It was a searingly cold evening.  The rain had been coming in fits and starts all day, but now it seemed as if it had finally decided to tumble down in earnest, its drops penetrating like daggers though Raizel's nearly useless coat and chilling her to the bone.  The frigid weather here was like nothing she ever wanted to experience again; the temperature had been close to freezing for days, and sometimes it felt as if having to weather this awful London winter meant that she would never see the sun again.

Somewhere down the road, a clock was beginning to chime six.  Normally around this time, witches and wizards were still hurrying home from their day's occupation, but today, the streets were deserted -- probably, Raizel thought sourly, because everyone else but her had the sense to apparate home instead of walking.  But until she finished her errand, that wasn't an option.  With any luck, she'd be able to finish her mission and apparate home again before anyone began kicking the Aurors out of the office for the evening.

She had located the small curiosity shop earlier that day.  Morgana's Novelties -- it hardly looked out of the ordinary here in Diagon Alley, even if it did have a few too many Muggle curios on display in the window.  Scowling, Raizel hurried to the door, squeezing her frozen fingers together to warm them as she grabbed for the doorknob and attempted to pry it open.

"Moloch."  The Cursebreaker shot a nasty look at the rain -- the weather -- the whole stupid countryside as she finally yanked the door back, exposing herself to the blessed, blessed warmth that radiated from inside. Hitching her shoulders back, she gathered her hair over one shoulder and attempted to wring it out, trying to look more dignified than drowned rat as she marched inside.

The tiny shop was empty of any other customers.  For her purposes, that was perfect -- that was why she had timed her visit for the very end of the day.  Although, Raizel thought irritably, she would have tolerated a customer or two if it meant that she didn't have to put up with all of this awful rain.  Whatever poet had claimed that winters in England were charming had clearly never lived through them.

"Good evening," she said stiffly to the only other person inside the shop.  This late in the evening, it was obvious that the shopkeeper would have nothing better to do than to look after her.  Good, prompt service was only to be expected.  "You are still open?  I would like to see your inventory."

Morgana had been considering closing her shop early that day, helped in no small means by the rain, which had given off a disapprovingly dismal atmosphere even before she had opened the shop. She had spent most of the day wishing that it was a Sunday, the only day she didn't open her shop. Predictably - and she wished she hadn't been right - today's customers had been few and far between.

So as she pondered how empty the alleyway outside looked right now and where to put the exotic teak candleholders she had finally priced, Raizel's abrupt entrance to the shop surprised her. The young woman's case was not helped by her wringing out her hair onto the flagstone floor. Morgana tried not to stare while watching her, still holding a candleholder.

"Good evening". The tone could only be described as stony to her. Morgana straightened up. "You are still open?  I would like to see your inventory."

"I open until seven, yes." Morgana's eyes did not move, but her gaze took in all of this young woman's appearance. One word dominated her mind for a description: wet. "As for my inventory, it's all around you - well, the shop-ready ones, if that's what you're looking for. I haven't priced the rest," she added, slightly defensively.

She put the candleholder down. At best, a grouchy customer would have to be best dealt with quickly and with full attention. Whatever the reason for the grouch, Morgana did not want to get on her customers' bad side.

The small curio shop had every impression of being just that -- Muggle souvenirs and knickknacks, the sort that could be found in any antiques store in London or Tel Aviv alike.  Raizel passed a glance over the shelves, considered them, and dismissed them; the sort of thing she was looking for was unlikely to be found there, nor was the sort of business she needed safe to conduct here.  It was unlikely that Morgana's Novelties would get much foot traffic tonight, but she still didn't want to be interrupted by some curious passerby -- or worse, she thought, her muscles tensing at the thought.

"You can close early tonight," she said definitively, flicking a hand in the air.  The tone brokered no argument; the look she leveled at Hollingbury dared the older woman to make one. 

She eyed the shelves with considerable suspicion.  Muggle objects.  Sold to the magical crowds of London like some sort of trophy.  It was all horribly imperialistic and British, and thus decidedly off-putting -- the very sort of thing that a well-meaning Ministry official could huff and make a lot of noise about, before losing interest and wandering off. 

"And I am not interested in this kind of inventory," Raizel added firmly, lifting her chin in challenge as she locked gazes with the shopkeeper.  It would not be left to conjecture what sort of interests had brought her here.  "I am here to see your other one.  Please."

Morgana raised her eyebrows. A deep suspicion had just managed to flow into her thoughts about this customer. Someone who demanded to have her shop closed early? She had had customers that paranoid before. This customer was looking for something else.

Regardless, she did not take well to the tone said customer was using. Even if the woman was glaring at her, she kept her face blank and her tone level.

"I doubt there will be customers for the rest of the night, the weather has made certain of that," she replied. "I will not be closing until the time stated. Now, please...if you're looking for something not in this shop, it would be a great help as to what you're looking for, why and exactly who you are. Perhaps if you are that determined to find what you're searching for, I might help you if you state your business first. I am not a mind reader."

The woman could stare her down all she liked. Morgana folded her arms across her chest and tilted her head to one side casually, having given the options. She never liked customers who walked in expecting her to bend backwards, and this customer was not giving her a good impression at all.

The witch faced her, stony and unexpressive.  Raizel eyed her, standing her ground.  Obviously these British shopkeepers had no idea of how business was supposed to be conducted; Raizel had even said please in deference to English standards, but there was no invitation to come in, no offer of something hot to drink, no suggestion that they discuss further in a less formal setting.  Business was stoic and impersonal.

Raizel gave the witch a disapproving frown, pressing her lips together as she considered how much to share.  She hadn't written a list; carrying one around had seemed like too much of a risk, even though one would have to be made eventually.  She had no intention of sharing the why or from where. 

"I represent a man," she said at last, her words clipped and brisk.  "He is looking for something he used to own, and it is known that sometimes you are able to find things."  She eyed the older witch, as if assessing for herself whether or not this was likely to be true.  "He is willing to pay you for your help -- reasonably," she added, her jaw set stubbornly.  Likely Adon would be willing to pay even unreasonable sums if it solved the monstrous set of problems they were facing, but Raizel had already decided that she would put a stop to that.  No one would overcharge the Eleors on her watch.

She gave another fluttering wave of her hand, gesturing at the door, the shop, all about.  "But I cannot discuss it where someone may overhear," she said succinctly.  "If you are interested, then we will go somewhere else to talk.  With warm tea," she added firmly.  "If not, then I will find someone else."

Morgana kept silent for a minute or so as she reviewed the information the woman had just told her. It was not much to work off on, but it was better than nothing. In her case she was more surprised that people in England still knew her services, but then again she hadn't exactly told anyone in the criminal world that she was not interested in thieving any longer. Something just made her keep it as an option.

For now, though, she eased herself a little. The woman in front of her was no customer, but she had had to deal with middlemen before and she wasn't fazed by the prospect. Whatever her buyers chose to do was up to them, regardless of whether she liked it or not.

She inclined her head at the woman, in a way that suggested Morgana was prepared to be friendly up to a point, and said, "At this time, going out would draw attention and I'm sure you wouldn't want that. But...as it happens, I have a backroom for such purposes, and you're welcome to join me." With that she headed for a corner of the shop near the front door that looked no different from the rest of the shop and easily pulled the shelf aside to reveal the wall. A touch, a tap of her wand, and a simple, drama-less click sounded.

"Bear in mind," she said, as the door slid open noiselessly, "I consider myself somewhat...retired from thieving. It doesn't mean I won't know what you're talking about, but I do require payment as necessary leverage and for any...unreasonable requests." Morgana lifted her eyes and surveyed the lush little backroom beyond that she kept for 'special' customers.

She turned around to face Raizel. "Rest assured, though, I don't ask for payment without reason. You may think of me as a thief with some amount of...honour to my activities." She stepped back, allowing Raizel to see the room beyond and gestured towards it by way of invitation. "If you're worried about being overheard, please be at ease. Such a thing won't happen in there."

This was far closer to the welcome that she had been expecting to get.  Raizel waited as the witch opened the secret door to the back room -- some sort of combination of locking and concealing charms, though there were no runes involved that she could see -- and then invited her inside.  Her impatient look quickly turned to one of approval as she surveyed the new interior, and she gave the shopkeeper a brisk, satisfied nod as she started past her.  This was the sort of place where business should be conducted.

Raizel glanced appraisingly around the small room as she stepped inside.  "I will take your word for it," she agreed, running her fingers lightly over the wall.  There was no reason to doubt the shopkeeper, not here in her own space. 

If tea was offered, then she would fully approve.  As it was, Raizel felt considerably more kindly toward her host than she had mere moments before.  She was indoors, she was starting to dry, and now she could finally sit while they talked business.  Even if this witch was retired from thieving -- a most inelegant way of describing it -- she likely maintained her connections, and was clearly still in the business of acquiring.  With any luck, she would still be able to help.

"Do you keep any other sort of inventory on hand?"  She regarded the older woman curiously, her eyebrows knitting. "Beyond the Muggle objects?"

Morgana flashed Raizel a quick smile, much like a lizard disappearing under a rock. "No, I would prefer to keep my stock hidden. The inventory you speak of only enters this room when the buyer has paid and is present to take it home with them. Excuse me a moment."

Remembering Raizel's demand for tea, Morgana slipped into her stockroom for a moment to check on her kettle. Her visitor was in luck  - she had boiled water about five minutes before her visitor had entered to make tea for herself. She plucked a teabag out of the open box sitting next to the stove and dropped it into the mug before pouring the water for her visitor. When she headed back, she now had one lightly steaming mug.

She shut the door behind her and set it down on the rosewood coffee table nestling into the carpet between the two couches in the room. The door, now closed, was hardly visible against the wall save for an outline. Morgana waved a hand at the couches. "Do make yourself comfortable."

It had been a fleeting thought, but one that Raizel was reluctant to let go of.  Even so, she knew she couldn't both achieve her purpose here and attempt to shop for some other charm.  Heaving a sigh, she gave Morgana a nod as the older woman left the room.  If they managed to trace the missing items and one of them led to Topuluk, that would be its own sort of protective talisman.

The shopkeeper returned before too long, this time with a steaming mug of tea in hand.  Raizel gave the witch a grateful nod, allowing herself to take advantage of the invitation to make herself comfortable; she arranged herself on the sofa and took a long sip of the tea. 

"So."  At last, she turned her attention to the woman before her.  Raizel had done what research she could, but there was only so much that one could glean through reports and circumstance.  Morgana Hollingbury had, at least, a reputation for following through on agreements once she entered into them.  She also seemed to be relatively disengaged from the life she'd once let; that, too, was a benefit in this particular endeavour.

"My employer has heard that you are good at retrieving things."  She regarded the sometimes thief levelly, her gaze appraising.  "Are you gifted at finding them as well?"

She sat down opposite Raizel, keeping her hands on her lap and assuming the pose of an individual showing light interest and also enough confidence to suggest that accepting the woman's offers could be done if she felt that this was not going her way.

Watching the woman in front of her, Morgana felt that she had met this individual before. The memory lay somewhere in the life she had led, which was not something she wanted to recall at this time. Morgana had, over the past decade, carefully crafted her own set of mirrors within her head to block out those memories; it would take some time before her internal filing system threw up a card of its own will.

She crossed her legs slowly as Raizel asked her question, feeling slightly insulted. Good? It was a skill honed over years of practice! Morgana was already beginning to have doubts on any sort of payment she was getting for this venture.

But finding, that was a little easier.

"Locating magical objects of an expensive nature is not much of a talent when you rely on tools and contacts to give you the information," she said calmly. "But I can say I am fairly reliable with finding such items, especially when they are under heavy security as ordered by their owners. I don't always have to step outside in order to conduct a search either."

She leaned forwards, still keeping her gaze on Raizel. "In short, I can find it for you provided you have the information I need in order to locate it. I have a...tool that I use which requires said information. It is a very sensitive and fairly temperamental instrument, but it gives me the results I need with a bit of time."

The shopkeeper was direct and to the point.  For all that she might appreciate the often drawn-out art of negotiating, Raizel couldn't help approving of the businesslike manner.  At least Morgana Hollingbury did not seem interested in wasting her time.  That bespoke well of her likely work ethic.

Her description of her finding techniques was about what Raizel would have surmised -- a sort of divination with the help of some magical instrument.  That was both useful and likely the only method that would get them the answers they wanted.  Tracing the objects from where they had been to where they were now was going to be close to impossible through the use of merely mundane means; in order for this exercise to be successful, they would have to use magic.

"How much time?  And what sort of information?" she asked bluntly.  Price would be the next thing to negotiate on, but that could wait until she was certain that the other terms would meet their needs.  That was one of the traits of a good bargainer; there was no reason to waste someone's time haggling over prices unless you were certain that you wanted what they were determined to sell. 

"If you give me all the information I need, it'll take one or two days." Morgana leaned back. "I will need to know the name, function and appearance of the item in question. The more details, the higher the chance of finding the correct item you need. The instrument is not perfect, but it does the job and frankly even if I were given all the galleons in the world I would not hand ownership of it to anyone else."

She leaned forward again; where Morgana was concerned, price would not be far behind. "Locating an artefact is one of the cheapest services I offer, at a fixed rate of two galleons an hour. So far I take an average of about ten hours spread out over two days, but like I said - if you give me as many details as possible, I could possibly find it within a few hours for you."

A thought occurred to her. "If," she added, "you feel this is too invasive, I can assure you that whatever happens in this room, stays in this room. Buyer-seller confidentiality is one of my top priorities when conducting business. After all, that would be betrayal of trust and not looking after my customers' best interests." She angled her head slightly, her gaze on Raizel. "I hardly want that to happen in the course of any venture."

Raizel hesitated, the moment of consideration clear on her face.  Name, function, and appearance -- they could provide that for at least some of the items that were missing from the Eleor family vault.  Two galleons per hour was eminently reasonable.  Adon would probably flutter about at her if he found out that she tried to talk the rate down, but she felt honor-bound to try and negotiate nonetheless.  The first price that someone gave you was never what the service was worth.

All in all, though, this whole thing seemed much too easy -- too simple.  It was difficult not to become suspicious of success.  If Hollingbury could locate even one of the missing items, that would be phenomenal, but she was not going to get her hopes up.

She gave a shrug at the witch's assurances -- the shopkeeper seemed secretive enough that she was not worried about confidentiality.

"I will give you the information that you require to locate one object," she said matter-of-factly.  "If you find it -- and find it quickly -- then we will have more business for you.  But we will not pay you more than twenty galleons.  If you cannot locate it, then our dealings will be through."

Morgana made no comment on the momentary hesitation of the opposite party. It was to be expected, unless the buyer was desperate. She had never shown anyone the Questionable Artifact Omniscope[1] currently standing in her living room. No, in fact it was the other way round - no one had ever bothered to look at it. It made no statement apart from 'minimalist', and blended in her flat perfectly. It wasn't even illegal to own one.

"I give you my word that I will try to find it with the best of my abilities," she replied. "I may not always agree on obtaining an item, but at the most searching for one is not a crime." She flashed a quick, dry smile.

"But...if you insist." She laid her hand on the other, resting both on her knee. Raizel's price didn't offend her in the least, but she wasn't going to say that. It wasn't her loss. Morgana had, a long time ago, decided that it would be the fixed rate; no amount of negotiating would change it, regardless of the buyer's doubts. "I understand that you are uncertain if I can get it done or not, but only time will tell."

And to let her know that she had no hard understandings about the matter, she smiled a little friendlier this time. It was preferable to having to explain, anyway.

1.	Compendium article

The shopkeeper smiled at Raizel again, and this time, Raizel smiled back.  The witch might not be overly gracious, but at least she was matter-of-fact -- and she had offered her tea, in the end.  If she proved to be competent and efficient, then the mage imagined that they might even get along.

"Yes," she said agreeably.  "Here.  I will stop by tomorrow with more information, yeh?  And then we will see what you can find."  That would give her time to consult with Adon on which item made the most sense to locate first.  If Hollingbury could track it down, then they could decide whether or not to pass on more.