Hi all! I know I haven't updated for ages, and I'm really feeling bad about it, especially since I'll be heading out of the country within the week for a family holiday and won't be able to update for a long time. School's really messed up. Haha. I had this work-experience thing I had to go for, so I got the uh, privilege *coughs* of spending two weeks looking after kids in a after school care. Oh sure, they were ok enough as far as kids go I guess, but it was absolutely exhausting, since it was like, morning to evening.
I'm actually finishing up my report for the WEP (work experience program) now, but I decided to take a break and write this instead. Lol. I'm planning to bring along my stuff so I can write in the hotel room at night actually, so I'll be able to update when I get back, though that won't be for quite a long time.
Okay, enough rambling, back to the story! Whoo, I'm so glad I actually had time to update, I haven't really packed much yet. Heh.
Chapter Seven - Meet the Malfoys
"She seemed… nice," Draco finished lamely as they stepped out into the broad daylight once more, Harry carrying a bagful of their purchases.
Harry had offered to buy and share the whole lot of materials with Draco in school after the young Malfoy heir had confided that no one in his family was allowed to use anything but eagle-feather quills and green or black ink.
Harry had amusedly passed a jibe about a 'Malfoy Family Code of Conduct' and had been rather taken aback when Draco admitted rather sheepishly that there was such a book. "The Malfoy's are rather strange." was the only thought that Harry had in response to that ridiculous statement.
He had, however, wisely kept his mouth shut about the matter, while Draco seemed a lot less disagreeable on the topic of muggles or muggleborns, especially after having met Andrea Johnson, Harry was sure that the blond boy would react very badly if his family was insulted.
Pulling out his list, Harry said, frowning, "I need a couple more stuff… school books for one…"
"Well, let's head to Flourish and Blotts then," Draco replied, changing direction and heading to where they had come from, "Father's already bought my schoolbooks, but we can still get yours. Father didn't want me purchasing any extra books I expect. Something about 'contaminating my ideas'."
Harry smiled. "Tell you what. Pick up what you want, and if I want it too, then I can buy it and we'll just share in school!"
Draco grinned. Then, his brow furrowed. "Why are you being so nice? I mean… we've only met for over an hour and you're offering to buy me all sorts of things, like you're my best friend or something."
Harry shrugged, a lopsided smile on his face. "Well, I've never really had friends. After my parents died, I was left to my relatives and they hated me. When I hit the streets, it became a fight for survival. I had one close 'friend' but even then, he was more of a…" he struggled to find the right word, "colleague then actual companion."
When Harry looked at Draco, the other boy was staring out into the distance, a wistful expression on his face. "I never really had friends either," he said, "so it looks like you're stuck with me."
He held out a hand for Harry to shake and Harry took it, grinning wryly. "Indefinitely."
"Say, Harry," Draco asked as they stepped into Flourish and Blotts, "what's your last name?" Grinning apologetically as Harry shot him a sharp look, he continued, "nothing to do with bloodlines, I swear. I just realized I never asked."
"Potter. Harry Potter."
Harry watched in alarm as Draco's eyes widened and he tripped over a pile of books on the ground. While he had received some strange reactions when people had recognized him, Draco's was by and large the weirdest.
Draco sighed. Brilliant. His only best friend so far was the one person his father hated above everyone else. With the possible exception on Albus Dumbledore. If Lucius found out, Draco was history.
Looking at the obviously concerned Harry out of the corner of his eye, Draco shrugged mentally. Who cared what his last name was. As far as Draco was concerned, he was glad to have this friend.
Once inside, Harry pulled out his school list. "Hey, get the books you want and bring them to this table. We'll sort them out, then see what I'll buy."
Draco nodded easily. "Will do." With his hands in his pockets, he strolled off, soon disappearing among the bookshelves.
Pausing before a nearby bookshelf, Harry tugged out 'The Standard Book of Spells Grade 1' by Miranda Goshawk. Then, he decided to get the whole series all the way to Grade 7. They could, afterall, come in handy.
When Draco approached the table later, he found himself gaping at the thick stacks of books already placed there. Setting his own pile down, Draco hurried to help Harry being another few more.
"A regular bookworm," Draco remarked cheerfully, "What are you trying to do, Harry? Buy the whole bookstore?"
"I don't know," Harry said lightly, picking up one of Draco's selections and scanning through it, "I reckon I'm short of a few dozen."
As Draco blinked at Harry, he smiled, indicating the second book on the pile. "You can put that back, I've already got it."
Quickly looking through the rest of the pile, Harry grinned. "Moste Potente Potions?"
Draco shrugged defensively. "It could come in useful."
"Draco! The illustrations make it look as though these people are being tortured."
Draco frowned, "I heard father talking about the book once. He says that some of the potions mentioned are really useful. I reckon we can use them."
"Okay."
Draco gaped. "That's it? You're getting the book?"
Harry looked mischievous. "Look at the contents! Polyjuice Potion… Imagine how much trouble we could wreck." Without another word, the dark-haired boy hailed the manager over, waiting patiently as his purchases were rung up. With a slightly amused grin, Harry noted how the manager blanched regularly as he picked up some of the books.
With a cheerful grin, he paid for the books and asked the manager to deliver them to the Leaky Cauldron. He could ask Snape to shrink them later so they would fit into his trunk. Or rather, to expand the trunk. Either way, Harry could not wait for term to start and to be at Hogwarts once more.
At about one, Harry and Draco finally made their way back to the Leaky Cauldron, after getting fully distracted at Quality Quidditch Supplies, and dallying there for a considerable amount of time. Draco had tried to persuade Harry to buy some of the things he saw there, but the dark-haired boy had shrugged the items off, finally telling Draco in exasperation, "Honestly! You know first years don't make the house team, there's no point in me getting anything.
Harry had, however, succumbed to temptation and bought a practice snitch. He had relented after Draco had caught him staring longingly at the little golden ball flitting around in the enclosed glass display. With a slight shove at Harry, Draco had exclaimed, laughing, "Well, get it then!"
When Harry asked Draco if he would be getting a snitch too, the blond had given Harry an odd look. "I've got the entire chest back home," he said in a matter-of-fact manner, as though it were a common occurrence in the Wizarding World, "besides, it's chaser for me."
With a gleeful look at the red ball which was hovering in the display case, Draco then proceeded to drag a rather bewildered Harry, still holding his purchases, out of the store, talking rapidly about the different quidditch teams and openly airing his opinions about them.
As Harry and Draco made their way to an empty table near the front of the Leaky Cauldron, away from the backdoor through which dozens of witches and wizards streamed, Draco continued talking a mile a minute, gesticulating wildly about what seemed to be his favourite topic, while Harry listened in interest.
"…and the Chudley Cannons are completely lousy, they haven't won a single game in ages. Now the Falmouth Falcons on the other hand…"
With his head propped up, Harry surveyed Draco amusedly over the table. He had earlier thought it impossible for the seemingly calm and collected boy to get so excited about anything, but it appeared that he was wrong. If there was one thing that Draco could continuously talk about, it was quidditch.
Draco, mused Harry, could possibly have delivered an entire discourse on why his father thought muggles were absolute scum before he had met Harry, but now, he doubted Draco would even be able to string to sentences together.
"Oh…" Draco broke off halfway during his narration, his attention fixed on the backdoor of the smoky pub. "I better go… I think my parents are looking for me."
Just over the heads of the other patrons, Harry could make out two tall blonde heads. "Okay," he said, "I'll just pop over and say 'hi'…"
"No!" Draco shouted so loudly that Harry looked alarmed. "No," he continued at a more normal tone, "My father, he doesn't quite… Nevermind," he said, cheeks flushed, "I really should go. I'll see you another day, Harry, and thanks. For everything."
With that, the other boy rushed off to greet his parents. Still bewildered, Harry remained in his seat. Over the noise of the crowd, he could faintly hear a woman go "Draco! There you are, wherever have you been?" Leaning back, Harry could see Draco attempting to explain his disappearance to a tall blonde lady.
As the Malfoy family made their way to the front door towards London, Harry could hear the man hiss, softly enough that Harry had to strain his ears to catch what was being said, "Packed with mudbloods and mugglelovers as always. Come, Draco."
The door swung open, and they were gone.
Alone in his corner booth, Harry relaxed back into his seat, letting out his breath explosively.
Mm, before you say it, I know, we didn't really meet the Malfoys much this chapter, persay, but it IS the first time that Harry is seeing Draco's parents, and you know what they say about first impressions! Haha. I'm actually not too sure about whether I want Harry to really meet the Malfoys as yet... I'll have to mull about it. If nothing else, Draco is probably going to try prevent such a meeting. Lol. Poor kid.
Now, on to the lovely people who reviewed my last chapter and whom I have been unable to reply to. (proceeds slapping self... "Bad girl, bad girl!" Heh.)
Mr.Virail - Haha, I'm trying. *winces* I know I'm taking really long, but life has been so busy. *sigh*
MerlinHalliwell - Mm... Draco does find out in this chapter, heh. And he's gonna go all out to try stop his dad from finding out who his new friend is. As can be expected, I doubt he'll be very successful though. Lol.
Shadow Adams - Thanks! Hee. (starts backing away) sorry for the wait... I really am!
Down-right-mystical - Haha, yep. Harry is somewhat less innocent, having not grown up with the Dursleys, but he is, in all essence, still the good guy in a way, and definitely fair. Oh, I hated Hybrid Theory! Haha, but Meteora's not that bad, I only started listening recently anyway. Lol. I earlier avoided the album because it was by Linkin Park. I won't say I love it, but it's ok. Whoo! Incubus, is coming out with a new album next... feb was it? Haha, one of my friends was talking about it. Oh yes, I just love evanescence. It was quite amusing, because I was listening to one of the songs, and my dad came in and went "that's noise." and I went "No it's not." and my friend who was on the phone went "yes it is noise." sigh. oh you tasteless fools! ha, well.
Hm, I don't live in Britain, which is a shame in a way, cos it is such a beautiful place... ah well. Heh. Must remain loyal to my country! :P But I think I would have heard of some of the bands... oh, and as for Fictionpress, I haven't really been working on it thus far... I have started some work though, and I'll let you know when I'm done with all the editing and posted. :)
Muhahahaha - Glad you think so!
ER - Haha, the 4.30pm was intensive lessons, normally it ends by about... 2.30? Lessons start officially at 8, but I've to be in school by 7.20... quite early. Gah. Need my beauty sleep! Haha, recently I've had the work-experience stuff which means I could get up slightly later. On the other hand, it ended way later. Glad it's finished. Lol.
gaul1 - keeping! running to keep up, but still keeping! :)
Elle - Thanks! :)
SlytherinSupreme - I try my best! Lol.
Lord Master Omega - Well... here's an update! *finally* heh.
Lady Phoenix Slytherin - Heh, in my own defence, I WAS BUSY!!! *still continues to inch away though, since I -should- have updated sooner...
Serpent of Light - Oh yes, I love writing Draco, though this Harry's not bad, either. I'm trying my hand at a sixth year fic which is really rough currently (and not posted) but I'm having loads of fun writing Draco. Haha.
So to all you lovely people who reviewed... *sigh* I'm sorry, I'll try update sooner in the future. Though since I'm going out of the country I'll be delayed for ages. Ah well. I'll try. *sniffles*
And do read and review as always... I just love opening my inbox and reading reviews. :D It lights up my day. Really. Coz I know there are people out there who enjoy reading what I write. :) *pokes* Review! Come on, you know you want to!
