Getting Sorted
I admired my handy work for a while. The one thing I hate about McDonalds is their fries. Unless you ask them to make it extra crispy they become a soggy mess after 5 minutes. I drank my coke and looked around. The few patrons inside were still slack-jawed. I cleared the table of my tray and left.
I was noticed. Of course I was. I didn't try to be sneaky as that would be more suspicious. The human mind is a fascinating thing. It'll try and rationalize what it perceives. And neuroscience and psychology are not my forte. I just splatter brain matter.
My concern now is my health. Years of malnutrition and abuse have left this body in a horrible state. I don't know if there was a previous owner of this flesh bag or not. I just woke up like this yesterday. Anyway I can either go to a normal hospital. The doctors and nurses would be able to rehabilitate me over the next few years. The magical hospital St. Mungo's will take a few weeks. The problem with this is it will leave a trail. No doubt some magical people are looking for me. I can go with them and be 'safe' or I can sort this out myself.
My options are. Going somewhere else. Southern France is nice this time of year. Miami and L.A. are also options. There are magical communities all over the world. The only problem is I don't know how connected they are. And honestly I'm a bit apprehensive about what all this entails. What is the point of this? I'm basically a life support system for the planet, if I die so does this planet. I mean Lady Abyss/Hermione can just wipe the floor with the death eaters and snake-face in seconds.
The information package that I bought outlined specifically that I must play an active role in the coming events. Unless I want innocent people to die. I've seen enough of my friends die. I don't want the deaths of random people on my conscious. I have a choice, but not really. I know who and what I am. And also who and what I'm not.
I'll go along with the story, but I refuse to be a pawn for others to move around as they please. But I also have to realize that as I am now, I'm not even on the board much less a player in the game. I am being manipulated by Dumbledore, and he doesn't even have to do anything. With a word, a series of events will take place, that will leave me exposed to dangers. Or imprisoned in the name of security.
Remembering some bits and pieces from the movies. I feel that as if learning new spells and discovering my history and events taking place was too coincidental. I understand that they were movies and stories. And good storytelling requires a certain level of suspense. However this is not a movie or a book. I am alive, however that came to be I don't really care, and I like breathing. So I shall endeavour to keep breathing for as long as possible.
My second option is to remain in England and use the services of Gringotts to remedy my physical condition. And if possible remove the Horcrux from my forehead. The information package is very through. I spent £5000 on it after all.
I need to fix my body. Get money. Get some place to live. Get money. Learn more about magic and my actual place in the world. Get money.
I was far enough away from the town square that I could walk into an alley and produce my bicycle. I had bought a simple BMX bike. It'll do for the next few years. I made my way to one of the inns in town. It was next to a pub. A van in the back was being unloaded. The men were carrying instruments and speakers, ah a travelling band. I'll go and see them if I can get a room. Surrey county has a pretty good cricket club. Jack Hobbs played for them. Maybe when I'm older I'll give it a go. If not, I'll join the Royal Marine Commandos as I did previously. Maybe I can bring back more of my boys this time around.
Walking into the inn, I went to the receptionist. "Hello sir, I would like a room for myself and my father." I said to the man at the counter.
"Good evening child, where is your father?" Asked the man, his nametag said Henry.
"He will be in the pub next door, he's gone to get some cigarettes from the newsagents." I responded calmly.
"Very well, do you have the money, or do I have to wait for your father to stumble in?" Inquired Henry
"I have the money, a Double room please, if possible." I requested Henry.
"Alright then. Here you go room 413. That'll be fifty quid a day. 200 quid for the week." Henry informed me.
"Two days please." I said as I handed him a hundred pounds.
I took the kays and went to my room. I locked it behind me. I got cleaned up in the bathroom. I bought a new set of clothes from the SHOP. I went out from my room locking it behind me. Despite eating a decent and sizable meal for an eight year old already. I was still hungry. I went down stairs and looked around and saw Henry.
"Hello Henry, where can I get something to eat?" I asked politely.
"Oh hey kid, yeah there are a few places open at this time. You can try the pub next door, or the chip shop down the road that-a-way." Henry explained as he pointed to the opposite direction of the pub.
"I'll try the pub, thank you Henry." I thanked the man and walked away.
*****
The fish and chips at the pub were pretty good. A bit of hot sauce and the fish was amazing. I ordered an extra serving of fish. The band was alright. Nothing amazing. A bunch of college kids trying to make it big. I ate with the background noise.
The 90s was a good time to be alive. People were still trusting, but the times were changing. I thought about the upcoming investment opportunities and how to setup my accounts. I was broken out of my thoughts by the applause from the crowd. I looked at my plate, the chips were cold now. there were only 3 left, I stuffed them in my face and left the pub.
There was no one at the front counter. I made it to my room and went to bed, belly full for the first time in this life.
*****
In my time at the inn, I studied the information package. I used the provided notepad and pen to make notes and plans for how to proceed. I looked into the settings for the system. I setup alerts and alarms for a variety of things. Mostly for the the times for the most profitable trades in history.
I had roughly £762,000. There were certain things in the SHOP that would help me immensely. An assortment of ageing potions, temporary with different time frames, and permanent with an option for a reversal potion. There was also information on gangs and police investigations. Information and explanations on how to open a proper trading account with access to international markets for equities and commodities. Gold is at a high right now, shorting it now is the best possible play. The dot-com bubble and rapid expansion of the tech industry will make it one of the best long term plays. Just percentage-wise, I'm looking at a 1000% return on just the raw commodity, bring in futures and options, and I'm half-way to being a billionaire with only £250,000 initial investment. I need Oil, Gold, semi-conductors, tech, pharma and consumer goods. The First Gulf war in 2 years will make me a few hundred million. Simply from investments in oil. Plays in currency require a lot more money, I need to raise funds.
I bought the permanent ageing potion with the option to reverse the ageing. It cost £3000 for a set of five. Five ageing and five reversal potions. A three-piece business suit that goes with the times. I also bought a BMW E9 CSL and a BMW M3 E30. The INVENTORY can store a lot of stuff. All of this brought me down to £717,000.
My time was over in a few hours. I headed out of the inn and towards a secluded part of town. There was a factory/warehouse with the name Grunnings Drills. This'll do. I went to the side of the warehouse and took out the M3 E30. I sat in the car and unequipped my current clothes and drank the ageing potion.
It felt like pins and needles for about a minute before I was 6'9" and cramped in the current drivers position. Looking down, I realized a was very well endowed. I equipped my new set of clothes. Doing so I looked around and the coast was clear. The HUD didn't display anything and the MAP showed people behind the factory/warehouse. Probably kids getting high. I moved my seat back, turned the key and the engine roared to life. I backed out of the lot and onto the road. The MAP pointed to the Barclay's Head Office.
Well since today was Saturday, I couldn't go to the bank. So I went to The Savoy. Connecting with a few rich people will provide a gateway into the investing world. The sudden drop in the amount of yuppies due to last years crash will mean I am not wasting my time with riff-raff.
*****
It took about half an hour to get to the office in London. Little Whinging was on the border of Surrey and Greater London. I pulled up to the front and gave the keys to the valet with a £20 tip, told him to leave it out front if possible.
The doorman open the door, "Afternoon sir," He said.
"Afternoon." I responded with a smile and another 20 quid tip.
I asked for a single room at the reception. I gave the girl behind the counter my ID.
Name: Damien Gilchrist
DOB: 7 Nov 1962
...
I paid in cash and went to my room. Room number 413, again.
The Savoy was close to Charing Cross and the Leaky Cauldron. I can move around freely between both worlds in such a location. I really must look into an apartment nearby. The sheer convenience of being in a city such as London is immense. I mean seriously, for the people living in Scotland, you still have to come to London to get on a bloody train.
I'll buy a house in Mayfair, should keep the uppity types from trying anything. I will also need to buy the spells and ward stones for protection of my property. Or I can just stay here for the next few years, as long as they don't mind a permanent paying guest.
I'll have to get in touch with a few governors and board members. A casual conversation, should either give me a go ahead or abort condition. Residing at The Savoy just adds an effortless prestige. I'll go to one of the three bars and see what happens.
*****07:37 Sunday 17 April 1988*****
Escorts is what happens. I woke up with two women, one on either side of me. Well they looked really good 3 whiskeys in. 5 whiskeys and it seemed like a good idea. I really need to sort out my original body. My current body is normal. like completely normal. I know I am better than this. I'll go and explore the magical side today and go take care of muggle business tomorrow.
I got up and went to the bathroom for my morning ablutions.
Note to self, become the main distributor of sex, drugs and violence. The money is insane.
*****09:15*****
I stood in front of the Leaky Cauldron. I had taken a reversal potion in one of the restaurant's many bathroom stalls. I went in and asked to be let through to Diagon Alley. The barkeep was kind enough to show me the pattern on the wall.
I just said I was running an errand for my parents who were doing something in the city. That's all it took. I mean they seriously need better security.
I had made sure to hide my scar with make up. I borrowed some from Samantha. She won't miss it.
The wall opened up to reveal an eclectic assortment of buildings and sights. The MAP showed the location of Gringotts. I walked to the location and later into the building. Time to handle business.