M E T A L & G O L D

“She’s a monster.” Marlene looked up.

“I forgot how this conversation started. Who are you?”

Mundungus stared at first, silently. “Well…” he started, yet nothing followed. Not for a few moments. “Is that a ‘no’ to preferring tea, to preferring coffee, or to preferring hot chocolate? Or was it a ‘no’ to the tea-set, which, I totally understand. Just… uhm…” His gaze went past Argo to the shelves behind him. “Is that a first copy?” 

“You ask many questions. Are you curious or rambling?”

“Anything,” Ivy practically gushed. “I know very little about alchemy myself, outside of the courses I took, and that feels like centuries ago these days. I would be very interested to know how they study it in Egypt.”

Argo paused, considering his words. “I... I first took to it during school at Durmstrang. The elective course is highly regarding, and incredibly selective.” He furrowed his brows. “There is a lesser known branch of alchemy: Spagyric. Many Egyptians practice this form, although it’s not my specialty.”

Benjy just kept smiling. “Have a nice day, sir.”

“Exactly. What I meant with the tea-set thing was about a product, an object, something that it’s quintessential to us. A wand is, of course, the first thing when it comes to be a wizard. But after that…” he pause, for effect. “After that, the next essential thing it’s a good tea set, I tell ya. Unless, of course, ya prefer coffee or chocolate. But then, any great tea set contemplates pieces for that too.”

“The landlord is in 1A.”

With that, Argo nodded in gratitude, and immediately headed to 1A. 

“That’s why cats have multiple lives,” Benjy said back, a playful note in his voice. “So they can come back and keep investigating.”

Argo nodded, taking in the comment. “I must be off,” he replied, turning towards the door. 

“Merlin, I’d hate to get on your bad side. He’s only a weather reporter. It’s not life or death stuff.”

“You think I’m angry. I’m not.”

“Relaxed would be a good look.”

“I imagine it would feel better, too.”

“You beg it for what? She’s not easily pleased without blood sacrifices.”

“Blood sacrifices? Quite primitive.”

“That’s a good one.” Mundungus nodded. “Though, ya have to admit—one can’t just go out and purchase some Alchemy for themselves, now, innit? Unless the Witches Brew have suddenly expanded their menu.”

“No one can purchase Alchemy. It’s a science, not a product.”

“Why?”

“I think my mother lived here once.”

“I am interested in your alchemical studies, believe it or not. Tell me about them, if you may.”

“What would you like to know?”

“Evidently.”

Benjy nodded as he listened to Argo’s reply, a glint of vivid curiosity in his eyes, his interest clearly piqued. “Yeah. Makes sense. Circumstances may differ,” he commented, already about to ask another question. But then he changed his mind. “I apologise. I’m bombarding you with questions. Sometimes I just can’t stop.”

“Curiosity killed the cat,” Argo replied flatly, thinking of his grandfather who often used the saying.

Whether he was or wasn’t, Florence still piped up, “You seem tense.”

“I’m usually tense.”