CHAPTER 40

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CHAPTER 40

Elmi was happy everything was going as he wanted, but he couldn't push things, or Voldemort might lash out; Dumbledore or McGonagall needed to be close by in case he did something before losing Quirrell's body. 

It would be a lie if Elmi said he didn't care. Quirrell was going to die, but he wasn't innocent; he was the one who was looking for trouble, and he was the one who made a deal with Voldemort. So, he shouldn't cry when Voldemort screwed him over and took control of his body. Why would you believe when a dark lord promises you power? 

Quirrell was just a pitiful average wizard who didn't know his limitations and got involved with things above his talent. He was gullible enough to believe that accepting Voldemort into his body would end in something good for himself. In Elmi's opinion, he was no different than Pettigrew; he made a deal with the devil out of his own selfish desires.

He turned his attention to the fat rat on Ron's hand. Right now, he wasn't good enough to cast a Homorphus Charm. The second he was able to cast it, in a magical accident, he was going to hit that fat rat by mistake. Right now, Dursleys were acting tame because of his mother's threats, but he wanted Harry to experience familial love, too, even if it was from his godfather.

...

While waiting for Dumbledore's return, Elmi decided to focus on alchemy and his winds of magic training. By refraining from spending the allowances sent by his mother since the beginning of the school year, he had managed to accumulate around 100 galleons. It struck him how different this was from his previous life, where earning such an amount required strenuous effort. Yet, in this new life, a mere few months of an 11-year-old's allowances could amass such wealth. The stark contrast highlighted the privilege of being born into a wealthy family.

Despite this newfound financial freedom, convincing his overprotective mother to provide a stipend for alchemical substances and ingredients proved challenging. He understood her perspective; in her eyes, he was still just an 11-year-old child, and not a fully grown wizard capable of handling the responsibilities of dangerous substances.

Elmi approached Seraphina Rosier.

"Hi, can I have some of your time?"

She raised her head from her book, the ambient light in the library catching the glint of curiosity in her eyes."Yes, I always have time for my cute underclassmen."

Upon hearing this Elmi managed an awkward smile, 

"Can we make a deal? You always tell me you want to be friendly with me. So, I am giving you a chance, but this deal has to stay between us."

Seraphina's smile brightened, casting a warmth that momentarily softened the air around them. Elmi felt a flicker of enchantment, quickly dispelled as he shook his head, refocusing.

"Of course, what is it? You are making me curious?"

"Since I cannot go to Hogsmeade right now, I need someone who can buy me ingredients and sell the potions I make. Can you be that person?"

She meets Elmi's gaze with a curious expression.

"So, you need a supplier, and you're offering me the job?" she inquired.

Elmi nodded, a subtle smile playing on his lips. "More like a partner. I'm working on some potions that could be quite beneficial, and I could use someone trustworthy."

Leaning in, Seraphina arched an eyebrow, her eyes gleaming with intrigue. "Trustworthy? That's a big word in our world. What's in it for me?"

Elmi contemplated her question. "Well, I can't offer much in terms of gold right now, but maybe a share in the success of the venture?"

A smirk crept across Seraphina's face. "Interesting. You're not looking for a mere employee; you want a partner in crime."

Elmi's smile widened. "You could say that. But more like a partner in potion-making."

She was a bit uninterested in working and said,

"Why do you want to do this? Both of our families are rich; we don't need this chump change?"

Elmi sighed and said,

"It is not chump change. Every avalanche starts with a small snowfall, and money is not the main object of this. It is just the benefit. I need to make potions and alchemical things to become a master alchemist."

He looked at her eyes and said,

"Yes, we do have rich parents, but do we have access to that wealth? No, we have to beg them to get what we want. For instance, what I want to buy, my family could buy tons of it, but just because my mother thinks it is dangerous, I have to do many other things to get what I want. Is it not the same for you?"

Elmi managed to intrigue Seraphina more with this argument; he was right. It was their parents who were rich, not them, but she still didn't need the money since her allowance was enough for everything she wanted, so she said,

"I will do this, but I don't want money; I want something more precious."

"What is it?"

"Friendship and favor are harder to earn than money. I will do this for you as a friend. You don't have to pay me."

Seraphina couldn't quite grasp what intrigued her about Elmi; there was an undeniable uniqueness to him. He exuded a different air, standing out amidst the sea of underclassmen. To her, it was baffling that others couldn't see it, too. There was an invisible force tugging at her as if an inner voice persistently urged her to befriend him.

This mysterious pull was the primary reason she had chosen to be friends with Elmi, even if it meant dedicating her time to carrying around novice-level potions. There was a subtle complexity to their connection. It was nothing sexual; it was deeper and more primal. It was like there was a primal aura around him and all she knew was that her intuition told her not to be his enemy.

Her curious nature would never allow her to let this go; she had to get to the bottom and learn what this instinct was. Her mischievous side sparked, and she smiled impishly. To her, it felt like years filled with monotony was behind her.