19

Flourish and Blotts

A week had passed since Emily had received the letter from the twins telling her that Harry was safe with them. A day after sending Harry's gift, Emily had received a short thank you note but she hadn't heard any more from her brother beyond that. Currently the witch was sound asleep in her bedroom at the manor but not for much longer.

Emily groaned rolling onto her side when she felt someone shake her shoulder lightly. "Mistress Emily must get up."

"I don't want to," Emily protested against Mipsy's actions snuggling deeper into her bed.

The little elf tried shaking her again but when Emily moved to cover her head she heard the elf sigh. "Okay then, Mistress not get her Hogwarts letter."

Just then the door to Emily's room burst open and she felt the space next to her become occupied. Draco who was now lying next to her began poking her shoulder.

"Get up! Our letters are here!"

"Go away!" Emily said making a feeble attempt to push him off the bed.

"Fine, I will just jump up and down next you then." A few seconds later Emily felt herself being jostled by Draco's bouncing. She attempted to scoot further away from him on the bed but he just followed.

Groaning the girl tried to slip onto her other side turning her back to her friend. "Dray please, just a little bit longer!"

"If you don't get up I will tickle you…" he threatened.

Emily hesitated would he really try to tickle her?

"Five… four… three…"

Emily decided she didn't want to find out if he was serious and swiftly pushed herself to sit up, stretching her arms in the air before rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "Fine, I'm up! Happy?"

"Very, now let's go!"

Emily grumbled at her best friend's enthusiasm so early in the morning. How could someone be so cheery this early in the day? She slowly got out of bed and put on the slippers that Mipsy brought her. Thanking the elf she reluctantly joined Draco as they trekked to the dining room for breakfast. When they entered the room Lucius and Narcissa were already at the table eating.

Lucius smirked at Emily as he watched her take her place grumbling about 'a stupid blonde git who couldn't just leave her to sleep in peace'. "How did he get you out of bed?"

"He threatened to tickle me," Emily muttered shooting a glare at Draco which caused Lucius to chuckle while Narcissa took a sip of tea to hide her amused smile. Mipsy shortly popped into the room carrying Emily's breakfast which consisted of two eggs over easy and sausage. Lucius poured Emily a cup of coffee and passed it to her.

Emily felt the presence of Severus Snape enter the room and move towards her. He placed a package by her before moving to take his usual seat next to Narcissa. Emily looked to the black haired potions master raising her eyebrow in question.

"It arrived as I was coming through the floo. I offered to bring it to you," he told her.

"And what did you get out of it?" she asked.

"A quicker breakfast," he smirked as Mipsy set a plate of bacon and eggs in front of him. Emily's personal elf Mipsy had taken a liking to Severus often helping to serve him when he was at the manor. Emily didn't mind sharing her elf with the man as long as she remembered to bring Emily her coffee when she woke in the mornings.

Finishing her breakfast she pushed her plate out of the way before pulling the package in front of her. Opening the note that was attached to the package she read:

Emily

When I was at the Manor I realized I had just missed your birthday. I saw these and thought you may enjoy them. So… Happy Belated Birthday!

I hope to hear from you soon,

Bill

She turned to the package opening it to find two wrapped gifts inside. Both were wrapped in dark green paper with golden bows wrapped around them. Deciding to open the larger one first she discovered it was a book on the use of runes in Ancient Egyptian healing rituals.

The second gift was a silver necklace that had a small emerald at the top of a cartouche pendant that hung from the chain. He most likely had the necklace personalized for her.

"It's from Bill," Draco told the table, reading the note Emily had set down to open the gifts, "for missing her birthday…"

"And what did he get you?" Lucius inquired. Emily passed him the book and the necklace.

Narcissa looked at the necklace smiling as she lifted it to get a better look. "What does this say dear?"

"It's a cartouche of my name."

"Cartouche?" Draco asked getting up to examine the necklace with his mother.

"They are ovals that have a name written inside of them in Hieroglyphics. In Ancient Egypt only pharaohs were allowed to wear a cartouche with their name in them. The oval that surrounds them represented protection against evil for the name that is inscribed within it." Severus informed his godson before looking at Emily with a calculating gaze. Turning to Lucius his expression was serious, "We should watch that boy."

"Not you too!" Emily cried.

"I said something similar a few days ago," Lucius informed his friend.

"You both should remember I'm twelve and he is twenty two. I am too young for him to think of me in that way."

Narcissa gave both Lucius and Severus a look that told them to drop it for now as she got up and walked around to where Emily was sitting. "Here let's put it on you," she said helping Emily clasp the necklace around her neck. "Now would you two like to see your Hogwarts letters?"

Draco replied with an enthusiastic yes but Emily who was still looking at the necklace now around her neck nodded her head absentmindedly. Draco nudged Emily as she thanked Narcissa who handed her the letter. Shaking her mind to focus on the letter she opened the yellowish parchment and read it. It said the same thing as last year, the train left at eleven from King's Cross on September first and the list of books needed for her second year was attached. Emily found it odd that they were required to get the entire collection of Gilderoy Lockhart's books.

Emily looked up to Severus, "Is there a reason we need so many of Lockhart's book?"

"Sadly, he is who Dumbledore has hired to teach your Defense class," Lucius answered for the man.

"Why would he do that?" Emily exclaimed. "Anyone who has read one of his books would know he is a fraud. I made the mistake of reading 'Voyages with Vampires' and it was obvious it was a complete sham. Vampires need blood, they can't live off lettuce. How anyone thinks that is possible is deluding themselves! The man is absurd!"

"I know, but many people idolize the fool," Severus sneered. It was obvious to everyone at the table that he disliked the man.

"But Dad couldn't you do something? We already had one incompetent teacher for Defense!"

"I'm sorry but there is nothing the governors can do. It is hard enough to fill a position that no one can seem to last in for more than a year without the governors being overly picky. You could end up without a teacher at all if we did."

"I think you two should go with Sev, have your lesson for the day and we can go to Diagon Alley on Wednesday to get your things, how does that sound?" Narcissa said changing the subject.

Emily and Draco nodded leaving the table to head back to their rooms to get dressed for their lesson.

When the teens entered the training room Severus was already there waiting for them. "Come and sit," he told them pointing to the two chairs he had set out in the middle of the room. "I want you two to start with your meditation. Clear your minds and enter your mindscapes."

Emily closed her eyes letting go of all thoughts. She focused on the hum of magic she could feel in herself before entering her mindscape which was a circular stone chamber that appeared to be empty. She watched as black flame doors popped up around the room. First Emily focused on the walls making sure they were strong and that there were no cracks, then she went about sorting her most recent memories putting them behind the correct flame door.

Emily was drawn from her mind when she felt her shoulder being shaken. Opening her eyes she saw Draco was already done with his meditation.

"Okay, today when I attempt to enter your minds I want you to let me in far enough that you can try feeding me false memories. Since this is your first time showing a false memory I want you to try and alter a memory you already have. Use one that has little significance and you don't mind me seeing."

Emily thought about what memory to use deciding on one of the many times that she and Draco were in the dorms eating candy and talking.

"Do you have your memories?" At their nods he continued, "I want you to have someone in the memory say 'Babbity Rabbity'. That is all I want you to try and change for now. Are you ready? Emily do you want to go first?"

"Sure."

"Legilimens" Emily felt the very light pressure on her barrier, she relaxed allowing Severus to enter her mind. Emily felt him try to pull a memory and presented him with the image of her and Draco in the dorms. She focused on the conversation and the phrase. When Draco had asked her to pass a chocolate frog instead of responding in the positive Emily was finally able to force the memory of herself to reply with 'Babbity Rabbity'. As soon as she said the phrase Emily felt Severus' presence in her mind retreat.

"Good, now Draco," Severus commented turning to the blonde. Emily watched as Draco had his mind invaded and waited patiently for them to be done. "You both accomplished the task. Now, I know it seems silly that it was such a small change but that is the easiest part of altering a memory. I have a book for each of you to read," he said handing them each a copy of 'Altering Your Mind'.

"This will help give you more information on altering memories. I will also be retrieving a few Defense texts for you both as well in light of the new addition to the staff. Are there any questions?" Emily and Draco both shook their heads no. "Okay you are both dismissed for the day."

The two teens jumped up thanking Severus as they ran out of the training room to enjoy the rest of their day.

On Wednesday morning after breakfast the Malfoy family set out to Diagon Alley to get Emily and Draco's school supplies. As usual when they went somewhere, Draco apparated with Lucius and Emily with Narcissa.

"First stop we are going to Gringotts so you both have spending money for the school year," Lucius said directing them up the stairs of the large white building. Emily went to hand Lucius her key to give to the goblin but he told her as usual to put it away. She had learned quite early on in the summer that it was useless to try and argue about paying for anything and did as he said. Draco and Emily enjoyed the fast cart ride down into the depths of the bank. "The Potter vault is down here as well," Lucius told her pointing along they long cavern they had entered. "All the old wizarding families have vaults down here. When you turn fifteen your brother and you should be able to access the vault as you are both the last living members of the family."

Emily watched as Lucius approached a large door with the Malfoy crest in the center of it. Placing his family ring in the center, a white light flashed excepted his claim and allowed him access to the vault. He disappeared from few for a few minutes before returning to the cart handing Emily and Draco each a bag full of coins. Once they were back out in the alley they decided to start at the apothecary. Emily and Draco tended to run out of ingredients quite quickly with all the brewing they did. The pair wished there was a way to purchase more ingredients at once without them going bad or altering their properties with magic but there wasn't so it was no doubt they would be sending off an owl order shortly after their return.

From the apothecary they headed off to buy more parchment and ink before stopping at Madam Malkin's to get new robes, donating their first year robes to be resold. They then made their way to Quality Quidditch Supply to pick up new gloves and shin guards for Draco who was planning on trying out for the Slytherin Quidditch team this year.

Lastly they made it to Flourish and Blotts where there seemed to be a large crowd trying to get in. Emily groaned when she saw the sign declaring Gilderoy Lockhart was signing books today. Luckily the crowd moved easily to allow them through when they noticed Lucius. Once inside they began to gather their needed books. Emily smiled as she felt two of her favorite people come up behind her and sandwich her in a hug.

"Gred! Forge!" Emily cried.

"Hello dearest Emmykins…"

"How are you this fine day?"

"Shouldn't you be swooning…"

"…over blondie?"

Emily laughed, "No thank you! I can't believe we have to get all of the idiot's books. Is Harry here with you?" The twins nodded and pointed to where Harry was talking to Mrs. Weasley. Emily made her way to say hello to her brother when Lockhart emerged out to applause from most of the women in the shop. Weasley of course, made a comment to a photographer who pushed by him drawing Lockhart's attention to his spot in the crowd.

Lockhart seemed to scan the area, first finding Harry his focus on his scar before searching for Emily. While less recognizable than her twin since her scar was hidden, the man clearly knew who she was. "Merlin, Emily and Harry Potter!" he exclaimed. Lockhart quickly came around the table he was standing behind to grab Emily and Harry pulling them to the front of the crowd. Emily felt uncomfortable but her face showed a mask of indifference while Harry's burned red. The photographer began snapping pictures in rapid secession, the light a touch blinding to both of the twins. "Smile you two!" Lockhart said while trailing his hand that was around Emily slowly up and down her arm. "The three of us together will surely rank the front page!"

When the photographers were done Emily tried to pull away from the man but he pulled her tight against his side. When he seemed satisfied she wouldn't move again he returned to slyly trailing his fingers along her arm.

Lockhart called attention to himself and the room fell quite. "I have an announcement to make and since I have Emily and Harry here it seems like the perfect time to let you all in on a little secret I have been keeping!"

"Today Emily and Harry came to Flourish and Blotts to purchase my autobiography 'Magical Me', they had not even an inkling that they would be getting the real magical me when they return to Hogwarts on September first! Yes, you heard right ladies and gentlemen! I, Gilderoy Lockhart, have accepted the post as the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor for this coming year at Hogwarts!" The crowd burst into applause again as both Emily and Harry were presented with all of Lockhart's books free of charge. Emily staggered under the weight slightly before quickly making her way over to the Malfoys. Lucius took the books from her arms passing them over to the Weasley twins as he had already purchased the books for Emily and Draco. The twins thanked them as they headed off to find their family.

"Can we please go that man gives me the creeps," Emily said holding back a shiver at the thought of the man's fingers on her arm.

"Of course dear," Narcissa told her sensing the young girl's discomfort.

As they made their way to the door they came upon Theodore Nott, his father and the Weasleys. It seemed as if the group was in a tense standoff until they watched as Mr. Weasley threw himself at Theo's father, a fight ensuing between the two grown men. They crashed into a nearby bookshelf causing heavy spellbooks to fall from the shelves onto the heads of those close by. Mrs. Weasley was calling for her husband to stop while his children seemed to be egging him on. Lucius decided to help the poor store assistant who was trying desperately to break up the fight. "Please stop!" the assistant kept crying as he wrung his hands nervously. Lucius moved swiftly pulling Theo's father back, restraining him as Hagrid, who had just entered the book store, grabbed Mr. Weasley.

"That is quite enough gentlemen," Lucius commanded. "Edmund, calm yourself. This is no way to conduct yourselves in front of children."

Seeing the look on Lucius's face Edmund nodded his head and dusted himself off, "You are quite right of course Lucius." Edmund Nott was still holding what appeared to be a first year transfiguration book. Dropping it into the Weasley girl's cauldron he sneered, "Take it girl, it is the best your father can provide." He reached for his son and the two quickly exited the shop.

Lucius motioned for Emily, Draco and Narcissa to follow him out as well. Emily offered her brother a small wave while giving Fred and George a smile and a soft goodbye as she took Draco's offered arm and walked back into the alley.

"Well I think we have had enough excitement for one day," Lucius said. "Are you both ready to head home? I think we can have the elves whip up some ice cream sundaes for the two of you." When the teens nodded they walked down the alley to the apparation point. Emily took Narcissa's hand while Draco took Lucius' and with a soft pop they vanished from the alley.