Chapter 179: Diagon Alley, Shop 93
"Got a mouse problem? No worries—try our Kneazle Biscuits! Turn your little one into a champion mouser!"
"Want to experience the sensation of floating? Owl Biscuits, only seven Sickles! A bargain!"
"Always sleeping in? Hah! You've come to the right place. With the Rooster Biscuit, your wife will become the most punctual alarm clock you've ever had!"
Although the pitches sounded decidedly dodgy, wizards were eating them up. Every day, queues stretched down the street.
In addition to the biscuits, the shop's wide range of prank items was proving incredibly popular. It wasn't hard to imagine how booming the business would become; no wonder the Weasleys could afford to hire staff.
Snowflakes settled on Sean's head as he stood outside Number 93 Diagon Alley—the currently unopened shop.
Minerva McGonagall's lips were pressed into a thin line, her eyes filled with deep disappointment. They were too late; she hadn't even had a chance to see what the shop was selling.
"Perhaps we can come earlier tomorrow, Mr. Green," she offered consolingly.
Sean sensed the professor had misunderstood something, but before he could clarify, a shriek erupted from the witch at the door.
"Mr. Green! Merlin's beard—you're finally here! Please, come in!"
Sean turned to see the friendly witch rushing towards him, beaming with delight.
She nodded respectfully to Professor McGonagall. "Professor McGonagall, an honour. Oh—Mr. Green, I'm Emily Gurt, acting manager of Weasley & Green's Wizard Wheezes."
The dispersing crowd stopped in their tracks, watching as the manager practically dragged Sean inside.
"Green? Who's that?"
"Name sounds familiar..."
"Of course it does, you dolt! Didn't you hear? Weasley & Green's Wizard Wheezes."
While the crowd murmured in confusion and surprise, Professor McGonagall stood frozen, stunned by the conversation between the small boy and the adult witch. Despite Sean being several heads shorter, the dynamic felt distinctly like a boss addressing his employee. Which, in fact, it likely was.
The shop interior was mostly finished, divided into several sections, each stocked with magical items.
There was a Magical Tools display: Headless Hats, Fake Wands, Edible Dark Marks... all practical prank items.
A dazzling array of sweets filled the Confectionery section, offering delights like Ton-Tongue Toffees.
A chimney puffed smoke in the Fireworks section, marking the spot for Weasleys' Wildfire Whiz-bangs—available in Basic and Deluxe (a steep 15 Galleons) boxes.
But front and center was the "Animal Party Biscuit Series" display case, which was currently, conspicuously empty.
"Oh—Mr. Green, the Animal Party Biscuits are sold out! It's such a surprise to see you here! Whatever the reason, please restock us quickly, or the wizards outside might eat me alive!"
Emily Gurt, the acting manager, was frantic.
Life was full of surprises. Sean hadn't expected his stash of Transfiguration Biscuits to be raided by a shop manager who appeared out of nowhere.
"Messrs. Fred and George Weasley hired me. Although I was a Hufflepuff, I've always been fascinated by these novel alchemical creations... especially the sweets and the Animal Party Biscuits. Messrs. Weasley advanced me a generous amount of Galleons and offered a high commission. Oh, thank you, and thank Messrs. Weasley, this is a brilliant job!"
Once the biscuits were restocked, Emily Gurt relaxed, chatting respectfully with Sean about other matters.
"By the way, the ledger is here..."
She opened a magically protected wooden cabinet filled with slips of paper and parchment records.
Sean picked up a sheet and froze—December 30th, revenue: One hundred and one Galleons, ten Sickles.
Wait... how much?
"We haven't even officially opened yet! Once we do, that number will double!" Emily Gurt reported proudly, her freckled face glowing.
As they left Weasley & Green's Wizard Wheezes, Professor McGonagall could no longer suppress her smile.
Sean's eyes were unfocused. He was thinking about how Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes would eventually expand to over sixty branches. Alchemy, like Potions, was truly a lucrative industry in the wizarding world.
Especially with the Weasleys' marketing genius. The "Animal Party Biscuit Series" had already made a name for itself this Christmas.
Sean knew he was an angel investor, but he hadn't expected the returns to be so immediate...
He wouldn't be involved in the shop's decisions—that was the agreement. In exchange, he held a fifty-one percent stake in the total profits.
As the Weasleys had put it: "To the Great Green, we offer our highest respects! The Weasleys will support you—always and forever!"
In the narrow alleyways of Diagon Alley, Sean and Professor McGonagall emerged from the back door in starkly different moods.
Sean was contemplating his sudden wealth. McGonagall was filled with a deep joy, tinged with a subtle, almost imperceptible sense of loss.
He never gave anyone cause for worry. That was good, but also... a little sad.
"A fine idea. The Weasley twins approached you, correct?" the Professor asked.
Sean nodded, pulling a magical contract from his bag.
McGonagall looked even more pleased. She was always proud of him.
A gloriously fat owl took flight from Eeylops Owl Emporium. Next door, at Twilfitt and Tattings, McGonagall had styled Sean with an air of... nobility.
Black robes woven with silver thread, the hem enchanted to float slightly. A crisp white collar with intricate silver embroidery drew attention to his deep, bright green eyes.
In short: profound, sharp, yet elegant.
Then, as if remembering something, McGonagall ushered Sean back into the shop.
It was quite some time before they emerged again, Sean now sporting a hat with silver stripes.
Marcus McGonagall and his family lived on a farm not far from London. Living as wizards in Muggle society wasn't easy, so they were secluded and kept to themselves.
Until—
"Green! Come here, little Green! Let me give you a proper hug—"
A wizard of about fifty stood by a fountain in front of a small cottage, flanked by two thirty-somethings.
Surrounded by beech trees, the host, Marcus McGonagall, was overflowing with excitement.
Sean was about to experience the full force of a farmer's hospitality.
(End of Chapter)
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