Chapter 14
Diagon Alley was as crowded as back in the times when there was nothing to be scared of. Children ran around freely, parents argued over prices, faces were pressed into the display glass of "Quality Quidditch Supplies". Draco couldn't help but smile, recalling the memory of being one of those kids. He walked on, looking around. He wasn't sure if the shop still stood, but he could try his luck anyways. After all, he just had to find Weasley.
And he had to find a plan to make Weasley talk. Firstly, because Weasley wouldn't tell things to a stranger. Secondly, if he recognized Draco, he would just kill him most probably. Draco wasn't afraid of the latter, but his goal was to find out where Hermione could be, not get murdered by some revenge seeking madman. What are his options? A positive point was that Weasley is unlikely to recognize him, because of his changed looks. Well then, if he found Weasley's Wizard Wheeze, he could ask the twins (if they were still there) how to find their brother. But he would have to introduce himself properly then.
Draco wondered what Ron did for living. He always had the impression that Weasel was good for nothing with his amount of brains. He thought it could hardly change after all these years. But what if he does recognize him? It wouldn't be too good of an idea to battle him. That would attract unwanted attention and wouldn't get him anywhere. What if-?
Draco looked around and turned from the main road into a dark little alley, pulling his hood on to cover his face. After a couple of minutes of walking he ended up in a wide street similar to the Diagon Alley. This one was almost deserted though and much more dark and dirty. Malfoy was on Knockturn Alley. The young man knew this place like the back of his hand from all the times he spent here during his no-so-bright childhood. Nothing changed since then. Maybe became even dirtier and more shops were empty, with their shattered display glass spread over the remains of items. These shops looked haunted, as if their gapping door-less eyes reflected the prospering past with the game of shadows on the old wooden floor and shelved walls. Draco shivered, hoping that the one shop he was looking for was still there.
The glass was so filthy that light hardly penetrated onto the street from within. Only the old rotting cardboard sign indicated that the store was still in business. Draco pushed the door open, preparing to hear the little bell above the door announcing his entry. But, alas, it wasn't there. Instead, the door creaked loudly and unpleasantly. He approached the counter, ignoring the strong sense of intrusion. The counter was greasy grey as if a large group of people danced upon it, completely ignoring the floor. He didn't dare ring the little bell upon it, but cleared his throat as loudly as possible.
Draco was about to leave the store, having waited for a while now, when a man with shuffling feet came in from the back. He was bend with age and had a mean expression on his old wrinkled face. His hair was thin and grimy and half gone. He raised his eyes at the young man and smiled quite nastily.
"What can I do for you, young Mr. Malfoy?"
Draco made one step backwards from the shock. How did this man recognize him? He had his hood on! And his appearance was changed! And he grew up, for god's sake!
"Ah, Mr. Malfoy, I do know my clients", he said with a sneer as if reading the young man's thoughts, "So how can I help you?"
"Well, I wondered if you have Veritaserum", said Draco, dropping all the pretence he was about to put on.
"And why would you need it, young master?" Mr. Borgin said with a glint in his yellowish eyes.
"And why would that be any of your business?" replied Draco coldly.
"Ah, now I see. Still the same master Malfoy. I was afraid you have grown a little soft over the years", said Borgin after a pause, scratching his chin, and continuing before the young man could say something back, "I happen to have a bottle of Veritaserum left. And I will give it you but… you will have to tell me what you are going to do with it. You see, Mr. Malfoy, I do not get this kind of requests these days and I am rather curious to know why would a young man like you need it".
Draco hesitated, and then spoke carefully, "I need the draught to find something out… to find out where one person is…"
The old man nodded, urging him to go on.
"It is my enemy I need to consult…"
Borgin nodded again, "If you would have lied, I might have not given the potion to you, but…"
He shuffled away without saying anything else, leaving Draco in a stunned confusion. Since when was Borgin so noble as to care about lies? After a couple of minutes he appeared with a small transparent bottle.
"I trust you know how to use it, sir", he winked at Draco and walked back to where he came from.
The young man stood there for a minute, thinking. He took some money out and put it into a bowl on the side of the counter and left the store, making his way back to the bright Diagon Alley.
Draco emerged from the dark smelly streets right opposite of the shop he was looking for- the Weasley Wizarding Wheeze. People swarmed around it, like insects upon jam. He could see through the clear glass window that the store was completely full and more people try to squeeze their way in. Draco sighed and made his way bravely into the crowd. He managed to get lucky, when he was sucked into the store. If he thought outside was madness, now he changed his mind. It was completely insane here. People almost fought for some rare products, willing to pay ridiculous amounts of money for a mere thin box, which was labelled, "Day Dream fantasy, almost like the old one, but better!"
Draco shoved and pushed his way towards the counter. He saw a red headed man, a little older then himself, with a bright laughing face, selling his own joke products. A little red-headed girl was right beside him, looking up from behind the counter, which reached up to her button-like freckled nose. Draco briefly wondered whose daughter it was. The twins seemed too young to have children so it must be the child of one of their brothers. The young man tried to approach the counter, but it being the most packed part of the shop, wasn't able to make it. He looked around and spotted a curtain, covering a doorway which probably led to the back of the shop. He sneaked behind it without being spotted. A small corridor there led to a half open door. He knocked politely and was immediately invited in.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Weasley", he said, putting up a serious expression and a business-like tone.
The man at the desk looked up from something that looked like an experiment gone bad. His hair stood on ends and shone brilliant orange, compared to his face, which was covered in soot. Draco thought he could even make out a black eye under it.
"Ah, excuse me for this appearance", he said, laughing merrily, "I've been working on this new product. Fred and I take turns at the counter. And with our niece here and all the customers, we were thinking of hiring some help. The store is going great. We can freely afford it", he went silent and then, realising that it was off the topic said with an entirely serious expression, "Oh, excuse me, please sit down. What can I do to you?"
Draco gapped at him, "Excuse ME?"
"Yes, what can I do TO you?" George wriggled his eyebrows playfully and ran his tongue upon his upper lip.
Draco's jaw dropped and he forgot all about why he came here. He wanted to get out. Fast.
"Er… pardon my intrusion, but I think I got the wrong place… ah…" he tripped over a chair. That's when George roared with laughter.
"I am kidding, man! You should have seen you face, gosh! I wish Fred was here to see it!" he said after some five minutes, still chuckling.
Draco eyed him suspiciously, ready to run for the door.
"C'mon, chill, man! I told you I was only joking. Hey, you can't seriously think I am gay. I have a girlfriend!" he said innocently. "So tell me, how can I help you?"
"Well, er… I was looking for Mr. Ronald Weasley", Draco said carefully.
"Oh, you must be one of the clients then. Sorry about the prank", said George, feeling a little less comfortable than earlier, "He isn't far from here. Just walk straight and it will be the sixth house from here to your right. You will see the sign then."
"Thanks. I will be moving then. Good day, Mr. Weasley", Draco said, trying not too sound confused. So Weasel was in business now.
As Draco was about to leave the room, George spoke, "Er… could you not mention this little thing to my brother? It's kind of awkward".
He did sound awkward indeed, which made Draco smile evilly so George could see it, "Oh, I certainly won't, Mr. Weasley, I certainly won't".
Draco walked out of the packed store and walked towards his destination, trying to think of a cover up. He couldn't do that until he knew what business Weasley was in. Soon he reached the building George directed him to. There was a large wooden sign on its side, saying,
Mr. Ronald Weasley
Real Estate Office, second floor, room 4
"If you want a safe home away from Muggles' prying eye,
You are at the right place!"
How curious. So Draco was going to be a client, seeking for a home. This was easier then he thought. He walked up to the second floor, confident in his success. But he was not prepared for what Veritaserum was to reveal to him that day.