A formidable bodyguard was dispatched to Johnny Silverhand's establishment in Knockturn Alley. Mundungus Fletcher, unaware of the airborne Tommy Shelby's true identity, could only infer from his deferential demeanor towards Johnny that he must be someone of significance. This realization was a sobering one for Mundungus, who had begun to feel overly self-important. He had thought himself indispensable, but now it seemed he was merely one of Lord Johnny's pawns, and for some reason, the presence of Shelby instilled in him a sense of dread. It was akin to the unease of being spotted by an Auror during a theft. With such a vigilant observer, Mundungus knew he had to be on his best behavior.
As a newcomer, Tommy Shelby's compensation was generous: a monthly salary of 100 Galleons, plus a regular supply of Wolfsbane Potion from John. During his year of wandering, Shelby had encountered many werewolves. John planned for Shelby to recruit other werewolves to their cause once the shop expanded. Given Shelby's background as a former Auror, John was confident in his character.
Despite having opened just a few days ago, Silverhand Johnny's store was not bustling with customers, but it still managed a daily revenue of 200 Galleons. John was optimistic that as the store gained more recognition, business would flourish, especially once the Bodhidharma Alex first-class medal was awarded and the reputation of his Wolfsbane Potion spread, attracting more werewolves.
The store offered three tiers of Wolfsbane Potion: the basic version for 30 Galleons, which suppressed bloodlust; the Superior Elixir for 80 Galleons, allowing recognition of loved ones and the ability to remain stationary; and the top-tier potion for 150 Galleons, which preserved the user's appearance, magical abilities, and consciousness during transformation. These potions not only addressed the immediate needs of werewolves but also aimed to alleviate the discrimination they faced. The top-tier potion, in particular, was the most labor-intensive to produce but offered the greatest benefits. Shelby, recognizing the value of John's offer, was fiercely loyal to him.
As the start of the school year approached, Harry's stay at the Burrow left John feeling somewhat isolated. Despite his wealth, John found that money was always in short supply, given the high costs of alchemy. However, his endeavors were fruitful; he successfully inscribed a second rune into Ironwick's sword, creating a magic circuit that allowed the sword to wield magic independently of John's own magical reserves. While the magic from these circuits needed time to recharge and was primarily useful in emergencies, it was a significant achievement.
John spent his days practicing magic, particularly focusing on Transfiguration, which he felt was in need of improvement. He longed to master the dragon form, a feat he believed would only be possible at a higher level of proficiency. "Perhaps I should delve deeper into Transfiguration texts," he mused, acknowledging his ambition.
Suddenly, John sensed an intrusion. The basement, equipped with magical detection devices, alerted him to the presence of an uninvited guest. Aiming his wand at a shadowy corner, he declared, "Did you think you could hide from me?"
From the darkness emerged a creature with large, green eyes and drooping bat-like ears. With a swift spell, John transformed a desk into strips of cloth, binding the intruder tightly. "A house-elf?" he realized, taken aback.
"Dobby has come to see John Wick, Harry Potter's friend," the house-elf squeaked, struggling against the restraints. The cloth strips constricted around Dobby, muffling his cries.
"Dobby? The house-elf?" John recalled Harry's grievances and addressed the elf, his tone a mix of curiosity and caution. A deep voice resonated through the room, "Who sent you here? Are you trying to learn of Harry's whereabouts through me?"
"No, no, Dobby wants John Wick to protect Harry Potter," Dobby hastily explained, immediately realizing he was on the verge of speaking ill of his master. Wanting to punish himself but restrained by the cloth strips, Dobby had no choice but to repeatedly hit the wall with the back of his head, chastising himself, "Bad Dobby, bad Dobby!"
"Stop!" John, feeling a headache coming on from the chaos, reluctantly used the cloth strips to further secure Dobby's head to prevent him from harming himself. Keeping his wand at the ready, John approached Dobby with a serious expression and inquired, "You mentioned Harry would be in danger. How do you know this?"
Seeing Dobby's face contorted with fear, unable to self-harm due to the restraints, John sighed, realizing the house elf's tendency for dramatics. He decided to rephrase his question for clarity, "What kind of danger are you referring to?"
"A conspiracy, a dangerous and terrifying conspiracy. The most horrifying event will unfold at Hogwarts!" Dobby exclaimed, his voice filled with panic. John, sensing the urgency in Dobby's words, released the spell, causing Dobby to collapse to the ground.
"And why have you sought me out to protect Harry?" John asked, lowering his wand and fixing his gaze on the house-elf who had intruded into his home.
Dobby, sniffling, responded, "Dobby has heard tales of John Wick, a powerful wizard who has protected Harry Potter before."
John couldn't help but let out a wry chuckle, "I'll admit I've taken steps to protect Harry, but calling me a powerful wizard might be stretching it." He glanced at Dobby, feeling a mix of amusement and helplessness. "I'm hardly more than a novice with modest magical ability. But if you truly wish to protect Harry, you must provide me with the name of the mastermind behind this conspiracy. With that information, I can alert Dumbledore. Given Harry's significance as the savior, with the White Devil around, I doubt anyone could harm him."
"Dobby can't say, bad Dobby, bad Dobby!" Dobby began to attempt self-harm once more, prompting John to restrain him again. Although skeptical of Dobby's claims, John resolved to investigate the matter further if it indeed posed a real threat to Harry. "I will look into this conspiracy to verify its authenticity," he assured Dobby, who expressed his gratitude.
John then noticed Dobby's pitiful state, dressed in an old pillowcase, and offered, "I have some old clothes you can wear if you don't mind."
Dobby's reaction was one of sheer astonishment, "Dobby is so grateful to John Wick! You are as revered as Harry Potter himself. House-elves are only freed when their masters present them with clothes."
Despite his gratitude, Dobby couldn't accept John's offer, elevating him to a status akin to Harry's, albeit slightly lower in his eyes. With a snap of his fingers, Dobby vanished.
"Capable of casting spells without a wand," John mused, realizing his home's protective measures were insufficient. He decided to enhance his security to prevent future intrusions.
As time marched on and Johnny Silverhand's store found its footing, it was time for John to return to school.
On September 1st, Watson accompanied his son to King's Cross station, humorously attempting to pass through the barrier to platform nine and three-quarters himself, only to collide with the solid wall. Nursing a sizable bump on his head, Watson couldn't help but wonder if Hogwarts had simply forgotten to send him a letter in his youth.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Wick was busy entertaining guests in her beauty shop, leaving John to witness his father's futile attempt with a mix of amusement and exasperation. "Okay, Dad, it's time for me to go," John said, as Watson, looking dejected from his failed attempt, watched his son depart.
Suddenly, a loud crash followed by two surprised yelps echoed through the station. Watson turned to see two young wizards, Harry and Ron, staring bewildered at the now-sealed barrier.
"Why can't we pass through?" Harry asked, puzzled.
"I don't know, but we're going to miss the train," Ron replied, equally confused and anxious as they faced the closed passage, unable to proceed. The realization that they couldn't take the train to Hogwarts had left Harry and Ron in a bind. However, Ron quickly lit up with a solution. "We can drive to Hogwarts!" he exclaimed, recalling his family's enchanted flying car. Harry harbored some reservations about the plan, fearing the repercussions of arriving late or, worse, facing expulsion from Hogwarts. Yet, the prospect of not reaching Hogwarts at all seemed far more daunting.
With a mix of excitement and apprehension, they approached the Weasley family's flying car. Just as they were about to embark on their unconventional journey, a voice interrupted their preparations. "Hey, I think you guys could use some help."
Turning around, Harry and Ron were met with the sight of a man donning a hat, his presence unexpected and his demeanor confident. The man introduced himself with a smile that seemed to know no bounds. "The name's Watson Wake, but you can call me the God of Canary Wharf," he declared, his nickname hanging in the air with an air of mystery.
Harry and Ron exchanged puzzled glances, unsure of what to make of this self-proclaimed deity of Canary Wharf. Yet, with the clock ticking and their options limited, they couldn't help but wonder if this unexpected encounter might just be the stroke of luck they needed to get to Hogwarts on time.
_________
If you are tired of reading I also have this converted to an audio novel on my youtube
https://www.youtube.com/@NovelAudioForge/featured
Direct Link to playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge