Amosta weighed the bag in his hand — enchanted with both the Traceless Extension Charm and the Floating Charm. The fact that it still felt satisfyingly heavy even after those weight-reducing spells filled him with delight.
Seven hundred gold Galleons. That was his payment for sleeping rough in the old forests of the Jura Mountains in France and starving for half a month. It was a reward equaling an entire year's salary of a regular Hogwarts professor or a high-ranking Ministry of Magic official.
After Cacus carefully checked the basilisk heart Amosta had brought and confirmed its authenticity, he set it into a rough wooden box and smiled warmly.
"Your reputation shines brightest in the underworld, Mr. Golden Viper. Every transaction with you is a pleasure beyond words."
Amosta silently pocketed his purse, ignoring the flattery. "Everyone here is out for gold. Best not to confuse business with friendship."
"Any decent commissions lately?" he asked curtly.
"You're still as diligent as ever, Mr. Golden Viper."
Cacus wasn't offended by Amosta's coldness. Most who survived in this underground world were the careful, measured sort. It was actually Cacus's politeness and enthusiasm that made him something of an oddity among them.
Still smiling, Cacus quietly flattered Amosta as he pulled a small notebook from his robe and began flipping through it.
"What kind of task and compensation are you looking for this time?"
"My requirements haven't changed, Cacus. Don't waste both our time."
"Of course, of course. How could I forget? You don't take commissions from wizards or Muggles directly. The pay must exceed five hundred Galleons, and the time to complete the job must be short. Believe me, I never forget my clients' preferences, Mr. Golden Viper."
Cacus scanned the notebook, mumbling to himself. As the pages turned, his brows gradually furrowed. Finally, he sighed.
"I'm afraid I have to apologize, Mr. Golden Viper. Jobs that match your taste disappear fast. There was one recently — prepare and deliver magical activity inhibitors for five hundred fifty Galleons — but it was taken three days ago."
Hearing that, Amosta stood and turned to leave without hesitation.
"Please wait, Mr. Golden Viper!"
Cacus, who had anticipated this, jumped to his feet. Meeting Amosta's icy gaze made sweat prickle at his brow. He feared the man might draw his wand and impale him to the wall — as he'd once done to a quarrelsome werewolf.
"No offense," Cacus said quickly. "I truly don't have any commissions that match your conditions, but there are… some high-paying tasks. Riskier ones, of course, but perhaps worth your attention?"
"Higher risk?"
A commission labeled "high-risk" by Cacus Foley — a man who had survived the underworld for decades — was never something petty like smuggling. Amosta hesitated, then sat back down and nodded.
"Go on."
Cacus quietly exhaled in relief. Earning a commission from a dangerous wizard like the Golden Viper was never simple. One misstep, one careless word, and he might end up dead.
"The first commission offers twenty thousand gold Galleons."
Amosta's breath stilled; his eyes narrowed.
"The client sent me a magical contract from Albania. They want someone to rescue the Lestrange couple and the Carrow siblings from Azkaban. How does that sound?"
"Hmph. I'm not that stupid, Cacus. I refuse."
Amosta rejected it without pause.
If the mission had simply been a jailbreak for ordinary criminals, he might have considered it for that price. Dangerous as the Dementors were, he could handle them.
But saving *those* people — the Lestranges and the Carrows — was another matter entirely.
Everyone in the magical world knew they were among Voldemort's most fanatical Death Eaters. Anyone who freed them would draw Dumbledore's full attention, if not provoke his direct intervention. Amosta had no interest in living the rest of his life dodging the old wizard's gaze.
Besides, locating Azkaban itself would take weeks, perhaps months.
Cacus wasn't surprised by the refusal. The person who issued that commission was clearly drunk on firewhisky — or sheer madness. After all, who in their right mind would challenge the Dementors?
"Very wise, Mr. Golden Viper," Cacus said, flipping another page. "Then perhaps this next one. A client claims to have found the location of an ancient magical ruin built by a powerful wizard. They're seeking skilled wizards as guards. The commission fee isn't much, but the explorers will share all relics and discoveries equally. Interested?"
Treasure-hunting in ruins could yield immense profit — gold, gems, rare artifacts, even long-lost magic. For someone as power-driven as Amosta, it was tempting.
Still, after a moment of thought, he shook his head.
"Not because I fear danger," he said flatly. "But ruin exploration demands time, preparation, and luck. I don't gamble my gains on chance."
Cacus, patient as ever, presented several more offers. Each was either unbalanced in cost and reward or bound to bring serious trouble upon completion. Amosta rejected them all.
By the end, even Cacus was frowning at the table in frustration.
"There's one last commission," he said finally, leaning forward cautiously. "If you won't take this one, I've got nothing left."
For a moment, neither spoke. Then, watching Amosta's stillness, Cacus lowered his voice.
"Have you ever heard of Slytherin's Chamber of Secrets?"
Amosta's body stiffened. Even though much of his memory from another life had faded, anyone who had ever studied at Hogwarts had heard of the Chamber. The spells and magical discipline in his bearing were unmistakably of modern schooling; there was no reason to deny it.
"It's just a student myth," he replied coldly. "Why bring it up?"
Seeing that Amosta had taken the bait, Cacus hid his excitement behind a calm smile.
"You don't live in Britain often, so you might not have heard the gossip. The Daily Prophet didn't report it, but word's spreading: the Chamber was really opened.
Someone at Hogwarts has awakened its power, and Dumbledore can't stop it.""Wait." Amosta cut in sharply.
"What's this got to do with a commission? Are you telling me someone's paying to babysit schoolchildren?""Of course not."Cacus's grin turned sly.
"But don't you find the name Salazar Slytherin alluring? The client believes the Chamber holds a treasure — Slytherin's secret relic — now in the hands of his so-called heir.
Otherwise, why would even Dumbledore be at a loss?"Amosta remained silent. He remembered little of the tale but recalled enough to know the Chamber did not hide any great treasure or alchemical artifact — just that monster beneath the castle.Still, given the greed of wizards, this kind of rumor was inevitable.
After all, the Founders of Hogwarts were legendary sorcerers, beings of extraordinary magical power. If any of their relics were uncovered, half the wizarding world would riot to claim them."Even if that's true," Amosta said dryly, "do you really think storming Hogwarts under Dumbledore's nose is safer than breaking into Azkaban?"
"Not necessarily storming." Cacus leaned forward eagerly. "There's a more... formal approach. I can help you secure a position at the school — an external investigator commissioned by the Hogwarts Board of Governors."
"The Board?" Amosta repeated slowly.
"Yes. With the panic spreading, they must respond publicly to save face. But none of their members dare send their own people — they'd be ridiculed if more attacks happened. They need someone reliable.
Someone powerful. And Dumbledore's inaction has made them impatient. They might even welcome outside 'investigation.'"Amosta gave a dark chuckle.
"So you've been scheming to lure me into this from the start."Cacus froze, his smile faltering for an instant — but then bowed humbly again."After all, Dumbledore must approve the appointment.
So we need a wizard known for real strength and... integrity. In this world, only you fit that description."Amosta's voice turned sharp. "And what about secrecy?
You know revealing my face blows my cover."Cacus nodded quickly.
"The client will never learn who took the commission. The Board will know your public name, yes — but they'll never learn of your underworld identity.
That's my promise.""And how can I trust you?" Amosta pressed. "If both identities are known only to you, what stops you from talking?"Cacus placed a hand over his chest.
"An Unbreakable Vow — bound by the lives of all Foley blood. Your identity will remain a secret forever."Amosta studied his not-so-young face in silence.
"You're set to profit immensely from this, aren't you?""That," Cacus said with a smug smile, "is my business secret.
But for your information — the Board offers eight thousand Galleons, plus gratitude from the Ministry if Slytherin's treasure proves real. Tell me, Mr. Golden Viper — isn't that worth the risk?"