4:25 pm Flat Iron Restaurant
After walking out the train station, Thomas led me into a restaurant. No other people were around, except for two waiters.
The waiters motioned me to follow them into a private room.
Upon entering, I saw Daphne and Tracy seated with a man who looked like a young SEAN CONNERY with black hair and an elegant blond woman with a resemblance to MARGOT ROBBIE.
Daphne waved at me to sit beside her. So I just did what she wanted, but I didn't forget to face and greet her parents, "Good afternoon, Mr. And Mrs. Greengrass."
🎵🎶🎵🎶
The sound of wind chimes rang in my head as I met eyes with Daphne's father.
With a frown ,I immediately stood up and proceeded to exit the room.
"Where are you going, Marshall?" Daphne quickly asked, puzzled by my abrupt action.
"Ask your father..." I said, waving goodbye at her.
The two waiter blocked the door with their wands out. One of said, "You should return to your seat, young man..."
The other waiter wants to say something too, but was unable to after he realizes he can't breathe. He looks at his partner, who is also grasping for air. Both of them quickly turned pale with a slight blush.
In their panic, they let go of their wands, but instead of dropping to the floor, the wands flew up and struck the ceiling so hard that they were lodged in.
Unarmed, the two waiter passed out, and I immediately released my hold on them so they can breathe again.
I was at the door, when Mrs. Greengrass called out, "Please stay. I apologise for my husband's behavior. We really do need your help."
With a sigh, I turned around to see a lady tearing up. There is obvious desperation in her eyes.
"Can I just meet your youngest daughter and skip the theatrics? I need to do some last-minute shopping around here before the stores close." I just returned to my seat.
Mrs. Greengrass stared daggers at her husband, who quickly said, *cough* "Sorry about that boy. It is an old habit of mine."
I didn't hide my exasperation, "it's obvious whom Daphne got her trust issues from, Sir. You must be proud. Now, can we just get a move on then?"
Daphne elbowed me while Tracy, Thomas and Mrs. Greengrass let out a chuckle.
Thomas exited into another door. He returns pushing a wheelchair with a week young girl.
"Hello.." The girl said as she was to pass by me and Thomas placed her beside her mother.
The little girl looks like a very young DAKOTA FANNING with black hair, a wide smile and bright-green eyes. But it can't hide the long struggle she had with her family's curse.
I didn't wait and approached her, "Hello, I'm Marshall Witcherly."
"Astoria Greengrass... cough... cough... Sorry about that." She introduced herself with a smile in between coughing fits.
Bending a knee, I asked, "Can I see your hand for a moment? I need to check your condition."
Astoria extended her thin hand and I caught it. Everyone was quiet and observing us.
To give an illusion that I'm doing something, I manipulate the light around my eyes so they glow a bit. There were some murmurs in the room but it quickly stopped.
I examined her hand and asked Siri...
Me: Can my Spring Water cure her blood malediction?
Siri: No... It can only alleviate her pain.
Me:What is the nature of her blood malediction?
Siri:A curse that degenerates her blood cells for a period of time and prevents the exchange of nutrients and waste between cells. The curse is not considered something foreign in the body. It already became part of her whole being.
Me:What will happen if I attack the curse with my purifying flame?
Siri: Every blood cells will burst, and the person will die.
Me:Can her curse be suppressed if I craft a magic bracelet for her?
Siri: Yes, but it needs to be 5 strings strong.
With a deep sigh, I let go of her hand and gave Astoria a smile and returned to my seat.
"I have a solution, but it is not a cure," I said.
Mr. Greengrass frowned and asked, "What do you mean?"
Massaging my strained eyes, I said, "It's impossible to undo the curse because after being passed down from several generations, it became a natural part of her body. If I forcefully try to remove the curse, I'll damage her bloodstream, which will then kill her."
I heard gasps from everyone.
Opening my eyes, I smiled and said, "The good news is I have a way to suppress the curse from acting up. I just need to craft something. She can then live a normal, healthy and long life."
"Are you sure?" Daphne asked.
Shrugging my shoulder, "We need to try it first?"
"What do you need?" Mr. Greengrass asked.
"Time," I replied while bringing out my suitcase and opening it on the floor.
Not waiting for their reply, I walked down into my suitcase. "Please wait a bit."
"""Wait, You're going to make it now?"""
"Yeah!" I said and closed my suitcase.
Good thing I already have plenty of my golden strings. So I can make it immediately.
Siri recommended five strings, but I'm adding two more.
5 strings imbued with confuto(suppress) aimed at the curse. One string with praesidium(protection) and another with alo(strengthen), both aimed at Astoria's body.
Wasting no time, I quickly started weaving.
"Confuto...praesidium... alo..."
After 10 minutes, the bracelet is done.
I quickly went up and exited my suitcase and approached Astoria presenting her the bracelet.
"Is that it?" Mrs. Greengrass asked skeptically, looking at the golden bracelet.
Bending a knee, I asked for Astoria's hand again and put the bracelet on her wrist.
Immediately after I locked the bracelet on, Astoria took in a deep breath. Her breathing didn't seem labored as before, and her complexion became better.
"How do you feel?" I asked with a smile.
Astoria was still breathing in and out, trying to feel her lungs. She smiled when she heard my question and said, "I feel great!... and hungry."
After confirming with Siri that the bracelet is working properly, I gave a nod, "Yeah, It is your body asking for sustenance now that the curse that's been stopping the nutrients you need become dormant. But don't overeat. Have a warm soup or broth before a meal for the next two weeks."
Mr. and Mrs. Greengrass, and Daphne checked on Astoria. Tears of joy can be seen on their faces.
"Good job, Marshall." Tracey patted my shoulder.
"Well, too bad I can't break the curse."
"It's already good enough. Thank you, lad. How can our family ever repay you?" Mr. Greengrass said, wiping his tears.
I smile hearing that, "Well... I'm no saint. So I will be asking for some favors. But before that, some quick reminders. First, the bracelet needs to be covered to avoid attracting unwanted attention, especially from goblins."
The Greengrass couple and Thomas paid attention.
"Second, remember that it is not a cure. The malediction is still there, just sleeping. If ever in the future that it begin acting up again, take note of the circumstances and contact me."
"Third, in the future, it is still possible for her descendants to contract the curse."
"Last, note that I crafted the bracelet specifically for Astoria. If ever you encounter others that have such bracelet.." I showed them the bracelet on my wrist. "... Don't think that it will have the same effect. Any questions?"
They asked a few questions. I answer most of them. Good thing they are smart people and didn't try to force an answer for the once that touched upon my secrets.
"So... What favor do you need, lad?" Mr. Greengrass asked me directly.
'Ah! It's quite nice talking to smart people.'
I shrugged, "Not much, I just need you to inform me of any news related to the Ministry and the other Pureblood families. It can be about anything 'interesting'."
My request raised some eyebrow from the adults. Mrs. Greengrass asked, "That's it?"
"Yeah! I just want to pass my time in Hogwarts peacefully. But it appears some things are beyond my control. With The Harry Potter attending Hogwarts and the buzz I caused by curing the Longbottoms, I can forsee that troubles will keep coming my way.."
" Actually, I'm not afraid of trouble, but it won't hurt to know what is happening behind the scenes, so I can deal with 'stuff' properly and cleanly." I said.
Mr. Greengrass was silent but gave me a nod. As the head of the family, he knows the importance of timely information.
Even if I have prior knowledge of certain events in the future, it became apparent to me throughout the last four months that I have little knowledge of what's happening behind the scenes.
I got lucky when I found out about Cassiopeia Black. It was when I was in the Headmaster's office during Neville's wand incident that I got to know she was still alive.
When the portrait of Phineas Nigellus Black called me out, I asked Siri who he is, and when I asked Siri if Phineas still has other living descendants that is acting as the Head of the Black family, i was surprised to learn of Cassiopeia's existence.
Getting information from the 'good guys' is easy, but the other powers in play are not that transparent of what they are doing.
The solution for my dilemma is… networking. And I'm using my 'good will' to form it.
The Greengrass can provide me some news about the movement of the Purebloods' circle.
Just in case Dumbledore comes up with some genius plan out of the blue and intend to use me as a chess piece, I'm confident that the Weasleys and Longbottoms would at least give me a heads-up.
After helping Amelia Bones with her request, I'll have someone looking out for me inside the Ministry along side Amos Diggory.
Gringotts can inform me about the economy and when some high profile individuals visit their vaults.
Finally, the house elves can help me get things done inside Hogwarts, while the merpeople and centaurs can monitor the area around the school.
Now that my job here is done, I decided to leave. They want me to stay for a meal, but I politely decline.
Before leaving, I didn't forget to wish them happy holidays and said to Astoria, "Nice meeting you again, and see you at Hogwarts in two years."
Thomas escorted me out of the restaurant and pointed me to where the nearby stores and bazaars are.
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6:16 pm, Angel Center
I'm looking at the newest Mizuno Morelia II football boots and asking Siri...
Me: Will Kyle like this?
Siri: Yes
Me:Will this fit Kyle's feet?
Siri: Yes
Turning to the salesperson, I said, "Two pairs of this, in this exact color and one in size 5 and another in 5 1/2."
The salesperson looked at my cart full of sporting goods and asked, "Sir, Where are your parents or your guardian..."
'Ugh! I hate shopping alone as a 11 yr old kid. Only around Ottery can I go buying things without being questioned'
I sighed and took out a wad of cash and said, "Don't worry, I have my bodyguard outside. I just want to shop in peace and incognito..." I made up a plausible excuse posing as a rich young master... which... If you think about it... I am.
Since I'm already done shopping gifts for my friends, I quickly went to the counter under the gaze of the doubtful staff.
After paying, I walked out the store with numerous shopping bags and quickly went up the stairs to the upper floor and turned invisible when I'm sure no one is watching me.
I quickly stuffed the bags in my enchanted pouch and walked to where the bookstore is. There, I bought some new cookbooks and children's books, and other stuff that I can give as gifts.
And again, I have to wave my wealth and mention my imaginary bodyguard before I can buy what's in my cart.
'Ugh... Shopping as a kid is such a hassle.' Good thing I'm done shopping.
I just need to exit the mall and find a secluded area to teleport back to Ottery.
As I'm heading toward the stairs to go to the ground floor, a sudden gust of wind passed by me and a strong scent of orange came with it.
'Ugh!... What now?' Looking around, I saw an empty corridor that leads to a fire exit. To my 'eyes', the door glows bright with shiny red orange light.
'Haaah... I really just want to go home...' Though I silently complained, I still turned invisible and walked toward the fire exit.
~end chapter ~