10 minutes later…
"So? Do you agree?"
Blake was in shock at just how much Greengrass had found out. I mean, she has the advantage of money, her family's influence and connections, and family spells. But even still, Blake had to acknowledge that the girl's way of planning for most possible outcomes was impressive.
But that complicates things - if Quirrell gets his hands on it, he could raise an army by himself - there could be a Second Wizarding War if he gets his hands on it. Not to mention that Harry and I are really finished if he gets it.
And judging by the fact that she knows where the Stone's hidden and who's guarding it at what times, she knows that too.
"There's no way you believe that Dumbledore would let you."
"I'm not trying to steal the Stone, I just want to make a tiny amount of the Elixir."
"He still wouldn't let you."
"Only if he knew I did it," she replied confidently.
"I've seen Harry Potter and his friends investigating this thing too. Those three have saviour complexes - as soon as they figure out what's going on, and they think Snape's making his move, they'll rush to stop him. All we'd need to do is wait for that moment, and follow them in after. Worst comes to worst, it's a 5 versus 1. Even if Quirrell's an adult, Granger's talented, Potter's the Boy-Who-Lived, you take lessons with McGonagall for Defence, and I'm still decent too - and Weasley can be a distraction. After that, we can distract them somehow and use the Stone quickly - it's a swift process if you know what you're doing."
Blake would've laughed at her assessment of Ronald Weasley if he wasn't amazed at just how much the girl knew about him.
"You're stalking me, aren't you?"
"Don't be stupid, Renshaw, it's called surveillance." Blake could've sworn he saw her blush for a moment.
"But why do you need me? A 4 v 1 fight would be similar-ish odds too, right?" In truth, Blake already knew the reason, but he just wanted Greengrass to admit she needed him.
"A 5 versus 1 is still better odds, especially when the extra person is someone half decent," Greengrass replied, somewhat annoyed. "And besides, it may not even be that - there might be a lot more obstacles than whatever's in that room."
Hmm. So she hasn't gone inside that room, and she doesn't know I know what's inside?
"Anyway," Greengrass continued. "Harry Potter likes you. He trusts you. So they'll suspect me way less if you're there."
Blake frowned. "He doesn't know we're friends. We hardly ever interact."
"I doubt any of them apart from Granger will read into it that deeply, and if you insist, as a precaution we can arrange times to be seen together," the girl replied dismissively. Seen together?
But there was a question playing on Blake's mind that he couldn't seem to find an answer to.
"What's so important about getting a tiny amount of Elixir that you'd risk your life for? You do know that Quirrell could be willing to kill to get it, right?"
Greengrass looked at him weirdly.
"The chance that either of us dies is still low, despite Quirrell, as long as we stick together. And anyway - why would I ever tell you that?"
"How do I know you won't turn around and give it to Quirrell, or use it in a bad way?"
Greengrass laughed. "Do you actually believe I'd be working with someone like Quirrell? I'm the heir of The Most Ancient and Noble House of Greengrass, what reason could I possibly have?"
Good point.
"And as for the second part of your question, I know you don't actually believe I would. Otherwise you wouldn't agree, would you? You have a moral compass, it seems. After all, that's why you prevented Quirrell from jinxing Potter's broom, correct?"
If the revelation that she knew about the jinx was meant to invoke any reaction from Blake, it wasn't successful. The boy realised that if the girl had been stalking him, there was a high chance that she knew about anything he'd done outside of closed doors.
I wouldn't say that it was all to save Harry's life, there were incentives for me too, Blake thought - but if Greengrass had the wrong assumptions about him, he wasn't about to correct her.
"I haven't agreed yet."
"But you will - I can tell," Greengrass said neutrally, but with a hint of triumph in her voice.
"You haven't heard my condition yet."
"Go on then, I have a feeling I already know what you'll ask for."
"1,000 Galleons."
"Done."
Huh?
The look of surprise on Blake's face must've been evident, because Greengrass just smirked at him.
"Is that all?"
Damn it, I asked too low - actually… it couldn't hurt to try.
"I've changed my mind. 5,000 Galleons."
"No." Greengrass's smirk evaporated. She's definitely acting.
"Then no deal."
"We agreed to 1,000."
"I changed my mind. 5,000."
"1,500."
"5,000."
"1,500."
"4,500."
"2,000."
"4,000."
"2,500."
"4,000."
"3,000, final offer."
"3,500."
"I said final offer."
"3,500."
"No."
"Fine," Blake said with a huff. "3,000."
"Excellent. Of course, the fee will only be paid after I get the Elixir."
"Fair enough."
"In that case, let's proceed. Kipler?"
"Ready when you are, Lady Greengrass."
"Stand up and give me your right hand, Renshaw."
Despite himself, Blake's cheeks reddened as he extended his hand to Greengrass, which she took in her own. Her hands are cold.
Then, Kipler touched his palm to their intertwined hands.
"Do you, Blake Renshaw, agree that for the price of receiving your possession back now, and for the sum of 3,000 Galleons upon receipt of the Elixir of Life, if the opportunity presents itself, you will assist Daphne Greengrass in her goal of obtaining the Elixir of Life, so long as it does not place you in any further physical danger than you may or may not have already placed yourself in?"
That is a weird vow - but it does sound like I'll be okay. If it's about the 'opportunity presenting itself', then all I have to do is make sure no opportunities present themselves - and if I'm sure there's no danger, or I can handle it, I'm definitely going for it - 3,000 Galleons? That's like 15,000 pounds! But still, I don't want to be forced into something life threatening - definitely not by her…
I need the Quill, and probably the money too. Damn it.
"I do."
Golden lines, almost like strings, wrapped around Blake and Greengrass's hands, as if moulding them together, and suddenly, they disappeared.
"It is done, Lady Greengrass."
"Thank you, Kipler. You may leave now." The house elf bowed deeply once more, and disappeared in a puff of air.
"Happy now?" Blake said sarcastically.
"Very much so," Greengrass responded with equal sarcasm.
"Give me the Quill."
As Greengrass handed Blake the Quill, both of them realised that they were still holding hands, despite the Vow being completed, and they quickly let go at the same time.
"Just out of curiosity, how much were you willing to pay?"
Greengrass smirked at him once more.
"Now why would I tell you that?"
AN: If you would like to view up to 20 more bonus chapters on all my fics so far including this one, and would also like to support me, please visit my P@TR30N, at pa tr eon.com / GhidorahWriter (remove the spaces).
Thanks for reading and make sure ADD to your COLLECTION and VOTE with POWER STONES! The target is 50 POWER STONES for the next BONUS CHAPTER!