After collecting all the beasts and treasures, Ryan, Bellatrix, and Narcissa decided to take a stroll around Diagon Alley. It was Ryan's idea. He wanted to visit that place since they were already that close. And he wanted to buy some new clothes and raw ingredients. He handed them each a vial of Polyjuice Potion to ensure their identities remained hidden.
"Here," He said, passing the vials to Bellatrix and Narcissa. "This will keep us under the radar."
Narcissa took the potion without hesitation. "Let's get this over with." She drank it.
"It's been a while," Bellatrix giggled excitedly as she uncorked the vial and drank the potion.
After drinking the potions, their appearances began to shift. Bellatrix's wild, dark hair transformed into auburn locks, and her sharp features softened. Narcissa's hair turned jet black, and her eyes shifted to a deep brown. Ryan himself took on the appearance of a young man with sandy hair and medium height.
"Here. It will look nice on you," Bellatrix pulled out a round glass and gave it to him.
"Thanks," Ryan put it on, making his eyes appear a bit smaller, which complemented his new face.
"Alright, let's go!"
They apparated away from Knockturn Alley.
A few moments later, the three of them arrived at the entrance of the Leaky Cauldron.
As Ryan, Bellatrix, and Narcissa stepped into the Leaky Cauldron, the bustling atmosphere immediately engulfed them.
The pub was filled with the chatter of witches and wizards, the clinking of glasses, and the occasional burst of laughter. Ryan adjusted his glasses as he quickly scanned the room. Then, they walked to the back of the pub, where a small space led to the entrance of Diagon Alley. Bellatrix tapped the correct bricks with her wand, and the wall slowly parted to reveal the cobbled streets of the famous shopping district.
Diagon Alley was as vibrant as ever, despite the underlying tension that hung in the air. The first wizarding war had cast a shadow over the community, and even amidst the lively market scene, there was a palpable sense of unease. Aurors patrolled the streets, their watchful eyes scanning the crowd for any sign of trouble. The trio walked through the alley, taking in the sights and sounds.
"Let's start with some new clothes," Ryan suggested as he looked toward Narcissa. "I'm new here. So, lead the way, Cissy."
"New here? Really?" Narcissa raised a brow. "Fine, follow me. And only Bella calls me that. For you, Narcissa."
"Well, I guess I'll have to work hard to earn that privilege." Ryan shrugged.
"Or can't you just order her to let her call Cissy? She is bound by oath after all," Bella whispered.
"Nope. You should know me better by now, Bella," Ryan whispered back. "I'm not that kind of person."
"I'm sorry," She apologized.
Ryan simply smiled as he followed Narcissa deeper into the alley, Bellatrix walking behind him.
Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. The shop was a haven of fabrics and colors, with robes of every kind displayed on mannequins and racks. They were greeted by Madam Malkin herself, a plump, cheerful witch with a keen eye for fashion.
"Good evening! How can I assist you today?" she asked with a warm smile.
"We're looking for some new robes," Ryan replied. "I want something black and dark green. As for the girls, they can decide what they want." He gave a nod to Bella and Narcissa.
"Of course, right this way," Madam Malkin led them to the back of the shop, where a variety of materials and colors awaited them. "Feel free to browse, and let me know if you need any assistance."
After looking around for a bit...
"I'll take this," Bellatrix said, holding up a deep red robe with intricate gold embroidery. "How do I look?" She turned toward Ryan with a large smile.
He walked to her and whispered in her ears, "Beautiful as always, Bella."
She blushed, her cheeks turning a rosy shade of pink. "Thank you..."
Narcissa chose a midnight blue robe with silver accents. "This will do," she said simply, her tone measured.
Ryan picked a simple black robe with emerald accents. "I like it," he remarked with a nod of approval. "What about you two? Do you like it?" He glanced at the girls.
"It's perfect," Bellatrix beamed, running her fingers over the fabric. "You'd look hot... Ahem! I mean, great... Yeah. Great."
Narcissa nodded in agreement. "It suits you well."
"Well, grab a few more. Don't hold back..." He picked up another black suit, a couple of shirts and pants. Some winter wear too.
"Okay!" Bellatrix chirped excitedly.
They each picked out a few more clothes before heading to the counter to pay.
"Uumm... Are you sure you want to buy all of these?" Madam Malkin asked tentatively, eyeing the pile of clothes on the counter. "That's quite a lot."
"Yup! So, pack them up for us, please."
Madam Malkin carefully wrapped each garment in parchment paper before placing them all into a bag. It was small enough with magic space inside to hold the clothes. "Here you go," she said with a smile and placed the bill on the table.
After Ryan paid, Bella took out her mokeskin pouch and placed the bag inside.
"Let's go."
They left the shop and continued exploring Diagon Alley.
Next, they headed to Flourish and Blotts, the famous bookstore. The shelves were lined with volumes on every imaginable subject, from beginner's guides to advanced magical theory.
"Girls, spread out and find something good..." Ryan ordered as he moved toward the spell section. His eyes gleamed as he picked up a book on rare spells and curses. 'It's so freaking different from watching Harry Potter movies... Dang! These are some weird shit curses... Might as well pick some more books...'
"This should be useful," he murmured, adding it to the growing pile in his arms.
Bellatrix selected a tome on rare and dangerous beasts. "I've been looking for this one," she mumbled to herself.
Narcissa chose a book on advanced potion-making. "We can't afford to be unprepared," she mumbled to herself. "Might as well polish my old knowledge a bit."
The shopkeeper, an elderly wizard with a long beard and half-moon spectacles, rang up their purchases. He looked like a jolly old man. "Stay safe out there," he advised, his voice tinged with concern. "Times are dangerous."
"Will do. You stay safe too, gramps," Ryan waved his hand.
Their next stop was the Apothecary, a dimly lit shop filled with the pungent aroma of exotic ingredients. Shelves lined with jars of dried herbs, potions, and magical components filled the space. The trio navigated the narrow aisles, picking up items they deemed essential.
"We'll need more dragon scales and unicorn hair," Narcissa noted, her eyes scanning the shelves. "And don't forget the powdered moonstone."
Ryan nodded, adding the items to their basket. "We should also get some bezoars," he suggested. "Just in case."
After adding more items, they took it to the counter.
The shopkeeper was a stern-looking witch. She seemed to be in her 40s and from that hawk-like gaze and weird expression, it looked as if she was going through a midlife crisis. "Is there anything else you need?" she asked, her voice sharp.
"Nope. Got everything right here," Ryan replied, paying for their purchases. "Thank you."
As they stepped out of the shop, their eyes fell on a group of Aurors patrolling the street. Their faces were grim, their wands clutched tightly in their hands.
"Well, looks like the Ministry is trying hard to salvage their reputation," Ryan commented. "Throwing all these Aurors around Diagon Alley."
"As if that would solve anything," Bella muttered, her voice laced with disdain. "They're just covering their own asses. Hehehe... I can't wait to see their faces when we blow up the Ministry" A sadistic smile appeared on her lips.
Narcissa remained silent, her expression unreadable.
"Anyway, let's not waste our time on them. Instead, I'm hungry... It's almost lunchtime. Let's get something to eat."
The trio made their way to the food district of Diagon Alley, where the aromas of various magical cuisines filled the air. Ryan was kinda surprised to see the area. He never knew there was a place like this in Diagon Alley. 'Ah! This smells like heaven..' He thought.
Ryan, Bellatrix, and Narcissa walked past several food stalls and restaurants before deciding on The Silver Cauldron. It was a famous place according to Bellatrix.
As they entered, a waitress welcomed them with a warm smile.
"Welcome to The Silver Cauldron! How many in your party?"
"Three," Ryan replied.
"Right this way, please," she said, leading them to a corner booth. As they settled into their seats, she handed them menus. "Your server will be with you shortly." The doorbell chimed again, "Gotta go. Sorry. It's been a very busy day."
"No worries..." Ryan said with a friendly smile.
Ryan, Bellatrix, and Narcissa browsed through the menu, their stomachs rumbling in hunger. The waitress arrived at the table in less than two minutes.
"I'm thinking about the dragon steak," Bella said, licking her lips. "It's been a while since I had some good meat. Oh, add watermelon fizz."
Narcissa rolled her eyes. "You and your appetite for meat," she sighed. "I'll have The roasted pheasant and Butterbeer."
"Flamingo Chicken, two mystery sandwiches, and lemon fizz for me. Thanks!" Ryan closed the menu with a smile.
The waitress scribbled down their orders and went inside.
As they waited for their food, Bellatrix and Narcissa engaged in a conversation about why Bella likes to eat a big breakfast, lunch, and dinner. She also began to ramble on about how important it is to have a proper meal.
'Was she always this happy?' Narcissa wondered in surprise. 'Maybe... This is for the better...' She stole a glance at the man sitting before her, looking outside.
Ryan looked outside and a familiar face caught his eyes. It's been a while since he last saw her before disappearing without a word. Lily Evans was standing on the other side of the road, her fiery red hair gleaming in the sunlight.