Meeting With Ollivander

My eyes eventually catch sight of the 'Olivander's' sign above one of the shops. This store is obviously much smaller than the one at Diagon Alley. There is still a large glass window showing off the large shelves of wands, but the shelves are noticeably shorter and don't go as deep.

I don't see anyone at the desk but the store is open so I just open the door.

*ring ring*

The door has a bell on it just like the main store. From the back I see a plain-looking man meet my eyes. He looks a bit surprised that someone is in the store.

"Ah, I'm sorry, I'll be right there." He says as he puts a wand back on a workshop table.

As he reaches the counter he gives me a large smile "How can I help you?"

"Mr. Olivander told me to meet him here?" I am a bit unsure since I don't see him in the small store.

He looks at me skeptically "Yes, Mr. Black I suppose? He said you'd be coming in the next few days. Follow me, he is waiting upstairs." He opens a short waist-high gate for me to get behind the gate.

I nod as I follow him through the rows of wands. My attention is drawn to how meticulously the shelves are organized. The length is determined by how high on the shelf they are, shelves are divided by wood. Then from left to right in coulombs is the core type while the rows within the core type determine sturdiness.

'The person who organized those has way too much time on their hands…' I think to myself as I study the shelves.

As if hearing my inner monologue, the worker in front of me speaks up "I personally take care of this shop, from organizing to taking care of customers. I am Geralt Charmont by the way." He says turning his head so he can see me behind him.

I give him a friendly smile "I am Soren Black, nice to meet ya Geralt."

He nods as he opens a door leading to a stairway for me "Likewise. Just head up, he is waiting in the first room."

"Thanks." I wave goodbye before making my way up the well-lit stairway.

At the top of the stairs is a small lounge area with a few doors leading off of it. In the center of the room is a couch with two armchairs across from it and a short table between.

Olivander is sitting on one of the lounge chairs with a cup of tea in his hands and a newspaper in his hands. I knock on the railing to get his attention. He quickly lowers the paper, he pauses a bit as he pauses in surprise.

He stands up recollecting himself "Sorry, I was a bit surprised you got here so fast. I only sent the letter late last night. Good Morning Mr. Black."

I give him a kind smile "It's no problem Mr. Ollivander. Can we get to the point? I would like to get back to my friends."

He gives me an odd look as he gestures to the sofa across from him "Please, sit. This news may be a bit… Shocking."

I follow his offer and sit across from him. He sighs and sits across from me, setting the paper down and taking a sip of tea.

"It happened two nights ago, the shop at Diagon Alley was the victim of a break-in…" He pauses as he meets my eye trying to judge my reaction. I am just thinking about who would have done it, but why would I know?

He refills his tea as he continues "I managed to catch them in the act since I tend to stay working late into the night. There were three of them, they had tall slender figures with glowing red eyes… Vampires."

I am a bit taken aback by the surprise, vampires are rare in Britain. I have only seen one… That is other than the ones who have targeted me.

He nods his head as he sees my surprise "That was my reaction when my eyes first saw them. They attacked me, they asked me about you and your wand."

My eyes narrow as I notice a set of fang marks on his neck barely covered by the collar of his button-up. Noticing my gaze he covers his neck as a hint of anger crosses his usually jolly face.

"They tried to make me into a thrall for answers, luckily an Auror was near and I was saved before they could get me to drink. I am currently staying here because I have a vampire friend here in Hogsmeade Village."

"Yesterday I went to see her to ask him about the vampire community. She seemed afraid when I told her what happened, but she told me due to our past." He gets serious as his eyes meet mine.

"She told me that The King of the Red Sun, a powerful vampire, put a bounty on your head. Any vampire that could take your head would receive lordship. My friend gave me this information under the pretense I would no longer associate with you, but I can't do that to someone who has only shown me goodwill. Not to mention the one who received my family heirloom."

I feel my anger rise as he mentions a bounty on my head. A bounty means, even more, will be targeting those around me. At this rate, I may need to start a war…

"That is why I asked you here today, to warn you." He says with a cautious tone.

I nod "Thank you for telling me, I will be careful in the future."

He looks a bit surprised "That's it? I expected more…"

"Fear?" I ask with a flat tone.

He nods "A bit yes, it sure scared me."

"I have already fought dark wizards and a troll. I think vampires will be a bit easier. Not to mention I'm at Hogwarts half the year and my sister is an Auror. So I think I will be fine." I say with a bit of exhaustion.

"Then I suppose I will have to wish you luck, I don't think the ministry would be willing to start a war over a bounty. I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help." His voice fades off with a bit of self-loathing.

I stand up and straighten Sin around my neck "Then I will be going. Again, thank you for letting me know."

He stands to see me out but I just shake my head "No need, I remember the way."

Heading downstairs I pass by Geralt as he is stocking shelves slowly. We exchange farewells as I pass. I keep my calm as I enter the alley.

*BOOM*

My fist meets the stone wall leaving a large dent as shadows leak off my fist.

'All I want to do is live a peaceful life, why do so many people want to interfere?' I lean against the wall as I regain my senses. With a sigh, I make my way to the bookstore to get Luna a last-minute present.