Mellow! I was thinking of writing a one-shot to go with what happened at the Weasley house last chapter as to how exactly Mr. Weasley dealt with his children. There is going to be a poll as to if I should try it or not, please vote. And I'm going to start introducing the possible guardians for Harry, a few will show up in the next couple of chapters. I would love to hear you're thoughts on who it's going to be, of course the winner has already been pick. And oh so finally, the plot differences will begin to show themselves. Review please. Hope you enjoy the story!
Chapter 4: A Step in the Wrong Direction
The time Harry spent at the Burrow, though granted wasn't much longer than two days, were the best to him. It was so different from living with the Dursleys, and it wasn't just the magic. Harry was surprised that the whole family seemed to like him. The twins especially liked to make him feel like one of the family with their pranks.
Even if life in the Burrow wasn't peaceful and quiet, Mrs. Weasley was always yelling about something and small explosions weren't uncommon, it suited Harry more than the proper looking life with the Dursleys.
Harry was curious as to why and how a simple flower plot had anything to do with their departure to Diagon Alley.
"Harry since your our guest would you like to go first?" Molly held the pot out to him.
Luckily Ron saved him from looking like a fool, "He's never traveled by floo, Mum."
"Never? But you got your school supplies from Diagon Alley last year, right?"
"Hargrid took me though the Underground-" Harry started to explain.
"Oh so that's how you got there!" Molly exclaimed, cutting Harry off.
"Well then, shouldn't Ron go first to show him how it's done?" Arthur suggested.
Ron grabbed some of the sparkling dust from the pot, "It's really easy, mate." he flashed his friend one last smile.
Ron toss the powder into the flames, the fire turned green and shot up. Harry's eyes were about to pop out of his head as he saw his best mate step right into the fire. What he doing? Doesn't that hurt? "Diagon Alley!" Ron shouted and was gone.
The twins were next, while Mrs. Weasley walked him through the steps. "You must speak clearly, don't want to end up in the wrong place. And be careful to get out on the right gate."
"Right gate?" Harry asked as Fred disappeared into the roaring green fire.
"Well if you don't speak clearly you might end up in someone's house! There are a lot of places a floo can take you. And-"
"Honey he'll be fine." Arthur smiled down at Harry as the floo consumed yet another boy.
"But I don't want him to get lost, what about his aunt and uncle?" Molly pondered.
"They won't care." Harry muttered darkly. He could picture it now. Dudley would have a laughing fit that Harry got lost in a chimney. The his uncle would say something along the lines that he should've stayed there.
"Well… ok, are you ready?" Molly still gave the boy a strange look, she was sure his relatives would be at least a little concerned.
"Say where you're going clearly." Arthur started. Like I haven't already known that.
"Elbows in, eyes shut." Molly started. "The soot-"
"Don't fidget or panic and you should be fine. And don't get out until you see the boys." Arthur threw in.
Try to remember the quick lesson Harry took a pinch of powder. He didn't expect the powder to feel as soft as it did. Taking a deep breathe and hoping for the best he sprinkled the powder into the fire like the others. Not even giving himself to think about the ever reaching flames Harry plunged in.
The warm breeze created by the fire was pleasant, and without meaning to Harry opened his mouth, letting in a lot of ash. Coking on the hot ash he tried to speak, "D-Dia-gon Alley."
As if he was being sucked down a drain Harry was spinning very fast. The roaring in his ears frightened him and a sick feeling begun to over come him. All of a sudden it stopped as he fell face forward onto cold stone.
Sitting up Harry tried not to sick up and assess the damage. The bridge of his glasses were broken and be now had even more bruise, but otherwise seemed to be ok. Shaking he stood up, only to crouch down again and close his eyes. He was all alone, in a place he didn't know, and he was too dizzy to stand straight.
After a few more minuets of calming down, Harry looked around from his spot on the ground. It looked like an old wizard shop; none of the items were friendly though, a glass eye in one corner, a pack of blood stained playing cards, masks that screamed evil.
Where am I? Where ever I am, it certainly isn't Diagon Alley. With his body still sore, Harry clumsily made his way toward the door, but stopped when he recognized two people on the other side of the glass. One of them was an older version of the last person Harry would want to meet in the state that he was in, Draco Malfoy.
Harry ducked into a black cabinet, hoping that they wouldn't notice them in there. Who knows what they'll do if they find me!
The older man, obviously Mr. Molfoy, turned to his son and sternly said, "Touch nothing, Draco."
"I thought you were going to buy me a present," Draco said, reaching for the glass eyes. That prat!
"You present is the racing broom." Lucius drummed his fingers on the counter top.
"But I'm not on my house team." Draco whined. "Harry bloody Potter got on his as a first year. Special permission and everything. Just because he's famous for that stupid scar…" I don't want to even be famous!
"Enough, I've heard this at least twenty times already." Mr. Malfoy muttered. "And do I have to remind you, that it isn't in our best interest to appear less than found of him. If the dark lord comes back- ah Mr. Borgin."
"Mr. Malfoy, a pleasure to see you once more. And to see you with your son as well, I'm delighted to be of assistance to you today. I have some items that might be of interest to you, just let me get them." The man turned to head back into the backroom.
"No, I'm just in the interest in selling today." Lucas stated in a commanding tone.
"Selling? Is there any particular reason?" Mr. Borgin asked.
"You should already be informed that the Ministry are having many raids these days. And though Malfoy is still a respected name in the Wizard world, I wouldn't want these embarrassing items be found should the Ministry call." Lucius smoothly said.
Mr. Borgin nodded, "Understandable, I believe that is Mr. Weasley that is behind a new muggle protection act as well."
"Yes, that muggle loving fool." Lucius said bitterly. In his hiding spot Harry scowled.
Draco interrupted the conversation, "Can I have that?" He was pointing in at a withered hand on a cushion.
"Ah, the Hand of Glory! You son has good taste." Mr. Borgin said with a good salesman smile. "It gives light only to the holder, best friend of thieves!"
"If his grades don't improve I'm sure that's were he's likely to be." Mr. Malfoy grumbled.
"It's not my fault." Draco retorted his face becoming red. "The teachers simply have favorites, like that Granger girl."
"And I would've thought that you would be ashamed to be beaten by a girl from a non wizard family." Lucius eyed his son. Ha! Take that!
Draco clammed up, clearly that insult was enough for him to drop the subject.
"Ah, wizard blood isn't counting for much these days." Mr. Borgin threw in.
"Well with me it is." Lucius hissed.
Mr. Borgin bowed, "Nor with me, it was just a statement."
"If you don't mind, I would prefer to get on with my list I have some very important business elsewhere today." Mr. Malfoy started. Then the haggling began, as did Draco's wandering about the shop.
Harry nervously watched as Draco came closer and closer to his hiding spot. Draco reached out for the handle of the cabinet, "Draco, we're finished here."
Harry let out some air, he was safe.
"One more minutes!" Draco didn't even wait for the response when he opened the cabinet.
Harry tumbled out onto the floor. Oh no!
Both Malfoys gasped, but Mr. Borgin looked indifferent. "What's he doing here!" Draco whined.
I'm done for! Harry shut his eyes, hoping his death would be at least a quick one. A second later the bell chimed again.
"Lucius, good to see you. Draco, you as well." An extremely familiar voice floated in, one that Harry wouldn't expect to ever hear outside of Hogwarts.
Harry opened his eyes quickly to see if it was true. He blinked rapidly, the man still wasn't going away. What is Snape doing here?