HP - Shadow Monarch!

Chapter 127 - Beginning the Hunt for Wizards in the Wizarding World 01.

[Chapter Size: 1900 Words.]

Third Person POV

London.

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Astraea ended up taking Snape to see the shop that was closed in Diagon Alley. The place had two floors plus a basement, with the fireplace in a corner upstairs, serving as an administrative office.

"The place is free for you to make whatever renovations you want," she said as Snape nodded, looking around the empty space. He approached the window, gazing down at Diagon Alley below, observing the bustling activity. Aurors were still patrolling the area after the recent kidnapping incident.

"Did you hear?! A dead body was dumped in front of the Ministry of Magic!" Snape caught snippets of conversations from the people below but quickly dismissed them. Turning back, he rejoined Astraea, who waited for him to finish inspecting the shop.

He followed her to the floor below after checking out the upper level. The shop floor was quite spacious, enhanced by an extension charm that made the room even larger. It was far more luxurious than Ollivander's but lacked the same draw of clientele. With Ollivander holding a monopoly on wand-making, the Blacks' business here had ultimately failed, leading to its closure.

Beneath the shop was a basement used for storage. Snape had seen this shop before but had never ventured into the basement until now. He made few remarks about the space and returned upstairs to Astraea.

"I believe this will suffice. Let's just set up the fireplace so I have control," Snape requested, and Mrs. Black nodded in agreement.

They went back upstairs, where they found Genini still frozen in place. Snape sighed but focused on the fireplace. Together, he and Astraea drew their wands and cast a configuration spell, granting Snape exclusive control over the entrance and exit of the fireplace. After all, the shop was now his.

"I suppose you won't need me anymore," Astraea said, clearly eager to leave. She feared Snape more with each passing moment.

"You may go," Snape replied curtly. She nodded, using the Floo powder to disappear. Snape turned his attention to the house-elf, who seemed even more frightened in his presence.

"Listen, Genini. If you can hear me, I want you to take care of this place. Here's some money; use it to stock up on food for yourself while I'm away. I'll return in a few days. Until then, keep cleaning the shop and don't let anyone in," he instructed. The elf, trembling, looked up at him with difficulty and slowly nodded.

"I-it will be done, Master Snape," she murmured, her voice shaking.

Snape had nothing more to say. Without another word, he turned to the fireplace, used Floo powder, and returned to a location near his old home.

Meanwhile, Snape's father wasn't having a good night. He drank alone, grumbling and cursing at life—and at his son—for all the misery he endured.

At that moment, there was a knock at the door. Groaning, he got up, stumbling down the stairs toward the entrance as the knocking grew louder and more insistent.

"Can't you wait a moment, you idiot? Can't you see I'm coming?" he shouted angrily, assuming it was one of his annoying neighbors. Just as he was about to open the door, he felt something touch his side—a small stick pressed against his chest.

Startled, he turned quickly to see a young man, likely in his 30s, standing inside his house. The stranger was pointing a wand at him. Snape's father blinked, unsure if it was the alcohol or the shock that made him doubt his eyes.