Lilith squinted slightly as she tried walking down Diagon Alley after getting her new eye in working order. Healer Hardew had suggested she take a walk to get used to the eye, especially after getting her depth perception back, while being away from ward heavy Gringotts. Alexander had agreed and went to see Lothbrok about his own finances while Lilith went on her walk, as both agreed that she was relatively safe in the Alleys. Lilith fingered her holsters, feeling the weight of some of the blades hidden inside, just in case. She had refrained from using them as anything other than as a last resort, out of concern that any information about the duel would get back to Grindelwald, something that was entirely possible with the Rosiers. Having an edge over her opponents, no matter how minor it seemed, was something that Lilith wasn't going to ignore. As she perused some of the wares on the window displays, Lilith unfortunately found little in the Alley that interested her, except in the bookstores, though nothing about the subjects she was currently interested in. She had already completed the paperwork for the metals that she needed from the Dwarven smiths in Switzerland and would soon be able to take her project out of the design stage and into a practical construct. Until then, however, she needed to focus more on helping Tom out for the rest of the summer. Eventually, Lilith did stop at a certain intersection and debated silently whether it was worth checking out the less frequented shops, before setting foot in Knockturn Alley. The place was surprisingly cleaner than she remembered from Lillian's experiences, with the Hags sitting behind a few street stalls, offering their poultices to the public. Lilith got a few strange looks by other pedestrians as she looked over what the Hags were offering. " Do you have anything to protect against scrying for properties? "
The two hags at the stall she stopped at were stunned as she spoke to them in their Shtokavian language, an old Slavic root dialect that the Hags used as a native tongue, as a way of speaking to each other without being overheard by the speakers of the more modern languages. Lilith was certainly glad her parents, both polyglots, saw fit to teach her most of the languages used by the Dark Races and their allies, with the Hags in the Bregenzerwald region favoring it greatly along with modern German. As Lilith revealed her family's ring, the older Hag' face broke into a smile. " Ah, the Lady of Schwarzwald. A pleasure to speak with one so well taught and so well respected by our kin from across the channel. We would be honoured to provide you with the requested protection. For how long will you need to keep yourself from being seen via scrying? " Lilith ran the dates after the end of term through her head. " Two months from the start of July. " The Hag looked over her wares. " Our means of protection from prying eyes for such a short time need to be prepared just prior to use, but it is doable. " Lilith nodded, and pulled out a few galleons. "Would you accept an early deposit to have the protection ready by July 1st? " The Hag bared her jagged teeth in a smile. " We would have it ready by the morning of the 1st without issue, especially after the Solstice. The magic should hold up better without the shifting currents of the world ." Lilith negotiated for a final price and paid them a third upfront, with the Hags bowing to her in an odd show of respect from the known man eaters.
Spotting the entrance to "Borgin and Burkes," Lilith entered so as to test her ability to spot enchantments better with her new eye. It took a lot more concentration to get the right focus, as her vision kept trying to linger in the void-like realm that Alexander had warned her about. Lilith briefly wondered if it was the same realm that the schattenwolves used for travel, though it looked slightly different and more devoid of definition than the wolves realm. After confirming that she could now see the enchantments better without the usual spells, she lingered on a few cursed objects, spotting the difference in their more jagged and pulsing magic when compared to a basic enchanted object's more even and steady magical aura. As she wandered the shop, she was able to overhear the manager as soon as he started speaking to an older woman. "Ahh, Lady Smith. Always good to see you here. What can I help find for you today?" Lilith gazed surreptitiously at the two as the finely dressed woman looked over his display cases. "I am curious if any more oddities have made it your way, Burke." Burke waved his hands over the display. "A few trinkets and treasures from the continent, sold to me by their former owners who needed the galleons after being chased out of their homes. Such a shame really. Though I am unsure if you will find much to match your previous purchase. Founder artefacts are the rarest of the rare, after all, especially those related to Slytherin."
Perking up at the mention of Founders Artefacts and Slytherin, Lilith moved a little close to the main desk, enough that Burke took notice of her presence. "Anything caught your fancy, child?" Lilith shook her head. "Not really. You mentioned something about Continental items?" The man nodded and gestured at the display. "All right here, most in fine or perfect condition." Lilith looked them over under the careful gaze of the older lady, when a particular object caught her attention. "Could I see that golden bracelet?" The old man nodded and pulled it out of the display, placing it on the countertop. "The owner was uncertain as to the origins, as their family made a living as traders of magical objects from across the world but ceased their trade after the muggle Trade Companies took greater control over the trade routes and the foreigners grew wary. It is enchanted but I am uncertain as to how and with what effects. Some rare magic was used for this, making for quite the unique piece." Lilith touched it slightly, recognizing the feel of the magic. The bracelet itself was a common enough design of a snake coiling itself into overlapping rings, allowing the bracelet to work either high up the arm near the shoulder or across a person's lower arm, near the wrist. The eyes themselves looked to be made of green emeralds. "It's from the Indian Subcontinent, if I am not mistaken. Enchanted using Sanskrit engravings, cobra blood and some gems. Not bad craftsmanship and definitely handmade by a proper craftsman of the region, rather than a British replica. Ultimately useless to anyone who can't utilize it as anything but a piece of jewelry. How much are you willing to sell it for?"
As Burke tried to sell it to her for far too high a price, Lilith could feel the woman watching their interaction. Eventually Burke sold it, leaving Lilith with a few less galleons in her pocket, but not as much as he would have liked. It was a good thing she had stopped by Gringotts earlier though, as she never tended to carry that many galleons on her person. As she slipped the bracelet over her hand, Lady Smith spoke up. "Not bad work, young lady. May I ask what you meant, however, when you said the object was useless without those who could utilize it?" Lilith looked up at her and smiled, glad that her comment served as adequate bait. "Objects in this style are restricted in their activation by the magic used to enchant them. In the Subcontinent, these particular enchanted objects are sealed with Parselmagic. Only a Parselmouth can use it to its full potential. Rumour has it that Salazar Slytherin used similar locks on his own possessions." The lady nodded in understanding, noting that the bracelet was too large for Lilith. "Well, it seems you will need to grow a bit more to use that on your person." Lilith shook her head. "Not really. ~ Reshape to fit, though not tightly. "~ Both Burke and Lady Smith starred as the bracelet's snake shifted in form, coiling itself tighter against Lilith's arm, now fitted snugly against her skin. "See?" Hepzibah closed her opened mouth and seemed to think over something. "Would you be willing to look over an object of mine, young lady? I am curious if it too possesses any unexpected qualities that Parselmouth may be able to trigger."
Looking at the time on the grandfather clock in the store, Lilith replied. "I don't have much free time today, as I was in the Alley waiting for a contact of mine to be free for us to be able to discuss payment for services rendered, but I do have some time left at least for a chat. Would you like to discuss your request with me over a cup of tea at "Titania's?"" Lady Smith looked her over once more. "I am surprised that you are aware of such an exclusive restaurant, but I am afraid you would not be able to enter. The establishment is for Ladies only." Lilith chuckled before revealing her left hand and the ring on it. "I can assure, my dear Lady, I am more than capable of joining you for some of Britain's best tea and magical pastries." Hepzibah's eyes looked over Lilith's ring, a smile forming on her face. "Then it's settled. Let us make our way there. Fortescue's tea is always better with pleasant company." Lilith nodded. "Of course." She turned to Burke and bowed her head slightly. "Thank you for your business, Mister Burke. It would be appreciated if you wouldn't discuss my interesting trait. It can certainly lead to further business for both of us in the future if we have a relationship of trust, wouldn't you say?" The old man smiled softly and bowed his head. "But of course, young lady. Enjoy your day and come back again anytime." Lilith left Knockturn Alley with Lady Smith, hoping her hunch was right. If it was, her liquid assets might just take a massive loss in the upcoming months, but it might just be worth it.