"Keep up, Merlin."

Merlin almost had to jog to match his father's long stride. The narrow streets of Knockturn Alley didn't do much to help. More than once Merlin had tripped on the uneven cobblestones of the street, slowing him down even more.

Balinor Ambrose stopped just outside of a shop, Mulpepper's Apothecary, and turned to his son. "What are we not going to do in here?"

Merlin put his hands in pockets. "Touch anything."

"That's right." Balinor smiled, "Especially after that display in Dystyl Phaelanges. Honestly son, your mother would kill me if you came home with a nub."

Merlin grinned slyly. "I'm much too fast for that."

"Still, I'd hate to explain how a trip to get your school books ended with you losing a limb." Balinor's tone was lighthearted but his eyes were very serious. He held the shop door open for Merlin and followed his son inside.

The shop was filled with different colored jars and bottles. One jar was full of eyes and the jar next to it looked like a jar of small organs.

"Bat spleens," Merlin heard his father whisper.

The young wizard made a face. "What're they used for?"

"Potions. Obviously." Balinor gave his son a playful shove and headed to the counter. "Nicholas. Come on out, you have customers."

From the back room emerged an elderly man in dark, dusty robes. He was hunched over and had one eye bandaged.

"Balinor." Nicholas croaked. "You buying or selling?"

"Selling."

Nicholas pounded his fist on the counter. "Every time you come in here to sell, you clean me out!"

Balinor smiled as he reached into his robes. "That's because I always have quality merchandise." Finding what he was looking for, he placed a small black bag on the counter. "We'll start with what you can offer me."

The old man snatched the bag off the counter and reached deep inside. Slowly, he pulled out a jar that was about the size of Merlin's head. Inside the jar looked to be a long jagged tooth.

"Dragon fang?" Nicholas asked.

Balinor nodded. "Bits and pieces. Two of them got into a fight last night and this one lost."

"Last night you said?" Nicholas asked. "That fresh?"

Balinor nodded again.

Nicholas pulled another container and a small blade from under the counter. Carefully, he began scrapping the fang with the knife. The scrapings fell into the container and Nicholas examined it. Seemingly satisfied he closed the container.

"Five Galleons for the fangs."

"Go on," Balinor said with a nod.

Nicholas reached into the bag again and struggled to pull out an even larger jar. The object in the jar was completely black and the old man looked gleeful.

"Dragon's heart," Nicholas said in awe as he examined it. "Still black as night! Fresh indeed, Ambrose. Very fresh."

Curious, Merlin moved closer to the counter. "What color does it turn if it's not fresh?"

"Grey," Balinor explained. "The darker it is, the fresher it is."

"And the fresher it is, the more potent the potion." Nicholas added excitedly.

Merlin nodded in understanding. "So what's it worth?"

Nicholas gave Balinor a look. "Already teaching the boy how to trade? Going somewhere, old friend?"

Balinor put a hand on Merlin's shoulder. "Not if I can help it."

Nicholas gave Merlin a crooked smile. "How much do you think the heart is worth, boy?"

Merlin's eyes widened as he looked up at his father. "You want me to trade it?"

Balinor patted Merlin's shoulder reassuringly. "Go ahead."

Merlin stared at the heart for a moment, deep in thought. If Nicholas was willing to pay five Galleons for some fangs…

"Twenty Galleons," Merlin said finally.

"Nine." The shopkeeper countered.

Merlin looked up at his father and, after a reassuring smile, replied with "Fifteen Galleons."

"Ten."

"Fourteen Galleons or we walk." Merlin said with finality.

Nicholas eyed Merlin with amusement. "Are you in Slytherin?"

"Ravenclaw."

Nicholas gave a nod of approval. "Smart boy," he said to Balinor. "Fourteen Galleons for the heart and five Galleons for the fang." He reached under the counter for the money and placed it in Balinor's hand.

Balinor handed the money to Merlin, but not before sending him a thought. 'Double check that.'

Merlin quickly did so as Balinor gathered his things. 'All here.'

"Good," Balinor said aloud. "Nicholas, always a pleasure."

The shopkeeper bowed them out of the shop, and the two Ambrose men were once again on the cobblestone street.

"We'll grab your school supplies and then head home…maybe grab some ice cream." Balinor led the way past several shops as they headed towards Diagon Alley.

They were just about to pass Borgin and Burke when a tall, slender man with blond hair stepped out of the shop. He was followed by a similarly blond boy with a sharp face.

Draco Malfoy.

"Ah. If it isn't Balinor Ambrose, back in the wizarding world after all these years." The blond man leaned on his cane as he spoke. "Tell me, did your fellow dragon tamers welcome you back with open arms after you tucked tail and ran?"

Merlin knew his father had left the wizarding world behind when Voldemort was at full strength. Merlin also knew his father had only done that to protect his family. But as far back as Merlin could remember Balinor had always come home smelling of dragon's fire.

He may have left the wizarding world but he certainly hadn't left his duties as Dragonlord.

Balinor smiled and his tone was friendly. "Lucius Malfoy, the Death Eater that got away." He glanced at Borgin and Burke. "Fencing a few things you don't want the Ministry to find? They have been conducting raids, you know."

Lucius' grip tightened on his cane and Merlin had a sneaking suspicion that the cane was more than it seemed.

"I have nothing to hide, Ambrose." Lucius snapped. "You and your ilk-"

"Have nothing to hide either." Balinor said. "Now if you'll excuse us."

Balinor brushed past the Malfoys with Merlin in tow. Merlin didn't dare speak until they were in Diagon Alley.

"You know him?"

Balinor gave his son a look. "The Malfoy family has been around for centuries."

That wasn't what Merlin meant, but the look on his father's face kept him from asking any more questions.

Diagon Alley was the exact opposite of Knockturn Alley. The mist of darkness that lingered in Knockturn's street was gone. Diagon Alley was wider and much brighter. The shops were inviting instead of discouraging potential customers.

They came to a stop just outside of Flourish and Blotts bookstore. There were people everywhere inside and the crowd had spilled into the street.

"Let me see your book list."

Merlin pulled the list from his pocket and gave it to his father. "The list looks longer this year."

Balinor frowned as he read down the list. "Gilderoy Lockhart?"

Merlin shrugged.

"Voyages with Vampires? And Gadding with Ghouls?" Balinor raised an eyebrow at the parchment in his hands. "Sounds like a tosser to me."

Merlin laughed as his father guided him into the shop. It was more crowded than Merlin originally thought. The crowd also seemed to be made mostly of witches. The shopkeeper looked thoroughly irritated, telling the women to calm down and form an orderly line. The 'line' went all the way to the back of the shop. A photographer was steadily taking pictures, his camera emitting puffs of smoke with every flash.

"Definitely a tosser," Merlin heard his father say. "Find your spellbook so we can go."

"What about the other books?" Merlin asked.

Balinor gave his son a look. "Do you really want to read about this idiot…" he glanced down at the list again, "wandering with werewolves and traveling with trolls?"

Point taken, Merlin wandered off in the shop. He was flipping through a few pages of his spell book when he felt someone by his side. Merlin looked up to find Hermione smiling brightly at him.

"Hello Merlin," she chirped. Harry Potter and Ron Weasley stood behind her. They greeted Merlin with a nod.

He grinned. "Hey. Crazy in here, isn't it?"

Hermione blushed. "Well, it is Lockhart."

Merlin shrugged. "Dad thinks he's a bit of a tosser."

Ron snorted and Harry covered his laugh with a cough. Hermione, however, was not amused.

"He's brilliant," she insisted. Harry coughed again and Ron hid his face.

Merlin smiled. "If you say so, Hermione."

The four parted ways; Merlin in the direction of the shop's clerk, the three Gryffindors in the direction of all the commotion.

Merlin found his father at the register.

"Find what you need?" Balinor asked.

Merlin nodded and placed his book on the counter. Balinor put two more books on the counter and reached into his pockets for some money.

"Uh…dad? My other books?" Merlin asked once more. "They're required books."

Balinor shook his head and placed the money on the counter. "Then you'll be required to borrow someone's books."

A scuffle broke out near the entrance of the shop. Everyone turned to watch and Merlin heard his father swear under his breath.

"Stay here," Balinor commanded. He rushed off toward the door, weaving effortlessly through the crowd.

From a distance, Merlin could see his father push two men away from each other. One man had red hair while the other looked like Mr. Malfoy. Letting curiosity get the better of him, Merlin headed toward the door.

By the time he had gotten outside, his father seemed to have calmed the redheaded man down. Merlin stood at Balinor's side, catching the last bit of their conversation.

"…get to you like that." Balinor quietly urged. "He's not worth it."

The red haired man nodded. He suddenly noticed Merlin, and his expression changed to cheerful. "Hullo. You must be Merlin," he said, offering his hand. "Arthur Weasley."

Merlin shook the man's hand. "Pleased to meet you," he said earnestly before turning to his father. 'Is everything okay?'

Balinor ruffled his son's hair. "I have to make a stop before we go. How about I meet you at Fortescue's?"

Merlin nodded and bounded off towards Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor. He had just passed the robes shop when he heard his name.

"Merlin?"

He swiftly turned around to find Morgana. A tall slender woman followed Morgana out of the shop. There was a snobbish air about her.

"Hello Morgana," Merlin greeted, casting glances at Morgana's companion.

Morgana smiled and made introductions. "Merlin, this is my godmother, Narcissa Malfoy. Narcissa this is Merlin Ambrose."

A look of recognition crossed Narcissa's face, but was quickly replaced with indifference.

"Pleased to meet you," Merlin said cautiously.

"Indeed," she turned to her goddaughter. "Come along, Morgana."

Merlin knew he had been dismissed. Before he could say his goodbyes, Morgana regarded him curiously.

"Where are you headed?" she asked.

"Ice cream," he said quickly.

Morgana's eyes lit up and she turned to Narcissa. "May I go?"

Narcissa sighed deeply. "Alright. I'll come get you after a while."

Merlin felt Morgana's cold hands wrap around his wrist and pull him down the street. The shop was a short walk and soon enough the young witch and wizard sat across from each other in a booth, ice cream bowls in front of them.

Merlin quickly told Morgana about running into Draco and Mr. Malfoy in Knockturn Alley as well and the altercation between Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Weasley.

Morgana rolled her eyes. "Not a big fan of Lucius. He's the reason Draco walks around like the world owes him something. The prat."

Merlin snorted into his ice cream. "I don't think Draco likes me very much, but he just ignores me."

"Good," Morgana finished her ice cream and pushed her bowl away. "He's not supposed to talk to you, remember?"

Merlin nodded. Last Christmas, Draco and Morgana promised to stay out of each other's way. That included leaving friends and family alone.

"At least he's holding up to his end of the deal," Merlin observed.

Morgana nodded, but immediately stopped when the door to the shop chimed. Merlin followed her gaze and found Draco approaching them.

'Spoke too soon,' Morgana thought.

Draco stood next to their table, his back mostly to Merlin. "Mother is waiting. It's time to go." He turned to Merlin. "I'd like to talk to you for a moment, though."

Morgana frowned. "Draco-"

"I only want a minute, LeFay."

Morgana looked to Merlin. He just shrugged and kept eating his ice cream. Draco wasn't going anywhere until he got his way and he wouldn't dare do anything stupid in such a public place.

Reluctantly sliding out of the booth, Morgana bid Merlin goodbye and left the boys alone.

"So what's this about?" Merlin asked.

Draco leaned on the table. "Stay away from her."

Merlin made a face. "What?"

"You heard me, Ambrose. Stay away from her." There was a bit of malice in Draco's voice. "She's too good to be associated with you."

Merlin leaned towards Draco. "What are you going to do if I don't stay away?" he challenged.

Draco stood to his full height, his eyes narrowed. "I'd hate for you to find out." He stuck his finger in Merlin's ice cream and scooped it into his mouth. "Enjoy the rest of your ice cream."

Merlin clenched his fists in anger as Draco left. He could feel his magic rising inside of him.

Draco was all talk, of course. He wouldn't do anything to Merlin. The fact that Draco thought he could dictate who Morgana could associate with, however, lit Merlin's insides on fire.

The door chimed again and this time it was Balinor, one hand behind his back.

"I do believe my son was ranked top five in his first year at Hogwarts." Balinor spoke loudly, so everyone in the parlor could hear. "Quite frankly, I'm proud of him."

Merlin blushed. He was second only to Hermione Granger and, seeing as how she had gotten 300 percent on one of her exams, he was honored to receive such an achievement. "Dad-"

"As a reward," Balinor continued, "I got you a little something."

Merlin's heart skipped a beat when his father revealed the object he'd been hiding. The shiny handle was black and the tail end of twigs was silver. Gold lettering on the handle read Nimbus 2001.

Merlin took the offered broom from his father's hand. Not only was the broom sleek, it was light also. Merlin couldn't wait to try it out.

"Thank you," he said quietly, as nearby patrons applauded. He was so eager to show his broom to his friends that he completely forgot Draco's threat.