Chapter 5
As the sun set, casting long shadows over the cobblestone streets, Zeta slipped into the dark, narrow alleyways of Knockturn Alley. The area had a reputation for being the underbelly of the magical world, filled with shady characters and dark dealings. It was the perfect place for Shadow Garden to establish a headquarters away from the prying eyes of the authorities.
Zeta moved with the silent grace of a predator, her keen eyes taking in every detail. The alley was filled with witches and wizards whose appearances ranged from disheveled to outright sinister. Her acute hearing picked up snippets of conversations about forbidden potions, cursed artifacts, and dubious dealings. This was a place where secrets thrived in the shadows, and power was traded like currency.
“This place is ideal,” Zeta thought, her eyes narrowing as she observed the lack of auror presence. Rarely did the law enforcers venture into this part of the magical world, making it an optimal location for their covert operations.
As she continued her reconnaissance, an old, scruffy man with a lecherous grin approached her. His eyes roved over her appraisingly, and he licked his lips as he spoke. “Hey there, pretty lady. Looking for some fun?”
Zeta’s expression remained cool and unyielding. “No, I’m not interested.”
The man’s grin widened, revealing yellowed teeth. “Oh, come on now, don’t be like that. I can show you a good time.”
Zeta sighed inwardly, considering how unfortunate the man was to have targeted her. True to her prediction, he reached for his wand and pointed it at her, shouting, “Imperio!”
In a split second, Zeta’s reflexes kicked in. The slime on her body morphed into a chakram with crescent moons, and with a swift movement, she swished her hand to the side, batting the yellow spell away. The force of her deflection sent the spell crashing into a nearby wall, which exploded into rubble, sending debris flying and striking other passersby.
The man’s eyes widened in shock and fear, but Zeta did not kill him immediately. She wanted to see what these wizards were truly capable of. He cast a flurry of spells at her, but she dodged and blocked them with ease, her movements fluid and precise. The colors of his spells lit up the dark alley, creating a mesmerizing yet dangerous light show.
“Stay still, you little—” he shouted, his frustration growing as each of his spells missed their mark or was deflected with precision.
Zeta remained silent, her expression calm. To her, this was nothing more than a test, a way to gauge the abilities of the wizards in this world. Her movements were almost lazy, as if she were merely swatting away flies. But the truth was that each of her actions was calculated, her reflexes honed to perfection.
The man’s anger boiled over, and in his rage, he cast a glowing green spell. The crowd around them gasped and screamed, recognizing it as the Killing Curse. Zeta deduced its power immediately and chose not to dodge. Instead, she summoned her own magic, a black mist that shot forth and collided with the green curse. The spells exploded into a burst of green light, illuminating the alley.
The black mist continued, smashing into the man and creating a gaping hole in his chest. Blood and organs spilled out as he dropped to the ground, dead. Zeta had expected more resistance and had even restrained her power, but it seemed this world’s wizards varied widely in strength.
She glanced around and noted how the alley’s occupants, who had witnessed the fight, quickly got out of her way. They were cowards, she thought, unwilling to intervene and now cowering in fear.
With the threat neutralized, Zeta returned her focus to the abandoned building she had spotted earlier. She approached it cautiously, her senses alert for any signs of danger. The closer she got, the more she could see that despite its dilapidated exterior, the structure was fundamentally sound.
Pushing the creaking door open, Zeta stepped inside. Dust motes danced in the beams of light filtering through the gaps in the boarded-up windows. The interior was dark and musty, but Zeta could see potential in the space. With some cleaning and repairs, it could be transformed into a functional base of operations.
As she moved through the house, she mentally cataloged what needed to be done. The rooms were spacious, and the layout was practical. This place could offer the privacy and seclusion they needed. She returned to the entrance, where she met with the contact she had arranged to purchase the house from.
The man was nervous, glancing around as if expecting trouble. They exchanged few words; Zeta handed him a pouch containing 100 Galleons—far below the market price for a house in Knockturn Alley, which typically ranged from 500 to 1000 Galleons. The man, eager to conclude their business, quickly handed over the papers and transferred the ownership of the wards surrounding the house before apparating away.
Zeta inspected the wards and found them weak. She would need to buy books on this world’s magic to enhance their protections. Stretching out her hand, she cast a cleaning and repair spell she had learned through observation. A purple glow enveloped the house, restoring it to a habitable state.
With the house secured, Zeta made her way back towards Diagon Alley, leaping gracefully over rooftops and landing in a side alley where no one could see her. She slipped into the busy street, blending in with the crowd. She entered several bookstores, stealing interesting-looking books and using her slime to bypass anti-theft wards. The slime hid the books securely, and Zeta left the shops unnoticed.
After collecting a newspaper and treating herself to a fish sandwich, she returned to her new safehouse. On her way back, she encountered a few unsavory characters who tried to accost her. She disposed of them quickly, leaving their bodies for the shady passersby who might use them for rituals or potions. Such things did not interest her.
Back at the safehouse, Zeta began to devour the contents of the books she had stolen. Her incredible learning talent allowed her to absorb information rapidly. She discovered fascinating details about the magical world, its history, and its notable figures.
The newspaper she had taken provided current events, including an article about a mass murderer named Sirius Black who was still on the run, and a boy called the Chosen One—Harry Potter. This piqued her interest. In one of the books titled "The Rise and Fall of Dark Wizards," she found more information about Harry Potter, the boy who had supposedly defeated the strongest dark wizard. Zeta did not believe he had done it on his own. She suspected there was more to the story.
Shadow had often talked about “main characters” in stories, and Zeta wondered if Harry Potter was one of them. She also read about Hogwarts, a school for learning magic. It seemed like the perfect place for her to gather more information and hone her skills.
Formulating a plan, Zeta decided to apply to Hogwarts. She wrote a letter stating she was a student from another country, crafting a backstory with Shadow’s help. She would be Lilim from Russia, as her accent could pass for Russian. She sent the letter and then continued her research on Harry Potter. She learned he liked Quidditch and made a mental note to follow the Quidditch World Cup mentioned in the newspaper.