The Boy Who Never Was - A Harry Potter Fanfic

"Why are we here again?" Tracy asked, poking at a floating chair that immediately tried to flee from her touch.

"Bookshelves," I answered simply. "Not just any bookshelves—magical ones. And, of course, the most comfortable floating cushions money can buy. One must have the perfect reading throne, after all."

The shopkeeper, an elderly wizard with a magnificent mustache, led me to the grand prize: a bookshelf that could store at least 1,000 books, its shelves rotating seamlessly like a swinging parking garage. The compartments shifted in and out effortlessly, ensuring easy access to even the most hidden tomes, and the self-cataloging system ensured I would never lose track of my growing collection.

Hermione gasped. "This is—this is beautiful."

"I need it," I declared. "Ten, in fact."

Emma raised an eyebrow. "And where exactly are you planning to put ten of these?"

"In my expandable trunk."

Expandable trunks were much cheaper to afford. The were about the size of a one car garage.

The shopkeeper clapped his hands. "Excellent choice, young master! We'll have them delivered immediately!"

I nodded. "Perfect. And while we're at it, can we take a look at your selection of floating cushions? I need something exceptionally comfortable to go with my library."

The shopkeeper brightened. "Ah, you are a wizard of taste! Follow me, we have cushions enchanted for perfect lumbar support, weightless relaxation, and even a few that adjust to your preferred firmness."

I tilted my head thoughtfully. "Do you have anything larger? Something I could just lie on in midair? A floating cushion large enough to stretch out and read comfortably?"

The shopkeeper's eyes lit up. "Ah! You are looking for the Celestial Lounger! Perfect for extended reading sessions or casual floating naps. Let me show you!"

I bought 5 of those.

The moment we entered, I noticed something odd. All the apartment trunks had been moved behind the counter.

The shopkeeper sighed. "Ah, you're looking at those. I had to move them—some went missing. I think I might've sold them as expandable bags by mistake."

I gave a very solemn nod. "Terrible situation. Simply tragic."

The Grangers just stared at me. Hermione, however, looked like she was about to combust.

"Sky," she hissed, "you stole them, didn't you?"

I coughed. "Let's focus on more important matters, like finding a trunk large enough to house my ever-expanding empire."

Ignoring Hermione's death glare, I asked the shopkeeper if he had a warehouse trunk or a manor trunk for sale.

"I do have a pre-used manor trunk," he said, pulling one out. "100,000 Galleons."

"Ah, well, that's nice," I said, immediately walking away.

"How much for a warehouse trunk?" I asked instead.

He pulled out a massive trunk. "This one's just one large warhouse large enough for a small quidditch pitch inside. 40,000 Galleons."

"Do you have any pre-used ones? And, say, a discount for a valued customer?" I asked smoothly.

The shopkeeper chuckled. "For you? 35,000 Galleons."

"Excellent. How about this—I give you 5,000 now and pay the rest at the end of next year. Just do me this one favor pleeeease. You know I am good for it."

He considered this, then shrugged. "Eh, why not? These don't sell often anyway. And truth be told, thanks to all the extra business you've been passing my way, my income has never been so stable. Never thought I'd see the day where I wasn't living sale to sale."

And just like that, I had secured a warehouse trunk.

As we left, Hermione was still glaring at me. "What exactly do you need a warehouse-sized trunk for?"

"Storage," I said simply.

"But why that big?!"

I grinned. "Go big or go home."

Marianne Davis shook her head. "Tracy, is this what you deal with at school?"

"Every day," Tracy groaned.

We ran into Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan, who were clearly out on their own chaotic shopping spree.

"Sky!" Dean called. "What are you up to?"

"Oh, just increasing my empire."

Seamus looked impressed. "Respect."

Hermione groaned. "Do not encourage him."

Before calling it a day, I made my way toward the broom shop, because what kind of businessman would I be if I didn't have the finest mode of magical transportation? The moment I stepped inside, the gleaming display of high-end brooms caught my eye.

After a quick browse, I looked for brooms that looked as if he had an overabundance of. 

My eyes suddenly fell on a large stash of old Nimbus 1000's.

I bought 15 of those. 

Buried under a stack of old used brooms was a short, stocky broom with a silver chassis covering the twigs in the back. I didn't fully recognize the model, but after brushing away some dust, I saw that it was in pristine condition.

Curious, I grabbed it along with a used Nimbus 2000 and walked over to the register. "How much for the Nimbus 2000?" I asked.

The shopkeeper examined it before saying, "120 Galleons."

I frowned slightly. "Could you do 90?"

He smirked. "I can do 100 Galleons."

I glanced down at the dusty broom I had just found and thought for a moment. "If you include this old one I found over there, I might be willing to pay 100."

The shopkeeper looked at the dusty broom, his smirk widening. "Tell you what, kid. I'll sell you both for 110 Galleons."

I let out a dramatic sigh, pretending to be defeated. "I'll just take the dusty broom for 10 Galleons then."

As we exited the shop, I could hear hushed whispers between the Grangers and the Davises.

"Did he really just get only a dusty broom?" Dan muttered.

"I don't know whether to be impressed or worried about his bargaining tactics," Alden Davis added.

"This is his idea of a good deal?" Emma sighed.

Marianne just shook her head. "I feel like there's something we're missing."

As soon as we stepped fully outside, my previously defeated expression flipped into a wide, maniacal grin.

Hermione and Tracy immediately stopped walking, exchanging suspicious glances.

"Why do you look so smug?" Hermione asked, narrowing her eyes at me.

Tracy tilted her head. "Yeah, I thought you got nothing out of that bargain."

I spun the broom in my hands dramatically. "Ah, you see, this isn't just any ordinary broom. This is an artisinally crafted broom. I may not know exactly what it is yet, but if my suspicions are correct... this broom is worth way more than 10 Galleons."

Hermione facepalmed. "You just randomly assume that?"

Tracy smirked. "You mean you gambled on it being something rare?"

I grinned. "Bargaining is just another form of business, my friends. And I love business."