An Order Means Now

Felix had told Naomi that times were changing and soon they could go about their business without having to worry about being caught. That people would move out of their way, that they would stare with wonder as they walked about. That Naomi and Felix would be like royalty, they would only have to worry about people wanting to suck up rather than capture them.

The times were changing, but they were not quite there yet. Naomi could not just leave their home without thought. She had to disguise herself. She typically just straightened her hair and wore sunglasses. Today, she added dark brown tips to her hair and shrunk herself about three inches. She apparated to the Leaky Cauldron and slipped inside.

One man had just exited the restroom and made eye contact with her. Carlyn. Naomi nodded and glanced over at the back. He walked that way and she ordered a shot. She downed it and then went to the back herself, where Carlyn was waiting. He tapped the correct brick and the archway formed. They strode down the street silently and she stepped inside the Apothecary to pick up an order. As she walked out, another man fell into step with her, Colby. Carlyn fell behind and meandered off to the right.

She and Colby turned onto Knockturn Alley. They walked down the cobbled streets and Carlyn caught up. She turned into a shop. One man was inside, but Carlyn grabbed the man by the scruff of the neck and escorted him out. The shopkeeper, a man by the name of Denny Bumpkin, shouted, “Oi! What gives! That’s a customer.”

“There’s a more important customer,” Naomi said smoothly. She glanced behind to see Carlyn lock the door and stand in the doorway like a guard. She nodded and looked forward, walking to the counter. “I’m here for an order.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he complained. “Look, my assistant’s in the back and-“

Colby went off to keep the man away and Denny gulped as Naomi removed her wand and pointed it at herself. She flicked her wand and the brown faded from her hair and burst into curls and she grew three inches. Denny’s eyes widened and Naomi smirked. “Oh, Ms Greyback! I apologize most profusely-“

“My order,” she reminded.

He nodded and held up a finger and bent down. A moment later he stood, holding a small ring box wrapped in tissue. “It took awhile to track done. Your father had it stolen from him around two decades ago. I just now traced where it went.”

He opened it and revealed a silver ring that bore the Greyback family crest. Naomi reached out and took the ring out, slipping it down her left ring finger since her engagement ring occupied the one on the right. She had left him with her ring size and he had sized it down nicely. “Good. Good, good. This is what I was looking for.” She tossed a small bag of coins onto his counter. “What of your brother’s estate. Has he decided whether or not he is going to lend it to me?”

Bumpkin nodded. “He says, Miss, that he would be happy to serve.”

“And he knows what will happen to your niece if he decides to turn us in.”

“Only too well.”

“Good. We shall take out leave then.”

Colby was by her side in the moment and she raised her wand again. Her disguise slipped back on and she shrunk and the two turned to leave. Carlyn unlocked the door and opened it, letting them out. Naomi called, “We will return in three days for the keys. Don’t disappoint us, Bumpkin.” And the door closed behind her.

“I need a real drink,” she said. Carlyn cleared his throat, “This way. I know of a good bar.”

She nodded and followed him to a bar. The door opened and they slipped inside. Those who recognized who she was because they associated with her sat up straighter and avoided eye contact. The others glanced around, feeling the change in atmosphere. They sat at a table in the back and Carlyn brought them drinks.

“Excuse me,” she said after a few moments and went to the bathroom. As she washed her hands she stared at her reflection, feeling the power in her very presence. Even here in the ladies’ room, she was still a mighty figure. How things had changed.