HP: A Sociopath Gamer In Magic World [ Chapter 117: Pink Headband! ] (Patreon)

I pointed to the quest window, "I figured. What happened?"

"Turns out that it wasn't a sex ring like everyone thought. It was actually a human ingredients shop run by a group of hags that kidnapped girls and sold them piece by piece," the bird said.

"Oh, that's a shame, and the girl?" I asked boredly.

"Still alive, though missing some fingernails."

"And the hags?"

"I figured they could have some use for you, so I only knocked them out. They're in my inventory."

"Give one to Jinx and chain the rest up in the cellar. I've been meaning to try out some of these recipes."

Turning his head, Hermes asked, "Where is the little fluff ball?"

"She's currently playing with our next target; she shouldn't be long."

If things went as planned, I would have London under my thumb by the end of summer.

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Hermione:-

Checking her appearance one final time, she frowned when she saw her hair wasn't cooperating. Instead of trying to comb it she opted to wear a pink headband that complimented her white sundress.

Seeing that there was nothing else she could fix; she grabbed her school bag and headed downstairs.

Her parents had to leave early for work, so she was left alone at home.

Normally she would spend her summer inside reading or going to the library, but this year was different. This year she had a friend to spend time with.

She had called the orphanage that Charles was living at to make sure her visit would be a bother.

Taking her spare key, she closed the door behind her and walked out onto the sidewalk.

Crossing the street, she wondered what Charles was like outside of school.

It took her less time to reach the orphanage than she initially thought, only a 15-minute walk really. She still couldn't believe that they lived so close to one another.

The actual orphanage was a tall two-story building, with a white picket fence, and a budding flower bed all around the edges.

Her first impression was that it was a very lovely home.

It didn't take her long to see the reason for her visit as she quickly spotted Charles on a high ladder painting the side of the building a nice blue color.

Steeling her nerves, she walked forward and called out to him in a soft voice so as to not startle him.

"Charles."

She saw him turn his head to see who was calling him and when his eyes locked on to her own, the smile he gave her threatened to turn her into putty. Even dressed in faded overalls and a white t-shirt covered in paint, he still managed to look his best.

"Hey there, didn't expect you for a few more minutes," he said as he slid down the ladder. Once his feet touched the ground, he took a rag from a pocket in his overalls and used it to clean his hands of any paint.

"I can wait if you want?" she suggested, internally congratulating herself for not stuttering.

"No, it's fine. I doubt I'd be able to finish it all today anyways. Let me just clean up and we can get started on our homework," he told her before leading her to his room on the second floor.

He left her alone as he went to wash himself.

Despite herself Hermione could help but stare at everything.

It was smaller than she expected, but it had a cozy feel she liked. Placing her bag on the floor she walked to the bookcase and saw that it was filled with a wide selection of books.

She noticed that a lot of the things in the room seemed to be old or second hand. There was a set of worn out boxing gloves hanging on a hat stand and an empty bird cage next to the window.

She spotted an opened book on his desk along with a toolbox and an old radio.

Seeing a pencil sharpened down to just a stub, it hit her hard for the first time just how different their lives were. With her parents both being successful dentists, it could be said that they were well off.

They would regularly go on vacation if the time allowed it and had the luxury of buying anything that they needed. There was also the fact that she even had parents that would comfort her whenever she needed it.

Charles on the other hand probably had to grow up without parents and having to share everything with others.

She heard the door open and in walked Charles holding a plate of cookies and some tea with the same charming smile. "Hey look, I managed to sneak some biscuits out of the kitchen," he said, placing it down on an empty spot on his desk. Seeing her expression, he asked in a concerned tone, "Are you okay?"

She shook her head as she pushed down the uncomfortable feeling, "I'm just thinking how I don't really know much about you outside of school."

His smile returned with full force, "Well I guess it's a good thing we have all summer to get to know each other."

That made her smile.

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Hermes:-

"Will that be all, sir?" Mr. Borgin, a slimy man, asked with a crooked smile.

"Yes," a man wearing black robes and a plague mask responded by taking the wrapped package from the counter.

"A pleasure, please do come again," the man said just as the crow-masked man turned and made his way to the door.

Once he was safely outside of the shop, the man ducked into an alley. He took out a black wand with a feather design and spoke to it.

'How much longer do I have to wear this meat suit,' a distinct female voice said impatiently.

The wand trembled slightly as a red eye appeared on the hilt, 'As long as it takes to get the job done. Now stop complaining Jinx, we still have a lot to do.'