"HP: Too Late, System!"Chapter 342: I've Got Connections in Germany
The afternoon sun bathed the Quidditch pitch in a flawless, crystalline blue. Sunlight spilled across the field, gilding the earth in a shimmering veil of gold. A gentle breeze carried the scent of fresh grass, threading through the air and bringing with it a coolness unique to early summer. Flags along the sidelines snapped and fluttered—whoosh, whoosh—in the wind.
Sirius began unpacking the contents of his bag, laying out an eclectic array of magical gadgets across the table. Each item, as he set it down, came with a quick, offhand explanation.
"Auto-Tracking Binding Handcuffs: These can be keyed to a wizard's name or magical signature. The moment your target steps within ten meters—provided there's no obstruction—the cuffs will snap shut on their wrists, locking them down.
The runes on the cuffs suppress magical output, so their wand becomes about as useful as a stick. Downside? The target info can't be erased. One set, one target—useless for anyone else.
500 Galleons each, and that's a steal. Remember, my own bounty used to be 10,000 Galleons... ha! But if you've got used cuffs, I'll buy them back—1 Galleon apiece."
A gust of wind sent Scrimgeour's hair across his face, conveniently hiding the twitch at the corner of his mouth when he heard the price.
"So, you can erase the name or signature, right?"
"Nope," Sirius replied, all innocence. "But I can take them apart for parts."
He certainly wasn't about to reveal he had a little device that could wipe the data clean—a trick he'd invented using the name magic from the Marauder's Map. Granted, these cuffs weren't nearly as powerful as the Map itself—Douglas had only contributed a few minor runes. Still, Sirius couldn't help but arch an eyebrow in pride.
"Think about it—most wizards are ready for a drawn wand, but not for something flying at them out of nowhere. And these have a reverse Summoning Charm built in. Pretty slick, right?"
He moved on. "Badge Shield: The moment it senses a magical attack, it throws up a shield—like a personal Protego—around the Auror. Blocks most spells, curses, hexes. Three charges per badge. 300 Galleons each. Honestly, can you guarantee you'll never get ambushed?"
"Transforming Net Pouch: Looks like a little pouch on your belt. But if an attack spell comes your way, it morphs into a massive net and flies straight at the incoming magic. Special materials—can even take a hit from Fiendfyre for five seconds. That's long enough for the caster to get burned by their own flames. Best used with the Badge Shield; even if you're caught off guard, you'll have your opponent trussed up in no time.
500 Galleons each—worth every Knut."
"Stunning Flash Grenade: Looks like a Muggle hand grenade. Pull the pin, trigger the rune, toss it, and five seconds later—boom! Covers a five-meter radius.
Three features: First, the blast scrambles the surrounding space—no one's Apparating out for a few moments. Second, the flash blinds everyone nearby. Third—and this is the kicker—it unleashes a mass Full Body-Bind Curse. Perfect for raiding a building. One-use only, so I'll cut you a deal—500 Galleons each. If you catch a whole roomful of dark wizards, you'll make your money back in a heartbeat."
"Tactical Communication Earrings: A matched pair. Each Auror wears one. Just focus on what you want to say, and you can communicate telepathically within fifty meters. Perfect for silent coordination during covert ops—no risk of tipping off your target, and you can even pass intel to your informants without meeting face to face. 1,000 Galleons a set."
After rattling through a dozen or so gadgets, Sirius slid his hands back into his trouser pockets beneath his robes. His trademark, devil-may-care grin reappeared—lips quirking with a hint of mischief, but his eyes gleaming with unmistakable confidence.
"How about it? With these in your arsenal, you'll feel unstoppable. Of course, I've only got a few prototypes—can't mass-produce yet. But if you're not interested, well... I've got connections in Germany."
His dark hair danced in the breeze, a few strands falling across his forehead. Those storm-grey eyes sparkled with playful curiosity as he watched Scrimgeour, clearly enjoying the anticipation.
At some point, Scrimgeour had braced himself with his walking stick, standing tall and steady. His tawny hair, streaked with grey, was tousled by the wind, but it did nothing to diminish the quiet authority radiating from him.
Behind gold-rimmed glasses, his sharp yellow eyes were fixed on the table of magical devices, assessing each one with professional scrutiny. Even without testing them, the names alone—and the faint magical pulses they emitted—told him these gadgets were anything but ordinary. Likely Black family handiwork, passed down through generations.
He stood ramrod straight, every inch the old lion—powerful, vigilant, and ready to pounce.
"Illegal possession of dangerous magical artifacts at Hogwarts—should any of these cause harm, or trigger a magical disaster... Mr. Black, are you aware of the charges you'd face?"
The words broke the brief silence, Scrimgeour's voice low and grave.
Sirius just blew a strand of hair from his left eye and flashed his easy smile. "Ah, that one I'm not sure about. Good thing Director Amelia Bones is giving a lecture tomorrow—I'll ask her then, get myself properly educated."
He spoke lightly, as if it were all a minor trifle.
Scrimgeour continued to stare, suspicion written plainly on his face. He was certain Sirius was playing dumb.
Sirius shrugged, putting on a look of exaggerated resignation. "Alright, alright. Since we're old mates, I'll give you the best deal within my authority. Take the whole lot, and I'll knock off two percent—call it a 98% deal."
He gestured expansively, as if offering the bargain of a lifetime. Some old friend—he remembered all too well that Scrimgeour had been the most zealous in the hunt for him back in the day.
Scrimgeour managed a strained, awkward smile, clearly unimpressed with the price. "You know how it is—Auror funding approvals are a nightmare in peacetime... Wait, did you say 'within your authority'? Aren't these your own inventions?"
His eyes narrowed, suspicious, searching Sirius's face for answers.
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