Chapter 2

A Relative of the Enemy

"So Fred and George did find a place here in Diagon Alley, then?" Harry looked impressed.

"Guess so. Only thing we heard from 'um is that they had their own place now, and would stop by occasionally. Mum had a fit. Dad, on the other hand, though it good that they found something they enjoy doing. Wish I could say the same about Percy…" There was silence for a few moments. Harry thought it best to change the subject as soon as possible.

"So, er, let's give the twins' shop a visit, eh, and then head on to the Quidditch Supplies Shop."

Ron said quickly, "Sounds good." Ginny and Hermione agreed, though the latter was somewhat more anxious to hurry up so that they could proceed on to Flourish and Blott's.

"I want to do a bit of reading on the books we buy before the term begins."

"She means she wants to see how quickly she can memorize the lot before we reach the platform," muttered Ron to Harry. But Ginny heard.

After glaring at him for a moment or two, she lectured, "Really, Ron, Hermione's your friend! Friends don't tease each other."

Ron choked, "Just whose side are you on?"

"Hermione's," Ginny said flatly.

Harry, who had had enough of the siblings' catfights, asked impatiently, "Well, are we going inside, or not?"

Fred and George hailed them as soon as they walked into the shop.

"So," Fred said excitedly as he patted Harry on the back. "Our sponsor, brother, sister, and their friend have come to visit our shop!" As he talked, he didn't realize just how hard he was hugging Hermione.

"Can't – breathe," she squeaked hoarsely. As he let go of her, it was George's turn to embrace her. But she held him back.

"If I've hugged one twin, I've hugged the other," she concluded, thinking it was probably safest. Nearly everyone laughed. However, Ginny, who was occupied with something she was watching outside, did not.

"Malfoy and his family are approaching!" she hissed. Fred peered out the window, too. It was true. Mr. Lucius Malfoy, his wife, Narcissa, and Harry's, Hermione's, and the Weasleys' worst enemy (beside Lord Voldemort, though Harry though he may even like him better), their son, Draco, who was in Slytherin House and hated the lot of them in return, were clearly heading toward the front door of the shop. George flicked his wand, and the sign on the door that had seconds before read "open" now read "closed." But that didn't stop the Malfoys from barging in.

"So what's all this about? How did your parents get the money for you to open a shop? Your father looked no less shabby at work than usual…" remarked Mr. Malfoy coldly, looking directly at the twins. Every single person in their little group went red with fury, but Mr. Malfoy continued.

"I supposed, then, your parents are starving themselves in order to pay rent."

Draco sniggered. "And, to top it all off, you've invited that filthy mudblood to come see…" added Draco.

That had done it. Harry had his wand aimed at Draco and Mr. Malfoy, and was about to shout "Stupefy!" when Mrs. Malfoy said in a quiet, nasty, drawling voice, similar to her son's, "Shame, shame. Attacking your own uncle and cousin." Everyone's attention turned toward her. Even Harry lowered his wand.

He said in an annoyed tone, "What are you playing at? Uncle Vernon and Dudley are miles from here!" Even Mr. Malfoy and Draco seemed to have no idea what she meant.

"Ah. But didn't your dear Dumbledore tell you? Lily Potter had not one but two sisters. Petunia and…Narcissa."

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