Charlie strolled casually into Honeydukes, pretending to shop for sweets. He grabbed a few boxes of Drooble's Best Blowing Gum and Fizzing Whizzbees.
The clerk, a plump middle-aged witch, glanced at him with slight suspicion.
Had she seen him enter?
But as soon as Charlie handed over the money, all her doubts vanished.
She smiled warmly. "Have fun, dear."
With a candy bag in hand, Charlie stepped out of Honeydukes and onto the sunlit main street of Hogsmeade.
Students in Hogwarts uniforms bustled about in small groups, excitedly debating which shop to visit next.
Compared to Diagon Alley's urban energy, Hogsmeade had the charming stillness of a quiet village.
Cobblestone streets wound between quaint wooden buildings, with everything a witch or wizard might need in day-to-day life.
The Three Broomsticks had warm golden lanterns hanging by the door, laughter and the clink of mugs spilling out from within.
Devise & Bans' storefront displayed magical instruments, everything from telescopes to brass scales.
Other stores dotted the street: a fine stationery shop, robe outfitter, magical barber, and more.
Charlie took his time, browsing wherever caught his interest.
If something struck his fancy, he bought it on the spot and had the owner send it to Hogwarts by owl.
After spending the morning shopping, a storefront caught his eye:
"The Twirling Witch, Specialist Broomstick Boutique."
It wasn't large, but the display window showcased an impressive variety of broomsticks.
From the ancient Cleansweep series to the newest Nimbus models, sleek, stylish, and built for speed.
Charlie suddenly thought of Hufflepuff's Quidditch team. Their brooms were dreadful.
If they had decent brooms, the House Cup might be within reach.
He remembered the frustration of watching last term's matches, like watching a national football team fumble every pass.
Time to stop watching the tragedy and become the team's sugar daddy.
And hey, there had to be Tyrant Points in this.
The shop owner was a tall, lean wizard wearing thick spectacles.
He was polishing a silver-streaked broom when he heard the bell above the door.
Seeing Charlie's fine robes and quality tailoring, the man's eyes gleamed.
A customer with money.
He quickly set down the broom and hurried forward with a wide grin.
"Welcome to The Twirling Witch!"
"Looking to buy a broom for yourself, sir?"
"We've got everything from beginner Cleansweeps to top-tier Nimbus models!"
Charlie glanced around the shop, then got straight to the point.
"Do you have the Nimbus 2001?"
"Oh, absolutely!" The man practically rubbed his hands together.
"It's this year's latest release! Just arrived, and you'd be the first buyer!"
"You've got a keen eye, young man. This is the fastest broom on the market."
Charlie nodded. "I'll take seven."
The shopkeeper's voice caught. "Seven?"
A flicker of doubt crossed his eyes.
Even the wealthiest pure-blood families didn't usually let a student buy something so expensive on their own.
Was this kid playing a prank?
"You're sure? Seven?" he asked carefully.
"I'm sure," Charlie replied calmly.
The man smiled, still polite, but something in his tone turned cautious.
"It's not that I doubt you, sir, but seven Nimbus 2001s… that's quite the sum, "
Charlie casually pulled out a large chunk of gold and tossed it onto the counter.
"Here's a deposit."
[His Majesty spends like a madman. Tyrant Points +10]
The man inspected the gold, his eyes widened, cheeks flushed red.
"My word! Oh, of course! You misunderstand me, sir!"
"I only meant, surely someone of your standing wouldn't carry all those Galleons at once! I could accompany you to Gringotts, "
"No no, never mind! I'll go prep the stock right now!"
He practically flew into the back room, footsteps light as air.
Charlie watched him go, unimpressed.
No doubt, a veteran merchant through and through.
Still, one thought bugged him.
Why do wizards always fly on brooms?
Why not… something else?
Soon, the shopkeeper returned, arms full of beautifully packaged broomsticks.
"Seven Nimbus 2001s, boxed and pristine. I'll give you a ten percent discount."
He laid them out carefully on the counter like sacred relics.
Charlie saw an opening.
"Can I ask something?"
"Of course!"
"Why do witches and wizards fly on brooms?"
"Why not use something else?"
The man blinked. Not a question he heard often.
He scratched his head. "Well, funny you ask…"
"There's actually a bit of history behind it."
He adjusted his glasses, tone turning reverent.
"Flying brooms were first invented by a brilliant witch during the height of the medieval witch hunts."
"At the time, witches were being hunted mercilessly and had to conceal their identities."
"Many of them disguised themselves as housewives, who, naturally, always had a broom in hand."
"This clever witch enchanted her broomstick to fly, allowing for quick escapes that didn't arouse suspicion among Muggles."
His eyes glinted with admiration.
"To honor her legacy, we've used broomsticks ever since."
"It's become a deeply rooted tradition in the European wizarding world."
Charlie nodded, impressed.
So there was a story behind it.
But now another idea formed in his mind.
"Can I commission a custom flying tool, something not shaped like a broom?"
The man hesitated. That was a rare request.
"In theory, yes… but-"
"But what?" Charlie asked.
"It would be extremely expensive," the shopkeeper admitted.
"A custom design would require new flight runes, complete recalibration of the balance system, it's very complex."
"Also, since it departs from tradition, it's much harder to guarantee stability."
He gave Charlie a sidelong glance.
Charlie reached into his robes and laid another chunk of gold on the counter, gleaming beneath the lights.
"Will this cover it?"
[His Majesty throws gold like dirt. Tyrant Points +10]
The man nearly fainted.
"Yes! Absolutely! More than enough!" he stammered, trembling with excitement.
"Did you have something specific in mind? A flying carpet? A magical vehicle?"
Charlie leaned in and whispered his idea.
The man's eyes lit up with realization.
"I see… I see!"
Charlie gave him his name and instructions for delivery.
"Have the seven brooms sent directly to Hogwarts."
He wasn't worried about being scammed.
Anyone running a shop in Hogsmeade this long wouldn't risk their entire business for a single shady deal.
And if, by chance, the guy was that foolish…
Well, Charlie would personally help "correct" him.
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