A/N: Today is Sunday. I must (actually I don't have to) apologize for not posting a chapter yesterday but my server decided it would be fun not to recognize any passwords. Clearly, this problem is corrected.

I should also point out that I get up at 5:23 local time and try to post the next chapter by 6:00. If my notes seem a bit scattered, it's because I'm not awake yet. If my stories seem a bit scattered, it's because I'm trying to be artistic and it's not working out. For example, I can't decide if I should apologize about being too sappy or having too much angst or even if I should comment on it. Instead, I'm taking Mandraco's suggestion from the last time I missed a day. I will also be posting chapter 13. I should also apologize to Mandraco for doing this because, if I remember correctly, it is already Monday in Australia. (Sorry about that.)

Anyway, It's 6:10 and I need to get posting.

Chapter 12: Back to School

Lois was the only one who was smiling. "Look at al the happy faces. Everyone so eager to go back to school."

"Mooom," Dewey complained. "I have to go to school with Malcolm."

"Should I complain?" Louis asked snidely.

"Waste of time," Malcolm said dispassionately. "She'll make us go, anyway."

"It's your fault," Louis said accusingly. "If you didn't run off to visit your girlfriend, I'd still be at home."

"Right. Like I deliberately planned to have a head injury."

"Maybe you did. I heard you spent every night in SUGAR PLUM'S BEDROOM."

"IN A CAGE, YOU MORON. I WAS AN OWL."

"I WAS ABLE TO DO WHATEVER I WANTED."

"I HAD TO HUNT FOR MY OWN FOOD."

"AND I GET TO GO TO YOUR STUPID SCHOOL JUST TO KEEP MY OLD MAN OUT OF JAIL."

"BIG DEAL. I LEARNED HOW TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A VOLE AND A DORMOUSE SIMPLY BY TASTE."

That's something no fourteen-year-old should have to admit.

"You can?" Louis asked, a grimace coming across his face. Nob cringed at the thought, while Dewey looked repulsed. "That is kinda disgusting."

"If you boys are done fighting," Lois said insistently. "You have two hours to do your shopping and catch your train. Now get going."

Malcolm threw the floo powder into the fireplace. "Diagon Alley."

"Good. All three of you are here." David Winter grinned appropriately at the three newest arrivals to the Leaky Cauldron. He turned to the only other person in the place. "Tom, thank you for your time."

"Yer Welcome," Tom said with a desperate politeness. "And we're open for lunch if you'll be staying in town."

"Um," David said hesitantly. "If I can. I'm due to meet the new Minister after I see the boys off . . ."

Tom nodded sadly. "I understand, Sir. What with things the way things are."

"Quickly, boys," David said with undue necessity as he ushered them out the back door. Being the only customer in the Leaky Cauldron had been a trying experience.

Dewey said it first. "This place is almost deserted."

"You-Know-Who has been busy. In case you didn't know." David hurried the boys to Madam Malkins. "Let's get your robes first. I'll get your books while you're being fitted. Tight schedule, you know."

This is scarier than when You-Know-Who showed up in my backyard. Did you ever have the dream where everyone disappeared. This comes close.

Madam Malkin took the boys and rushed them onto the stools. "I hope I can finish all three of you in time."

Hey, I'm out of here.

"Ma'am. Louis and I are the same size, so just measure him and double the order. Guys, I'll go get what we need from the apothecary."

"He ditched us again," Dewey told Louis as Malcolm ran out of the shop, waved away by a grateful Madam Malkin.

Sneaking past the bookstore, Malcolm quickly found the store he was looking for. It was, in fact, the only store that seemed to have any people in it. With a feeling of accomplishment, he opened the door to enter Weasley Wizarding Wheezes.

"Don't," a familiar voice said as a hand pulled Malcolm backward. He was spun around, and found himself walking down the street with Draco Malfoy's arm across his shoulders.

"Cousin, please don't tell me you were going to visit the enemy?"

"The enemy DOES own a joke shop, Draco."

Draco grinned. "Good point. I'll forgive you. But I need to talk to you about something important before I let you continue with your wayward habits."

Malcolm looked annoyed. "What is it? And hurry up. I have a train to catch and so do you."

"Don't worry, Malcolm. We have plenty of time. But I need to ask you about your experiences while there is no one about who can eavesdrop. I've become involved in something important since our last meeting."

I've never seen Draco so serious. Something must have happened.

"Sure. I'll do anything for you. Name it."

Draco smiled with delight. "Exactly the answer I expected. Malcolm. A hypothetical situation. The spell on an object has, um, gone bad and no longer interacts with other objects the way it should. Is it possible to repair the spell, or can the spell be recast without harming the object?"

Malcolm frowned. "You're not talking about a watch or something, are you?"

He did something to screw up Dabney's bedroom. I know he did.

"Accurate, as usual," Draco answered.

"And it is linked to something else?"

Draco's smile widened.

He DID do something to screw up Dabney's bedroom.

Malcolm looked worried. "If you recast the spell, you have to recast the link. So it's actually a new link. You'll need to repair the spell. DRACO, WHAT DID YOU DO TO DABNEY'S BEDROOM?"

"Nothing," Draco said with surprise and honesty. "It has been quite some time since I've even seen your friend. This is another matter altogether."

It's cool. He screwed up something of his Dad's.

"Sorry I snapped."

"Forgiven. And how do I best repair a spell?"

"It's easy once you know how the spell is malfunctioning. You simply cast an Inclusion spell which contains a description of that portion of the original spell that isn't working. But if you picked the wrong problem to fix, your spell is squilched."

Draco smiled. "So, knowing the problem is the solution. At least I now understand what that mumbling lowbrain was talking about."

Draco turned them around and they began to walk back to the joke shop. "You should know, Malcolm, the summer has been dull since you stopped coming by. Your mother said you were taken ill."

"I hurt my head. I spent most of my summer as an owl."

Draco smiled. "And you never flew to see me even once. I suppose I must forgive you again. Oh. I did have one bit of excitement. I ran into Potty and the Weasel the other day while I was getting my robes. It was wonderful. I was suitably angry that they showed while I was there with Mother. Do you know, they drew their wands and threatened us. But I held my head high, with shoulders out," he laughed, "and all but knocked the Weasel on his arse as I forced my way past them. It was quite impressive. Everyone felt THEY were the young thugs they truly are. But enough of that. Buy your gifts and gags and I'll meet you on the train."

Draco let go as they came up on the Weasley's shop.

"Forgive me for not going in with you. I don't think they would appreciate my business." He took Malcolm's hand and whispered, "but if you could get me some Peruvian darkness powder I would be forever grateful."

"Sure," Malcolm said and watched Draco walk away. He looked in his hand and saw five Galleons. Looking up in appreciation, he was just in time to see Draco turn down Knockturn Alley.

Something must have happened while I was gone. I'll have to catch up with Draco on the train.

Keeping his smile in place, Malcolm opened the door and entered Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes.

"Verity. May I help you?" asked a blond girl in magenta robes.

Malcolm paused. "Shouldn't that be 'Verily, may I help you'?"

The girl frowned. "Is your name Verily? And how would I know your name anyway?"

"Noooo. My name's Malcolm. And you don't know me. At least, I don't know you."

The girl rolled her eyes. "It's Verity. I told you that when you walked in."

"When you asked if you could help me?"

"LOOK, YOU JERK, IT'S MY JOB. BUY SOMETHING OR GET OUT?"

"Jeezel, you sure are touchy, lady. Some Peruvian darkness powder."

Verity glared at him. "That sounds like something you use a lot of. How many kilos do you want?"

"Verity," George said as he walked up. "Why don't you take a short break. I'll take care of Malcolm. He's a family friend."

"Sorry I yelled, Mister Weasley."

"Malcolm has that effect on people, Verity. It's quite all right."

As the girl walked away, Malcolm sneered. "George, tell her to start out with a full sentence, such as 'My name is . . ."

"I will talk to her. Malcolm, shouldn't you be at King's Cross Station?"

"Yeah. We're doing some last minute shopping."

George smiled knowingly. "And your friend?" He nodded his head toward the door.

"He knows you don't like him."

George laughed. "Nonsense. As long as he's friend's with . . . you, we still have hope for him."

Malcolm gaped. "You know about him and . . . me?"

"Obviously. Somebody still has his ring, and a certain magazine, and . . . other things."

"Cool. I'll tell him."

"No," George quickly cautioned. "He might relax his guard. Ans we don't want Ron to find out. Unless Fred and I are there to watch. And time is short. What do you need?"

"Peruvian darkness powder. Something which explodes, preferably with a long fuse, and . . . do you have any tickle spiders?"

"Try Zonko's Joke Shop in Hogsmeade for that one. How much are you spending?"

"Five Galleons."

"I'll fix you. Give me a minute."

"Thanks."

Right now I'd normally say something like "I should have just enough time to get back to Madam Malkin's before Mister Winter gets back there," I mean, I could still say it, but Mister Winter just walked in the door.

"Verity. May I help you," the blond girl in magenta robes said to David Winter.

David frowned. "Shouldn't that be 'Verily, may I help you."

Verity pointed at Malcolm. "You must be with him."

"Thank you," David said politely and walked over to Malcolm. "I knew stopping here was a good idea. How did you get away from Madam Malkin?"

"Louis. He's being measured for both of us."

David nodded approvingly. "You haven't lost your touch." He pointed at the young red-haired man who was approaching. "Which one is that?"

"Fred. It has to be because George is picking out some stuff for me. Five Galleons worth."

David arched an eyebrow. "And where . . ."

"Draco."

"Ahhh. The prodigal son."

"Malcolm, and you're David Winter?"

"Yes, and you must be Fred."

Fred smiled. "And it's already close to eleven. I know you're in a hurry."

David nodded. "I'll make it easy. Your brother is getting Malcolm Five Galleons worth of . . . fun. Could I get the same?"

Fred laughed. "And I'll even give you the same price. GEORGE, DOUBLE THE ORDER."

George nodded from the other end of the shop and began waving his wand. A box flew toward him as well as a dozen or so items which flew into the box.

"Business is good?" David asked while they waited.

"Better than you would expect. I saw you here and I thought I'd give you a gift." He turned around. "Accio boxes." Two boxes flew up and floated beside him. "I know my dad told you about our hats. A specialty item. He asked us to pass one on." He gave one box to David and the other to Malcolm.

"Fred." Malcolm asked. "Why are you giving me a hat?"

"Hallowe'en. So you'll look good for that girlfriend of yours. Trust me. You'll like it."

Malcolm peeked into the box to look at the hat. He missed the wink that Fred gave David, as well as the grateful look that David gave in return with a nod toward his young charge.

"Fred, does this hat make me look stupid or something?"

"That's a matter of taste. But if you're dressed properly, it's the finishing touch."

"But what's the joke? Or are you trying to tell me it's just a hat?"

Wow. That is a cool joke. A hat that's just a hat. And all I have to do for fun is tell people where I got it. It'll go great with my idiot stick.

"Thanks, Fred."

"My pleasure, Malcolm. And here comes George with your boxes." He took five Galleons each from Malcolm and David. "And if I might recommend running, you do have a train to catch."

"You're not mad?" Malcolm asked as they walked briskly back to Madam Malkins Robe Shop.

"Because you did what was expected? I counted on it. I planned on stopping by there myself, but it pays to shop with someone who knows the owners. You should know that my granddaughter will be eternally grateful, and my son and his wife will hate me forever. But now we have to rush."

"We just passed Madam Malkins."

"Everyone else is already in the car to go to King's Cross Station."

Okay. Time to think it out. Go to get robes. Not surprised at finding me. Specialty items. Bingo.

"Mister Winter. What would you have done if I didn't show up at Fred and George's store? Would you have given me the hat as a belated birthday gift?"

"It took you this long to figure it out?"

"I didn't start thinking about it until we passed by the robes place."

David nodded. They were now three shops away from Madam Malkin's. Malcolm figured out the ruse in less than a minute. "Did you figure out the hat?"

"Only that I should wear it whenever I leave the school grounds. Should I wear it now."

David smiled. "I think it's safe enough."

I was right. It's got a built-in shielding spell.

Malcolm frowned. He just realized that the joke hat was no joke at all.

"He does this all the time," Dewey said as they waited. "You were a much better Malcolm."

"I thought it was for real. At least that your folks thought it was for real."

"It was. And you taught me something. I would hane never believed my folks would be that nice to me just for being good. I'm gonna do that more often."

Louis sighed. "Still doesn't make me feel any better. I'm off to another summer camp."

Dewey nodded. "I should warn you. They'll probably put you in Gryffindor when we get to the school. You'll be in Malcolm's dorm."

"Great. Is that because I look like him?"

"No. It's because they've got a spare bed. One of Malcolm's friends left school last year and never came back."

Louis cringed. "Because of You-Know-Who?"

Dewey shrugged. "Not really. He fell through a time warp and ended up being my Great-Grandfather. Go figure."

"Oh. That makes sense," Louis said in a clearly confused voice."

The door opened and Malcolm was ushered in.

"What's that?" Dewey asked as Malcolm sat down carrying two boxes.

"Good news, boys," David Winter said as he stuck his head in the door. "We had time to make an extra stop."

Malcolm showed his box to Dewey.

"Compliments of Weasley Wizarding Wheezes."

"You three should have a lot of fun," David commented. "If you can get them past Argus Filch and the Aurors. They'll be watching everyone closely."

Dewey's face was a mixture of anger and jealousy. David smiled inwardly. This would be easier than he thought. Although he would have to go back to the Weasley shop.

"And I brought you a going away present."

David handed his box to Dewey. Dewey looked up in surprise.

"You're giving me this?"

Malcolm looked up. "What about your granddaughter?"

"She'll survive. But I felt I had to do something for a good friend of mine."

Everyone looked at David Winter. "You like Dewey?" Malcolm asked.

"No, Malcolm. I was talking about your driver. Now he won't have to listen to the two of you bickering because one of you has something special and the other one doesn't."

"And I do appreciate it, Dave," The driver said.

David smiled as he closed the door and waved away the driver and three scowling students. He had muddied the situation enough that Malcolm might fail to think about one important piece to the puzzle. Why did he need a hat? Why would he need protection from an assault by the enemy when he was supposedly one of them.

Voldemort was a spider, and did not care about those trapped in his web, either friend or foe. He was angry at Lucius Malfoy and it was rumored that there was a plot against his wife and son. The only other relatives where a loyal sister-in-law and a certain American family. Malcolm was the obvious first target if Voldemort's anger extended that far. And it probably would. Even David knew Malcolm's potential if he ever found a purpose in life. Revenge was a strong purpose.

As the Ministry car sped to Kings Cross Station, Malcolm and Dewey frowned at each other. Finally, Malcolm spoke. "Okay. I'll stuff my pockets and fly everything up to the school."

"Thanks. Dewey responded. "Let's get a compartment and check out what we've got." He looked at Louis. "We split everything three ways. Okay?"

"Can't." Malcolm told him. "Draco gave me the money to buy this stuff."

"You saw Draco?"

"Outside of the joke shop. He's doing some last minute shopping, too. It seems something came up while I was gone."

Dewey frowned. "He went to try and find you when we thought you were lost. I never heard anything."

Malcolm added thoughtfully. "We can catch up with him on the train. And about this stuff?"

Dewey nodded. "Okay. Four ways."