Madam Malkin's Robe store looked little smaller than in 90's. When Tom and Harry stepped in a younger Madam Malkin was busy in taking measure of a boy around Harry's age. Another boy around Tom's age was watching them. The similarity between the two boys were telling that they were brothers. Older boy's face was reminding Harry of someone.
"Oh look Algie, here is Slytherin's golden boy to honor your admission to Hogwarts." The older boy's voice was full of mockery seeing Tom entering. The younger boy snorted looking at Tom.
"Don't worry brother, no matter how much Slytherins try this year house cup will be Gryphindor's only" said the younger boy in a challenging tone.
"As if one Longbottom was not enough that they needed another brat to boast fake Gryphindor ego." Tom commented in a bored tone.
So these were the Longbottom brothers. Now Harry got whom older brother was reminding of. He resembled his son Frank Longbottom – father of Neville Longbottom. And younger boy was Neville's grand-uncle who used to put him in dangerous situation to check his magical ability. Looked like he was always that arrogant. Neville's memory got Harry's already bad mood sourer.
Algie's brother was going to give a suitable reply to Tom when Algie attracted his attention to Harry.
"Oh, there's a new boy with Riddle? And why is he imitating a Potter hairstyle?" Older Longbottom remarked observing Harry.
"Because I am a Potter too" Harry replied hurriedly to stop their arguments. "Hello myself Harry, Harold James Potter. I live at the same place as him. Harry stretched his hand avoiding Tom's glare.
"So the daily prophet article was telling the truth!" Neville's teen granddad lifted his eyebrow. "A Potter boy of unknown parentage is found in muggle London. Then he shook Harry's hand "Hello Harry, I am Aaron Longbottom, and that is my brother Algie, starting his first year like you. Both the Potters and Longbottoms are good friends for generations.
"So, Harry as a Potter you must know that Potter's loyalty always lie with Gryffindores." Algie interjected.
"Aaron will you ask your brother to wait till sorting ceremony before giving others lectures on loyalty?" Tom still had the same bemused tone.
"Oh enough boys" Madam Malkin was listening to the arguments till the moment but now her patience came to an end. "Why do you student always chose my shop to have your Gryffindor vs Slytherin fights?
"Well anyway we are done, Come Algie." Aaron seemed to come into sense by Malkin's words. He collected their packages and proceeded to leave "See you Harry in Hogwarts." With that Longbottom brothers left.
So the tension between Gryffindor and Slytherin were as intense as forever. And Harry understood the hatred was mutual from both side.
"Riddle, you have again grown up by six inches than last year." Malkin remarked in half delighted and half surprised tone. "Only one dress is not enough for you to sustain a year. Why don't you take another one?" Malkin seemed quite eager to sew for Riddles. The perks of having handsome face ofcourse.
"Well I am allotted just one uniform, rules won't change for me." Tom replied grimly. In times like these he used to feel most uncomfortable when his poverty used to be exposed to people.
Malkin turned her attention towards Harry after being done with Tom. "Get him all kind of your best quality robes like all the Potters have." Harry couldn't figure if there was a hidden jealousy in Tom's tone. But he was uncomfortable to see that his robes were being made with finest quality of materials when Tom was having only a single Slytherin uniform of average quality material. Nonetheless he was looking majestic with that silver and green attire.
"It was not needed to sew all those expensive robes for me." Harry commented as they stepped out from Malkin's after shopping. "I could have done with less than that."
"And had given chance to Longbottom brothers to say that I forced you to not have good things due to jealousy, because I couldn't have them, right?" Tom replied sourly. And Harry stopped. He knew there was logic in what Tom said.
Next they stopped at Flourish and Bloats. There was a small gathering in the bookshop. The poster outside the shop said Bathilda Bagshot's new book is on sale with the pictures of Ms. Bagshot holding the book 'World's Ancient Magical Secrets' and smiling. Bathilda though didn't look any younger, after all she was already over hundred. The bookshop looked same with bookshelves filled with books of different sizes and varieties. The manager was a different one than of Harry's time. He was quite busy with high demand of the new books that were flying over his head to get on customer's hand.
As Harry was buying the books Tom had a tour around the shop that strangely reminded Harry of Hermione. She always used to roam in Flourish and Blotts and other bookshops every year when they used to come in Diagon Ally. After all bookshops are heaven for book lovers and the future dark lord was no exception in this case. Harry found the subjects that were taught in 40's Hogwarts were more in numbers and few did actually deal with some aspects of dark magic if not all. Was that because after rise of Voldemort ministry had altered the syllabus? Harry's purse was half emptied when the book shopping was completed. Harry was surprised to see Tom had got only a single book for Defense against Dark Arts. Although his longing looks for Bathilda's new book didn't get unnoticed by Harry. Sadly that book costed 20 Galleons, way out of budget for him. Somehow that longing made Harry unsettled. But right now he couldn't buy it either, he had to make other purchases yet.
After getting cauldrons, quills and other equips Harry found Tom approaching the secondhand book shops. There he took out a small packet from his pocket and enlarged it by his wand. Harry saw the packet contained previous year books of Tom. The manager checked them all and handed him a new pile of secondhand books for his fourth year in exchange of few sickles. Now Harry understood the students on donations were allotted to get books from second hand shops unless there are any new books that was sold in Flourish. The same thing happened with second hand Robe store as Tom got spare robe in exchange to previous year robes in very less price. Harry was not feeling like staying there anymore.
"Time to get you a pet." As they reached the Eelypop Owl Emporium Tom pushed Harry inside. "Go get an Owl. It will be useful for both of us. We won't have to rely on Hogwarts Owls then." Tom didn't trust Hogwarts owls to send any confidential letters in future, who knows if Dumbledore started monitoring them? There lie the advantage of having personal owl. But Orphan students like him were not allowed personal pets. Now finally with Harry there was a chance to have a useful thing at last.
Entering the Owl shop Harry felt a little overwhelmed. Since Hedwig died, Harry decided not to have an owl again. Nobody could take Hedwig's place in his life. But now he was forced to have one by the reason of Hedwig's death himself. He sighed and roamed around to see various kind of owls of different sizes. Then in one corner he saw a milky white baby owl and emotions flooded him. The bird resembled Hedwig a great deal. Although this snowy owl was a male one unlike her. But Harry couldn't look at any other owls. The child bird costed 12 galleons along with cage, owl treats and tonics for 3 more galleons but Harry didn't hesitate for a second to get him.
"Is not he gorgeous?" Harry asked Tom a little excitedly, getting the new pet his mood was lightened
"Well he is whiter than you, that's all I can say." Tom shrugged and Harry pouted. Can't this guy ever could praise anything honestly other than sake of sarcasm? Must this dark lord wannabe had to be so serious to play is role all the time?"
It was already past the noon when their shopping was almost finished. Both of them were feeling hungry. They came to Leaky Cauldron where Tom ordered two ploughman's in Leaky Cauldron that consisted crusty bread, English cheese, Scotch egg, apple beet salad, and various pickles everything of which was served cold. It was not something Harry would like for a lunch, but Tom could afford this only, as there was only a single Galleon, 3 sickles and 5 knuts were left from his allotted money after his shopping was done. It wouldn't have remained either if he hadn't exchanged his robes and books, because he needed a little in his pocket for the Hogsmade visit, and he couldn't spend it for food and Ploughman's were cheapest only costing a single sickle. Although Harry could have afforded to pay but he won't ask him especially for something as trivial as foods. Now when it was established that they surely have a connection, he would have to be sure that Potter won't be used against him only then he could make Harry sharing his money, else using Potter's vault could go against him. Harry didn't feel it right ordering something more appetizing when Tom couldn't pay, who knew if he would feel insulted or not. Besides Harry's shopping was not finished yet, so spending after food could still wait.
As they finished lunch they came to Diagon Alley for rest of the shopping for Harry. As they were coming across Florian Frotescue's ice cream parlour, Harry couldn't hold himself anymore.
"Want to have ice cream, Tom"? Harry asked as he was already pushing door of the parlour.
"I don't like sweets." Tom said nonchalantly.
"Suit yourself" Harry entered into the shop. No wonder that Tom didn't have a heart, those who dislike ice cream are destined to become murdering psychopath.
A much younger Florian greeted Harry as he entered. Harry felt a little bitter to think in his time Florian had already been murdered. He ordered a full bowl filled with scoops of Raspberry ripple and mint choc chip. The deliciousness in his mouth for a moment made Harry forgetting all his problems temporarily.
"You finish your ice cream here, I will go finish some work. Don't go anywhere till I am back." With a mouthful of sweetness Harry could only nod and Riddle was already gone.
Coming to Knockturn Alley Tom finally let a breath of relief out. Finally Potter out of sight he could have some moments for himself to concentrate on his work.
"You are late." Tom turned to see the familiar pale blonde wizard leaning on a sideway. "I was waiting for quite a while now." He grimaced.
The wizard was only a little older than Tom but his behavior was like as if he was minister of magic and Tom was wasting his precious time. Tom snorted inaudibly. That's how all Malfoys behave.
"I am sorry Abraxas. You know I was caught up with some works." Tom replied in a low voice. No matter how proud this Malfoy scion behave, Tom had to make sure that he remained by his side.
"More like, caught up in babysitting a Potter." Abraxas mocked. "Well let's talk inside, don't want to attract anyone's attention, you know." He carefully looked around and then entered to a semi dark pub upstairs of a tattoo shop, and Tom followed.
"Father will freak out if he heard I have come to a place like this." Abraxas crunched his nose. "However nobody is going to notice us here" He ordered two red currant rums. Tom smirked, Malfoys just couldn't stop showing off. Even in a dingy pub he had to order most extravagant drinks.
"Congratulation for being Slytherin prefect by the way." Tom greeted sipping his drink.
"It was not something unexpected though" Abraxas shrugged. "You have the high chance to be in next year. But one thing you need to remember, just because I am a prefect you wouldn't get any extra privilege. You need to be discreet about your work. Because I won't let anyone raising a finger on me. Hope you got it." He sounded seriously.
"I know Malvoys don't do anything that is against their interest." Tom chuckles.
"So do you Riddle, reason why we are sitting here." Abraxas narrowed his eyes. "Anyway, here's the thing you were looking for" He stretched Riddle a book that titled
'Crimes of Grindelwald' – Authored by Newt Scamander and published from America.
"This book is banned in British isle and Europe, had to use father's source to grab a copy. It had some useful information about Grindelwalds doings in North America and also it contains some mentions of our beloved Assistant headmaster as well." Abraxas's tone turned sarcastic in last part.
"Thanks Malfoy," Tom hurriedly pocketed the book.
"Be careful, if we are caught with a banned book, you might risk suspension. And I will not take any responsibility. I have already removed all evidence that I collected it. The reason I chose here to hand it over not in Hogwarts." He warned.
"Yeah I will keep that in mind." Tom replied and proceeded to leave.
"And by the way what is your progress with that Rosier girl? Have you gathered information about her aunt, the alleged follower of Grindelwald?"Abraxas had a very indicative tone this time.
"Well it is not me who is making the progress, you know" Tom chuckled.
"Yeah I know the perks of getting involved with an older girl." Laughed the Malfoy scion, "Anyway it is you who is more interested in Grindelwald and his stuff. I just have one thing to say, be very careful about that mysterious Potter boy. He could be a set up, you know?"
"Yes I know" Tom sighed absentmindedly. Somehow he still had difficulty to think that way about Harry.
After finishing icecrem Harry waited for a while, but there was no sign for Tom. He somehow had the idea where to find him.
"Mr. Florian will you please keep my owl for a while?" Harry requested.
"Gladly" Florian smiled and offered the baby owl a wafer.
Harry stepped in an isolated place and directly apparated in Knockturn Alley. He knew Tom was here. He should know what business he was having here. He approached to Borgin and Burke first. But Tom was not there. He started approaching various shops but Tom was nowhere to be found. As he was thinking of approaching a pub someone tapped on his shoulder
"Hello sweet boy" Harry swallowed to see the woman standing near her. Covered in a black robe from head to toe, her face was white as ice, and lips was blood red. There was no prize in telling that she was obviously a vampire.
"What a little boy as you are doing alone in a dangerous place like this? The woman's long nailed finger caressed Harry's neck, come with me, I will get you home." Harry tried to get rid of her but she possessed a superior strength by which she was dragging him to a dark alleyways, moreover Harry's body was of a child.
"Let me go." Harry shrieked.
"Trust me, you don't want to." The vampire smiled revealing her fangs.
As she stopped in an alley and grabbed his neck on a hand, Harry's right hand got freed. Without delay he took out his wand and pointed towards her.
"Stupefy" He shouted. As the stunned vampire fell down, Harry ran for his life until he bumped into ….Tom?
"Harry what on earth are you doing here?" Tom steadied a falling Harry.
"Is that the Potter boy? See just what I told you." Harry looked at maker of the comment, who was obviously Abraxas Malfoy. He looked too alike as his son and grandson to not to be him. So that means Tom was having a secret meeting with Abraxas?
"I will see you around, Malfoy" With a not Tom started dragging Harry all along to Diagon Alley.
"Tom please listen to me." Harry pleaded as he was attempting to not fall down. "Please stop, it hurts"
"Unless you are going to give me a good explanation for following me I am going to drag you like this all the way to wool's" Tom said dangerously.
"No, Tom, please believe me, it was not what you think." Harry almost cried as with Tom's force his hands seemed coming out of socket.
"Even after I asked you to wait for me you came here, you think I am going to believe this?" Tom seemed in no mood to listen.
"No Tom, I waited for you but you didn't come back so I got bored went to read books in Flourish, but I don't know how I ended up here in midway. And then a vampire chased me and I was running. See there is her scratch on my neck.
Tom stopped at this and checked Harry's neck. There was indeed some red scratch mark which is possible by big vampire nails. He took out his wand and spelled a healing charm on Harry.
"That is why I asked you not to move from here. See how dangerous it could be for you." Tom said gravely. "How did you get rid from her?"
"Garlic pickles. To think of a proper justification to avoid disclosing his knowledge of wand magic Harry suddenly remembered the ploughman's lunch where he disliked those pickles. "I had some those pickles from lunch with me that I threw at her" He said hurriedly. And Tom smirked.
"Good presence of mind. But next time do listen to me." He smoothed the disheveled hair of Harry. Although he still had doubt on Harry's action but he can't lie about vampire attack. There was news of Vampire Elizabeth preying on children again. In that case Harry just survived her, so he chose not to be harsh for now.
When collecting the owl and other packages the returned to wool's it was already dusk, But Harry's mind was filled with brightness. Just a few days and he was going to be free from this hellhole. Now he just hope Dumbledore comes back soon.
