Early the next morning, Jerry returned to Knockturn Alley. Unlike the day before, a tall, imposing, mysterious figure followed close behind him, likewise wrapped in a dark cloak. A faint scrape of metal armor accompanied his movements. This was the Doll Jerry had made with his own hands.
Rog Bishop was the name Jerry had given him, meaning "protector of the king."
Jerry brought the Doll, Rogue, to the entrance of Borgin and Burkes. When he saw the "Closed" sign hanging on the door, he did not hesitate. He simply had Rogue push the door open, then strode inside.
"Oh, esteemed customer, please allow me to offer you my sincerest greetings. Unfortunately, I fear you have come at an inconvenient time. Borgin and Burkes is closed today." Behind the counter, Borgin set aside his work and looked toward the entrance. A towering figure stood there, his entire body tightly wrapped in a cloak and his features carefully concealed, dressed just as Jerry had been yesterday.
Despite Borgin's polite words, Rogue stood ramrod straight as though he had heard nothing. Without Jerry's orders, he would obey no one!
"Why the sudden closure?" Jerry's voice came from behind Rogue, tinged with amusement, breaking the silence in the shop.
At his voice, Rogue silently stepped aside to clear a path for Jerry, while vigilantly surveying the shop for any potential danger.
Jerry cast a satisfied glance at Rogue, the Doll who had only just begun to develop a trace of intelligence, then walked casually to the counter and gracefully took a seat.
"Of course, it is all to welcome an honored customer such as yourself!" Borgin hastily explained, his tone ingratiating.
Jerry, however, did not seem satisfied with this answer. His fingers tapped rhythmically on the counter, producing crisp sounds as though putting