Chapter 16: Gold, Iron and Joy. 

(Note: This chapter is dedicated to 5paghetti_5auce and KillingmeSoftly, two of my oldest readers and i just felt like thanking them for their support. )

The world is filled with mysteries, strange happenings none could explain were they to be witnessed. These abnormalities are fortunately for the common folk's mental health almost always secret, and often overlooked.

For example, A long nosed, greasy haired man with a scowl had once sold a couple hundreds of thousands of pound's worth of riches to some less than decent pawn shops. This man was at the same moment brooding in his study thinking less than decent things about stags, dogs, rats and wolves, all the while fancying longs lost does.

But an arcane minded, sufficiently learned wizard or witch could tell you of a potion that could allow the drinker to usurps one appearance. The same potion an amber eyed, elegant young man had carefully brewed a few months prior, true to the many plans he crafted and the countless schemes for his prosperity.

The boy proceeded with the acquisition of a fake identity, a necessary step for the creation of a custodial account for his underage self. It would not have been possible without the help of Lord llay, which made the bankers and authorities much more understanding.

Truly a useful fella this lord llay, he even managed to prompt the less than probable emancipation of some nameless orphan with no living relatives.

I am obviously talking about Magnus Arran.

After coming back from Hogwarts, and ensuring no visit would be paid to his orphanage, he wasted no time to start his urgent new project; ensuring financial and legal autonomy.

He had been planning this move for a long time, and had many a scheme to obtain it depending on the conditions and outcomes of his different ventures. His mind formulating all kind of tactics; from ample use of the Confundus charm, allowing a warning to be sent to him for the use of underage magic, to the utilisation of some draughts and potions to have his way with England's legal system.

He eventually settled on the tried and true impersonation of some unpleasant looking fella, before using the pound almighty to cast another kind of magic on the authorities; effectively achieving his goals with discretion and no problem with the ministry of magic, his main concern at the moment.

His initial capital had been obtained from the Room of Requirements; which he raided for all objects of sufficient value and negligible encumbrance for the sake of transport. He made sure to use mostly gold items, limiting the gems to the lowest qualities; any outstanding precious stone would have attracted unwanted attention.

This allowed him to make more money than he'd ever seen in liquid, enough to settle his affairs and free himself from the prison of poverty and legal dependence that was the life of an underage orphan while still retaining enough for his future business ventures.

Acquiring a decent apartment using some of his depleted reserves of Polyjuice potions was not hard, at least, not anymore than remembering which companies in the early nineties were worth investing in; And Magnus managed it without much difficulties.

Fructifying his account led to more income, which he used to invest some more in stocks as well as real estates, small businesses and a few generous donations to orphanages and research against cancer; two causes he cared about for obvious reasons.

This created a virtuous cycle of enrichment, only marred by the ugly head of taxes; necessary for the useless tourist attractions to maintain an absurdly high standard of living.

The victims of their degenerated, sinful debaucheries and horrendous crimes had to be paid off somehow, right?

There was no need to say that his wealth was swiftly moved to Switzerland, where it was safe from unjust taxes which will surely never help anyone in the long term, or at least not as much as it should.

Magnus, however, made sure to never become a millionaire. Always donating any surplus or investing it into real estates and small businesses, an elegant way to stay under the radar while helping other people's lives.

This didn't extend to the magical world, of course, were his wealth was hardly monitored as he made no use of Gringotts services beyond the common currency changes in the Bureau-de-Change in Carkitt market.

His newly acquired wealth allowed him to purchase many a useful item; from the highly spacious trunks to keep his belongings to the more practical mokeskin pouch, to keep his galleons and sickles safe. There should be no need to mention the totally appropriate and absolutely not exaggerated amount of tome he bought, pertaining all things from Charmwork to Advanced Conjurations passing by runes and of course, his newest lubie; duelling.

The need for curses, counter curses, offensive and defensive spells was apparent to the boy. The magical world was a dangerous place where weakness would be met with not-so-swift death if luck was not on your side, and Magnus could brew no Felix Felicis.

So, while his first year served to build the foundation of his knowledge, the second would be dedicated to the growth of his arsenal and gaining familiarity with the art of using magicks for violence.

From the use of ordinary charms to subdue to the more ruthless applications of Transfiguration passing by Dark Charms in all their morbid glory, defeating opponent with magic was a harsh, vicious and sometimes barbarous discipline; but one Magnus would master nonetheless.

He could always add more of his signature elegance after learning the basics, Duelling could be a noble and honourable discipline after all.

But now was not the time for misplaced prides, it was to the amber eyed boy, who was hidden beneath a cloak as he made his way to the Screaming Banshee; a most unpleasant pub in the infamous Knockturn alley.

And as he opened the door, ignoring the assault of the vile odour of alcohol and dried blood and overcoming the cacophony of screams and shouts to better notice the almost predatory looks the occupants shot him. He paid them no mind as he walked forward, ready to attack at a moment's notice while he advanced toward the source of the ruckus.

Two wizards were currently battling inside a ring, silent curses flying through the airs shattering each other's shields as the two of them struggled to overcome their opponent. One of them was eventually hit with a particularly vicious spell, which rendered his left hand useless and made him scream in pain.

'A bone breaker.' recognised Magnus, having seen this spell in one of his less child friendly tomes. It was a curse which, as the name indicated shattered the bones of the target upon contact, sending jagged remnants through the flesh to maximise the suffering.

It was not Magnus's first time here, he came multiple times to witness duelling in person as a substitute for a sparring partner; something he could not obtain when the only spells he could cast were those he used in Diagon Alley, during his many stays in the Leaky Cauldron.

The fight was bloody, barbarous and lacked all refinement and decency professional duelling boasted; but it was a real and precise example of what he could, and therefore should, expect from reasonably skilled opponents.

The amount of curses, jinxes, charms and transfigurations being used in the most harmful ways possible came with an eye-opening revelation; for all his magical prowess which was outstanding from a first-year, he still much work to do before reaching the level of a skilled low-life, much less truly fearsome opponents.

To disregard the petty squabbles and old grudges that constitute the cycle of wizarding life, Magnus needed to obtain a single thing.

'Overwhelming power' thought the boy, as he put a single galleon on the counter; the price for a stay in the pub with protection from its dwellers. The grim old man behind it gave a single nod, and all the scums in the building knew he was now off-limits.

"You shouldn't come here, boy. Knockturn alley is no place for a child." Came the deep voice of the old man, giving him the same advice he offered him on his first visit here.

"Thank you, but I don't have much choice." Answered Magnus, leaving the pub with finality.

Overwhelming power, the likes of which renders all resistance meaningless. A might so grand and intimidating that his simple presence would be enough to terrify his enemies, making those who would seek his doom nothing more than suicidal madmen with dreams of grandeur.

This is what Magnus needs to achieve, only then may he seek happiness in his existence.

-BREAK-

In one of the rooms in the Leaky Cauldron, the pub which served as gateway to Diagon Alley, a young eagle-eyed boy was currently sitting on the wooden floor which was filled with tomes and notes.

The boy was presently studying the possible creation of an alchemical metal, a project he had been working on for a few months already. It all started when he saw some of Albus Dumbledore's work on adding innate properties to alchemical products which were independent from any subsequent enchantment, the idea proved very appealing to the young boy who had started dabbling in the exact science of transmutations and elemental study.

"All alchemy is divided into three steps." Mumbled the concentrated boy, as he prepared his initial experiment; wandlessly removing the books and notes in the floor before casting a simple Cleaning charm, ridding himself of all possible disturbances.

With his wand, he traced the proper runic arrays needed for the basic transmutation of one of the seven alchemical metals. Magnus readied his Prima Materia; the initial components he would then transmute through successful alchemy.

"First, Analysis; determining the inner structure and properties of the Prima Materia to be transmuted, identifying magical energies linked to the components and possible mythopoeia called forth."

Magnus focused on the components he placed within the alchemical circle; concentrating on their magicks and mundane characteristics.

Iron, one of the seven metals in alchemy. Associated with Mars, the planet of the war god. The metal is associated with human strength, obstinacy, fortitude, honour, courage and sharpness of mind and body.

Quicksilver, also known as Mercury. Symbolizing transitions and the mind, one of Paracelsus's three elements. It is also associated with the element of water, with all the implications.

Salt and Potash, to stabilize the alchemical transition and induce a purification of the material; preventing the creation of any unwanted mongrel material from the transmutation.

"Deconstruction; magically breaking down the physical structure of the identified material into a more malleable state." Growled the boy, as he activated the runic array while keeping control of the disembodied Prima Materia.

Deconstruction was the easiest part of transmutations provided that the alchemist was familiar with the objects he is transmuting. But keeping hold of the destroyed material without ruining them was an exact, highly sensible process. Many times did he try a transmutation only to lose sense of the incorporeal materials, thus failing the transmutation.

With a wave his wand, the full array was activated enabling the final part of the transmutation to happen. The previously destroyed material mingled together, as the runes Magnus craved and his intent guided them to create new material with different magical and physical properties.

"Reconstruction; reshaping the material into a new form." Whispered an exhausted, but elated Magnus as he summoned a bucket of water he prepared previously.

Walking forward to the circle, he grabbed the small ingot of seemingly normal iron that resulted from the transmutation. It looked no different to the initial product, and it was in fact the same thing if not for a single detail.

Throwing the small ingot in the bucket, Magnus watched with a smile as it didn't sink down as the rules of physics would have it for an object of this density. The ingot instead floated above the water without even raising its level, showing the success of Magnus's first real transmutation; the first one he designed himself.

That day, Magnus Arran created the alchemical product known as Frog Iron, a dense metal which made Archimedes his bitch.

"Now, how do I abuse the cheese out of this?" Mused the amber eyed boy.

-BREAK-

Far away in the continent, in the safety of their beloved manor hidden by mighty wards. The Delacour family was celebrating the triumph of their daughter, whose new achievement brought mirth and joy and no small amount of sweets within their house.

"Can you do it again, Fleur?" Asked the most adorable angel that was Gabrielle Delacour, a fitting name was it not for her true mischievous nature.

"Let her have some rest, Gabrielle, your sister must be tired." Chided their maman, a beautiful blonde who answered to the sweet name of Appoline Delacour; mother of two and wife of the ecstatic man who relinquished all cake to the women in his life.

That was Sebastien Delacour, member of the ICW and skilled French wizard, though for the moment, the former Auror was nothing but a proud father and loving husband.

"It's okay, maman." Smiled the girl of the day, the warmth in her face would be blow for all who knew her in Beauxbatons; who forgot her mirth as a child when she started wearing pride and success as her armour, fighting back against their misplaced hatred, lust and jealousy.

Taking hold of her inflexible wand of rosewood, Fleur waved it in swift, practised movements as she searched deep within her for the proper memories; thinking of her childhood, of her sweet sister and loving parents as she incanted.

"Expecto Patronum."

With her words, a blue light emitted from her wand as all in room relished in the feelings of love, mirth and joy the spell offered them.

At the sweet age of fourteen, barely two months after her first attempt at learning it; Fleur Delacour succeeded in learning a spell many a wizard could never hope to cast, one more victory for a most gifted witch.

"Bravo!" Yet the glory could never compete with the smiles in the faces of her kin.

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Hey guys! It's Sheogorath!

Here's a chapter for you! and one for you! everyone's getting a chapter!

I hope you'll enjoy it, we got a glimpse on Magnus's financial and legal tango dance, some nice magic and alchemy while also paying a visit to lovely miss Delacour, who made great progress of her own.

An idea? advice? leave a comment, criticism is always welcome.

Peace and Cheese!