The Cobblestone pathway slick with snow dusted ice lit by dim luminaire lining the marketplace. All store lanterns dark except for Clockwork Archives which glowed amber making them a landmark for whoever is there. I stay back across the street a few stores down, hidden by the shadows but still keeping watch. After a bit of time passed with no one coming or going I was about to leave when someone came out the entrance and crossed the street heading towards me but not knowing I was in the shadows. As soon as they came in front of me I silently yanked them further into the shadows and held my wand to their neck. They yelped, "Silence or you're dead" they became silent. "State your name." They whispered loud enough for me to hear but quiet for those passing by, "Connor. Please don't hurt me." I kept my wand up to his neck, "What's going on in the shop Connor." "I don't know." I added a bit of pressure, "Don't make me ask again. I saw you depart from it so don't lie. Remember you made an oath in there a long time ago so don't break it." His voice became shakey, "Like I said I don't know. I was just doing inventory-" I scoff, "At this time at night during a slow period. You are such a follower." Connor started to turn his head to see who had him but I was a few steps ahead, "Stupefy." He became limp and I propped him in a position that made it look like he fell asleep because he walked like he was extremely tired. I went to the next shop closer and stayed in the shadow watching for the next person to leave. Not long after someone came out, their hair tied back I recognized them. Molly, the perfect daughter but never followed instead being the leader. A horse-drawn wagon was coming down the street heading to port for deliveries. Molly wasn't paying attention and started crossing the street. Just as she got in the middle and the wagon was five feet away I raised my wand at her and whispered "Stupefy." Just as the wagon was stopping a foot away she collapsed to the ground, unmoving. I went around the back of the wagon staying in the shadows as people rushed out of the shop and onto the street creating chaos. I snuck into the shop and locked the door making it seemed like it locked on its own as they were rushing out. 

     "Watch where you're going! You hit her and now she might be dead. You'll pay for this." After that it was muffled bickering. They'll be busy for a while. I look around, everything's stayed the same from when I was in here less than 4 years ago. I go behind the counter and just as I did I hear keys at the door and duck down and hear the last of the bickering. "Go home and we'll just continue this next week. I have to go see if Hendrix finished up. Buh bye." Clarence finished locking up and turned off the front outside lights making this part of the shop dark. He then headed through the door and next thing I hear is him and Hendrix talking upstairs. I come out, "Lumos" I whispered and look at the contents on the counter. My name popped up so many times from papers to bottles to even the Dark Army. "What the- no this Can't be right." Commotion on the stairs I bolted to the front door and made my escape. The door left ajar as I glide on the ice back to where I came from. Entering an alleyway just in time as Hendrix peaked out of the shop and looked around, "Quit snooping in our shop!" The door closed and locked with a loud audible click. I sigh relieved and look down at my left hand. In it was a pocketwatch counting down, my name on the back. I head back to the school with a tear down my face.