Author's Note: Sorry this took so long. This chapter was murder to write and I'm still not happy with it. Go to my forums to leave any pressing questions or comments. Otherwise, thanks for reading!
Harry had to wonder why he always ended up in situations like this. Well, not this situation, exactly, because he had never been in a situation like this before. It was more about everything going wrong. Everything was wrong now. It was wrong like the Dursleys' being nice to him was wrong.
He stood on the stool at Madame Malkin's and tried to keep from glaring at the recent addition to his shopping expedition. Lucius bloody Malfoy, of all people, was to accompany Harry on the rest of his shopping trip. He had muttered something about wizarding duty and Harry was sure he heard the phrase in loco parentis bandied about several times over his head. It was as though Lucius Malfoy thought Harry couldn't hear!
Draco had turned back into his usual prat self a few seconds after his father had appeared and had even sneered once. It was a return to the familiar and Harry was grateful. He didn't think he could handle a completely friendly Draco and odd Lucius Malfoy in the same day. His nerves couldn't take it.
His nerves were shot anyway. He had forgotten how taxing it was to be a part of a crowd for long periods of time. He knew he didn't like them and usually avoided them at all costs, but now he knew why he loathed such things. They made him nervous. And paranoid. His teacher would be so proud but it was kind of annoying to have battle instincts flare up because Madame Malkin had decided she needed to measure him without magic. Harry knew she only wanted to hug him again. That was annoying.
So was being in Madame Malkin's again. He had already finished his business here, but Mr. Malfoy insisted that Harry, at the ripe old age of eleven, would need dress robes. Dress robes at eleven? What was the man thinking? Harry, trying to maintain his persona of "bookworm interested in all things wizarding", which worked on so many levels, submitted to Lucius Malfoy and his bizarre ideas of Harry needing some dress robes. That was how he found himself back on the stool and in front of a slightly hysterical shop owner.
"That color does not suit him." Malfoy told Madame Malkin when she held a sample up to Harry. Goodness. Malfoy knew what colors suited a person. What planet had Harry landed on? "Try darker colors. That color makes him look ill." Harry resisted telling Malfoy it was the elder man's presence creating the ill look. No, Harry. You've got to think of him as 'Mr. Malfoy' for now. Remember, he could possibly help you before the Dark Lord comes back.
Harry knew that the Malfoy name was rather well-respected until Lucius ended up in Azkaban. He also knew that if he and Draco were friendly acquaintances, then he would not have to worry about watching his back too often at Hogwarts. The only thing he might have to worry about there was avoiding the suspicion of the teaching staff and his dorm mates. Luckily, his persona of 'insatiable Ravenclaw bookworm' was convincing enough for the Malfoys. Snape would be his ultimate test in how well he could act. Snape and Hermione, now that he thought about it. Hermione was too sharp for her own good. He hoped he wouldn't have to alter her memories. He would hate to do it, but he knew how to do it and would not hesitate if it was not the right time for his secret to come out.
"There. That looks much better." Malfoy said. "One black dress robe and one green. Very nice." Malfoy nodded at Harry and then moved to the counter to finalize the purchases with Madame Malkin. Harry hopped down from the stool (he couldn't wait until he grew taller!) and stood next to Draco, pulling his hat down a little further out of habit.
"You won't be able to see if you keep that up." Draco told him in a whisper.
"I can see." Harry said with a shrug. "I can see the inside of my hat." He shrugged.
"Boys." Malfoy no, Mr. Malfoy! drawled. Harry and Draco followed him out of the shop. "I do believe potions' ingredients are next on the itinerary " Harry quickened his pace. Potions ingredients. He knew what that meant. It meant Dreamless Sleep potion. Bruise and muscle salves. Calming potions for when he couldn't take Dreamless Sleep. Potions that would make the next month somewhat restful and pain-free for Harry. He had hated Potions at Hogwarts, but he loved them now. He knew what they could do and how he could use them. They practically guaranteed his survival for the next month.
Harry entered the shop directly behind his guide for the day and looked around eagerly. He remembered exactly where everything was. The shopkeeper wandered out of the back room.
"Mr. Malfoy!" he said with genuine pleasure in his voice. "So good to see you…and young master Draco."
"Yes, thank you." Mr. Malfoy said as he stepped up to the counter. "The boys need these ingredients for Hogwarts." He explained.
"Boys?" The old man questioned as he looked about the shop. "I only see master Draco." He said, peering through the dusty shop as though wondering if Mr. Malfoy had lost one or two of his marbles.
"What?" Mr. Malfoy turned on his heel and saw Harry. "Mr. Potter. I thought you wandered off."
"No, sir." Harry answered. "I'm just short." Growth potion. Yes, that was definitely on his list of things he needed to start brewing. Lots of growth potion.
"Mr. Potter?" The man said as he came around the counter. "Harry Potter." The man appeared to waver for a second on how to greet Harry before he settled on affable uncle mode. "Welcome home, lad." He said as Harry shook his head. "You must be very curious about your new world. Anything in particular you wish to know?"
Draco snorted lightly at the question. Mr. Malfoy eyed his son. "Draco, presentation. One does not snort in public. Or at all."
"Yes, Father." It was bizarre. That one word, 'presentation' could change Draco's face in an instant. Draco went from young boy to pureblood prince in less than a second. It was like a password to Draco's public persona of pureblood brat.
"I know there are books on the subject of Potions." Harry said in response to the question. "Are there any you can recommend?" Harry asked. He would accept any help he could get at this point. Any knowledge or advancement of his knowledge could mean a sooner end to the war.
"One, but it's a might thick for you at eleven. 'Most Potente Potions' should be on every serious Potions' student's reading list." The man said. "You might find a few interesting potions in the pages of that book."
"Thank you, sir. I'll be sure to look for it." And buy it. And charm it to look like a boring book in which no one else could possibly have interest so I can study it all I want without worrying about looking 'dark' to the population of Hogwarts. I will then attempt to memorize it cover to cover. Who knows when I'll need to know exactly how to brew Polyjuice Potion?
"Are you trying to corrupt the Boy Who Lived?" Mr. Malfoy asked with a smirk.
"Corrupt?" The apothecary actually whirled around to face Mr. Malfoy and glare at him. "Knowledge doesn't corrupt! Only those who use it for the wrong ends." He smirked at Malfoy and eyed him, almost staring through him. Harry kept his face 'young and puzzled' throughout the confrontation. This man knew Malfoy for what he was.
The man's demeanor changed back to his previous affability and he looked at the lists. "Now, did you want the standard set for the boys here, or would you like the Slytherin layout." HA! Harry knew Slytherins did things a little differently from the other houses when it came to potions. Now he had proof! Too bad he couldn't do anything with the information. Or could he? He filed the information away for future consideration. Who knew? He might be able to use it.
"I believe both would benefit from the Slytherin collection." Mr. Malfoy said with a lazy drawl. "We do have limited time, so if you would?"
Harry watched as the apothecary disappeared into the shelves of his ingredients and came back ten minutes later with two oak boxes. Harry peeked under his lid and found a little bit of everything. He almost shouted with joy when he saw all of the ingredients he would need for Dreamless Sleep potion. He was going to get some sleep, uninterrupted sleep, sometime soon. He couldn't wait. A hand on his shoulder startled him so badly that he jumped, raised his arms to protect his head, and shifted away from the hand. He looked up a second later to find both Draco and Mr. Malfoy looking at him with unreadable expressions.
"Sorry." Harry apologized. "You startled me." He explained.
"I see." Mr. Malfoy did not look convinced. Harry mentally berated himself for being so jumpy. Arousing suspicion like that was not a good thing. "The bookstore now?" Malfoy asked.
"Yes, sir." Harry allowed Mr. Malfoy to shrink his potions' box and Harry pocketed it. He followed the elder Malfoy out the door with a nod of thanks to the apothecary. The street was full but the crowd was not oppressive. They did not appear to know that Harry was there at all. He stayed close to Malfoy and kept his head down. A mob would form in the street if anyone recognized him.
"The bookstore. I'm sure the two of you will be safe here. Do not leave this store until I come to get you. I need to find my wife." Malfoy gave Draco a leather bag that clinked when Draco moved it. Money. "Enjoy yourselves." Malfoy melted away into the crowd.
"How can you like books so much?" Draco asked as the two of them entered the shop.
"How can you like Quidditch so much?" Harry returned. "Same reasons, really." Harry continued as he ducked into the door and hunted for a basket. He had a feeling he would rival Hermione's book collection at the end of today. "We both enjoy different things."
"But, books?" Draco asked in disbelief. Harry ignored Draco and pulled out his list. He had quite a few books to purchase and limited time to purchase them. He did not want Mr. Malfoy to see some of his choices.
He put whatever caught his interest into his basket. He had chosen books mostly from memory of books he had read before and books Hermione had recommended. Books on history, magical theory, defense, Occlumency (he enjoyed reading about it), political science, potions (Most Potente Potions was a definite need in Harry's opinion), as well as many books that could only be found in the restricted section at Hogwarts. He picked up Advanced Defensive Magic and started around the corner to the next section. He wanted to find Powers You Never Knew You Had and What To Do Them Now That You've Wised Up and Hogwarts: A History. Hermione swore by both books and they had helped on more than one occasion in his past. He felt, more than saw, a small, giggling body ram into him. He felt himself lose balance and the child who had collided with him started to fall as Harry went backwards. He wrapped his arms around the child and allowed himself to fall. His body would break the child's fall. Harry hit the floor with a small thud.
"Ow." He commented to no one in particular.
"You okay, Harry?" Draco asked softly.
"Yeah." Harry answered. He looked at the little girl currently occupying space on his chest. Two big brown eyes stared at him. "Are you okay?" He asked. The question seemed to be a cue, for the girl let out a wail not unlike that of a banshee.
"Rose?" A mother's frantic voice sounded from the next aisle over.
"She's over here, ma'am." Harry said as he sat up. He picked the girl up and set her on her feet. He inspected her as he stood. The girl's mother rounded the corner. "I think she's more scared than hurt, ma'am."
"Rose, it's okay, sweetie." The mother lifted the girl into her arms and looked her over to reassure herself that her child was not harmed. She let out a sigh and turned to Harry. "Thank you. I just turned my back on her for a second and she got away from me."
"Here's your hat, Harry." Draco said, handing the object to Harry. The woman then let out a shriek comparable to that of her banshee daughter.
"HARRY POTTER!" Oh, Merlin save me. The shout acted like a magnet and a crowd of people converged on Harry. Harry picked up his basket and put on his hat, ready to fight his way through the crowd. If he survived long enough, that is.
A person grabbed his hand and shook it while introducing himself. Harry tugged his hand away and backed up. Harry hated crowds. No, hate wasn't a strong enough word. Loathed. Yes, that was the correct word. Loathed. A woman took her chance and pulled him into a hug. Why did all the women insist on hugging him today? It was annoying. And embarrassing. Harry squirmed to get out of her arms. When had the wizarding world gone mad and more importantly, why hadn't Harry been informed? A sudden cold voice stopped the entire crowd.
"Madame, you will unhand that child." Harry found his feet touching the floor again. Malfoy pulled Harry behind him and Harry was surprised by feelings of gratitude rising in his chest. Never mind that this was Mr. Malfoy. The man had saved him from crowds of adoring wizarding public. "A fine way to treat the boy..." he admonished them with a sneer. "Let's get you away from the crowds, Mr. Potter. The rest can be owl-ordered later, if need be. There is someone I wish you to meet."
Mr. Malfoy ushered Harry up to the counter to purchase his books. Malfoy shrunk the stack and led Harry and Draco outside.
"You okay, Harry?" Draco asked in a soft voice as the pair of them followed Mr. Malfoy.
"I didn't realize how bad it would be." Harry answered him. He was surprised. Very surprised. Hagrid had protected him more than he realized.
"It is a shameful way to act. The mob mentality leaves much to be desired." The comment was classic Lucius Malfoy and it comforted Harry to hear it. Not everything had changed then. Good. Lucius Malfoy led them to a small tea-room that obviously catered to the upper classes of wizarding society. The host did not do more than glance at Harry before asking him to remove his headwear.
Harry allowed himself to be divested of hat, jacket, and backpack before looking around. White linen tablecloths covered every table and his Aunt Petunia would kill for some of the china in the room, if she could stand the idea that it had come from magical people. "Um, Mr. Malfoy?"
"Yes, Mr. Potter?" Lucius Malfoy being polite towards a child was just plain creepy. Harry pushed his unsettled feelings away and turned back towards his host.
"I don't think that this is such a good idea. I'm not quite…" Harry just gestured towards his clothing in a helpless sort of way. "It's all I have."
"We will remedy that with time." Oh bloody hell. Harry knew that swearing as an eleven year old would be bad, but he would and could swear inside his head as a nineteen year old. "You needn't worry. We have a private room." Brilliant. I'm stuck with Malfoy. No, Mr. Malfoy!
Harry only nodded his agreement and followed Mr. Malfoy. Draco appeared to have relaxed a bit at the prospect of tea and something to eat. It was scary. Malfoy ate almost as much as Ron had. He wondered what Malfoy would look like at breakfast. "Mr. Potter?" Harry looked up at Malfoy and noticed that Mrs. Malfoy was there. "Please allow me to present my wife, Narcissa Black Malfoy. Narcissa, this is Harry James Potter."
Harry offered his hand to Narcissa Malfoy and found that he held neutral feelings towards her. She hadn't actively harmed any of Harry's friends or family. She had not cast curses. She had not been active at all in the war, if he didn't count the Unbreakable Vow she had received from Snape. "It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Malfoy." Harry said politely. Narcissa offered a nod and a brief twitch of the lips.
Harry sat where directed and stared at the table, just a trifle intimidated at the layout. This was…different. He had never experienced anything like this before. Those last few days before Voldemort managed to get them, he and his friends were living as soldiers, grabbing sleep, food, and showers whenever possible. All three didn't necessarily come within the same twenty-four hours. Voldemort hadn't helped his manners either. He was happy to be conscious through an encounter, much less worry about which spoon went where. Harry gave a few colorful curses in his thoughts, aimed only at the Dursleys and Voldemort. This was something he should know by nineteen or at least started to know by nineteen. No, he had to be worried about survival and fighting a war!
Harry mimicked Draco to the best of his ability. The napkin went in the lap. He watched the people around him and desperately tried to keep up. He knew he made a mistake when Draco raised an eyebrow at him. "Did I do something wrong?" he asked hesitantly.
"Mr. Potter?" Harry was a little surprised to hear Narcissa's voice address him. "Have you taken an etiquette class? Any lessons at home?" She asked gently. Harry had not known she could be gentle. Harry was starting to like her already, even if she did act a bit cold.
"No, ma'am." He answered. Honesty is the best policy, right? "Nothing like this."
"Ah. Muggles." That one sound from Mr. Malfoy said many different things. Was there a difference in how Muggles did things and wizards? Was that where Harry made his mistake? Malfoy looked Harry over and seemed to come to some sort of decision. "Draco." Draco turned towards his father. "Please ensure that Mr. Potter joins the Slytherins for their etiquette lessons at Hogwarts. Owl me if Professor Snape objects. You'll learn the way wizards do things in those classes, Mr. Potter."
"You will learn soon enough, Harry. Etiquette is not hard. It's just a matter of practice." Draco then focused solely on Harry for the rest of the meal. He corrected Harry when he needed it and did not taunt Harry about his mistakes. He was, if it was possible, a perfect gentleman. Harry almost frowned when he realized that he almost envied Draco Malfoy…just for his manners!
The adults stayed in their own conversation for the most part. Harry heard odd snatches of it throughout Draco's lecture on 'proper wizarding table manners'. Phrases like 'jumped', 'startled', 'frightened', and 'mobbed' reached his ears. Harry guessed that the adults were talking about him. He tried to divide his attention but Draco occupied all of it and he took Harry through every possible meal scenario. He had to admit it. There was a lot to know and even more to learn.
The meal finished and Harry thanked the Malfoys for having him. His thanks were waved off by Mr. Malfoy and Harry was led back out into the sunshine. He blinked against the glare and wondered how he was supposed to get away from Malfoy. "Did you pick your animal out yet?" Harry heard Draco's question and nearly grimaced. He knew he could not take an animal home. That would be too difficult to hide from his relatives.
"My aunt does not allow animals. She's asked that I not bring one home." The lie slipped out effortlessly and Harry blanked his face to avoid Malfoy questioning his answer further.
"Surely she would allow you one?" Mr. Malfoy pressed.
"No, sir." Harry answered firmly. "She cannot stand animals of any kind in the house and I promised not to get one." Harry said. "I do not wish to disobey my aunt, sir."
"Very well." Malfoy tapped his cane on the ground. "May we accompany you to the Floo?" To find out my location? I don't think so. Harry pulled his jacket and hat back on before shaking his head.
"No thank you, sir. I'm sorry. I came by bus." Harry informed him with a smile. "I think I may have just enough time to catch it if I leave now, sir." He said, ready to walk away.
"May I call it for you?" Malfoy asked.
"Call it?" Harry asked. No, he didn't want the Knight Bus! Wait, was there a Day Bus? "You can't call a Muggle bus, sir." Harry answered. "Thank you for all of your help, sir. I truly enjoyed today." Before you showed up. "I guess I'll see you on the train, Draco." He said to Draco.
"Yes. I'll see you then." Draco said as he shook Harry's hand. Harry dashed off before Malfoy could say anything more. He weaved through the crowds and ducked out through the Leaky Cauldron. Harry wondered if the Knight Bus was in actual operation.
"Hello again, lad. Was your shopping successful?" Tom asked as Harry walked past him.
"Yes, sir. Thank you." Harry said. "Is there something called the day bus?" He asked, purposely using a difference in the name. He was Muggle-raised, after all.
"Day bus? No." Tom said as he wiped the bar with the same rag from earlier in the day. Didn't the magical world know about germs? Harry fought the urge to gag as he turned a mournful face to Tom.
"There isn't? My aunt said…" He trailed off and looked around, obviously worried about his transportation home.
"Do you mean the Knight Bus?" Tom asked.
"That's it!" Harry whirled and faced Tom again. "Would you be willing to point out where I might catch it?" Harry asked. "My aunt recommended that way home. She said it would be faster." Okay, so Harry knew he was laying it on thick. He wanted to go back to Privet Drive where he knew he was safe. For now, at least.
"Sure, lad. You could call it yourself. Just raise your wand. It'll appear." Tom said. Harry thanked Tom several times and weaved through the patrons to the door that led to Muggle London. He stepped outside and tried to ignore the crush of people about him. He raised his wand and was relieved to see the double-decker bus appear in all its purple glory.
"Wisteria Walk, Surrey." He gave as his destination. He had to figure out how to slip under his relatives' notice and what better way to do that than slip in the backdoor?
Author's Note: Here's hoping the next chapter is up soon!