Disclaimer: One Piece and Harry Potter does not belong to me, each belongs to their respective author. This fic is not intended to make money, but be a recreational way to practice English and develop creativity.
-.- At Flourish and Blotts
Ace really did not understand how this had happened. If anyone in this world did not act as expected, this was Severus Snape, at least today.
On the other hand, Dobby's warning had been an interesting boost to his expectations of Hogwarts. Although he was still upset with the creature, a part of him was grateful for the warning and to know that something exciting was going to happen, the other part was upset about his letters.
Ace did not expect letters, he never had; or sent letters, he had never done it. In the sea it was very complicated. In the three years that Ace had sailed, and Luffy had remained in Dawn Island they never exchange letters. There was no need, they had a strong bond. But that didn't means that receive a letter of someone he knew, weren't something important, on the contrary, the boy was excited and despite the bad day that was today, Ace chose to sit at the kitchen table with its large packet of letters, cutting the ribbons that held all the cards together, and scattering them on the table.
Meanwhile Minerva decided it was best to sit in front of Ace, thinking how to express what was in her mind and how to ask what had happened.
"I thought that the worst punishment was to be expelled," said Ace, while sorting out the various letters between the dates of the month that had passed.
"It is; actually" said the woman.
"I'm surprised that Snape did not expel me, still though I do not like the idea of the punishment." said the boy, holding a letter from Neville in his hands.
"Ace, what happened?" The woman asked. Ace remained static one second thinking how to answer. "I have seen many things, even magical accidents that seem impossible. This was not an accident, was accurate, and just exploded all the bottles and boxes of ingredients of the two rooms." Holding a letter that appeared to be from the twins, Ace wondered how they would write one a letter, would it be like when they spoke? "You know who did that? Or why he did it?"
"Surely it was someone who was expecting that I got expel. I wonder what expression he will do once he sees that I'm still going."
-.-
A week after the event with Dobby, Ace heard of Hogwarts again, this time in a letter, which he opened and read over breakfast.
"How do you write all those letters?" Asked the boy as he finished reading his letter.
"I don't write them" Minerva said "a pen automatically writes them."
Back to the letter there was also a list of the new books he'd need for the coming year.
Second-year students will require:
The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 2 by Miranda Goshawk
Break with a Banshee by Gilderoy Lockhart
Gadding with Ghouls by Gilderoy Lockhart
Holidays with Hags by Gilderoy Lockhart
Travels with Trolls by Gilderoy Lockhart
Voyages with Vampires by Gilderoy Lockhart
Wanderings with Werewolves by Gilderoy Lockhart
Year with the Yeti by Gilderoy Lockhart
"Who, the hell, is Gilderoy Lockhart?" The boy said, lifting his view, only to see the teacher with a grimace that she struggled to control.
No one good, as he could see. "Hermione had told us to go next Wednesday to buy the book"
Taken completely by surprise, the professor took a chance to change the subject. "Yes, it is ok, just that I cannot accompany you. I have to make a visit to a muggle family" She made a pause while the child returned to devour his food. "Ace, just to be safe, how are you planning to go to Diagon Alley?"
The boy paused. "Good question"
"Please, Do not try to go walking like a month ago," she said disapprovingly.
"Don't worry, if there is other way of transportation, I'm curious to try it" Minerva watched the boy for a moment, thinking it did not matter if he liked to travel by floo, as long as he stops traveling long distances on foot.
-.-
Ace woke up early on Wednesday morning, armed with a pair of shorts, a simple sleeveless shirt, boots and a backpack; the boy waited firm in front the teacher as she took a bottle of green powder located above the fireplace.
She was not worried, like with other students, she knew that Ace would have no problems with the instructions given, and he will arrive safely to the Leaky Cauldron.
"I know you're excited," said the woman, "But don't you think it's too early?"
"No, I have to go through a few things before."
The woman study him a second, "What kind of things?"
"Books" the boy said, "I ordered some books a few months ago, I think they should have arrived."
Seeing that there was nothing suspicious about it, she holds out the bottle with powder. "Ready?"
"Yeah, I'd have no problem, it is quite simple."
"Just said it loud and clear"
The boy nodded and with a handful of powder he moved to the fireplace, and simply dropped the powder into the flames, with a roar, the fire turned emerald green and rose higher, Ace penetrated into the flames, which did not burn, but being a man of fire was difficult to tell how someone felt that normally. Deciding to play with these flames when Minnie was not watching him with that look of anguish, he exclaimed "Leaky Cauldron" and he vanished from the fireplace.
Surrounded by green flames, Ace sailed with great speed, in what it seemed like a blur winding tunnel fires everywhere. Taking advantage of the trip, he deployed some flames around to feel the emeralds flames around him. It was not a normal fire, which was expected, but did not feel like the fire trap of Snape, this flame was warm, and protective.
Before he could continue examining this curious flame, Ace left the tunnel and he fell, face forward, on to cold stone.
Hundreds of voices flooded in his ears, as he stood with flames still around, that soon faded. He had reached the Leaky Cauldron without any problem, and adjusting his backpack, he went outside.
He went to Diagon Alley, where he advanced through the winding streets to a small road that connected to the alley. Dark and narrow staircase descending into the distance were seen going up and down while twisting in the dark, and at the entrance a sign, black and coarse revealed the identity of the street: Knockturn Alley.
Ace went into the street, moving with a strange confidence that some found strange, it was not normal to see a child moving around and so calm, but for someone who had been a pirate, and had grown with thieves mountain; all these people with suspicious looking, looked normal. Maybe Ace was more dangerous than they.
Soon he reaches his destination within a small street not far from the entrance. Ace opened the door of the establishment, entering the place, when a hand was placed on his shoulder with the intention of stopping him, there upon the young pirate turned to face who stopped him, only to find the face of a child who seemed he had run a long stretch to reach him.
"Neville," said Ace, "What are you doing here?"
"Ace" said the boy gasping for air, "We got to get out of here."
"Why?"
"Because it's dangerous," whispered the boy, to not be heard by whoever was in store. "This alley is visited by dark wizards."
"Yes, I know."
Neville opened his mouth as he waves his arms for words, not for lack of air. "Then what are ...?" And he stop, fixed his gaze outside the shop, and at the end of the street. "Is Malfoy."
And before he could say more, Neville took Ace and pulled him into a large black cabinet to their left; he shot inside it and pulled the doors closed, before Ace stop him, leaving a small crack. "Why are we hiding?" Seconds later, a bell clanged, and Malfoy stepped into the shop.
The man who followed could only be Draco's father. He had the same pale, pointed face and identical cold, gray eyes. Mr. Malfoy crossed the shop, looking lazily at the items on display, and rang a bell on the counter before turning to his son and saying, "Touch nothing, Draco."
Malfoy, who had reached for the glass eye, said, "I thought you were going to buy me a present."
"I said I would buy you a racing broom," said his father, drumming his fingers on the counter.
"What's the good of that if I'm not on the House team?" said Malfoy, looking sulky and bad-tempered. "Harry Potter got a Nimbus Two Thousand last year. Special permission from Dumbledore so he could play for Gryffindor. He's not even that good, it's just because he's famous . . . famous for having a stupid scar on his forehead. . . ."
Malfoy bent down to examine a shelf full of skulls. ". . . Everyone thinks he's so smart, wonderful Potter with his scar and his broomstick…"
"You have told me this at least a dozen times already," said Mr. Malfoy, with a quelling look at his son. "And I would remind you that it is not… prudent… to appear less than fond of Harry Potter, not when most of our kind regard him as the hero who made the Dark Lord disappear… ah, Mr. Borgin."
A stooping man had appeared behind the counter, smoothing his greasy hair back from his face.
"Mr. Malfoy, what a pleasure to see you again," said Mr. Borgin in a voice as oily as his hair. "Delighted… and young Master Malfoy, too… charmed. How may I be of assistance? I must show you, just in today, and very reasonably priced…"
"I'm not buying today, Mr. Borgin, but selling," said Mr. Malfoy.
"Selling?" The smile faded slightly from Mr. Borgin's face.
"You have heard, of course, that the Ministry is conducting more raids," said Mr. Malfoy, taking a roll of parchment from his inside pocket and unraveling it for Mr. Borgin to read. "I have a few… ah… items at home that might embarrass me, if the Ministry were to call. . . ."
Mr. Borgin fixed a pair of pince-nez to his nose and looked down the list.
"The Ministry wouldn't presume to trouble you, sir, surely?"
Mr. Malfoy's lip curled.
"I have not been visited yet. The name Malfoy still commands a certain respect, yet the Ministry grows ever more meddlesome. There are rumors about a new Muggle Protection Act… no doubt that flea-bitten, Muggle-loving fool Arthur Weasley is behind it and as you see, certain of these poisons might make it appear…"
"I understand, sir, of course," said Mr. Borgin. "Let me see . . ."
"Can I have that?" interrupted Draco, pointing at the withered hand on its cushion.
"Ah, the Hand of Glory!" said Mr. Borgin, abandoning Mr. Malfoy's list and scurrying over to Draco. "Insert a candle and it gives light only to the holder! Best friend of thieves and plunderers! Your son has fine taste, sir."
"I hope my son will amount to more than a thief or a plunderer, Borgin," said Mr. Malfoy coldly, and Mr. Borgin said quickly, "No offense, sir, no offense meant…"
"Though if his grades don't pick up," said Mr. Malfoy, more coldly still, "that may indeed be all he is fit for…"
"It's not my fault," retorted Draco. "The teachers all have favorites, that Hermione Granger…"
"I would have thought you'd be ashamed that a girl of no wizard family beat you in every exam," snapped Mr. Malfoy.
"Ha!" said Neville under his breath, pleased to see Draco looking both abashed and angry.
"It's the same all over," said Mr. Borgin, in his oily voice. "Wizard blood is counting for less everywhere…"
"Not with me," said Mr. Malfoy, his long nostrils flaring.
"No, sir, nor with me, sir," said Mr. Borgin, with a deep bow.
"In that case, perhaps we can return to my list," said Mr. Malfoy shortly. "I am in something of a hurry, Borgin, I have important business elsewhere today…"
They started to haggle. Neville watched nervously as Draco drew nearer and nearer to they hiding place, examining the objects for sale. Draco paused to examine a long coil of hangman's rope and to read, smirking, the card propped on a magnificent necklace of opals, Caution: Do Not Touch. Cursed… Has Claimed the Lives of Nineteen Muggle Owners to Date.
Draco turned away and saw the cabinet right in front of him. He walked forward… he stretched out his hand for the handle…
"Done," said Mr. Malfoy at the counter. "Come, Draco…"
Neville wiped his forehead on his sleeve as Draco turned away.
"Good day to you, Mr. Borgin. I'll expect you at the manor tomorrow to pick up the goods."
The moment the door had closed, Mr. Borgin dropped his oily manner.
"Good day yourself, Mister Malfoy, and if the stories are true, you haven't sold me half of what's hidden in your manor. . . ." Muttering darkly, Mr. Borgin disappeared into a back room.
Once Mr. Borgin left the room, Ace left the cabinet and staring at the door as he muttered, "That was interesting"
Neville behind him said, "He must be worried about these raids"
"I was speaking of the relationship between Draco and his father..." Ace said examining the Hand of Glory "With a father like that is no wonder he's so..."
"Egocentric?"
"I going to say Hostile"
"That's true, I thought my grandmother was tough, but she would never say in front of others that I can only become a thief."
Leaving the Hand of Glory, Ace walked to the counter, calling the bell. "Ace, what are you doing?" Neville said.
"I have business here"
"What kind of business?"
Ace no longer responded as at that time Mr. Borgin came back, his expression nuisance. "Good morning Mr. Borgin" Ace said in a firm voice, leaving Neville with the feeling that everything was in complete control. "I come to pick up my order"
"Oh!, boy, of course, that peculiar book"
"You have it, right?" the young pirate said, direct business, without giving room for anything else.
"Of course, as I said, is not a complicated book if you know and have contacts where to locate it" he turned to the back room and returned with a book with an outrageous tone of purple. "You will not find copy of this book in better quality than this"
Certainly, the book looked used, someone much have read it once and never open it again.
"Truth is not a dangerous book as many believe, I have many more with darkest secrets that the Ministry..."
"But do you have something else of this topic?" Ace asked, pointing to the title on the cover.
"No, it's not a flashy subject actually; even at the time was just a popular topic among muggles ..."
"Yes, the wizard did not leave land at all. And the few who did cause this havoc "Ace passes the pages of the book" No Ministry of Magic would be proud of these wizards and they prefer to erase them of history. "
Neville said nothing, he remained firm in his spot by the door and waited; he felt that if he spoke he would break the magical atmosphere of security that Ace had created around him. So he watched the negotiated with the man and at the end Ace only paid a smaller amount than Mr. Borgin had proposed at the beginning, and as they moved out of the store, Ace kept the book in his backpack.
They moved a few meters away from the dark street, before Neville could feel that he could say anything. "That book, what is it about?" Ace gave him a look, and Neville reminding himself that his friend was walking beside him he said "It isn't about dark magic, right?"
"Of course it is not" which responded with a half laugh as if it was a big joke. "Why would I wanted something of that sort"
"I thought it would be something like that… as… no ministry would be proud of that, I thought it would be a bad thing."
"It's not a bad thing, nor is it something good," the boy watched Ace questioningly "all is a matter of perspective, for the government is completely wrong. All governments are the same. But for me, it's something as normal as the sun rises after the night. "
Now curious, Neville could not imagine anything nor bad or good, and that for the ministry was bad, and that for Ace, were normal. "So, what's that book about?"
Ace was silent a few meters, facing forward and Neville felt nervous that he had asked something wrong, however Ace smiled with the expression that he did when something funny happened. And he said one word: "Pirates"
"Pirates?" Repeated Neville intrigued, he had expected ... well actually he had not expected anything, but was curious by because Ace saw the pirates as normal, plus there were certain things that intrigued Neville.
"Why could the ministry would not be proud of pirates?" Neville Asked, while Ace was looking at him with an expression of satisfaction. "Aren't pirates something muggle?"
"They were not all muggle." Ace said as he smiled fun. "So they do not feel proud."
"You mean that there were Wizard Pirates? I had never heard of them, is this what you mean with that they were erased from history? Why do they hide them? "
Ace just laughed in good shape, "Imagine for a moment that one day you read it in the news, Boat carrying Asian magical artifacts stolen by pirates, in the crew wizard pirate ... Portgas D Ace" Ace said, amused by the Neville expression to the idea "What do you feel? What do you think that the ministry has to do? Do they have to do something? "
"Yes," said the boy doubtful "but I would not want you to be pursue by the Aurors"
Ace smiled. "But that's what you would think they would have to do, right? Now imagine that what he says is: Boat carrying Asian magical artifacts stolen by pirates, muggle ministry works to resolve and recover the magic property. Who is responsible now? "
"The Muggle government ..." Neville said quickly, noting the great change that generated by changing a few words "So this mean that they blamed the muggles."
"How are you feeling right now at the idea that the Ministry lied to you?" Ace said, following with his case of study.
"Very bad" That was little to express how disappointed and betrayed he felt.
"You doubt them?"
"The Ministry? ... Yes ..." said in disbelief.
"Now imagine you get a book of two hundred pages, telling the stories of all these wizards pirates and all the treasures and magic artifacts they stole." replied the young pirate, who moved to exit the alley, to the crowded street Diagon Alley.
"Two hundred pages?" Two hundred pages and probably not all talking about the same person, but several, and no one noticed?
"And, they were captured?"
"Who knows, perhaps yes, but they were captured in silent"
"They recovered the treasure?"
"Not necessarily," Said Ace watching the questioning look in Neville. "If it was a small and recent crew, possibly they had their treasures on board with them. But as they gain experience and number they could acquire territory and hide there their treasure"
Neville pondered this, which means treasure could be anywhere, it was this famous pirate treasure map marked with an X.
"You know a lot of pirates," said the boy.
"Of course," he said Ace, with even more fun "I'm a pirate, I have to know all this."
Before Neville could ask anything else, a voice called in the distance.
"Ace, Neville" quickly Ace looked up and saw Hermione Granger standing at the top of the white flight of steps to Gringotts. She ran down to meet them, her bushy brown hair flying behind her.
"Oh, it's wonderful to see you two again — are you coming into Gringotts, Neville, Ace?"
"Not really, You Neville?" Ace said.
"No."
"Then we must wait for the Weasley," Hermione added. "They already entered."
"You came alone?" Ace asked.
"No, my parents are inside changing money in the bank."
"Neville?"
"My uncle left me here, and returned to the Leaky Cauldron"
"OH! Look there are the Weasleys." said Hermione suddenly.
Ace and Neville looked around: It was impossible not to distinguishing this family, all with bright red hair; walking Leaving Gringotts were Ron, Fred, George Percy, and Mr. Weasley, supposed Neville and Ace, and a little behind Mrs. Weasley and a small reddish hair girl.
"Ace, Neville" exclaimed the twins as they reach them. "Nice to see you two again."
"Hello," Neville murmured shyly.
Just then Mr. Weasley came to greet them, and when Ace gave his name Mr. Weasley gave a pause, in which Ron beside him coughed slightly, before the man respond to the presentation. Ace ignored the detail, thinking that the guys had already mentioned the reaction he had to the name of Harry Potter, and just then two arms encircled Nevile and Ace warmly, while Mrs. Weasley hugged them tightly.
In the middle of that embraced Ace noticed the last figure of the Weasley that he lacked to know: The only daughter of Weasley, who as she noted that Ace was watching her, she blushed so hard that her face was the same color of her hair and disappeared behind her father.
Once freed from the embrace, the attention of the Weasley went to Hermione and her parents.
"But you're Muggles!" said Mr. Weasley delightedly. "We must have a drink!"
"Who?" Ace asked to Ron, pointing to Ginny, who had stuck to Mrs. Weasley.
"Ginny," said Ron in an undertone to Harry. "My sister, she's been talking about you all summer."
"Why would she do that?" The pirate asked.
"Ah! Little Ace "Fred said putting his arm on the boy's shoulder.
"It's very simple" continues George "but you just have twelve, you wouldn't understand."
"And you only have thirteen is not much difference, also technically ..."
"Enough!" Hermione interrupted, "Don't bother her."
Following the presentations, Percy muttered vaguely about needing a new quill. Mrs. Weasley and Ginny were going to a secondhand robe shop. Mr. Weasley was insisting on taking the Grangers off to the Leaky Cauldron for a drink.
"We'll all meet at Flourish and Blotts in an hour to buy your school books," said Mrs. Weasley, setting off with Ginny.
While Ace and his group stroller off along the winding, cobbled street. Their first stop was to buy six great ice cream, which they slurped happily as they wandered up the alley.
"Well Ace, are you going to tell us why you ignore us all summer," George said suddenly.
"We know that McGonagall can be strict but ..."
"It wasn't McGonagall, it was a house elf."
Ace told them all about Dobby, the warning he'd given Ace and the fiasco in Snape's office. There was a long, shocked silence when he had finished.
"Very fishy," said Fred finally.
"Definitely dodgy," agreed George. "So he wouldn't even tell you who's supposed to be plotting all this stuff?"
"Never ask that," said Ace. "And every time he got close to letting something slip, he started banging his head against the wall."
He saw Fred and George look at each other. Hermione had a thoughtful attitude and processed while adsorbed the whole story.
"Sure he was telling the truth?" Neville said.
"Why would he lie?"
"Well," said Fred, "put it this way — house-elves have got powerful magic of their own, but they can't usually use it without their master's permission. I reckon old Dobby was sent to stop you coming back to Hogwarts. Someone's idea of a joke. Can you think of anyone at school with a grudge against you?"
"Yes," said Neville and Ron together, instantly.
Hermione sighed. "And here we go."
"Draco Malfoy," Ron explained. "He hates us."
"It is a potential candidate" Fred said as George added:
"He challenged Ace to a duel only to him throw Filch"
"He blows up Hagrid with Norbert" Hermione said.
"He got you into trouble in the broom practice" said Neville.
"Which is the only thing we thank him for," said Ron, "You enter the Quidditch team after that."
"It's sad," said Fred, "He sounded like a good fellow on the train."
"You never meet him on the train" pointed Hermione.
"But we heard the story from you all."
"And from what I've heard his father is no better," Ron said.
"I've heard Dad talking about him," said George. "He was a big supporter of You-Know-Who."
"And when You-Know-Who disappeared," said Fred, "Lucius Malfoy came back saying he'd never meant any of it. Load of dung — Dad reckons he was right in You-Know-Who's inner circle."
"I don't know whether the Malfoys own a house-elf. . . ." said Neville.
"Well, whoever owns him will be an old wizarding family, and they'll be rich," said Fred.
"Yeah, Mum's always wishing we had a house-elf to do the ironing," said George.
"Oh! Guess who I saw in Borgin and Burkes?" Neville asked "Malfoy and his father."
"Did Lucius Malfoy buy anything?" said Fred sharply behind the boy.
"No, he was selling."
"So he's worried," Said George with grim satisfaction. "If Dad finds that out he will be happy. . . "
"To all this, Neville" Hermione said "What were you doing in Borgin and Burkes?"
All turned their sight to the boy, who quickly took a color that competed with Weasley's hair.
"He accompany me to pick up a book."
The sight of all now turned to the boy leading the group and quietly ate ice cream.
"Ace ..." began Hermione "what kind of book you purchased in Borgin and Burkes?"
"A book of Pirates"
At that time they arrive to Quality Quidditch Supplies, Ron gazed longingly at a full set of Chudley Cannon robes in the windows Until Hermione dragged them off to buy ink and parchment next door. In Gambol and Japes Wizarding Joke Shop, Fred and George, stocked up on Dr. Filibuster's Fabulous Wet-Start, No-Heat Fireworks. And in a tiny junk shop full of broken wands, lopsided brass scales, and old cloaks covered in potion stains, Ace examines a small telescope.
"What's it like?" Neville asked shyly while others were distracted with other things, "Being a pirate, I mean." He clarified
"It's… Freedom" said Ace leaving the object "Being a pirate means to be free."
"Free to be ... whatever I want." asked Neville.
The boy nodded.
"No repressions."
"Yes, I don't know about other crews, but for me it was all that."
Ron's voice reached his ears: "A study of Hogwarts prefects and their later careers," Ron read aloud off the back cover. "That sounds fascinating. . . ." Percy, was deeply immersed in a small and deeply boring book called Prefects Who Gained Power.
"Go away," Percy snapped.
" 'Course, he's very ambitious, Percy, he's got it all planned out. . . . He wants to be Minister of Magic . . ." Ron told Ace, Neville and Hermione in an undertone as they left Percy to it.
An hour later, they headed for Flourish and Blotts. They were by no means the only ones making their way to the bookshop. As they approached it, they saw to their surprise a large crowd jostling outside the doors, trying to get in. The reason for this was proclaimed by a large banner stretched across the upper windows:
LOCKHART
Will be signing copies of his autobiography
MAGICAL ME
Today 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
"We can actually meet him!" Hermione squealed. "I mean, he's written almost the whole booklist!"
"Look how happy I am" Ace muttered.
The crowd seemed to be made up mostly of witches around Mrs. Weasley's age. A harassed-looking wizard stood at the door, saying, "Calmly, please, ladies. . . . Don't push, there . . . mind the books, now. . . ."
Ace and his group squeezed inside. A long line wound right to the back of the shop, where Gilderoy Lockhart was signing his books. They each grabbed a copy of The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 2 and sneaked up the line to where the rest of the Weasleys were standing with Mr. and Mrs. Granger.
"Oh, there you are, good," said Mrs. Weasley. She sounded breathless and kept patting her hair. "We'll be able to see him in a minute. . . ."
Gilderoy Lockhart came slowly into view, seated at a table surrounded by large pictures of his own face, all winking and flashing dazzlingly white teeth at the crowd. The real Lockhart was wearing robes of forget-me-not blue that exactly matched his eyes; his pointed wizard's hat was set at a jaunty angle on his wavy hair.
Ace knew in that moment that he was not going to like this man. Turning to George, he elbowed him to get his attention; he made a signal, pointing at the entrance to the store, as he faked a yawn. The twins smiled as they walked to his mother.
"Mom, can we go back to the entrance of the store, Ace doesn't seems well."
"Are you feeling sick, dear," jumped the woman, prey to worry.
"It Is Narcolepsy" said Fred, "he'd better sit before he falls and it seems that he is dead."
Without another word and without waiting for a reply from Mrs. Weasley the boys fled, under the disapproving gaze of Hermione and the snicker of Neville, who obviously knew that was a lie. Once in a more open area, Ron said, sitting at the foot of a staircase, "It is in these cases when love your Narcolepsy"
"Thanks your brothers, who are great actors," said Ace looking at the twins.
"That's because my mother do not know you yet, wait till she do and she will know even when you lie"
"Look what we have here;" said a voice from on high "Came to take an example of how to be a celebrity?" It was Draco Malfoy
"That fool?" said Ace almost laughing "There are better role models than that"
Malfoy smiled amused by the comment, only to be controlled.
"Be careful, you could end up like him if you keep this up, Potter."
Some people turned in their direction.
"Leave him alone, he didn't want all that!" said Ginny. She had appeared behind them all, and it was the first time she had spoken in front of Ace. She was glaring at Malfoy.
"Awww, you've got yourself a girlfriend!" drawled Malfoy. Ginny went scarlet as Neville and Hermione fought their way over, both clutching stacks of Lockhart's books.
"It's not news to see Ace in a store," Said Ron, looking at Malfoy as if he were something unpleasant on the sole of his shoe.
"Not as surprised as I am to see you in a shop, Weasley," retorted Malfoy. "I suppose your parents will go hungry for a month to pay for all those."
Ron went as red as Ginny. He dropped his books into the cauldron, too, and started toward Malfoy, but Neville and Hermione grabbed the back of his jacket.
"Ron!" said Mr. Weasley, struggling over. "What are you doing? It's too crowded in here, let's go outside."
"Well, well, well — Arthur Weasley."
It was Mr. Malfoy. He stood with his hand on Draco's shoulder, sneering in just the same way.
"Lucius," said Mr. Weasley, nodding coldly.
"Busy time at the Ministry, I hear," said Mr. Malfoy. "All those raids . . . I hope they're paying you overtime?"
He reached into Ginny's cauldron and extracted a very old, very battered copy of A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration.
"Obviously not," Mr. Malfoy said. "Dear me, what's the use of being a disgrace to the name of wizard if they don't even pay you well for it?"
Mr. Weasley flushed darker than either Ron or Ginny.
"We have a very different idea of what disgraces the name of wizard, Malfoy," he said.
"Clearly," said Mr. Malfoy, his pale eyes straying to Mr. and Mrs. Granger, who were watching apprehensively. "The company you keep, Weasley . . . and I thought your family could sink no lower —"
There was a thud of metal as Ginny's cauldron went flying; Mr. Weasley had thrown himself at Mr. Malfoy, knocking him backward into a bookshelf. Dozens of heavy spellbooks came thundering down on all their heads; there was a yell of, "Get him, Dad!" from Fred or George; Mrs. Weasley was shrieking, "No, Arthur, no!"; the crowd stampeded backward, knocking more shelves over; "Gentlemen, please — please!" cried the assistant, and then, louder than all —"Break it up, there, gents, break it up —"
Hagrid was wading toward them through the sea of books. In an instant he had pulled Mr. Weasley and Mr. Malfoy apart.
Mr. Weasley had a cut lip and Mr. Malfoy had been hit in the eye by an Encyclopedia of Toadstools. He was still holding Ginny's old Transfiguration book. He thrust it at her, his eyes glittering with malice.
"Here, girl — take your book — it's the best your father can give you —" Pulling himself out of Hagrid's grip he beckoned to Draco and swept from the shop.
"Yeh should've ignored him, Arthur," said Hagrid, almost lifting Mr. Weasley off his feet as he straightened his robes. "Rotten ter the core, the whole family, everyone knows that — no Malfoy's worth listenin' ter — bad blood, that's what it is — come on now — let's get outta here."
The assistant looked as though he wanted to stop them from leaving, but he barely came up to Hagrid's waist and seemed to think better of it. They hurried up the street, the Grangers shaking with fright and Mrs. Weasley beside herself with fury.
"A fine example to set for your children . . . brawling in public... what Gilderoy Lockhart must've thought —"
"He was pleased," said Fred. "Didn't you hear him as we were leaving? He was asking that bloke from the Daily Prophet if he'd be able to work the fight into his report — said it was all publicity —"
But it was a subdued group that headed back to the fireside in the Leaky Cauldron, where Ace, the Weasleys, and all their shopping would be traveling using Floo powder. The Weasley to the Burrow. And Ace back to Professor McGonagall cottage.