"Got it. Let's start by finding an estate—build from the ground up." Midgard looked to Marcus. He understood and left at once.
Werewolf wizards might have low status, but they were everywhere; a bit of asking around would turn up estates for sale.
"Shops will be trickier. Diagon Alley won't allow werewolves to settle, much less open stores. We'll have to start in Knockturn Alley." Midgard was fired up. "It's a hassle to get a shop running here, but once it's open, the profits are huge."
Knockturn Alley was synonymous with chaos and crime. People fenced stolen goods, smuggled contraband, and sold illegal items—lucrative trades, all of them. If you could handle reckless dark wizards, the money you made would make plenty of pure-blood families jealous. And werewolves didn't fear those types; for most wizards, dealing with werewolves was dangerous in itself.
"Leonard, thank you." Midgard stepped forward and hugged him, solemn and sincere. "You'll always be our best friend."
"It's nothing. I just talked. The real work's on you." Leonard gently pushed her back. "By the way, the full moon's coming up. How much Wolfsbane Potion do we have?"
"Not much. Only Damocles is willing to brew it cheaply for us. But with these Galleons, we don't have to worry. Few know our potion maker now, but we can slowly hire those arrogant ones later," Midgard said, excited.
"Then raise Damocles's pay too. We need him on our side—ideally, we bring him in," Leonard said, pulling a bundle of vials from beneath his cloak. "These are Wolfsbane Potions I brewed. I failed a lot. These two batches worked, but one isn't great quality—you might get some side effects."
He pointed at the bottles with visible impurities. "Also, don't eat sweets after taking it. Sugar will cancel the effects."
"Thank you." Midgard patted his shoulder, moved. "I've thanked the heavens more than once for letting me meet you. You've helped us so much."
"No need for that between us. Just remember to collect magical plants for me," Leonard said, rolling his eyes. "The more dangerous, the better."
"Don't worry. I'll find them," Midgard laughed.
Leonard nodded and was about to leave when he suddenly remembered the symbol in the vault. He hesitated.
"What is it?" Midgard asked.
Leonard thought it over and decided to tell her. He wasn't sure what lay beyond that door—danger or safety. He needed someone to share the risk. And with their bond and Midgard's nature, even if treasure was hidden there, she wouldn't turn on him.
"Remember when I zoned out in the vault?" Leonard said. "I saw a strange symbol—and a door."
"A symbol and a door?" Midgard frowned. "What are you getting at?"
"I want to go in and take a look," Leonard said plainly.
"I don't recommend it. Honestly, we should report it to Gringotts and let them handle it," Midgard said calmly. "Speaking from experience, in the wizarding world anything unknown means danger. You shouldn't take that risk."
She was right. But the symbol and door felt tied to ancient magic—linked to the Ancient Sprout in him. Leonard couldn't let it go. From the knowledge he'd gained touching the symbol, it seemed like some kind of inheritance. He wasn't ready to share that part yet.
"I still want to see it," Leonard said.
Midgard was quiet for a moment. "I respect your choice. But if you really go, take me with you."
"Of course. I'm very fond of staying alive," Leonard joked. "When do we go?"
"Well… we'll have to wait until next month," Midgard said, frowning. "The full moon's close. Even with Wolfsbane, I'll be weak. I won't be able to help."
As leader of the werewolf wizards, she also couldn't leave now. She had to be there to oversee the brewing and distribution of Wolfsbane.
"But school starts next month," Leonard said, frowning too.
"Then we'll wait. We'll go at Christmas." Midgard ruffled his hair. "You've got a Portkey, right? I'll come to Hogwarts, and we'll head straight over."
Wait until Christmas?
Leonard was reluctant, but she was right. Even sane on Wolfsbane, a transformed werewolf was still physically weakened—she wouldn't be much help.
Unless…
Unless Leonard could produce an improved Wolfsbane Potion—one that, even if it couldn't cure lycanthropy, would let werewolves keep their reason and their full strength.
But that was still nowhere in sight.