Title: A Little Problem
Penname: Redwren
Rating: G
Genre: Humour
Warnings: Does cute baby Draco count as a warning?
Constructive Criticism: I can take it.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any related character. No money is being made.
A Little Problem
Padfoot ambled leisurely down Knockturn Ally, blending in well with the many strays that could be seen harassing post owls waiting for service and digging through scraps of food left by hurried shoppers too busy to stop at a real restaurant.
He was on a mission for the Order of the Phoenix, which all of the Marauders now belonged to. Dumbledore had told him that going as a dog would help him eavesdrop while remaining nearly invisible (And James had added: "I told you that everyone likes you better as a dog."). His mission: spy on Lucius Malfoy, currently suspect in a string of horrific Muggle deaths near London, and try to glean as much information as possible from his actions or conversations.
He investigated a trash can with vigor, (nothing suspicious here,), and was shooed away by the owner of the business. Killjoy, thought Padfoot.
He sat down near a shop that sold curtains (Veils 50 off!!) and waited for something interesting to happen. Just before he was about to resolve to either go home or find some cats to chase, a blonde man with a bundle in his arms hurried past. I wonder what's in there, Sirius thought. Is it food? thought the dog part of his brain. Either way, we should check it out.
It was Lucius, after a moment's pause, who set the bundle gently down on a bench outside of a shop and entered, setting off the bell on the door, which bore a sign that said:
Borgin and Burkes
No Children Under Ten Allowed Inside
Padfoot immediately came over to investigate, sticking his nose into it and snuffling. But….there was a hand in there! Oh, no, it's a body, was his first thought, then…no…there was a head too, with wide curious eyes—oh, no, it's a BABY!
The baby, white-blonde, sat up and grabbed at Padfoot's cold, wet nose. Hey, watch the nose. It giggled. He twitched his nose, hoping everything was still in working order. The tiny thing giggled again, reminding Sirius of Harry, James' son, who was now roughly the same age. He also remembered that Harry liked to chase his tail.
He turned sideways, and wagged his fluffy tail near the baby. Its face lit up and it tried to catch the tail, waving its little arms and pushing aside some of the blankets. Padfoot was having fun now, and couldn't stop himself from jumping up and barking joyfully. The baby clapped its hands and laughed out loud, and Sirius decided that if dogs could chuckle, he'd be doing it now.
Unfortunately, the barking caught the attention of more than the baby. Malfoy hurried out. "Get away from my son, you filthy creature! Go, get away!!" he waved his cloak at the dog, as if attempting to scare him off. He picked up the blanket-wrapped baby. "Merlin, Draco, if you really had to try to get hurt, couldn't you at least have picked a well-bred dog?"
That's irony for you, thought Sirius as he watched Malfoy's backside shrink away. I come from the most purebred family in the entire Wizarding world, and someone comes along and tells me I'm a mutt.
At least he could tell the Order that Lucius had something new on his plate.
Author's Note: Lucius probably wasn't planning to stay long in the store. He doesn't seem like a person who abuses his child (even though he abuses house elves) As to why Draco was with him, let's just say Narcissa was getting tired.