Chapter 2  

[A/N: Please add my WPC entry novel to your library guys. You can find it in my profile and the name is Apocalyptic Merchant: I Get Stronger By Trading

"OUT!" the nurse shouted as she saw the man continue with his insensitive crap. "The patient needs rest so please, out."

Miguel shook his head, "I know this is your work but even I am here for the same."

Then he looked at Alex, "Give me an answer soon. There are a lot of things to be done in your case."

A few seconds passed and Alex opened his mouth, "I'll… stay with Toffy."

Miguel nodded and smiled, "Thank You. You will receive 5 galleons every month for a whole year and it will be delivered to you by an owl on the first of the month. This will continue until you turn seventeen."

Alex nodded and Miguel apparated to whichever place he had to go to.

The nurse gave him a large plate filled with fruits, bread and jam but Alex shook his head, to which the nurse's response was to stuff his mouth forcefully.

It took two days for them to release him from the hospital after confirming that he was mentally and physically healthy. All he had to do was start talking normally and smile occasionally.

He walked out of the building and saw many people who were generally called as muggles by the magical kind. They were walking like they were in a race with something and as he looking at them, he took a deep breath.

'Finally… I'm out.'

He knew how to get to Knockturn Alley and followed the information that was in his mind. Almost an hour later, he found himself in the dodgy streets of the "well-reputed" knockturn alley. It didn't take him too long to find the shop he was searching for.

He looked at the shop with a large board that said, "Tinkers Korner" and walked inside. It wasn't locked but he saw a small house elf trotting around randomly in the shop.

"Toffy…"

The small creature with large beady eyes looked up at him who was a few inches taller and stammered, "M… Master Alex! P… please don't make me a free elf, Pleasee!"

Alex looked down at the elf who was banging its head on his legs, which hurt.

He took a step back and said, "You will stay with me until I die or at least until you screw things up, so calm down."

"Th… thank your master Alex, T… Toffy is extremely grateful to serve you."

Alex nodded and looked at the unfamiliar elf for a few seconds before asking him a few questions.

"What happened while I was absent? Tell me about the stuff after father passed away."

"Yea master. A few people came in to steal from the shop but Toffy stopped them bravely."

"Good Job Toffy. Tell me about the business of this shop."

"Th… Thank you master. The business… was bad but it was enough for your father to buy you some good things."

Alex looked around the shop and found many books along with a few items which were undoubtedly enchanted. He also saw a few brooms and a few wands that seemed to be made by crafters other than the Olivanders.

There was a counter that had a lot of drawers and a large working table perpendicular to the counter. The counter was clean, but the working table was messy with a lot of wooden twigs, metal parts and a few parchments scattered around.

He continued inspecting his surroundings as he asked more questions.

"So, tell me Toffy… how do most magical households buy or get their ingredients to make food?"

Toffy strutted behind Alex as he walked around, "They use charms and spells to preserve them for almost a year, master. Then they store everything in a specific place after duplicating them or increasing their quantity.

You cannot create duplicates of patented products such as butterbeer as it is against the law to do so. Also, to some extent, complicated dishes cannot be duplicated for reasons I do not know, master.

"Nice… what do you eat, Toffy?"

"Toffy survives upon master's magic and normal food that all humans eat. All house elves consume a very minute amount of magic that is needed for their survival unless ordered by their masters to consume more for any specific reason."

"Hmm… that's something I didn't know… Alright, make me something to eat."

"M… master, there is no kitchen to cook food."

Alex stopped walking and turned around to look at Toffy, "Hmm… Take the board off of the shop and clean that corner before building a fireplace and a kitchen there. You are allowed to use my magic if it'll help fasten the process."

He knew he couldn't do magic legally but there was a loophole which he could use but again, he knew no spells so the only thing he could do was depend on the house elf.

Toffy got to it and in just a few minutes, the work was done. Alex looked at the shining kitchen and fireplace before nodding happily. He felt a little tired for reasons which he knew.

"Hey Toffy, do house elves use their masters' magic to do magic other than just survival purposes?"

"Yes, master. That is the reason why most house elves do not use magic."

"So, the witches and wizards don't allow them to use magic, huh?"

"Yes master. This is because house elves use a lot more magic to do something compared to the wizards and witches but we are also able to amplify the efficiency.

My mother told me that there might be a few exceptions to this rule as there can be one or two elves in a thousand who are able to evade the ancient ancestorial contracts between elves and humans.

One of the characteristics of these elves is that they can use magic without their master's permission and are also able to consume magic from the atmosphere directly for either just staying alive or for casting magic. There are also rumours that if the masters abuse their elves harshly, the bindings of the contract will loosen up to achieve the same effects of these special elves."