"Anyways, back to the topic that was at hand. How much do you think I know?" I asked, voice calm but pointed.
He regarded me for a long moment before exhaling. "My hunch is that you know more than most."
I let a beat pass before responding. "I know that something important is being guarded at Hogwarts. And that Quirrell has been attempting to steal it."
Dumbledore's expression remained neutral. "And what, may I ask, led you to that conclusion?"
"Halloween was the first clue," I said casually. "A troll let into the castle? Quite the distraction, wouldn't you say? And who was the most flustered professor that evening? Why, the very one meant to be teaching us how to defend ourselves against dark creatures."
His fingers tapped lightly against his desk. "I suspect you have other sources as well considering you stated that clue as the first?"
"I do," I confirmed. "But, as any businessman would tell you, my sources remain confidential. However, rest assured that if I learn anything that directly threatens the students or staff, I will report it immediately."
Dumbledore leaned back in his chair. "Yet you did not inform me or the staff about Quirrell."
"Because I knew you already knew," I countered smoothly.
"And what makes you so certain of that?"
I smiled. "Hogwarts: A History. Between the house-elves, the portraits, the prefects, and the staff, there is very little that happens in this castle without your knowledge. But tell me, Professor... did you truly not know?"
A long silence stretched between us. He did not answer.
I stood up. "You plan to test Harry. That's your choice. I'm just a merchant looking to build long-lasting connections."
Dumbledore observed me carefully. "And how much would it cost to buy your silence?"
I chuckled. "Not a Knut. Sharing another customer's secrets would be bad business."
The corners of his lips twitched, and he nodded. "A fair philosophy."
I turned toward the door, but just as I reached it, he called out, "Wait."
I turned, raising an eyebrow.
"The mirror. I would like it returned."
I smirked and rubbed my fingers together in the universal sign for money.
Dumbledore gave an exasperated sigh as he massaged his building headache. "How much?"
I tilted my head and let out a chuckle. "That was a joke, I don't really need money. I want to borrow the Philosopher's Stone for a day at the end of the year."
Dumbledore's face morphed from mild exasperation to outright exhaustion. "So you know about the stone."
I grinned. "Was that really a secret? You told Hagrid, of all people. You were practically begging for it to become public knowledge."
Dumbledore let out a begrudging chuckle, shaking his head slightly. "Hagrid does have a tendency to be... forthcoming."
"I agree. The man has a heart of gold. No one will deny that, but with his naive personality and ability to let slip anything when his guard is down... Its almost as if you were begging this news to get out. Wouldn't you agree?"
Dumbledore just sat there with a tired expression. "Well, not many take the time to visit Hagrid on a daily basis other than Harry, so I figured if anyone were to find out, it would be him."
"Oh he knows about the philosophers stone as well, don't get me wrong. You did splendidly on that part. Before Christmas Break, Harry asked me who Flamel was which tipped me off already."
"Well, I regret to inform you that I cannot lend you the stone. First, it is not mine to lend. Also, by handing it to you, even for a day, the security of the stone could never be guaranteed." said Dumbledore in a more genial tone.
"I whole heartedly agree. I will make sure to reach out to the Flamels to gain their permission. This is their personal legacy. It does not do to make deals with another's legacy. I will also make it my personal quest to have it delivered to the Flamels personally during the summer holidays, I only make this deal because I DO have a way to ensure the stones safety."
Dumbledore seemed intrigued by my statement. "And, what may this guaranteed safe measure be?"
I wagged my finger "nuh uh uh, that would be telling now wouldn't it?"
Dumbledore seemed to show a little annoyance at this. "I demand to know Mr. Kingston. If this is dark magic, than.."
I lifted my wand "I swear upon my life and magic that my method of keeping the stone safe from others, although hidden is in no means dark. Lumos, Nox. Now to cast a spell to prove I still have magic." at this I lifted my wand and casted a non verbal Lumos.
Dumbledore sat stock still like a statue with his mouth hanging open.
"Mr. Kingston!! An unbreakable vow is never to be taken lightly! You could have lost your life!!" Dumbledore looked very angry.
"Just so you know Headmaster, I have researched and memorized any and every single way to make promises and contracts. This seemed the most sure fire way, wouldn't you agree?" I said with a serious expression. "Please know, to me, a business transaction or deal is considered my life blood. I always make good on my promises."
Dumbledore looked at me with mouth still agape before just drooping his head. "Very well. Should you gain their permission first 'which I doubt you will gain' than I will allow it."
We struck an agreement. I would return the mirror to him in his office by tomorrow, and should I gain the Flamels permission, I would be solely responsible for delivering the stone back to the Flamels in person.
Everything was written in a magically binding contract. I made sure the penalty for breach was severe—loss of magic. Dumbledore was visibly unsettled by that clause, but I pointed out that if neither of us intended to break the contract, then there was no issue.
Dumbledore frowned, tapping a long, thoughtful finger against his desk. "It is quite the extreme consequence, Mr. Kingston."
I leaned forward slightly. "You weren't planning on breaking the deal to begin with, were you, Professor?"
Dumbledore's expression flickered, just for a moment, before he let out a soft sigh. "Loss of magic is a rather severe penalty, you must admit. It is less a contract clause and more a threat against one's way of life."
I tilted my head. "The stone is a serious magical artifact. Shouldn't the contract be treated just as seriously?"
Dumbledore studied me carefully, clearly searching for a way out of the corner I had backed him into. Finding none, he finally gave a small, measured nod. "Very well. That is a reasonable. But I have another idea. You said, you had a guaranteed way to keep the stone safe. I would like to test your method." Dumbledore went to his desk and pulled out what looks to be a bright red feathered quill that looked unmistakably like Fawkes's.
"I will hand you this quill. Should you succeed in keeping this hidden for at least a week and present it to me personally before the school year is out, I will write a letter to the Flamels endorsing your idea. Also please be aware that you are to prevent this from being taken by anyone. This includes staff as well as other students. Do we have a accord?" Dumbledore asked with a twinkle in his eye.
That twinkle is kind of creepy but this sounded like a challenge.
"If I accept this challenge, you must swear to me in writing in regards to this stipulation." I said as I brought out a clean magical parchment and wrote out the details of this challenge and what I would be awarded.
While I was scribbling out the details to a minute degree Dumbledore's expression faltered.
"Is this really necessary?"
"Yes" I said without hesitation.
Dumbledore heaved a heavy sigh with a chagrin. "Alright, if you insist" Dumbledore sign the parchment.
"CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!!" I said enthusiastically.
I accepted the quill and tucked it into my pocket which went straight into my inventory.
I smirked as I started walking away. "Pleasure doing business with you, Headmaster."
As I left I gave a slight turn at the door as my expression turned serious one more time. "If Harry's life is truly in danger, I will involve myself. That is non-negotiable."
Dumbledore regarded me with a look that I couldn't quite decipher as I left.
And with that, I left his office, already planning my next move.
Harry was supposed to have received his cloak on Christmas and should have encountered the mirror that same night.
Since the mirror was out of commission already, I wonder if Harry even got the cloak.
"Well, looks like I may have caused a slight Delay in Cannon." I say with an exasperated sigh.