Ron and I apparate deftly out of the Burrow; both of us trying to ignore the uneasiness that followed our past conversation.
When we arrive outside the Leaky Cauldron, I put up the hood on my robes, even though it's about eighty degrees today, I'm not in the mood to be mobbed by reporters. Ron and I walk in together, shoulder to shoulder.
I tense slightly when I see a woman who looks suspiciously similar to Rita Skeeter, and quicken my pace to get past her as soon as possible. We exit through the back door, and Ron taps the bricks to reveal the secret opening to Diagon Alley.
"You know, even after all these years, that always amazes me." I say to Ron, who grins. The uneasiness is forgotten as we fall back into our similar ways.
"It never really impressed me much" he shrugs. I smirk at him.
"You also didn't go eleven years living in a cupboard under the stairs. This entrance was the first sizable bit of magic I'd ever seen." I say as we walk through.
"True" he laughs heartily. "You should take off your hood. You look a bit like a death eater." He jokes. I childishly stick out my tongue.
"I don't want to be mobbed though." I say, pulling my hood farther over my face. Sweat is pouring down my face from the thick black fabric. Ron waves his hand dismissively.
"You'll be fine. It's crowded, no one will notice you." He says, reaching over and pulling my hood off. I sigh in defeat and continue along the busy cobblestone road, walking past colorful displays of candy and small magic nick-knacks and toys.
I look longingly through the window of the broom shop, the model firebolt sitting there taunting me. I lost my old firebolt whilst running from Death Eaters last year. It was the same day I lost... Hedwig. I sigh. I miss having an owl. Hedwig was as trustworthy and loyal as they come. Maybe... it's time to get another owl... though no one could ever replace Hedwig, I need to move on at some point.
"Hey Ron." I say, turning to my ginger best friend. He raises his eyebrows. I thrust a few galleons into his hands. "Can you pick up my books for me from Flourish and Blott's? I need to go get something..." I ask him. He smiles.
"Always a man of mystery, Harry Potter." He clasps my shoulder affectionately. "But, seeing as you couldn't POSSIBLY get into any trouble without me..." He winks and I laugh. "I think I can do that for you." He closes his fist around the gold.
"Meet me at Madam Malkin's in about a half hour." I say. He nods, and disappears into the crowd. I turn around, and walk towards the pet store, a goal set in mind.
Twenty minutes later, I exit the shop happily, a cheerful light grey owl hooting away in his cage. I look at him affectionately. I've decided to name him Moony, after Lupin. I'm sure when Teddy is older, he'll enjoy those stories. I set off in the same direction I came in, though now to make my way to Madam Malkin's for some new robes.
As I walk past the broom shop, yet again, now though with my new companion tweeting happily in his cage, I notice something I had missed twenty minutes ago.
I walk closer to the glass, not believing my eyes. A new broom had been made since the war, and man is it beautiful.
The broom itself is made of sleek, shiny cherry wood, and the bristles are perfectly aligned, made for speed and aerodynamically perfect; even more perfect than my old firebolt, which I didn't think was possible. I press my hand longingly against the glass, and read the ruby-toned inscription carved artfully into the top of the handle: 'Gamma Ray'
I walk into the shop, and admire it from the other side of the glass. It's even more beautiful up close.
"Beautiful broom, isn't it." A voice says, and I spin around, much to the dismay of Moony, who hoots in protest to the sudden movement. I come face-to face with the owner of the shop, William Sentalin.
"Sorry to surprise you..." His eyes flicker to my forehead, which I've grown accustomed to nowadays. "Mr. Potter." He remains professional, which I deeply appreciate.
"No, it's fine. I just zoned out a bit, I guess." I chuckle. "But yes, that is a very beautiful broom." I say, my eyes traveling back to it in admiration.
William chuckles. "Well I'm glad you like it, because it was made for you." He says. I raise an eyebrow in question. "A very old broom maker, Allison Zaracowinski, came out of retirement to make this broom in celebration of your victory. She'd be glad to see you love it so." The old shop owner smiles, laugh lines visible around his mouth.
"How much for it?" I ask, suddenly.
"Hm?" He asks.
"How much for the broom?"
"Well, for you Mr. Potter,-"
"No, for everyone. I don't deserve special treatment." I say guiltily.
"That's very noble of you, Harry." William says approvingly. "We just set it out about an hour ago. Let me go into the back and check for you." He says, and walks through the back door, into what I assume to be the stock room.
I sit down in one of the spindly chairs in the shop, and stare at the broom, Moony tucking his head under his wing.
"Thinking of investing, Potter?" A voice says from behind me. I recognize it, though it's not filled with the venom I'm used to, it still has it's coldness.
"Malfoy." I say without turning around. He takes the seat next to me. I look him over.
In the few months since the battle, he seems to have aged considerably. His platinum blonde hair is longer and more unruly, and his eyes have almost a haunted look to them. He sits hunched over in the chair, trying to make himself look smaller. This is not the Malfoy I know... not the Draco who made me miserable.
"It's been a while." He smiles cruelly, and I narrow my eyes.
"Yeah. I haven't seen you since you and your Death Eater friends tried to kill me." I state. His smile fades.
"Look, Potter. I only wanted to give you a greeting. I thought maybe..." His gray eyes get a glint in them. "maybe we could try being civil to each other this year. We don't have to be friends, per say, just not enemies." He explains.
"Fine." I agree, looking away from him. He sighs.
"Well I'll be seeing you then." He spits, some of his usual venom coming out. I smile against my better judgement. I look back up as he leaves, and catch him glimpse back into the window at me.
"Yeah... I'll be seeing you." I whisper as his tall form disappears into the crowded alley on the other side of the glass.
