Hogsmeade Village Matters

"Madam Rosmerta, you look as beautiful as ever."

At The Three Broomsticks Inn, Voldemort praised softly—perhaps influenced by his fragmented soul, he found the forty-something Madam Rosmerta more charming than the twenty-something Danylis.

"Quirrell, you're much more eloquent than before," Madam Rosmerta winked at him before handing him a Butterbeer. "You seem to be in a good mood."

Voldemort raised his cup and took a large gulp before saying, "Indeed, I am. I'm going to see Dumbledore today for an interview as the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."

As he spoke, he handed the interview letter to Madam Rosmerta.

"Do you want to use my fireplace?" she asked after taking a look at the letter.

"Yes, but it's still early. I need to eat something first; I'm hungry."

Voldemort said, taking the letter back and tucking it into his robes—The Three Broomsticks Inn was one of the few places he knew that had a connection to a Hogwarts fireplace.

Of course, Hogwarts was in control. Generally, if the letter said two o'clock, the fireplace would be activated around 1:30, allowing him to enter Professor McGonagall's office fireplace.

The reason for his good mood wasn't just the interview. The main reason was that he had confirmed last night via phone that Dumbledore had not entered the Dursley home.

It seemed Harry's weakness had triggered the magic Dumbledore had left on him—or perhaps a Squib had notified him—but regardless, Dumbledore wasn't pursuing him.

"I can make you a sandwich if you'd like."

As Madam Rosmerta spoke, she turned to prepare the ingredients. Voldemort looked at her graceful figure—he suddenly thought of Ron. If he remembered correctly, Ron had a thing for this lady...

Indeed, men never change.

"No problem, Madam Rosmerta."

As soon as he finished speaking, Madam Rosmerta turned her head and saw his gaze looking down, her cheeks instantly flushing.

"My apologies, Madam, I can only say that you are too beautiful."

Voldemort said without a hint of guilt, which made Madam Rosmerta glare at him shyly before smiling and turning away to prepare his lunch.

Voldemort shrugged, glancing at the proprietress's attractive figure a few more times before looking out the window.

Admittedly, Hogsmeade Village was truly a village, pitifully small and with very few inhabitants.

The wizarding world had never been a place of prosperity. As far as he knew, the entire wizarding population of Britain was only a little over eight thousand—a little over eight thousand, which was the population of a larger village in his homeland.

"If that's the case... my war with the White Lord is essentially a village feud... No, since we both have wands as weapons, it's a village-level armed struggle..."

This thought made Voldemort chuckle, causing Madam Rosmerta to glance at him curiously.

After lunch, Voldemort didn't wait for the Hogwarts fireplace to open. Instead, he headed to the Elegant Witchcraft Clothing Store not far away—he wanted to pick out some stylish clothes.

The fact that they could advertise at the Quidditch World Cup showed that the Elegant brand had some clout in the wizarding world. He had been to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions in Diagon Alley, which was too ordinary. Quality Quidditch Supplies was good, but their women's clothes were excellent while their men's were mediocre.

"Welcome, how may I help you?"

As soon as he entered the store, the sales assistant asked enthusiastically—perhaps no one had come in all morning, so her enthusiasm made Voldemort rather uncomfortable.

"I'd like to pick out an outfit. If it's nice, I don't mind getting two."

Voldemort said, scanning the store. Soon, he was struck by a particular outfit.

It was a black wizarding ensemble with simple purple patterns on the chest and sleeves, and silver embroidery on the collar and cuffs. The accompanying wizard robe wasn't baggy but rather very fitted—this was the first time he had seen such a wizard robe.

"This is our new design this year, created by Madam Westwood, using..." the sales assistant began to explain enthusiastically.

"Let me try one on," Voldemort interrupted her.

Soon, he was wearing the wizard robe, and he had to admit, his entire demeanor seemed much improved.

"The fabric is very comfortable. How much is it?" Voldemort asked.

"Twenty-six Galleons for the full set," the sales assistant replied, her voice tinged with excitement.

Voldemort blinked. At this price, it wasn't cheap at all.

"Pack up the clothes I took off," Voldemort said, paid directly, and left.

After leaving the Elegant Witchcraft Clothing Store, he headed to the Dervis-Bans Magical Equipment shop at the end of Hogsmeade Village—he needed to buy some equipment to repair the Vanishing Cabinet.

"A complete set of magical cabinet repair tools. Not many people buy these anymore," the shop owner said, placing a large box on the counter. "It comes with a tool usage manual, but you'll need some knowledge of Alchemy to figure it out."

Voldemort nodded, paid, and glanced at the Two-way Mirror on the counter—he actually wanted to buy one, but he was afraid it would keep ringing.

"The latest model of the ringing Two-way Mirror, with many added functions, volume control..."

"No need, thank you." Voldemort interrupted the owner's introduction, picked up the box, and placed it into a cloth bag he had in his pocket—the bag had been enchanted with an Undetectable Extension Charm.

Using an Undetectable Extension Charm for personal use was illegal, but who cared? At least the owner pretended not to see it and said nothing.

Leaving Dervis-Bans, Voldemort returned to The Three Broomsticks Inn.

"Quirrell, this outfit suits you perfectly!" the proprietress's eyes lit up, and she exclaimed sincerely upon seeing Voldemort walk in.

"I think so too," Voldemort said, shaking his magical robe. "And a lighter robe is more comfortable to wear."

"I agree, but wizards around here rarely like fitted wizard robes. Wizards from America tend to like this style," Madam Rosmerta said, reaching out to touch the fabric of the robe.

Voldemort didn't dodge. As Madam Rosmerta got closer, he smelled perfume—he was sure it hadn't been there before.

Looking closely at Madam Rosmerta, he suddenly realized that the lady's makeup seemed different from just a moment ago, looking... more refined.

"Did you put on makeup?" Voldemort asked curiously.

"What? Oh, yes." Madam Rosmerta's cheeks flushed slightly, making her look even more appealing. "I just washed my face and touched up a bit."

Voldemort chuckled; the makeup didn't look "simple" at all.

"This makeup suits you better, it makes you even more beautiful," Voldemort said with a smile.

"Really?" She touched her face, looking a little shy.

An ambiguous atmosphere rippled between the two. Voldemort felt he should do something at this moment, or the warm midday sun would be wasted.

"Rosmerta, give me a drink."

The shop door was suddenly pushed open, and the arrival of a customer shattered all ambiguity, causing Madam Rosmerta to hastily turn and walk behind the bar.

"Well then... I'll go use the fireplace," Voldemort said to her and headed for the second floor of the pub.

I really want to give that big-bearded guy an Avada Kedavra... Voldemort thought irritably.