It turned out that Naomi had ducked into the carpentry shop because the Alley was a bit too busy for her comfort. While she knew where to go in order to get her school supplies, going it alone was another matter. Sending Willy off to the Leaky Cauldron to speak to her parents, Eric and Dorian escorted Naomi about the Alley, picking up the supplies she'd need.
As the evening began to creep up, the group headed towards the Cauldron for dinner. As they made their way into the dark tavern, they decided to try to sort out who would be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. They looked over their only clues: the books they just bought.
"Guards Against Darkness for us, and Intermediate Wards and Defenses for Naomi. Not exactly telling works, are they?" Dorian was seeming a bit pessimistic.
Naomi, however, wasn't one to back down from a challenge. "Well, they won't come right out and give us a biography. However, I think you'll agree that these appear to be reasonable works on the subject?"
Picking up on the idea of a bio, Eric checked the Author notes of both books. "Well, it's not another like Lockhart. The books are written by different people. Also, it isn't Snape. The author of 'Guards…' was a Gryffindor, while '… Wards and Defenses' was written by a Ravenclaw. If Snape was the new teacher, a book would be completely worthless if it didn't come from a Slytherin."
Taking a few minutes to flip through the texts, they all agreed that these were fairly well-written books, both easy to follow and interesting. Their new instructor might or might not be able to teach, but at least he could pick out a good textbook.
As dinner was being finished, the group was joined by Roger and Dorothy Wainwright. Looking as immaculately proper and professionally dressed as ever, Naomi's parents stood out like a beacon within the arcane surroundings of the Leaky Cauldron. Behind them was a most welcoming sight. Towering over all the other patrons was Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts, and Eric's adoptive guardian.
Roger was the first to speak. "Boys, I see you've helped Naomi around the stores. Let me show my appreciation for your generosity. When you all head off for school next week, allow me to come around to take you to the station."
As much as Eric hated to accept favors from others, a ride to the station was not something he could refuse. While he made a point of locking up most of his Hogwarts property in the cellar room where he grew up, he still had to manage the cages for Midget and Widget, his two owls. This in addition to the various books and property he had to move tended to be too much. As for Dorian, his parents didn't have a muggle means of transportation, which meant that he, too, was lugging all his property around London public transportation. The two of them gratefully accepted Roger's offer.
"Excellent. I'll see you both in a week." Roger collected Naomi and his wife, then turned to leave only to find himself face to face with Lucius Malfoy.
"My my, don't we seem out of place? Let me see now: you would be Roger Wainwright, am I correct?" Roger and Dorothy were without expression. Naomi, however, curled under the hood of her cloak, giving Lucius all the confirmation he needed. "Ah, yes. You've been quite the fixture here lately, haven't you? Getting to know all the locals, our customs, how we come and go. Tell me, why should a muggle be so interested in our ways, or more to the point; what right do you think you have to question us?"
Roger, however, was not to be taken by surprise. "Mister Malfoy; if you are as well informed as I feel you are, then you know fully well what I've been doing here, who I've been talking with, and why. My daughter has abilities that is leading her to join your society, and as her father I wish to remain involved in her life. Some of your neighbors have learned that a man of my talents can be of use to them, and I've been working to assure the rest that I'm no threat."
Lucius turned indignant. "Know this, you worthless muggle – you never have been a threat to us, and you never could be. As for your daughter, no mudblood like her could ever hope to be one of my kind." He turned and stormed from the tavern.
Roger watched him as he left. "There goes a very unhappy man."
"Don' you give it anuther thought, Mr. Wainwright sir. Me an' the uthers here, we're all grateful for what ye've done fer us." One of Hagrid's massive hands found itself on Roger's shoulder, nearly knocking him over.
Roger, however, took the gesture in stride. "Most appreciated, Mr. Hagrid."
"Jes' 'Hagrid', ser. Ain't no reason to 'Mister' me." Hagrid looked down to the gathering of students. "There's my boy. Yeh got any time for yer uncle, Eric?"
Nodding goodbyes to the others, Eric followed Hagrid to a corner of the tavern. "Haven' had much time to catch up with yeh, boy. Wanted to let you know that I already gave permission for yer goin' to Hogsmeade this year."
Eric kept himself from bursting out cheering. The trips to Hogsmeade was one of the major advantages to being a third-year student. Instead, he simply found his way around to his guardian, wrapping him in a hug as best he could.
"Now now, boy, think nuthin' of it." He waved over a couple of drinks of cider. "Now, tell yer uncle all about what ye've been up to."