Disclaimer is in chapter 1.

"Why are we here, Mother?" Draco asked, whined in Xander's opinion, for the ninth time since they left Malfoy Manor. "We could have portkeyed from home."

"I am aware of how a port key works, Draco." Narcissa said, her voice chilly. "We are meeting someone."

The trio stepped out of Diagon Alley, into the filthy street that covered its entrance from the non-magical side of things. Draco sneered in disgust at the filth under his feet.

"Dirty muggles. This side of the alley is always so filthy."

Xander rolled his eyes, "That's because non magicals can't see through the wards protecting the alley."

"What?" Draco's head jerked up.

"He's right, Draco." Narcissa said, sighing. "The ministry blocked this section of the street with anti-muggle wards. They can't see anything here, so their cleaning people skip by."

"Well why doesn't the ministry clean it, then?"

"Probably because they think it's not their job and the non magicals should do it." Xander snorted.

"That doesn't make any sense." Draco muttered.

"Like anything magical makes sense." Xander muttered back.

"What?"

"Nothing."

Narcissa ignored the byplay, privately thinking that the Ministry likely had a different reason than the simple ineptitude Alexander believed. Why clean this street when real wizards rarely used it? It was for Muggle Borns, after all. By its association, the street was as dirty as those who used it.

As an added bonus, young purebloods like Draco, who knew nothing of the muggle world, had this as their first impression of it.

Idly, she wondered if it was as deliberate as she imagined and, if so, who first came up with the idea? It was a spectacular bit of subtle propaganda that served the dual purpose of alienating muggle parents who came here with their children and walked away with this grime soaked street as fully half their memory of the Magical world.

Why would any come back?

It would have taken a truly brilliant mind to plan it all out, if it were intentional. Narcissa was pondering whether to check the Journals of House Black to see if there was any reference to it within them when a skinny figure in muggle clothing approached.

"Hello."

"Hey Harry."

"Potter. What are you doing here, scarhead?"

"Draco." Narcissa's voice could have cut steel, and all three of the young boys flinched away from her as she unconsciously leached a little of her magic into her tone. "I will not tolerate that level of common gutter talk in public."

Draco blanched even whiter than normal, trying to find a way out of this without looking weak in front of Potter, but finally just grimaced. "Sorry, Mother."

"Apologize to Mr. Potter."

"What!? Mum!"

"Now."

Draco's face screwed up in anger and humiliation as he looked anywhere but at his mother or Potter, until finally he let out an angry sigh. "I extend my most sincere apologies, Mr. Potter."

Harry, for his part, looked caught between satisfied smugness and shock at that turn of events. He was therefore unprepared when Narcissa turned on him.

"Well, Mr. Potter?" She demanded icily.

"Uh... what?" He blinked.

Narcissa let out a long, suffering, sigh. "Raised by those muggles, I suppose I cannot expect you to know anything of value. However, when you are offered an apology from a peer of equitable rank, you should either accept it in the form it was given... or be prepared to engage in a duel of honor."

Xander had to smother a snort at the look on both faces when she dropped that bomb, and sidled up to Harry so he could whisper quick instructions.

"Uh... I accept your apology, Mr. Malfoy." Harry stammered out, "and meant no discourtesy in my hesitation."

"Acceptable." Narcissa pronounced, eyeing Xander before looking back at Harry, "However, by rights you should have addressed Draco by first name. You are Mr. Potter, the eldest male of your house. Lucius is Mr. Malfoy, his Son is Draco."

"Sorry."

"No need, Mr. Potter. Your response was merely more respectful than was required, though you should be careful," She said, "In some circumstances that could be interpreted as a threat against Lucius, or the implication that Draco's father is not fit to lead his house."

Narcissa then stabbed Harry with an intense stare, "And I assure you that, whatever problems exist between you and my husband, he is MOST capable of leading his house."

Harry gulped hard and nodded.

"Very well, are you prepared?" She asked, her tone and manner shifting like the wind.

"Uh. Yes ma'am."

"Good. Everyone step closer, it's time to go."

"Wait!" Draco just blurted, suddenly realizing that running into Harry wasn't some bizarre accident. "He's coming with us?"

"Yes. Mr. Potter is in need of dress robes for the coming year," She said, looking down her nose at her son, eyes daring him to challenge her. "As such, we are going to extend a hand to him in aid. Do you have issue with my decision?"

Draco's face clearly said YES, but his mouth mumbled, "no."

"Good. Step closer and take a hold of this," Narcissa said, holding out a long thin stick. When each had grasped it she uttered the activation word, and the portkey swept them away.

The Rue De Magie in Paris was perhaps simply named, but its splendor made Diagon Alley look like some back country road in Hicksville by comparison. Xander was shocked by the startling architecture and presence the narrow street offered. Three Angels in LA was immense, like a living world of its own, but the character of this place challenged anything he'd seen.

"Wow." Harry whispered, swallowing.

Draco put on a bored look and gave Harry a haughty glance, "So easily impressed, Potter?"

"I don't know about Harry, but I am." Xander admitted.

The buildings seemed taller than they should be, with graceful gothic designs that were gilded in what seemed to be gold. The light of the morning sun sparkled off the glass and gold as throngs of people moved about their daily lives.

"Careful." Narcissa grasped them all and pulled them aside as a group of people marched past, barely giving them a glance.

"Who was that?" Harry asked, sneaking a glance behind.

"Lycans." Draco sneered. "Disgusting..."

"Draco." Narcissa cut him off.

"Yeah, man." Xander said, a little pale. "If I remember my history right, Paris is their city. Don't pick a fight, please."

"Lycans?" Harry whispered, "Like Professor Lupin?"

"Not quite, but close, yes." Narcissa said as she ushered them along. "Remus is of a somewhat different class, you might say. He hasn't completed a full transformation to Lycan. Some never do."

"Lycans are considered primals more than werewolves," Xander said, remembering his studies. "They held Paris and a few outlying areas against Grindlewald back in the forties, drove his Vampires out. Wizards never got control of the city back, really."

"Very good, Mr. Harris. This way now," Narcissa said as they moved through the crowd. "In reality, there are as many lycanthropes as there are human cultures, so we're not sure if the species is even the same as Remus' is, Mr. Potter."

"Oh."

"Many magical creatures are of a similar vein," She went on as they walked, "There are many different species of Vampire, for example. At least one for every human culture I'm aware of, though not all are of human form. Scholars have spent lifetimes speculating on how and why such things are. Ah, here we are."

They stopped outside of a, relatively, unassuming shop and Narcissa ushered them inside. Once the door closed, she looked up and smiled at the man awaiting them inside.

"Bernard, c'est ci bon du tu voir." She said.

The man bowed slightly from the hip and smiled back, "Welcome to my humble shop, Vanity. It is a pleasure, as always."

Narcissa rolled her eyes slightly at the nickname, but said nothing about it. "The pleasure is mine, Bernard. Where else would I possibly get such clothes as you provide?"

"Nowhere in the world that I am aware, Madam." He returned, then settled on a genial yet serious face. "So, dress robes for the young masters then?"

"Yes, Bernard. You know my son, Draco of course." Narcissa said, nodding to Draco.

"Welcome once more, young Dragon."

Draco smiled slightly, his eyes just barely keeping from rolling as his mother's had. "Hello, Bernard."

"This is Alexander Harris, from the Americas." Narcissa continued, "And Mr. Harry James Potter."

Bernard paused in mid motion, eyes flicking to Harry, then he carefully returned to setting out his tools. "Indeed. It is an honor, to meet you both."

"Thank you sir." Harry said, sounding nervous.

"Hey." Xander just smiled crookedly and leaned on the counter.

"Hmm... Basic black, I believe, for all of them?" Bernard said, sizing them up carefully. "Silver trim for the young dragon, is he still enamored with that Slytherin fellow?"

Draco flushed, but Narcissa just smiled and nodded.

"Yes."

"Well, perhaps a midnight green then, instead." The tailor suggested, "So dark as to be black, except in the right light."

"That sounds perfect."

"As for Mr. Potter..." The tailor considered, "Silver spun Acromantula silk, dyed deepest black. It will glimmer like stars on a clear night in low light, but appear black as the void in daylight or normal room lighting."

"Excellent. Perhaps something golden, as well? Mr. Potter is a Gryffindor."

"Of course. Gold trim, 24 carat?"

"Perfect." She replied, "Mr. Potter will also require full head of house charms."

Bernard's eyebrows jumped up, "Indeed? It will be done. Now, for Alexander?"

Narcissa and the Tailor turned their eye to Xander, who shifted nervously.

"He is a Hogwarts student?"

"Yes, Slytherin."

Bernard leaned in to Narcissa, whispering a question, to which she shook her head slightly. He nodded and leaned back, looking again to Xander.

"Very well. Silver spun Acromantula silk, as with Mr. Potter, but with sterling silver trim." he said, clasping his hands. "Come then, it's time to get your measurements."

Sirius Black wondered what his godson was doing as he settled into the corner booth of the dark bar, a mug of Guinness in front of him. It had been a long time since he'd been able to relax with a good beer, and after a sip of the brew in front of him he supposed it would be some time more before he had that luxury. Still, the chilled beer was better than he'd had in about 14 years, so it would do.

The work on his new bike was going well, he'd elected to go with the old classic charms for flight. Those would take him several weeks to finish and charge, but he wanted the maneuvering ability rather than raw speed. The rest of the bike's charms would take the better part of an additional month to complete, since many of them were fairly complex to cast.

From notice me not charms to spacial effect charms, the bike would take several dozen forms and variations of common spells in order to properly operate without calling all sorts of attention to it. He'd even have to add wizard specific charms, which were insanely complicated to cast, simply because in nations like Britain the bike was going to be massively illegal or so he'd been informed.

Back in his day the muggle artifact laws hadn't been nearly as strict. Mostly they just applied to muggle *owned* items, specifically to keep idiots from charming some poor muggle's car or teapot or whatever for a gag. Today, he'd been informed that the laws had been expanded to cover pretty much anything in common use in the muggle world.

All in all it was bloody well insane, in Sirius' opinion. He was no expert on Muggles, he'd be the first to admit that, but he did know that muggles had massive manufacturing capability, which Wizards did not. The laws even recognized that fact, Sirius knew. Simple wizarding trunks were muggle manufactured and charmed later, and were somehow exempt from the laws.

The way things were leaning, Sirius thought they were going to destroy the society they were supposed to be protecting. Without access to muggle artifacts they'd have to rely on wizards to manufacture every little thing they needed, or wanted, for their daily lives. That drove the prices up until lower income families couldn't afford the basic comforts that all but the very poorest of muggles took for granted.

The Lord Black in Exile brooded quietly in his beer as his thoughts turned back to home, a home that seemed to be tearing itself apart.

Amelia watched silently as the object of her attention descended into a darker mood than when he entered, and decided not to approach just then. She did wonder what he was thinking about, however.

Given what she knew about him, she supposed it had to be about his home and family. He was in exile, mostly cut off from the power and influence.

She silently finished her drink and left the dank bar, electing to make her approach another time.

The whirling of the portkey dropped the three children and their adult minder in the alley outside the Leaky Cauldron. The daylight was fading quickly, and Narcissa turned to Harry when they had all recovered.

"Are you alright to get home from here?"

He nodded, "Yes, thank you. Now that I know how to use the knight bus I can get around alright."

She nodded, "Your final robes will be ready in a few days, they'll be owled to you then."

Harry nodded again, then half smiled, "It'll be interesting to get mail from someone other than my friends."

Narcissa blinked, "Excuse me?"

"I've never got any mail from anyone else before."

Xander and Draco exchanged confused looks before they broke in.

"Wait, you never get any mail?" Draco blinked.

"Just from my friends, and my Hogwarts letter of course." Harry said, then scowled, "And from the ministry last year."

"Harry, man." Xander shook his head, "You're famous. My best friend back in Cali knows your story, and you're telling me you *never* get mail from boy who lived fans?"

Harry grimaced, but shook his head.

"Owl wards?" Draco asked his mother.

"Redirects, obviously." She nodded, "otherwise the news would have broken that he was out of contact. This complicates things slightly."

"You think my mail has been tampered with?"

"Yeah, I'd say so." Xander said dryly. "I'm pretty sure Wills sent you a card last year for your birthday."

"But what's happened to it then?"

"Has to be redirect wards," Narcissa replied, "Which means that it was sent somewhere else. Possibly to be destroyed, probably stored. I would guess that the Headmaster would know where, since only he could have manipulated the blood wards you live under."

"Great." Harry looked put out. "Now I need to find out about that. What do I do about the robes?"

"I'll contact Bernard and have him send them to me," Narcissa offered until she saw Harry's face twitch. "Or perhaps you wouldn't be comfortable with that?"

"No offense, ma'am." Harry said hurriedly. "But..."

"None taken," She assured him. "I can understand, given your previous experiences with my husband and son."

Draco snorted, "I don't know about father, but I'm sure I couldn't resist adding something to them if I had the chance."

Harry and Xander looked at Draco in surprise, then Xander broke out laughing.

"You know, I'd probably charm them with some pranks myself." He admitted.

Harry grimaced a bit, then snorted and grinned, "Yeah I think I'd like another option."

"Owl them to Hermione," Xander suggested, still grinning. "She'd curse anyone who tried to prank you."

Harry nodded, grinning. "That will do, thanks."

"Very well, I'll relay the instructions." Narcissa promised. "Now, you should get along home. There are busy days ahead."

Harry nodded, but didn't move. "I... I have some questions about my Mum's book, ma'am."

Narcissa glanced over at Xander, who nodded.

"He found it in his parents vault."

"I see. Is it important, Mr. Potter?" Narcissa asked, acutely aware of the intense curiosity showing on her son's face.

"I... I think so, yes." Harry admitted hesitantly. "It's just, my Mum... she recognized me."

That froze Narcissa in place. That just shouldn't be possible, but it was something she'd noticed herself when watching Lilly and Sirius argue his innocence over the last year.

"I can't explain it, Mr. Potter." She admitted, "but I too have noticed strange effects with the book."

"It's just that, two years ago..."

Xander immediately recognize where Harry was going, "Mold in his shorts book. Yeah, I had the same thought that year."

"Pardon me?" Narcissa's eyebrow rose, even as Draco paled.

"Tom Riddle," Xander explained, "You know, that Dark Lord dude. What's his name again?"

"Voldemort." Harry said dryly.

Both Draco and Narcissa flinched at the name.

"You shouldn't say his name so easily, Mr. Potter," Narcissa said softly.

"Why? It's just a name, right? Being afraid of it just gives him more power."

Narcissa sighed, "Yes that is true today. It wasn't always the case, however. At the height of his power, the Dark Lord had managed to recreate one of the most powerful of spells I've ever seen. Today the ministry calls it Taboo. It affects one word, and only one word within its range. Anyone who says that word basically invites properly charmed individuals to their location, no matter how protected. When someone said his name back then, it was often their final word."

"Oh." Harry blinked, "But... why didn't anyone just say so? It explains a lot about the Wizarding world that made no sense to me before."

"Few people know of it, to be honest, Mr. Potter. The Ministry kept it secret and moved the rune stones to the department of mysteries. The spell is still active, though I don't know if they use the same word now."

"Why leave it active?" Xander blinked.

"So that no one could cast it again. Only one word can be used over its area of effect," Narcissa repeated herself, "So that spell cannot be cast again within all of Great Britain."

"Huh." Harry said thoughtfully. It explained a lot about the people he'd met in the Wizarding world. They weren't cowardly or afraid of a name, they were actively avoiding very real death. Still, that was another issue, this was about the book. "Ok. That's good to know, ma'am. But about the book..."

"The Grimoire uses no dark magics," Narcissa said, frowning. "The imprints left are based on the protean charm, very similar to what was used in magical portraits. I too have seen strange effects in my copy, however, so I understand your concerns."

Harry looked down, realizing that the expert on the book didn't have the answers he needed.

"If it means anything, Harry," Xander said, "The book scared me too, this past year. I was thinking the same thing you are, but you know I've been using it for years and I haven't had any urges to run around siccing huge honking snakes on innocent kids."

Harry glanced over at Xander and smiled hesitantly at the statement. He nodded in thanks, "Alright. I guess I'll have to see what they have to say."

Xander shrugged, while Narcissa frowned thoughtfully.

"I promise you, Mr. Potter, that we used nothing dark or dangerous when we made that book. That said, it is not behaving as it should. I don't know why it is acting the way it is." She said, "So do take care, however I don't believe it to be dangerous."

Harry nodded again. "Thank you, ma'am."

He turned to Xander and Draco, "I'll see you later then, Xan. And goodbye, Draco."

Draco nodded in return as Xander grinned, "Catch you soon, mate."

"Right." Harry grinned as he turned and walked out of the alley.

Narcissa watched him leave for a moment, then nodded to the two boys with her. "Very well then. Let's go home."

Draco nodded thoughtfully, thinking on what he'd heard and trying to piece it all together. He didn't know what his mother's connection to Potter, or Potter's mother was, but it seemed like something he should figure out.