Disclaimer: Everything and everyone is owned by J.K. Rowling. Unless of course you don't recognize it…then it's mine.
To Begin Again
Chapter 4: Building a friendship
August 28, 1997
"How am I affording this again?" I look down, watching my feet move as we walk though the street. It was Narcissa who taught me to always look ahead. The Malfoy's are people with status and pride, so there is never a reason to look down; but this is the first time I've been out of her house and I'm not feeling so high and mighty.
"I've already told you not to worry about this. I have the money, and remember, Dumbledore said if you needed any help from the school, they would give it to you. " Oh yeah, it did say that, didn't it, at the beginning of the list of supplies. Silly me to forget. All I'm thinking about it that I'm broke. Broke and alone. Damn.
"Is all you think about money?" She glances over at me, and I sneer.
"No, but it is rather important. Money makes the world go 'round." She shakes her head.
"But it's not everything."
"You have to say that. You're poor." She laughs.
"You are too you pompous git." I go silent. Touché.
This is defiantly not how I thought my 7th and final year would be going. Walking next to one-third of the golden trio, with a new name, new life, and not a soul on earth really knows who I am anymore. When I was a Malfoy, it was like my name was flashing above me, everywhere I went people knew me, respected me, threw themselves on me; but now, not one person seems to notice my existence
"Oh, don't you get all somber again. You set yourself up for that; and besides, who cares if someone else is buying things for you. Like I've said before, and I'm sure I'll be saying it again; get over it. It's not like you had any of your own money before. Lucius bought everything for you." Did she really just say that? I stop.
I repeat that thought aloud. That insufferable- I can't believe she would say- if I had a wand I would hex her into-
"Too soon?" My eyes go wide at the smile playing at her lips. She's making a joke out of it. Fucking bookworm over here is making a joke out of it.
"Yeah." I mumble. "Too soon." She just shrugs and we keep walking.
"Well first things first, we need to get you a wand." She claps her hand and heads towards Ollivander's. Never thought I would have to be doing this again.
"Welcome, Welcome. How may I help you two lovely kids today?" Lovely? Is this old man serious? Was he really this annoying when I got my first wand? Maybe he acted different because of Lucius. That wouldn't be the first time that's happened.
"We're in need of a new wand. Some one," she pointed to me over her shoulder with her thumb, "he broke his original." Does she always have to have that holier than thou look on her face? Why yes, I think she does.
"Hmm…" How does a man have so many wrinkles? If I look like that when I'm older…I shutter. "You, boy, I don't know names, but I do know wands, you had a 10 inch Hawthorn and Unicorn Hair, correct? Of course it is. Just a moment." He didn't even give me time to respond.
"Try this one." I notice the two boxes in his arms and grab the outstretched wand. Instantly I know it feels wrong.
"No? Okay, then this one." I didn't even get to voice my concern. How does he do that? I flick the second wand and nothing happens. I frown, along with the wand's keeper. "Again? If I don't get it right this time, it'll be the first time in a century…" He keeps talking as he walks away and I turn back to Granger. She looks bored staring out the window like that. I'm not sure why she's doing all of this, but I can't really complain. Even if she has a hidden agenda, I don't really have a choice. Either way, I can't believe she's the one to be helping me
"Hey, Granger?" She turns around, a look of puzzlement across her face. I should really thank her. Or something. "I, well, just was-"
'It took me a minute, but I found it! The perfect wand." His voice was loud as he walks out the back. I spin around, thankful for the interruption. Okay, maybe I really don't want to. "I don't know why I didn't think of it before. 10 ½ inch Alder wood with a Dragon Heartstring core. It's a little on the heavy side, especially with what you had before, but it's powerful."
I grab it and instantly I feel the connection. I twirl it in my hand. That warmth, it feels so…right.
"Good. Good. I knew I still had it. It's not my time yet." He smiles at me. I can only guess that he knows legilimency; how else would someone be able to know every wand ever sold, and who he sold it to. That would be insane. Or maybe he has the photographic memory. Can someone's mind really hold that many different things? I suppose Merlin could. Or so we're told. But if he knows legilimency then does that mean he can't do it to everyone? But people always said he's never made a mistake. Does that-
"Malfoy!" Huh. What?
"What?" Why does she always have that impatient look on her face?
"You're the one who was so adamant on me calling you Adrian, and when I do, you don't respond." She's tapping her foot again. Ugh.
"Oh, yeah, lost in thought."
"Either way, let's go." And she walks out. Don't we need to pay or something? I look over to Ollivander and he's placing coins into a box. Huh. Go figure.
When I walk out onto the street, Granger is no where in sight. Damn. I shrug. Oh well, she can't be too hard to find.
"Hermione!" See. I was right. Looking through the crowd, and in front of the book store, I see Granger being hugged by Scarhead and Weasel. Great. And just when I thought my first day out couldn't get much worse, twiddle dumb and twiddle dumber have to go and prove me wrong. I walk closer but stop a good several feet away. I'm not about to come between them.
I stare for a few minutes. Since there is no yelling I can no longer hear what is going on until Granger notices me. She smiles and waves for me to come over. Do I really want to do that? This seems like it could turn out badly. Whatever. I watch both Weasel and Scarface turn to me.
"What is he doing here?"
"I'm shopping Weasel. What does it look like?' I hold up the box with my new wand. I really hate his voice, and his face.
"Hey guys, be nice. Some stuff has happened and he needs help." She's defending me?
"Psh, right. Like what? Daddy not buying you that new broom you want?" I turn towards the redhead.
"Don't speak like you know what's going on." My voice is low, and I'm in his face. The anger rises up again until I feel her hand around my wrist. She pulls me back. I turn to her pleading face and I sigh. Fine.
"Hermione, really, what is going on?" Scarface looks at her, and doesn't even glace at me. Really, this is my story. Shouldn't you be asking me? I notice Granger though, does look over. The look on her face is asking, seeing if it's alright to tell. Is it? I mean, they are going to find out anyways. So I suppose it doesn't really matter when. I wave her on, and she turns back, divulging my misfortunes to my enemies. Great.
When she finishes there is silence in our little circle outside the bookstore. Bored, I started to people watch, it isn't until I hear Weasel's voice again do I return to the three around me.
"And you actually believe him!"
"What do you mean? Of course I do. You should have seen him in the hospital. And besides that letter he received from Hogwarts; even they acknowledged it."
"Come on Hermione." He whispers the next part. Even still I can hear him. "They may just be playing along, but it's dangerous to be alone with him. I thought you were smarter than this." I watch the expression on her face change drastically. First it looked like she wanted to cry. Man, I never even got her that close to crying in the 6 years I've tormented her, and it took Weasel about three seconds. I guess the greatest enemy is really your friends. Poor Granger, she's just trying to help. Wait, do I feel bad for her?
"Listen Wea-"The words tumble out before I realized I had opened my mouth.
"Ronald Weasley!" Granted, I suppose it doesn't matter because I'm not going to get a word in anyways. And her mood changed rather quickly. It seems that if she's going to cry now, it's because of all that anger. "I cannot believe you just said that! I am smart enough. I'm my own person and can take care of myself." She crosses her arms and frown.
"Hey, he's just trying to look out for you." Oh Scarface, always the peacemaker.
"And that would be fine Harry, if he weren't insulting me in the process." Yeah, I suppose she can handle this on her own.
"I wasn't insulting you Hermione; I was just saying you need to not be so trusting, especially with the likes of him." Weasel points his thumb at me. He really doesn't know what he's saying, does he? But hey, she kind of looks like a cherry, with her face red like that. I chuckle at myself.
"And by calling me stupid Ronald, you are insulting me."
"I wasn't calling you-"
"Oh yes you were." Granger makes a very unflattering grunt before throwing her hands in the air and turning to me. "I don't need this. Come on Malf-Adrian…oh whatever." She grabs my hand and yanks me towards the Three Broomsticks.
"Whoa, slow down." She lets go of my arm but keeps walking through the door. She finally stops when she takes a seat at one of the tables. I take the one across from her. "Just ignore them Granger." She isn't stupid, and even with a life changing experience, I'm not going to admit it out loud.
"I know. It just irritates me how stupid they think I am." Does she really believe that?
"They don't think you're stupid. They're just intimidated by your vast knowledge." She smiles. Huh, she's kind of cute like that. If her hair wasn't always a mess, and if her fashion sense was better; and maybe if she didn't always have that condescending tone to her voice.
"Hm. I think you might be right." She pauses. "Oh, and we'll just have two butter beers please." When did the waiter get here? I really need to be more observant. I don't ever remember being this oblivious before. In fact, I would like to say I was quite attentive over the years. "I mean I love them to death," I look up at her. Oh. The two dunderheads. Right. I nod, just accepting what she says, "but they can be so….so…"
"Narrow-minded? Petty? Short-sighted?" I smirk as she shakes her head. I'm kind of surprised she didn't interrupt me. "You must agree. You didn't even try and correct me."
"Is that bad?" She goes silent as the wait brings our drinks and walk away. "I mean, they're my best friends, and I would take an unforgiveable for them but seriously." She takes a sip and I mimic her. She really does think it's bad not to completely agree with those two lug heads.
"You're not going to always see eye to eye." She nods and I take another sip. It's warm, with a bit of a kick to it. Too bad it's not actually alcohol. I'm amazed I've gone this long without something. Not to say I haven't tried to find some drink in that forsaken house. I wouldn't believe goody to-shoes Granger would, but at least her parents. Where are they anyways? But I'm actually okay with muggle liquor. It's not as strong but it'll do the trick.
An uncomfortable silence falls between us. It looks like she wants to say something, but holding back. We just seem to be fidgeting with anything we can get our hands on. Hair, clothes, the drink, silverware on the table. I even opened up the box to marvel at my new wand. I wonder what she's thinking about. It must be something intense. Even her brow is furrowed.
"A sickle for your thoughts?" I finally broke the silence. I decided I would be the better person and give us something to talk about. Even if it is about her…feelings.
"Oh no, it's nothing." She smiles, and I can sense the fakeness instantly.
"Uh huh." Whatever. Though there is something I've been wondering about. "So, where are your parents?" She chokes and coughs, managing to spill some of her drink back onto the table. Disgusting. Where ever they may be, they should have taught her better manners.
"My wha- oh, yeah, my mum and dad. They are at a business convention in Italy. Being famous dentists and all takes them places…" I raise my eyebrow. There something she isn't saying. I can tell. She's like an open book about these things. Wearing her heart on her sleeves and all. But it's not my place, and I don't really care that much. I shrug
"Alright. That makes senses." I watch a wave of relief cross her face. Yup, definitely not saying something. "So, you want to finish shopping?" She chugs the fourth of a glass she has left.
"Sure." I follow her suit with the drink and then out the door. I wonder why she feels she has to lie. It's not like she really has anything to lose. Besides, as of now, who am I to judge.
Author's Note: This was actually going to be longer…I was going to include the whole day…but felt it was kind of dull. So I stopped it here.
And sorry it's been so long. I so suck at updating. I should just stick to one shots...but I always have these longer ideas. Blah.
Review, please!