Disclaimer: I own the plot, I apologize if it's been done before. Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling.
~...~ = In French
... = English with French accent
{...} = Translations (I don't speak French, I'm either relying on my parents, friends or (usually) an online translator, so I apologize for any inaccuracies.)
AN: Hi!
This is an edited version of Chapter 4. I'd like to thank Mariko-Chan for her assistance with the French dialogue. I really do appreciate it. Merci! ^_^
Real AN at the end! Enjoy!
Consanguina
by Jess S
Chapter 4: Changes, Shopping and Talking
Over the course of the next few weeks, Harry's days followed the same general pattern. First, he would wake up late and have tea with his 'new' family. Then he would train with Vivian if she was there that day; or study in the library if she wasn't. Supper was usually in the informal dining room (instead of the formal dining room or the dining hall). Afterwards, he and Vivian would train for a short training period if they hadn't trained earlier, and he'd studying then if they had. Then he'd go to sleep, wake up from nightmare or vision, and be sung back to sleep by his older sister; who still never inquired as to what either was about, but always seemed to know what to say for the occasion.
Now, all of these weeks of rather intense physical and magical training had taught him a number of things.
Before going through the countless exercises and stretches his sister had taught him; he was even more flexible than before, and a lot faster. Of course, that was only had adjusted to these workouts; for the first two weeks, and some of the third he had difficulty moving as he was introduced to some muscle he didn't even know he had; and they didn't like it one bit! He was stiff and sore every morning, and it was only after he stopped complaining of it that Vivian gave him a tonic to take twice a day; before bed and every morning – it helped a great deal; getting out of bed was no longer a torture.
Now, as well, it was noticeable that he had some muscles, they were barely noticeable, but they were there. And he was a lot stronger, or, at the very least; his endurance level had risen up several notches.
Also; he'd faced two effects of puberty; a cracking voice and a growth spurt!
Now, his voice was slightly deeper; he didn't mind that, he was just glad his voice wasn't cracking all the time! It'd gotten bad enough in his second week of training that Vivian had given him another potion, to speed it along. Of course, he hadn't listened to her directions, well, actually, he had, he just hadn't interpreted them correctly. She'd said to take a dose every morning, and half whenever it got to the point of not being able to speak. He'd figured that meant if he kept taking the potion, the cracking would go away… so he drank the whole bottle…
And hadn't been able to speak for a week…
Of course, the combination of the growth spurt and the slightly improved muscular stature ensured that the majority of his clothes didn't fit. He hadn't grown much… only about an inch and a half, but his pants were at least that short, and his shirts and cloaks were tight at the shoulder line. Most of the clothes Vivian had given them fit fine; they were costly Wizarding brands designed for teenage boys; they grew with him, but everything he'd owned previously, and all of the Muggle clothes she'd given him, didn't fit.
When asked, Vivian had shaken her head, stating that she didn't know any of the charms that could be used to adjust someone else's clothes… without damaging them. She could adjust her own on assignments, or change them, but that was because her robes were made of spell-silk, an extremely expensive Wizarding material that was made to hold spells.
So… they were going shopping… in London…
How they were going to manage this was beyond him. He knew he needed the new clothes, the robes he was wearing; black over black pants and a close-fitting green middy, were one of the few things that still fit him. But, the robes meant they were going to a Wizarding shopping center, and, to top it off; as far as Harry could tell; they were going to Diagon Alley, and – it didn't matter how much he had changed – everyone in the Wizarding World *always* recognized him! Mainly because of his damned scar… He'd tried hiding it; but all the charms he'd tried hadn't work, he'd even tried some of his aunt's concealer, and that hadn't worked either!
"Ready to go, Harry?"
He turned, smiling up at his aunt; dressed in one of the many elegant dresses she'd taken to wearing since coming here, "I guess…" he shook his head, "I don't know how she expects to pull this off."
Petunia smiled, "Don't worry about it. I'm sure she has something planned."
"Of course I do..."
They both glanced up at Vivian, who was clad in regal black robes with both gold and silver embroidery, over a striking jade green dress; which had pearls embroidered into the shoulder-line, bodice, waist and hem-line.
She smiled, descending to them. When she reached the bottom of the steps, she handed Harry a phial that contained a clear liquid; which he assumed was some type of Potion. "Drink this."
Harry looked at the phial; trying to tell what it was, but he couldn't see any difference between the potion and water. He glance up at both expectant faces, "Wha–"
"Now."
He sighed, uncorking the top and taking it in a single gulp.
"Alright," Vivian smiled, walking over to the front entrance, "let's go." She said, walking through the doorway; the doors had opened on their own.
Petunia followed her, and Harry, after blinking several times, ran to catch up.
He quickly jumped in the back of the white limousine that was waiting. "What happened?" he demanded, looking at his sister, who was sitting calmly across from him.
"Pardon?" she replied.
"What did the potion do?"
"Oh, nothing yet." She shrugged, "You do have to digest it first, you know."
"But–" Harry shook his head, knowing he'd probably find out soon enough. He sighed, "How are we going to do this?"
"Hmm?" Vivian glanced at him, "Oh, you mean go into Diagon Alley?"
Harry nodded.
"You'll be going as my brother."
He blinked, "But… what about my scar? And what if we run into someone I know? They me from the way I talk! No matter how much we change my appearance!"
"Oh trust me," the witch chuckled, "there's no chance of that." She glanced at him, "You know, you should be able to see better without your glasses."
"What?" Harry blinked (again). His vision had been growing steadily blurrier over the last few minutes; but he was as blind as a bat without his glasses!
With a sigh, Vivian rolled her eyes, and snatched his glasses off his face.
Harry blinked, "I can see!"
~ * ~
"Coming, father!" Draco Malfoy called, hurrying down the grand staircase, to the entrance hall of the Malfoy Manor, where his father was waiting with only just concealed annoyance. "Sorry."
Lucius nodded before sweeping through the entrance way down to the waiting limousine.
~ * ~
"So... How long does this last?" Harry asked, gesturing to his eyes.
"Somewhere in the range of a month." Vivian smiled, "and if you decide you like being able to see without glasses, I can always give you more of the potion."
Harry nodded, "Thank you..." then, he frowned. "Why didn't anyone suggest this to me? I've been in the Hospital Wing enough, and one time was actually because I needed my glasses fixed."
"They didn't recommend it, because they didn't know it existed."
Harry blinked, "What...?"
"The potion was invented by one of my closest friends. She's also a member of my department, only she, myself, and a select few among the members of my department are aware of its existence."
"Why?" Harry shook his head, "Why not tell people?'
"Believe it or not, Harry... Magic doesn't have a cure for everything." Vivian shook her head, "Sorcerers of all kinds have been looking for antidotes to many problems for quite some time... inaccurate eyesight among them... now, it does of course stand to reason, that we should tell everyone that we have that solution... but we're Aurors." She shook her head again, this time sadly. "You discover, rather early on in our profession, that every advantage you have is a blessing... The fact that no member of my department needs glasses, while some of our enemies do, gives us an upper hand, and that hand, however small it may be, it is still an advantage."
"Why?"
"You may not have thought of it before... but, if you're glasses fell off during a duel, where would you be?"
Harry blinked, "I'd lose."
"Right," she nodded, "and, in the case of Aurors and dueling, that would mean you're dead. We're trained to look for weaknesses, and we don't like having them."
"But..." Harry shook his head, "I've dueled before... I even – kind of – dueled against Voldemort a few months ago, and my glasses never fell off..."
"Yes, but, there's always the possibility." She smiled, somewhat darkly, "You know one of the summoning charms, don't you?"
"Accio?" Harry nodded, "yes."
"If you dueled against a member of my department while wearing glasses, that would be one of the first spells they'd use against you... If you were caught by an enemy, if they have a brain, they'd take you're glasses away, to make it all the more difficult for you to escape... Death Eaters would probably use it as a way of torturing, or at least to frighten you." The Auror raised an eyebrow, "Understand?"
Harry nodded, still frowning. "Yes... It makes sense..."
"I suppose that that isn't the only thing that is bothering you?"
After a moment, he nodded, "How are we going to do this?" He asked, "I mean, I know I look a little different; I'm a little taller and more muscular, the robes I'm wearing are quite a bit more expensive than what people are used to seeing me in, and no one's ever seen me without my glasses, but..."
"I think you may be underestimating how much you've changed, Harry." Vivian replied softly, "But yes, that scar does make you stand out a bit, doesn't it?"
The Boy-Who-Lived nodded, grimacing slightly.
"Not to worry," she nodded, smiling softly, "We'll be stopping in to see a close friend of mine to begin with. She'll take care of that, and – in the off chance we run into someone more liable to recognize you than the common wizard, she'll take care of you're hair, too."
"My hair?" Harry blinked, "What's she going to do to my hair?"
~ * ~
"Father?"
Lucius Malfoy didn't glance at his son as he replied, "Yes, Draco?"
"Why do we have to go back to school shopping so early?"
Now, the elder Malfoy did turn his head slightly, not replying.
"I mean... there's nothing wrong with that..." Draco came close to stuttering, "I just found it rather... peculiar..."
"Hmm... I suppose it is," he allowed, "Nonetheless, I may be quite preoccupied for the duration of the summer, now is the only time I know I have free. So we will get it out of the way now." Lucius Malfoy looked at his son, "Is there a problem with that, Draco?"
"N-no, Father, none at all." Draco replied hurriedly, barely restraining a sigh of relief when the elder wizard's silver gaze left him.
~ * ~
Harry stared at the mirror, "How... how did you do that?!"
Both witches laughed.
"Ria has always been quite an expert in comportment." Vivian replied with a smile for both her startled brother, and her friend and colleague; Riatanya Willow.
"Yes well, the potential has to be there to begin with..." Ria smiled, "I'd say there was plenty there, myself."
Harry blushed slightly, still staring at his reflection.
Now was a moment he'd never thought would come.
It had taken the strawberry-blonde witch less than a half an hour to do what he'd been trying to do for years.
His hair – his stubborn, atrocious, and bloody hair, which had never been capable of any semblance of order – was now behaving itself...
Would wonders never cease?
Granted, he had no idea what it was she'd put into his hair... but... why ask?[AN: Right, right, I personally would want to ask what was in any potion a witch or wizard put in my hair!... As long as I knew they didn't dislike me...]
"Don't look so surprised, Harry," Vivian smiled. "Ria is, after all, a professional with this type of thing... and she's had some practice."
Harry looked at her. He'd really never thought it possible that anyone could have hair as unmanageable as his. "Who'd she practice on?"
"Hmm...? Oh," Vivian laughed, "Well, she's the one everyone sees before any assignments involving espionage. But, I'd say she had plenty of practice with me."
Harry blinked, and stared at her. Vivian's hair was always perfect – just as she herself always seemed perfect – never a strand out of place.
Vivian looked at his expression, and laughed, "I have Father's hair too, Harry. You should see the oils and lotions I put in it to get it to behave." She shook her head, then glanced at her smiling friend, "What about the scar?"
"That," Ria sighed, "is a bit more complicated..." she shook her head, "Give me an hour."
~ * ~
The Leaky Cauldron looked much like it always did, rather dark and shabby. Tom, the quite bald, and pleasant bartender turned with his customary smile as he heard the door open. "Good morning," he stopped for a moment, paling slightly, before continuing, his voice very respectful, "Mr. Malfoy... Would you like you're usual?"
"No, thank you," Lucius replied smoothly, seeming completely unfazed by the slightly apprehensive silence his arrival had wrought. "Draco and I are just passing through."
"Ah... yes, of course," Tom looked down, nodding with a slight smile for the younger blonde, "Good morning to you as well, Mr. Malfoy."
Draco nodded, his expression blank.
Lucius barely raised an eyebrow before moving onward, through the quickly parting, clearly intimidated crowd, Draco trailing swiftly behind him. As they reached the end of the bar, the Lucius pushed the door to the small, walled courtyard open with the end of his snake staff, before turning back to the crowd, "Good day to you."
"Y-yes, good day to you, as well, sir." Tom's hurried reply was the only thing that broke the silence.
The elder Malfoy nodded before spinning on his heel and entering the courtyard, his costly silk robes billowing out behind him, as his son followed in his wake.
Slowly, the tension dissipated from the room, after many people heaved a deep sigh of relief.
~ * ~
"Là!" {There!} Ria smiled, "Fini!" {Finished!}
Vivian eyed her younger brother's forehead critically, before stepping back with a smile for her obviously nervous sibling. "Oui, c'est parfait." {Yes, it's perfect.} She nodded to her friend, "Merci, mon amie." {Thank you, my friend.}
The blonde nodded, smiling at both of them. "Think nothing of it. Now," she grinned wickedly, "I believe you have some shopping to do?"
"Oui." Vivian smiled, "I'm sure Aunt Petunia's dying to get going by now."
As his sister dragged him to his feet, Harry couldn't help but continue staring at his reflection.
His scar... his accursed stamp of fame within the Wizarding world... was gone...
Completely... gone...
It was like it'd never been there!
Oh, he knew that under several layers of peculiar make-up, glamours and anti-glamour-shields, Voldemort's mark (for that's what it truly was, even more so than the dark mark every Death Eater bore) was still there... but... for the moment...
He felt.... He was... free...
Free of the responsibility...
Free of the expectations....
Free of the pain...
For now... he was free...
~ * ~
"Hurry up, Draco," Lucius Malfoy ordered quietly, watching their surroundings. "We don't have all day."
"I'm sorry, Father." Draco replied hurriedly, dumping the books he needed for school into the small bag he carried, which automatically sent them to the Manor. He didn't want to anger his father. For some time now, he'd been almost nice to be around.
At least the elder Malfoy wasn't angry all the time anymore...
Draco held back a shudder at that memory. He could remember that as he was growing up, his father had become increasingly violent. The beginning of the summer after second year had been the worst. For the whole week after Draco had returned from school, and, from what he could tell, for some time before, Lucius had been in a fury. Everyone was afraid of him. Narcissa had made as many excuses as possible to get out of the house, even going so far as to take Draco to see his grandparent's a month early.
They hadn't wanted to come home when they'd learned that the day right after their departure, the Manor had been subject to another Ministry raid. (Draco had truly hated the Weasleys then, it was one of the few times that he felt right in hating the Weasle more than Potter, as their father had probably only made things worse.) They hadn't wanted to leave the sanctuary of his mother's childhood home, figuring Lucius would only be in and even darker mood when they returned.
Instead, when they'd returned to the Manor a month and a half later, stepping into the entrance hall with no small amount of carefully concealed anxiety. They had been quite shocked to find everything still there and in one piece. Usually the 'legal hooligans' tore everything apart trying to find something – anything – to arrest them on.
But only silence met them. A hollow, empty silence. In a hollow, empty home.
They had been more than a little surprised to hear from the house elves, that the lord of the Malfoy Manor had in fact been away for quite some time.
They hadn't known when he'd left, which was strange, seeing as the house elves were generally aware of everything that happened within their area, and could only rely on the messages they'd received from him over those few weeks.
From reading the short, cool messages, which included the ones the house elves had been instructed to pass on to them, Draco and his mother had theorized that he had indeed left with the Aurors, but he hadn't been arrested, or charged with anything. And it sounded like something, which was some how connected to the Dark Lord, had caught his attention and held it for some time.
He hadn't returned until a week before Draco was due back at school, just in time to take him shopping.
The Lord of the Manor hadn't said anything in reference to his prolonged absence – with the exception of a brief inquiry as to how their visit to his in-laws had been, and how the two were doing – and both Draco and his Mother knew better than to ask.
But, the strange thing was, when he'd returned... he wasn't angry anymore. He was just cold, and distant... like he always was in public...
At the time, Draco had just shrugged it off, figuring his father had found something to exert his suppressed rage upon, and no longer needed to restrain is, as it was already gone. But, sometimes he wondered...
"Are you done yet, Draco?"
Draco jumped in surprise, to see his father only a step away from him, eyeing him with what – had it been any other man – Draco would've thought was amusement. "Y-yes, Father."
"Good," Lucius nodded, spinning on his heel, "I just contacted your Mother. We will be meeting her at Hecates."
~ * ~
"Oh my." Aunt Petunia blinked when they entered the car. Closing the romance novel she'd been reading. She smiled, "You look wonderful, Harry."
Harry blushed slightly, "Thank you, Aunt Petunia."
"Now," Vivian smiled, "we need one more thing, to make this unquestionable."
"Wouldn't it be easier if we said I was a cousin, or something?" Harry asked her nervously, "I mean, aren't we pushing our luck just a little bit too much with this?"
"Actually, no," Vivian shook her head. "You see, it's always easier to tell a lie that isn't far from the truth," she shrugged, "it leaves less room for slip-ups. And, everyone knows I have a little brother. Only a select few know that that brother is you. But everyone knows I have a brother. The spell that protects my identity will overlap with any reference to my family. By saying you're my brother, the spell automatically covers you, people won't really be able to doubt it. It wouldn't be quite as strong if we really lied, and said you were my cousin."
"Oh..." Harry blinked, and shook his head. "But... if I'm you're brother..."
"Yes?"
"Shouldn't I be able to..."
Vivian raised an eyebrow. "Speak French?"
Harry nodded, "Everyone thinks we're French, right?" he shook his head, "But I can't speak French! I can't even pull off the bloody accent!"
Vivian laughed.
Harry looked at her, "What?" he demanded, barely restraining a glare. "I don't like accents! That's the hardest part of Charms class! Getting the bloody Latin accent right!"
She smiled slightly, "Don't worry, I've got that all taken care of... *Bilinguis inadfecta et du Français*." She annunciated, waving her wand quickly before pointing it directly at his throat.
Harry blinked as a gold and silver bubble came out of the end of her wand and floated up to his mouth, he gaped at it, unknowingly leaving his mouth open. It quickly went into his mouth and he could feel it go straight down his throat.
He gasped and gulped several times, struggling to breath normally, before he finally managed to gasp out, "Qu'as-tu fait?!" {What'd you do?!} he blinked. "Qu'est-ce que–!?!" {What the–!?!}
"Je pense que ceci prend soin de tout." {I think that takes care of everything.} Vivian smiled. She tapped the overhead light with her wand, saying "*Harrods*," it flashed, and the limousine moved onward once again.
~ * ~
Harry shook his head a short time later, as the limousine stopped in front of the Leaky Cauldron. They'd left Aunt Petunia at Harrods, which Harry remembered was the biggest Muggle store in London. Vivian had told her that they'd pick her up just before five, and had then handed her a small purse, which she'd said contained a thousand pounds in cash and three unlimited credit cards. Harry himself hadn't been sure giving his aunt three unlimited credit cards was a good idea, and had said as much when they were driving away from the store.
In reply, Vivian had just shrugged and said, "How much could she spend in one day?"
At that, Harry had found himself staring at her in disbelief, just as they reached the Leaky Cauldron.
He didn't know for sure, but he was almost positive that this car had to be one large enchantment. Mainly because he didn't think the Leaky Cauldron was only a minute away from Harrods, but, he could be wrong.
"Venez, 'Arold" {Coming, Harold?} he heard Vivian call pleasantly.
"Oui," he sighed. From what Vivian had explained to him, the spell she'd cast was used to make him fluent in French in a very short amount of time. For now, he'd have to struggle to speak English, although he'd have no trouble understanding either English or French, he'd have a heavy French accent when he did manage to speak in English. But, by next week his English should be back to normal, while it would seem like he'd become fluent in French in less than a week. [AN: You know, that'd be really nice for Spanish class...]
Of course, that didn't stop him from being nervous as the door to the Wizarding pub swung open just as they reached it, and as Vivian strode confidently forward, he followed, more than a little anxious.
~ * ~
For the second time that morning, the Leaky Cauldron went silent.
There was a difference this time, though.
Smiling faces and waves greeted the young Auror who entered the pub, no one noticed the teenage boy a step behind her.
"Ah, Vivian!" Tom smiled, "Good morning to you!"
"Good morning to you to, Tom." Vivian smiled charmingly.
"How are you? 'Care for anything?" he asked.
"Fine, and no thank you." Vivian smiled, "Just passing through. I thought it time I brought my brother to Diagon Alley."
Several people blinked, suddenly noticing the bright-green-eyed, raven-haired boy behind her.
"Your brother?" Tom smiled, "Ah, this is the young man we've heard so much about?"
Vivian nodded, still smiling.
"Bless me, so we finally get to meet him!" Tom chuckled, shaking his head, "I was beginning to think he didn't exist!"
Vivian chuckled, shaking her head, "Oh, he's real, but I'm afraid he's still having a little difficulty with English, so he won't be able to say much."
"Ah, pity that." Tom shook his head, but smiled down as the young man nonetheless. "Bonjour, Monsieur Potier, bienvenue au Leaky Cauldron." {Good morning, Mr. Potier, welcome to the Leaky Cauldron.}
Harry nodded, "Bonjour Monsieur, merci." {Good morning sir, thank you.}
Vivian flashed another brilliant smile, "Well, we'd best be on our way, don't want to take up too much of your time."
The crowd parted for them as well, but this time there was little fear in its parting, only quite content, and something akin to awe.
"Au revoir!" {Good bye!} Vivian called over her shoulder, just as the door to the small courtyard slammed shut.
~ * ~
Harry smiled, finally willing himself to relax in the familiar surrounding. Diagon Alley hadn't changed much since last summer. Of course, it hadn't changed much since the first time he saw it, either. The Wizarding world seemed to be like that...
Maybe that was why he'd always felt at home within its psychic borders, even felt more than a little ostracized by the attention his scar brought him. It had been nice, at first; being famous, even if it was for something he could barely remember... But it had gotten old, fast; very fast.
They had passed the cauldron shop a short while ago, he hadn't paid much attention to the sign that'd always hung there, even though it looked like it had a new coat of paint, stating that "Cauldrons – All Sizes" and various types were for sale. The tidy, if somewhat gloomy Apothecary, which now sold dragon liver at twenty sickles an ounce, still stood not far from "Eeylops Owl Emporium". Right across from the emporium was the broom shop, which was actually still selling the year-old Firebolt, with a sign stating that a new prototype was on the way. All the shops looked the same, and sold the same things; robes, though they didn't look as nice as the ones at Madame Malkin's, telescopes, sneekoscopes, spell books at Flourish and Blotts, some others of more specific arts in there respective stores.
"Ah, nous y voilà." {Ah, here we are.}
Vivian's pleasant voice reached him, though he wasn't entirely sure how, what with all the noise of the other shoppers, and he turned toward her, to see her going into Madame Malkin's, and quickly followed.
~ * ~
"Father?"
Lucius cocked his head slightly, to show he was listening.
"Could we make a quick stop at the vault?" Draco requested, "I'm running low."
After a moment, the elder blonde nodded, "Very well," he allowed, changing his direction for Gringotts.
~ * ~
"Thank you, Madame." Vivian nodded to the sales witch as the older woman began going through her stock.
"Oh it's no trouble!" Madame Malkin argued, "Seeing as schools about to start up soon! I know I'll be buried by this time next week."
Vivian laughed, "Well, if it's any consolation," she offered a slight smile, "they only go back to school once a year... Now, if you'll excuse me, I have other business to attend to, I trust that," she said, gesturing to the large sack of galleons she'd just placed on the counter, "that will cover all expenses."
"Oh, you'd needn't leave that much, that's far more than enough–"
"He literally needs a whole new wardrobe, Madame," Vivian shook her head, "I don't want to miss anything. Please do your best to see him properly attired, and keep the change."
"Oh... well, very well then..." Madame Malkin shook her head, "Thank you, Miss?"
"Vivian," Vivian replied, "Vivian Potier."
Madame Malkin blinked, "I could swear I've heard that name before... wait... aren't you?"
"Some of my work for the Ministry has made the news, yes. Now, I really must be going..."
"Oh, yes! Of course! Good day to you, Miss Potier."
"To you, as well." Vivian nodded, before turning and walking over to where her brother stood on a foot stool, one of Madame Malkin's assistant's pinning up one of his new robes. "Ça va, 'Arry?" {All right there, Harry?} she asked.
"Oui," Harry replied, though his tone bordered on boredom.
Vivian held back a laugh, "Je dois prendre quelques choses," {I have to pick up a few things,} she told him. "Je te rencontrerai en dehors de de Gringotts dans une demi-heure, okay?" {I'll meet you outside of Gringotts in a half an hour, okay?}
"Oui," Harry sighed, nodding, "Gringotts, une demi-heure, d'accord." {Gringotts, half an hour, right.}
The older Potter shook her head, turning to exit the shop. A few minutes later, she turned off Diagon Alleys brightly painted, sunlit streets, passing into the far darker, gloomier streets that a street sign designated as Knockturn Alley.
~ * ~
Twenty five minutes later, Harry was nodding his way out of Madame Malkin's, thanking the several sales witches who had assisted him, and smiling at Madame Malkin herself. "Merci, Madame, merci."
"Bienvenue, Harry." {You're welcome, Harry.} Madame Malkin replied, smiling as the polite, and oddly familiar young wizard left the shop. He was a charming lad, really, but she couldn't shake the feeling that she'd met him before. But where? She couldn't place him anymore than she could shake that feeling.
She shook her head, turning to help another customer as the former one turned toward the Wizarding Bank.
~ * ~
Vivian stood at the bottom of Gringotts Bank's white marble steps, thinking. She never liked visiting Knockturn Alley, it wasn't a pleasant place, but she was among the few on the side of the Light who were willing to set foot on those dark streets. Of course, that could be in part due to the fact that she certainly wasn't entirely Light. No, she'd been an Auror for too long to have such illusions.
"Mademoiselle Potier, quelle plaisante surprise." {Miss Potier, what a pleasant surprise.}
Turning, Vivian offered a slight smile, "Lucius," she replied with a nod, "comme c'est agréable de vous revoir." {How nice to see you again.}
Mr. Malfoy nodded, "Enchanté." He glanced around, "Pourquoi êtes-vous ici? Travail?" {Why are you here? Work?}
"No," she shook her head, "Mon frère s'est développé au cours de l'été, il a eu besoin de nouveaux vêtements... Et j'ai pensé qu'il était temps qu'il voit une partie de Londres, vu qu'il en obtient rarement la chance." {My brother grew over the summer, he needed knew clothes... And I thought it time he saw some of London, as he rarely gets the chance.}
The elder Malfoy's silver eyes narrowed slightly, "Ahh," he nodded, "votre plus jeune frère?" {Ahh, your younger brother?}
"Oui," she nodded, "Et vous?" {Yes, and you?} She asked, glancing around, her eyes landing on a younger blonde who bore too close a resemblance to the Wizard in front of her to not be related to him making his way down the steps, before she turned her sharp emerald gaze back to the elder Malfoy.
"Mon fils a fait face à une situation fâcheuse semblable." {My son faced a similar predicament.} Lucius replied smoothly, "Je ne crois pas que vois ayez jamais rencontré mon fils, Draco?" {I don't believe you've ever met my son, Draco?}
Vivian shook her head slightly, "Non, je ne peux pas dire en avoir eu le plaisir." {No, I can't say I've had the pleasure.} she replied.
Lucius nodded, then turned slightly, "Draco!"
Draco hurried down the last few steps to reach them, "Yes, Father?" he asked.
"Je voudrais que tu rencontres Mademoiselle Vivian Potier," {I would like you to meet Miss Vivian Potier,} Lucius said, turning back to her, "Mademoiselle, mon fil; Draco Malfoy." {Miss, my son; Draco Malfoy.}
"C'est un plaisir, Draco," {It is a pleasure, Draco,} Vivian smiled at him, offering her hand.
"Enchanté, Mademoiselle," he replied, taking her hand, changing the angle, and bowing over it.
"Vivian?" Harry came up behind them, and stopped upon seeing whom she was talking to.
"Ah, 'Arold," Vivian smiled putting a great deal of emphasis on the name. "Je ne vous crois pas que tu ais jamais rencontré les Malfoys?" {I don't believe you've ever met the Malfoys?}
Harry blinked, "No, ma soeur." {No, sister.}
"Très bien," {Right,} she nodded, "Voici Lucius Malfoy, et son fils, Draco." {This is Lucius Malfoy, and his son, Draco.} She then nodded to the Malfoys, "Mon frère, 'Arold Potier." {My brother, Harold Potier.}
Harry nodded, "Un plaisir, Messieurs." {A pleasure, sirs.}
"Un plaisir," the elder Malfoy replied smoothly, glancing at his son when he didn't do the same.
Draco was staring at 'Harold' incredulously, "Nous sommes-nous déjà vu?" {Have we met?}
Harry blinked, "Je ne pense pas ainsi, monsieur." {I don't think so, sir.} He replied, looking slightly uncomfortable, before concealing it. "Pourquoi cette question?" {Why do you ask?}
After a moment, the younger Malfoy shook his head, "Vous semblez familier..." {You seem familiar...}
"J'ai peur que vous vous trompiez, Draco." {I'm afraid you must be mistaken, Draco.} Vivian shook her head, drawing the group's attention to herself and away from her brother, "C'est la première fois que j'emmène mon frère à Diagon Alley." {This is the first time I have brought my brother to Diagon Alley.}
Draco blinked, "Oh... oui, naturellement. Pardon." {Oh... yes, of course. Pardon.}
"Naturellement," Vivian nodded, "Maintenant, si vous nous excuserez, je crois qu'il est passé l'heure du déjeuner." {Now, if you'll excuse us, I believe it is past time for lunch.}
Lucius nodded, "Draco et moi étions juste sur notre chemin pour rencontrer mon épouse chez Vera Hecates," {It is, Draco and I were just on our way to meet my wife at Vera Hecates,} he raised an eyebrow, "Vous plaîrait-il de vous joindre à nous?" {Would you care to join us?}
Vivian smiled, "Nous serions enchantés." {We'd be delighted.}
They then turned, Vivian gliding down the street while conversing with the elder Malfoy, Harry himself turned to follow, Draco at his side.
Now, Harry was certain. This had to be the strangest day of his life.
End of Chapter 4.
AN: Well, that's it for Chapter 4! Interesting, no? I was going to take you to Vera Hecates, but I finished working on a chapter for one of my other stories, which contained a lot of formal meals and whatnot in it, and I'm honestly sick of writing about that, for now, anyway.
Response to reviews:
Liberty Belleview – Hi ^_^
LOL, you're brother reviewed for you? Hmm... different. Well, don't worry, he didn't say anything offensive. Although you do have to wonder how he managed to get on your Pen name without you're password. You might want to change it. He probably just guessed. I'm glad you like both stories, thank you. And, you're right. Japanese is a cool language. ^_^
Pheonixrising (formerly Phenixrising) – Thank you.
Don't worry, they'll find out soon, but you have to remember, the spell that the Order of the Phoenix screwed up was very powerful magic; It made the whole world forget Vivian in every aspect of her existence. Everyone knows her now as Vivian Potier, a brilliant and powerful Auror and Ministry Official. The spell ensures that until Voldemort manages to remember, which he will, eventually, they can't make the connection between her and Harry, no matter how obvious it is.
Hehe, training.... we'll see more of that later too ^_~.
Thank you, I'm glad you liked it, how was this chapter? I know it was a bit shorter, but it seemed like a good place to end it. Sorry about the wait.
Xirleb70 – Thank you. LOL... He's growing up a bit. ^_~
Jeff – Thank you ^_^
I know what you mean, I usually don't like "new family member" fics either, but this just popped into my head, and I wanted to write it! So, her it is!
Sorry for making you wait.
Thank you all for reviewing! ^_^
Translations: (This is only for things that weren't translated during the chapter itself.)
Consanguina - related by blood (Latin)
Bilinguis – Having two tongues, or speaking two – or more – languages (Latin)
Inadfecta – Natural (Latin)
Et du Français – and of the French (French)
Vera Hecates – It's the name of a high-class Wizarding restaurant. I can't remember what I got it from.
Oh, by the way. I just thought I'd put in an explanation for why Vivian keeps calling Harry "'Arry" or "'Arold" when they're around other people. Basically, all she's doing is putting a heavy accent on his name, to make it sound less like he might be Harry Potter. His name isn't actually Harold, not at all. That's just what she may occasionally revert to using, to avoid suspicion.
REVIEW!!! ...please?
Bye! ^_^
~ Jess S