Knockturned for The Better (Harry Potter Shopkeeper Quest)

[Erien]

Hello, and welcome to Knockturned for the Better, a Harry Potter worldbuilding quest set in 1990. Our protagonist is a Serbian witch/wizard, who has come to England to open up a shop in order to support the family back home. Over the course of this quest you will be exploring a vast amount of the magical world, most of it original content, and meet tons of interesting new witches, wizards, and… rather odd things.

The tone will be relatively lighthearted for the most part, more in the spirit of whimsy that early Harry Potter had. With character drama sprinkled throughout. No content warnings to start with, and I thank you for giving this a chance. With each chapter during character creation, descriptions will get more extensive, and the character will come more into their own. For now though, please enjoy!​

—

The spellcaster's name was Nikola Nikolic. And they were quite confused, if the truth was to be told. Getting to London had been easy enough, one simply needed to pay in advance, then it was a simple hop onto the carriage for the ten hour ride from Serbia to London. From there the spellcaster had gotten lost on the…

Metro? They believed the muggles called it, how very confusing. From there they had made their way to the Ministry of Magic. Then to wand weighing, then to the… quite sizable line to registration. The building was old, and impressive enough, but a fair bit too…

The spellcaster frowned, looking up at the various statues, and hurried along. From there they found themselves sitting at a desk across from a rather… well, it was hard to describe. They were either tired, bored, or both. The man sitting across from them had a close shaved head, and he was dressed in a suit that was simultaneously too big, and too small for himself, with sleeves that went nearly to the tips of the fingers but with pants that stopped just above the ankles.

"Now," the clerk continued. "I am happy to welcome you to Customs and Immigration, my name is David, and we have some simple and quick questions to get out of the way first."

Thirty papers land on the desk, and the clerk picks up the top sheet. "Are you, or have you ever been a House Elf?"

"Ex... excuse me? No?" Nikola asks.

"You are excused, now tell me, if you *are* or identify *as* a Goblin, would you be planning a revolt?"

"I am not a Goblin and do no-"

"Yes or no," David says tiredly.

"... No."

"Are you a Centaur?"

"Do I look like on-"

"Yes or no."

"No."

"Ghost?"

"No."

David pauses, then looks up suspiciously. "Do you plan on becoming a ghost?"

"No."

David nods, looking over the paper for a moment. "We do offer that service, just opened that department last month."

"To… turn people into ghosts? You murder them?"

David shakes his head. "Oh, no, of course not. We simply ensure their end is suitably tragic so that they can come back as a ghost. Not my department however, not sure of all the specifics. Involves a crying Elf I do believe.

"Now then," David continues.

"If you are not a house elf, goblin, ghost or centaur. Do you have any desires to become a Dark Lord?"

"No."

"Are you immortal or seeking immortality?"

"No."

"Age?"

"Twenty Four."

David nods, then pushes that sheet of paper aside, glancing at the next. "Right then, male or female?"

—


View: https://i.imgur.com/U8PiD7u.png

[] [Male]

[] [Female]

[] [Prefer not to say]

—

This is part one of multiple parts of character creation, beyond this point you will start receiving points that can be spent on things such as starting position in society, schools of magic known, skills, and feats.

Thanks to @Armoury for the beta!

 

[Erien]

Since the vote was unconquerable for Male with an hour left. Here!


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlAjWOveeJY

_____________________________________________________________
Gender > Background > Magical Training > Previous occupation > Feats
_____________________________________________________________

[Male]

Thanks to @Armoury for the beta!

—

"Male."

"Any deviations?"

"Pard-"

David clears his throat.

"I genuinely don't understand the question."

David sighs. "Form 37.2, do you change genders under the light of the moon or upon receiving a splash of water."

"Wh-"

David glares.

"No." Nikola answers simply.

"Wonderful, now. Do you have any relation to any noble houses within England?"

"No."

"Ignoble houses?" David asks, sounding more tired by the moment.

"No."

"Any relations within England? Relative, not sexual?"

"No."

"Any relations within England? Sexual, not relative?"

Nikola blinks. "No."

"Are you a goblin?" David asks, suddenly leaning forward.

Nikola pauses at the repeated question, then. "No."

"If you were, would you be plotting a revolt?" David asks, his eyes narrow.

"No." Again.

"Good, proper behavior." David leans back in his seat. "Now, since you have arrived here it is best we keep a record of your history."

"Why?"

"Yes or no onl-," David blinks, sighs. "A simple census, you understand." He then produces a chart and places it onto the desk. "Please ignore the 'Squib' we have reached our quota regarding squib immigration."

"Quota? It's February."

"Yes?" David replies. Then taps his finger on the table. "Which of these best describes you? Please don't lie, that is more paperwork."

Nikola looks down at the paper.

—


View: https://i.imgur.com/mpKjbRD.jpeg

500 points remain.

[] [Noble -200]
A small boost of galleons to start with, a name with some respect, and resources Nikola can draw upon. But less of life lived.

[] ['Normal']
Nikola was perfectly average, there was no problem with that now was there?

[] [Half Human +200]
A gift perhaps, a curse perhaps. People would judge Nikola regardless, and that would only get worse as time goes on and Voldemort regains power.

—

If half-human is chosen there will be a brief interlude to decide species between, please do not vote for sub-species in this chapter!
Werewolf
Giant
Ghost
Veela
Mer
Goblin

---

The protagonist starts with 1000 galleons. Noble will allow them to start with 2000. 25k USD or 50k USD respectively. To open a shop in Knockturn will cost roughly 800 galleons, and that's a fairly rundown spot. Nikola already has merchandise to sell however.

Next chapter you will be spending points to choose magical schools of focus,

IE: Sanguinistry 50 points.
The manipulation of the blood and all that entails.

Then previous occupation

IE: Cursebreaker - 150
Choose an additional school of magic, you also have experience dealing with myriad curses and know how to identify cursed items on sight.

Then general feats
IE: Wandless Magic - 200

Remaining points, if any, will be converted to galleons.

 

[Erien]

Gender > Background > Subspecies > Magical Training > Previous occupation > Feats

[Half Human +200]
A gift perhaps, a curse perhaps. People would judge Nikola regardless, and that would only get worse as time goes on and Voldemort regains power.

Thanks to @Armoury for the beta!

—

Nikola looks down at the paper. "Half Human."

"... Ah." David says slowly. "Well, we haven't reached our… quota for that. A shame however."

"A shame?" Nikola asks, looking up at the man across from him.

"Well, we are only accepting six types at the moment. All others are…" David smiles. "Unacceptable, at the moment."

David produces a small, slightly yellow parchment and places it on the table. The words upon it shift and reform, striking off… it lists them as 'subhumans', until only six remain.

"Werewolf, do you turn into a beast at every full moon? You will need to be registered so we can track your employment and location at all times." The words shift, and David frowns. "Giant? Useful for strength, I suppose."

Nikola's fingers curl around the knobs of the chair he was sitting in.

David either doesn't notice, or care. "Rather… limited in employment opportunities however. Not all are as accepting as Dumbledore."

"Ghost?" David's eyes flit to you. "It's on the list but I don't even begin to know how that works. Let's see now… Veela, prostitutes generally, but England is attempting to be welcoming."

"I can tell," Nikola says slowly.

"Do be quiet until I'm done." David says curtly. "Mer, fairly useless outside of the docks…"

David's lips curl as the last 'subhuman' comes up. "And Goblin, yes of course. Like we don't have enough of those."

The words on the paper fade away. "Let's just get this over with, which are you?" David asks.

—


700 points remain.

[] Werewolf - Monthly transformation. People hate me and will never trust me. Society sees me as a monster. My senses are sharper however, and I am stronger than a normal man. Society sees me as a monster, I will strive every day to prove them wrong… or right.

[] Giant - I always stand out, people assume me to be stupid. I am incredibly strong and tall… but I am alone. There are few like me in this world, half, or otherwise. I simply go about my day, and try to not let them bother me. If they do, well. Can always knock a few heads about.

[] Ghost - People find me unnerving, something is… off about me. I taste things less, I sense things less. I ignore temperature, and with concentration can simply walk through things like they aren't there at all. Of course, I do wonder if I can ever truly die, either.

[] Veela - People are always attracted to me. Whether I want them to be or not. My voice is like an angel's song, my face captures attention no matter what I am doing. I may never have privacy. People act like that is something to be jealous of.

[] Mer - I need water frequently or I die. Full submersion is required once every few days. I can never drown, and there are entire worlds out there the surfacers will never know, filled with all sorts of fascinating treasures. But I belong to neither world, at the end of the day.

[] Goblin - I am tiny and just about everyone who can be racist will be towards me. But I have connections, even if none here. The Goblin's are small but their reach is long. It has to be, after all, nobody actually wants me around.

 

[Erien]

Gender > Background > Sub Species > Magical Training > Previous occupation > Feats


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGSjXp1txvQ

Ghost - People find me unnerving, something is… off about me. I taste things less, I sense things less. I ignore temperature, and with concentration can simply walk through things like they aren't there at all. Of course, I do wonder if I can ever truly die, either.

Thanks to @Armoury for the beta!

—

The words on the paper fade away. "Let's just get this over with, which are you?" David asks.

"Ghost." Nikola replies, his voice barely above a whisper. Eyes an impossible silver stared across the table towards David. They were nearly transparent things, and as David met Nikola's gaze he could swear for a moment he could see through them to something else, something… different, beyond. They were nearly the color of the sclera, surrounding it. Nikola's hair moved unnaturally, shifting in a breeze that wasn't there, couldn't be there, they were underground. They were in a room a little more than ten foot by ten foot. But it was becoming… colder.

David blinked, Nikola still hadn't. Nikola hadn't since he had sat down.

"How… Does that work exactly?"

Nikola simply continues to stare, unblinking. Eventually however, he closes his eyes, and David slumps into his seat, like a puppet with its string cut. David starts the moment his back hits it, not even realizing he has been staring. There was something there, it wasn't beautiful. It was… like freezing in headlights, acknowledging a coming death.

"Yes or no." Nikola says simply.

David glares, but only at Nikola's throat. He finds he can't drag his eyes any further upwards than that. "What's your education?"

"Might I speak? Or am I still restric-"

"Just answer the question," David sas, quickly, but quietly.

Nikola smiles. "I attended the Scholomance in Romania. Full education, graduated three years ago."

"Any NEWTS?"

"I had a pet rabbit."

"No…the wizarding tests. Did you achieve high marks in any particular fields of magic?"

"Ah…" Nikola replies. "Yes."

—

700 points remain.

Choose up to five.

Please note the Next section for occupation and feats have expensive options.

This vote is plan based. Not popularity.

Please note that Nikola knows most basic magic. This however is specialties. Please note that if you choose something… illegal, Nikola will lie. This does not have immediate consequences. Please note that just because something is listed as an example, it does not mean he knows it. He certainly can however. This mostly applies to the Unforgivables however.

Magic focus
Limited to Five	Marked in Red = One Only
[] Charms	20​
[] Divination	20​
[] Transfiguration	20​
[] Summoning	20​
[] Mind Magics	40​
[] Geomancy	40​
[] Evocation	40​
[] Sanguinistry	50​
[] Rune Magic	50​
[] Illusion	50​
[] Necromancy	100​
[] Demonology	100​

Charms

The manipulation of objects, of enhancement of their function and properties. Most commonly used for convenience, lighting a light. Making something float, calling objects to me. However, there are more powerful charms, ones that could hide one from sight, or erase anothers memory.
Examples, Levitation Charm (Wingardium Leviosa), Lumos (wand-lighting), and the Summoning Charm (Accio).

Divination

The art of predicting the future, crystal balls, tear leaves, palm readings, these are all known to me. Most call it little more than theory. I however, know it to be more.

Transfiguration

The art of changing one thing into another. Requiring absolute concentration, skill, and practice. The world can be changed at a whim.
Examples, Transfiguration of objects, and changing the shape of a living being. Turn a man into an apple, turn a deadly cobra into a plush doll.

Summoning

The art of calling, of bringing things to the spellcaster. Be those objects, be those people, be those things. Portkeys are a simple matter, setting up a private floo system… easy enough.
Examples, The Summoning Charm (Accio)

Mind Magic
The art of protecting the mind and invading others. For some odd reason, people don't trust it's practitioners.
Examples, Legilimency (mind reading), Occlumency (mental defense), and Imperius Curse (mind control).

Geomancy

The art of the planet itself, some look to the sky, some look to the cosmos, some never look beyond their nose. I know the power of the life around me, unnoticed.
Examples, changing the weather, forming rock formations, causing plants to grow. Carving through solid rock with a thought.

Evocation

The raw energy of creation. I could conjure flame, water, and control the air around it. It was combat magic, in its most direct, brutal form. With enough practice one could summon beings of the elements themselves.

Sanguinistry - Illegal

The specialty of Romania. The magic of the blood itself. Sacrifices, potions involving the life force of others. And, most famously. The Cruciatus curse. Blood was a weapon to be used, mine or my enemies.
Examples, Body puppetry, Cruciatus (torture) curse. Magical Healing.

Rune Magic

The most ancient form of magic, and one that is little more than academic these days. I think there is more to it than just dusty old textbooks however. There is power to symbols. I could leave spells in places, undetectable, a simple scratch on the wall that acts as an alarm when passed, or a teleport… or a cutting curse. Rather useful in old places as well, laden with ancient traps.

Illusion

The art of play acting. The creation of false images, false sensations. Making others see what isn't there.
Examples, the Disillusionment Charm, the Vanishing Charm. The False Image Charm.

Necromancy - Illegal

The manipulation of life and death. Not a school of magic, not officially. But one there is certainly documentation about. I could speak to the dead, I, indeed, could puppet their corpses as well.

Demonology - Illegal

Our world is not the only one here. The study of the formless wastes beyond the void, where things lurk. It is also not a school of magic, but something is there, and it calls to me. This field does not start with spells, but is a quest chain all on its own.

 

[Erien]

Gender > Background > Sub Species > Magical Training > Previous occupation > Feats

[X] Plan: Spooky Scary Scratches and a bit of the basics(-210 Points).
-[X] Charms
-[X] Transfiguration
-[X] Summoning
-[X] Rune Magic
-[X] Necromancy


Thanks to @Armoury for the beta!

—

"Ah…" Nikola replies. "Yes. I have mastered the basics, Charms and Transfiguration. Perhaps unexciting, but interesting enough."

"That's it?" David asks.

"I am capable of turning a man into a duck, then charming it to dance until it dies." Nikola smiles. "Do tell me what more you require than that."

The door to the room opens, and a young woman in maroon robes enters the room with a small tray. On it, sat two cups of tea. With a click it is placed upon the desk, faint wisps of steam rising into the air. David, immediately, slides it closer to himself.

The witch stares at the bureaucrat curiously, and David shakes his head. "He doesn't drink."

Nikola did, and was rather interested in trying English Scotch soon. But he let it slide regardless, it wasn't the first time, and the sooner this was over with, the sooner he could take a look at the piece of property he had purchased. "I also have a good grasp on summoning charms, and have dabbled in ancient runes."

"The study of old books?" David asks, holding the cup closer to himself.

"Quite." Nikola lies. "I also received high marks in… there isn't a word in your tongue. I am very good at alleviating the troubles of the old."

David arches a brow. "You are a social wizard?"

"No, it was just something I dabbled in, little else." The skull in his trunk was decorative, such a thing wasn't unusual. At least, it appeared decorative.

"A basic education to be sure, now, we need to know your employment history."

Nikola tilts his head. "Why? I am not applying to work for the Department of Magic."

"Census," David replies curtly. With a click the now empty teacup is placed back on the tray, and the witch picks it up and steps back out of the room.

"Now, please describe any previous occupation you have had," David says, still not looking Nikola eye-to-eye anymore.

Nikola smiles.

—

490 points remain.

Max of Two.

This is a plan vote.

Some of these automatically unlock feats for the character, others give Nikola options for the future or opportunities.

Keep in mind you also need points for feats.

[] [Former Semi-Pro Quidditch player] - 150
I certainly never played in the worldcup, but I was skilled nevertheless. I am an excellent flyer and gain feats related to broomanship. Some people may know who I am.

[] [Cursebreaker] - 150
I worked for several local organizations in Serbia dedicated to removing curses left behind by old, long dead wizards and more recent criminals. I am very quick to identify curses, and am quite skilled at removing them.

[] [Unspeakable] - 150
Not just limited to the Department of Magic in England. I delved into ancient magics best left forgotten, things best left… unrevealed. I can recognize the esoteric and what shouldn't be quite easily, and I have some old contacts I can use for… stranger occurrences.

[] [Alchemist] - 100
More than just simple potions, you were practiced in the older methods. Mixtures of lead, tin and gold to produces things considered impossible… and very dangerous.

[] [Duelist] - 100
I have a permanent scar on your cheek from your days in the duelling circles, for money, blood, glory, who could say really. I am faster with my wand than most others, and it's very hard to get the drop on me.

[] [Magical Law Enforcement] - 100
I worked in magical law enforcement, while my knowledge of the law has little use here. It does mean I am very skilled at spotting criminal elements… which may be useful in my new line of work.

[] [ICC Worker] - 50
I interned at the ICC for a time, and while it didn't end up being a career. I learned how to maneuver through the bureaucracy of the system. Which, if I end up traveling as much as I would like, would certainly cut down on the red tape.

[] [Mediwizard] - 50
I received training to be a mediwizard, or healer. A difficult art, but very valuable regardless.

[] [Muggle Relations] - 50
I worked in the muggle relations department of my local government, and have grown quite used to how they move and function. An odd people to be sure, but useful, and I will not be seen as an alien among them.

 

[POTDL]

So I do not know why but I felt like writing a short omake. I hope it is ok.

Dealing with your Baba​

Nikola exhaled, watching his breath swirl into the cold air as he tightened his fur coat and pulled his cossack low against the biting winter wind. The chill was intense, even for him—and if he could feel it, then the muggle villagers down in the valley would be in serious trouble soon. Moving with purpose, Nikola trudged toward the familiar old cottage for the fourth time this season and knocked firmly on the door.

As with every visit before, the door creaked open, and a gravelly voice called out from a rocking chair near the fireplace. "Get in here! Close the door—you're letting the heat out!"

Nikola stepped inside, quickly shutting the door behind him, and took a seat in the nearest armchair. Across from him sat a hunched figure, cocooned in layers of blankets, knitting a thick winter scarf. She didn't glance up, her needles clicking away.

"How are you, Baba?" Nikola ventured politely.

The old woman raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Bah! Don't bother with pleasantries, child. You're not here to chitchat. Make your request or be off with you. It's all the same to me."

Nikola sighed, deciding not to push his luck. "Very well, Baba. The Ministry insists that you move away from the muggle village."

At once, she stopped knitting and straightened up, her eyes darkening. The firelight dimmed, shifting to an eerie green glow as she seemed to tower over him, though she hadn't moved an inch. She glared down her elongated nose, voice sharp as frost. "No."

Nikola kept his composure, his gaze steady on the now very large and clearly displeased woman. "No?" he asked calmly. "May I ask why?"

"They were rude. And rude people need to be taught a lesson," she said in a tone that seemed to shake the cottage walls.

Nikola resisted the urge to sigh again. "Alright, Baba. What did the muggles do to offend you this time?" He had a good guess—it was the same issue each time he'd come to see her.

The old woman narrowed her eyes, her gaze piercing. "They refused to let me give their children sweets."

Nikola's face remained blank, though he nodded thoughtfully. "I see. Yes, that was indeed very rude. But you know how muggles can be. They don't understand proper etiquette."

He paused, appearing to mull over an idea. Then he offered the same suggestion he'd made on his last few visits. "How about a deal, then? I'll make sure all the children in the village receive one of your sweets, and the adults will apologize for their behavior. In return, you move your hut back up into the mountains."

The old woman considered this, her gaze thoughtful, before reaching into a wicker basket beside her chair. Slowly, she pulled out a small blue bag tied with a simple red ribbon, the aroma of sugar, cinnamon, and spice wafting through the room.

"You promise all the children will get a sweet?" she asked in a soft, almost wistful tone.

"I promise, Baba."

With a toothless grin, she patted his cheek with a bony hand. "Such a good boy. Now hurry up—you have work to do."

Nikola stood, clutching the little blue bag, and made for the door. He gave her a nod of gratitude before bracing himself against the cold once more.

He'd walked about a hundred meters when he felt the familiar rumbling beneath his feet. Turning, he saw the cottage lift up on thin, knobby chicken legs and lumber off, deeper into the mountains.

With a sigh, Nikola continued toward the village to keep his word. He knew better than to break a promise to his Baba.

 

[Erien]

Gender > Background > Sub Species > Magical Training > Previous occupation > Feats

Plan: Unspeakable Mundane (-200 Points).
[Unspeakable]
[Muggle Relations]

Thanks to @Armoury for the beta!


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osTcYcYmf0o

—

"Now, please describe any previous occupation you have had," David says, still not looking Nikola eye-to-eye anymore.

Nikola adjusts himself in the seat, it isn't a particularly comfortable one. It was easily close to a hundred years old, an old wooden thing in contrast to the metal fold-out chair David was using. Perhaps that was the point he muses, to make one feel uncomfortable. But then, this is basically just a census. But then, this bureaucracy. Something Nikola had experience with… at least tangentially in any case.

"I worked in the muggle relations department in the province of Kosovo. I assisted with cleanup work, speaking to local elected officials as was necessary, and assisted obliviators."

"Misuse of Muggle Artefacts?" David asks.

"... You must excuse me, what?"

"Did you deal with wrongly enchanted muggle objects?"

Nikola thinks for a moment, then shakes his head. "No, though I have plenty of experience with them. They are quite an interesting bunch."

David stares at Nikola's throat, "and they tolerated your existence?"

Nikola smiles thinly. "One must learn to tolerate those they dislike, one never may know when they are stuck in a meeting with them. As for any other work, no, nothing to speak of. Just minor work for the government." Nikola moved a hand slowly to his arm and rubbed it, the mark there ached slightly, but he had long since gotten used to its 'reminders'. He had hopes that it would diminish once the accident occured, but no, the badge, and the pain, remains. His hand falls through the arm with a thought, passing through the robe, skin, and bones there.

David watches one arm pass through another, his gaze transfixed, before he taps on the piece of paper. "Right… last section then, then you can leave. In regards to any future employment, any particular talents you would like to share?"

"Talents?" Nikola asks, "I used to be able to whistle."

"Talents more useful than that, and how does one lose the ability to whistle?"

Nikola's smile dims. "With effort. Now then, I suppose I do."

—

290
300 points remain. 10 bonus for the omake!

Unlimited Choices.

This is a plan vote.

All remaining points will be converted to galleons at a rate of 1:3

Already gained feats-

[Muggle Expert] - I knew the muggle world as much as a muggle would themselves know about it. I had little choice in the matter truthfully.

[Iron Will] - I do not frighten, I do not back down. What left was there for me to truly lose?

[Veil Walker] - To me, the dead were more physical things than most. For good, and for ill.


200 Point Feats___

[] [Wandless Magic]
I do not require a wand or stave to cast magic. I frequently went to places in the past where I wasn't allowed to have one, after all.

[] [Master Apparitionist]
My apparitions never fail, and as long as I've been to a place, I can teleport there again with little thought. It had proven useful in the chase.

[] [Potion Master]
I am well skilled in the art of brewing potions, few are outside my reach. Veritaserum was the order of the day, but not the only option.

[] [Animagus]
I can turn into an animal with merely a thought. I was but one of many made to do so, though I am the only one who left. (Will spawn a sub-vote)

150 Point Feats___

[] [Invisibility]
I have mastered the disillusionment charm, and thus, can pass from place to place unseen. I am, or was the watcher in the dark.

[] [Order of Merlin]
I have been decorated in the past with the highest honor of wizarding kind. It brings a great deal of respect. I'm also not allowed to talk about how I received it.

[] [Spellbreaker]
Counter curses are simple childs play, enchantments, even more so. The reverse of the Killing Curse however, remained elusive.

[] [Metamorphmagus]
I could look like anyone I wished, age or gender. Though there was little way to hide my 'other' traits. Dead was dead.

100 Point Feats__

[] [Scholar]
I am very well read, and have some quite interesting leads already for potential… excavations.

[] [Charismatic]
I am, despite appearances, quite approachable and friendly.

[] [Animal Communication]
I could 'speak' to animals, not enough to have a conversation, but they understood what I desired for the most part.

[] [Enchanter]
Modifying magical items was a simple matter, and quite useful when all was said and done.

 

[Erien]

Nikola Nikolic

(Portrait coming soon)

---

A young wizard from Serbia, who has come to England with what funds they have, in order to open up a shop to support the family back home.

They are a male half-human, half-ghost specifically, due to circumstances that haven't been revealed. They are trained in the following.

• [Charms] - The manipulation of objects, of enhancement of their function and properties.
• [Transfiguration] - The art of changing one thing into another.
• [Summoning] - The art of calling, of bringing things to the spellcaster.
• [Rune Magic] - The ability to leave spells as physical marks.
• [Necromancy] - The manipulation of life and death.

Their skills are as follows.

• [Muggle Expert] - I knew the muggle world as much as a muggle would themselves know about it. I had little choice in the matter truthfully.
• [Iron Will] - I do not frighten, I do not back down. What left was there for me to truly lose?
• [Veil Walker] - To me, the dead were more physical things than most. For good, and for ill.
• [Spellbreaker] - Counter curses are simple childs play, enchantments, even more so.
• [Enchanter] - Modifying magical items was a simple matter, and quite useful when all was said and done.

---


View: https://i.imgur.com/XMSjzoX.jpeg

Shop.

None yet.

---

Items and Currency.

His travel bag, his wares, and the clothes he arrived with, along with 350 galleons.

 

[Erien]

[X] Plan: I know my wares.
-[X] [Spellbreaker]
-[X] [Enchanter]

Thanks to @Armoury for the beta!

—

-800 Galleons for a plot of land in Knockturn Alley.
350 Galleons remain.

—

"I was praised for my ability to reverse and remove curses, I also was noted for my ability to handle enchantment. Was that what you had in mind?"

"That's it?"

Nikola tilts his head, his hair floating impossibly for a moment before falling into place. "Were you expecting more? I am simply here to open up a shop." Nikola had yet to truly decide if David was stupid, hostile, over-expectant, or perhaps some hitherto never before seen mixture of the three. He was at least rather sure he didn't much like the man, and was rather dearly hoping he wasn't going to be the normal experience with the English going forward.

Though the wand-weigher had been rather impatient. That at least was something Nikola could understand. His was likely different from what the Witch was used to.

"The shop yes, as you mentioned," David replies. "Where?"

"Is that relevant to this process?" Nikola asks.

"... It is now." David says.

What a fascinating little man in a position of limited power, using it to make up for the lack of power in every other facet of his life. That was the first thought that runs through Nikola's mind, even if he feels somewhat guilty for it. But it isn't the first time he has seen it. This one, at least, wasn't wearing a uniform.

"I have purchased a plot of land in Knockturn Alley. I, sadly, haven't been able to lay eyes upon it yet, but as far as I know it is simply a barren spot."

David smiles, then, apparently unable to control himself, laughs quietly. "Of course you are." He pulls the papers back across the desk, lifts, then taps them to get them all aligned. "Welcome to wizarding England."

Nikola smiles back, he had felt quite 'welcome' already. "Is that everything then?"

"You have some paperwork to fill in, then you'll be getting an identification card and a temporary work visa." David's eyes flit to Nikola's eyes for the briefest of moments before looking away. "We shall of course be checking on you four times a year."

"To confirm the legality of my business?"

"Legality, sanity, and safety, yes." David replies.

"I'll make sure to keep a pot of coffee warm." Nikola replies with a thin smile. "Will it be you?"

David snorts. "No, I have far more important things to do."

Then the coffee will be just coffee, Nikola thought to himself, still smiling.

—

"Your wand sir," the witch says in a clipped, practiced, and bored tone. It's a misshapen thing of brown wood with a particularly gnarled end, as she pushes it along the desk it doesn't so much roll as bounce. But Nikola catches it easily.

"Thank you." He replies with a smile.

The witch looks up at him briefly, then halts, her eyes meeting his. She stares, unblinking, eyes widening as she gazed into the vei-

Nikola looks away quickly, and makes his way out of the ministry a good two hours after he entered it without another word. Rather quick for bureaucracy, all things considered. The assorted masses of Wizarding England move as he does, a wave of people coming and going from the ministry. From the 'exit' it takes another good ten minutes to actually leave the building, and from there, it is London in July.

… Not that dissimilar to home actually, though slightly more humid. Scents all too familiar greet him, despite the alien surroundings. Gasoline, exhaust, a man with too much cologne and a woman with too much perfume. It is always amusing to him how much stock muggles put into mere appearances. But then, it isn't like the magical community was much different… it was just easier for them to change themselves rather more dramatically. Everything is simply more difficult for them, but frankly, it is something he admired. Reaching into his coat pocket he produces a pair of sunglasses and fits them over his eyes, lest a muggle become… distracted. Then he pauses, staring down at the briefcase as it lightly jostles on its own in his hands. Nikola stares at it for a moment, then smiles. "Calm, we're nearly there." The shaking stops, and he smiles, turning his head up to look at another wizard stepping out of the red telephone booth that marked the entrance to the ministry of magic.

"Good morning, would you happen to know the way to Grimmauld's Grimoires?"

The scandalized look Nikola got said quite a bit to be honest.

—

It was a bit out of the way, that was the first thought that Nikola had as he finally found the building in question. Grimmauld's Grimoires was down a rather dingy alley, filled with refuse, that of the man-made and… man variety. Eyes follow him as he walks down the alley, the homeless and worse watching as he steps around puddles of not yet dried morning rain to reach the shabby wooden door. A single sign made of wood rested just by the door, hammered into place by a bent and crooked nail. On it, was the depiction of a golden book, lettering underneath naming it as 'Grimmauld's Grimoires'.

The interior isn't particularly better, but it isn't worse either. If Nikola was to describe the bookshop with a word, it would be 'crooked'. Bookshelves lined the walls and floor, each a little bit more shoddily made than the last, their wood was bent and broken in places, the wood visibly slouching underneath the weight of the tomes resting upon them which, in their own way, was crooked too. The books are aged, some are even ancient. With repaired or missing covers, torn or destroyed pages, and the dog ears of many years of repeated study. Cookbooks, potion books, defense books, history books. It was a veritable treasure trove of information… if one but knew where to look. In the center of it all was a man, waving a wand to put a stack of books up onto a shelf, whom Nikola assumed to be Grimmauld, whom, as the man turned around to look at Nikola, was revealed to be just a tad bit crooked as well. A hunched back, likely a product of too many years bent over, gave the man a rather lopsided appearance, and the smile was lopsided as well, favoring the right side of his face far more than the left to reveal a row of crooked yellow teeth.

"Well g'morning. Lookin' fer something?" the man greets cheerfully, wrinkles on his face exaggerating in his delight.

"A fascinating collection you have here," Nikola replies back equally cheerfully. "Tell me, do you have…" Nikola produces a piece of paper from his pocket, studying it for a moment. "The Malleus Maleficarum?"

The man jerked a finger behind him towards the back bookshelf. "Course! Middle row, in between Moloch and The Marquis Marchosias."

"Thank you kindly," Nikola places a knut onto the counter and then makes his way past the man to the bookshelf. He peruses it for a moment, before finding the book in question. He pulls it back gently… then at once the bookshelf folds itself into the floor with a clatter of paper and crunching wood. The walls behind it then slid aside with the sound of grinding stone. Wet, sticky air blasts across Nikola then, as in its place is revealed… a street. Or, perhaps more accurately, an alley.

Nikola smiles, then steps through.

—


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gqpjm4zci4

—

Compared to the asphalt and concrete he had just been walking on, the muddy, mossy, and quite a bit slippery cobbles his boots now trod upon were remarkably different. The alley was a wide thing, surrounded on either side by buildings that seemed to be competing for the light much like trees, bent and twisted, leaning over the pathways to block out as much of the sun as seemingly possible, while still allowing plenty enough through to reveal the various peoples about. Witches, wizards, goblins and elves. These things and more moved from place to place, far more sedately than they had in the Ministry of Magic.

"Cauldrons for sale! Cheap!" a male voice calls out.

"New wands for sale at Gregorovitch's!" another voice shouts out.

Nikola's eyes flit to the building across from him, Borgin and… Burkes, which was building twenty-three. Nikola looks slightly to the left, Cobb and Webbs, building thirty-two. Getting closer. He taps his wand against his side, and at once the reduction charm is ended. Gone is the diminutive little stick the English are so fond of, instead he could once again lean against his staff. It is a simple thing, oak with a gnarled tip… and covered in a rather delightful amount of runes he has worked on. But more than anything else, it is his walking stick, and with a tap-tap-tap of wood against cobble, he begins to make his way down the alley towards his destination.

—

The place remains gloomy, but it's a familiar form of gloomy as Nikola counts the numbers. Twenty five, twenty four. None pay him any attention as he moves, too caught up in their shopping or idle conversations to note the new wizard moving amongst them. Twenty three, twenty two. The bag rattles at his side, and he smiles. Strange scents played past, wet stone, old wood. A snake from a nearby shop hissed, followed by the croak of a toad and the bark of a dog. A bat whizzed by his head, diving through an open window, a small letter tied to its leg. A gaggle of children ran past him, too young to be in school, they held in their hands tight small alchemical instruments, and as one they darted into a potion shop. Twenty one…

Ninety eight, exactly where he was promised. Sitting squat between Twenty-one and nineteen. It is a semi-empty plot, semi, in that a burned carcass of wood and metal that marked the previous spot stood there as a skeleton might after a balefire. It wasn't particularly large all in all, just enough for all of his wares and a sleeping quarters on the second floor. Of course, he has no second floor, nor first floor in truth. He simply has the plot, and thankfully cheaply at that. Supposedly the spot had a reputation, bad things happened to those who owned it, and its numbered address was increased every time something happened to the place. Nikola stared at the remains, and found himself rather unworried. He was, after all, already half dead, he thought. What was left to happen? To the right of his shop was… a discount broom shop, to the left was a premium broom shop. And across from him… was what appeared to be a grocer, along with an alchemical reagents shop he dearly hopes wasn't connected. He takes this all in for a moment, then turns back, as, regardless, he knew he was going to have to find someone to build the shop, draining his already meager resources fur-

The bag rustled at his side once more.

"Oh alright then." Nikola says. Setting the trunk down, he taps it with the end of his staff, at once the latches on the top of it snap open, and the tiniest of gaps forms. Then a rabbit bursts out of the bag… yet the gap remains as small as ever. With a twitch of a little nose the rabbit lands atop the trunk, it turns its head this way and that, observing the space around it, and 'sniffing' the air. Then it looks up at Nikola and kicks off. It floats through the air, translucent blue body passing through him. Nikola turns around, stretching forth his hand to catch the ghost, then he deposits the rabbit into a breast pocket. It wiggles around in it for a moment, then turns to poke its head up and over the lip of his pocket. "Good morning Fluffi. Did you enjoy the trip?"

The dead rabbit continues to sniff the air for the moment, more out of instinct than anything else. Then turns its head up to look at him, as if to suggest 'how dare you keep me inside a metal box filled with your junk'.

"Of course, my apologies." Nikola apologizes. He then turns, and looks at the burned down edifice with a smile on his face. A new beginning.

And with it, opportunity. But first, the local populace? Some money? Or to hit the ground running?

Possibilities, possibilities.

—

All of Nikola's merchandise is in the briefcase, unlike Newt Scamander however, he doesn't have a place to sleep in there.

[] [It is time to start selling]
Nikola's merchandise is in the trunk, and it's best if people know a shop exists here immediately to let them know you are around. Even if Nikola doesn't have a shop as such.

[] [It's time to find a place to rest]
There must be places to stay around here, and it'd be good to meet people as well.

[] [It's time to find a builder]
Once one is located, setting up the place is relatively easy with magic. It is, however, not something Nikola knows how to do. A Magical Architect should be around however.

 

[Erien]

[It's time to find a builder]
Once one is located, setting up the place is relatively easy with magic. It is, however, not something Nikola knows how to do. A Magical Architect should be around however.

Thanks to @Armoury for the beta!

—

There were, in fact, architects around. In fact, there were an even dozen by Nikola's reckoning. Well suited in a central location for all of Wizarding England's needs. Some promised refitted Muggle homes, some promised ruined castles refitted, others promised only the deepest and darkest dungeons where one could get up to whatever devious dalliances drive men mad. None however, fit two criteria in particular.

The first, of course, being within his price range. Those that would be willing to take the job started in the hundreds of Galleons, and even those he could afford of those… it would leave Nikola so destitute that he would be unlikely to keep the shop open longer than a month once he concerned himself with such basic necessities as food and water. Perhaps he was greedy, expecting such things would be simple. At this point the best offer he had was… three hundred galleons and he'd have what amounted to an empty first floor beyond some shelving, and a second floor that had little more than running water and a carpeted floor. Nikola has stayed in worse, much worse in fact. But it's not exactly a glorious start either. The others, of course, refused to build on 'cursed' property.

Turning his head towards the sky, Nikola sighed, moving a hand to rub at his eyes beneath the sunglasses. A slight kick against his chest caused him to look down again, and his eyes met Fluffi's. "Yes?"

Fluffi's nose twitched.

"We'll be fine."

Fluffi's nose twitched again.

"If you think it's so easy then why don't you try breaking back into Serbia you little-"

"'Scuse me!" a high pitched, yet strangely rough female voice cuts through the crowd noise in Diagon Alley, and Nikola turns around… finding himself face to face with… a penned up snake hanging just outside a petshop. Nikola stares at it, observing the magenta scal-

"Down 'ere!"


View: https://i.imgur.com/FRxLGD4.jpeg

Standing, roughly at the height of Nikola's knees, is… a Goblin. Wearing children's suspenders over a baggy green shirt. It and the suspenders were smudged and dirtied by what appears to be a one to one mixture of sawdust and paint. Brown eyes twinkled with obvious delight as the female goblin looked up at Nikola from underneath a mop of messy brown hair, pencils poking out of it at various angles almost like hair-curlers. Her mouth opens in a wide grin, revealing very sharp teeth as she does so. 'Eard you were lookin' for an architect!" She does a hasty bow, causing a pencil to fall out of her hair and onto the pavement. "Trimsy, at yer service!"

"I am." Nikola replies, leaning against his staff. "I wasn't aware that I was already drawing attention to myself."

"I saw you goin' to them… second-rate architects, you gone under contract?"

"No, though I am thinking over offers." Nikola replies.

Offer, singular in truth. But one didn't need to look desperate.

"Well, you've got that lovely vacant plot o' land in Knockturn, right?"

Nikola nods.

"I'll build whatever you need there, no cost!"

"Free?"

Trimsy made a face like he had said something particular disgusting."Free? Nah, don't talk daft. I'll build the buildin', an' you'll borrow it from me. I'll just take it back when you're six feet under an' I get to lodge there."

Nikola's smile dims. "Apologies, I have been cursed more than once, did you state that… I am borrowing the building?"

"And I get to stay there, yes."

Nikola stares at the goblin for several moments, saying nothing. Goblins had a different opinion on 'ownership' that much he knew. But this is, regardless, unusual. The business model made little practical sense. Which meant… "Are you homeless?"

"I'm temporarily lodgin' challenged." Trimsy replies."Look, you get yer shop, I get a place to kip while I get me firm up an' runnin'. Deal?" she sticks a hand up, offering it to Nikola, only to pause, her gaze moving to Fluffi curiously as the rabbit partially phased through my clothes to try and sniff at her hand.

… Wizarding England is proving to be a fascinating place so far.

—

350 Galleons remaining.

[] [Refuse - 300 Galleons]
Have a basic place with little in the way of accommodation or comfort, but you have to start somewhere. It's yours to do with as you see fit however.

[] [Accept - Free]
A more complete structure… complete with a roommate. However, this space won't be fully your own, and wizarding culture looks down on Goblins, which might not be helpful for sales.

—

Next chapter in two weeks, my normal writing schedule is biweekly chapters. Most are a good deal longer than this, just the vote was so one-sided and this one was going to be so short there was no reason to make ya'll wait. Hope you enjoyed!