It was another ordinary day.
After finishing his lessons, Scott pushed open the dormitory door.
“Good evening, Scott.”
Eddie was the only one in the dormitory.
He was putting on a huge rucksack.
“Milton went to the Classical Music Club, and Roger has another date with a girl,” Eddie told Scott.
“And you’re going out to swindle people again,” Scott said.
Eddie gave him an ingratiating smile.
“Don’t expose me, Scott.
I only want to earn a little money for my trouble.”
Scott shook his head.
“I won’t go out of my way to expose you.
But I should remind you that I’m not the only person who knew the Baruffio’s Brain Elixir you sold last year was really Doxy droppings.”
“Oh, of course.
Plenty of people are able to tell whether a potion is genuine,” Eddie said eagerly.
“But business requires strategy and careful selection of customers.
I chose empty-headed young wizards who were desperate enough to try anything to get through their exams.”
He took the rucksack off again, placed it on his bed and opened it while continuing to talk.
“Besides, your information is out of date.
Baruffio’s Brain Elixir was only a limited product for the examination season.
This time, I’ve brought something completely new!”
He took a small glass bottle out of the rucksack and shook it in his hand.
“Specially formulated hair-care potion.
Say goodbye to dry, frizzy hair!”
Scott took the bottle, opened it and sniffed it.
“I’m sure this is only ginger conditioner from a Muggle brand.
My mother uses the same kind.”
“Well?
I spent a lot of money this time.
This isn’t on the same level as Doxy droppings.
At least this stuff does something.” Eddie looked rather pleased with himself.
“I think many Muggle-born students will recognise it.” Scott handed the bottle back.
“I won’t rescue you if someone sees through the trick and beats you up, Eddie.”
Eddie put the bottle back into his rucksack and showed no concern.
“It doesn’t matter.
I told you that business requires careful selection of customers.
This time, I’ll sell the ‘hair-care potion’ to young witches who know nothing about the Muggle world, or who normally pay no attention to cosmetics.”
“Suit yourself.”
Scott shook his head and took A Guide to Advanced Transfiguration from the bookshelf beside his bed.
“You know, ever since the dazzling Professor Lockhart arrived at Hogwarts, some of the young witches infatuated with him have awakened to the importance of beauty.
They’re especially enthusiastic about hair care.”
Eddie’s mouth did not stop easily.
But they can’t afford the Occamy egg-yolk shampoo Professor Lockhart promotes, even though he has repeatedly boasted that his shampoo gives you ‘locks of lustrous luminosity’.”
He put the rucksack on again and patted his chest.
“That is when I, Eddie Carmichael, Ravenclaw’s underground merchant, must step in and save their hair and their love of beauty.”
“That’s enough, Eddie.
Please shut up.
I need to go to Professor McGonagall’s Transfiguration Club.” Scott had no desire to stay and listen to Eddie’s business ideas.
“Oh, all right.
Do you need me to give you a few bottles?” Eddie looked up at Scott’s glossy black curls.
“They would at least make your hair smell nice.”
“No, thank you.”
Scott refused without hesitation.
He picked up his books and wand and walked towards the dormitory door, giving Eddie a wary glare.
“Don’t use my name to advertise them.
I don’t want some strange rumour about me suddenly spreading around the school.”
“All right, all right.” Eddie looked at him regretfully and followed.
“Wait for me.
I’m going out too.”
Even after leaving the dormitory, Eddie did not stop talking.
“But that doesn’t matter.
Milton has already accepted my gift.
His long, smooth hair is more convincing than your short, naturally curly hair.”
“I’ll bet Milton has no idea what you’re planning.
He was only happy to accept a gift from his friend!” Scott gave him another contemptuous look.
Eddie grinned shamelessly.
“What does it matter?
We both benefit.”
Scott was too lazy to argue with him.
He only gave him a warning.
“You’d better not sell this stuff inside Ravenclaw.
Things won’t go well for you in the House afterwards.”
“Of course.
I’m not that stupid!” Eddie promised confidently.
Yet as soon as they passed through the common room, he ran over to a young witch sitting alone beside a window.
“Good evening, Luna!”
Eddie greeted her warmly.
“Good evening, Eddie.”
The young witch had dark golden-brown hair and spoke in a dreamy voice.
She did not look at Eddie while speaking.
She wore a strange pair of spectacles and stared motionlessly out of the window.
Luna Lovegood was another of Ravenclaw’s new first-years.
She was not a sociable young witch.
Even Scott had occasionally heard other students call her “Loony”.
According to Eddie’s latest information, Luna was the only younger Ravenclaw girl who was not Muggle-born and had not joined Jasmine Travers’ group.
Of course, that had made her isolation among the other girls even worse.
“Oh, Luna, you might not be happy to hear me say this,” Eddie said with a false show of seriousness.
“But I must be objective.
Your hair is a little frizzy.”
Luna turned towards him and removed her spectacles.
“Is it?”
She touched her hair, revealing a pair of carrot-shaped earrings.
“I think it’s all right.”
Her eyes were slightly prominent and her eyebrows were faint, giving her a permanently surprised expression.
“But I think it could look better!”
Seeing that Eddie was about to begin selling his product to Luna, Scott walked over in amusement and grabbed one of the straps of Eddie’s rucksack.
“Eddie.”
He gave Eddie a warning look, then said to Luna, “Don’t listen to him, Miss Lovegood.”
“I know you.
You’re Scott Trollope.
I like the painting you gave Professor Flitwick.” Luna looked at Scott with a vague, dreamy gaze.
“Shall I call you Scott?”
“Of course.” Scott smiled.
“By the way, Eddie likes selling harmless but useless little things.
You’d better not believe anything he tries to sell you.”
“Hey!
Scott!”
Eddie stared at Scott in disbelief, his eyes full of accusation.
[I thought you said you wouldn’t expose me?]
[I thought you said you wouldn’t sell anything in Ravenclaw?]
Scott answered him with a meaningful look.
“Heh, ha ha ha…”
Luna suddenly began laughing in a somewhat exaggerated manner.
“You two are quite interesting,” she said.
“You should call me Luna too, Scott.”
“All right, Luna.
But we have to leave now.
Goodbye.”
Scott waved the books in his hand.
“Goodbye.”
Luna waved, then turned back towards the window and put on the strange spectacles again.
“Let’s go.”
Scott dragged the resentful-looking Eddie out of the common room.
(End of Chapter)
…
T/N :
Feed me Power Stones to keep me motivated.
This translation is pure volunteer work, so every bit of support helps me continue.