Chapter 2
Abraxas was walking down the street. It was a cold January morning, his mother was trying on exclusive clothes for the evening gala, and he was wandering the streets. His father said that a witch from abroad had set up a shop with exclusive toys. She received a special license from the Ministry to use the Hogwarts coat of arms. Abraxas thought it would be nice to have a look. When he reached the shop, he saw the Hogwarts crests. His magnificent Slytherin House had a hoop made of silver stars, the snake inside coiling and unwinding.
''It's a black mamba''
Abraxas turned around and saw a boy his own age. He had good bone structure, was quite handsome, and wore a dark robe with a shop badge. He was placing several crates of some kind of powder right under the store window.
''Thank you, I would like to buy this stained glass window,'' replied Abraxas, wanting to imitate his father when he sees a unique specimen of French champagne.
''I see, come in,'' replied the boy.
Abraxas walked inside. He saw fountains singing. Fabric hippogriffs that flew from the ceiling. In the middle there was a large bowl containing potions that opened by themselves and bubbles in various colors burst out. The shelves were full of figurines of various magical creatures, hats of various colors, and he saw that each section of the Hogwarts house had its own shelf. He immediately walked over to the Slytherin section. Snake figurines, a game where a snake coiled with a ball, cups with snakes, chains, notebooks and feathers in green and silver. He was delighted with it all. Additionally, scarves and hats in beautiful silver and green colors.
''I buy everything,'' he pointed to the shelf.
It was enough to call one of the elves to go to his parents to pay the bill for the toys.
''I see,'' the boy replied. ''Minky''
A house elf appeared. This wouldn't have surprised Abraxas, except that the elf was wearing clothes... It was a miniature similar robe with the shop's emblem that the boy wore. That was weird. He could understand using an elf to help in the store, strange as it was. Elves only served prominent families and were at Hogwarts. What was a house elf doing in the service of an ordinary shop and still dressed...
''Minky, you're listening to Master Tom,'' she replied cheerfully.
''Master Malfoy would like to get the full section of Slytherin, prepare the shipment and go to Hyperion Malfoy for payment for it,'' replied the boy. After moment, elf disappeared, probably to prepare the order and receive payment from his father.
''So you know who I am,'' Abraxas said proudly. It was good, that is, it was the right company. At least half-blood, if not completely pure-blood. Some of the stores were run by mudbloods, so his mother warned him.
''Yes, I got a list of potential clients,'' he replied.
''Why is this house elf wearing clothes, it's a disgrace to the store,'' Abraxasas replied.
''Minky is the showcase of the store, it is intended to serve as an aid and therefore it must be known that it belongs to the store. The official uniform makes identification easier,'' the boy replied. His pompous explanation was a bit like a teacher's.
''But they're an elf, it's a disgrace for them to have clothes,'' replied Abraxas.
''These are not private clothes, but a uniform of affiliation, just like the Hogwarts Elves uniforms - a tea-towel stamped with the Hogwarts crest tied as a toga,'' explained this strange boy.
Abraxas didn't know that Elves at Hogwarts wore such things, maybe there really were different customs for Elves not serving the house. However, the store was decent. He knew the customer base, he used an elf... This was a shop for proper wizards.
''Do your parents work here?'' he asked the boy, and the boy pursed his lips.
''No, I am the assistant to Lady Sigyn, the owner. She doesn't have time to go to the store herself, she's always running errands. So far, it has been operated by Minky herself. Now I am supervisor. We are currently looking for two more servers,' said the boy proudly.
''You're my age, you can't work,'' Abraxas said.
''I am an orphan. The Ministry of Magic assigned me as an apprentice to Lady Sigyn, giving her additional care over me until I graduate from Hogwarts,' the boy replied.
''But every family has cousins and so on,'' said Abraxas.
''That's true, but my closest relatives on my mother's side are incapable of caring for me, just like those on my father's side. "You could look for extended family, but since I got the title of apprentice, I'm under Lady Sigyn's temporary care until I'm 17," the boy replied.
''And what does the title of intern have to do with it?
The boy looked at him coldly. That look reminded him of his father's face when he was angry that Abraxas had gone flying on a broom instead of studying with a tutor.
''You could read your government's laws sometimes. An apprentice is a person who learns in a given position and is under the care of his or her master or mistress. He can continue his studies at Hogwarts or drop out. The master or mistress acts as temporary guardian of the apprentice unless the family objects. However, this is not the case for me, and Lady Sigyn is my guardian until I am of age,' replied the boy.
''Well, you know who I am. "Abraxas Malfoy...but I don't know your name," he replied.
''Tom Riddle'' replied the proud ''assistant''.
''I don't know the Riddle family,'' Abraxas replied worriedly.
''I'm a half-blood. "Mother was a witch, father was a muggle," replied Tom.
''I see.'' Abraxas breathed a sigh of relief. The half-blood was fine.
Suddenly Afroc appeared. His mother's house elf. His hands were still burned from his previous punishment.
''Master Abraxas, you are to return...your mother is waiting for you,'' he replied.
''Well, I have to go.'' Abraxas held out his hand to Tom Riddle.
''The package will be delivered tomorrow,'' Riddle replied.
Abraxas nodded. He'll have to convince his mother to buy him a new broom, Argentstar. Fenwick Nott already had it. He looked at store last time and he apported with Afroc.