Chapter 4

"George! So nice of you to ring, but is something the matter? It is nearly nine o'clock."

"I know Lucius, Jane and I know you have been keeping a secret from us!" George loved to play practical jokes on his friends, but somehow it never worked on ole Lucy. And now George had the ultimate material to make him squirm. Mwahahahaha!

"Whatever do you mean? Cissa and I have not lied to you once George." His voice was calm and devoid of any emotion, as Malfoy men ought to be.

"It is not that you lied to us old friend, it is something that you conveniently forgot to mention. We just had the most unusual guest, some portly fellow saying he's from the Ministry of Magic, care to further explain why this odd would be telling us strange things such as how the Great Lucius Malfoy hates Muggles? And I'm presuming that Jane and I are these so called Muggles? Non-magic folk he called us. Why so quiet old friend? Giant squid got your tongue?"

George could practically feel the panic coming off Lucius trough the phone.

"I… Well that is to say… How did he… What is his name?"

"One Mr Smidd"

"Smidd! The foul old git! Do not listen to a word he says, he has been after my family's reputation since I was in diapers! I do not hate muggles and I most certainly… Wait! Why are you laughing? Is this one of your jokes man? George answer me?"

"Father, why are you shouting at Mr Granger? Why is he laughing at you?"

"Not now son, I will talk to you later. Go to bed."

"Good night father. Please send my regards to Mr Granger."

"George! Now stop laughing! And tell me what is going on. Breathe man, breathe!"

"Sorry… Sorry Lucy, it's just, this is the first time I heard you all panic-y. You must understand how awfully entertaining it is for me."

"I am glad you had your fun. Now tell what has happened?"

"As I said, a man by the name of Smidd came here while Mione was still with Dray. He claimed to be from this Ministry. At first we did not believe him, tried to kick him out of the house before Emma got here, y'know. And he just disappeared right in front of my eyes! And he popped up in the lounge. I thought it was all just a trick but Jane said we should hear him out. And then he started talking about magic and how there's this school for kids somewhere in Scotland and that Mione's been invited to attend-"

"Hermione's a witch!"

"Oh yes, Jane and I are very proud of her. But the big issue here is; I need to figure out if you used your little trick or spells to win at golf. I mean, who can get sink six holes in one in one day! It just can't be done."

"Now George, you must understand, I knew nothing about golf that day and all you told me is to get the ball into the little hole and Malfoy men are very fond of winning. And where I come from magic is allowed in sport."

"Well that is all very well indeed but I want a rematch and you better leave your wand at home. I will have Cissa check for me. And talking about Cissa, can you ask her if she is willing to escort my little family to Diagon Ally to purchase Mione's school things, maybe tomorrow if you have the time?"

"It will be our pleasure to introduce you to our side of the world, friend. We'll be over at say, eight?"

"That is perfect. Thank you, but I still want that rematch."

"Yes, of course you do. Good bye."

"Good night."

"Cissa, we are to go to Diagon Ally to purchase Draco's school supplies."

"But Dobby can go and get everything. We needn't waste our time there."

"No, we will go. We need to escort some important people around. We will fetch them promptly at eight. Be ready my dear. And do wear your new periwinkle robes. You look absolutely edible in them."

"Oh now Lucius, behave darling. And who are these oh so important people we need to escort?"

"You will meet them tomorrow my love."

"Jane, Hermione! They're here!"

"Who's here papa?" Hermione leans over the second floor railings to see her father standing near the front door, dressed in a crisp beige suit with deep emerald tie over a white oxford button up. He looks ready to dominate the world; Hermione thought as looks down at her own plain white summer dress with small green heels, green was one of Dray's favourite colours.

"It's a surprise Mione, now please come here."

Hermione walked slowly down the stairs, like her mother taught her, and when she arrived she placed her hand in the crook of her father's arm, ready to greet any guest with a small smile.

"Good morning George. Hermione, don't you look pretty."

"Morning Lucius"

"Good morning uncle Lucius. Is Draco with you?"

"Mione! I heard you were coming shopping with us, isn't that great! I'll get to show you all kinds of cool things! I thought you weren't allowed to come with me so I didn't ask you myself but my dad asked your dad to come with so now you get to come to Diagon Ally!"

"Slow down there son, we are here to escort the Granger trough Diagon Ally and help Mi with getting her school supplies."

Draco's eyes widened in amazement and he realized what this meant, "You're coming to Hogwarts with me!"

He ran inside and nearly tackled poor Hermione to the ground. He held her close and kept whispering; "Thank you, thank you, thank you…"

"Why are you thanking me Dray?"

"Because you're not leaving me."

"I wasn't the one going away Draco, so you would've been the one to leave me. Not the other way around."

Draco pretended not to hear her and just turned to face his father, his mother just coming up the walk way. He never let go of her hand. I'll never let go.

"Is everyone ready to depart?" Narcissa asked as Jane descended the stairs towards them.

"Hello Cissa! It is wonderful to see you! I think we can go now, will we be able to drive to this Ally Mr Smidd talked about?"

"Oh no Jane dear, we will be apparating there. It will be best to do so from the lounge. George, if you would like to lock up, we'll see you in there."

"I will never apparated again and Cissa if you ever put me through something as horrible as that it will mean the end of red velvet cupcakes!" Jane was feeling quite worn out after being pushed and tugged through a tiny invisible rubber tunnel.

"It wasn't that bad Jane, you do get used to it."

"Using it as your main form of transportation, I'll understand if you are used to it. But I for one prefer our car, much smoother ride."

"If you are finished Jane, George and I are going to the Quidditch shop, I need to replace that obsession your dear husband has for golf with a true sport."

And without further warning the two men sped off. While the men were walking off, Hermione was staring in absolute awe at all the wonders before her, all from the safety of Draco's back. Her shyness that had been dormant for the few years came back in full force with all these strange strangers around them.

"Come on Mi, let's get our wands first! I've been looking forward to getting mine ever since I could remember!"

Reluctantly tearing her eyes away from heaven (she'd spotted Flourish and Blots) Hermione nodded her head and Draco tugged her forward. Calling over his shoulder to their mother;

"We're going ahead to Mr Ollivander's! See you later Mother."

And on they went, it was a sort journey to the wand shop, but it felt like time has stopped for the little girl being led by platinum blond boy. Most of the people were throwing odd looks in their direction, as if they'd never seen two ten year olds walking together. All her thoughts about the strange strangers with their odd looks disappeared as they stepped into the spooky looking building claiming to give her a wand.

"Ah young Draco, I knew it was time for your visit, but who is your friend there? Might she be a special friend of yours? Perhaps she is your lovely girlfriend? But I thought the Miss Parkinson had black hair."

"Parkinson? No Mr Ollivander, this is Hermione Granger. She's a muggleborn and also my future wife, not my girlfriend" Young Draco replied trying to seem aloof like he's seen his father act around other wizards, except for Uncle Severus.

"May we begin our search for wands? I am most excited about finally having my own."

"Me too" Hermione whispered from behind Draco where she sought protection from this very forward old man.

"Pleased to make your acquaintance Miss Granger, would you care to find wand first?"

Looking to Draco for guidance she was lightly pushed towards the counter, the last barrier between her and the old man.

She started when the old man shoved a dusty box into her hand, muttering something about muggleborns and vine wood.

"You need to take out the wand to see if it'll work for you Mione" Draco whispered in her ear, when he moved to stand directly behind she couldn't say.

Nodding with determination, she grabbed hold of the wand and let it drop instantly.

"Ow! That bloody shocked me!" She cried out in a rage. Her first experience with magical objects had been found wanting.

"Dray I don't want to try another wand, they hurt."

"It's alright Mi. Let me see your hand." Gently he examined her small hand and found not one wound. That was a relief; his mother would've destroyed the shop if she'd gotten hurt.

"Let me try one next." Draco stepped forward, once again shielding Hermione from the old man. She was really starting to dislike old men in the magical world. All they did was insult and hurt people.

"Here you are Mr Malfoy, Hawthorn with unicorn hair core, 10", flexible. Good in transfiguration and potions enhancers."

Picking it up Draco felt a sudden lightness come to his head, as if he had found a part of himself he didn't was missing.

"Oh Dray, is that it? Is that one yours?"

"Yes," He swallowed thickly "Yes it is mine." He grabbed hold of her hand again to stay grounded, he felt so light he feared he might fly away.

"Mr Ollivander, I request that you give me the same wand as his. I do not want to be shocked again." Hermione stated with a fierce glare on her pretty face. She could not understand why Draco's wand made him so happy where as the one he'd given her had hurt her!

"Miss, the wand chooses the wizard. I cannot give you the same wand as his, because his is the only one like it. But…" He wandered into the back of the store, "This one looks promising."

"Will it shock me again?" She asked timidly, scared with once again being faced with a wand that could hurt her like the last one she held.

"I cannot tell you what reaction the wand will have. Just have faith."

When her hand wrapped around the base Hermione let out an all mighty yell.

"Fuck!" Now she hated all old wrinkly wizards and nothing will change her mind.

"Hermione are you alright?" Draco rushed to her side folding his hand over hers, willing the pain to transfer to him. He hates seeing her in pain.

"Can't her give her a wand that won't hurt her?" Draco rounded on the old man, who was standing there gobsmacked, not once has he seen a wand hurt a person who touched it and right here in front of him two wands inflicted pain upon a little girl. A little girl who was friends with Draco Malfoy…

"Tell me Mr Malfoy, did Miss Granger ever spend time with you and your family?"

"Yes she did. Why?"

"Oh no reason, no reason…"

Mr Ollivander tapped a finger to his chin, walking slowly to the other end of the shop where there were wands in clear glass display cases. Gingerly he lifted a long piece of wood from its nesting place and carefully handed it to Hermione. With much reluctance she reached for the evil stick and there is was! The happy light headed feeling she saw on Draco's face not minutes before.

This was the wand that will make her the best witch in history, for whom else can be the wife of someone as great as Draco Malfoy?

"Sir, why was my wand in a glass case and not in the back where you got Dray's?

"Well my dear," The man gazed in awe at her, "This wand had a previous owner, her name long forgotten but her title! Yes, her title will forever remain. This wand was the wand owned by none other than the Grey Lady herself!"

Draco gasped behind her but she hardly heard him. The Grey Lady, Helena Ravenclaw. Daughter of Rowena Ravenclaw, one of the founders of Hogwarts School and her wand choose me as its next master.

"Her name was Helena Ravenclaw, I read about her in Hogwarts: A History, chapter 78; Ghosts of the past remain. She was very smart, very powerful. She died when she was very young, are you sure this was her wand?"

"Yes my dear. 10 ¼" vine wood with dragon heartstring core, a very unusual combination at the time. I'm sure you will be a witch none would want to cross. Now, that will be 17 galleons and 7 sickles."

"Here you are Sir. Keep the change; we need to hurry to our parents. Good day sir."

"And to you Mr Malfoy, have a good day." Ollivander send them off with a toothy grin only an old man could make.

Holding onto Draco's hand as if her life depended on it, she let him guide out the shop with the creepy old man. They fought their way towards the bookshop little ways ahead and Hermione couldn't help but think that this will be the greatest adventure of her life. Armed with a historically powerful wand and with Draco at her side, Hermione Granger will take on everything life throws her way. Her next step; Hogwarts!