{Edited} The Chaotic Traveler - Chapter 3 (Patreon)

AN: Edited chapters do not count toward monthly quota's

Not beta read yet.

Chapter 3: Retail Therapy / Drugs, Clothes, and Pets

‘That’s books and medical stuff out of the way.’ Jin read off the list of potions the healer had given him. ‘Next stop is the apothecary.’

Healer Thorn had pointed out the best place to go so he wouldn't be ripped off, and Jin was glad he'd listened.

[Apocalypse Apothecary] wasn't far from the clinic, perhaps a fifteen-minute walk from the main Alley, and despite the questionable name, the interior was an eye-pleasing array of products behind glass cabinets.

“Oh, a new face.” A silver-haired shopkeeper smiled his way as Jin stepped inside. “I haven’t seen you around before.”

“You know all your customers?” Jin couldn’t help but ask.

“Of course I do.” The middle-aged man adjusted his spectacles. “We are not one of the mainstream shops on Diagon. Only my regulars make the trip down here.”

“I see. Well, it’s still impressive.” Jin shrugged and shook the man’s hand. “Healer Thorn recommended me to you; said you had fair prices.”

"Ah, I'll have to do something nice for her." The shopkeeper gave him a smile. "The name's James. What can I do for you?"

“Jin.” Jin pulled out the prescription he was given. “I hope you have a large enough stock.”

"It depends on what you're ordering." James read through the list, brows raised. "My word, that's a lot of Wit-Sharpening potions."

“Yeah, Healer Thorn said something about it fixing a health issue.” Jin rubbed the back of his head, not wanting to admit to his mental issues.

James hummed and looked up. “You do realize there’s a legal limit on selling these potions, yes?”

“Er…” Jin trailed off at the look the man was giving him. “It’s for medicinal reasons?”

“Can you pay?”

“Yes.”

“Good enough for me.” James immediately flipped like a switch and tapped the prescription with his wand to make a copy. "If anyone asks, you had a healer's signature from St. Mungo's."

"Does it make a difference?" Jin asked.

"It does for records of large purchases." James hummed and flipped through his inventory. "No one at the Ministry takes a second look if it's the big hospital."

"Ah." Jin nodded. “Let’s not let anyone ask."

“Exactly.” James shot him a thumbs up. It barely took a few minutes for the shopkeeper to hand him a crate filled with glowing potion vials, seemingly unconcerned with handing a stranger a crate of drugs. “Pace yourself, young man. These are quite potent.”

"Uh, yeah." Jin took it with a bit of surprise, nodding to the man. "Thanks."

“Take care!” James waved him away and went back to his ledger.

Jin left with an odd look, ducking into a dark corner to tuck the crate away safely in his warehouse. 'Maybe this common-sense thing is a bit more common among everyone than I thought.’ He scratched his chin and shrugged. ‘I'm just glad I don't need to buy a trunk. Those things were stupidly expensive.'

The last few things Jin needed were clothes and toiletries.

Thanks to the map he bought at the bank, Jin could walk past the expensive front row of Madam Malkin's with mental middle fingers raised high and head to a cheaper secondhand store run by a Muggle-Born off the main road.

If only he knew what he was in for.

0000

The sign read [Jamie’s Jammie’s] on the window as he walked in, only to find what looked like a typical Muggle clothing store.

“Welcome!" A voice called out from the back as a cute, short brunette, perhaps a few years older than Jin himself, emerged with a smile. "I’m Jamie, how can I help you today?”

‘Finally, someone my age.’ Jin thanked the eldritch vampire above. "Hey, I'm looking to get a set of new clothes. Madam Malkin's was crazy expensive; I'm hoping for more affordable prices."

Jamie’s eyes lit up. "Ha! That's why I'm in business. That old bat’s store only deals with the Purebloods and orphaned Hogwarts students who are told it's normal to spend their school support funds on her expensive robes.” She made a fake retching sound. “That woman is ruthless."

Jin’s smile twitched. “I’ve been realizing a lot of people around here are ruthless today.”

Jamie smirked at that. “First time shopping off the main road, hun?”

He sighed at her shit-eating grin. “Yeah.”

Jamie laughed and patted his shoulder in sympathy. “It’s always rough the first time.”

“You don’t sound sympathetic.” Jin grumbled.

She winked with a teasing giggle. “Diagon is the face of the market, Knockturn is where the shady stuff goes, and the rest of us average stores are where the actual British population shops." She waved him toward the clothing aisles. “Diagon is just the face of the Ministry. It's best for ripping off foreigners, dazzling newcomers, and inflating the ego of the rich.”

Jin rolled his jaw. “I’m glad I didn’t window shop then.”

Jamie pulled him into an aisle. “Forget about that. Tell me what kind of clothes you need.”

"Well, everything, I guess." Jin rubbed the back of his head with his free hand. "I'm kind of stuck with the literal clothes off my back at the moment. I can still pay; I just lost my luggage in an accident."

It was the best excuse he could come up with, but only after Jin spoke did he notice Jamie's grip on his arm had turned to iron. "Oh~? Today's a fun day then."

Before Jin could protest, the five-foot-five woman whisked his much larger body into the labyrinth of deadly cloth.

His shouts of protest were promptly ignored.

Two hours later, a thoroughly drained, disheveled-looking Jin stood at the cash register as Jamie, who turned out to be the owner, licked her lips in pure satisfaction and rang him up. "That will be six Galleons, twelve Sickles, and four Knuts. And that's with the discount for being so fun~."

Jin's tired eyes deadpanned at her while he placed the money on the counter. "Anyone ever tell you you’re one scary girl?”

"A few exes might have mentioned it." Jamie hummed happily, put the money away, and slid him a slip of paper. "Here's my working hours if you want to go another round."

Her wink was as encouraging as a predator opening a kitchen door.

"Uhu." Jin grabbed his bags and made for the door. "I'll be sure to do that. Eventually. Maybe. Thanks for... the help, Jamie."

She giggled behind him. "Bye, Jin~."

'Why can't any of these stores be normal?' Jin wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry.

Despite Jamie's… forwardness, she made terrific clothing.

She catered to Half-Bloods and Muggle-Borns, so her designs were trendier and more up-to-date.

He could buy a complete set of everything he needed for a steal. They all looked and felt great, and he even grabbed a few extras, like jackets, gloves, boots, and tank tops.

None of it was enchanted, but for the price and comfort, Jin couldn't complain.

After clothes, Jin headed for the general store, hesitating momentarily outside a window for a shop that sold complete potion sets.

His hands itched to play mad scientist, but a quick glance at his one-year timer ticking down urged him away. 'I need to focus on my strengths and fixing my mind. I can play with potions once I fix my soul and come back to this world.’

Common sense won out for a change, only to fail a moment later as he passed a magical pet store.

He locked onto a small feline staring at him from the window.

It blinked bright blue eyes and meowed.

Jin’s will shattered under zero pressure.

No mystical Phoenix Egg or disguised Chimera was waiting for the right owner among the mundane animals. However, the Kneazle kitten that stole his heart may have been extraordinary in terms of sheer fluffiness, and Jin was delighted with the purchase.

"Who's a good girl? You're a good girl." Jin cooed at the kitten clinging to his shirt.

“Row.” It chirped back with a purr, seemingly quite satisfied with Jin's height, which gave the little lady a prominent view of her surroundings.

Jin cradled the black-furred, blue-eyed kitten and showered her in love. The stop at the pet store had taken only twenty minutes or so, and the owner was happy to offer a discount on the kitten.

Something about how full-blooded Kneazles weren't as attractive to buyers as half-bloods, but none of that mattered much to Jin as he’d happily take the kitten even if it was a normal cat.

Kneazles were magical cats with a sixth sense for danger and untrustworthy individuals. They grew to the size of a medium-sized dog, whereas half-blooded ones stopped at around the size of a large house cat.

He made a quick stop at a general store for toiletries, then walked back into the Leaky Cauldron with a majestic black kitten riding his shoulders like a conquering hero.

‘I didn’t really take a minute to look around this place.’ Jin hummed as he stepped back into his starting location.

The place looked like a medieval-style tavern, and the warm vibe it exuded was soothing after a long day of shopping.

Instruments floated on their own, playing calming music in one corner. Plates and mugs flew around as dozens of people went about their meals. Jin even caught a small creature he assumed was a House Elf popping between tables.

The kitten jumped onto an empty table and curled up as Jin sat down. He glanced over the menu and considered his remaining funds. ‘It’s 29 Knuts to a Sickle and 17 Sickles to a Galleon. I could buy a month’s worth of food for myself with a single galleon, so I don’t have to be frugal with eating.’ 

A soft pop to his side got Jin’s attention, and he turned to see a small house elf. "Ello Sir, what cans I be getting for you's?"

The magical creature was barely three feet tall, with bat-like ears and eyes the size of tennis balls. Even with all the things Jin had seen that day, the sight of the iconic being still sent a thrill through him. "Hey there, can I get the Leaky Soup dinner set and a plate of tuna and some water for my friend here?"

The house elf nodded with a smile. "Right away, Sir."

The elf disappeared, and a second later, a bowl of steaming soup with a side of hot bread, a mug of mead, and a plate of tuna with water on the side were a foot away from him on the table. Jin barely even blinked before his fluffy friend was mauling the plate of tuna.

He chuckled at the sight. 'Magic is awesome.'

He ate his meal while idly thinking about his day.

‘I’m not sure how long my transition took, but it's been less than a day from my point of view since I died and woke up.' It felt like Zelretch’s explanation took less than an hour, and getting set up for the transition took another. 'In hindsight, everything has been incredibly rushed.’ He sipped his soup and shrugged. ‘I woke up in a new body, in a fictional universe, and it feels so right.’

Each step was exciting as he experienced new things, trading faint, distant memories in his brain for the reality he was confronted with. Jin was still figuring out who he was; technically, without prior memories of who he once was, he had just been born, and that made every interaction interesting.

Jin paused mid-bite as he realized something. ‘Why was this my first world destination?’

Zelretch had said the magic Jin was hit with intertwined with the strongest desires he had when he died. ‘There must be a reason I recall so many bits of meta knowledge from this universe; maybe I was a big fan of this world?'

There wasn't an answer; Jin's old life was good and gone, so he ultimately let it go and just accepted what was.

Finishing his meal, Jin dropped some money on the table and scooped up his purring kitten to return to his room, where he cracked open a notebook and started putting down his thoughts.

‘I’ve got 30 days to get myself in order.’

Between his perks, injuries, purchases, wand, study material, and future plans, Jin had a bulging sack of work to get to.

‘But that just makes it more exciting.’ Jin grinned at the challenging prospect and wrote out his first steps. ‘If my life’s already on a timer, why not see what I can do with it?’

It was time to start the oldest of traditions.

It was time to grind.

Chapter End.

AN: I have a couple more I was working on, I kinda got into a groove and just kept churning through the editing yesterday, but I was hoping my beta reader could look through them before I post. He should be awake in an hour or two.