Chapter 21: Negotiation and First Sale
Flourish and Blotts, Diagon Alley
Ronald Bilius Weasley
July 15, 1989, Saturday
"Did you really find one of them?" The manager asked, surprised, when he realized Ron was holding one of the invisible books.
"Yes. While browsing the shelves, I sensed a magical object in what appeared to be an empty space. Luckily, I have an item that makes invisible objects visible again. That's how I found it." Ron said as if it were an ordinary thing.
"You sensed it?" The manager asked in astonishment, but his surprise only increased when he grasped what Ron had just said. Leaning over the counter, the manager added hastily, "Wait! Did you just say there's an item that makes them visible again?"
Ignoring the manager's eccentric behavior, Ron replied, "Yes."
He then placed the invisible book on the counter and pulled the Eye of Demiguise from his pocket again, holding it in his hand and saying, "Show me what I cannot see."
This was the voice command Ron had set to activate the item. As its inventor, he could activate it with magic without needing a voice command, but someone who didn't know how the item worked couldn't do that.
That's why he had included voice commands for activation and deactivation.
After the Eye of Demiguise was reactivated, the Invisible Book of Invisibility, which had been sitting on the counter, became visible again. But unlike a normal book, it had a slight glow.
Not dazzlingly so, but easily attention-grabbing.
The manager, astonished, picked up the now visible copy of the Invisible Book of Invisibility from the counter and began to examine it. After a while looking at the cover, he then opened it and began flipping through the pages, examining the information inside.
'He's probably seeing the book for the first time,' Ron thought. Why he had ordered and stocked 200 copies without seeing it or understanding its features was a mystery.
And more importantly, even if the Manager hadn't lost these books inside the bookstore, would he have been able to sell them?
After all, who would buy a book they couldn't see or read? Maybe a few collectors, but otherwise, it was impossible for normal customers to buy them.
The Invisible Book of Invisibility was a business doomed from the start. And even if the manager found the books again, he couldn't sell them.
Of course, this was only true as long as the books remained in that state.
After a while, the manager came to his senses, slammed the book shut, and placed it back on the counter, then looked at Ron—or rather, at the item in Ron's hand—with greedy eyes.
Ron knew he had achieved his goal. So, he said, "I have seen what I needed to see," and the Eye of Demiguise deactivated.
As Ron put the item back in his pocket, the book on the counter became invisible again.
"The Invisible Book of Invisibility is a bit expensive for me. So, I'll pass on that. Could you tell me how much the others cost, sir?" Ron said.
"One moment, young man. The item you just used. Could you tell me where you got it? I'll give you a 10% discount in return," the manager said.
"The Eye of Demiguise? I made it," Ron said.
"You?"
"Yes."
"Young man, how old are you?" the manager asked.
"I'm nine years old, sir. I'll be starting at Hogwarts in two years." Ron said in an innocent, childlike tone.
"Then you must not even have received your wand yet. How could you make this item?" the manager said, a mixture of surprise and anger.
'He probably thinks I'm joking or outright lying,' Ron thought.
But this suited Ron. He could take advantage of this situation and begin building his "young genius" persona from this moment on.
After all, he knew what a hotbed of gossip Diagon Alley was.
In this community without smartphones, the greatest entertainment for shop managers, owners, and residents of Diagon Alley was gossip about what they encountered during the day.
And Ron was certain that what was about to happen would be heard throughout Diagon Alley by the end of the day tomorrow.
"Oh. When my parents saw that I could use magic, they worried, just as you do, sir. So, they took me to St. Mungo's. The Senior Healer there told me that I was a talented wizard and that I should use my abilities for good." Ron said.
The manager was somewhat taken aback by Ron's answer, unsure whether Ron was joking or telling the truth.
"Did you really go to St. Mungo's? Do you remember the Senior Healer's name?" the manager asked.
"Yes, we went. Senior Healer Andromeda Tonks took care of me. What did she say... Hmm... Ah, I remembered. She said my condition was an early magical awakening and that I was a genius. She was a sweet lady. At least she didn't give me any injections," Ron said.
Ron's words seemed to have convinced the manager somewhat, so his facial expression softened slightly.
'The manager probably knows Senior Healer Andromeda Tonks, or at least he knows her name,' Ron thought.
At that moment, the store manager, realizing he'd strayed slightly from the topic, smiled and spoke. "Young man, I forgot to ask you. Could you tell me your name?"
"Oh. I'm sorry, sir. I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Ronald Bilius Weasley. But everyone calls me Ron," Ron said.
"A Weasley?" The manager looked slightly surprised.
But Ron understood why. The Weasleys were a well-known family.
Not because they were wealthy and influential like other noble wizarding families, but rather because they were known for their poverty.
But the manager hid his surprise immediately, and he continued. "Young Weasley, would you consider selling me the item you just used? I can find the other Invisible Book of Invisibility books with it."
A smile appeared on Ron's face at this question. That's why he loved the business world.
Whether the manager believed he had made this item or not, whether he was a Weasley or a nine-year-old child, didn't change anything. The item Ron had was real and exactly what the manager needed.
Therefore, despite everything the manager was thinking, the negotiation had begun.
"Sir, I don't know your name yet. Could you tell me?" Ron said.
"Oh. Forgive my rudeness. My name is Cuthbert Flourish," the manager said.
"Flourish? Like in Flourish and Blotts?" Ron said, his voice filled with "surprise."
Although much of his surprise was to flatter Mr. Flourish and gain a little advantage at the negotiation, Ron was genuinely a little surprised.
If he remembered correctly, Flourish and Blotts was a shop founded in the 15th century. It was truly surprising that this shop was still run by a member of the founder family, especially given the low birth rates in the wizarding world.
"Exactly. I'm a descendant of one of the shop's founders," the manager said, his voice full of pride.
"Blimey! I didn't expect to meet such a famous person today!" Ron said, his voice full of "excitement."
"Famous? Haha, I'm not famous, young Weasley," Mr. Flourish said, but his tone suggested he was happy with what Ron had said.
Then Mr. Flourish added, "What do you say, young Weasley? Are you going to sell me that item?"
Ron brought his hand to his chin, pretending to think for a moment. Then, turning back to the manager, he said, "I suppose I can sell you the Eye of Demiguise, Mr. Flourish. After all, I can make a new one whenever I want."
A wide smile appeared on Mr. Flourish's face again, and he said, "How about three galleons? That would cover a large portion of the books you'll buy."
But Ron shook his head at the price and said, "No. Too low."
"Really?" said Mr. Flourish, frowning. But a new smile immediately appeared on his face, and he said, "Five galleons?"
"Nope. Still too low," said Ron.
"Then tell me what price you want, young Weasley," Mr. Flourish finally said, crossing his arms over his chest.
At this, Ron smiled and said, "25 galleons."
"What?! That's a rip-off. There's no way I will pay that price."
"Mr. Flourish, didn't you just say you have two hundred copies of The Invisible Book of Invisibility?" Ron asked.
"Yes, I did. So what?" Mr. Flourish said.
"And you said the selling price of one is 2 galleons and 4 sickles. Even though your purchase price is less than your selling price, that means at least 300-400 galleons of your investment is lost on those shelves," Ron said.
Normally, Ron would have asked for much more for this item.
Because he knew how much profit Mr. Flourish would make. But he had already benefited greatly from Flourish and Blotts by copying many of these books.
So, as compensation, he decided to quote a lower price instead of a higher one. The 25-galleon price was an opening bid, as he knew Mr. Flourish would haggle.
Ron also had another plan. And for that, he needed Mr. Flourish to buy the Eye of Demiguise first. So, his low price was a prelude to his next plan.
Ron was playing a long game here.
Mr. Flourish now understood what Ron was trying to say, and frankly, he had no answer to give. Before he could even find the words to say anything, Ron continued.
"25 galleons isn't much for the profit you'll get, is it, Mr. Flourish?"
"Are you really nine years old?" said Mr. Flourish, then added, "Ten galleons and a 50% discount on these twelve books you brought to the counter. I can't go any higher."
"Ten galleons and all the books on the counter will be free. That includes The Invisible Book of Invisibility. In return, I'll give you a discount on another item of mine." Ron said.
Mr. Flourish thought for a moment, then sighed and said, "It's a deal." Then he took a pouch from his belt, opened it, and pulled out ten galleons, placing them on the counter.
"Your ten galleons and your books. You can take them. Now, will you give me the item and show me how to use it?" Mr. Flourish said.
"Sure," said Ron. He first collected the money from the counter, stuffed it into his pocket, and then pulled out the Eye of Demiguise from his other pocket and placed it on the counter.
End of Chapter 21.
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Next Chapters' Name:
Ch.22: Eye of Demiguise and Sigil of Invisibility
Ch.23: Hidden Achievements
Ch.24: The Value of a Galleon