The Burning Pen

"What Was I Thinking" Series
"#4 ~ The 'Up Against the Wall' Wars"
by Ruth Solomon

The story content is adult in nature and can contain graphic sex and violence.  Those under the age of 18 are asked to leave this site immediately.  You are not welcome here.  The author is not responsible for those under-aged who view these works.

CHAPTER 6

Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to JKR. All situations are mine. No $$$ is being made from this fanfic.
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Chapter 6 ~ Initial Preparations or An Ounce of Prevention

Harry shrunk his broom to pocketsize, and together he and Hermione apparated to Knockturn Alley. It was a dark dismal place, no color seemed able to penetrate the dank atmosphere. All the storefronts were painted gray or black, their windows deep like hollow eyes. An aura of dark magic permeated the place as cowled wizards and shrouded witches wandered through the close walkways, no one seeming to want to be recognized, all heads held low, clutching oddly shaped packages tight to their bodies. It was easy to see that neither bespectacled wizard, or chestnut-haired witch belonged in this place.

Eyes darted at them, most widening in recognition when they saw Harry. “Potter,” a sea of voices whispered to one another. “He’s an auror, let’s go,” others said, melting into the shadows. One set of cold, gray eyes focused on Hermione from beneath a black hood.

“Snape’s mudblood bitch,” he hissed in recognition, his cruel mouth twisting in hatred as he watch the two turn into a shop. He quickly walked away, vanishing among the other dubious patrons meandering through the alley.

Hermione examined the shop they walked into. There was nothing much to see. Several rickety wooden chairs lined up in a row with their backs to the dingy window panes that let little light in, and a long wall to wall counter, with a small bell on it. Behind the counter was a single door. It was closed. There were no weapons displays, pictures, or advertisements hanging on the walls...they were all bare except for the cobwebs draped in the corners, and the quarter inch worth of dust that rested on the panes, beneath the chairs and on the unused portion of the counter. Didn’t seem as if they did much business. But looks could be deceiving.

Harry walked up to the counter and tapped the little bell, which let out a tinny ding. Instantly the door flew open, and a shifty-eyed, low-browed wizard in black robes emerged. He was bald, and had a hard face, sharp-featured and angular, and his gray eyes, although shifty had a penetrating and intelligent look about them. These eyes slid from Harry, to Hermione. They focused on her for a moment, then raked up and down her body, but not in a sexual way...more as if he were sizing her up. He stuck out a thin, strong hand over the counter.

“Mr. Potter, “ he said in a surprisingly deep baritone, “a pleasure to see you back again so soon.”

“Hello, Elton, “ Harry said, grasping the wizard’s hand firmly and shaking it. Hermione could tell immediately that Harry trusted this strange wizard. Harry stepped back, gesturing toward Hermione. “And this is...”

“Miss Hermione Granger, Spell Mistress of Hogwarts, and close associate of one Severus Snape,” Elton finished for him, eyeing Hermione again.

“How do you know...” Hermione began, surprised.

“Your brilliance and work is well known in certain circles, Miss Granger. I too, am a Spell Master of sorts...I like to keep abreast of my...competition,” he looked at her appraisingly, “Your spelled muggle armor used in the Final Battle was a nice bit of work. Saved a surprising lot of them.”

Hermione blushed at this strange wizard’s praise. “Thank you,” she murmured.

He nodded and that piercing gaze hit her again.

“You’re pretty well known in other, less savory circles too, Miss Granger. It is wise that you visited my shop,” he said as he lifted one end of the counter, and came out into the lobby area.

He wasn’t a tall man, he had maybe three inches over Hermione. He was wiry though, the corded sinews of his musculature evident in his hands and wrists. He walked over to the window and pulled down a slightly tattered shade, then turned the closed sign around to face the glass of the door. He warded it securely. He politely gestured to Harry and Hermione to precede him into the back room.

The room opened into another small area of chairs. A couple of ancient magazines sat on a dusty table. Another closed door led out of the room. Elton gestured to Harry.

“Mr. Potter, I hope you don’t mind waiting here while I have a consultation with Miss Granger?”

Harry smiled, “No, Elton...I’ve been through this before. I’ll wait here.” Harry scanned the stack of old reading materials, “though I wish you would update the stuff you leave out here for clients to read.”

Elton shrugged. “It always seems to slip my mind, Mr. Potter. Maybe next time.” His gray eyes slid to the pitiful pile, “Playwizard, more to your liking, perhaps?” Harry reddened.

“Anything would be fine,” he replied.

A slight smiled creased Elton’s face, softening his sharp features. “Right, then.” He turned to Hermione who had been watching their exchange with amusement, and gestured to the closed door. “If you please, Miss Granger.”

Hermione opened the door. Elton looked back at Harry, who had sank into the rickety chair closest to the magazines, and winked before following the witch, and closing the door.

Harry sat back, and picked up a dog-earred periodical. This would take a while.

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In this room was a small desk. In front of it was a comfortable armchair, which Hermione took. Elton walked around the desk and sat down. He studied the young witch for a moment, folding his hands. Hermione had the feeling he was sizing her up for strength. Finally, he spoke.

“Well, Miss Granger, I know you are in dire need of weapons. I need to know what the primary purpose of these weapons will be?”

“Well, I need weapons that will allow me to escape a situation quickly. I don’t want offensive weapons. I have my wand. I need defensive weapons that will help me get away if I am physically attacked.”

“Ah, deterrents,” Elton said, “Very wise, Miss Granger. Sometimes it is better to be able to outsmart your enemies than to fight them. Though I hope you are able to physically defend yourself in a tight spot. Using the weapons in tangent with force will bring better results.”

“I’m working on it, “ said Hermione, impressed with Elton’s insight.

“What did you have in mind?” Elton asked her, also impressed by the young witch.

:I was thinking something that would not be obvious, that I could keep on my person in easy reach, that I could invoke quickly. Something that looked like jewelry perhaps...not fancy jewelry though...plain silver or something. Necklaces, rings, bracelets with charms.”

“Hmm,” Elton considered. One necklace, one ring, two bracelets, one plain, one with invocable charms, all silver, pewter maybe...low key, attractive, harmless looking...invoked by a deliberate twist or or squeeze or tug. Intent activated.”

“Yes!” Hermione breathed, pleased that he seemed to know what she had in mind.

“What precisely would you like them to do?” Elton asked.

She told him. He let out a low whistle.

“Brilliant,” he said, and gave her a broad smile, which suddenly made him quite attractive. “You really are quite a bright little witch. I think you might live after all. All good ideas...of course if I make them, I will retain rights to them,” he said, looking at her carefully to see if she would object.

“Of course,” Hermione said. “I wouldn’t begrudge you that. I don’t have the time or the proper research to create those objects. You specialize in weapons, you are familiar with what it involves...it only makes sense that you reap the benefits.” She smiled at the wizard, who nodded.

“Well, I suppose I could give you a bit of a discount, for the ideas,” he said agreeably.

“Oh, thank you!” Hermione said, pleased.

“Let us discuss price,” Elton said, smiling kindly at the witch.

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Hermione emerged from Elton’s office with a broad smile on her face, the wizard right behind her, a pleased look on his face as well. Harry, who had been dozing, woke, blinked and stood up a little too quickly. His knees buckled before he caught his balance.

“You find what you needed?” he yawned, stretching his long frame.

“Oh yes,” Hermione breathed happily, looking back at Elton, who gave her a wink.

“Good,” said Harry, wiping the sleep from his eyes with a splayed hand.

Elton directed them through the doors and back into the lobby area.

“Now, remember, Miss Granger. You can pick up your items at the end of this week. Plan on staying an hour or two for testing, ok?”

“Thank you, Elton, “ Hermione said, impulsively embracing the wizard.

Elton’s eyes widened in surprise, then softened in pleasure. It had been a long time since he was held so closely by a beautiful and curvaceous young witch. Snape was a lucky man. Hermione stepped away from him with a smile.

“I’ll see you at the end of the week” she said in parting, as Harry opened the door and both exited the shop.

Elton stood in the window and watched the pair walk away down the alley. He was about to turn away when he noticed a movement in the shadows. He saw a hooded figure standing there, also watching the couple. He made no attempt to follow, but his body language clearly showed he was observing them keenly.

Elton withdrew and drew the shade. He knew no one, Death Eater or not, would dare come into his shop to try and force information from him. They’d never make it out. Elton was quite formidable, weapons or not. He glanced toward the drawn shade. The two youngsters weren’t in danger at the moment, he was sure, with Harry being an auror in training, and also the defeater of Voldemort, but Miss Granger couldn’t have picked a more auspicious time to arm herself.

Elton shook his head as he headed for his lab. A brilliant, brilliant witch.

She should be just fine.


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A/N: ooh, Hermione’s getting some new toys...

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