Lifting her small piece of luggage, Ms. Granger peered uneasily at her surroundings. "It certainly is…busy."
"And you expected a sort of tranquillity, I suppose." Mr .Potter smiled guilefully at his companion's restless behaviour. "While it was indeed I who affected our reposition, are you not the one who pursued this location?"
"Perhaps I may have been a bit delusional where my romantic notions are concerned." The resonance of laughter and irrelevant conversation mingled among the disjointed cadence of horses and carts were no less than a cacophony to her ears. "Nonetheless, despite my initial perceptions and your need to dwell upon them, we are here."
"It is laden with the elite. The aristocracy." His tone was that of genuine awe. "It shall be an honour and a privilege to work amongst the privileged."
"I should have known you were to be clandestine in your objective. As a matter of course, Mr. Potter, you are most disinclined to disclose any such variations of the truth."
He responded with a most inane expression upon his face. "But for a man of my profession, is it not quite the means by which I should live?"
"Mr. Potter you are inebriated if you believe any such activity of yours, laudable of the word. However, it is not me to which you need pander."
"I shall take a leaf from your book, my friend, and say I am under the influence on life and the chance to start anew."
"Wanting the least bit common sense. Tell me dear friend, where are we to be housed?"
"Why, wherever we are to be found."
"What are your intentions, Mr. Potter?"
Ms. Granger was quite taken back by the mischievousness in his voice. "Shall we go into town and discover?"
Was he never to be spared? Had he not enough humility to last his life and then some? Yet, here he was – the ever loyal and unwilling companion. Surely he had learned his lesson in the span of their friendship.
"Mr. Zabini, over here." Maybe if he feigned an illness due to an absent sun, he would not be forced to be here. However, he did have an obligation. One that would not permit him to disregard Mr. Malfoy's request that he see to his errant child.
A dreadful thing to be held beneath the Mr. Malfoy's sway.
"Quickly, Mr. Zabini." He knew Ms. Parkinson had quite the idea, retreating to the Nott cottage with her fiancé. Perhaps neither Pansy nor Theodore would have taken offence to his presence?
"What in - Mr. Malfoy." Mr. Zabini's arm was at the mercy off its captor. "I demand that you release me this instant. And do not try to purse your lips at me, my friend. It may have worked in the past-"
"Yesterday?"
"But not today."
His revolt at being held was met with tasteless hilarity. "Yes, you clearly are Mr. Zabini."
"Please Draco, I beg of you. Never compare your friend to his fifty-two year old father."
"Then you shall come when I beckon." Mr. Zabini refused to acknowledge such an arrogant demand.
"All right, when I ask for you." And Mr. Malfoy's subsequent request, as well.
"Honestly. Will you allow me to present my mother's gift?"
"With such a gracious offer, what kind of friend would I be to decline?"
"You are truly hopeless, Blaise."
"I've said the same of you many a time, Draco." He wrinkled his nose, looking in question at his arm, which remained gripped by two hands.
An action Mr. Malfoy followed. "No, I will not release you as your thoughts will eventually ensue to a certain-to-be former Ms. Parkinson."
"You know my thoughts are only pervaded by you."
"Please save the flattery for my mother. And my father, also. If you are not to take much offence at my request? For he will surely disown me when he discovers the value of my purchase."
"What could be so costly that it would subsist above the gamut of the Malfoy fortune?"
"I haven't a mind to tell. But it is of utmost importance to me."
"I have yet to understand this queer convention between you and your mother. You - of all people - giving your mother a present on your birthday. It's a bit philanthropic for a Malfoy."
Draco took his friend's acquiescence in complete stride. "Do you call me selfish?"
"Although I normally am, I wouldn't be so brusque in your circumstance. Egotistic is more the word that comes to mind."
"Which puts things in perspective." Draco keenly navigated through the busy streets. Pulling a protesting Blaise, who tried desperately to sustain a comfortable speed alongside his him. "But no matter, it's just about this corner."
And what a sight that was set before him. A most gorgeous specimen.
Mr. Potter and Ms. Granger were quite fortunate to find a suitable inn that would house them comfortably without too high a demand. And the two found themselves browsing the congested streets.
Or rather, Ms. Granger found herself abiding by her companion's fancy.
"Mr. Potter, is there something the matter?"
"Do you not see, Ms. Granger? During the course of my consequential life, I have never-"
"Oh my, Mr. Potter. I do believe I understand, now. But is he not a bit younger than your usual fancy?"
Mr. Potter faced his companion befuddled. "What do you mean he? You and your bluestocking ideals – She is beautiful and ripe for my delicate phalanges."
"You mean your avaricious fingers and your malodorous toes."
He smiled at her mock distaste. "But my dear, are they not the same which warm your bed?"
"Remove yourself, you beast." Laughing heartily, the two interlocked arms.
"That may prove to be improbable. I am afraid I need you for the most recent act of this devious play."
"But would my presence not hinder you?"
"Nonsense, Ms. Granger. This is not the time to undermine yourself. This may even be our biggest escapade, yet."
"Why would you need me to break another young prospect?"
"You know I hold situations such as this with the utmost adoration. And in this particular matter you will hold central, and I am adamant in your participation to play upon a most fundamental theme." His eyes were creased in concentration, watching her in earnest. Ms. Granger's brow turned into a most unsightly frown. "You do not mean to say you are-"
"Do not say. I do not want to hear any more of this particular conversation if it is to move in such an absurd direction. I am simply curious in your change of heart."
"Are you sure you are not the least bit resentful of my attention focussed elsewhere? Because I assure you, I am the same dirty scoundrel you have grown to love."
"Then why the sudden interest in my opposite of sex?"
"Hermione, I…" Harry was confused. She knew his infatuation with precious jewels. It was a continual tease between them. Hence he had no impression as to the cause of her odd behaviour. "I will not dally upon it, but you know I find the misjudged fragility - the misconception of strength - immensely feminine."
She looked over his shoulder, which Mr. Potter thought another look at his current aspiration. But she was looking at the figure of whom she thought Harry spoke. Obviously a male, but perhaps her companion had too much alcohol in the carriage.
"Please do not have your mouth open in some sort of astounding response. For it makes even you look unappealing, Ms. Granger."
"Very well. However, I will not be the one to again pick up his pieces."
Her only response was a sigh, to which she took as a plea to release the misunderstanding for the time being. "And may I ask specifically how I may be a crucial element in your latest disaster in waiting?"
"Did you know that I am in need of the most spectacular present to bestow upon my wife for our first-year anniversary?"
"See? I told you it would be marvellous." Mr. Malfoy viewed the diamond proudly.
Mr. Zabini certainly saw the beauty of it. Yet it did little to change the fact. "On the contrary, I remember being taken against my will without so much as an indication to where I was being taken."
"Honestly, Blaise, you have more melodramatic tendencies than I do in my index finger."
"Yes, I admit I have had another of my moments, Mr. Zabini, but I'm not as daft as I appear."
"Blaise, do not look at me as if I had said something entirely senseless."
"I'll have you know-"
"Mr. Malfoy, on a more serious scandal, how could you afford something like this without your father's money?" He sighed as he saw Draco turn away from him.
"That's why I was hoping-"
"Draco, I cannot-"
"Of course I do not ask of you anything of monetary value, Mr. Zabini. I am, after all, a Malfoy. We do not accept charity." Mr. Zabini looked curiously at his companion, who was seemingly distracted. "Of any kind."
"Draco?" Mr. Zabini moved to assist his friend, but found himself attending no one. His friend nearing the entrance of the shop.
"Where are you going?" Mr. Malfoy paused in his leave, which Mr. Zabini saw as a sporadic change in demeanour. Such a shift in personality. Then again, he was quite positive his friend had many of the aforementioned.
That was unquestionable.
"Do you not see, Blaise? Coming from the tailor shop?"
"Wait a moment, Draco."
I suppose the confrontation finally occurs in the next incident. And chapter is now fixed.