The warmth washed over me like the waves of an ocean lapping at the shore and I stretched lazily. An end of summer breeze fluttered into my room from the window and light green silk curtains interrupted the warm sunlight. I smiled to myself at the kaleidoscope effect when there was a faint knocking at my door. I knew I had slept late and I smothered a yawn not caring as the door opened slowly. Soon a small creature with large green tattered bat-like ears was pulling away the covers. I grumbled and rolled onto my stomach.
"Blinkey." I said somewhat angrily. The house elf flinched slightly at my tone but continued trying to rouse me out of bed.
"Blinkey is sorry young master but your father wishes to speak with you." The elf took out clothing for me to wear before he left quietly. I grumbled again as I sat up.
"What is it this time?" I mumbled to myself, swinging my legs over the edge of the bed. I stretched and rubbed the sleep out of my eyes then walked slowly into the en-suite bathroom. I turned the shower taps on and slipped out of the black silk boxers I had worn to bed. I tested the water and stepped in. It was hot and felt wonderful as it ran down my body. Sticking my head under the faucet I closed my eyes. 'School will be starting soon. He probably wants me to go to Diagon Alley with him to get my school stuff.' I finished washing up and turned the water off. Before stepping out I grabbed a towel off the wall. A sharp rapping sound on the door was heard and I jumped.
"Draco hurry up, I have business to take care of as well." I dried myself off quickly and answered with a simple "Yes Sir." I walked out of the room slowly because the hot water hadn't done much to wake me up.
Black dress trousers and a dark forest green silk dress shirt had been laid out for me so I dressed quickly. Running a comb through my hair I added some gel and was out the door towards the dinning room. Narssia was already there,
"Good morning Mother" I said kissing her on the cheek.
"Good morning Draco." She replied vaguely. I was about to sit down and eat breakfast but my father swept into the room.
"Draco, get moving." I looked down at the table.
"But what about breakfast?" my stomach was rumbling.
"Well you shouldn't have slept in." He replied coolly, heaving myself up I followed him out the door.
Blinky had both our cloaks and the Floo powder ready in the living room. I watched my father sweep up is cloak and take some of the powder with an air of authority. He entered the fireplace after tossing in the powder and said,
"The Leaky Cauldron." His voice held obedience and you often crossed him once and only once before learning your lesson. I yearned for that kind of power so when I tried to sweep up my cloak like he had I managed to spill Floo powder down the front of me. With a sigh I took more of the powder Blinkey offered me. I tossed it in stepped into the grate and said,
"The Leaky Cauldron." Feeling a little deflated. Lucius was already there watching his son critically and rather impatient,
"Hurry up boy, what took you?" I didn't answer because he hadn't expected an answer; he was already heading out onto the busy streets. I followed in my father's wake but not his footsteps. Like always back to school shopping and father's 'business' trips always started with going to Gringot's. I climbed the white marble steps with heavey feet as I thought about the up coming school year.
"Eight Owls Draco?" I gulped "Only eight Owls?!" my father roared, "I would have thought a young man with your raising wouldn't have let a mudblood out score you." His normally pale face was a shade of deep red.
"It's not my fault father honest! It's the teachers they all favour Hermoinie Granger. It's so unfair."
"I don't care if the favor a damned ghost Draco. Pull up your socks. You had best get atleast 13 Newts in your seventh year.
"Draco!" I snapped out of my thoughts. "Get in the cart boy." He steered me roughly into the cart. Two wild cart rides and one stop later I emerged from the bank pockets heavier.
"When you're done with your shopping meet me at the Leaky Cauldron. I'll be down Knockturn Alley if you need me." My father said. I nodded and headed out into the busy street. My thoughts still wandering I walked right into some one.
"Oaf." Startled I looked down and saw I had knocked some red haired girl onto the cobblestone street. 'Weasley?' I thought to myself but that option was soon out of the picture.
"Watch where you're bloody well going. Who the hell do you think you are?" she was getting up and gathering her things together. I bent over and picked up a book
"Draco Malfoy." I said as she immediately snatched the book away "and you are?"
"Noleta Westside." And then she left. Those green eyes were haunted and her hair was like flames from a fire. The busy shoppers soon jostled me out of my trance and I continued with my shopping.
My first stop like always is the Quidditch supply store. The game is just as hard on your clothes as it is on your body so of coarse I was looking for some new practice robes. I riffled through the racks of robes wondering if they would even have anything I would like. A bright red robe caught my eye and I found myself wondering about that girl. 'What was her name again?' I wondered as I looked over a black robe. 'Noel... Nolet... Noleta that was her name.' He pulled down a black robe and a dark green one and continued looking through the store. 'Where had she come from.' He wondered picking up some broom polish to inspect. 'Her accent wasn't even British.' He shrugged the thought from his mind and went to the counter to purchase his things. He headed to the bookshop next to gather his required schoolbooks. He also purchased a few new quills and some ink as well as parchment. He paid the storeowner and was back on the streets. He was heading towards a supply store for potions when he saw her again. She was knelling beside a cage in front of the owl infirmary. He decided he would try to speak to her again. He walked over and set his bags down as he knelt by the cage.
"They really need to rename this place since it carries more then just owls these days." He tried watching her for a reaction.
"I know you want to go back to your mother don't you little one." She said softly to the small tiger cub. Her fingers were in the cage and she stroked the cub gently. She looked over at Draco with haunted green eyes.
"Do you want to go in?" he asked her slightly unsure about the whole talking to the cub thing. She shrugged.
"Sure I have nothing better to do." She said to him standing up. Draco heard the cub stop purring and watched, as Noleta frowned "I'll be back for you little one no worries."
Draco opened the door and held it for her as she stepped in. "So where are you from?" he asked.
"Pardon?" she said. She seemed as if trying to hear him over a surge of noise.
"Where are you from?" he asked again a little louder. He let her chose were to go and followed.
"Toronto, Ontario." She watched is blank look "Canada." And laughed slightly as he looked shocked. "I'll be attending Hogwarts this year as well." She told him "I assume that would have been your next question."
Draco tried not to let his jaw drop "Yes that would have been it." He watched her cover her ears with her hands. Something was up with her "Do you want to go get ice cream or something?" he asked hopefully.
"I want to talk to the owner first." She looked at her watch "Crap. I'll have enough time to get the cub and then potion supplies. I'm gonna be late if we get coffee." She was heading to the store clerk.
'Well,' he thought 'No ice cream but I still have to get my supplies as well.' He tried to look disappointed. "Aw no ice cream? Can I accompany you to the supply store atleast?" He asked.
She looked him over carefully "You don't even know me how can you be that disappointed?" she was handing over coins and then went out with the man to get the cub. She picked him up and cradled him "See I told you I'ld be back." She cooed to him. "I guess you could accompany me. It's Draco right?"
I felt my knees going slightly weak as she said my name "Yes my name is Draco." I started out towards the store "So what are you going to name him?"
I heard her sigh "Not a clue." was her answer. We grabbed everything we needed and I saw her check her watch. "Crap now I'm late." She started to jog off but I grabbed her free wrist.
"Will I see you again?" Her eyes seemed different they held warm to them now but it feel away as she wrenched her wrist free. "I'm sorry if I startled you." I said quickly trying to fix the damage I had done as I watched her recede.
"Maybe at Hogwarts." She told me and she disappeared into the crowd.