RP: Sales are...

[shh_gilderoy]

Date: January 2, 2005
Characters: Gilderoy Lockhart, and...???
Location: The Gildery Shop
Status: Public
Summary: Gilderoy contemplates logistics while he rearranges things in his shop.
Completion: Incomplete

Comments

[shh_ernie]

Ernie was strolling past a shop when the sign in the window caught his eye. The Gildery Shop? He honestly had no idea what that was. Looking through the glass, he realized that this was Lockhart's shop, the one that Megan had been talking about.

Thinking about her brought a smile to his face. Impulsively, he pushed open the door. Maybe if she had some crocheting supplies, she'd give it a try again. However, Ernie wouldn't know a crocheting supply if it flew up in front of him.

[shh_gilderoy]

"Good afternoon! How good of you to stop by," Gilderoy chimed from behind his counter. Jack had just left, and he was in a good mood with all of the talk of sludge-hammering the walls. The wizarding robes had drawn some attention (although not the monetary kind) from a few passers-by, so Gilderoy was just putting one of the dress forms in the front window when the young man came into his shop. "Just give me a moment here while I stabilize her, and I'll be right with you."

After making sure the dressform was secured, Gilderoy climbed down from the window and headed over to his customer. "Gilderoy Lockhart, Order of Merlin third class, winner of Witch Weekly Most Charming Smile award, and in these difficult times, provider of the finest wizarding robes, blankets, yarns, and textiles around."

He scoped out the young man. He certainly doesn't look like a chap who knit or crocheted in his spare time, but then again, neither do I.

"What can I do for you today?"

[shh_ernie]

"Prof--" Ernie couldn't force himself to use the title 'Professor' so he settled on, "Mr. Lockhart, it's nice to see you again. I was one of your students...a long time ago."

He looked around the shop. "This is a nice shop you've got here. I'm looking for some crocheting supplies for...a...er...friend. She hasn't crocheted in a while and is looking to get back into it."

[shh_gilderoy]

"Crochet, you say? Well, I do have some of the finest crochet hooks ever made. Come this way," he said, and headed over to the sideboard near the counter.

"They're rosewood, turned and carved by Ollivander, himself, so you know they've got to be perfect. Now, I don't know if she charms her hook to crochet, or if she does it manually, but either way, these hooks are going to be the best you can find." Gilderoy selected out two crochet hooks - one large one and one medium-size one, and handed them to the young man.

"Now, the other thing she'll need is some wool. I have four kinds over here, in several different colors."

Gilderoy led the young man over toward the yarn. "So, what's your name. I know several of my former students are living in town here, but I'm afraid I don't remember anything of the year I was at that school other than what I've read in my book."

[shh_ernie]

"Macmillan, Ernie Macmillan," he introduced himself. And he wasn't the least bit surprised that Lockhart didn't remember that year. The man had spent the last...what? decade?...in St. Mungo's.

Ernie turned the crochet hooks over in his hand. Megan probably had some of these already if she'd crocheted before. And he didn't want to spend too much money. The last thing he wanted was for her to be embarrassed...or think that he expected anything. Maybe the medium-sized one would be alright.

"How much for this one?" Ernie asked, wondering what kind of payment Lockhart would take. He had some galleons, some pounds, and a few meal vouchers. Hopefully one of them would do.

[shh_gilderoy]

"This wool here is a blend of lamb's wool and--"

Ernie... asked about a price. "Oh, well, I've negotiated all sales so far based on what people can afford. These times are hard, and most of what I sell I consider to be basic survival necessities. I will need some Muggle money shortly, so if you have that, it would be good. Otherwise, whatever it is you can offer me, I suppose. Pay what you think it's worth. The same goes for the wool."

Gilderoy turned back to the piles of yarn on the pedestals. "Now, as I was saying, this one is lamb's wool and cotton. It's quite soft and warm, as you can see--"

[shh_ernie]

Lockhart was handing him some yarn, asking him to feel how soft and warm it was. "Uh, er, yes, that's very nice," Ernie replied, feeling uncomfortable with this entire conversation.

Pay what you think it's worth? How in Merlin's name was he supposed to know how much any of this was worth? The only thing he knew about crocheting was the tiny bit that Megan had told him on New Year's Eve. And all she'd said was there was yarn and a hook.

[shh_gilderoy]

The man was obviously a little shy about buying these things. "Aah, I have an idea. How about if I just get a package of various things together that she migh like, and then you can give me.. hmmm. I don't know a lot about Muggle money. Perhaps let's say enough to purchase a pair of filet steaks. Does that sound okay?"

Gilderoy began getting some yarn together. Some of the cotton and wool blend yarn, and two balls of the wool angora mix.

[shh_ernie]

Now he was supposed to know how much two filet steaks cost? Clearly, Gilderoy Lockhart was still mad. Although Ernie had to wonder how mad the bloke was to start up a store. The place did look nice. Perhaps he had...some sort of...helper or caretaker to look after him.

"Er...alright...that sounds...good," Ernie agreed finally. He'd hand over some bills to Lockhart. Maybe ten pounds? He pulled out his wallet and fished around for some bills. "Ah, does that include one of those hook things as well?"

[shh_gilderoy]

"Yes! Of course it includes the hook. She can't rightly make anything without it. I think she'll quite like the angora blend."

Gilderoy took the wool he had collected and brought it over to the counter. He pulled out a small bag and put all of the wool inside, then held it out so Ernie could put the hook in there, as well.

"So, what is it that you do, Mr. Macmillan? You have Muggle Money. That's very interesting. Do you work in the Muggle world?"

[shh_ernie]

"I'm an Auror, sir," Ernie said proudly. "And I have Muggle money because I've sold some things in Exeter." He lowered his voice slightly, "Comic books. They're actually quite a good investment."

He put the hook in the bag and handed over a ten pound note. He was about to ask if that would be enough to cover the cost, but realized that (a) he'd be betraying his own ignorance about the cost of filet steaks and crocheting supplies and (b) he'd be asking Gilderoy Lockhart, insane man, for advice. Instead, he just nodded. Best to look as if he knew what he was doing.

[shh_gilderoy]

"AAH! I sell books, too! But then again, you probably knew that. Most everyone does, you know. Fame can be so persistent. Relentless, even - like an Auror."

Gilderoy made the exchange and looked at the money. "Aah, thank you very much. Yes, that should do nicely. Be sure to let your friend know where you got those so she can come back if she needs any more yarn."

This was turning out to be quite the day. Meeting new people, the prospect of smashing down walls, actually selling some supplies. And now he would have some money to show Julian when he came home for dinner.

[shh_ernie]

Did Lockhart think he wrote the comic books? Ernie shook his head. Even if everything Lockhart had ever written was a lie, it was sad to see the man brought to this...delusions.

He took the bag. "I will, Mr. Lockhart. Ah, pleasure...er...talking to you?" He nodded emphatically again. With that, Ernie walked out of the Gildery Shop. Hopefully, Meg would like what Lockhart had picked out.