Early in the morning two days later, just as the sun was beginning to rise, a vortex appeared inside Borgin and Burkes.
Liam stepped out.
His face was noticeably pale.
The last two days had been exhausting.
"Borgin."
His voice echoed through the shop.
"The pendant is finished."
The shop owner, who had been dozing in a chair, slowly opened his eyes.
Liam tossed the pendant onto the counter.
"The enchantment consumes magical energy when activated."
"If it blocks a Killing Curse, the stored magic will be depleted."
"And afterward, it will gradually replenish itself by drawing small amounts of magic from the wearer."
Borgin immediately grabbed the pendant.
His eyes gleamed.
"Thank you."
"The breeding enclosure and the guinea pigs you wanted are in the box on the counter."
Liam nodded.
Then he paused.
"Want to test it?"
Borgin blinked.
"You can?"
"Of course."
Liam opened the box and pulled out a white guinea pig.
The unfortunate creature squeaked in confusion.
"Come here."
Borgin immediately handed over the pendant.
Liam fastened it around the guinea pig's neck.
Then he withdrew his wand.
"Petrificus Totalus."
The guinea pig froze instantly.
Unable to move.
Liam calmly pointed his wand.
"Avada Kedavra."
A brilliant green flash erupted from the wand.
The Killing Curse struck the guinea pig directly.
Nothing happened.
The creature remained alive.
A moment later, the enchantment absorbed the impact.
Liam canceled the Full Body-Bind Curse and caught the guinea pig before it could flee.
"It works."
He removed the pendant.
The guinea pig immediately began squeaking angrily.
Liam dropped it back into the breeding enclosure and closed the lid.
The box disappeared into the pocket enchanted with his modified Undetectable Extension Charm.
Borgin stared at the pendant in awe.
A true life-saving artifact.
Something countless Dark Wizards would kill to obtain.
"You've earned my gratitude."
"Good."
Liam nodded.
"I'm leaving."
"Already?"
Borgin looked disappointed.
"Why not stay for breakfast?"
"I have a train to catch."
Liam shrugged.
"Hogwarts."
"Ah."
Borgin immediately understood.
Unlike most destinations, Hogwarts wasn't somewhere Liam could casually Apparate.
Missing the Hogwarts Express would create unnecessary complications.
"In that case, safe travels."
"Actually."
Liam paused.
"Can you give me some Muggle money?"
Borgin blinked.
"What for?"
"The Ministry confiscated mine."
Liam spread his hands.
"And apparently taxis don't accept Galleons."
The shop owner burst out laughing.
Then he tossed several banknotes across the counter.
"Take it."
"Thanks."
After pocketing the money, Liam immediately left Knockturn Alley.
...
A few minutes later, he flagged down a taxi.
The driver looked surprised when a ten-year-old climbed into the front passenger seat alone.
"Where to?"
"King's Cross Station."
The driver glanced at him through the mirror.
"That's a long ride, kid."
Liam silently produced a twenty-pound note.
The driver's concerns vanished immediately.
"Getting away from home?"
"No."
"Visiting relatives?"
"No."
"School trip?"
"Drive."
Liam's cold response ended the conversation.
The driver wisely focused on the road.
...
King's Cross Station was already crowded when Liam arrived.
After paying the fare, he entered the station.
Numerous children his age wandered through the crowds.
Most pushed luggage carts loaded with trunks and cages.
Future Hogwarts students.
Liam immediately noticed one boy with chestnut-colored hair staring at him strangely.
The boy's gaze carried a hint of pity.
As though looking at some unfortunate Muggle.
Liam immediately understood.
Unlike everyone else, he wasn't pushing a trunk.
His luggage remained inside his modified Undetectable Extension Charm.
Ordinary people couldn't see it.
The boy had clearly mistaken him for a Muggle child who had wandered into the wrong part of the station.
Liam ignored him.
His attention was focused elsewhere.
Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.
The magical construction fascinated him.
Three separate magical systems operated simultaneously.
The first was an advanced Notice-Me-Not enchantment.
It prevented ordinary Muggles from paying attention to the entrance.
The second was a sophisticated illusion spell.
It disguised the magical gateway as an ordinary support pillar.
The third was particularly interesting.
A detection enchantment.
Only those moving with sufficient speed and intent could successfully pass through.
The system prevented accidental entry.
Quite elegant.
"Hey."
The chestnut-haired boy finally approached.
Liam didn't bother looking away from the barrier.
"Are you trying to figure out how people disappear through the wall?"
The boy grinned proudly.
"Don't waste your time."
Liam sighed internally.
Children really were exhausting.
"It's impossible for a Muggle like you to understand."
The smile on the boy's face widened.
Unfortunately for him, Liam finally turned around.
His silver eyes locked onto the boy.
"Interesting."
"What?"
"You're attempting to reveal the existence of magic to a potential Muggle."
The boy froze.
Liam continued calmly.
"I wonder how the Ministry of Magic would react."
The color drained from the boy's face.
"What?"
"Perhaps I should report it."
Liam folded his arms.
"Violating the Statute of Secrecy before even reaching Hogwarts seems serious."
The boy's mouth opened.
Then closed.
Then opened again.
No sound emerged.
For a young wizard, being banned from Hogwarts was the ultimate nightmare.
Panic immediately replaced his smugness.
Liam snorted.
"Idiot."
The boy looked seconds away from crying.
Before he could say anything else, a familiar voice called out.
"Liam!"
He turned.
Cassandra Greengrass was walking toward him through the station.
She carried an elegant suitcase and wore a pleased smile.
"You got here early."
....
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