Mrs. Blotts pulled the doors to her shop open with a huge smile. Mr Flourish was probably snoring somewhere in his apartment above the shop, and she was just happy enough to welcome the customers on her own.

She walked about the shop and indulged herself in her morning ritual, "Rise and shine, my darling books!" She called out to the thousands of books lining the shelves around the shop. She was a lonely old woman, Mr. Blotts had died and all she had left was sleepy old Mr. Flourish and her beloved books.

-------------------------------------

"Goodbye, Count Vannacutt." Nik's old housekeeper called to him as he threw the Floo powder into the vast fireplace.

He didn't return the wishes, nor did he turn around to acknowledge her. "Diagon Alley" he called out as he stepped into the emerald flames. His world twirled around him in a blur and he choked down the undignified cough that was threatening to come out of his mouth.