Chapter 4: L.M.
Harry ran outside of the Leaky Cauldron with the bags in hand. He looked up and down the alley, trying to find a good place where he could hide and look into the bags without being noticed. Not seeing a good hiding place, Harry turned right and started walking fast, anxious to get as far away from Draco as possible.
He walked about five blocks when he noticed an old, closed shop. Making sure nobody was watching him; Harry quickly undid the lock with a bobby pin, a trick Fred and George Weasley had taught him. He silently stepped inside and closed the door.
The inside of the shop was dark and cold. A couple of display tables and two chairs had been left behind from the previous owners. Harry pulled one of the old dusty chairs up to a display table and sat down. He placed the bags on the table and began to take the continents out of one.
The first thing he pulled out was a book on curses. Harry looked at the book, but soon placed it aside. He reached his hand in the bag and was surprised as he pulled out a black chain with a lock. Why was this in there? Was Malfoy planning to chain Harry up? Harry's mind filled with many questions.
Harry knew all to well that Malfoy hated the guts out of him, and he hated Malfoy too, but he wasn't aware that Malfoy wanted to possibly kill him. Was Draco planning to kill Harry, or did Draco's father want him to kill Harry? Placing the chain down on the table, Harry decided to think about this after he was down searching the two bags.
The last three items in the bag were of no importance to Harry. What evil could Draco do with an empty notebook, some parchment, and quills? Harry picked up the other bag and started looking through it. In it were only school books and other supplies. Harry's inside filled with disappointment. He punched Draco in the face just to find a chain and school supplies? But he had to admit, punching his school nemesis in the face was fun!
Harry was about to pack the bags back up when something caught his eye. The corner of what looked like a letter was sticking out of one of the newly bought school books. Instantly Harry's curiosity kicked in and he pulled the vanilla colored envelope out and opened it. He pulled the letter out and started to read it silently:
To the youngest Malfoy,
Use these items well. Stick to the plan. Remember, treason is not welcomed in this family.
L.M.
L.M.? Who was L.M. and what was this plan that he was talking about?
"Could it be Lucius Malfoy…?" Harry thought aloud as he folded the letter and put it back into the envelope.
Lucius Malfoy was the criminal type. What was he planning to do this time? Did he tell Draco to kill Harry? He did want Harry dead.
Harry shook his head. There were so many questions and so few answers at the moment. He would definitely have to send letters to Ron and Hermione about this. Hopefully they would be able to come to Diagon Alley and help Harry solve this mystery.
Sighing, Harry packed up the bags and hid them in the shop. He wasn't going to return them to Draco. Who knows what Malfoy was planning to do with the items in the bag?
Harry opened the shop door and quickly turned around to lock it back up with the bobby pin. When he turned around, there was Draco Malfoy standing right in front of his face. His eye was bruised and the look upon his pale face was enough to frighten most children.
"Potter, we need to talk." Malfoy said with a growl.