After securing the rental of the shop, Luke dedicated the afternoon to tidying up. He arranged bottles and jars of ingredients, set up crucibles, and displayed various potions he had already brewed, leaving the rest to await the arrival of customers.
When opening a shop in Diagon Alley, it was customary to report to the Ministry of Magic. Fortunately, the previous owner had already taken care of this, and since Luke only rented the space for two months, he was spared the paperwork.
With the shop organized, Luke pondered his business strategy for the upcoming months. There weren't many potions shops in Diagon Alley, as most people frequented St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries for their potion needs. However, Luke planned to offer improved potions—ones with better taste and advanced formulations.
His inventory included compound potions, demulcents, beauty potions, and even love potions—products not typically found in reputable establishments, let alone hospitals. He knew the risks involved, especially with the Aurors potentially inspecting his shop, but he also saw the potential for high profits.
If he could sell just a few bottles of high-level potions, his investment would be well worth it.
With the day's work done, Luke closed up shop and prepared to rest. The store, equipped with its own bedroom and bathroom, served as his temporary residence for the holiday, sparing him from returning to the house where he had spent the last eleven years.
The sign above the door, magically enchanted with the name of the shop, read "The Ashborn Potions Shop." Luke understood the significance of the name—the allure of mystique and secrecy it evoked.
The next morning, Luke rose early, taking a quick shower before donning a smart black robe he had purchased from the robe store the day before. According to the owl-delivered letter he had received the previous night, Hermione would be joining him at the shop today for work—or rather, to assist him.
Luke had no intention of mistreating Hermione. He offered her a fair wage of ten gold Galleons per week, with a 30% cut of every potion sold. Considering the price of ingredients, even the cheapest raw bone spirit costing five gold Galleons, and the potential profits from compound potions reaching several hundred gold Galleons, it was a generous offer.
As he prepared for the day ahead, Luke contemplated what else he could learn during his two months in the shop—perhaps delving into the mysteries of alchemy.
Having developed a keen interest in magical props, Luke found himself drawn to the intricate world of enchanted objects. However, his knowledge was lacking in the art of engraving magical inscriptions, a skill he was determined to master.
With goals set, Luke threw himself into a busy schedule over the past two months. One morning, he greeted his new venture as he entered the Bookstore, located just opposite his potions shop.
"Good morning, boss!" he greeted the bookstore owner, Mr. Field.
Mr. Field's eyes lit up at the sight of Luke. The previous night, the appearance of a new potions shop had stirred the magical community. Observations by Mr. Field and Mrs. Morkin, the shopkeeper next door, had identified only one young wizard associated with the establishment.
"How old is he? No more than 5th grade, I'd say!" speculated Mr. Field, astonished by Luke's youthful appearance.
Politely chuckling, Luke confirmed, "If you're talking about the potions shop across the street, it's indeed mine."
Despite his relatively young age, Luke's stature and mature demeanor defied expectations, presenting him as a capable potion wizard.
Engaging in a casual conversation with the talkative bookstore owner, Luke prepared to purchase the books he needed for his studies. Titles like "The Use of Symbols in Ancient Runes," "The Meaning and Characterization of Runes," and "Mr. Nick's Alchemy Explained" filled his list.
The pile of books came at a cost of over 100 Galleons, a price justified by the inclusion of Nick's alchemy masterpiece priced at 60 Galleons. The others were priced around 20 Galleons each. Luke recognized the value in Nick Mailer's work, given that he was considered the originator of alchemy and even reputedly crafted the legendary immortality elixir.
After the purchase, Mr. Field inquired, "Are you diving into alchemy and rune characterization?" Observing the chosen books, he acknowledged that alchemy had always been a fascination, though few could master its intricacies due to the technical skill and unparalleled talent required.
"Here's a total of one hundred and thirty-seven gold Galleons, and you don't need to worry about the remaining silver and bronze," Mr. Field said kindly as he handed over the coins to Luke.
Luke gratefully accepted the payment and thanked Mr. Field before heading towards his store, seven thick books clutched in his arms.
As he approached the Leaky Cauldron, Luke heard a familiar voice calling out his name. Turning around, he saw the Granger family approaching, with Hermione in tow.
The Grangers were surprised to learn that Hermione was going to work at Luke's store. Mr. Granger couldn't hide his astonishment, marveling at Luke's ambition to open a shop at such a young age.
Impressed by Luke's talents, manners, and appearance, Mr. Granger found himself looking at him with newfound respect.
"Would you like a drink, Mr. Granger?" Luke offered, handing him a glass of butterbeer.
Mr. Granger took a sip and was pleasantly surprised by the taste. He found the drink quite enjoyable and appreciated Luke's hospitality.
After discussing the details of Hermione's employment at the store, Mr. Granger agreed to the terms. He was pleased with the salary, the inclusion of food and housing, and the reasonable working hours.
Confident in his daughter's intelligence, Mr. Granger trusted that she wouldn't be easily fooled by Luke's charm.
....
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