The sunlight was fading fast and the street on which he walked on was near empty. He glanced through the surrounding shops' windows noticing that many were beginning to close. He reached his destination and peered through the glass of the door. Although dark inside a candle could be seen burning, fortunately this shop was still open and he'd be able to conduct business tonight.

As Gaius pushed down on the handle and stepped inside a bell clanged overhead. Looking up he noticed that it was shaped like an upsidedown cauldron, which he found to be rather quaint. His attention then turned to the shopkeeper. Gaius observed signs of frustration in the man's face, it seems he too wanted to close up for the evening. However Gaius had delayed his coming for days and could wait no longer.

Continuing forward into the room Gaius idly perused the shelves which housed a multitude of jars. Some were filled with slimy liquids, others kept assorted ingredients a few of which were new to Gaius's eyes.

Reaching the counter Gaius stopped and stood silently whilst he looked at the shopkeeper who after a short moment spoke first.

"Good evening." he said with a brow raised in appraisal. "May i help you?"

"You may." said Gaius, who slowly reached into a pocket and brought out a folded piece of paper. He placed it on the dark counter in front of him and slid it across to the shopkeeper using the tip of his right index finger.

The shopkeeper looked down at the paper, reaching for it carefully. He proceeded to unfold it, then moved closer to the candle light to help him read.

After scanning the page the shopkeeper turned to Gaius. "I see. I'm suprised someone like yourself would want one of these, then again we've have had all sorts coming in and asking for the very same thing."

Gaius nodded. "I would think so, they are rather spectacular. I'm hoping you still have one availble for purchase."

Again the shopkeeper considered the young man infront of him. Then after a moments glance to the street for passersby he made a gesture for Gaius to follow and said softly, "Let us have a look in the back."

They made their way to the rear of the shop which held an impressive - if rather crowded - inventory. With candle in hand the shopkeeper searched and rummaged through his stock and within a minute had found what Gaius came for.

"You're in luck, this is my last one"

Gaius's face lit up, he was afraid that he may of come too late.

"So then, would you like to take this with you now?" asked the shopkeeper before adding, "We are able to deliver."

Gaius's fingers carressed his quarry whilst he replied, "That would be most beneficial. How long would it be till i recieved my order?"

"We cater for next-day delivery."

"Fantastic."

The shopkeeper smiled and gestured again for Gaius to follow where they returned to the front desk. The shopkeeper pulled from his top pocket a notepad and quil then passed them over to Gaius.

"Your name and address, please." he said kindly.

Gaius scribbled quickly and handed the items back. As the shopkeeper read his notepad, Gaius began placing money onto the table to complete the transaction.

"I believe this is enough," he said, "plus a little something extra for the trouble."

"That's very kind of you, Sir."

They shook hands and Gaius made his way to the exit. He opened the door but before leaving he turned with a smile and called back

"The next time you're selling apothecary tables, i promise i'll come early!"

_________________
Yohoho.

"You! Yes you! You are dead!" shouted the man on this gloomy November afternoon.

<a href="http://www.hpnwn.net/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=765">Gaius</a> did not reply, he only stared.

"That's right, you may as well drop down dead if you don't buy a bottle of 'Vincent's Vivacious Vibrant Vigorous Vitallty Serum' today! Stocks are limited!"

Looking at the man's face Gaius could tell that it had been a hard and unsuccessful day. Vincent's words were energetic but his eyes were tired and the smile was forced.

"Very well" said Gaius, "I'll take five bottles"

"Ah, that's a shame, you could of b- I'm sorry? Did you say you'd take five?!"

Gaius nodded.

"Hot-Diggity-Diricrawl! You have made my day young man! I'll you what, i'll give you a two, no a five percent discount!" Vincent's smile was no longer forced. "After you've drunk some of this I guarantee you'll be hopping around with glee in no time! You'll feel as strong as five giants!"

With haste Vincent put the bottles into a pouch, Gaius handed over the money, nodded, then went on his way.

"Thanks again!" cried Vincent from afar.

Of course Gaius wasn't going to consume these potions himself, he knew better than to trust anything sold by the street vendors. Yet his own curiousity and his complete enjoyment of all things alchemical made such potions warrant further investigation.

Gaius made his way to his new place of residence which was located not too far away from the main street of Diagon Alley itself. He turned the key and made his way into apartment 221b.

A fair sized place indeed, the main room itself held most of Gaius's posessions. All his research books, school work, potions equipment, pretty much everything he needed to be getting on. The room also housed a dark brown piano in the corner and his brand new apothecary table looked magnificent when surrounded by the chairs infront of the fire. Walking in he placed his bought wares on the nearby desk where a white mouse sat in it's cage, staring up at Gaius.

"Good afternoon, Dennis" said Gaius, "I'll be needing your assistance today."

The mouse, of course, said nothing.

Gaius sat himself into the adjacent chair and tidied some papers on the desk. The papers detailed many of Gaius's theories and recipes concerning potions. There was also a small vial of his homemade Euphoria Draught, which unfortunatly worked on Gaius as if it was cocaine, often turning him into a blithering idiot. He wasn't addicted to the draught but would tend to revisit it when his mind was bored and he was without direction.

He reached and picked up a cube of cheese from besides the cage and placed it on a small dish infront of him. Taking a pipette from an inside pocket he used it to suck up some of Vincent's serum, which he then dripped onto the cheese and waited a moment for it to soak in. Gaius then used a set of tongs and transfered the cheese into Dennis's cage.

"Bon Appétit." said Gaius as the mouse looked curiously at his meal, smelling it with his tiny nose then proceeding to nibble at it regardless.

As Gaius sat waiting for the serum to reveal itself his eye wandered to the spare bedroom door. Although this apartment was fine enough for Gaius, he had a strong need to fill it with another's presence.

"Dennis, I've decided I'll advertise in the Prophet for a roomate. Not that I don't enjoy your company." he said without looking at the mouse. "But i think someone to share my thoughts and keep me rooted in social behaviours will be most beneficial."

Suddenly there was a loud and distinctive bang and Gaius turned quickly to look at Dennis. The mouse had grown itself some large bunny ears and was attempting to hop around his cage like a rabbit.

"Sorry, Dennis." said Gaius with the lightest of smiles. "Hrm, i wonder if this will work the same on humans. Perhaps i can find a.... volunteer at school."

Gaius opened up the cage and held Dennis in his hands then walked to the front door. Gaius peeked out his head and looked around for signs of life but the street was quiet. He sat on bended knees and spoke to the mouse in his hands.

"I'm sure the effects are temporary, Dennis, but in the meantime you will be the envy of white mice everywhere." he released the mouse and it hopped off on it's merry way.

_________________
Yohoho.

'Bed for rent. You sleep now.'

"No, that sounds silly." he scrunches up the paper and tosses it aside.

'Looking for a place to stay? Looking for a man to live with?'

"Hrm....that doesn't seem appropriate" More paper for the pile.

'It's raining out there. Get in here and give me money for your sleep adventures and weather protection'

"Bleh, too forceful." Scrunch, scrunch, bin.


'Wanted - Human or otherwise for rental endeavours.'

"Ok, that sounds good."

'Are you a Wizard looking for a place of your own? Looking to branch out from your parental overlords and be your own boss? Want to develop character and become jaunty? If so, Gaius Barker has just the place for you. A room for rent has become availble to anyone who wishes to occupy it! Located in a prime spot near Diagon Alley, apartment 221b is essential for those who wish to be libertated and enjoy pudding.

Interested? Send your owls to Gaius Barker and await a reply.

PS. There is only room for one. No Goblins standing on each other's shoulders and wearing a long coat welcomed.'

"Sounds super! I'd probably answer it if I didn't live here. But then again if i didn't live here there wouldn't be an advert to asnwer. Hrm.." Gaius paused and considered his paradox.

"Oh well, if i'm lucky hopefully a Vampire is looking for a place. Although that might put an end to Garlic Bread Fridays. Heck I'll have to ask him or her if that garlic thing is true or not."

Gaius popped the letter in an envelope and send it in to The Daily Prophet Rental section.

"Now, I wait."

Gaius waited.

"Ok enough of that. I have a strong hankering for muffins so i think i'll head out and buy some. Hopefully i'll meet someone i know in town but everyone seems to be stuck in school this summer holidays. Darn."

Gaius grabbed some spare change and made for the door.

"Oh, before i forget"

He moved to the window and extinguised a small cauldron which was on the table top. He peered inside at the liquid and gave it a good sniff.

"Excellent. This new face-changey potion of mine looks to be coming along nicely. Time to locate a new test-subject. Too bad they've all been a nuisance since Dennis."

Gaius sighed then left.

_________________
Yohoho.