Revenge of a Slytherin

Chapter 24

Once Nichol felt stable once more she looked around and saw that she was in an Alley with shops down either side. All around them people were milling around shopping. Many of them dressed in a strange assortment of brightly coloured robes and bizarre hats. Nichol could not help but smile as she saw all of these strange sights, almost laughing as she saw a group of children gathered around a window gazing at the latest - and of course fastest – model of broomstick. Even though she had spent almost a year at Hogwarts, to be here at Diagon Alley and to know that she was not a muggle, not an outsider – she belonged here!

'Are you alright?' Lucius asked

'Yes, sorry, just not used to travelling this way' she smiled.

'You'll get used to it – I never did understand how muggles got anywhere without being able to travel like this.'

'Oh you really should try rush hour traffic on a hot and overcrowded bus – you have never truly lived until you have' Nichol smirked.

'So, what do you want first?' Lucius held out his hand towards all the shops.

'There are so many, I never thought there would be. I only have normal, I mean muggle money – can I spend English pounds here?'

'Yes, some of the shops will take them, but we need to stop at Gringotts anyway, so you can just get some money from your account there.'

'My account where?' Nichol shrugged.

'Gringotts is our bank, and you have an account there.'

'Since when - I don't recall opening that…'

'You didn't, you did not just inherit your powers Nichol, and you are a very wealthy young woman!'

'You're not joking me are you?'

'No, I am not … Nichol you have inherited a large estate, you have money and property that was owned by both sides of your family – with you being the only surviving member you own both your father and mother's ancestral homes in Europe, and you have inherited both family fortunes!'

'Oh…' Nichol was stunned 'I never even thought…'

Walking into Gringotts Nichol stood by the door looking around the huge banking hall, it looked just like the old fashioned English banks from movies, marble floors, lots of mahogany desks and panelling. All of the lights and fittings were brass and glass – the entire room was amazing 'wow' she gasped 'it's gorgeous.'

Taking her elbow Lucius led her towards the desk at the end and he spoke with the Goblin who sat there. While he spoke the Goblin was watching Nichol as though appraising her. 'Ah Miss Reynard, how nice to meet you' the little man's words were polite but his face betrayed no trace of emotion. 'It has been a very long time since your vaults were opened.'

'Vaults? There is more than one?'

'Oh yes, there are three; the Ministry had everything brought here from Europe when you were a baby. In the vaults there are papers and deeds relating to the houses in Europe, family jewellery and heirlooms and of course money.'

Nichol was stunned and had no idea what to say, after the news that she was a witch she thought that nothing more could shock her like this. Without realising it she shivered and Lucius put his arm around her shoulders. 'I think that this is a bit much to take in today, I feel it would be unwise for Nichol to go down to her vaults today – could you arrange for some of her money to be brought up to her?'

'The goblin looked at Lucius and just said 'yes' although from the look on his face he did not seem impressed with this idea. 'How much would you like?'

'Oh I feel that 10,000 should be enough, in galleons, sickles and knuts.'

'Ten thou…' Nichol gasped.

'That is a mere drop in the ocean, and you need to buy lots of clothes.' Lucius was unruffled by this sum.

The Goblin looked to Nichol for her consent and she just nodded her agreement.

Once they left the bank building Nichol had some of her money with her, the rest Lucius had sent back to the manor. 'So…' Lucius said 'I think we should head for Madam Malkin's first, it's time to lose that outfit.'

'Oh' said Nichol 'I thought you would like this outfit.'

'It is a nice colour and it does look good – but you look like a damn muggle…'

Walking into Madam Malkin's Nichol was surprised how small the shop looked from the outside compared to how big it really was 'oh it's like the tardis!'

'Like the what?' Lucius asked.

It was then Nichol realised just how different the two worlds were – the things she knew from her muggle childhood to the things she needed to learn now as a witch. 'It's just a silly television show – I forget you do not watch television.'

The shop was filled with racks of cloaks and robes of every colour and fabric you could dream of. Madam Malkin greeted Lucius personally and he explained that Nichol would be requiring an entire wardrobe. Nichol was looking through the racks as Lucius walked towards the door 'you're leaving me here?' she asked looking like a lost child.

'I have some business to take care of - Madam Malkin will ensure that you get everything you desire…' with that he left the store.

Madam Malkin turned to Nichol and smiled 'I feel like we're in that movie … pretty woman' she smiled.

'Oh you know that film?'

'Yes dear' she leant forward and whispered 'I love films, lots of magical folks frown on the muggle world – but I love it.'

Nichol immediately felt at ease and like she had made a friend. 'If you ever need someone to sneak off to the cinema with – just let me know.'

After looking at another cloak Nichol asked Madam Malkin if she needed to know her size or measurements – the older woman just smiled and explained that as the shop was enchanted, she would find that everything in the shop would be in her size. Nichol laughed 'if only all muggle shops were so convenient.'

Madam Malkin arranged for tea to be brought to them as Nichol chose her new clothes. Barely even noticing the time, the two women chatted, laughing and joking as Nichol tried and kept dresses, skirts, tops, cloaks, robes, boots and shoes, bags and hats. Many of the items were black, earth tones or jewel colours. The fabrics were rich and heavy brocades and velvets or soft and buttery woollens.

Once all the clothing was packed into boxes by the counter Nichol chose her lingerie, everything was a confection of silk and lace, in every colour under the rainbow. With everything decided Nichol chose an outfit to wear right away. Slipping into a silk and lace teddy with charcoal silk stockings, an emerald green and black brocade dress. Over this she wore a satin and lace corset, which emphasised her narrow waist and pushed her breasts together and upwards giving her a dramatic cleavage. With Victorian style hook and eye lace ankle boots, Nichol chose a floor length black wool cloak with a huge hood rather than a hat. The cloak had enchanted pockets, which were invisible to anyone but the wearer – therefore negating the need to carry a bag.

Madam Malkin sent out and had a box of toiletries and cosmetics brought over for Nichol. Using these Nichol applied some charcoal and green eyeliner to emphasise the colour of her eyes and dress and also give a smoky outline. A quick coat of mascara and some deep red lipstick and she felt ready to face the wizarding world.

Nichol arranged with Madam Malkin for a house elf to take all of the packages back to Malfoy Manor. Madam Malkin gave the elf instructions to have the Malfoy Elves unpack everything and ensure it was hung up and put away. Behind Nichol the door chimed and she turned to see Lucius.

Thanking Madam Malkin, Nichol hugged the woman and said 'we must get together soon for … tea' with a wink she turned to Lucius 'is this more presentable?' Lucius was at a loss for words 'yes' he gulped 'much better…'

Walking down Diagon Alley with Nichol on his arm, Lucius was proud of the looks they were drawing. He could see the looks of envy from the women and the looks of lust from the men and he liked it.

Their next stop was Flourish and Blotts, Nichol bought a few books aimed towards newcomers to magic – although she was one of the oldest it appeared that she was not the only one to come into her powers late. Unfortunately she discovered that in the magical world there was none of the idiots guide books and right now she could really use 'an idiots guide to magic' …

Next it was on to Eeylops, 'all of these birds are for sale? Really?'

'Yes, all of them, choose one … it will be my gift to you.'

'No, really that's too much, I couldn't…'

'I will not debate this Nichol, I will be buying you an owl today, so you either choose one, or I will choose for you – this owl will be your contact with the wizarding world, it will fetch and carry all of your mail for you.'

Nichol looked around the shop and saw a tiny little brown owl in the corner, he had such expressive eyes, and every time she looked at him he seemed to wink at her. She carried on looking but kept looking back to the little brown one. In the she decided that the little owl had actually chosen her 'I would like that little one over there…' she pointed to the corner.

Lucius turned and looked at the owl she pointed to 'are you sure? That one is so…'

'I like him, he looks like a little character' she already felt protective of the little chap.

Going to the counter she told the little man which owl she wanted and reached into her pockets. Lucius put his hand over hers 'I told you I would buy you your owl.'

'But you don't like him so I thought I should pay.'

'Don't be ridiculous' he snapped, irritated by her obstinacy.

Lucius paid for the owl and Nichol took the cage. Carrying the owl out of the shop she was looking at the little owl 'so little one, what should I call you?' the owl just blinked and swivelled his head 'Oh silent type are you?' she grinned.

'What on earth are you doing now?' he snapped bewildered.

'I was asking him what I should …'

'Yes I noticed that much, what I do not understand is why you were even speaking to the creature.'

'Because I want him to like me.'

Lucius looked at her like she had dropped in off another planet 'and those damn muggles think our world is the weird one' he said derisively.

'I am not a muggle!' Nichol snapped back.

'Maybe not, but you were brought up like one …'

'How dare you!' she spat back and stomped off in a huff.

'Where are you going now?' Lucius asked.

'Somewhere, anywhere, just away from you!' she replied realising too late that she sounded like a petulant child.

'You might want to go buy a wand …' Lucius added sarcastically, and pointed over towards Ollivanders.

Nichol wrinkled her nose and tried to think of a witty comeback, but all she could manage was 'whatever!' as she turned on her heel and walked quickly away from Lucius and towards the wand shop.

Lucius stood watching her leave, she was so infuriating, but he realised that he liked the way she stood up to him – but she had better not make a habit of it. With a grin he followed her over to Ollivanders.

Inside Ollivanders Nichol stood looking around the shop, it was old and stuffy, the shelves stacked high with boxes, and each was smaller than a shoebox. A voice coming from the back of the shop startled her 'I will be with you in just a minute.' Looking towards the voice she saw a grinning face appear around some shelves at the back of the shop. Seconds later a little man walked out 'sorry about that, right you need a wand … yes?'

'Yes' she nodded.

The door chimed behind her and Lucius walked in and stood right behind Nichol, immediately Mr Ollivander visibly stiffened 'Ah, Mr Malfoy.'

'Ollivander…' Lucius replied curtly.

Nichol did not want Lucius bulldozing in and taking over again, so she turned to Mr Ollivander 'yes, I need a wand, it is my first' putting the owl cage onto the table next to her.

Mr Ollivander nodded and asked Nichol which was her wand arm, assuming it would be the same as her writing arm she said her right. Taking a tape measure from his pocket, the tape measure then moved on its own, measuring Nichol's height and arm length 'right 11" should be good… hmmm' he turned to the boxes on the wall and reached for one. Behind Nichol Lucius coughed and she did not see him behind her shake his head at Mr Ollivander. 'Maybe not' said Mr Ollivander and he moved on to another wall of boxes, reaching up he took one down and passed this to Nichol 'try waving it then' he said to her when she just stood still with the wand in her hand.

With a swish of her wrist Nichol flicked the wand, and nothing happened. Mr Ollivander walked over and took back the wand, rubbing his chin thoughtfully he went to another shelf, passing another wand to Nichol, this time when she flicked it she felt like a static shock ran through her body and her hair stood on end 'hmm, maybe not' said Mr Ollivander 'ahh!' he turned again and pulled out another box, handing this wand to Nichol she took it nervously, flicking the wand she felt a warm glow through her entire body. Mr Ollivander looked excited 'perfect!' he exclaimed 'beech, 11inches with a Unicorn Hair core.' Nichol thanked Mr Ollivander and paid for her wand.

As they left the shop she turned to Lucius 'where now?'

'Home.'

'Your home you mean?'

'It is your home while ever you wish it to be. Unless you want to go back to Hogwarts?'

'No!' she exclaimed 'I cannot go back there – not yet anyway.'

'Or do you wish to just go back to your home as a muggle?'

'No…' she sighed.

'Then your options are somewhat limited are they not? Might I suggest that you make Malfoy Manor your home for now?'

'Alright' she said somewhat defeated ' I will stay.'

'In that case we had better get back … home. I have made reservations for dinner tonight, if you will accompany me of course?'

'Well as you asked so nicely' she smirked.

They reached the apparation and disapparation area and Lucius wrapped his arm around Nichol, taking the portkey out of his cloak he said 'home!'