Bab 22: Chapter -21 Borgin and Burkes.

Chapter -21.

"Come again… Professor, if you get a chance!" As Theodore and Bellatrix sauntered out of the shop, they heard Adam's booming voice followed by some rather comical metallic clinks. It gave them both the impression that he might have taken a tumble thanks to some of the junk he was juggling.

"So, where to next?" Bellatrix asked, her spirits noticeably lifted. Clearly, she was all fired up to see what unique shop he had in mind for their next adventure.

"It's a surprise, but I'm pretty sure you're going to love it," Theodore declared, feeling a bit like a game show host trying to keep the suspense alive. But when Bellatrix named the shop just moments later, he couldn't help but wonder why he even tried to keep it a mystery in the first place.

"So, we're heading to Borgin and Burke's, huh? Don't you dare tell me… Are you planning to buy a dark magic relic or something? Are professors at Hogwarts really supposed to be doing that?" Bellatrix, who usually had a voice like molasses, seemed to be channeling a game show contestant with her sudden enthusiasm as they strolled past a stern-looking men scrutinizing the Knockturn alley, now zeroed in on them like a hawk.

"HaHa… what are you on about? Of course it's nothing like that!" Theodore said with an awkward grin, nodding at the Aurors who were now casting suspicious glances his way. Not that he was afraid of their judgment; no, he just dreaded the thought of wasting time on pointless shenanigans.

Thankfully, those Aurors weren't just all brawns; after giving him a nod, they resumed their business of looking menacingly bored, as if they'd rather ignore him than engage—unless, of course, he turned out to be best buds with some high-ranking official at ministry!

Bellatrix noticed Theodore smiling a bit awkwardly at the aurors and couldn't help but grin herself. The word 'victory' danced in her heart because she had successfully teased him into showing those expressions.

As they walked a little further toward the Brogin and Burkes shop, she playfully asked, "So, if you're not looking for dark magic stuff, what exactly are you planning to buy in a shop that seems to only sell dark magic items?"

Theodore, upon hearing Bellatrix's inquiry, regarded her thoughtfully, as if assessing the sincerity of her question or determining whether she was attempting to inject humor into the conversation. Noticing no indication of mischief on her face, he proceeded to articulate the rationale behind his visit.

"Do you genuinely believe that will be effective? The two objets are fundamentally different and operate under distinct principles, in my opinion," Bellatrix remarked, expressing her skepticism regarding Theodore's reasoning for visiting Borgin and Burkes.

"That is indeed a valid point, and I do not dispute it. However, this is precisely why we are visiting this establishment; it will ultimately assist me in achieving the desired outcome," Theodore replied, shrugging his shoulders.

He recognized that, in order to attain his objectives more expediently, he was even ready to embrace darker methods.

Given his new found affinity for dark magic, which he had developed through his association with Bellatrix, he did not inclined to adopt a morally upright stance. For him, the end result was all that truly mattered.

Well, he definitely wasn't going to jump straight into the dark magic experiment without some thought! He planned to balance his time perfectly between all the methods. Plus, with his decent grasp of alchemy, he figured he might not even need to go down that path at all. Still, it was smart to keep all his options open from the start.

Ding~

As they stepped into the shop, the bell jingled cheerfully. The musty smell of aged shop greeted them as they walked inside.

"Welcome!"

An old voice called out from behind a wall, and as they moved further in, a crafty-looking old man with a sly grin appeared.

"Be careful around him," Bellatrix whispered. Being a pureblood who had dealt with this guy a few times before, she wanted to give Theodore a heads-up to avoid any trouble later on.

Theodore couldn't help but smile at her warning. He turned slightly toward her and planted a quick kiss on her forehead, saying, "Don't worry, love. If you want it, I'll definitely get it for you." With that, he left Bellatrix a bit dazed, her heart racing, and made his way over to the old man, whose grin seemed to grow even wider.

"It's not every day we see such a lovely vibe in our gloomy little shop! But enough about that—how can I help you, young man, and please your lovely wife?" the old man said, clearly eager to take advantage of the situation with a flattering comment.

Theodore, fully aware of the old man's game and ready to play along, chuckled and replied, "Haha, we can't help it; we're newlyweds!" He just hoped Bellatrix wouldn't give him a playful smack when they got back to her place.

Theodore, with a sense of urgency that cut through the pleasantries, wasted no time in getting to the heart of the matter. "Actually, we're looking for a few books that we believe can only be found here, if they still exist," he declared, his voice steady and resolute. As he spoke, he reached into the folds of his robe, retrieving a meticulously prepared list that he had crafted the previous night, a task that had consumed his thoughts after returning home.

The list was a carefully curated selection of titles, each one steeped in mystery and significance.

Among them was a tome on complex runes, a subject so intricate that it required authorization from the Ministry of Magic for any wizard to study it. This book was not merely a collection of symbols; it was a gateway to understanding the very fabric of magical language and its profound implications.

Another title on the list delved into the enigmatic realm of memories, exploring their origins and the reasons behind their existence. This was a topic that had fascinated many, yet remained shrouded in secrecy, making it all the more desirable. The remaining titles were equally compelling, each one a piece of forbidden knowledge that had been banned by the Ministry, their pages filled with arcane wisdom that could alter the course of a wizard's life.

Initially, Theodore had thought that possessing a magical lantern and a pensive would be sufficient for his quest. However, after careful reflection, he recognized the folly of such a simplistic approach. If acquiring such extraordinary knowledge were truly that easy, then countless wizards would have already harnessed its power.

Meanwhile, the old man behind the counter, who had long prided himself on the reputation of his shop, felt a swell of pride at Theodore's words. The acknowledgment of his establishment as a rare source of such coveted texts was gratifying. Yet, he was also acutely aware of the strategic advantage this reputation afforded him in negotiations. He set aside his pride and focused on the list, reading it with a discerning eye. A singular thought echoed in his mind: "These books truly can only be found here."

The list contained five titles in total, two of which were classified as study materials. However, to pursue these subjects, one would need to obtain permission from the Ministry and find a qualified master to guide them, as they were deemed potentially dangerous if not monitored closely. The remaining three titles were outright banned by the Ministry of Magic, their contents considered too perilous for the average wizard to handle.

As the old man contemplated the significance of the list, he couldn't help but reflect on the nature of Theodore and his companion. Were they still the lovey-dovey couple he had initially assumed? The thought had already faded somewhere in his mind.

Note : The fever has struck again; throwing chapter writing and publishing schedules into disarray; but as always, please give me some power stones, it will motivate me to write more. [You can also share ideas if you have some] :)