Chapter 27

Sunlight poured through the expansive window, infusing the shop with a warm, golden glow. A scattering of pristine white tables and chairs graced the space, their surfaces adorned with parchment papers and ink bottles, each bearing a unique signature. Rows of cabinets adorned the walls, housing an assortment of colorful bottled potions.

Near the foot of the stairs, a bar stretched across the corner of the room, its polished surface gleaming under the sunlight. Upon one of its high stools sat Yinsen, lost in the pages of a book. He was too engrossed in it that he hardly noticed Tony's arrival.

"How's it going, Yinsen?" Tony's voice rang out, breaking Yinsen's concentration.

Yinsen's attention shifted from his book to Tony, his eyes brightening. "I'm doing great. I've got plenty of books to read, and Jamie hooked up the internet for me. It's been pretty quiet on the customer front, and no signs of any rowdy troublemakers. I'd say I'm living the dream," he replied, a hint of amusement in his voice.

"That's good to hear," Tony said, a warm grin spreading across his face. The two men enjoyed a few more moments of friendly conversation as Jamie savored her breakfast. Finally, as she finished, Tony followed her up the staircase into the lounge above.

With eager anticipation, Tony looked at Jamie and inquired, "So, are we going to continue with the study?"

Jamie shook her head, picked up her bag, and replied firmly, "No, we have other things to do today. You're one of us now, and you need to look the part. I'm taking you shopping."

"Should I be bringing some money?" Tony asked.

"No need for that. Your grandaunt, Seraphina, had already taken care of everything. In fact, she even gave you the key to your mother's vault." Jamie reached into her bag and produced a shiny golden key, placing it gently in Tony's hand. "Keep this safe."

Tony clutched the key in his palm, his face a mix of gratitude and nostalgia. "It's something, isn't it? All grown up, but I'm still relying on my mother's money," he mused, a rueful smile playing on his lips.

Meanwhile, Jamie strode purposefully towards the fireplace. She paused and turned to Tony, her expression serious. "Pay close attention," she said, seizing a handful of floo powder and tossing it into the hearth. Green flames rose up and Jamie stepped into it. "Oak Bar!" In an instant, the vortex of fire whisked her away.

Tony followed suit. The moment he crossed the threshold of the flames, he was engulfed in a disorienting whirlwind. It felt like being tossed about inside a spinning washing machine, and when it finally came to an end, he found himself deposited unceremoniously onto the unforgiving floor of a bar.

Laughter echoed through the bar. "Hey, mate, never traveled through a floo before?" A friendly voice chimed in, interrupting Tony's thoughts. Before he could respond, strong hands reached out and helped him to his feet.

Still a little disoriented from the floo travel, Tony suddenly found himself surrounded by a group of men in robes and wizard's hats with a large mug in his hand. "Have a drink! It should fix you right up!" one of them exclaimed with a hearty laugh.

Tony glanced around the bar, taking in the cozy atmosphere. Oak wood lined the walls, giving the place a rustic feel. Shelves behind the bar were adorned with a multitude of bottles, each containing a different type of liquor, and there were several tables scattered around the room, occupied by patrons engaged in lively conversations.

"Thanks for the assist," Tony replied, taking a cautious sip of the drink. It was warm and had a pleasant, spicy kick to it. It was precisely what he needed after the horrible floo experience.

"That's pretty good. What kind of drink is this?" Tony asked, curious about the unique flavor.

The man who had handed Tony the drink grinned and said, "Ah, that's a special concoction we call 'Firewhiskey.' It's a favorite among wizards and witches. Gives you a nice, warm feeling in your belly, doesn't it?"

Tony nodded, savoring the taste of the Firewhiskey. "Definitely warms you up. I can see why it's popular."

As Tony looked around the bar, he finally noticed Jamie approaching him from across the room. "Enjoying the Firewhiskey, Tony?" Jamie asked, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

Tony nodded, a smile playing on his lips. "Absolutely. It's a delightful introduction to the wizarding world."

Jamie gestured towards the group of men surrounding Tony. "Allow me to introduce you to the regulars of Oak Bar. They're a lively bunch, always up for a good time."

"It's good to see you again, Miss Black!" One of the men raised his mug in greeting.

"Likewise, Pearson," Jamie replied with a nod of her head to the tall, African man. "How's business been lately?"

"We haven't had any major issues, Miss Black. The usual crowd keeps us busy, and we've had a few new faces come in as well. All in all, things are going well," Pearson answered with a smile.

"That's great to hear," Jamie replied. "Oh, and Tony, Pearson here is the owner of Oak Bar. He's been kind enough to let us use this place as a meeting spot for our group."

Tony extended his hand towards Pearson. "Nice to meet you, Pearson. Thanks for having us here."

Pearson shook Tony's hand firmly. "Pleasure's all mine, Tony. Any friend of Jamie's is welcome here."

"I'm afraid we can't stay for long today," Jamie interjected, glancing at her watch. "We have some shopping to do."

Tony nodded, finishing the last sip of his Firewhiskey. "Right, let's get going then."

They bid farewell to the friendly patrons of Oak Bar, and stepped onto the bustling streets. The wide narrow cobblestone path was lined with shops, each one adorned with colorful signs and displaying a variety of magical wares.

As they strolled along, their path led them to a majestic white building that, upon closer inspection, revealed itself to be crafted from marble. Tony couldn't help but ask, "Where are we?" as he peered at the impressive structure beside Jamie.

"This is Gringotts," Jamie replied in a hushed tone, "a wizarding bank managed by goblins. Be careful not to offend them; they're a proud race, and any disrespect could lead to severe consequences." With those words of caution, Jamie guided Tony into the building's grand entrance.

Tony's first impression of the goblins was their distinct, short stature and long, pointy ears. Despite their small size, they exuded an undeniable sense of power and authority as they efficiently managed the bank's affairs. As Tony and Jamie entered, the goblins paid them no mind, fully engrossed in their diligent work behind ornate desks.

Jamie led Tony to the nearest available goblin teller, their footsteps echoing faintly in the dimly lit chamber. "Greetings," she began, addressing the goblin behind the counter. "We're here to make a withdrawal."

The goblin, a male by all appearances, paused in his work and peered down at the two visitors. His eyes narrowed as he inquired, "Did you bring the key?"

With a subtle nod from Jamie, Tony retrieved the vault key from his pocket and placed it gently on the counter. The goblin, with his bony slender fingers, picked up the golden key and subjected it to a thorough inspection before returning it. "Seems like everything is in order," the goblin said. "Wait here, I'll arrange for someone to take you to the vault."