"Master Regulus' friend, please put your shoes on." The house-elf placed Severus's shoes in front of him.
The shoes looked completely different now. The worn-out parts had been mended by magic, the surface polished to a shine—it was as if they were brand new.
"Sev, Kreacher will Apparate us to the Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley," Regulus said, holding Kreacher's hand and giving the elf an approving look.
Kreacher puffed out his tiny chest, feeling delighted. He liked young master Regulus best.
…
In the bright sunlight outside Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, Regulus and Severus sat under a brightly colored umbrella, enjoying their dessert after the meal.
"I want to open a shop here—at least two, with a flagship store—" Regulus took a sip of the grape juice in front of him, set the cup down with a confidence that had clearly been practiced many times, and said ambitiously, "I have two business plans right now. I might not open the flagship store right away, but I can start planning—"
A child not yet one meter fifty talking like this might come off as a bit childish, but for now he didn't have anyone else to rely on, so he had to push through—
At the very least, this idea could help Severus financially.
As Muggles say: money gives people courage and a sense of security.
And it was working—Severus was indeed listening very seriously. Compared to their other immature, boastful classmates at school, Regulus always followed through on what he said and excelled in all areas. Severus found him highly trustworthy.
"The first is a magical items shop," Regulus said, pulling a silver ring with a coiled, rising snake design from his pocket. "I found this at home. It contains magic and can passively cast the 'Protego' charm seven times."
He pushed the ring toward Severus for closer inspection.
"I tested it in a dueling practice with Sirius, and it's very effective."
"Have you been reading the Daily Prophet lately? From what I know, the wizarding world's security situation is getting worse… In times like these, wizards will need items like this to ensure their safety—there's something in the Muggle world called insurance, have you heard of it?"
Severus nodded, surprised that this pure-blood young wizard knew so much about the Muggle world.
"Then you must know—people are very willing to spend money to ward off potential disasters, to buy peace of mind! Even in peaceful times, products like this will find buyers."
It made a lot of sense, and Severus showed his agreement.
"And a ring like this, if we find the right wizard skilled in Transfiguration and Alchemy, the actual production cost isn't high. Plus, we could make disposable ones."
"Of course—it's not exactly that the production cost is low—" Regulus looked steadily at Severus. "As Rowena Ravenclaw said, extraordinary wit is humanity's greatest wealth."
"Galleons, anyone can earn, but your talent in Potions—that's the priceless treasure." Regulus noticed Severus's cheeks flush with focus, thinking he was onto something, and pressed on with intensity. "Potion-making is a precise science and a rigorous craft; not everyone can understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through the human veins, bewitching the minds, ensnaring the senses... But you aren't just anyone! With your talent, fame and glory are just a matter of time. And who knows, we could make something that can even put a stopper to death."
Wow.. Severus sat up slightly, a smile spreading across his face.
"So, our second plan has to do with your talent in Potions!"
Severus listened even more intently, eager to hear more, but Regulus dangled a tease, saying, "But before that, let's go check out the competition!"
…
At 275 Diagon Alley, the two stepped into Madam Primpernelle's Beautifying Potions shop, engulfed by a dizzying fragrance and decorations bubbling with pink froth.
"Welcome… er, gentlemen…" The shop assistant eyed the two dark-haired boys entering a shop full of women, unsure of the situation. "Do you young sirs need any help?"
"No, thank you, we're just browsing, picking out a gift for our mum," Regulus said, earning approving glances from a few middle-aged witches selecting products nearby.
Acne-clearing potions in various styles, wrinkle-removing creams, skin essences… all things Severus couldn't care less about.
He followed the focused Regulus around the shop, even spotting Potter's Sleekeazy's Hair Potion and Nourishing Elixir on the shelves.
In front of them, a haughty, beautiful blonde witch waved her wand, sweeping several bottles of Potter's products into an already overflowing shopping basket.
Hmph.
What did any of this have to do with his talent in Potions? Severus, bored, picked up a small decorative sample bottle and gave it a shake—then his eyes widened in shock.
From the texture and color, wasn't this just… Scalp Salve with added fragrance and a different color?
Selling for one Galleon and twelve Sickles?
He sniffed it again, uncertain. He was almost completely sure there weren't any valuable potion ingredients in it.
Was this daylight robbery…?
"Good day, Madam Zabini." Over at the register, another shop assistant greeted cheerfully, and Severus heard the clink of Galleons and Sickles.
He did some mental math using what he'd learned in public primary school—and it started to make sense.
…
After making a round through the strong-smelling apothecary and getting a sense of the market prices—
"Branding," "initial investment," "R&D," "technical equity," "samples," "mail order," "commercial capital"... Outside a café, Severus listened in a daze as Regulus rattled off a string of terms he'd never heard before.
As a game nerd, Regulus had played no fewer than five different business simulation games, so he had enough theoretical knowledge to back up his so-called "grand talk."
He truly had to thank those game designers—when everyday life was that narrow, it was games that taught him so much and opened the door to a much wider world.
"And I've got a great idea—something inspired by my mum. I want to launch a completely new product. If the promotion is done right, it's going to sell like mad."
The more Regulus spoke, the more he felt like some sort of sales guru.
If it were Voldemort doing the sales pitch, would he be just as lacking in grace?
"If it works out, I'll be able to get my family to invest officially."
He pulled out a sheet of parchment and began sketching on it.
A skull-like face appeared on the parchment—
What was that?
"My secret weapon business plan—sheet masks!"
…He gave Severus a detailed explanation. Severus, clearly, had no idea about this kind of girly stuff.
But this was something that would drive girls absolutely crazy in the future. Regulus had total confidence in it.
And if it really didn't work out, he could always sell the idea to Procter & Gamble—wait, does P&G exist yet?
"Right now, this is just our first step, but the future—glorious and bright—will be ours. Will you join me in investing in that future?"