Mirror Existence

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Truckle's Trunks

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At this time of the day, the Diagon Alley is all but deserted. We slowly walk down the street, ending up at the Leaky Cauldron. Naturally; it is my older sister Daphne who opens the gate for us, as we step in the back door to the establishment. (Even if Twilight could have teleported us right in, into the establishment just as easily; but maybe, she just felt like letting Daphne having this show?)

There are still numerous Wizards and Witches inside. Just enjoying the last moment, before they Floo home. Maybe a Butter Beer and some Pie, to celebrate the event.

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At first; none even notice our entry, but the joy is short-lived.

“What fine Trunks you bought!” Tom exclaims, as we approach his place behind the counter; “Deluxe Apartments?” he inquires, as he senses the luxurious air of our trunks.

“Uhm..” Daphne puts forth; “no, not exactly!” she points out.

“What’s the model closest to the Deluxe Apartment?” he inquires.

“It’s a special order..” Twilight suggests; “he will have to decide on the name for this model!” she explains.

“This is the latest model, coming up!” Daphne helpfully supplies; “And he certainly outdid himself, in the construction!” she concludes.

“Oh..” Tom inquires; “I guess: that is a Trunk; worthy of a Noble like Greengrass, then?” he suggests.

“I predict, this will be the envy of all; once he is announcing this model in his store!” I suggest.

“And the Malfoys have none!” Tom exclaims, for all to hear.

There is a roarous laughter, among the patrons enjoying the final round, before they are to leave. Naturally, this will be the Talk of the Town, among the Wizards and Witches, before the day is over.

A certain Mr. Truckles will be having his hands full, accommodating the incoming orders.

“There goes that surprise, and secret..” Penelope intones; “but I guess we just have to On Up them, before we enter the Train!” she concludes.

“When they do ask, Mr. Truckles can only tell them what he put into it; If I were to include further improvements, he has no way of knowing!” Twilight suggests, quietly.

“If you don’t mind; I think we will be taking the Floo home now, Tom!” Daphne puts forth.

“One Sickle per Trip!” Tom responds, whereupon Daphne fronts the five Sickles on the counter.

“Thank you, Tom!” we chorus, on our way over to the Floo.

Each takes a pinch of powder, step into the flame as it turns green and pronounce “Town Hall!” and swirls away through the flow of the Floo net-work to the desired destination.

“Town Hall?” one patron, sitting closest to the Floo inquires.

“That is what they all said!” the companion on the other side of the table responds.

Whispered murmurs ensue, as the rumoured departure is becoming the latest gossip.

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“Imperial Retreat..” Pinkie suggests, as we step out of the Floo.

“What did you say, Pinkie?” Penelope inquires.

“The Trunk model is: the Imperial Retreat!” she supplies, most helpfully.

“Oh, yeah; I guess: that would be making sense, when you put it that way!” Daphne responds.

“Why is the Trunk’s Apartment in only one floor?” Twilight inquires.

“No idea..” I respond; maybe they never thought of adding a second floor to the Deluxe apartment?” I continue.

“Then we are obligated to change this..” Pinkie intones; “just imagine; how much more space you could gain, by adding a few more floors!” she suggests.

“..and thus; the Imperial Retreat!” Rarity puts forth.

“Well; I could easily add a basement or two, then a few floors above and top it all off with an attic.” Twilight suggests; “just to ascertain; that we do have the most luxurious Trunk, available!” she concludes.

“The sparkles and the Greengrasses being the only once with this Top-of-the-Line model!” I ponder.

“Father will be most pleased, and quite proud of this purchase; even if I imagine he may have issues, in motivating the cost implied by this model!” Daphne proposes.

“Could you insert a Floo Central, in our Trunks?” Pinkie inquires.

“Wait, I could; but then, I will keep only the standard connected Floo in the Living Room.. (or Sitting Room)” she suggests; “and in doing so, none will even realize; that we even have the second Floo, in the first place.

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Zap Apple wood, for the Floo Central and Library Wood for the Library. These are obligatory. Why settle for anything; less than the optimal, here? (Perfection is the key; in the community we are inserting ourselves in, after all!)

The rest will still conform to the original.

“Ping!” is heard, as the render is complete.

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“I guess it is time for us to go home!” Daphne points out; “Our original business is concluded and I fear we may have some explanation to do, once we get home!” she concludes.

“Oh, yes; I guess: you are right..” Twilight concedes; “as much fun, as the meeting has been..” she continues; “but you are correct, you do have to go home; if for nothing, other than letting your parents know where you are!” she concludes.

“Take the Floo home, it isn’t, as if we couldn’t spare a pinch of the powder on friends!” Rarity points out.

“Thank you, Rarity!” Daphne and I respond, accepting the offer.

With that, I take the pinch of powder and throw it into the fire; stepping into the fire as it has turned green; “Greengrass Manor!” I exclaim, only to appear in the Floo back at the manor of Greengrass a moment later.

A moment later, I can see my older sister: Daphne stepping out of the floo.

“Is Father home?” Daphne inquires, just as Mother is entering the room, a moment after we had arrived.

“Yes, as a matter of fact; I believe he is, but what’s the rush?” she inquires.

“We have to explain this, to Father in person; before he may hear rumours, later!” Daphne points out.

“We made friends, allies of the Family as it were..” I add; “the Sparkles are coming to Town, as it were; we met them at the Diagon Alley..” I continue; “They ordered special Trunks, and made sure we were to have a matching set!” I conclude.

“Wait, you do have two Trunks each?” Mother inquires, somewhat taken aback.

“We will take one Trunk each to Hogwarts, but leave the second here at the manor!” Daphne explains.

“Twilight refers to these Trunks as: Imperial Retreats..” Daphne explains; “and Father will need to see them!” she points out.

“Imperial Retreat Trunks?” Father inquires.

“Yes, exactly..” I respond; “That is the unofficial name of this very Exclusive model!” I explain.

“They just handed you two pairs of unofficial Trunks?” Father inquires.

“She said that she is including a Floo Centra with an internal Floo included, aside from the regular connected Flue in the Living Room!” Daphne supplies.

“A Floo Central, similar to the one at the Ministry?” he inquires.

“I would imagine so; but she used Zap Apple Wood to decorate the room, for some reason.

“This I just have got to see!” Father points out, matter of fact.

“We can as well make the tour, right away..” Daphne offers; “then you can see it all, for yourself; first hand!” she concludes.

“On second thought; we should be keying the two of you to these two Trunks, we intend to leave at home!” I point out.

I watch her opening the Trunk, stepping in; followed by Father and Mother, only for us to appear in the Cloaking Room.

She is extending her right hand, pressing the palm of her hand onto the Plaque beside the door; slowly spreading her fingers as she is managing the controls. The light goes bright, in the room, as she does.

“Father; press the palm of your right hand on the Plaque, then spread your fingers wide to accept the key to this Trunk!” she instructs Father.

“Oh?” he inquires, following the instructions; only to experience the warm greeting, a firm hand-shake of sorts.

Once Father is stepping back, Mother is taking his place; repeating the process, accepting her personal key to the Trunk.

“There; now you are keyed to this Trunk, so that you can enter at will..” Daphne points out; “you can access everything, if and when you so choose..” she suggests; “you can as well consider it yours, for the foreseeable future!” she concludes.

“Open the door, so that you can see the Living Room..” Daphne suggests; “There is much to see; even if I only saw the first floor, the first time!” she concludes.

“A black Leather Sofa..” Father observes; ”very tastefully decorated; Mr. Truckles still knows his craft!” he concludes.

“Comes fully stocked, with a life-time’s worth of supplies!” Daphne informs them.

“A life-time’s worth?” Mother inquires; “That would be very impressive, if it indeed is possible!” she concludes.

“Compliment of the updates performed by Twilight Sparkle!” I supply.

“She did apply extensive upgrades; like a second floor and a basement!” Daphne suggests.

“A second floor?” Father inquires; “Impressive, I have never even heard of this!” he concludes.

“We also have a complete Alchemy/Potions lab, aside from the Greenhouse and extended Library, of course..” Daphne supplies; “but you will have to cultivate the Greenhouse on your own..” she continues; “though I was told the Library may self stock on occasion!” she concludes.

“We did place our School Books in our Libraries, of course!” I put forth; “Could as well prepare for school, and have everything in place before we go!” I conclude.

“In the Slytherin house, we always have to be one step ahead of the rest!” Father agrees; “And having the superior equipment, never hurts, either!” he concludes.

“Thus we have everything at our fingertips, in the trunk..” Daphne suggests; “Even Professor Severus Snape would have to recognize the quality of these trunks!” she suggests.

“In these trunks, we can practice: Magic, Potions, Alchemy and so much more; before anyone else, while staying out of the tracking range of the Ministerium as well!” I propose.

“I approve; you can practice to your heart’s content, within your trunks!” Father agrees; “How convenient, if you can practice in your trunk!” he ponders, with a hearty laughter.

“We plan to change into our Witch’s garb, inside our trunks; while on the train to Hogwarts!” Daphne explains.

“Prudent, most recommendable!” Father agrees.

“Did you say that the trunks had a life-time supply?” Mother inquires.

“That is what Twilight told us, before we flooed home!” Daphne confirms.

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“I enjoyed the trip, to Diagon Alley..” I put forth; “but meeting Twilight and her friends certainly was the icing on the cake!” I conclude.

“Father approves..” Daphne points out; “this trip was most certainly enjoyable; aside from everything we gained, in the process!” she concludes.

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Sleep Tight, and Sweet Screams

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