Hey, I know I haven't updated for ages. But I just finished my finals a short time earlier, and I was quite caught up. Then I realized my whole room was a wreck and I needed to tidy it, and also organize my papers. Haha, here's the next chapter, and I promise I'll try work in a constant update.
Cheers! And thanks to all those lovely people who reviewed.
A New Friend
A short time and a wild cart ride later, Harry and Snape found themselves walking down Gringotts' white marble steps, Harry trailing a considerable distance behind Snape as he puzzled over the contents of the box he had taken. To be honest with himself, he had absolutely no idea why he had taken it; it had just called to him, beckoning him…
Harry snapped out of his trance when he saw Snape stop suddenly at the base of the steps. Curiously, Harry moved to the side and out of the way, so as to better see what was going on. To his surprise, he saw the tall man facing a small blond boy about the same build and age as Harry.
"Professor!" the boy had cried with some surprise.
"Malfoy," Snape nodded, "Draco, I presume? Where are your parents?"
The blond shrugged carelessly. "I dunno. Off somewhere I would think. Father did mention that he wished to speak to you though."
"Very well then," Snape said blandly, "I shall not keep him waiting. Draco, I want you to meet –" He left the sentence hanging, unsure of whether Harry wished to talk to the other boy. When Harry nodded, Snape smiled. "– someone. Harry?"
As Harry approached, the two boys eyed each other warily. Still smiling, Snape merely said "Alright then, Harry – I'll see you at The Leaky Cauldron later. Get your school supplies and have them sent there. I've booked a room for you." With that, the Potions Master had spun around and headed down the busy street, robes billowing around himself, presumably off to see Malfoy Senior.
Draco looked thoughtfully at the dark-haired boy facing him. "Hullo. Hogwarts too, I presume?"
"Yes. It sounds rather exciting, don't you think?"
Draco shrugged. "I've been hearing about it from my parents since I was about three," he said carelessly, "D'you want to pick up your robes? I need to."
Harry looked in the direction Draco was pointing. There was a shop labeled 'Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions'. As both boys started to walk there, Draco continued speaking once more. "What house d'you reckon you'll be in?"
Harry smirked. "Well, Slytherin does sound good."
Draco grinned warmly at Harry. "We definitely agree on that one," he said enthusiastically, "My whole family's been in Slytherin so far. Well, except for Mother. She was in Ravenclaw. Imagine being in Hufflepuff!"
"I think I'd probably leave," Harry said, grinning back, "Well, maybe not. I don't really have anywhere else to stay. It would be rather awful though."
"I know," Draco said, nodding empathetically, "Especially with all those mudbloods. Filthy slimeballs."
"Mudbloods?"
Draco glanced over at Harry in surprise. "You don't know what that means? Well basically it implies muggleborns. You know, folk with non-magic parents. They're just about as bad as muggles."
Harry raised a brow. "You really think so?"
"Well, Father says they're the worse thing to ever happen to Hogwarts. He thinks that only people with a magic background should be let in." Draco's aristocratic features twisted into a sneer as he continued, "Father thinks we should just get rid of all the mudblood scum. Then, Hogwarts will be purged once and for all."
Harry tilted his head thoughtfully to one side as both boys stepped into Madam Malkin's. She turned out to be a short, squat witch dressed in mauve. Turning towards them, she said with a kind smile, "Hogwarts, dears?"
A few seconds later, Harry and Draco were on top of short stools as black robes were fitted over their heads. "Tell me Draco," the dark-haired boy asked quietly, through the layers of cloth muffling his voice as Madam Malkin fitted his robes for him, "Have you ever met a muggle?"
"They're scum," the blond replied decisively, "the worst to ever grace this earth…"
"I've met muggles," Harry interrupted seriously, "some," he paused, thinking of Edward, "have been the best friends I've ever known. Some, like my aunt and uncle are the worst I've ever met."
Draco gaped at Harry. "But they're horrible."
"Is that you talking Draco?" Harry countered, "Or is that your father?"
"That's you done dear!" Madam Malkin trilled and Harry hopped down from the stool gratefully. He paid for the robes flashing a smile at Madam Malkin. "Thanks. Could you help me send these to the Leaky Cauldron? Only I'm staying there and…"
"Sure dear, just write you name and I'll settle the rest. Do you need anything else?"
"I think you should get some robes," Draco put in, from where he was till having cloth pinned onto himself by Madam Malkin's assistant. "You know, for everyday wear." With a frown, Draco went back to mulling over what Harry had said, his light brows furrowed.
"D'you have anything green?" Harry asked, looking hopefully at Madam Malkin. By the time Harry was done, his package on the counter had grown considerably and Draco was also finished. "Put that on my father's bill," he called out, Harry hurrying after him after having scribbled his name on a spare piece of parchment for the delivery and paying the money.
As the door closed behind them, he heard some rustling followed by a gasp of "I don't believe it! Harry –" The rest of the sentence was lost as the door banged shut after them.
Harry winced. Snape had explained all about his supposed celebrity status earlier. To his immense relief however, few people could actually recognize him. Snape on the otherhand, had told Harry rather cheerfully that his current near-invisibility would disappear the minute he entered Hogwarts.
Draco however, was still too caught up with his own thoughts to notice anything. "All the better," Harry thought. He was unsure as to how Draco would react once he discovered who Harry really was.
Suddenly, the blond stopped in the middle of the street. Harry, who had no idea where they were heading, was forced to come to an abrupt halt to prevent sending them both sprawling to the ground.
"Say, are your parents pure blood?" Draco asked, looking slightly worried.
Harry shrugged. "They're dead," he said flatly, "They were a witch and wizard though, if that's what you mean."
"Oh," Draco looked relieved, "Good then. I'm sorry."
Harry sighed, still looking unhappy. "I never really knew them anyway. Besides, don't tell me you're still onto all that. Mudblood stuff."
Draco looked uncomfortable. "I don't know, honestly. I mean, that's what I've been told all my life. What you said does make sense but well…" he trailed off, looking lost for a moment, "I know my father hates muggleborns though, so I was afraid if you were one then…" he stopped again, afraid that he had offended Harry.
The dark-haired boy smiled, his emerald eyes glinting, "Don't worry about it Draco," he said, sounding much older than his years, "You're almost there. All you need is a little time."
Despite Draco's obvious prejudices, Harry found himself liking the blond. He did have some serious misconceptions, but Harry was confident that Draco would outgrow them.
Snape's words floated to mind as Harry mused. "Not all wizards are good, Harry, understand that. None of us are perfect. We all make mistakes and we all learn from them. For instance, some wizards, in particular those from pureblood descent hate muggleborns. There were many wizards about a dozen years back who went about killing the muggleborns. Their leader fell but the prejudiced still remain. Maybe, one day, they will see enlightenment."
From what Harry had heard so far, it appeared that Malfoy Senior was one of the wizards Snape had mentioned. It also seemed that he had passed his opinions down to his son, though Draco did not seem to hate muggles as much as he claimed to.
"How about that shop?" Draco pointed to a relatively newer place with what appeared to be feathers strewn all around. As Harry entered beside Draco, he caught side of a hnging sign reading 'The Write Stuff' before the door closed behind them.
"Welcome!" a young witch who looked to be about twenty-five called out amicably from behind the counter. Waving a bangled arm in the general direction of the items in the shop she said cheerfully. "I've just redone the place. Looks a lot better doesn't it? Take your time to pick what you're going to buy. Here, I'll get you a basket!"
As the young woman stepped towards the side, where a pile of random containers were thrown haphazardly, Harry realized that she was dressed in jeans and a loose shirt. Glancing over at his friend, Harry had to fight hard not to laugh. Draco's face was a cross between wanting to dislike the obviously muggleborn witch and liking the cheerful girl.
What resulted was a highly constipated reaction on the pale boy's face.
"Is he alright?" the girl asked as she passed a basket to Harry,
Harry grinned. "Oh, he's fine. Just having a small crisis right now. Nothing to worry about. Say, what's your name?"
The young woman's dark hair swung a full circle as she turned to face Harry. "Andrea. Andrea Johnson. I just graduated from Hogwarts a short time before."
With a polite smile, Harry nudged Draco and the two boys started to pick quills and ink, with Harry purchasing quite a considerable amount of parchment on Draco's advice.
Argh, you people have been so nice and all reviewing, and I've been feeling so guilty for not updating. Sorry…
I Am A Sly Slytherin – Now that'll be telling wouldn't it? *grins* You'll find out. Eventually, of course.
Satans Angel Pyro – *sniffles* I've been really bad, but I promise now that the major part of my exams are over. (Yes, I do have another paper but that's later in November) I'll work on getting into the swing of things again and updating regularly.
ER – Heh, I'm writing. *trying* to speed up things a bit. It's not that easy though, cos I have school till 4:30pm and after that I have piano and stuff. Ah… the life of a teenager. *smiles*
Myrradin – Yep! It's just so fun when he's not that innocent and sweet. Heh. And hanging around with Snape doesn't help at all. =)
Serry – Yep. Much to Draco's chagrin probably. Harry will meet Hagrid, and he will become quite good friends with him. Something to look forward to writing. Goody. (rubs hands together gleefully)
Guess – *whistles* Lah di dah. You think? Lol. I'm not telling. :P
Sapphire Lotus – Yeah, Harry's past would probably crop up soon. It's not quite something that he can hide from forever, and his friends etc would be asking about it.
Serpent of Light – Hm. Thanks. Haha, yeah, Harry IS a lot less innocent than he is in the books. He's kinda had a completely different upbringing so he doesn't quite see things the way his peers would. Once he gets to Hogwarts however, he'll probably lighten up somewhat.
Pen1223321 – Thanks! =)
Shadow Adams – Hm, quite a few actually. Haha, I remember one afternoon I spent the entire time reading Slytherin Harry fics, and at the end of it I was completely dazed. Hee. Not quite the brightest thing to do hm? Haha. I'll go look through my stuff and see if I can find the titles…
Down-right-mystical – Sigh, I've been rather *bad* persay about the updates as well. Haven't had that much time lately. I should be a lot freer now though *smiles* Hm, it changes with time… I know I listened to a lot of NOFX once… Currently I'm listening to Linkin Park's latest album. It's quite good though I'm not quite sure it counts in that genre. Heh. Oh, and uh…I listen to quite a lot of Incubus, POD… But those are more rock-ish. Haha. Nah, it's ok. What kind of music do you listen to?
Cmon – Thanks for the suggestion. Haha. They've not been doing much thinking this chapter but I'll work on it.
Snooza – Whoever said I was a Snape fan. *sticks out tongue* Haha. Well, he IS an interesting character, you can't deny that. Yep I've updated. Hm, I thought you didn't quite like Ron? Or is that just fanon… Haha. Tragedy? Come on, it's not half that bad. Besides. It IS AU you know. *hint hint*
To all you lovely people, once again, I'm sorry I haven't updated sooner, but I shall work on it. Do read and review! Ciao!
