I would like to thank Julie Demers for helping me with all the Harry Potter information.
Crookshanks
Dawn was surprised to hear from Pete Black the next day when she was running with Bart that morning. He sent her a text message while they were in the park discussing the campfire camp.
"My afternoon is free if you want to catch up and discuss the issues you mentioned last night."
"Fine with me. How does Cabbages and Kings sound? About 6:30?"
"Fine by me. Pick you up around 6:30 then."
Dawn was glad he was writing to her so quickly. She wanted to also talk to him about illegal dumping. She knew she would be called into questioning soon by the authorities and she wanted as much evidence as possible to prove that she and her mother were innocent.
"Claudia is dropping off some skewers that Watson got to roast marshmallows so we don't have to use sticks. She is also picking up some of the stuff for the kits from Karen's shop. We can start putting the kits together tomorrow once we pick up the cardboard boxes they are going to go into."
"That will be wonderful! We need to come up with a name for the camp. What about Campfire Society?"
"That sounds too much like Boy Scouts. What about The Midnight Society?"
"Yes! That's perfect!"
Meanwhile, Claudia was getting ready to go down to Karen's store. She knew Karen didn't keep regular hours, so she knew she should wait until later in the day to try to go. She was going to pick up the donations from Karen's store, but she also wanted to take the opportunity to start to try to be friendly with Karen and report back to Kristy.
Claudia got to use the Junk Bucket, Mallory didn't need it today she was out with Ben following up on a hunch for the history project, and Kristy and Abby had gone to Abby's mom's for a visit and lunch with Anna.
She drove around and parked at the main entrance to Crookshanks, Karen's store. "How cool," Claudia thought. She hasn't paid attention the last time she had visited. The door handles looked like snakes and the windows had an iridescent tint in rainbow colors with two white unicorns standing on their hind legs with the store name in the middle. When you entered the store a group of wind chimes sounded. Claudia looked up and saw that the chimes had tiny metal elephants with bells attached underneath them. The second thing Claudia noticed was the smell of incense burning. Or maybe essential oils, she wasn't sure.
Claudia couldn't help but think about how people really put Karen down for not taking the conventional road in life and instead pursuing her passion, much like herself. The store was pretty amazing. Part curiosity shop, part metaphysical store, part book shop, with all kinds of trinkets and antiques and crystals. Claudia decided to explore every inch of the store today just for fun and to get to know Karen better.
"Hi, Claudia! I guess you are here for the stuff for the kits! I got things I found in the basement. Let me go get them and I will help you load them into the Junk Bucket. Also, feel free to look around and see if there is anything else they can use for the camp too."
Claudia and Karen loaded up the Junk Bucket. Then Claudia said she wanted to look around. Karen said she would give her the VIP tour. They started on the left side of the store which was the books and Harry Potter memorabilia section. "I've collected first editions, signed editions, and rare tie-ins from around the world. See I even have the Nimbus 2000 broom."
Her display was beautiful it even had signed photos of Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint on the walls. The whole thing was set up very fancy, like a mini Hogwarts.
"So, Karen, tell me about the JK Rowling mystery. I was thinking about doing a video on it and interviewing you and Mal." Claudia figured it would be a great way to get things started. Karen covered the basics and showed Claudia the gigantic map that covered the wall behind the counter of the store. It had thumbtacks in it and post-it notes surrounding the outside with sighting and clues written all over it.
"Stacey and Sam thought they saw JK in Stamford," Claudia offered.
"Really? Do you know where?"
"No, but Stacey would we can ask her."
"That would be awesome. I can't imagine what she would want in Stamford, but maybe she is just sticking to places she is familiar with."
"The weird thing? They saw her buying one of Mallory's books!"
"Oh wow! That reminds me I have a whole section dedicated to Mallory's books. I'm going to have her do a book signing here. It's not often we have an international author here in Stoneybrook, but I guess you know that since your mom works for the library."
Karen took Claudia to the other section of the store, the one that sold books that weren't Harry Potter. She had all kinds of interesting things, including old Nancy Drew books.
"I have more in the basement I need to sort. I buy a lot of things online, estate sales or lots off Etsy and bookstore closeings. Pretty soon I'm going to have to hire some help."
"I could help you a few days a week. I can't work the history project all the time or I will go batty."
"That would be awesome Claudia! There are a lot of antique books I need to sort and document and you would be the perfect person! What about starting next week on Tuesdays and Thursdays? You can come anytime you want. I usually close the shop around 6 or so, but you can always stay after the store is closed. I have security cameras set up all over and can see if we have a customer outside wanting to come in, even if we are closed. I have an app you can download and we can see who is at the door."
" Does Morbidda ever come after hours?"
"Sometimes she does. I checked her back records. Looks like she is a fan of Mal's books. She also buys a lot of things for spells."
"So she is a witch?"
"It looks like it. Or she is just interested in holistic healing?"
Karen gave Claudia a tour of the rest of the store. She showed her the metaphysical section, with crystals, herbs, candles, essential oils, all sorts of fun things! And the antiques section which was an assortment of things like a giant wooden decorative giraffe head. Next might have been the funnest part of all for Claudia. Karen had a small section full of hippy-style clothing, jewelry, and accessories. "What do they normally wear at the clubs around here?"
"All kinds of things. I usually wear stuff like this, but they will let you in wearing jeans and a t-shirt too."
"Do you know of any good spots?"
"How about I take you out with my friends Tuesday night?"
Claudia was in. She couldn't wait to tell Kristy.
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