On a gloomy but bustling street, vendors hawked their wares.
"Cheap quality potion materials! Unicorn blood, acromantula venom. We got it all!"
"Do you need werewolf blood or fangs!? Look no further!."
"Need wand material!? Selling cheap Rougarou hair!"
The street was lined with vendors, in the middle passed the sought after customers.
All of them were wearing robes with hoods covering their entire body, some even went as far to wear a mask.
They walked with their heads down, on edge.
But among the many vendors one stood out.
"Do you need an assistant or experiment subject!? We have children with magical talent for sale!"
The vendor took a deep breath.
"This is the best stock we've ever had, don't miss out."
The children stood lined up with chains around their wrists and ankles. Most of them were dressed in dirty, and torn muggle clothes, revealing their origin.
A rare few were dressed in wizard clothes. But in the end, both groups were united in fate.
One of the children stood with his head down, his face held not fear nor sadness, but a look of surprise and elation.
I'm not dead!? Haha, I'm not dead!
The boy standing there wasn't the same one who'd been chained before, he was someone else entirely.
He raised his head and looked around. His eyes swept past the situation he was in.
Have I reincarnated… or was this a dream?
The more he looked around the uglier his handsome face became, this doesn't seem like a dream.
Really!? From one hellish situation to another? God, are you messing with me? Am I truly on your "strongest soldier list"?
Ahh. Just then the boy gripped his head, fragmented memories flowed in.
A few seconds later he heaved for air, but the pain was gone.
So? My name is Rhys Hale.
Rhys tried it in his head a few times, and he was quite satisfied with the name.
But he might never have a chance to use it since he was in quite the precarious situation.
The boy's memories revealed a lot.
He had previously lived in an orphanage; where he had been abandoned by his parents at birth.
But a few weeks ago he was kidnapped after having a magic surge, at least that's what the kidnapper called it.
He has now lived with these kidnappers for the past few weeks, and he has learned a lot of information.
For example, from the memories Rhys has discerned that he is in the Harry Potter verse, in his previous life he could be called a veritable Harry Potter fan.
Anyway, he had learnt from the memories that he is supposed to be sold as… whatever the buyer wants.
They weren't hiding it. Kids were sold, used, and thrown away.
Assistant, if you're lucky. Experiment subject, if you're unlucky.
Now it seems it's his turn…
I don't want to die again. Sigh. How can I get out of this situation?
Rhys looked down at the chains on his wrists and pulled slightly. The cold and sharp metal cut into his skin.
It would've been nice if these were more comfortable.
It seems he can only hope he gets sold to someone kind… although the chances of that in this place are… slim, that's to say the least.
He lowered his gaze again to try and blend in.
Just then he felt a smack on his head.
"Boy! I'm talking to you." The vendor said with a scowl. This brat, I've been feeding you, yet you can't even listen?
Rhys felt angry, just hit me when you're dissatisfied?
He raised his head and glared, but then he noticed someone was standing next to the vendor.
It was an older man, he had an unkept beard, and sparse hair on his head.
Rhys was surprised, this was the first time he had seen someone walk without a hood. Even the vendors wore hoods.
He had heard some people who were unafraid would walk exposed, but they were rare.
"This gentleman wants to buy you. Now, what do you say?"
Rhys was confused, say? He searched his memories and found the relevant information.
He lowered his head and said.
"Thank you, sir, it's my honor."
The man nodded then waved his wand. The chains that had previously weighed his limbs fell off, revealing red marks underneath.
All the other children looked over as the chains landed on the ground. They kicked up a cloud of dust and made a clanging sound.
Rhys stepped forward, his legs were a little weak from all the standing and extra weight.
As he rubbed his wrists, the vendor received his payment. He weighed the bag in his hand and smiled.
The bearded man turned his head and looked at Rhys.
"What's your name, boy?"
Rhys looked up and met his gaze, it was cold, it was as if he looked at an object.
"Rhys Hale, sir."
The bearded man nodded.
"You can call me sir or master."
"Yes, sir."
He nodded and turned around.
"Let's go."
Rhys took a few quick steps and fell in behind him.
They headed down the street at a brisk pace, or maybe it was just Rhys's legs that were short.
According to my memories, I should be six turning seven this year.
At this point in time, any adult's walking speed is brisk.
Rhys looked at the back of the man's head.
"Where are we going?"
The man turned his head slightly.
"To my research laboratory."
Rhys nodded.
"Am I going to be an experimental subject?"
The man was taken aback by Rhys's bluntness.
"Haha, no, you will have the honor of being my assistant."
Rhys nodded in satisfaction.
"Why are you walking without a hood?"
The man scoffed.
"Only weaklings hide beneath hoods and behind masks. I, Wilhelm, do not need to be so cowardly."
Rhys smiled.
"So are you very strong then?"
Wilhelm looked forward and shook his head.
"It depends on the perspective, compared to truly powerful figures like Dumbledore and Grindelwald… I might not be a match, but here I'm still a force to be reckoned with."
The man turned his head slightly in his direction.
"Of course, you might not know who they are. You just need to know that if my research is successful I will surpass them all."
Rhys looked at the man's crazed expression. Alright old man, let's say so, you're the boss.
"Here." Wilhelm said.
Before he knew it, they had arrived in front of a dilapidated old house.
"Is this your research laboratory?" Rhys asked in doubt.
Wilhelm nodded and walked up the stairs to the door.
"Yes."
After he responded he took out a stick.
That must be his wand. Rhys thought as he watched the man wave it elegantly and mutter some obscure words.
A faint shimmer of light appeared around the house, it looked a bit like a membrane.
The man made a final wave of his wand and an opening appeared in front of the door.
"Let's go." Wilhelm said as he walked inside.
Rhys saw the darkness on the other side of the threshold but hurried inside without hesitation.
Few places can be worse than being outside.
CHAPTER END.