"Wait, what did you say your name was?"
Alaric Thorn froze for a second upon hearing the man reveal his identity. Although many specific details of the Harry Potter stories had blurred in his mind over the decades, the name Lupin still carried a distinct resonance.
If I recall... isn't he a werewolf?
Seeing Alaric's reaction, Lupin's posture stiffened instantly. He cast his eyes downward, a practiced instinct to avoid direct scrutiny.
"My name is Remus Lupin, sir," he repeated, his voice steady but guarded.
"Oh, right. Of course, Mr. Lupin." Noticing the man's defensive flinch, Alaric reached out and gave his shoulder a reassuring pat. "Don't be so tense. When are you free to start? I'd prefer to have things settled before September—I'm going to be quite busy once the term starts."
Lupin blinked in surprise, a wave of relief washing over him. It seemed the young man hadn't recognized the implications of his name, nor sensed his "furry little problem." He stole a quick glance at Alaric's face, confirming that the wizard was genuinely just looking for an employee rather than testing him. The tension in his shoulders bled away.
"Within the next two months?" Lupin mused. "My schedule is quite flexible at the moment. I can start whenever you need me."
Alaric nodded, satisfied. He couldn't care less if the man in front of him was a werewolf, a dog-man, or a cat-man; in the original records, Remus Lupin was an exceptionally gifted wizard, and that was all that mattered. Alaric had no intention of letting his precious plantation be ruined by an amateur. As long as his rare flora received expert care, hiring a werewolf was a negligible detail.
Alaric fished a dark card from his pocket and handed it over. "Here is the address."
Lupin took the card, scanning the text. The material felt unique—like treated bark rather than paper. Embossed in elegant script were the words: 17 Privet Drive. Sunshine, Daisies, and Sweet Butter Potted Plant Shop. Proprietor: Alaric Thorn.
"Sunshine, Daisies, and Sweet Butter?" Lupin read the name aloud, his lip twitching slightly.
"Precisely. A charming name, wouldn't you say?" Alaric chuckled.
Lupin didn't necessarily agree, but he gave a polite nod to his future employer and tucked the card carefully into his pocket. "Shall I see you tomorrow afternoon, then?"
"Perfect." Alaric extended a hand. "I hope you won't regret taking the job."
The following day, Lupin arrived promptly at the address provided. Though the location was nestled within a mundane Muggle suburb, it wasn't unheard of. Many wizards chose to submerge themselves in the Muggle world to maintain a low profile.
The moment Lupin reached the storefront, he knew he was in the right place. A small sign hung on the door, and as he approached, a line of shimmering text manifested upon its surface:
"REMUS LUPIN, ENTER HERE."
Clear enough. He pushed the door open, triggering a melodic chime from the wind-bells above. Lupin stood in the threshold, his eyes performing a swift, professional sweep of the premises.
The lighting was soft, and the air was thick with the refreshing scent of damp earth and greenery. Wooden shelves were packed with various potted plants; some were common Muggle varieties, while others were distinctly magical.
A legitimate business, Lupin noted with a silent nod of approval.
"You've arrived at last, Mr. Lupin."
Alaric's voice drifted from behind the counter. He was reclining lazily in his high-backed chair, looking every bit the relaxed shopkeeper waiting for his new staff. Seeing Lupin, Alaric offered a welcoming smile and beckoned him forward. "Come in, come in."
Lupin walked toward the counter, his gaze lingering on the various specimens. "So, Boss," Lupin said, leaning slightly against the wood. "What exactly does the job entail?"
"Quite simple," Alaric said, rising from his chair and rounding the counter to the center of the shop. "Tending to these plants, ensuring they remain healthy, and helping manage the storefront."
He reached out and plucked a small pot from the shelf—a plant with tiny, shimmering golden leaves. "For example, this one. This is a pot of Dittany. Do you know how to care for it?"
Lupin frowned, leaning in to inspect the leaves. "Dittany is usually quite hardy. It doesn't require much beyond a stable environment. But... I've never seen a golden variety before."
Alaric gave a satisfied nod; it seemed his new hire actually knew his botany. "Excellent, Mr. Lupin. And don't doubt your eyes—it is indeed Dittany. It's undergone a bit of a color mutation, but believe me, it's the real thing."
Lupin watched as Alaric replaced the pot. "If this is the work, it sounds manageable enough."
"Of course," Alaric said with a mysterious grin, crossing his arms. "However, this is merely the foundation."
Lupin arched an eyebrow. "There's more?"
"Did you think I'd hire a wizard specifically just to water common ferns and prune daisies?" Alaric shrugged. "That would be a waste of talent."
Lupin's curiosity was piqued. Alaric had mentioned a large plantation the previous day; that was clearly where the real work lay.
"Mmm-hmm." Alaric offered a knowing smile and turned toward the back of the shop. "Follow me, Mr. Lupin. We have a few specimens that aren't quite suitable for the front window. Let me show you your true workstation."
Alaric pushed open the heavy door behind the counter and made a grand "after you" gesture. Lupin hesitated for a fraction of a second before stepping through.
This time, Alaric had keyed the entrance to the center of the meadow. As Lupin stepped out, he was greeted by the sight of the three massive conservatories and the towering Tree of Wisdom in the center. Alaric had placed a subtle glamour over the tree; today, it had retracted its emerald pulse, appearing as nothing more than a majestic, ancient oak.
Alaric led the way across the grass toward the furthest glasshouse. "This place is... significantly larger than I imagined," Lupin admitted, looking around in awe.
Alaric glanced back with a smirk. "Naturally."
They reached the entrance of the greenhouse, where a large Roman numeral 'III' was etched into the glass. Alaric stepped forward and rapped on the frame. Almost instantly, the door slid open from the inside.
"Welcome to Conservatory Three, Mr. Lupin," Alaric said, stepping aside to let him through. "This is where we'll be spending most of our time."