes, and placed the stone a few centimeters away from her eye, trying to see if this was really the stone she requested.

Lora's countenance softened, a comforting expression gracing her features, accompanied by a wistful smile that held a hint of nostalgia. She delicately shifted the cauldron to its side, ensuring the stone-faced side was in full view.

She wrapped the cauldron in her arms and rubbed her fingertips over the Mesmits stone, while keeping her eyes closed and her expression serene.

The brothers didn't take their eyes off her even for 1 second.

It was then that Lora stopped moving for a few seconds.

[ Thought of Lora

The scene in her memory unfolded as if it were a living portrait of the past. Senhora Lora was 20 years old again, and she was in a charming garden, with the sun setting on the horizon, painting the sky with golden and orange tones. Her husband, a gentle and kind wizard, was running towards her, with bouncy steps with flowers in his hands and a smile on his face.

Lora opened her arms to the wizard, who embraced her, lifting Lora and twirling her in the air. The two laughed happily, with a twinkle in their eyes, and the noise of Lora's heart could be heard throughout the scene, causing comfort to anyone who could hear. ]

The happiness in Lora's eyes was as clear as day, as if her sparkle had returned. She smiled at the young wizards before her with tears of joy in her eyes.

George had tears in his eyes, touched that the old lady was so happy about something they got for her.

"You…you brought back a precious memory from my past. My beloved husband… he loved this garden. Thank you, my dear wizards, for restoring the cauldron and for bringing me this very special memory."

Lora said.

Fred and George looked at Miss Lora fondly, feeling touched by the emotion she shared.

Ron looked surprised at what the stone could do, curious what the lady could have seen in her memories, but what was making him most excited to have seen the stone working, was the reward he would receive for the work.

"We're glad we could help, Mistress Lora. If you need anything else, just call us."

Fred said kindly.

Then, she took a heavy bag of coins and handed it to Ron, who offered to take it before the other brothers.

The lady began to slowly turn to leave.

Without waiting, Ron opened the bag of coins and counted if they were all there.

The exact total of 150 Galleons and 50 Sickles.

"THANKS! AND PLEASE COME AGAIN!"

Ron called out to the lady, excited about the payment. He kept a smile on his face and forced his legs still, as if they were going to dance at any moment.

Fred chuckled at Ron's excitement. He had never seen such a big smile on Ron's face since Ron looked different after the accident.

—

Later, Ron was leaning against the wall, distracted by the information in the newspaper, when he began to notice Fred moving in a strange way, almost as if he wanted to dance.

"Is everything okay, Fred?"

Ron asked, putting the paper down.

"I need to go to the bathroom."

Fred looked at Ron. Fred was all red, showing that he was too tight.

"Then go."

Ron said, a bit confused as to why Fred didn't think to leave soon.

"Can you stand there alone? What if a customer arrives? Do you think you can answer him without… wanting to hit him?"

Fred asked anxiously, as he took small dance steps from side to side, trying to control the urge to pee.

"Then you better go quickly before any customers arrive."

Ron answered.

At the same time, Fred ran off looking for a store that would let him use the bathroom.

Ron turned his attention back to the newspaper he was reading.

Suddenly, Ron began to feel the sensation of being spied on. He lowered the newspaper enough that he could look out onto the street, but still covering his face.

It was then that out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the presence of that same gnome who was selling counterfeit objects in Knockturn Alley, the day before.

Ron felt his body freeze for a few seconds and began to follow the gnome with his gaze.

The gnome, who was walking fast, walked towards Ron.

Ron tried to completely hide behind the newspaper, but it didn't seem to work.

'He has not seen my appearance before. I don't need to hide. He doesn't know who I am...'

Ron thought, putting the paper down and relaxing.

"Good morning. You the guys who repair magical objects?"

The gnome asked, trying to see across the tent bench.

"Yes. What do you need?"

Ron forced his voice into a thicker one, trying to make it unrecognizable.

The gnome eyed him suspiciously.

"I need you to fix my briefcase."

The gnome said, placing the same suitcase as the day before on the tent bench.

The briefcase had a broken handle, so it would be something quick for Ron to fix, meaning he wouldn't have to bring up the subject with the gnome.

Ron picked up the suitcase and carried it to the back of the tent, taking his wand out of his pocket.

"Here it is getting more and more dangerous, haha."

The gnome said, leaning on the tent counter.

Ron ignored it.

"Did you see what they're saying out there? Been lots of robberies lately."

The gnome continued, trying to get Ron's attention.

'He knows?'

Ron wondered, but chose to continue ignoring it.

"I'm glad I carry my precious stones with me. Can you imagine someone stealing this inside my own store?"

The gnome continued speaking, in an ironic tone.

"He knows."

Ron concluded, finishing fixing the briefcase.

"That's 50 sickles."

He said, not bringing up the subject.

"Hahaha. A Weasley… That will be fun."

The gnome said, laughing and sneering at Ron.

Ron made a doubtful expression, but eyeing the gnome seriously.

"What? Do you think it won't be bad for the council to know that Arthur's son is… stealing around?".

The gnome whispered at the end of the sentence.

"What do you want?"

Ron looked around and lowered his body towards the gnome.

"You are no stranger to the trickery, boy. I saw what you did in Knockturn Alley yesterday."

The gnome said quietly, staring into Ron's eyes as he tried to see if Fred was nearby.

'Now now.'

Ron thought.

"What do you want?"

Ron said slowly and more aggressively.

"I want to make a deal with you, kid. I know you have skills that could be useful to me. I have a proposal you can't refuse."

The gnome said, with a sneer.

"I want you to steal original parts from the objects you repair and exchange them for counterfeit parts. You're already pretty good at it since you managed to steal from one of the biggest stores in Knockturn Alley. I'm sure it will be easy for you."

The gnome continued.

"And why the fuck would I work with you? I can do it myself. You're just a shit gnome, you couldn't follow the only job you're given. Do you really think I'm going to go into this with you?"

Ron said, mocking the gnome.

The gnome began to get enraged.

"If you refuse, I'll just tell the Knockturn Alley shop owner that it was a Weasley who stole the Mesmits Stone. He doesn't know what he looks like… yet. And he'll give me a huge reward for finding you."

The gnome said.

Ron felt his hands grow hot with anger at not knowing how to get away from this one.

"And what's stopping me from killing you right now?"

Ron threatened, slowly pulling his wand out of his pocket.

"Try it. I want to see if you have the guts. But I know you're not going to fuck up your reputation just like that,for chump change."

The gnome said, with a sadistic smile.

"So what do you say? Are you going to work with me or not?"

The gnome asked, holding out his hand to Ron.

[ Choice System Loading ]

'Holy crap.'

Ron thought.

[ Choose one of the options:

- Accept

Reward: Gain +25% stealth

- Refuse

Reward: Gain +25% Charisma ]

----

[ Toru's notes ]

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