Alchemy

Dealing

Dan took himself to the back of the library to meet Kyle like they'd planned. Dan waited around idly, skimming over the names of the books, picking one out and flicking through occasionally.

Kyle tapped Dan on the back and Dan jumped, startled.

'I was afraid you wouldn't show,' Dan pulled a face. 'Been here about ten minutes.'

'Sorry, sorry.' Kyle waved his hands about. 'Had to talk to my teacher after class...' he rolled his eyes.

'Why did you want to meet me?' Dan asked, pushing the book he had back onto the shelf.

'I know we normally can't go out and get stuff from Muggle stores buuuut.... connections. Go out and get a phone...?'

'Dude I can't afford a phone,' Dan sighed. 'Not a decent one anyway.'

Kyle waved his hands in front of Dan. 'Connections.'

'The hell do you mean by-' Dan mimicked Kyle's gesture- '"connections"?'

'I know people that can get me a phone.'

'That sounds... dangerous.'

'C'mmmmonnn, pleeeaassse?' Kyle fluttered his eyes at Dan.

'.... fine,' Dan sighed. 'Take me to your "connections' then, Kyle, and we'll choose you a phone.'

Kyle grinned from ear to ear, grabbed Dan's wrist, and briskly walked out the library.

Kyle dragged Dan to the woods near the school.

'Jeez, Kyle, this... doesn't look safe,' Dan shuddered slightly. The sun was starting to set and there was a slight breeze, not helping Dan's shivers.

'Calm down Daniel, it's fine.' Kyle put two fingers in his mouth and whistled a small rhythm.

A crunch on the leaves came from behind Dan and the pair turned on their heels. Kyle was grinning and Dan raised an eyebrow.

'Alright, Ralph?' Kyle grinned at the teen now standing in front of the pair. He didn't look too much older than Dan, but held himself taller.

'My beard buddy, 'ello,' boomed the voice of Ralph. He raised an eyebrow at Dan. 'New friend?'

'I- uh-' Dan stammered. 'Where did you come from?'  Ralph pointed up and Dan followed his finger to the branches. 'How do you... stay up there...?'

Ralph winked. 'Animagus.'

'What the fuck company do you keep, Kyle?!' Dan asked as he turned to face the dark eyed boy.

Kyle held his hands up slightly. 'Come on, relax, it's ok. He used to be at Hogwarts... he graduated.'

'You guys want a lift, or not?' Ralph asked. Dan had almost forgotten that that was the reason they were there in the first place. Kyle nodded and Ralph gestured with his hand for them to follow him. Dan took a couple of steps forward before Ralph stopped, Dan bumping into him and Kyle bumping into Dan. 

'What's up?' Kyle poked his head out from behind Dan to look at Ralph.

'Visitor protocol,' Ralph pulled a face.

'Dude, c'mon, he's with me.'

'You know the drill, Kyle.'

Dan looked between the two he was sandwiched in the middle of. 'What are you on about?'

Kyle sighed. 'Shut your eyes.'

'Okay?' Dan asked, doing so. Kyle unwound his scarf and tied it around Dan's eyes.

'Sorry. Ralph's pals are... touchy about being found.'

'Fine, fine, sure, ok. This is a lot of trouble for a phone...'

Ralph led the way. Kyle followed, holding Dan's hand to lead him. There was a small alcove deep in the woods. It seemed empty at first, but Ralph placed his hand on something unseen and pulled an invisibility cloak off something. There stood a vanishing cabinet; it was old, but in good condition.

Ralph cast a spell to unlock it then opened the door, gesturing to Kyle to follow him. Ralph entered, then Kyle pushed Dan in after him, following after Dan.

'If you want to see again, you can,' Ralph said to Dan as he shut the door of the cabinet at their destination. Dan pulled the scarf up from around his eyes, making it like a headband. His scruffy hair was pushed away from his face and Kyle stifled a laugh.

'Looking good, Daniel,' giggled Kyle. He took the scarf from Dan's head and put it back around his neck.

Dan stuck his tongue out at Kyle then looked around. Before them was a mid-sized hall. There were tables with vendors and all sorts of items, from things familiar to his Muggle life to strange, magical objects he'd never seen before. It wasn't particularly busy, but there was still bustling atmosphere to the market.

Dan gazed in wonder at what he saw. Kyle stood beside him, smiling. 'Welcome... to my-' Kyle made air-quotes- '"connections", Dan. Come on, let's go find a phone.'

Kyle grabbed Dan's hand and pulled him along while he was still gawping at the stuff he saw. The pair stopped at the end of a row of tables, at which there was an assortment of Muggle items. Dan traced his eyes over the items on offer: smartphones in sealed boxes, digital clocks, miniature robots and many other things.

Kyle's eyes were darting around the table and Dan looked at the seller behind it. There sat a man in a dark cloak, hood shading his face. 

'Kyle,' whispered Dan, 'this dude seems a bit... off.'

Kyle whispered back, 'it's fine, ok.' Dan remained tense as Kyle pointed at a sealed phone box and asked for the price.

A harsh voice replied 'Level 3 job. You will be contacted in due time.'

Kyle looked at the sign on the table and cocked his head as he read it:

Level 1 job: source a common item.

Level 2 job: source several common items.

Level 3 job: source a rare item.

Kyle shrugged. 'Sure.' He shook hands with the dealer, signed what appeared to Dan to be a contact and took the box.

'The contract has been sealed,' spoke the dealer.

Dan and Kyle walked away and Dan was wide-eyed. 'Dude. The fuck? This is a bad idea.'

'It's fine, don't worry. I'll figure it out.'

The pair walked back to the vanishing cabinet to go back to Hogwarts, not knowing the request the dealer had for the young Kyle.

The hooded dealer scribbled a request on a parchment. He scoffed as he rolled it up.