LONERS OF SORTS
Author's Note: Here's the second chapter. Don't own Harry Potter. Do review!
To say that Hermione Granger was overjoyed was an understatement. No one ever introduced themselves to her on their own. She was always the 'swot'. Eyes twinkling she looked around at the two boys. "Are you a Muggleborn?", asked Draco. "My mother has lots of Muggle books. She likes to be read out 'Pride and Prejudice' every day.", he prattled on. Her eyes widened at the mention of Jane Austen's timeless classic. "Really? It's my favourite book too! Yes, I'm a Muggleborn. My Mom, Dad are dentists! My Mom almost fainted when Professor Snape told her about witches and wizards. And, when we told Dad, he thought we were celebrating April's Fool early!" she chattered excitedly, finally having found someone who showed the mildest interest in her.
Meanwhile, Madam Malkin's was busy fitting up the boy called 'Harry' while her parents were politely standing behind Professor Snape amazed at everything. Draco looked over the girl with brown curls now looking intently at the scissors and needles weaving and stitching on their own. He wasn't used to people opening up to him. His father had been right when he assured him that things would change once he started at Hogwarts. On that cue he looked around and spotted his father talking with Uncle Sev who was introducing him to a brown haired man and strawberry blond woman with brown eyes. Hermione's parents for sure. He saw his father flinch minutely as he shook their hands. Confused, he looked back to find that Harry was almost fitted. He was confused to know that 'The Harry Potter' knew naught about the wizarding world. Shrugging he moved to Hermione who was still at the self-sewing robes. "They're charmed.", he told her with a smile. "Oh.", was her only reply.
Just then, Harry joined them with a parcel and Hermione was called for fitting. Harry watched as the girl stared with wonder at the tape moving around her. His reaction had been similar. He had been extremely surprised when he walked into the store and saw the blond boy talking voluntarily to him. Telling him about the Hogwarts houses and his preference towards the ambitious Slytherins. He talked about meeting Muggleborns and how he was excited to know about their world as his Mother had lots of books on Muggles which talked about ingenious devices that let you hear each other's voice and play music without a radio. Harry had smiled at the boy's enthusiasm and somewhere in his heart, he thought he'd made his first friend that day.
Soon, the party of seven left Madam Malkin's and out into the Alley to be greeted by Rubeus Hagrid carrying a cage with a snowy white owl. It was a gift for Harry. Neither Draco nor Hermione missed the joy in his eyes at the word 'gift', it wasn't a normal kid's smile. It was almost a 'deprived' kid's smile – grateful, bashful and uncertain.
Harry waved at them both as he left for the wand shop with Hagrid. "See you on the 1st!", Hermione said as she waved back. Thrusting her packages at her Mom, she turned to Professor Snape, "Can we get the books now?", she asked with her endearing enthusiasm. Her father laughed fondly and patted her head. "Yes, of course. And Draco will be accompanying us too. Lucius is being called away for a medical emergency.", Severus Snape replied, with a hint of sadness in his eyes. Draco immediately whirled around and looked at his father at the words 'medical'. Hermione too followed his gaze to see Mr. Malfoy pat his head briefly and squeeze his shoulders as he said "Nothing serious, Draco. Enjoy your time okay? And I want to see all the books on your birthday list with you. Alright?". Nodding his head at the adults he suddenly disappeared with a loud 'Pop'. Although very worried, Draco found Hermione's wonder filled eyes more interesting. "Apparition.", he explained "Its the mode of travel where you disappear from one place and appear in another. It is extremely uncomfortable. And you need a license." Hermione was listening intently which made him smile. Looking up, he saw the sign 'Flourish and Blotts'. He held the door open for a slack-jawed Hermione and smiled. The staggering stacks of books made him smile. Holding out his hand to Hermione, he said "Let's get you some fun books. Your parents will look after the school booklist. You have to have 'Hogwarts: A History'."
And so, they thought, as one walked to the wand shop, and the other two engrossed in a leather bound tome, ''A loner no more.''
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~~Sweet Intoxication 90~~