untitled

A/N: There's not much to say on this, except that if you're a big Draco fan from reading Draco Sinister or another fic, just keep in mind that this is more canon Draco, and there is time for a change. If you aren't a Draco fan, you'll enjoy the end of this chapter.


Chapter Eight - Friends and Foes in Diagon Alley


It had been a summer he'd never forget, but it was over, Harry thought, as he sat at a table outside Florian Fortesque's. Ginny, Hermione and Mrs. Weasley were in Madame Malkin's where Ginny was being fitted for her first set of entirely new robes. Since the new and old robes looked alike to him, Harry couldn't really imagine this being such an event, yet he knew Ginny was excited, and Ron was feeling very happy too. Not only had they been able to afford more new things this year, but Percy was safely married and out of the Burrow. He had a feeling Ron was going to enjoy holidays at home a lot more. He had quickly gotten the new robes he needed, perhaps due to his first summer of not being starved most of the time ( "Filling out nicely aren't you, dear? Shooting up a bit as well!" Madame Malkin had commented, as she fitted HIS new robes) then he'd left the feminine part of the group to go sit in the sun and enjoy a soda.

The twins and Ron had gone down to the joke shop, to see whether they could repeat their success in Paris by selling a few of their inventions. The owners had known Fred and George since they were really young, he knew, and might still think of them as kids but they now had records of the sales from the French store to make sure they were taken seriously. Serious was a funny word to use in a sentence about the twins, but it was great to see how proud Arthur and Molly were of the way Fred, George and Ron had worked together on the joke business.It made quite a change from the previous year, when Mrs. Weasley had screeched and emptied their pockets of the Ton Tongue Toffees. It would have been fun to have given Percy one, right before he and Penny were to say their wedding vows, but they'd all agreed, it might have pushed Molly's temper a bit too far.

Harry looked up from these thoughts to see Ron and his dad walking briskly toward him, obviously deep in conversation. When they sat down, Ron exclaimed, "Good news, Harry, Professor Lupin is going to be at Hogwarts again! Dad just got the official word from Dumbledore.!"

Mr. Weasley nodded and continued, "He's had his affliction controlled and the period of time documented, so that he can now be considered safe. Severus Snape should have no trouble with the potion,but Ivy was also able to learn to prepare it. She and Chris stayed behind in Italy to visit the people Remus has been living with."

" Oh that's great!" Harry said with a laugh. " We knew they were staying, but Hermione thought they just wanted a few days without kids around. It'll be great to have Remus back, won't it. He was really the only Defense teacher who's taught us the real thing. He might have to take us back through last year's stuff to see how much we learned that was right or wrong-or worse than wrong!"

They continued to discuss the prospect of having Lupin return, and how Draco and his group would accept this. Harry and Ron told Mr. Weasley they felt Draco was going to be a real barometer about how strong Voldemort had become and how much closer he had gotten to being back to power.

"Unless he's changed an awful lot, Malfoy's going to be feeling cocky if You Know Who has been around" Ron said, adding ,"Plus there's the little matter of the Monkey Tarts, and the hex marks we left on him at the end of the year."

Harry snickered. "When we saw him in that book store earlier in the summer, Hermione and I could still see traces of the hex marks, although they just looked like he had bumpy blotches to any muggle who happened to look." It had been a long time ago, it seemed, that day he and Hermione had gone shopping in the muggle world, and he'd had his first muggle clothes that actually fit. He had given Hermione his mother's emerald bracelet that night too. She had worn it to Percy's wedding and it had seemed to cast a glow around he entire arm.

" Harry, you still have the pendant from Monsieur Maas' shop?" Mr. Weasley asked suddenly, and wordlessly, Harry pulled the pendant from his shirt, holding it up for them to see. "Good, I'm glad you're taking the protection it's supposed to give you seriously. There's no point in, er, taking unnecessary chances."

Harry had opened his mouth to ask whether there had been any news regarding the clearing of Sirius' name. when the Gred and Forge, the girls and Mrs. Weasley appeared, causing a complete change in conversation, as they discussed where to go next and the fact that the twins had been able to make a deal with the joke shop owner. Harry promised himself he'd try to find out something specific before they left for Hogwarts.

There were books and parchment and quills to buy. Hermione had been interested in buying some of the new double-ended quills, which made Ron snort and say he imagined she thought she could do homework in two subjects at the same time now. Harry grinned as Hermione retorted that Ron might consider doing homework in ONE subject, without making jokes and trying to skive off. It looked as if his new relationship with Hermione wasn't going to affect the constant jabs Hermione and Ron had been giving each other for years. Then he noticed Ginny was frequently looking at her watch and looking nervous.

"What's wrong, Gin," he asked. "You aren't nervous about seeing Adrian are you? I know he's just as anxious to see you."

"No, that's not the reason I'm nervous. I'm afraid he might have gotten tangled up with Draco's family. If he did, Danielle and her family are too, and there's no telling when we'll get to see them."

" Oh, Ginny, don't worry too much," Hermione said comfortingly. " Marielle and Gregg know quite a bit about the British branch of the family, remember, they've known Adrian's family for years, they're neighbors and they trusted Gregg and Marielle to bring their son to England and see him off for Hogwarts. Gregg will know how to handle Lucious Malfoy."

Ginny and Ron looked relieved at Hermione's words, and Harry remembered Danielle's dad as being the sort of person who could step into any situation and somehow see that it was settled to the satisfaction of all concerned. Mr. Weasley overheard Hermione from where he was walking with Mrs. Weasley and the twins, and turned to speak to them.

"You're right there, Hermione. And it could be good practice for what's coming next. Gregg is also here to represent the French Ministry of Magic, to speak in support of Monsieur Maas, when he testifies that Peter Pettigrew was in his shop last year, selling dark artifacts."

Now Harry was getting a bit angry. Why did this have to start, just as term began? He really didn't want to miss anything! But Hermione had laid her hand on his arm, having realized he wasn't happy with the idea that things would be progressing without him being able to hear what was being said.

"Harry, I know you want to be there to hear what's being said, but they will owl us regularly, and you know Dumbledore will be involved. They're sure to call us to testify when the time is right. Mr. Weasley will be right there and Danielle's dad knows your connection to Sirius, and how much the outcome of things will affect us all, but especially you."

"Ye....ah,I guess so. Ah, okay Hermione, you're most likely right. You know I'm really impatient to see what'll happen, it's hard to wait even longer, when we've waited so long already. But Sirius would tell me the same thing. Anyway Ginny, here comes the French group, so you can stop worrying."

When Adrian, Danielle and her parents had joined them, it was decided that they'd separate to different shops, and Gregg and Arthur, having business to discuss, would meet them later at the Leaky Cauldron, where they'd all be staying overnight, before leaving on the Hogwarts Express in the morning

Molly wanted to buy a cauldron to use while she and Mr. Weasley stayed at the Granger's house ( Harry heard her say in a low voice to Marielle, "Poor Ivy, all of these plug in things and not a decent cauldron in the kitchen. She's probably not had time to choose one, since she took up her wand again!")

"I want to go to the Magical Creatures shop," Danielle told them. "No, not that I want to, I need to. I have no animal to bring to Hogwarts as yet. Mama and Papa wished me to bring one of our owls, but I have finally persuaded them to allow me to choose my own animal."

" Okay," Ron said. "This I have to be involved in. You won't buy something that jumps on my head will you, Dani?"

She assured him she wouldn't and Harry and Hermione exchanged a look as they remembered the day she'd bought Crookshanks. Ginny and Adrian left them to visit Quality Quidditch, since Adrian had forgotten a few of his broom accessories, and wanted to be 100% ready when quidditch try- outs were announced. When Hermione, Harry, Danielle and Ron entered the Magical Menagerie, they found the usual array of rats, cats, owls, along with a few reptiles and new shipments of mokes and salamanders. The thing that interested Danielle, however, was a prominent letter that was emblazoned with the Hogwarts crest and read:

At this time, and on an experimental basis, we are allowing students to bring crups to school. Owls, cats, rats and toads will still be the preferred animals, and any student bringing a crup MUST be prepared to take the test showing the level of control they have over their crup immediately upon arrival at Hogwarts. Naturally, the forked tails will have to be removed by the severing charm, prior to arrival at Hogwarts.

~ Professor McGonagall ~

~ Deputy Headmistress ~

"Ah, this is my lucky day!" Danielle cried, as she hugged Ron excitedly. " Max and I had two crups, actually they belonged to Mama and Papa before we were born. They were quite old when they died last year, but since Max and I were away at school, Mama and Papa decided not to buy more. They are so funny and are such loyal pets!"

"That's great," Hermione said, but Harry could see she looked a little doubtful. "Do you think one could get along with Crookshanks though? I was hoping we could share a dormitory room this year."

" I will find a young one and train it to be a friend to Crookshanks, I am quite good with training animals. And of course, Hermione, I wish to have a dormitory room with you as well," Danielle looked very determined now, and Harry began to see she and Hermione were more alike than he had imagined. He also wished he could announce that he too wished to share a room with Hermione. He guessed that would have to wait though!

It took about half an hour for Danielle to find the crup she wanted. Harry and Hermione wandered around the store from time to time, as Ron and Danielle sat on the floor, surrounded by the crups, who were thrilled to have all that attention. Finally, Ron called them back and Danielle held up the one she had chosen. Harry had to admit, it was very appealing looking, and certainly made a better first impression than Crookshanks had. As Hermione held the wiggling little puppy, it began to chew on her sleeve, but Danielle touched its head lightly and said, "Non!" in a kind but firm voice. The puppy looked at them strangely for a second then yawned and snuggled up to Hermione.

"This is the one!" Hermione, Harry and Ron said together. "The three of us agree on something!" Ron added. "Dani, you don't know this but you may have witnessed a first!" They all laughed and Danielle went to pay for her crup, and to watch the severing charm performed on its forked tail. Hermione went along to pay for the packet of dried spiders she'd gotten as a treat for Crookshanks. As Harry and Ron waited at the door, Ron sighed happily.

"Isn't she wonderful? I was sure she'd come in here and find some identical match to Crookshanks, but look what she found instead. "Course, it won't be without problems. They are scavengers, but Danielle seems to be a good trainer."

Harry snickered, and commented, " She's managed to tame you pretty quickly, hasn't she. But really Ron, Danielle seems to be a great person, and it sort of feels she's always been with us. And if her dad is able to help clear Sirius, I'll owe her and her family a lot!"

Having completed their transactions, the four friends went down the street to Flourish and Blotts, where they found their books for the coming year, and Danielle found a book that told all about crupsand the particulars of their training. "I have a book almost like this, I should owl home and have it sent back by our house elf, but I hate to waste the time. Oh, look, there is Adrian, but where is Ginny?"

The other three looked at where Danielle was pointing, and sighed. " That's not Adrian, Danielle," Harry murmured. " But you may as well get used to seeing him. That's the OTHER Malfoy, Draco. Maybe he won't see us...."

Unfortunately, this turned out to be a vain hope. Draco did see them, and came sauntering over, wearing his usual sneer. "So the threesome has become a foursome? You must be my cousin Adrian's friend. What's a pure blooded witch, whose family has high French Ministry connections doing with this lot. Potty, the Weasel and ..... her! They aren't exactly the best people at Hogwarts. Weasley here couldn't even afford to take you to Hogsmeade for a butterbeer!" Then he looked Danielle up and down, while Ron, Harry and Hermione stood there, about to explode, and said in a smoothly madddening voice," You're a good looking witch. Why don't you ditch these losers and come with me?"

Just as the other three pulled out their wands, they saw Danielle draw back and with a tightly clenched fist, she made contact with Malfoy's perfectly straight nose, and he went down onto the tiled floor of Flourish and Blotts. blood spurting onto his obviously brand new robes. As an employee from the store hurried over, she turned and said apologetically, as she also pulled out her wand. " Oh, sorry for the mess, we'll get rid of him right away!"

On the floor, Draco drew back, as if fearing she would curse him but instead she muttered, "Cleansivaus" at the floor and his robes, and " Temporus Injutarus" to Draco's face.

"Don't bother going and whining to your dear Mama and Papa," she said cooly to the bewildered Draco who was now attempting to rise to his feet. " The outward signs of what I did will be gone in a moment. Only the pain will remain." Moving her foot quickly,Danielle tripped Draco and he went down on his knees again. " You'll stay there until we're gone. And don't think of revenge. Your cousin may be a valued friend of mine, but I will do much worse than this to you if you cross me."

Danielle then took Ron's arm, as he along with Harry and Hermione stared open mouthed at her. She bent and ripped a piece off the collar of Draco's robe and pointed to the basket she carried. "Just to warn you, I have purchased a crup, and he will be trained to recognize your scent. They are small but viciously loyal to their owners. Again, beware Mr. Malfoy "

Once outside the shop, Harry, Hermione and Ron were all talking at once, congratulating Danielle on taking care of Draco so swiftly, and asking her to teach them how to deliver that particular punch.

" You somehow don't look or act like a fighter, Dani," Ron said in wonder. " How'd you learn how to respond that fast? We were all going to get him, but you already had him on the floor."

Danieele shrugged and answered,"It was nothing. Just an automatic thing. One learns quickly to take care of oneself. Max was always all too ready to fight my battles for me, but I found I preferred to do it myself. And I will not listen to such things about my new friends, especially not from that, how do you say? Slime?

They all roared with laughter, as they headed down the street to meet the rest of the group for dinner at the Leaky Cauldron. Tomorrow would be there soon, and with it, the Hogwarts Express.



Disclaimer: I do not own Harry, Hermione, Ron, the Weasleys or anything having to do with Diagon Alley or the Leaky Cauldron. Thanks on top of thanks to JK Rowling who obligingly added the masterpiece Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them to the already loved four books. Look for more beasts and lots more about Danielle's crup in future chapters. Danielle, Adrian and Marielle are mine, as are the characterization of Hermione's parents, though they too belong to JKR. Gregg belongs to himself, and not being a HP fan, has sort of wandered in here

Thanks to the wonderful people who reviewed and kept me going. I hope Calvin Potterson writes more soon, as Finding Potter seems to make me want to write, to the Potternews group for helping keep the books fresh and new in my mind, in particular Lily and Paul, who share the fun of endless IMs disecting issues. Thanks as always to Chase, for having fresh news on the HP world all the time, and for being a great friend, through all kinds of craziness. Also to Ani and Liz who hear a lot more than they want to from me, but it's great that we're here for each other. And to 007, as you can tell, this didn't get beta'd. But I DID listen when you said "KEEP WRITING!"