Hearing footsteps upstairs, Walburga Black abruptly stopped her tirade.
"Little Karmit, are you awake?"
Karmit replied lazily, "Yeah. You're scolding Kreacher again, aren't you?"
Walburga huffed. "That foolish creature! He actually prepared black shoes for you! Only white represents purity—your noble bloodline.
You're attending the pure-blood gathering today, and you must show your best self!"
Kreacher stood silently nearby, looking utterly miserable.
Karmit said, "I told him to prepare the black shoes."
Walburga froze for a moment, then quickly changed tone. "Oh? Well, black it is then. It suits your outfit today."
Karmit couldn't be bothered to argue with the old woman. He turned to the house-elf. "Kreacher, is the gift for my aunt ready?"
Kreacher nodded rapidly. "Yes, young master!"
Karmit took the small box from Kreacher's hands and opened it to check. Inside was a delicate pair of earrings.
Kreacher continued, "Young master, Miss Belinda is waiting for you. Shall I bring her in now?"
Karmit nodded. "Have breakfast prepared and tell her to wait for me in the dining room."
Kreacher bowed and hurried away to carry out the orders.
Once he was gone, Karmit glanced up at Walburga's portrait on the wall, "Grandmother, I'd appreciate it if, in the future, I didn't have to wake up every morning to your endless chatter and curses."
Walburga fell silent, for once.
Karmit didn't say more and headed for the dining room.
Inside, Belinda was already waiting. The moment she saw him, she dropped to one knee. "Good morning, my great master!"
Karmit waved a hand dismissively. "Sit."
Belinda stood, only sitting once Karmit had taken his seat at the head of the table.
Before he could ask, she began her report. "Yesterday, our shops did steadily as usual. With the Hogwarts term about to start, Diagon Alley will grow lively again. Our profits should rise accordingly."
Karmit nodded. "And the magical creature materials shop? Has Yaxley caused any more trouble?"
Belinda shook her head. "Yesterday's incident seems to have frightened them off. Old Yaxley has taken no further action, but I suspect he'll try something at today's gathering. Please be careful, my lord."
Karmit dabbed his mouth with a silk napkin, then tossed it casually onto the table. "That's good news, then. If he's so eager to die, I'll gladly oblige."
Belinda smiled faintly. "Of course. Before you, my lord, the old Yaxley is a joke. If you wished, he could have died in that turtle shell of a manor last night."
Karmit shook his head. "Not yet. He'll die, but not now. He still has his uses."
Belinda inclined her head. "Understood, my lord. I also took stock last night—our stores of material are limited and won't last long. Should Bilair and I lead a team to find new sources?"
"Not for now," Karmit said. "Soon we'll have a new supplier—one of far better quality.
For the time being, use what's left to keep our regulars satisfied. Our top priority now is to secure two master potion-makers as permanent clients. That will attract the rest."
Belinda frowned slightly. "Most renowned potion masters already have fixed suppliers.
To lure them, we'd need to offer much lower prices, and that could provoke other pure-blood families. There's only one who doesn't yet have a regular shop."
Karmit's mind immediately supplied the name. "You mean… Severus Snape?"
Belinda nodded. "Yes. He's the only one. If we can win him over—imagine it, the youngest potion master in Britain endorsing us—it would bring tremendous attention."
Karmit leaned back slightly. "I'll handle that once I get to Hogwarts. Severus Snape… not exactly an easy man to deal with."
Belinda smiled. "Then congratulations are in order, my lord, on your acceptance to Hogwarts. With your arrival, I daresay the ever-proud Slytherin will finally meet its true Serpent King."
....
Wiltshire — Malfoy Manor
With a faint swirl of magic, a vortex appeared near the gates of Malfoy Manor. A moment later, Karmit stepped out of it.
This wasn't his first visit—he knew the place well. He strode confidently through the gates and spotted a flash of platinum blonde hair in the courtyard.
Draco Malfoy. His cousin.
The boy stood beside a broomstick, hesitating.
"Hesitation leads to failure, Draco," Karmit called. "I taught you that. If you want to try, you should do it at once."
Startled, Draco spun around—and broke into a grin. "Karmit! You're here!"
Karmit nodded.
Draco grabbed the broom and hurried to his side. "You're early this time! Mother was just talking about you yesterday. Come on, she'll be so happy to see you!"
Following Draco into the manor, Karmit glanced around at the house-elves scurrying about, decorating for the evening banquet.
In the sitting room, Narcissa and Lucius were seated, reading the morning paper.
"Mother, Father! Karmit's here!" Draco announced.
Both Lucius and Narcissa looked up. Narcissa rose at once, delighted. "Karmit, dear, you're early! Have you eaten? Shall I have the elves prepare something for you?"
Karmit gave a polite bow. "Uncle, Aunt—good morning."
Lucius nodded in return.
"I've eaten already," Karmit continued, offering her the box. "This is for you, Aunt. The latest design from the Black jewelry shop—made with Muggle diamonds."
Narcissa took it eagerly, opening the lid. "Oh my, how beautiful!"
Lucius leaned over to look and couldn't hide his surprise at the fine craftsmanship, though he sniffed disdainfully. "Muggles. Always tinkering with useless things."
Karmit smiled lightly. "You're right, Uncle. But still—life would be rather dull without such things, wouldn't it? Pleasure is the melody of life, after all."
Lucius gave a noncommittal nod.
Narcissa smiled at the exchange and said, "Karmit, what would you like to drink? I'll get it for you."
"If there's coffee, that would be perfect," Karmit replied.
"Coffee isn't good for children," Narcissa chided gently. "I'll bring you a cup of hot chocolate."
Karmit sighed inwardly. He shouldn't have asked.
Narcissa turned to her son. "Draco, come help me."
Draco hesitated—he wanted to talk more with Karmit—but Karmit smiled at him. "Then I'll leave it to you, Draco."
That was all it took. Draco grinned proudly. "Don't worry, I'll make you the best cup of hot chocolate ever!"