Golden Goose

Charing Cross Road

The moonlight illuminated the street, casting its glow on the bustling pedestrians moving to and fro, forming a crowd. On this twilight evening, a tall woman cloaked in a traditional black witch robe and a pointy hat that concealed her eyes, only revealing her lips and chin, walked along the sidewalk. Only a cascade of long purple hair was visible.

She cast her gaze upon the sign that read "Leaky Cauldron."

'...I can see it.'

Tears welled up in her eyes as if her innermost dreams had finally manifested. However, her eyes held no sentiment of fondness; rather, it was a bittersweet feeling, like the return of shattered hopes.

"Miss, are you all right? Allow me to assist you if you're facing any trouble. It's a gentleman's duty to aid a lady in distress."

A wizard dressed in a resplendent robe inquired, noticing the tearful witch by the entrance of the Leaky Cauldron. The witch immediately recognized the figure before her, her mind calculating as the golden opportunity presented itself.

"It's nothing, really. I became emotional upon seeing the Leaky Cauldron after such a long time,"

The witch replied, raising her hat to reveal her face. Her royal purple eyes captivated the wizard's attention. Despite her imposing height, it was the young, beautiful woman who looked familiar but he dismissed the thought.

"Oh, you look quite youthful. Is it nostalgia? Ah, the days of youth, they remind me of my adventures across the world when my energy knew no bounds," The wizard's words bore a peculiar undertone.

Shock widened the witch's eyes as she pointed at the wizard, her voice a mixture of panic, admiration, and disbelief.

"Y-You are Gilderoy Lockhart!"

"That took longer than I anticipated. You are correct, young lady. I am indeed Gilderoy Lockhart in the flesh."

Gilderoy executed a gentlemanly bow, accompanied by a broad smile.

"S-Sir! I'm actually here to purchase your latest published book! I feel so fortunate! Oh my goodness, I'm absolutely overwhelmed!"

The witch's hands fumbled within her robe as if searching for something.

"Where is it? Did I lose it? No!! My bag!!!!" She lamented.

"Calm yourself, young lady. What seems to be the matter?"

"S-Sir! I've misplaced my bag. It contains all my valuables, including one of your older editions, my Galleons, Sickles, and even my wand! I can't even summon it, it has anti-summoning protection!"

Her distressed exclamation drew the attention of those nearby. Realizing that she was drawing unwanted attention, Gilderoy responded, "There, there. It's alright, young lady. I shall help you."

"T-Thank you, Sir," the witch replied, her agitation easing at his comforting words.

"Why don't we continue this conversation inside the pub?"

Gilderoy led her into the Leaky Cauldron without awaiting her response. They settled at a table, and their conversation flowed as Gilderoy ordered Firewhisky for both of them.

"Um, Sir, I'm embarrassed to ask this, but could I borrow 100 Galleons from you? Of course, I'm not asking for it free of charge. I possess a Muggle printing press. I can print a thousand, no, ten thousand copies of your books in exchange for this favor. No, this is an honor for me! Please, I implore you."

"Oh, hahaha! Well, of course, it's only 100 Galleons, but why so many books? Are my books truly that remarkable?"

Gilderoy inquired with amusement. He might be a con artist, but he wasn't naive. He can't just give his money to a person he just met.

The witch expressed her admiration and devotion earnestly.

"I'm an enormous fan of your adventures! Particularly your encounters with dark creatures like vampires! I've read them numerous times, but I yearn to hear them from your own lips. Would you indulge my request, please?"

Gilderoy's heart swelled with pride at the praise. Taking a hearty sip of Firewhisky, he began narrating his tales of vampire hunting and encounters with dark creatures. He could see that the witch was listening raptly while taking large sips of fire whisky.

The witches and wizards around them also became intrigued by his stories. As he boastfully recounted 'his' adventures, the witch ordered more Firewhisky and kept their mugs filled.

As he continued, a sense of drowsiness overcame him, and he eventually fell asleep at the table.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, she rented a room in Gilderoy's name and guided him to the room above.

'Unexpected but quite useful,' Lucy contemplated.

She stripped him of his Galleons and Sickles, finding a total of 264 Galleons and 12 Sickles on him. She only took 150 Galleons placing the rest of them back.

'He's not carrying his books? That's surprising, but thanks to the information he divulged, I know exactly where to go.'

The witch opened the window overlooking Diagon Alley. The night was already deep, and only a few people traversed the area.

In the shrouded darkness, she was about to leap, but then she hesitated.

Retrieving a Sickle from her pocket, she cast it toward one of the buildings in Diagon Alley. Nothing happened, there was no magical barrier, but she still hesitated.

'There's a chance I might be detected as a thief. Traditional methods might be wiser.'

With Gilderoy's wand in hand, she approached the brick wall of Diagon Alley. Employing her perfect memory, she replicated Lily Potter's movements, and sure enough, the wall opened.

Entering the narrow alleyway, the witch removed her hat, revealing a wig attached to it. Then, she replaced her contact lenses, swapping them for blue ones.

A witch dressed in a dark blue robe emerged from the alleyway, her blue eyes gleaming, beautifully complementing her short black hair.

Lucy pondered, 'These infiltration skills are unexpectedly useful. Regardless, I should address the reason I'm here.'

She proceeded to Knockturn Alley and entered a bookshop, addressing the wizard at the counter.

"Books about dark creatures like vampires, books on Occlumency and Legilimency. I don't mind paying extra if necessary."

The clerk placed two medium-sized books on the counter and stated, "That will be 20 Galleons. If you require any other services, feel free to inquire. I offer more than just books."

The witch placed 25 Galleons on the counter and concealed the books within her robe.

"I require a concealment bag for items and a wand that won't be traceable. If possible, any tools or equipment for hunting vampires and werewolves."

"That will cost you 70 Galleons."

She obtained the items she needed: a pouch that resembled a purse, a wand, a silver dagger, and a small diary.

Exiting the shop, she changed her appearance once more, donning the purple wig and hat, along with purple contact lenses. Her robe transformed into black attire.

Returning to her room at the Leaky Cauldron, she carefully replaced Gilderoy's wand and the rest of the money.

'Harvested quite a bit. Harry is in his second year. I'm uncertain if events align with the canon, but Gilderoy did mention he's teaching at Hogwarts this year. The odds are that events are somewhat consistent. Probably Dumbledore's schemes at play.'

Originally, Lucy's plan involved pickpocketing Galleons from witches and wizards leaving the Leaky Cauldron, amassing funds to purchase books on dark creatures from various sources somehow. With her lack of magic, this method seemed the most feasible. However, thanks to her ability to see magic now and Gilderoy's timely appearance, things had fallen into place more smoothly.

'Now, it's time to escape'

Lucy descended the stairs and settled her bill for the room.

"Could you please convey my sincere gratitude to Mr. Lockhart for his assistance? Also, let him know that his books will be available for printing within a year," she requested.

"Certainly, young witch," replied Tom, the inn's owner.

Early the next morning, Lucy left the Leaky Cauldron, not bothering to change her attire immediately. After walking a distance on foot, she switched back to her regular clothes, removing her wig and contact lenses in the process.

Her short black hair remained, though she obscured it fully. Storing the magical items in her pouch, she returned to her apartment and dyed her hair red this time.

Lucy gazed across at a small cottage-like structure from her window. She always felt a sense of paranoia, although there was no concrete evidence. With her new espionage skills, she was certain someone was monitoring her. Thus, she adopted disguises when leaving or returning to her apartment.

While uncertain if she had truly deceived her observer, it hardly mattered now. She had acquired everything she required.

'I can carry out my missions here, but I can't take any chances. Too many variables are at play. If the spy is planted by my family, it isn't a concern. Yet, if Dumbledore is behind this, I wouldn't be surprised if I ended up confined due to his manipulative designs. Considering how my tasks resemble sinister rituals, he'll undoubtedly mess with my mind. I need to leave this place.'

With a new plan in her mind. Lucy awaited the start of winter break, using the pretext of important exams to cease her visits to the gym.

Simultaneously, she visited the airport and secured tickets to the USA for two months.

During this time, she honed her skills in identifying the spy and pinpointed the times when the observer monitored her.

As winter break approached, Lucy's school announced the commencement of holidays.

The street lay dormant, the inhabitants seeking warmth within.

Under the cover of night, Lucy donned all-black attire, blending seamlessly with the darkness. Armed with her magical pouch, she scaled the cottage's exterior and positioned herself behind the chimney, where its warmth could be felt.

'I should take the risk.'

Unsure of magical enchantments guarding the house, Lucy chose to proceed. She cautiously lowered wooden blocks, attached to a string, down the chimney using a particular knot.

When she sensed they had reached the bottom, she pulled the string taut. A slightly burnt but intact string emerged from the chimney's top.

Covering two-thirds of the chimney with a lid, she allowed only a minimal amount of smoke to escape. She refueled the fire within the chimney three more times.

Once done, she erased her traces and returned to her home. Using this time to prepare and pack her luggage, she layered herself in thick clothing, wearing mittens and high-heeled boots.

As dawn broke, she noticed that the spy hadn't ventured out to retrieve his newspaper from the cottage.

'I hope he died. Regardless, carbon monoxide overdose should incapacitate him, if not worse. It's his fault for not updating his heating system. Stupid wizards.'

Lucy departed for the airport, luggage in hand.