VI
The red haired man shovelled another meagre spoonful of rationed porridge into his mouth as his female companion relayed a somewhat amusing joke to him. There were three of them in total, sitting together at the wooden picnic table, eating together between shifts. They sniggered at the joke then forgot it as soon as it had passed.
"After lunch, can one of you do the windows instead of me? You know how I hate heights." The woman asked. The red head nodded.
"I don't mind, I'm supposed to scrub the floors so-" he stopped as he noticed the expressions on his companions' faces change. A dark shadow appeared over the table. The red haired man turned around to see two wizards, in law-enforcement robes standing over them.
"Permits!" one of them demanded. The trio reached into their robes and pulled out their work permits and presented them to the wizards, who examined them less than briefly. "These aren't valid or stamped by the foreman."
"No, the foreman told us he'd stamp them at the end of the shift, he was busy this morning."
"If permits aren't stamped then they're not valid! Undesirables without valid work permits are declared trespassers of Respectable Wizarding land without authority!"
"But-"
"Names? You first." He said to the woman.
"Clearwater, Penelope"
"Thomas, Dean." The black wizard murmured.
"Weasley, George." The redhead said darkly.
The two wizards looked down their clipboard and crossed each name off as it was called, stopping at the last name.
"Two mudbloods...and a Weasley." The second wizard shook his head. "Tut-tut. Weasley, you're a pureblood, why aren't you registered in the rehabilitation programme?"
"I declined the offer."
"Fool. You're a disgrace, working menially with these two mudbloods. All of you will accompany us back to the Ministry to log your crime and will be incarcerated until a suitable punishment can be decided!"
"Why don't you just ask the foreman to stamp our permits and save yourself the trouble?" Penelope complained. The larger of the two wizards swiped his wand down sharply, slicing a nasty gash in the blonde woman's cheek. By impulse, and although unarmed, George angrily stood up. The first law enforcement wizard fired the body-bind jinx.
"Attacking a law enforcement wizard! Your crimes go up and up, Weasel!"
"You're just trouble making, we've been employed here for over a year, we're here every day! If you'd ask the foreman he'd stamp our permits in front of you." Penelope said angrily.
"CRUCIO!" the second wizard fired the curse at her, sending her to the floor writhing.
"All three of you are will add resistance to the law enforcement office to your crimes!" they waved their wands again and the three Undesirables each stood bound by invisible ropes and dragged to the Ministry van.
"I don't know why they don't learn." The first wizard said. "The Weasel could easily qualify for rehabilitation if he chose."
"Gryffindor bravery – fools! They're all too proud to admit defeat."
"Use Cruciatus on them in the back of the van...let's have some fun before the higher authorities take charge of that privilege, cut down some of that pride!"
Blaise Zabini looked semi-paralysed as he lay on the settee with his hands covering his face; he was so overcome with laughter.
"I really think she's mad...an absolute lunatic." Draco said over the sounds of his friend's hysteria. If Draco did not know better he would have guessed Blaise had been jinxed cast with a ridiculously strong cheering charm.
"Blackmailed... into a date... Amazing!" Blaise finally managed to say between breaths, wiping the tears of laughter from his eyes.
"You can laugh. I now have to go on a date with this psychopath."
"At least she's good looking. And - you know what they say, Draco?"
"What do they say?"
"Mental in the head...better in bed." Blaise fell back into further hysterics while Draco grimaced.
"I honestly wouldn't touch her with a barge pole, it doesn't matter that she's good looking, there's something wrong with her. There is definitely something wrong with her."
"I want to meet her. I love difficult women." The handsome wizard grinned.
"Not this one, she's got about as much sex appeal as a blast-ended skrewt...just easier on the eyes." He admitted. "My mother seems so desperate for me to go out with her she's overlooked her faults."
"Really?" Blaise said, evidently surprised that Narcissa Malfoy would accept second-best for her son.
"Well she overlooks the political stuff anyway. No, Astoria Greengrass acts like a real lady in front of people and just shows her annoying side when we're alone. My Mother thinks she's wonderful." He rolled his eyes.
The living room door opened and Narcissa walked in;
"Blaise, darling - I thought I recognised your voice. Merlin, it really has been too long." She gushed, rushing over to embrace her son's childhood friend.
"Mrs Malfoy, you're looking as well...l as always."
"And you too – Draco, dearest, who did you say I think is so wonderful?" she asked innocently as they sat down.
"Astoria, Mother."
Narcissa's face lit up.
"I'm glad you've told Blaise all about her."
"She's a bit of a rebel I hear." Blaise sniggered.
"Quite the contrary. She's a charming young lady. But...if you're referring to her hobby; being charitable towards the less fortunate is always a quality most admired in young ladies." Narcissa said primly.
"Except she's not actually that young is she, Mother." Draco drawled.
"Well Draco, if you really can't stand her I don't know why you agreed to see her." Narcissa snapped. Draco gave Blaise an exasperated look to which his friend smirked.
"Oh Mrs Malfoy, you know what it's like...women can give men very mixed emotions, they're cunning little vixens that enflame men's hearts and heart and frighten us...why I'm sure you still even make Mr Malfoy feel that way." He purred. Narcissa giggled, her cheeks blushing. Draco glared at Blaise.
"Mother, Blaise and I are going out...why don't you ask Father if he wants me to buy anything?"
Narcissa looked slightly taken aback by Draco's request; her cheeks still a little pink.
"Oh...yes...I will..." she said hesitantly leaving the room. Draco turned back to Blaise
"Don't you dare flirt with my Mother!"
"Why not?" Blaise laughed; feigning offence. "Poor Draco's Mummy...she looks good for 50...5? 54? A good looking woman needs a bit of excitement...if you get my drift."
Draco felt his jaw drop open and struggled to articulate all the words popping into his head.
"M-my M-mother is...is a v-very happily married woman!" he stuttered, but the concept of what he was saying repulsed him.
"Forgive me, Draco, I'm sure your Father is most satisfactory." Blaise said slapping him on the shoulder. "Why are we going out now, I can wait until later."
"I don't trust you in this house with my Mother present, that's why."
Narcissa entered the room before Blaise could respond.
"Your Father doesn't want anything, but this young man would be grateful if you took him with you." She said opening the door to reveal little Theodore beside her. Draco felt his heart sink, but apparently showed no change in his facial expression as Theodore smiled warmly.
"Ah...so you must be Theodore Lupin." Blaise said standing up and looking down at the small boy from his great height.
"And you must be Blaise Zabini." Theodore said confidently sticking his hand out to shake it. Blaise shook it, studying the boy's face closely as he did, perhaps to recognise something of the werewolf father in him.
"Theo, don't you have homework to do instead?"
"Draco!" Narcissa snapped.
"That's alright Uncle Draco, I did most of my homework already but I need Aunt Bellatrix to help me with the rest. Besides, I have the rest of the Summer holiday to finish it off."
"I keep forgetting that it's Hogwarts' summer holiday. The weather doesn't really reflect the season does it." Blaise commented almost sadly.
"I'll be ever so good."
"Why do you want to come with us so badly? It's not going to be that fun for you."
"I want to buy a broomstick! I'm allowed one next year."
Draco gulped and looked at his mother. He preferred not to mention it in front of Blaise but he doubted they could afford to buy him a broomstick. Narcissa smiled softly as if utterly untroubled by this request.
"What a good idea, Draco knows about brooms, he'll help you."
"Mother-" Draco said warningly, but Blaise stepped in.
"Oh go on Draco...grant the boy a request, everyone wants a new broomstick for their second year!"
"Theodore...I think you should ask permission from-"
"It's fine, don't worry, Draco. You can buy him any broom he likes." Narcissa said, leaning over and kissing her dark haired nephew on the top of the head. Draco doubted very much that his Father would agree to buy any broom Theodore desired. His mother believed strongly on keeping up appearances and if that meant going without so that Theodore could parade around with a top rate racing broom then that's what she would do. With Blaise present, Draco did not dare take the matter further. Perhaps in town Draco would have a moment alone with Theodore to dissuade him.
"Fine. Come on Theodore, you can side-along with me." he said begrudgingly "Go get your cloak."
Their first destination was to the bespoke men's tailor in Savile Row; Batbridge and Sons, as Blaise was having a some final fittings made to the new robes he had requested. The shop had always been there, even prior to the war. During the Muggle occupation of those years the shop had been enchanted so that Muggles walked right by without even noticing it, as if the two shops on either side were connected. Not that it made much difference; but the enchantments were now fully lifted and in plain sight for all to see, magical and muggle alike (not that there were any muggles left there anyway.)
The two men and the boy entered the grand shop, well designed shop, where they were greeted by an extremely well dressed wizard. He had dark, iron-grey hair, that was gelled back – accentuating a rather receding hairstyle. He had a pointed nose, under which was a pencil thin moustache – all worn with a rather snobbish expression.
"Mr Zabini, welcome back. Ah and young Mr Malfoy welcome too. Who is this, your son Mr Malfoy?" the man said folding his hands and looking down at Theodore.
"Mr Batbridge, this is Theodore Lupin, the ward of the Malfoy family." Blaise introduced
Draco knew that Mr Batbridge despised 'grubby little school boys' but was very quick to bow down to important sons of good customers.
"Ah yes. Any friend of the Malfoys are always welcome at Batbridge and Sons." He said snootily, unsure what to make of 'the ward of the Malfoys'. "Mr Zabini, do you wish to try on your new robes now?"
"Yes, that's what I'm here for after all." Blaise said lazily. Batbridge offered them refreshments to which they all refused before taking Blaise to the dressing room. Draco and Theodore followed and seated themselves on one of the elegant, straight-backed armchairs. Batbridge and Sons certainly provided the finest quality robes on the market; he and his Father had often shopped there together in the past. Around the shop, enchanted mannequins dressed in the various different designs, wandered around displaying the goods on offer. As elegant as they were, they were a very traditional design – unlike the eccentric, exotic style Blaise now wore and Draco thought it odd that Blaise should choose such a style.
"What do you think?" Blaise said examining himself in the mirror. The robes were navy blue and cut extraordinarily to suit Blaise's tall slim but muscular physique. There was a matching waistcoat on which, silver buttons embellished with Sphinx heads were sewn.
"I like the sphinxes" Theodore said brightly.
"Good taste, my own design." Blaise winked.
"The young man has good taste. A wonderful addition, Sir." Mr Batbridge gushed. Draco thought the Sphinxes were a little tasteless (which he was sure Batbridge secretly would agree with him) but they suited Blaise's style.
"It's a very good cut, does it need any alterations?" Draco remarked pointing out the scattered pins on the sleeves. Batbridge jumped into action and presented the adjustments.
"Yes a little tighter on the arms here...like so...and a little higher on the collar here...yes. Perfect."
Blaise examined the changes and nodded.
"Yes that'll be fine. Have it completed in three days and deliver it to the Savoy." Blaise said heading back into the dressing room to change. Draco looked enviously at the mannequins walking around the shop, displaying the fine robes. It had been too long since he'd had a new set of robes designed for him. He looked sadly down at his own robes and blanched at the sight of the slightly frayed cuffs and hid them; although he was sure Batbridge must have already noticed.
"Now about the payment, Mr Zabini..." Batbridge approached as Blaise returned from the dressing room, he pulled from the inside pocket of his cloak, a piece of folded parchment.
"Here's a letter of credit. Take it to Gringotts...I've already informed them, the money will be ready for you to collect."
"Thank you, Sir." Batbridge said levitating the parchment over to his desk and into the drawer, looking it immediately. "Is there anything else I can do for you?" Blaise looked as if he was about to decline when he looked at Draco, and a wicked smile appeared on his face.
"Yes there is actually, Mr Batbridge. I wish to get my dear friend, Draco, a gift. You see he has a romantic rendezvous with a fine young witch and needs a new set of robes to impress her. My treat!"
Draco paled.
"He's joking, Mr Batbridge, that concludes our business-"
"No no...honestly." Blaise confirmed "Can you whip up something for say...a dinner, date in a fine place."
"Yes...of course. I know Mr Malfoy's colouring well and I could measure up a set of robes on the spot but... it is always best to complement the lady too. If the lady thinks the man matches her well...then she's more inclined to see...or be seen with him again." Batbridge smiled. "So...what does the lady look like?"
Draco glared at Blaise for getting him into this, before feeling inclined to describe Astoria as a spattergroit infested hag that resembled a warty-pig, before composing himself properly.
"Light brown hair, green eyes...pale?"
"Hmm...you wouldn't have a photograph by any chance, would you, Sir?" Batbridge said pensively. Draco shook his head, hoping this would bring the end to the silly request.
"Are you familiar with the Greengrasses?" Blaise jumped in,
"Why yes. The elder of the two is married, is she not? Yes I believe I remember the design of the groom's robes; French – and not as fine as you might hope. Her sister Astoria is a beautiful, charming lady, I remember her face well."
Thus, it was a double edged sword; Draco was getting the new set of robes he desired, as a gift – but for all the wrong reasons. Still, he did not have to wear these attractive robes to meet Astoria, Blaise would never know. He still resented the fact that Blaise had to pay for his robes.
As Batbridge measured him he quickly muttered a number of incoherent ramblings to an enchanted quill that scribbled out designs and patterns as he spoke. He kept to Draco's usual colours, of blacks, silvers and greens and also experimented with a little grey before presenting the final designs for Draco to examine. He was generally pleased with the ideas; Batbridge never failed to impress – his work was beyond competition.
"That will be fine." Draco thanked him.
"Batbridge, this is a gift for my dear friend, so I want you to work around the clock for me!" he said putting his arm around Draco. "Let me alter that letter of credit and include the cost of these robes in it too."
"You didn't need to do that, Blaise. I can afford my own robes you know." Draco lied, Blaise laughed dismissively.
"I know I know. But it's a gift to impress Astoria." He jibed. "Look. I haven't been around as a friend for the last couple of years so let's just say it's to make up for all those missed birthdays and Christmases."
"That would mean I owe you a large present too." Draco said, trying to make sense of Blaise's logic.
"Except that you never bought me presents in the first place, Draco."
"Neither did you, Blaise."
Blaise gave a cheeky smile and looked down at Theodore.
"Your cousin is impossible, Theo, I've never seen anyone put up such a fight for a pair of robes before."
"Uncle Draco, just say thank you!" Theodore reminded, looking very much like his Aunt Narcissa as he said it. Blaise leant closer to Draco and whispered, too quietly for Theodore to hear;
"Consider it thanks, for your help the other day."
When Draco had been at school, Quality Quidditch Supplies was a small, but much loved shop in Diagon Alley. Since then it had abandoned its historical premises and set up a far larger store in Soho. A fine range of racing brooms were displayed in the front window; the usual gaggle of people looking in at the latest product.
"THE TORNADO III"
"Oh wow..." Theodore said dreamily looking at the latest racing broom, even Draco felt his heart beat a little harder when looking at the new broom, as if he was a twelve year old boy again too. It gave him a curious mixture of opposing feelings, on one hand; he felt as he had when he saw the Nimbus 2001 his father had bought him. On the other hand, he felt the jealous pang he experienced when Potter had got the Firebolt in their third year. Draco tried to shake the memory away – it was not only forbidden but whole other world away.
"It certainly is a beauty." Blaise smiled admiring its sleek design. It was dark wood but not quite ebony, with a fine silver handle with extra grip. Theodore immediately broke into a fast paced explanation to why it was 'just the best broom ever!'
"The cut of the branches makes it 8 times more streamlined than its predecessors and its rival, the Whirlwind 360. Also, look at the reinforced handle! That makes it brake way more efficiently. It can reach up to 150 miles per hour in like 5.2 seconds!" Theodore had obviously done his research on this broom.
"Is this the one you want?" Blaise asked.
"No!" Draco said warningly before Theodore could answer. The boy seemed to expect this answer but looked crestfallen all the same.
"No, not this one...Shall we look inside?" he asked sheepishly, quickly taking the lead almost to hide his upset expression. He immediately went up to some regular looking Nimbuses and started perusing the selection silently.
"Aw. That's just tragic. Get him the Tornado III, have a heart, Draco!" Blaise said sympathetically
"He doesn't need a Tornado III."
"I can't imagine you letting your Dad say that back when you were twelve."
"First of all, Theo isn't my son! And Second; there is a massive difference between a Nimbus 2001 and a Tornado III. Did I get a Firebolt when it came out? No. Did I ask? Of course I did!"
"But look at that crappy selection. Nimbus hasn't come out with anything decent since Firebolt knocked out all the competition. Draco that was in 1993! You can't let the poor boy embarrass himself at Hogwarts with a seventeen year old broom."
"What about an older Tornado model."
"That's even worse; at least a Nimbus is retro." Blaise sneered. "A Tornado II is just pathetic."
"He's not getting one. End of story."
Blaise sighed and went over to examine the new selection of broom compasses. Draco rolled his eyes; Blaise was acting like he had cancelled Christmas.
"Drafus, old boy!" a familiar roaring voice said. Draco turned around to see a large fat, pink faced man strolling towards him. Mr Greengrass, wearing a set of dark green robes stretched tightly over his bulbous stomach, a matching hat on his neat grey hair and a bright silver pocket watch hanging from his left pocket, greeted him warmly. "Fancy bumping into you here of all places."
"How are you, Mr Greengrass. I came with my cousin to buy a new broom for his second year," Theodore and Blaise had heard Draco's voice and came over to greet Mr Greengrass.
"Hello Mr Greengrass, how are you today?" Theodore said shaking his hand, looking positively tiny next to the great hulking man.
"Hello, you little whippersnapper." Mr Greengrass said affectionately "Here to get a decent broom, good lad, good lad."
"Mr Greengrass, have you met my friend Blaise Zabini."
"I think we did meet once or twice in the past! I've met your mother on several occasions. You were just a little lad, younger than Theodore here, I think. Pleasure to meet you all the same." Mr Greengrass said taking Blaise's bejewelled hand.
"And you must be Daphne and Astoria's father. A pleasure, sir."
"You remember my girls?"
"Daphne, Draco and I were all in the same year and house. I remember Astoria too – although she seems to have changed a bit since our school days."
"That she has, that she has. Have you and she arranged your little get together, yet?" Mr Greengrass said eagerly to Draco.
"Not yet."
"Ah get a move on, dear boy. No time like the present I always say, eh? You two look good together. Now...tell me, what broom do you have your eye on?" he said to Theodore. Draco glared at Theodore, daring him to mention the Tornado III.
"Well I..." his large brown eyes faltered "I guess a Nimbus or..."
Mr Greengrass roared with laughter.
"Now don't lie to me, lad. Don't tell me you prefer an old Nimbus to that glorious thing in the window."
"Well...no but-"
"You're a Malfoy - near enough! You deserve the best."
Draco cringed; Mr Greengrass was steadily becoming more annoying than his youngest daughter.
"He doesn't need a Tornado III...perhaps one of the classic Firebolt models."
"The Firebolt is good but it's not the modern thing to go for, now...if your cousin won't buy you a Tornado III boy, let me..."
That was the last straw. Mr Greengrass was being too blatant now, he was buying support of the Malfoys for Draco to accept Astoria – starting with the easiest target. Draco could see Mr Greengrass' perspective; what was a small fortune in an exchange for getting rid of a brat like Astoria anyway?
"If you don't mind Mr Greengrass...I can afford to buy my cousin a broom myself." Draco looked at Blaise for support, but even he seemed somewhat at a loss as to how to act. Theodore was looking from Mr Greengrass to Draco anxiously, as if they were arguing the outcome of his fate.
"Of course you can. But I can treat the boy to a Tornado III if he wishes. I know the Malfoys can afford it, I meant no disrespect in that department...I hope none was taken. He's a nice lad and if he wants a Tornado III then-"
"I was going to get him the Tornado III as a gift...it was a surprise." Draco lied through gritted teeth. Theodore looked up at Draco with a delighted face, so full of excitement it could barely be contained.
"Really, Uncle Draco? Really? Oh wow, oh wow!" he said practically leaping across the shop. "Thank you, so much...thank you...oh...Can I go tell the shop assistant, can I?"
"Go, whatever." Draco said darkly. Mr Greengrass, rather predictably, pulled out his handkerchief and mopped his brow.
"Forgive me, Drayfus...if I'd known...I'm truly sorry I ruined the surprise. I hope...I hope this-"
What Mr Greengrass hoped was that it would not affect Draco's 'possible relationship' with his daughter.
"It's fine, Mr Greengrass...no harm done."
As Mr Greengrass did not, as Draco mentally put it 'bugger off', Draco had no choice but to go through with paying for the Tornado III. He wrote a letter of credit and gave it to the cashier, who announced loudly to the shop that the first Tornado III of the day had been bought. To which Theodore and Draco received a great round of applause.
"Well...Drayfus...I had better be off...I have to meet Begonia for supper...good to see you again, and you Barnabus good to meet you. Enjoy the broom, little whippersnapper" he said and barely waited for a response before exiting the shop embarrassedly before disapparating at the entrance.
"Barnabus?" Blaise repeated dumbfounded.
AN: Please read and review.
Thank you to aleera, MooninAir, heavenly-words and MissForgetfulMe for your lovely reviews of the chapters so far. It is so appreciated!
