A.N.~Yet another brain torturing peace of insanity presented in ficlet form. This is why I should not write without sleeping first…Connects to 'Not What I Expected'. Believe it or not this will make even less sense if you don't read that first. Oh, and if you sign in for your reviews I can respond!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter franchise (book/movie) and make to profit from this. The only thing I can claim is the many thousands of dollars I am sure to be billed for my reader's therapy.
One Shot Take Two
Shopkeepers throughout the alley quivered in fear. The most fearsome thing they could imagine was now about to happen; since the war was over they'd expected peace and maybe a few extra galleons spent in their shops in celebration. They'd clearly forgotten why the war ended in the first place. Now Bellatrix Lestrange was in Diagon Alley, and she was on a mission.
More than one person wet themselves.
Everyone sent fervent prayers that their shop would not be first.
The man working front desk at Flourish and Blotts that day burst into tears when her voice was heard clearly while she opened the door.
"Come along, Draco. We mustn't keep my lovely waiting! No, we must buy every book they have on pregnancy and childcare so my little gran-baby has the very best out there, yes we must!"
Patrons of the store hid in the Divination section, almost positive she wouldn't look there; they all knew she was more vicious when she baby talked that way. It was worse when she was talking about her 'lovely' or her 'grand-baby'. Anyone who got in her way was seen as a threat and frankly the Ministry was just too scared of Harry Potter's hormones to stop her. Come to think of it so were they; no one mentioned Lucius Malfoy hiding amongst them, clearly too smart to step in. The public felt rather bad for the aristocrat; he was in charge of finding the perfect muralist for the nursery, or so rumor had it. The way the man went pale and started shaking at the sound of Madam Lestrange's voice led credence to that rumor; many a Firewhiskey would be had in his honor that evening.
"Oh, we simply must get a book or two on Divination to try and chart my ikle grand-baby's future! They'll be an amazing little Magician, oh yes they will!"
The group edged around one corner and, when the Witch wasn't looking, moved into Potions so quickly they could have Apparated there.
"We'll need to get Sevvy Dear a good guide to Infant Potions and Healing! Mustn't forget that!"
A few muttered words none of the assemblage would say in front of their mothers and they dashed into History; surely she wouldn't look here! Thankfully she didn't, moving onto story books and a few books on Housekeeping Charms designed for young parents. The man at the counter's voice shook as he totaled up the purchases, shrinking them into a bag as he gave the total to the traumatized young man traveling with her. Draco Malfoy paid and whispered the next destination before leaving the counter.
It wouldn't hurt to give them a head start. Madam Malkin was forever grateful; she was able to get her gentle young niece through the Floo before the deranged Madam set foot in the shop. This was definitely a case of taking one for the team.
By the end of the day nearly a quarter million galleons had been spent but the causalities were high; twelve people splinched themselves trying to Apparate home after their victory drinks, five people were in St. Mungo's after not getting out of the way quickly enough, and seven people had complete mental breakdowns.
Still, it could have been a lot worse.
Harry could have been there, too.