I meet someone unexpected at Diagon Alley...
Exhasperated with me after a surprisingly short time, dad sent me out of Flourish and Blott's to fetch Draco from Madam Malkins, where he was getting his robes (obviously. I mean the shop is called Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions).
So, anyway, I finally reached the window of Madame Malkin's, and, rather annoyingly, found my way blocked by something very large.
Oops, my mistake, someONE very large. I stared, mouth open, for about thirty seconds before he noticed me.
"Can I 'elp yeh?"
I closed my mouth quickly. "Oh, er, nothing, I... I was just..."
I mentally shook myself. I'm not usually shy!
"I was looking for my twin brother."
I wormed my way past an enormous elbow and pressed my nose against the glass.
"Is that 'im talkin' to little Harry?"
"You mean the skinny, dark-haired one? Is that Harry?"
The man puffed out his chest importantly. "That is Harry, all righ'. Harry Potter."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Not much is he."
The man's forehead creased.
"Oops, sorry, was that out loud?" I laughed. "Family talent, speaking your mind."
"Yeh come from any particular family?"
"The one and only Malfoys." I made a face. "No comment."
The man's frown deepened, and for a sickening second, I thought that he was going to automatically categorize me as 'evil power hungry moron' like everyone else who hears the name 'Malfoy'. But, conveniently, we were interrupted.
"Hi Hagrid," said the one and only Harry Potter gloomily. "Who's this?"
"Vespia Malfoy," I said quickly, before the giant man could give him any false accusations.
He gave a polite little cough. I rolled my eyes.
"I know, my parents have permanent brain damage when it comes to names."
He allowed himself a small smile.
"YOU, however, are the famous Harry Potter."
"Don't start," he groaned. "Everyone thinks I'm supposed to be so great, but-"
"Oh, don't worry about that. Everyone's pretty much of equal ability. You'll be fine."
"Exactly what I've been sayin' Harry," said the giant man heartily. "Come on, let's go get the rest of yer things."
I got the sneaking suspicion that he wanted to get away from me as fast as possible.
"Are you starting Hogwarts this year, then?" I asked curiously.
"Yeah." He peered more closely at me. "You know, you remind me awfully of that boy in there..."
"Don't get me started on my idiot brother, please."
"Harry, we've really got ter go."
"All right, all right." He gave me a half smile. "Well, see you around, I guess."
"Yeah, see you at Hogwarts, famous Harry Potter."
He gave another weak smile and then allowed himself to be led away.