"What does them working with metal have to do with it?" Harry asked. The rest of Julian's explanation he had understood, but that part still puzzled him.
"When we were at the refinery, how would you describe the men there?" Julian asked patiently.
Harry thought for a moment, then his eyes brightened as it clicked. "Dirty," he said, suddenly realizing.
Julian nodded with a grin. "Exactly. Smoke, metal dust, sweat, and grime are the price they pay for doing that kind of work. So from where I am standing, making something shiny for them is pointless. It would just end up filthy anyway. So instead, I made something symbolic."
Harry nodded, more enthusiastic now. "It's brilliant," he said, eyes shining.
"We will go back on Saturday to give the blokes their rings. I am sure they will agree," Julian said, pleased with himself.
"For now though, I need a bath," he added with a grimace as he finally caught his own smell.
Harry burst out laughing, but Julian ignored him and headed into the bathroom.
I want to finish that blank ring of mine, but I cannot risk anyone else seeing me work and attracting the Ministry's attention, he thought with a sigh as he scrubbed himself thoroughly with the soap.
He hissed under his breath when the cloth passed over his still-healing bruises, but otherwise finished quickly and changed into plain grey cotton pajamas.
He and Harry spent the rest of the afternoon talking about A History of Magic, with Harry still thinking of it as a fun fantasy book rather than a dry school text. The irony of his choice did not escape Julian. They kept at it until dinner, then turned in for the night.
...
Friday rolled around, and school was, as usual, an exercise in mind-numbing boredom for Julian. Still, he endured it without complaint. After they got back to the orphanage, neither he nor Harry did anything grand or exciting. They simply settled in with their chosen books and relaxed, each absorbed in their own worlds.
...
Saturday was a different story.
They packed the hammer-rings into a small cardboard box that Miss Smith had given them and set out for the refinery.
It never stopped amazing Julian how many people walked everywhere in London. The pavements were crowded, but no one spared the two boys more than a passing glance as they blended into the flow of pedestrians, moving at a brisk, steady pace.
What did draw attention was a man nearby who was very obviously not blending in.
He wore a loud Hawaiian shirt patterned with bright flowers and baggy sweatpants, as if that combination somehow made him inconspicuous.
If that is not a wizard, I will eat my shoes, Julian thought with a grimace, subtly steering Harry away from the stranger.
Fortunately, the man just went about his own business and did not bother them at all.
"That guy must be barmy to walk around dressed like that," Harry muttered once he was sure they were out of earshot.
Julian shrugged. "Maybe he just thinks the clothes are comfortable," he said, noncommittal.
Harry laughed. "Think he escaped the loony bin?" he joked.
You are not that far off, Julian thought dryly.
Out loud, he said, "No idea. I just hope he does not cause trouble."
It was not a lie. If that wizard slipped up and used magic without thinking, the Ministry's Obliviators would show up. That could mean trouble for them. Most of the time, those people only targeted muggles who saw something they should not, but there were cases where they had to erase every trace of a wizard's presence, which meant wiping the memories of anyone who had seen them.
Julian had no desire to find out the hard way whether Sanar could withstand a brute-force mental spell.
He knew very well that the ring had limits. Its defense was strong for what it was, but his own lack of experience and skill kept its ceiling relatively low.
I will reforge it one day when I am much better with the crafting style, he promised himself silently.
Thankfully, no Obliviators appeared, and the strange wizard did not do anything noteworthy. An hour later, the boys reached the metal refinery without incident.
The workers were happy to see them and called out to ask how their project had turned out.
"Harry here figured out the work was not for him," Julian said with a grin, "but everything went great. We even brought the rings we promised."
That last part left the workers visibly stunned.
"To be fair, lad, we did not really expect you to actually make us rings," the boss admitted with an awkward chuckle.
Julian frowned slightly. "I gave my word. That meant I was going to follow through," he said, stung.
The man lifted his hands quickly. "Did not mean to offend you, lad. I have no doubts about your honor. You just have to understand, most folk would not expect a couple of wee lads like yourselves to do such hard work, aye?" he said calmly.