The Defense Against the Dark Arts class that afternoon was, as usual, an exercise in indescribable tedium.
The two-faced Professor Quirrell was, for what Sean estimated to be the seventh time that term, rambling on about his supposed encounter with vampires. His stuttering, nervous delivery once again elicited barely concealed snickers from the Slytherin contingent. Sean, seated in the back row of the classroom, had long since given up on paying attention. He simply flipped through his Defense Against the Dark Arts textbook for a cursory glance, then discreetly took out a more advanced Potions book he had borrowed from the library and began to study it under the cover of his desk.
Ever since receiving the invaluable book list from Snape, Sean had dedicated himself to studying the recommended texts. Combined with the insights and advanced techniques detailed in his grandfather Gavin's notes, Sean was gradually, painstakingly, managing to comprehend and absorb the contents of these quite advanced Potions books.
When today's Defense Against the Dark Arts class finally concluded, Sean and Blaise did not head directly to the library as they usually did. Instead, they returned first to the Slytherin common room. A third-year student, Sean knew, was waiting for them there.
"Morgan, have you been waiting long?" Sean asked as they entered.
Andy Morgan. He was a third-year Slytherin student. His family, Sean recalled, was engaged in some form of general merchandise business, a background that seemed to have instilled in Andy a certain talent for commerce from a young age. Starting in his second year at Hogwarts, Andy had begun operating some small-scale business ventures within Slytherin, allowing his fellow housemates to purchase items that were not readily available at the school.
At the beginning of the current school year, Andy's entrepreneurial endeavors had expanded, reaching beyond the confines of Slytherin House. However, no one from Gryffindor ever seemed to do business with him, and students from Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff only rarely availed themselves of his services. His primary customer base, his most reliable market, remained firmly within Slytherin.
"Sean, Blaise," Andy said with an easy smile, "I told you last time, you can just call me Andy."
Smiling back at Andy, Sean didn't insist on formality and got straight to the point. "Andy, have you prepared the things I requested?"
"Of course, of course," Andy replied, rubbing his hands together in a businesslike manner. "But you also know, this is just a small enterprise for me, so…"
Sean didn't hesitate. He smiled, reached into his robes, and immediately produced three Galleons and eleven Sickles, handing the coins over to Andy. Seeing that the payment was correct, Andy promptly took out a surprisingly large bag of Potions ingredients from within his own robes and handed it to Sean. Observing this exchange, Sean immediately knew that Andy possessed a magical item – likely a pouch or satchel – upon which an Undetectable Extension Charm had been placed.
"Alright," Andy said cheerfully, "the money and goods are settled. We'll be on our way then."
After saying goodbye to Andy, Sean prepared to leave the common room with Blaise.
But at that moment, Andy called out to them again.
"Sean, hold on a moment, don't go just yet. I still have something I'd like to discuss with you."
Turning around, Sean looked at Andy, a slight frown creasing his brow. He didn't say anything immediately. It was Blaise who spoke first, his tone wary. "Andy, what is it you want to discuss? Don't go breaking any rules now."
"Speaking of rules," Andy said with a reassuring grin, "of course I won't break them. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to continue my business, now would I? Don't worry, it's nothing untoward." At this point, Andy turned his gaze directly to Sean and asked, "Sean, I also recognize the items you've requested. They are all ingredients for brewing mental recovery potions. This particular potion isn't overly difficult to concoct. I imagine for someone like you, a newly inducted member of the Potions Club, it shouldn't present too much of a challenge, am I right?"
Hearing Andy's words, Sean looked at him seriously. "Andy," he said, his voice carefully neutral, "where did you find out that I joined the Potions Club?"
The existence of the Potions Club wasn't exactly a state secret, but it certainly wasn't common knowledge either. Moreover, Andy had specifically stated that Sean had joined the club, clearly indicating that he had received specific, confirmed information.
"Well..." Andy offered Sean an ingratiating, almost fawning, smile. "I do have my own channels, don't I? Otherwise, a small business like mine wouldn't be so easy to maintain."
"So," Sean pressed, "what is it you want to say?"
Even as he asked the question, Sean had a fairly strong suspicion of what Andy was about to propose.
As expected, upon hearing Sean's direct inquiry, Andy immediately leaned in, his expression eager. "Sean," he said, "the ingredients you've just purchased are sufficient to brew mental recovery potions five times. However, a single, qualified mental recovery potion is worth approximately the same amount as the raw ingredients you've bought, perhaps even a little more. This, my friend, represents Galleons to be made with each successful brew! As long as you manage to succeed with just two of these five attempts, you'll essentially earn the cost of one mental recovery potion for free. I just don't know what your approximate success rate might be, Sean. Are you, perhaps, interested in a cooperative venture with me?"
"If I have surplus mental recovery potions," Sean countered, "why would I need to cooperate with you? Can't I simply brew the potions myself and then sell them directly?"
Hearing this, Andy's eyes lit up. He knew Sean was considering his proposal. He immediately leaned in even closer, his enthusiasm palpable. "Sean," he said, "even for someone like you, the primary purpose of engaging in any sort of business is surely to acquire enough Galleons to support your studies and other pursuits. You certainly can't afford to spend all your valuable time on the mundane tasks of buying and selling. Besides, consider this: you would only need to give me a mere thirty percent of the profits. For that thirty percent, you would not only save yourself a considerable amount of trouble and effort, but I could also assist you in many other ways. For instance, I could share valuable information, or I could take full responsibility for procuring all the necessary ingredients and personally delivering them to you. How does that sound?"
Sean considered for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Around this time tomorrow," he said, "come find me for the potions. Payment will be half in Galleons, and half in raw ingredients for mental recovery potions."
"Excellent! No problem at all!" Andy exclaimed, his face beaming. "Then it's settled. I eagerly look forward to this time tomorrow."
Having concluded their business, Andy immediately said goodbye and hurried off, no doubt to pursue his next entrepreneurial opportunity.
Watching Andy leave, Blaise frowned slightly. "Sean," he said thoughtfully, "this Andy… he's probably already preparing for his life after he graduates from Hogwarts."
"How so?" Sean asked.
"Although the Morgan family isn't considered one of the major pure-blood houses," Blaise explained, "their reputation has been quite good in recent years. When their family selects the next generation to lead, they rely entirely on demonstrated individual abilities and achievements. Therefore, the younger members of the Morgan family often start engaging in business ventures while they are still students at Hogwarts. Andy, as it happens, is the only member of his generation of the Morgan family currently attending Hogwarts. So, he's likely trying to accumulate capital for himself by managing the various needs and wants of the Hogwarts student body, with the intention of starting a formal business after graduation."
Sean looked at Blaise, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. This was the first time he had seen Blaise display any particular talent or insight outside the realm of charming and courting girls. However, Sean didn't press for more details. For him, a friend was a friend, and their family background was a separate matter entirely. If a friend wished to share such information, he would listen attentively. If a friend chose not to speak of such things, he wouldn't pry.
"Alright," Sean said, changing the subject. "Let's go to that place. Although privately brewing potions isn't strictly against school rules, using them for trade and commerce is definitely pushing the boundaries. It's better to find a safe, discreet location."
The "safe place" Sean was referring to was, naturally, the Room of Requirement, located on the eighth floor of the castle.
Slytherin students very rarely ventured to the eighth floor, except perhaps during Divination class. Fortunately, the specific location of the Room of Requirement was generally deserted. Otherwise, the sight of two young Slytherin wizards like Sean and Blaise loitering in that particular corridor would undoubtedly be conspicuous enough to attract unwanted attention.
Standing in front of the tapestry depicting Barnabas the Barmy being thrashed by a troll, Sean silently focused his thoughts, concentrating on his need for a place with complete potion-brewing equipment where he could work quietly and undisturbed. He then walked back and forth in front of the blank stretch of wall three times.
As the tapestry shimmered and transformed into a solid wooden door, Sean, pulling a slightly bewildered Blaise along with him and carrying the large bag of potion ingredients, quickly stepped through the newly formed doorway.
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