💎 WEEKLY POWER GOALS 💎🔥 30→2ch | 60→5ch | 100→8ch | 200→15ch | 400→25ch⏰ Resets Monday!
Sunlight streamed through the windows into the main hall, illuminating several white-painted tables and chairs. The tables displayed the shop's signature parchment and ink bottles, while wall-mounted cabinets showcased an array of colorful bottled potions. Near the staircase, the space had been converted into a proper bar counter, where Ethan perched on a high stool, completely absorbed in his reading.
"Hey! Ethan! How's everything going?" Tony called out cheerfully toward the bar.
"Quite well, actually," Ethan replied, looking up with a genuine smile. "I have books to read, Gemini installed internet access, the customers are manageable, and nobody causes trouble. It's remarkably peaceful."
"That's wonderful—I'm relieved you're settling in so well!" Tony said warmly. After exchanging a few more pleasantries, he followed Gemini upstairs to the reception room.
Tony gazed at Gemini with barely concealed hope. "Are you absolutely certain we can't continue the lessons?"
Gemini sighed, shouldering her bag with resigned determination. "Come along. There are other matters requiring attention today. You've been officially certified as a wizard, which means you need to look the part. Today we're acquiring proper magical supplies."
"Can I pay with American dollars? Or do I need gold? Precious gems? I should prepare accordingly!" Tony's excitement was immediately palpable.
"Unnecessary," Gemini replied, reaching into her small bag to produce a gleaming golden key. "Your grandmother specifically requested I escort you, and she provided this—your mother's inheritance." She placed the key in Tony's palm with careful reverence. "Guard it well. This represents proof of your mother's Gringotts vault."
Tony fell silent instantly, the key's weight seeming to anchor him to painful memories. He gave a bitter, self-deprecating laugh. "Remarkable. Here I am, supposedly a grown man, and I'm still dependent on my mother's money."
Gemini found herself at a loss for comforting words, so she moved toward the fireplace instead. "Listen carefully—I'll demonstrate this once. The Copper Oak!" She cast Floo Powder into the flames, which immediately blazed emerald green. With practiced confidence, Gemini stepped into the fireplace, clearly enunciated the destination, and vanished with a distinctive whoosh.
Tony took a steadying breath, approached the fireplace, and scattered Floo Powder into the flames. Attempting to replicate Gemini's technique, he spoke the name and immediately felt as though he'd been stuffed into an industrial washing machine set to maximum spin. The world became a nauseating blur of spinning fireplaces and flashing glimpses of unfamiliar locations. Just as his stomach reached its absolute limit, he crashed to an abrupt halt before a dimly lit hearth.
The sudden deceleration after high-speed magical travel sent Tony tumbling forward with considerable force, landing in an undignified heap on the floor. Immediately, good-natured laughter erupted around him.
"Well hello there, friend! First time traveling by Floo Network?" Before Tony could respond, multiple pairs of strong hands hauled him upright with surprising gentleness. "Easy there, mate..."
Tony remained dizzy and disoriented, his vision still foggy, when someone pressed a drinking glass into his trembling hands. "Here, this'll sort you right out! You clearly don't travel by fireplace regularly. This is Williams's private reserve—we barely convinced him to share it. Perfect timing for you!"
Tony shook his head vigorously, finally achieving some clarity. Surveying the dim tavern atmosphere and the circle of intimidating but friendly faces, he examined the glass containing golden liquid. The aroma that reached his nostrils sent an immediate wave of coolness straight to his brain, filling him with inexplicable joy and completely banishing his earlier melancholy about his mother.
Unable to resist, Tony took a tentative sip. The sweet, refreshing taste flooded his mouth while the drink's coolness soothed his queasy stomach, prompting a sigh of profound relief.
"What is this miraculous beverage? Is it available for purchase?" Tony inquired with genuine interest.
The burly men erupted in hearty laughter. "That's Williams's private stock—Secret Oak Honey Wine! He only brings it out at month's end, and everyone's strictly limited to one glass. You've struck gold, my friend!"
"Tony, are you recovered?" Gemini's voice materialized behind him, instantly reminding him of their purpose. He quickly stood, addressing his impromptu drinking companions. "Perfectly fine now, gentlemen. Next time, drinks are absolutely on me—but today we have urgent business." He drained the remaining liquid, patted his pockets, then removed his expensive gemstone cufflinks and placed them on the table. "I didn't bring proper currency, so please accept these as payment for your hospitality."
As Tony approached Gemini, the muscular men finally noticed her presence. "Miss Black! What an unexpected pleasure!"
"Pearson," Gemini acknowledged with familiarity. "Business has been slow lately?"
"Indeed, Miss Black," the bearded leader confirmed with a respectful smile. "As you well know, our particular services aren't in constant demand."
Gemini considered this, then turned to Tony. "What's your assessment of these gentlemen?"
Tony smiled warmly. "They appear formidable, but they're genuinely kind-hearted. Despite being complete strangers, they immediately helped when I was struggling. That speaks volumes about their character."
Gemini nodded approvingly. "Pearson, gather your crew and wait here. I'll have employment for you shortly."
Once Pearson confirmed she was serious, he enthusiastically rallied his companions.
Tony followed Gemini toward the tavern exit, thoroughly bewildered. "What exactly do they do? What kind of work? And where are we? Where did you disappear to earlier?"
The rapid-fire questions gave Gemini an immediate headache, but considering his grandmother's involvement, she patiently addressed each inquiry. "They're construction specialists—what you'd call renovation contractors. America has relatively few purely magical districts; most wizards live integrated with Muggle communities. Obviously, Muggle architecture isn't magically convenient, so these professionals handle necessary modifications. This establishment is The Copper Oak, America's equivalent to The Leaky Cauldron we visited in England—it serves as the primary entrance to our magical commercial district. Heavy daily traffic necessitates multiple Floo connections, so we were automatically routed through different fireplaces. Now please, maintain silence—we're about to experience what muggles might call a 'roller coaster.'"
"A what now?" Tony's question died as they emerged from the tavern. The street beyond bustled with activity—restaurants, clothing boutiques, coffee shops, alongside apothecaries, Quidditch suppliers, pet emporiums, and countless other establishments. While less atmospherically magical than Diagon Alley, the layout struck Tony as oddly familiar.
Gemini led him to an imposing white building whose architecture seemed to defy several laws of physics. Tony craned his neck to study the impossible angles. "And this magnificent structure would be...?"
"Gringotts Wizarding Bank—operated by goblins," Gemini whispered urgently. "Once inside, speak only when directly addressed. Offend them, and your fame as Tony Stark will provide zero protection."
Observing the sharp-eared, elongated-fingered goblins conducting business with cold efficiency, Tony swallowed his questions with considerable effort. Childhood fairy tales had clearly been misleading about goblin temperament.
The American Gringotts interior mirrored its British counterpart's austere grandeur. Gemini approached the main counter with Tony in tow, addressing the goblin clerk with respectful formality. "Good morning. Mr. Anthony Stark requires access to his vault."
"Key?" the goblin inquired curtly, setting aside his ledger work to fix them with an evaluating stare.
At Gemini's subtle prompting, Tony produced the golden key and placed it carefully on the marble counter. The goblin's impossibly long fingers lifted the key for meticulous examination before returning it to the surface.
"Authentic," the goblin pronounced with professional satisfaction. "I'll arrange an escort immediately."
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