We easily got the rest of the supplies for Salems initial tutoring and returned to the Leaky cauldron to wait for Ragkog. I rented a room from Tom for the day where I got to work teaching her the practicals. Wand movement, enunciation, intent, the flow of magic, that sort of thing. Hours passed and as I had anticipated she soaked up everything I taught her like a desiccated sponge. She went from pointing her wand unsurely to fluidly replicating any movement a spell might call for. Honestly her learning ability was scarily strong as she made even my speed before I absorbed Grindelwalds skill stone look slow.-
'So this is what it looks like from the outside. No wonder everyone is so freaked out by it.' I thought with a sigh.
"THUNK THUNK THUNK!"
Three hard fast impacts came from the door and we both stopped what we were doing. I waved my hand at the door and it opened. There standing at the door was a set of people that caused me to raise my eyebrow in interest. One was the predicted Ragkog. The other however shared features so eerily similar to my own that that there was only one name in the British wizarding community that came to mind, Lucius Malfoy.-
"Ragkog and Mr...?" I said acting like I didn't recognize him.
"Malfoy, Lucius Malfoy." he introduced himself with a polite smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"Ah, Draco's father. I am Alexander Drake. A pleasure to make your acquaintance." I say with equal politeness.
"Salem Drake." Salem said imperiously.
"The pleasure is mine. I was greatly surprised to receive word that the talk of the wizarding world here in the isles was looking to purchase a property I own." the man said letting himself in.
"It's for her. I am merely the one providing the funds for acquisition and renovation." I say honestly.
"I see. Well I have come with your accountant to discuss the price and potentially a different bit of business." he said calmly, his voice soft but direct.
"I would like to see the property first. Quality control you understand." I say politely and he tilts his head slightly.
"Of course. Please come along." he said before turning sharply causing his robes to swish behind him.
Salem and I exit the room and lock the door before walking with Lucius and Ragkog out of the pub and back into Diagon alley.-
"So Mr. Drake how does someone so young come to accrue such a vast fortune?" Lucius asked idly as we walked.
Ragkog nearly tripped at the question but clearly also wanted to know.
"Business and opportunities Mr. Malfoy. I acquire things and sell them to the right people for a delightful profit. The majority of my current fortune comes from the hands of the Flammels for goods delivered. But I have had business with Mr. Scamander and Madam Olympia as well." I say calmly.
"Interesting. How does one go about meeting such figures at your tender age?" he asked obviously fishing for information.
"Coincidence believe it or not. Mr. Scamander came to Hogwarts following the migration of a flock of Thunderbirds. Majestic creatures those. While he was there I made a trade with him for a couple beast eggs I happened to have on hand. For Madam Olympia and Mr. flammel it was during my winter trip to France. They both took a shine to me and our dealings after that came as a result of continued contact." I said completely truthfully.
It was genuinely coincidence that led me to meeting all three personages and making deals with them. Albeit coincidences my own actions caused but coincidence all the same.
"It would seem luck favors you." he said with a hint of something I was pretty sure was envy.
"Just a little. It is only through my own efforts that I could grasp these opportunities in the end." I said humbly.
"Between you and Mr. Potter it would seem the future of the wizarding world is bright indeed. Speaking of "the boy who lived" Draco tells me you pay the boy little attention yet saved him at the end of the year. Might I ask why?" he said practically spitting out Harry's title.
"I happened to have noticed him rushing off and followed out of curiosity. You can imagine my shock at that terrible turn of events. I merely acted as one would hope any would in that situation." I said humbly.
"Coincidences seem to find you often Mr. Drake." he said pointedly before stopping in front of an empty store. "We are here." he said calmly.
It was a large building. Easily the size of two normal stores put together. Rivalling even flourish and Blots in fact. It had however clearly remained unoccupied for some time as the wood was dusty and ill cared for and the windows fogged from lack of maintenance. It stood two stories tall and the second floor clearly wasn't any better.
"I would like to see the inside. I assume there's a basement yes?" I asked.
"Of course." Lucius said calmly as he produced an old key and unlocked the door that creaked loudly as it swung open.