Harry Potter and the Ties that Bind

Chapter 12

Madam Amora's shop looked exactly as he remembered. The cluttered room revealed itself to him as he pushed aside the curtain and stepped into the threshold. Tables and stands covered by magical items littered the floor. Articles of all kinds buzzed and whirred, smoked and bubbled. Harry still didn't know what half of these artifacts did, but he could feel the magic surrounding them.

"You have returned, child."

Harry turned around. Mada Amora stood in the entryway to the back room. Clothing covered her from head to toe. Dark and heavy, her purple robes were covered in accouterments that hung from the fabric, decorating what would have been an otherwise plain outfit. Two yellow eyes glowed like twin moons, visible beneath a cowl that covered the rest of her face. As always, the woman carried a mystical air about her.

The woman paused upon seeing him. Despite being disguised using several powerful charms, Harry felt almost like she could see right through them.

"I see that you have faced many hardships recently." She tilted her head. "I shan't ask about what difficulties you have been through. What brings you back to my store, young one?"

"I'm need of your talents," Harry replied, pulling out a small necklace with a golden pendant attached to it. "I would like you to enchant this."

"As expected, but what sort of enchantments do you wish to be placed on it?"

"The kind to make me invisible."

Madam Amora paused. "Invisibility is not an enchantment that can be done easily, or even truly, for it is impossible to render one invisible without the aid of an invisibility cloak. Even the most powerful of invisibility charms do not render one truly invisible."

"I am aware of that," Harry responded. "What I meant was that I would like you to enchant this so that the eyes of others slide over me when they look in my direction, sort of how a warding charm keeps regular humans away."

"Ah, now that is something that is within my power to accomplish," Madam Amora said. "Though it will still cost a good deal of money. Enchantments like that are powerful, and they require at least a week to prepare, especially if you want them done right."

"That's fine. There are still three weeks before I need it."

"So I see," Madam Amora murmured. Harry felt a moment of discomfort as her yellow eyes pierced him, however, he shoved these feelings aside and stared right back, earning a nod of approval from the woman, who held out her hand. "Hand me the pendant. I shall begin enchanting it within two days time, during the next full moon. That will increase the potency of the enchantment. It should be done before the next lunar cycle."

"Thank you."

Harry handed Madam Amora the pendant. After gazing at it for a moment, the mysterious woman nodded and pocketed the object within her robes.

Harry was about to leave, when Madam Amora spoke up, startling him.

"There are many people searching for you, young one," she started. "I do not know why you have disappeared from the public eye, nor do I understand what it is you hope to gain with these enchantments. I shall not ask either, as it is not my place to know such things. However, please take this piece of advice to heart. It does not matter how far or how fast you run. No one can escape from their own darkness. If you do not confront yourself, and soon, then you may very well lose that which makes you unique."

Harry stood in the doorway for several seconds, his fists clenched.

Are you going to let her speak to you like that?

He closed his eyes, nostrils flaring as he fought the urge to yell.

Come now, teach this woman a lesson. Show her what it means to cross someone as powerful as yourself.