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Augustus Hill had been running Gladrags for years now and never would he have expected a troll to attack Hogsmeade. Thankfully, an officer was at the scene, but it was quite the surprise to see two Hogwarts students take down a troll. Surely, such a feat should be rewarded.
He knew Natty from her previous Hogsmeade visits, and she introduced him to the new fifth year student. A boy named Dorian. Augustus gifted him a beautiful robe that looked like the night sky and shone as if it were gold. Dorian seemed very grateful then the two students headed off to The Three Broomsticks. Augustus thought that was the end of that.
A day later Dorian came back, this time to sell some clothing items to Augustus. What better place to sell gear than a clothing store after all? He did something unusual before leaving this time. Augustus had left some tea out on the table and had forgotten to drink it. Before he could stop the boy, Dorian drank the tea that had long since gone cold, cranked the handle on the phonograph, and left out the door. He was slightly taken aback. It’s not like Dorian did anything bad, just odd. He had to have known that the tea was a cold forgotten cup and not a complimentary customer beverage, right?
He was curious, so to satisfy that curiosity he left out another cup of tea if the student were to return. The next day he did, and it happened just like before. Dorian sold some gear, drank the tea, played the phonograph and left the shop. He left out tea for a third time and it happened again.
And he kept leaving out a cup. It got to a point where Augustus could not stop. He would feel guilty if he did. It was routine now. The student always sold him good quality clothing items, always in good condition. He was very polite and always happy to run an errand. Even after months, Dorian still wore those robes that he had gifted him. People who didn’t know him referred to him as, “the student in celestial robes”.
When the shopkeeper questioned him about it, his response was, “It’s a very dear gift. I hope to keep them for as long as possible.”
It warmed his heart that another thought of his simple expression of gratitude as something so precious. Augustus looked forward to the visits even more after that. Thankfully, Dorian was never gone for more than a few days. He began to learn his favorite teas to leave out for him. He even placed charms, so that the cup would stay warm. That teacup became known as Dorian’s.
One day Dorian came in looking a little worse for wear, but he still greeted Augustus with the same smile.
“Hello, Dorian. I just bought a new blend of chamomile. I know you favor those.”
“Thank you. Chamomile is one of my favorites. Unfortunately, this might be my last cup for a while. I have some,” he hesitated for a moment, “things to take care of.”
He took a closer look at the boy: tired eyes, pale complexion, and some of the stitching on his robes had started to come undone.
“Are you doing alright?”
“I’ll be fine Mr. Hill,” he said, standing up straighter, “It’s just a few errands. Everything will be over soon enough and then I’ll be back.”
They chatted for a bit longer. Dorian drank his tea, cranked the phonograph, and left out the door, his walk a bit slower this time.
He really hoped that boy stayed out of trouble.