John's two-week trip abroad was an experience filled with mixed emotions. While John himself was uncertain about his feelings towards the trip, Mrs. Wick was undoubtedly enjoying herself. She took great pleasure in dressing John in various fashionable outfits, even if some, like the hip-hop style with oversized gold chains and backward hats, were not to his taste.
However, their journey was not without its challenges. Being accompanied by a beautiful woman like Mrs. Wick meant attracting unwanted attention. John found himself playing the role of her protector, often dealing with the harassers in a manner that left them regretting their actions. On one occasion, he went as far as to remove all the teeth of a would-be assailant, leading to a violent misunderstanding between rival gangs.
During a moment of respite, John visited the Plymouth colony, home to a branch of Johnny Silverhand's establishments. The branch was managed by a beautiful Asian woman with mobility issues, necessitating the use of a wheelchair. Despite her condition, she commanded respect, especially after two wizards underestimated her and paid the price for their folly.
The entrance of the American branch was guarded by a bronze-skinned, bald man with a fierce demeanor. He was one of Johnny Silverhand's followers, part of a network that had spread quietly across the globe. A salesperson, discontent with the guard's strict screening, tried to bypass him but was quickly put in his place.
Upon John's arrival, the guard, Johnson, initially tried to turn him away, citing a policy purportedly from Johnny Silverhand himself, aimed at protecting young wizards from the dangerous items within. This policy, though fabricated by Rita Skeeter, had won the hearts of many wizarding families.
John, however, was not deterred. He requested to see the manager, revealing his identity. Johnson, after a moment of hesitation, allowed him entry upon confirmation from the manager, Nagini, who expressed surprise and eagerness to meet John.
Inside, John observed the store's layout, noting the magical props displayed openly and the more dangerous items concealed within enchanted counters. Customers, equipped with special monocles, browsed the hidden inventory, guided by the sales staff and under the watchful eyes of security guards.
This visit to the Johnny Silverhand branch was not just a casual stop; it was a glimpse into the complexities and dangers of the magical world, where appearances often concealed much more than they revealed. As soon as John stepped into the room, the attentive doorkeeper immediately rose to his feet, respectfully opening the door for him with a clear gesture of greeting. John entered what appeared to be a living room, where Nagini, clad in an emerald green dress, sat in a self-propelling wheelchair. Her face lit up at the sight of him. "John, you've arrived," she greeted warmly, though her joy was tinged with concern as she noted his appearance. "You look thinner. You shouldn't overexert yourself."
"It's okay, just a minor issue," John reassured her, approaching Nagini with a keen gaze. As he did, he noticed the chaotic particles surrounding her seemed to vanish. "You're recovering well," he observed, a smile touching his eyes as he took a seat beside her.
"Is the business still thriving?" he inquired, his tone casual yet filled with underlying interest. John had been instrumental in encouraging Nagini to expand her ventures into the American magical world, a bold move that involved establishing branches across various countries, with this location serving as the initial test site. He had assured her of his support should she encounter any difficulties, yet Nagini had managed to secure a strong local foothold on her own.
"It's largely thanks to your reputation," Nagini replied with a gentle smile. "The wizards here share your philosophy of strength. Leveraging your name has helped us quickly assemble a formidable team."
She recounted an incident where the protective ring John had given her proved invaluable. "There was some trouble, but the ring you gave me worked wonders." She caressed the emerald green ring on her finger, recalling how it had activated its protective magic when she was threatened, earning her the moniker 'Ms. Snake' locally for her seemingly passive demeanor and potent 'venom.'
As they passed a wine cabinet, John reached for a bottle of red wine, only for Nagini to swiftly take it from him. "John, you're not of age yet. You shouldn't drink," she chided, her tone earnest.
John couldn't help but retort, "You sound like my mother," though he realized the absurdity of his frustration given Nagini's seniority. Reluctantly, he let her keep the wine and instead retrieved a small box from his bag. "Speaking of which, I haven't given you your gift yet." As her benefactor, John felt it was only right to present her with something special, so he handed her the elongated box with a light smile. "Open it, have a look."
Curiosity piqued, Nagini unveiled a beautifully crafted wand nestled in velvet. The wand, made of yew wood and thestral feathers, was eleven and a quarter inches long, with a dense grain and remarkable flexibility. Its handle was adorned with a spiral pattern and set with a sapphire, making it a truly exquisite piece.
"This wand, made from yew wood and thestral feathers, is meant for those reborn. It's tipped with a Philosopher's Stone to enhance magical power and provide healing," John explained. The stone was a product of his recent endeavors, a potent magical crystal that amplified spell power, absorbed attacks to convert them into magical energy for the wielder, and served as a vast reservoir of magical power. Though it lacked the traditional Philosopher's Stone's abilities to grant eternal life or transmute base metals into gold, it was a masterpiece in its own right.
Nagini, deeply moved by the gesture and the inscription on the wand celebrating her rebirth, was brought to tears. The years she had spent in her serpentine form had been fraught with pain, and this gift symbolized a new beginning. "John, thank you," she said, her voice choked with emotion. Despite the simplicity of her words, they carried a weight of gratitude that seemed insufficient to express her feelings fully.
John, feeling somewhat bashful at the emotional display, diverted the moment by presenting Nagini with various magical accessories from his bag, transforming her appearance into that of a dazzling model. Each item had its unique function, leaving Nagini looking at John with a mix of amusement and appreciation. John placed a stack of books on the table. "These books will significantly enhance your spellcasting abilities. You should read them," he suggested. Having been transformed back into a human, the blood curse that once plagued Nagini had been eradicated, granting her the ability to learn magic. John seized this opportunity, encouraging Nagini to dedicate herself to studying. With her soul gradually mending, there was hope that Nagini could regain her ability to walk in time. The damage had been severe; when she was rescued, most of her soul had been lost. John contemplated capturing a few Dementors to breed them for the creation of soul-restoring potions, as relying solely on unicorn horn for recovery would be a lengthy process.
Managing the Johnny Silver Hands store single-handedly proved to be quite the challenge, prompting John to consider enlisting Kim Ledisley's assistance. However, there were pressing matters to address first, such as dealing with the Ministry of Magic's Auror patrols. The store's substantial profits had undoubtedly attracted envy, and John was aware that some might resort to underhanded tactics or even direct attacks on Nagini to undermine him. Determined to preempt any such threats, John took proactive measures.
One evening, he found himself in the Blind Pig Bar, his identity concealed behind a silver mask. The atmosphere was tense as he confronted the goblin owner, a notorious figure in New York's underground circles. The bar, a melting pot of information from all walks of life, was momentarily silenced by John's presence.
"Dear Sir Johnny Silverhand, I have no intention of being your enemy," the goblin stammered, a stark contrast to his usual bravado. Moments earlier, John had made a dramatic entrance, incapacitating three wizards caught in the act of wrongdoing. He then performed a soul extraction on the goblin owner, only to return it, a warning of his capabilities. The goblin's fear was palpable; he had no desire to cross paths with John in such a manner again.
John's actions served as a clear message: he would go to great lengths to protect what was his, ensuring that threats were neutralized before they could blossom. The underworld of New York had been put on notice, and the Blind Pig Bar was now a testament to John's resolve and power.
_________
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