5. Death Eater Alley
Harry awoke the next morning to an unpleasant stiffness in his neck. He had fallen asleep with his glasses on and found them broken in two under the sheets. He scooped them up, mumbled "reparo" and hobbled downstairs. Hermione was already up and dressed for Diagon Alley along with everyone else. Ron jumped out from a corner with two tampons in his nose.
"Hope Hermy didn't bleed all over my sheets last night!" he wailed with laughter. Harry laughed a little bit and sat down next to Ginny, wearing an exhausted look as Hermione chased Ron around the kitchen.
"Calm down! Calm down! I didn't just go through your stuff! I read Ginny's diary as well," Ron giggled.
"You WHAT!?" Ginny hollered as she too joined in chasing Ron. Harry watched in amusement and helped himself to a piece of burnt toast.
"Harry dear, you're not even dressed yet!" Mrs. Weasley had walked into the room. Surprisingly enough, the laughing stopped and in Mrs. Weasley's hand were two tampons. Ron, Hermione, and Ginny soon followed in after her.
"Um, no ma'am. I just woke up," Harry said.
"Well go get dressed dear. We'll be leaving in a half hour. Gives you time to shower and fix your hair." Harry's hair was a mess; of course it had always been that way. Taming a wild man-eating tiger would be easier than taming Harry's hair. Harry started climbing the stairs when Ron asked the question.
"So Harry.tell me about last night. Anything happen?" he asked in a dead serious voice. Harry pondered this frantically for a minute or two.
"Yeah. Lots," he answered looking at Hermione who looked mortified. Ron's sly look turned into a frown.
"Oh yeah? What?"
"Well first I accidentally walked in on her. Then I apologized and then I fell asleep. See, tons of stuff," Harry shrugged. Ron let out a barely audible sigh.
"I wouldn't steal your girl Ron," Harry added. He stared at Hermione who immediately caught on.
"What do you mean, 'steal his girl'?" she asked.
"Nothing. Never you mind," Ron grimaced. As the three of them (Ron, Hermione, and Ginny) left to regroup in the kitchen, Harry marched up stairs and into the shower.
He came back downstairs after he was ready, his hair looking a little, but not much neater. They were all sitting around the fireplace waiting for him.
"Finally!" Ron breathed sarcastically.
"I'm meeting up with Dean again so can I go first?" Ginny asked.
"Go right ahead. Harry can go after you. That alright Harry?" Ron sounded more like he was begging Harry to go next. Harry looked at Hermione, whose eyes were lit with confusion.
"Err-of course," he answered.
"Splendid. We'll all meet at Flourish and Blotts. See you there Harry," Ron waved as soon as Ginny disappeared in the mouth of green flames. Harry apprehensively stepped into the fire place. Ash was flying all around him. He grabbed his floo powder and clearly shouted, "Diagon Alley." The last thing he heard was Ron asking Hermione something.
***
"Can I tell you something Hermione?" Ron had asked unsure of himself. Hermione blinked as if trying to understand why he had to ask her permission to tell her something.
"Sure," she paused. "I guess so." Ron was fidgeting with his hands in a highly nervous manner. He looked all around the room, trying to avoid Hermione's eager eyes.
"I, uh, I think you're-"
"I'm what?" Hermione interrupted him. How do I tell her? Ron thought. He looked her up and down a couple of times before speaking again.
"Um, I think you.I think you should go first," he said disappointed. Hermione bounced up and down on her heels as if waiting for Ron to change his mind and really tell her what he was going to. "Oh. Right.okay," Hermione huffed as she grabbed her floo powder and stepped into the fireplace. "See you there then." With that said, she yelled, "Diagon Alley" and in an instant was swallowed up by the towering green flames. Ron heaved a sigh and sat down in a chair, rubbing his tired eyes.
"Why couldn't I just tell her?" he shouted at himself.
"Ron are you okay?" Ron sat bolt up right in his chair. Mrs. Weasley had gone to Diagon Alley before all of them. I thought I was alone. He turned to the backdoor from which the voice came from. It was Percy.
"What the hell are you doing here you traitor?" Ron spat. Percy held up a hand, indicating that he meant no harm.
"I just came to see Mum," he answered approaching Ron.
"You stay away from me! You traitor! You.you give our family a bad name!"
"Ron I got fired today!" Percy yelled in his face. Ron felt full of unease. Percy searched Ron's face for some sort of sympathy, but was unable to find it.
"How could you get fired? You were Fudge's little puppet! You did everything!" Ron scowled.
"They found someone better alright? I need to speak to Mum. Where is she?"
"Not here. Left for Diagon Alley. Who'd they find?"
"None of your business," Percy answered reaching for the floo powder and stepping into the fireplace. Ron lunged at him and tackled him to the ground. Percy stumbled to his feet with a bloody nose.
"What was that for?" he demanded.
"None of your business," mocked Ron. "Who took your place?"
"Lucius Malfoy!"
***
"What took you?" Harry asked as Hermione approached him outside Flourish and Blotts. She looked upset.
"I think Ron was about to tell me how he felt Harry," she said. Harry slowly and most unsure of himself put an arm around her shoulders. She looks distressed, he thought.
"Are you wearing cologne?" Hermione started laughing. Harry pulled his arm away and stuffed it in his pocket.
"No no," Hermione snorted. "It smells good. I just can't picture you as Mr. Potter the suave man on campus wearing cologne."
"Oh and why not?" Harry smiled. But before Hermione could answer, Ron ran up with Percy at his heels. Harry's lip started curling and Hermione's last little chuckles stopped abruptly.
"Harry! Hermione," Ron panted, "Percy got fired!" Harry gazed up at Percy who was starting to blush.
"Don't have to sound so excited about it Ron," Percy implied firmly. He turned to Harry.
"Nice to see you again Harry. How have you been?"
"Um, okay and you?" he asked as he feebly shook Percy's outstretched hand.
"Fine thank you. Ah and Hermione, how have you been?" Hermione looked at him with a great expression of caution on her face.
"You? Fired?" she asked instead. Percy looked taken aback and pursed his lips in a similar way as Aunt Petunia would have. His horn rimmed glasses slid an inch down his nose and he shoved them back up in an irritated manner.
"They simply thought that there was someone better than me. Though, the ministry can make foolish mistakes especially since they hired Mr. Malfoy in my place," he spat in her face. Hermione took a step back, but trying not to show she was frightened, frowned at him.
"Malfoy? They can't have him as Fudge's assistant! He's a death eater!" Harry exclaimed.
"He claims he's not," Ron chimed in. "Percy told me he listed a few names, made up ones of course, and told the ministry that he quit being a death eater ages ago."
"Well that certainly isn't true! He tried to steal my Prophecy for Voldemort just last year!"
"Ah, well the ministry sure is gullible," Percy said through gritted teeth. "Lucius told them that he was practicing being an auror to catch dark wizards. Fudge of course believed him since Lucius has a strong connection with the ministry. This year isn't going to be pretty you three. Better watch yourselves. Well I best be off to go see Mum. She won't be too happy to see me, but I've got to talk to her. Take care," and with that Percy strode off through Diagon Alley. Harry ran his fingers through his hair in frustration and sank into a crouch.
"Can't I just have a normal year at Hogwarts? Just once?" Ron walked over and patted him on the back. Hermione crouched down with him.
"It's alright Harry," she said. "You just might have to take extra precautions and not do anything stupid." She glared at Ron.
"Why do you always look at me when you say something like that?"
Harry picked himself up and wandered into Flourish and Blotts, looking for his school books. Hermione's eyes were lit with ecstasy as she looked at the towering book cases, while Ron's eyes showed no emotion what so ever. They were about to leave when an evil drawl buzzed in between Harry and Ron's ears.
"Well Weasley. Looks like your perfect brother isn't so perfect anymore," the three of them turned around to stare up at the face of Draco Malfoy who was baring a pride filled sneer. There was nothing new about Draco. He had the same old drawl and the same platinum blonde colored hair. Although, there was some stubble about his chin and he was a little taller.and there was a bruise around his right eye.
"Nice black eye Malfoy. Father give it to you?" Hermione asked. It seemed that the only reason Malfoy was so horrible to everyone was because he was abused by his father, Lucius. At this remark Malfoy's grin instantly disappeared. His eyes shifted from Hermione to Harry and then back to Ron.
"Thought your brother working at the ministry would reel in a wee bit more money, but clearly I thought wrong," Malfoy rebounded; eyeing Ron's tattered and patched school robes.
"Don't you gloat Malfoy," Ron snarled. "We know what your father is."
"Rich? Well you're not as dumb as you look Weasley."
"No. He means a Death Eater you git," Harry spat. Harry hated Malfoy with every fiber of his being. The way he treated him, Ron, and Hermione was enough to give Harry the urge to strangle him, but he fought it back.
"Was a Death Eater Potter," he said, unable to meet Harry's eyes.
"He still is Malfoy," Hermione grumbled.
"Shut up Mudblood! Yeah, okay, my father is a Death Eater. That's why they hired him as Fudge's assistant," Malfoy exclaimed sarcastically, but he had chosen the wrong time to say it. A cane came crashing down on his shoulder. Malfoy winced as a hand clenched his neck and slowly turned him around. Dressed in velvet black robes stood Lucius Malfoy. His long silver hair was pulled back into a ponytail. He wore a monotonous expression as the grip around Malfoy's neck tightened.
"Get.out..side.Draco. I will be having a," he looked down at Malfoy's panic stricken face, "a word with you later. As for you two," he pointed at Hermione and Ron, "go on with your shopping, well, if you can afford it Weasley. I need a word with the Famous Harry Potter. Get outside now!" He spat in Malfoy's face. He let go of his throat and watched Malfoy stagger out of the shop.
"I never did thank you properly for losing me my servant," Lucius glared at Harry.
"No thanks are in order Mr. Malfoy, or should I say Death E-," Harry was cut off as Lucius's gloved hand clamped over his mouth.
"I'll kill you Potter if you say anything like that again. I will kill you," he flashed his wand and strode out the door, taking Malfoy by the wrist and leading him away. Harry stood rooted to the spot. One normal year without any death threats! That's all I want! One normal year!
Hermione and Ron edged back over to Harry as soon as they saw Lucius leave. No one said anything as they paid for their items and left the store. Harry and Ron left Hermione to withdraw some money from Gringotts while they took a look around the Qudditich shop. Harry eyed the broomsticks with vague interest whereas Ron was drooling over a Nimbus 2001.
"If only I could get my hands on one of those. Maybe I'd make a better Keeper this year eh Harry?" Ron asked dreamily.
"You're a great Keeper Ron," Harry remarked. "A player's broomstick doesn't matter all that much." Ron didn't take notice of this comment and kept running his fingers over the smooth black wood of the Nimbus 2001. All of the sudden Hermione burst into the store.
"Death Eater," she whispered so no one else could hear. The three of them ran out of the store. Hermione led them to a dark alleyway near Knockturn Alley. There in the shadows was a figure dressed in a brown hooded robe. There was a figure crumpled up in a heap down by the Death Eater's feet.
"How do you know it's not a dementor?" Harry breathed.
"I heard it talking."
"I'll go get someone," Ron said and took off down the street, looking for someone big and strong enough to bring this man down. Hermione and Harry hid behind the corner listening and waiting for any sign of a disturbance. They heard a whimper.
"I, I was only joking around. I didn't mean-" they heard a familiar voice whimper.
"Shut up!" Spat the Death Eater. "I didn't ask you to speak!" Harry heard a dull thud and then the cry of pain from the crumpled figure.
"Get up boy! Stand up!" Harry turned his head slowly around the corner and watched the shadowed heap pick itself up from the ground. It was hunched over and holding its sides, though Harry couldn't make out who it was. He saw the Death Eater's hand clench into a fist and saw it strike the figure across the face. The figure once again hit the ground and Harry saw that it was a small adult, maybe even a child. He withdrew his wand, but Hermione pulled his arm away.
"Harry! Don't!" But Harry couldn't wait. Ron wasn't back yet and if this Death Eater kept kicking the figure, it would be fatal. He sprinted down the alley to where the Death Eater was.
"STUPEFY!" Harry yelled, but the Death Eater dodged it and spun around. It looked as if a veil was covering the face. The only thing Harry could make out of the Death Eater was its eyes; green and red. "Harry move out o' the way!" Harry turned slightly to see Hagrid's massive figure pounding down the alley. The Death Eater fixed its eyes on Harry's.
"Always have to be the hero Potter, don't we?" it said and apparated just as Hagrid arrived.
"You alrigh' Harry?" but Harry didn't answer. He stared down at the unconscious figure. Hagrid pushed past Harry and scooped up the figure in his arms and started carrying him down and back into the light. There they were joined with Ron and Hermione's terrified faces.
"Harry are you-," Hermione started saying, but stopped abruptly as she saw who the crumpled heap was.
"Malfoy!" Ron gasped. There in Hagrid's massive hands lay Malfoy. His nose was bleeding and his black eye was even purpler than before. An abnormal lump under his robes indicated that he had broken ribs.
"Draco! What did you do to him you stupid giant?" Lucius Malfoy came running down the street and grabbed Malfoy's limp body from Hagrid. Lucius's lip curled and his eyes widened when he saw what shape Malfoy was in. He took the hem of his black, velvet robes and wiped the blood from Malfoy's nose.
"I didn't do nothin' to him Lucius. Somethin' attacked 'im," Hagrid grieved looking down at Malfoy. Harry felt Hermione trembling slightly next to her, but before Harry could comfort her, Ron pulled her into a hug. A tinge of jealousy crept through Harry, but was soon dissolved as his scar started throbbing. He stumbled back slightly and looked up at Lucius who was looking at him intently. Get away from me!
"You have to take him to St. Mungo's," Harry told Lucius.
"I know that Potter!" Lucius spat and hurried away with Malfoy in his arms. Harry's scar was only a dull pain now that Lucius left.
"Yer welcome!" hollered Hagrid irritably after Lucius and then turned to Harry, Ron and Hermione. "So, uh, how have you three been?"
"Fine," the three of them answered simultaneously.
"Well, err, good. I, um, I'm meeting Madame Maxime in a little while at the Leaky Cauldron. See you lot at Hogwarts," Hagrid waved as he too left them standing at the foot of the alley. Harry looked back down the alley and his scar seared with pain again. Hermione broke free of Ron's grip and place her arms around Harry.
"Are you alright?" she asked.
"Let's leave," Harry murmured.
Harry awoke the next morning to an unpleasant stiffness in his neck. He had fallen asleep with his glasses on and found them broken in two under the sheets. He scooped them up, mumbled "reparo" and hobbled downstairs. Hermione was already up and dressed for Diagon Alley along with everyone else. Ron jumped out from a corner with two tampons in his nose.
"Hope Hermy didn't bleed all over my sheets last night!" he wailed with laughter. Harry laughed a little bit and sat down next to Ginny, wearing an exhausted look as Hermione chased Ron around the kitchen.
"Calm down! Calm down! I didn't just go through your stuff! I read Ginny's diary as well," Ron giggled.
"You WHAT!?" Ginny hollered as she too joined in chasing Ron. Harry watched in amusement and helped himself to a piece of burnt toast.
"Harry dear, you're not even dressed yet!" Mrs. Weasley had walked into the room. Surprisingly enough, the laughing stopped and in Mrs. Weasley's hand were two tampons. Ron, Hermione, and Ginny soon followed in after her.
"Um, no ma'am. I just woke up," Harry said.
"Well go get dressed dear. We'll be leaving in a half hour. Gives you time to shower and fix your hair." Harry's hair was a mess; of course it had always been that way. Taming a wild man-eating tiger would be easier than taming Harry's hair. Harry started climbing the stairs when Ron asked the question.
"So Harry.tell me about last night. Anything happen?" he asked in a dead serious voice. Harry pondered this frantically for a minute or two.
"Yeah. Lots," he answered looking at Hermione who looked mortified. Ron's sly look turned into a frown.
"Oh yeah? What?"
"Well first I accidentally walked in on her. Then I apologized and then I fell asleep. See, tons of stuff," Harry shrugged. Ron let out a barely audible sigh.
"I wouldn't steal your girl Ron," Harry added. He stared at Hermione who immediately caught on.
"What do you mean, 'steal his girl'?" she asked.
"Nothing. Never you mind," Ron grimaced. As the three of them (Ron, Hermione, and Ginny) left to regroup in the kitchen, Harry marched up stairs and into the shower.
He came back downstairs after he was ready, his hair looking a little, but not much neater. They were all sitting around the fireplace waiting for him.
"Finally!" Ron breathed sarcastically.
"I'm meeting up with Dean again so can I go first?" Ginny asked.
"Go right ahead. Harry can go after you. That alright Harry?" Ron sounded more like he was begging Harry to go next. Harry looked at Hermione, whose eyes were lit with confusion.
"Err-of course," he answered.
"Splendid. We'll all meet at Flourish and Blotts. See you there Harry," Ron waved as soon as Ginny disappeared in the mouth of green flames. Harry apprehensively stepped into the fire place. Ash was flying all around him. He grabbed his floo powder and clearly shouted, "Diagon Alley." The last thing he heard was Ron asking Hermione something.
***
"Can I tell you something Hermione?" Ron had asked unsure of himself. Hermione blinked as if trying to understand why he had to ask her permission to tell her something.
"Sure," she paused. "I guess so." Ron was fidgeting with his hands in a highly nervous manner. He looked all around the room, trying to avoid Hermione's eager eyes.
"I, uh, I think you're-"
"I'm what?" Hermione interrupted him. How do I tell her? Ron thought. He looked her up and down a couple of times before speaking again.
"Um, I think you.I think you should go first," he said disappointed. Hermione bounced up and down on her heels as if waiting for Ron to change his mind and really tell her what he was going to. "Oh. Right.okay," Hermione huffed as she grabbed her floo powder and stepped into the fireplace. "See you there then." With that said, she yelled, "Diagon Alley" and in an instant was swallowed up by the towering green flames. Ron heaved a sigh and sat down in a chair, rubbing his tired eyes.
"Why couldn't I just tell her?" he shouted at himself.
"Ron are you okay?" Ron sat bolt up right in his chair. Mrs. Weasley had gone to Diagon Alley before all of them. I thought I was alone. He turned to the backdoor from which the voice came from. It was Percy.
"What the hell are you doing here you traitor?" Ron spat. Percy held up a hand, indicating that he meant no harm.
"I just came to see Mum," he answered approaching Ron.
"You stay away from me! You traitor! You.you give our family a bad name!"
"Ron I got fired today!" Percy yelled in his face. Ron felt full of unease. Percy searched Ron's face for some sort of sympathy, but was unable to find it.
"How could you get fired? You were Fudge's little puppet! You did everything!" Ron scowled.
"They found someone better alright? I need to speak to Mum. Where is she?"
"Not here. Left for Diagon Alley. Who'd they find?"
"None of your business," Percy answered reaching for the floo powder and stepping into the fireplace. Ron lunged at him and tackled him to the ground. Percy stumbled to his feet with a bloody nose.
"What was that for?" he demanded.
"None of your business," mocked Ron. "Who took your place?"
"Lucius Malfoy!"
***
"What took you?" Harry asked as Hermione approached him outside Flourish and Blotts. She looked upset.
"I think Ron was about to tell me how he felt Harry," she said. Harry slowly and most unsure of himself put an arm around her shoulders. She looks distressed, he thought.
"Are you wearing cologne?" Hermione started laughing. Harry pulled his arm away and stuffed it in his pocket.
"No no," Hermione snorted. "It smells good. I just can't picture you as Mr. Potter the suave man on campus wearing cologne."
"Oh and why not?" Harry smiled. But before Hermione could answer, Ron ran up with Percy at his heels. Harry's lip started curling and Hermione's last little chuckles stopped abruptly.
"Harry! Hermione," Ron panted, "Percy got fired!" Harry gazed up at Percy who was starting to blush.
"Don't have to sound so excited about it Ron," Percy implied firmly. He turned to Harry.
"Nice to see you again Harry. How have you been?"
"Um, okay and you?" he asked as he feebly shook Percy's outstretched hand.
"Fine thank you. Ah and Hermione, how have you been?" Hermione looked at him with a great expression of caution on her face.
"You? Fired?" she asked instead. Percy looked taken aback and pursed his lips in a similar way as Aunt Petunia would have. His horn rimmed glasses slid an inch down his nose and he shoved them back up in an irritated manner.
"They simply thought that there was someone better than me. Though, the ministry can make foolish mistakes especially since they hired Mr. Malfoy in my place," he spat in her face. Hermione took a step back, but trying not to show she was frightened, frowned at him.
"Malfoy? They can't have him as Fudge's assistant! He's a death eater!" Harry exclaimed.
"He claims he's not," Ron chimed in. "Percy told me he listed a few names, made up ones of course, and told the ministry that he quit being a death eater ages ago."
"Well that certainly isn't true! He tried to steal my Prophecy for Voldemort just last year!"
"Ah, well the ministry sure is gullible," Percy said through gritted teeth. "Lucius told them that he was practicing being an auror to catch dark wizards. Fudge of course believed him since Lucius has a strong connection with the ministry. This year isn't going to be pretty you three. Better watch yourselves. Well I best be off to go see Mum. She won't be too happy to see me, but I've got to talk to her. Take care," and with that Percy strode off through Diagon Alley. Harry ran his fingers through his hair in frustration and sank into a crouch.
"Can't I just have a normal year at Hogwarts? Just once?" Ron walked over and patted him on the back. Hermione crouched down with him.
"It's alright Harry," she said. "You just might have to take extra precautions and not do anything stupid." She glared at Ron.
"Why do you always look at me when you say something like that?"
Harry picked himself up and wandered into Flourish and Blotts, looking for his school books. Hermione's eyes were lit with ecstasy as she looked at the towering book cases, while Ron's eyes showed no emotion what so ever. They were about to leave when an evil drawl buzzed in between Harry and Ron's ears.
"Well Weasley. Looks like your perfect brother isn't so perfect anymore," the three of them turned around to stare up at the face of Draco Malfoy who was baring a pride filled sneer. There was nothing new about Draco. He had the same old drawl and the same platinum blonde colored hair. Although, there was some stubble about his chin and he was a little taller.and there was a bruise around his right eye.
"Nice black eye Malfoy. Father give it to you?" Hermione asked. It seemed that the only reason Malfoy was so horrible to everyone was because he was abused by his father, Lucius. At this remark Malfoy's grin instantly disappeared. His eyes shifted from Hermione to Harry and then back to Ron.
"Thought your brother working at the ministry would reel in a wee bit more money, but clearly I thought wrong," Malfoy rebounded; eyeing Ron's tattered and patched school robes.
"Don't you gloat Malfoy," Ron snarled. "We know what your father is."
"Rich? Well you're not as dumb as you look Weasley."
"No. He means a Death Eater you git," Harry spat. Harry hated Malfoy with every fiber of his being. The way he treated him, Ron, and Hermione was enough to give Harry the urge to strangle him, but he fought it back.
"Was a Death Eater Potter," he said, unable to meet Harry's eyes.
"He still is Malfoy," Hermione grumbled.
"Shut up Mudblood! Yeah, okay, my father is a Death Eater. That's why they hired him as Fudge's assistant," Malfoy exclaimed sarcastically, but he had chosen the wrong time to say it. A cane came crashing down on his shoulder. Malfoy winced as a hand clenched his neck and slowly turned him around. Dressed in velvet black robes stood Lucius Malfoy. His long silver hair was pulled back into a ponytail. He wore a monotonous expression as the grip around Malfoy's neck tightened.
"Get.out..side.Draco. I will be having a," he looked down at Malfoy's panic stricken face, "a word with you later. As for you two," he pointed at Hermione and Ron, "go on with your shopping, well, if you can afford it Weasley. I need a word with the Famous Harry Potter. Get outside now!" He spat in Malfoy's face. He let go of his throat and watched Malfoy stagger out of the shop.
"I never did thank you properly for losing me my servant," Lucius glared at Harry.
"No thanks are in order Mr. Malfoy, or should I say Death E-," Harry was cut off as Lucius's gloved hand clamped over his mouth.
"I'll kill you Potter if you say anything like that again. I will kill you," he flashed his wand and strode out the door, taking Malfoy by the wrist and leading him away. Harry stood rooted to the spot. One normal year without any death threats! That's all I want! One normal year!
Hermione and Ron edged back over to Harry as soon as they saw Lucius leave. No one said anything as they paid for their items and left the store. Harry and Ron left Hermione to withdraw some money from Gringotts while they took a look around the Qudditich shop. Harry eyed the broomsticks with vague interest whereas Ron was drooling over a Nimbus 2001.
"If only I could get my hands on one of those. Maybe I'd make a better Keeper this year eh Harry?" Ron asked dreamily.
"You're a great Keeper Ron," Harry remarked. "A player's broomstick doesn't matter all that much." Ron didn't take notice of this comment and kept running his fingers over the smooth black wood of the Nimbus 2001. All of the sudden Hermione burst into the store.
"Death Eater," she whispered so no one else could hear. The three of them ran out of the store. Hermione led them to a dark alleyway near Knockturn Alley. There in the shadows was a figure dressed in a brown hooded robe. There was a figure crumpled up in a heap down by the Death Eater's feet.
"How do you know it's not a dementor?" Harry breathed.
"I heard it talking."
"I'll go get someone," Ron said and took off down the street, looking for someone big and strong enough to bring this man down. Hermione and Harry hid behind the corner listening and waiting for any sign of a disturbance. They heard a whimper.
"I, I was only joking around. I didn't mean-" they heard a familiar voice whimper.
"Shut up!" Spat the Death Eater. "I didn't ask you to speak!" Harry heard a dull thud and then the cry of pain from the crumpled figure.
"Get up boy! Stand up!" Harry turned his head slowly around the corner and watched the shadowed heap pick itself up from the ground. It was hunched over and holding its sides, though Harry couldn't make out who it was. He saw the Death Eater's hand clench into a fist and saw it strike the figure across the face. The figure once again hit the ground and Harry saw that it was a small adult, maybe even a child. He withdrew his wand, but Hermione pulled his arm away.
"Harry! Don't!" But Harry couldn't wait. Ron wasn't back yet and if this Death Eater kept kicking the figure, it would be fatal. He sprinted down the alley to where the Death Eater was.
"STUPEFY!" Harry yelled, but the Death Eater dodged it and spun around. It looked as if a veil was covering the face. The only thing Harry could make out of the Death Eater was its eyes; green and red. "Harry move out o' the way!" Harry turned slightly to see Hagrid's massive figure pounding down the alley. The Death Eater fixed its eyes on Harry's.
"Always have to be the hero Potter, don't we?" it said and apparated just as Hagrid arrived.
"You alrigh' Harry?" but Harry didn't answer. He stared down at the unconscious figure. Hagrid pushed past Harry and scooped up the figure in his arms and started carrying him down and back into the light. There they were joined with Ron and Hermione's terrified faces.
"Harry are you-," Hermione started saying, but stopped abruptly as she saw who the crumpled heap was.
"Malfoy!" Ron gasped. There in Hagrid's massive hands lay Malfoy. His nose was bleeding and his black eye was even purpler than before. An abnormal lump under his robes indicated that he had broken ribs.
"Draco! What did you do to him you stupid giant?" Lucius Malfoy came running down the street and grabbed Malfoy's limp body from Hagrid. Lucius's lip curled and his eyes widened when he saw what shape Malfoy was in. He took the hem of his black, velvet robes and wiped the blood from Malfoy's nose.
"I didn't do nothin' to him Lucius. Somethin' attacked 'im," Hagrid grieved looking down at Malfoy. Harry felt Hermione trembling slightly next to her, but before Harry could comfort her, Ron pulled her into a hug. A tinge of jealousy crept through Harry, but was soon dissolved as his scar started throbbing. He stumbled back slightly and looked up at Lucius who was looking at him intently. Get away from me!
"You have to take him to St. Mungo's," Harry told Lucius.
"I know that Potter!" Lucius spat and hurried away with Malfoy in his arms. Harry's scar was only a dull pain now that Lucius left.
"Yer welcome!" hollered Hagrid irritably after Lucius and then turned to Harry, Ron and Hermione. "So, uh, how have you three been?"
"Fine," the three of them answered simultaneously.
"Well, err, good. I, um, I'm meeting Madame Maxime in a little while at the Leaky Cauldron. See you lot at Hogwarts," Hagrid waved as he too left them standing at the foot of the alley. Harry looked back down the alley and his scar seared with pain again. Hermione broke free of Ron's grip and place her arms around Harry.
"Are you alright?" she asked.
"Let's leave," Harry murmured.