Thanks again for your reviews

and without further delay the next chapter

enjoy

Harry Potter, a Slytherin in Gryffindor

Chapter II: Prejudices

Harry could not help but stare in amazement. How was this possible? How did all of that fit into the Middle of London without anyone noticing? How... Harry backtracked his thoughts and almost hit himself for his stupidity. Magic. Of course. Well, the concept was rather strange and fairly new. Apparently Newtons Laws did not seem to apply at all.

"Hagrid, I realize that magic makes it", Harry waved vaguely indicating the whole ally", all possible. But how can magic make it possible? I mean, we are in the middle of London. Doesn't anyone recognize that there's a whole ally here?"

"Well, see", Hagrid sheepishly scratched his head, looking for an answer he probably did not know himself. "Muggles can't see the entrances. They just don't realize it's there. That's Muggle repelling charms. An' than we got wizard space. Not sure how that works. But can make a place much bigger than it is."

Harry blinked.

"Doses that go for things too?" Harry waited for Hagrid;s confirming nod. "Does that mean that I could charm a day pack in a way that it would fit in all my Hogwarts stuff."

"Is not that simple. Yeh won't learn stuff like that in yer fist five years, or so. An' yeh can't extend it unlimited. But yeh can buy trunks and bags that are charmed an' everything."

Making sure that his frig covered the scar on his forehead he stepped into the ally, sighing. What would he give for owning a base cap now. Ogling wizards and witches doing their shopping he speculated whether it would be good to get an additional set of normal robes for day wear and most importantly a hat. This way he could always cover up the scar. On the other hand, nicking some of Aunt Petunia's make up sounded much more practical seeing some of the monstrosities that quite a few dared to wear.

Next to him, Hagrid misread his ogling and thought that he wanted to have a closer look at the different things that the shops offered. Not that that was wrong. Harry had been looking at some of the offered merchandise recognizing cauldrons and a telescope from his list. But Hagrid pointed out that he would have enough time for that after his visit to Gringotts.

Nevertheless, Harry had trouble taking his eyes from a shop that went by the name Eeylops' Owl Emporium. His attention had been drawn to it ever since he heard a very discontent sounding hoot from one of the owls that sat on various places, followed by a very annoyed voice shouting "blasted bird, I should plug your feathers or just stuff you". The snowy owl the shop owner had spoken to did not seem at all impressed by that treat and let out a mocking hoot before simply turning away from the man who huffed and turned back to his customers. The scene caused Harry to smile, though not for long. As if the owl had sensed his staring it turned its amber eyes at him. It looked almost reproachful, like it was saying "don't you dare laugh at the things I've to put up with". Ever since, they held a little staring match that only ended when Hagrid steered him onwards.

On the rest of their way Harry made sure to remember the places that sold something which looked like it belonged to the list that he had, adding to his mental map of the ally. When they reached the bank he had found at least half of the shops they would have to visit later. Though he was sure that he would have visit this place at least a dozen times more to finally get all of it. It was simply to overcrowded with all of the small vendors on the street in addition to the shops.

Gringotts turned out to be a sparkling clean, white, marble-like building that reminded Harry slightly of the pictures of the old Greek temples he had seen in his history books. It towered over the other little shops and made them look slightly shabby. All in all, Harry got the feeling that it was build to impress. The two story houses looked rather crooked and shabby in comparison. Two small, alien looking figures, dressed in identical uniforms of scarlet and gold, stood besides the huge magnificent bronze doors who Hagrid confirmed were goblins. They were both about a head shorter than even himself and considering that he had always been the shortest in his year that, Harry thought, was saying something. Otherwise they looked had rather sharp features, pointed beards. Their noses where rather long to, just as their fingers and, judging by shoe size, their toes. Their skin was darker and reminded him of dusty brown earth. At first they looked slightly comical in their uniforms. Though when they passed the slightly bowing goblin who opened the door for them, Harry saw a very sharp and attentive glaze. He knew instinctively that he would never mess with them. They did not seem the kind who appreciated jokes and the engraved words on the second, silver doors strengthened Harry's impression.

Enter, stranger, but take heed

Of what awaits the sin of greed,

For those who take, but do not earn,

Must pay most dearly in their turn.

So if you seek beneath our floors

A treasure that was never yours

Thief, you have been warned, beware

Of finding more than treasure there.

"Like I said. Yeh'd be mad ter tryin' an' rob it", said Hagrid.

An other two goblins opened the doors and the two of them entered a large marble hall. On each side was a long counter that was long enough to give at least a hundred goblins enough space to work. Some of them scribbled in thick, leather bound ledgers, others weighted coins, precious gems, examined slightly glittering stones for their actual value. Harry also saw a counter that had a shield announcing the current exchange rate for Muggle money and was surprised to see that it was that much of a difference, at least in numbers.

"Morning", greeted Hagrid a free goblin. "We've come ter get some money outta Mr. Harry Potters vault."

"And does Mr. Potter have his key, sir?"

Key, was Harry about to question. Just as Hagrid said that he had it somewhere and started looking in his pockets. He nearly checked all of them until he finally found the little elusive one in his inner breast pocket. Harry almost snorted. He had found that one when he inspected Hagrid's coat. Then again, it would not do to admit to doing something as that. On the other hand, this was the very same pocket that held the letter he had read and, to top it all, it was the only one neatly closed with a sip. Seeing the Gringotts emblem that was at the doors he really should have remembered it. On the other hand, maybe not, he did have to work through a lot of information. How the headmaster could have ever thought it a good idea to grow up without any knowledge about the Wizarding world was beyond him – perhaps he was getting senile in his old age?

"There's the little devil", exclaimed a rather proud Hagrid. While the goblin looked clearly displeased at the sheer amount of disorganization. "Oh, an' this is from Professor Dumbledore. It's about the You-know-what in vault..." Hagrid did not get a chance to finish that as he was interrupted by a clearly impatient and outraged goblin. Honestly, who in the world was stupid enough to announce the vault number of a precious artifact? Harry was torn between amusement and wanting to bash his head against the counter. He was certain that he would not trust Hagrid to guard his secrets no matter how nice of a fellow the giant man was.

"That seems to be in order", interrupted the goblin before the vault number could be blurted out by Hagrid. "I will have someone take you down to both vaults", he threw a quick pricing look at Harry and added like an afterthought, "separately. Griphook!"

Yet an other goblin led them down a couple of steps at the end of the hall and through the largest off all the doors leading from it. Harry had half expected to see more of the riches displayed so far. As it turned out however it looked like the entrance to mines. They had stepped into a narrow stone passage. The torches on the wall kept flickering, indicating a slight movement in the air. A second goblin had joined them and now both whistled sharply and two carts came hurtling up the tracks towards them.

Harry and Griphook got on the first cart and left Hagrid, who had a bit of trouble getting into the small vehicle, with the second goblin behind. For the first time Harry was alone in the Wizarding world and it was exhilarating. It was not just the ride which went at break-neck speed through a labyrinth of tunnels. Harry tried to remember the way it took but it was an impossible feat. And he was sure the cart went over one cross at least twice to throw of anyone trying. However it worked, he was absolutely sure tat this was better than any roller-coaster Dudley had ever described.

The air got colder and damper as the cart plunged them lower and lower. At some point Harry believed to see a flame in one of the crossing passages but the cart was to fast to confirm whether Hagrid's suspicion about dragon guarding Gringotts' vaults was true. they passed through a carve with an underground lake that was filled with huge stalactites and stalagmites.

Deciding it would be better to learn more about the dealings with the bank instead of just admiring the new scenery Harry turned towards the goblin. He took a deep breath to collect thoughts and then addressed Griphook.

"Mr. Griphook, what is the correct procedure to address someone from the bank?"

The goblin looked actually startled for a brief moment. Had he done something wrong?

"Just Griphook, Mr. Potter. Goblins do not have two names. It depends on the matter. What concern do you intend to address?"

"I've only gotten to know that I'm a wizard yesterday evening. I also did not know I possessed any money, nor do I know who had my key. Rubeus Hagrid brought it with him."

The goblins features hardened and became darker as Harry spoke. He mumbled something Harry could not understand as it seemed to be an other language and scowled fiercely.

"In short, Mr. Potter, it means you know nothing."

Now it was Harry's turn to frown but he just nodded. It would not do to interrupt the short time he had for information gathering even though he strongly wanted to protest. Of course he knew something. He was not dump and he had way better grades than his oaf of a cousin.

"I'll explain our currency once we reach the vault then."

"In the Muggle world you have to get bank statements. Does Gringotts have those, too?"

"Yes, they are send out monthly via owl."

"My guardians always complained about the additional cost I'm causing. Did a family by the name of Vernon and Petunia Dursley ever receive money from my parents vault?" Harry honestly doubted it but he had to make sure. If the Dursleys knew he had any money they would probably just try and take it, no matter whether it was magical or not.

"That is something you have to ask the account manager of the Potter vaults. The vault number six hundred eighty-seven is the trust fund", Griphook explained as the cart got slower and finally stopped in front of a small door in the passage wall.

The two got out and Harry had to steady his knees for a second. As fun as the ride had been. Suddenly standing again after all the fast movement was an unusual experience. He mused if he should try a roller-coaster at some point, now that he could most likely afford it – just for comparisons shake of course.

Meanwhile, Griphook had opened the door and impatiently motioned him to get in as Harry could only star at the mounds of gold coins, columns of silver and heaps of bronze. When Harry entered he also found a small, dusty and old fashioned bag, that looked like it belonged somewhere into the middle ages. He picked it up and used his thump to clean the metal ornament on the front, but winced when he cut himself on a small but very sharp edge. A drop of his blood fell on it. The effect was curious. The ornament glowed shortly in a dark forest green and shortly after the whole bag looked not only clean but brand new.

"Griphook, what is this and what did just happen?"

"A money bag. It will magically refill with a small allowance set by your parents. Now, the coins: twenty-nine bronze Knuts equal a silver Sickle and seventeen of those equal a golden Galleon."

"Hm, and a Galleon is roughly five pounds, thank you Griphook." He took the small bag, that turned out to be quite a bit larger on the inside and counted a slightly larger amount of money. If he did not use it all, he could very well use the rest of it next year without having to return down here, Harry decided and stepped out of the vault.

"Is there a way of contacting the account manager on a short notice? I would like to know what happened to my parents stuff and if there schoolbooks are reusable. There's no need for wasting money if I can't earn any yet", inquired Harry as he got his key back. He would have to obtain a chain for it but for now he would put it into he pouch. As he was about to do this Griphook pointed towards the ornament that was actually his family crest and said that there was a small space behind it and could be retrieved with a drop of blood after it sealed itself shut.

As it would, Hagrid had arrived just before them and clumsily climbed out of his cart. He was swaying and looked rather green, mumbling and cursing slightly under his breath about speed, stupid carts and goblins for not being able to slow those torture machinery down. The big man used the man for a moment and looked at Harry.

"Yeh, got everythin', Harry?"

"I'll be back in a moment Hagrid. We just want to take a look if my parents stuff is here", Harry answered smiling, just barely suppressing a tiny bit of schadenfreude.

"This way please, Mr. Potter", Griphook interrupted any further conversation and they were of through another door.

Harry followed the goblin up a few sets of stairs and through several corridors until they stopped at an office door. Griphook made him wait for a moment and then entered. Harry could hear him and an other goblin converse fast in the language that Griphook had used before. It took a few minutes in which it got rather heated before it finally stopped and Griphook got out again to get Harry inside.

"Mr. Potter, the account manager Grimclaw." He introduced and left with a short bow.

"Mr. Potter", the goblin greeted. His hair was completely white and his skin had a slightly greyish sheen to it. Harry got the impression that he was rather old at least in comparison to Griphook who had had salt and pepper hair and a lot less wrinkles.

"I apologize for the inconvenience, account manager Grimclaw." But the old goblin just waved Harry of and pointed towards a pollster seat opposite to his own at a very large ornate desk. The details carved into the massive dark wood showed scenes of goblins mining, forging, others showed carves or just mines. It was a breathtaking piece of work and Harry would have liked to have some time to appreciate it fully. However, what little experience he had with the goblin told him not to waste any time and so he forced his eyes back towards the goblin, as he sat down.

"Goblins, Mr. Potter, as you may have noticed do not appreciate being deceived or tricked. It lead to quite many wars between your and my kin, as we have a different understanding of belonging. Griphook told me of what transpired and we came to the conclusion that your key must have been with Albus Dumbledore, the current headmaster. Rest assured that no money was taken out of that vault. It was inactive until you visited it twenty-seven minutes ago." He paused shortly which Harry took as a sign to nod signaling that he understood everything so far.

"However, Albus Dumbledore should not have been in possession of your key. He is not your guardian, neither are the people you mentioned to Griphook. Your parents named Sirius Orion Black your godfather. He was put into prison and is therefore unable to look after you or your financial affairs. As the Black vaults have not been confiscated and you are named his heir should he have no children of his own, we have to look into that as well."

"If I may interrupt you, Grimclaw. Why was he imprisoned?"

"Your parents used an enchantment to hide. It is called Fidelius Charm. It can hide a location in plain sight by allowing only one person, the secret keeper, to remember where it is. After the attack on your parents and yourself, Albus Dumbledore testified that Sirius Black was the secret keeper. Based on that statement he was caught and thrown into prison."

Had Harry not been listening so intently he would have flipped. Someone betrayed his parents. They could still be alive if not for that person. But the tone in which the goblin spoke was alarming. Something did not add up.

"You said he was imprisoned based on one testimony. What of the trial."

Grimclaw grinned, all of his slightly crooked, yellowish but sharp teeth showing. That had obviously been the correct question. Was he testing Harry? The eleven-year-old frowned. If that assumption was correct he most certainly did not appreciate it.

"Did he betray my parents?"

"The vaults are still open and access-able to Lord Black."

If this continued he would prematurely develop wrinkles. What was that supposed to mean? Would the vaults automatically close if he had committed the crime? How come the goblins did not work together with the Ministry? And for God's shake, why was it suddenly Lord Black?

"I apologize but I do not comprehend what you are trying to tell me – besides Gringotts and the Ministry not being on best terms?"

"No, you wouldn't. However, your observation is correct. A Lord is no longer recognized by his title if he is convicted in a trial."

"So there never was one."

"Mr. Potter, your parents sent a small package to Gringotts on the 26th of October, six days before they were murdered. As a trust vault is not supposed to hold any objects it was put into the family vault which you can only gain access to with your guardians permission once you have passed your OWL's. Otherwise you would inherit it upon your seventeenth birthday. The only further instruction we had was to send the package back to them shortly after your second birthday. As they died before that, it was never done."

This visit turned out to be a mayor headache, no a migraine, decided Harry as he rubbed his temples and once again cursed the headmaster for leaving him in the Muggle world. There were just to many strange customs and almost certainly just as many obscure laws that he did not know about but which Grimclaw seemed to want to use – that would probably profit Gringotts in the end. He leaned back into the chair and pondered.

"Let me summarize: Everyone believes my godfather, Lord Black, to be the secret keeper and betrayer of my parents but you think you may have evidence stating otherwise but you never told the Ministry because they wouldn't listen anyways." Grimclaw nodded and leaned back himself. "I can't go into the Potter Family vault", Harry continued tentatively. "However, my guardian, who is currently imprisoned without trial, could – or a goblin of Gringotts. If my parents vault contains any money it is probably gaining interest. Also, Hagrid said that my family is rather old. So they may have their own investments. Finally, it was not overly dusty in the vault so someone does some cleaning down their every so often."

Grimclaw's smile had been growing steadily during Harry's monologue. His eyes were also twinkling lightly as he sat up again.

"The question is, what do you gain from it if I task Gringotts with finding said package and the possible evidence? And what will it cost me?"

"Congratulations, Mr. Potter. Let us talk about your benefits first. If my hunch holds true and Lord Black is innocent then you will have a guardian in the magical world. Some of the investments that your parents made are no longer profitable. Your family vault does not hold as much money as it used to. Your father invested a great deal during the war. He had, however, no chance to see all of the vaults the head of his family is entitled to. And this is what will profit Gringotts. These old vaults of long forgotten families would be unfrozen. They do not hold much in terms of money but books and artifacts, some magical others not so much, and some of them goblin-made. Goblins believe that everything made by them should be returned after the owners death. If you want something made by goblins you pay us for the effort that was put into it, not it's materials. We only produce very high quality, be it weapons, jewelery or otherwise."

"Would Gringotts offer to find a solicitor to get in contact with Lord Black over the new development, if possible evidence holds true so that every further financial agreement could be done with my correct guardian?" The goblins face turned grim like his name but Harry was not yet finished. "I would in turn write an agreement that any goblin-made item that was not intended for my line but just for a single person would be returned to the goblins."

"Your strike a hard bargain, Mr. Potter." This time it was Harry's turn to grin toothily.

"I'm good at observing. The information you gave me would probably allow me to do it on my own but it would take me much longer."

"The objects intended for your line can not be given to someone outside the family."

"Any children that I may have continue my line, regardless if a daughter or son." Harry felt slightly uncomfortable at this. He was eleven. He had absolutely no interest in girls or having children for at least an other ten years and even that sounded far to early for him. Though, striking the bargain with the goblins that was not hammered out to the last detail seemed like a rather foolish thing to do.

"A witch always takes the name of her husband, they will not continue the Potter family", Grimclaw tried to argue.

"Then again, you will try to access as many vaults as possible. So that wont stop you from going through any female line that you can dig up so long as it has goblin-made items or profit to gain." That made the goblin grumble but Harry would not budge on that. He would not allow himself to be cheated out of something that could be of use to him and his family later on.

"That counts for your family as well as any that we can dig up, as you put it, Mr. Potter."

"I shall not be held responsible for damaged or lost items", added Harry after a moment of thought. Who knew if there was an entire list of objects that the goblins had crafted and their purpose. He would not get himself indebted over a missing ring or necklace just because it was stolen or lost.

With a grim nod the goblin agreed and explained that he would look for the package, see if it indeed held the evidence they hoped for and then draw up the agreement which he would send to Harry by owl. He would then, after receiving the students confirmation, notify Lord Black, as Harry was not yet able to legally sign any documents and a suitable solicitor – in that order.

"Now, your parents personal belongings. You understand, that you can only inherit once you turn seventeen. Fortunately for you they were never brought here. Your childhood home was put under charms to preserve its state right after the attack and everything was left in place. The Ministry turned it into a memorial. Though, no one can enter. This is the address." Grimclaw took one of the large feathery quills and wrote on a piece of parchment which he then handed to Harry. "You should be able to enter the house. But doing so you might set of an alarm with the Ministry."

"How do I get there?"

"Gringotts can provide you with a two-way portkey, an inconspicuous object that you have to touch and reacts at a set time or after an activation phrase that will transport you instantly to a prior set location – for the standard fee of course. Or you could take the Knight Bus. Once you obtained you wand, wave it. The rather bumpy ride would be eleven Sickles."

"I'll try the bus this time as I'll probably have to get used to it."

"Very well", ended Grimclaw their conversation and Harry, thanking him, left the office.

Outside the door stood still Griphook who brought him down again. There was no further conversation between the two. Only when they reentered the hall with the long counter Harry turned once more to thank Griphook for his assistance which appeared to startle the goblin as much as the older one. Well, maybe not many wizards had manners.

Hagrid was waiting on the front steps of Gringotts.

"You look better now."

"Hm, dunno like these carts. But yeh took some time in there. Problems? Goblins asked me where I got yer key."

"I wouldn't call it problems but apparently you weren't supposed to have my key and neither was the headmaster. They just wanted to make sure everything was in order and explained one or two things, too."

"Let's get yer uniform first we can collect them later."

"They are custom made?"

"No use doing it differently. Not to many wizards around."

Hagrid nudged Harry towards Madam Malkin's Robes for all Occasions. There they split up again. Hagrid said he wanted to do something and that it would take a bit anyway. So Harry just entered the store. It was almost empty, which was likely luck, but for a blond boy standing on a footstool in the back of the shop. He was rather pale, with a pointed face and greyish blue eyes.

"That would be all Mr. Malfoy", said the seamstress and turned around towards him. "Hallo, dear? Hogwarts?"

Harry greeted back and nodded.

"Go ahead an stand on it we'll get you fitted right away", she replied pointing to the second footstool while she helped the other boy out of his fitted robes that had yet to be sewn.

"Hello, so you're going to Hogwarts, too."

"Yes, I'm really looking forward to attending."

"My father's next door buying my books and mother's up the streets looking for wands", drawled the boy without taking any not of what Harry said. He reminded him rather strongly of Dudley, just with a little more intelligence. Self-preservation would require not to make an enemy out of him, though. No need to deal with another bully for the next years if you could avoid it and keep it at least civil.

"You are sure lucky to have two magical parents." That startled the boy enough to get him to stop his monologue.

"They were our kind, were they not? Where are they anyway?"

"Firstly, they were and, second, they died at the end of the last war."

"Oh, sorry", replied the boy, not sounding all that sorry. "So, who're you with?"

"Someone from the Hogwarts staff. There where complications with my letter."

"How? It's delivered by owl. They can find you everywhere."

"Nope", here Harry grinned and decided to play the boys apparent dislikes. "A certain someone thought it was better if I grew up with my magic hating maternal aunt." It was a bit of a risk, considering how the boy thought of everyone not a wizard or witch but he had at least a fifty fifty chance.

"She's a squib?" What the hell was that, Harry wondered.

"I wouldn't know yet. She didn't so much as let me utter the", here he made air-quotes with his fingers, "m-word – well, magic. But I believe that she might be a Muggle and just jealous of my mum. And before you ask, my dad might be of an old family but there was probably no one alive who would take me in."

"A half-blood then", muttered the blond boy almost silently but Harry still heard him. He released the breath he had been holding. Mission accomplished. For a moment it had looked like the blond would just leave but Harry had managed to give just enough information to leave him curious.

"So, what house do you thing you'll be in?" Now Harry was thankful that he had asked Hagrid earlier, otherwise there would have been now way to answer that.

"I don't know. It's not like we will get to chose."

"Well, of course nobody knows. But my family has been in Slytherin for generations." Malfoy obviously tried to regain the lead of this conversation. But Harry didn't mind so much. "Imagine ending up in Hufflepuff." Well, maybe he did.

"What does Slytherin stand for anyway. There seem to be a lot of preconceived notions around for all of the houses."

"Yeah, I guess so. Slytherin is supposedly picked on most by anyone. They somehow believe that we're all evil. Salazar Slytherin, the founder of our house, valued cunning and ambition the most. You'll be save from Muggle-borns, too. So, how was growing up with these people? Are they still that backwards with no running water and all that."

"It wasn't funny. Though, it's either because they do not understand magic and fear it or my aunt's just plain jealous. Though, they have had running water in the houses for about a hundred years. Stepping into Diagon Ally was little like going back in time." Malfoy did not seem to believe that.

"Was it", he drawled. Harry thought for a moment. With people like this you had to be careful what you said and, more importantly, how you phrased it.

"I don't know how wizards perceive Muggles but being separated economically and legally probably puts a lot of distance between both societies. It's probably better that way. But ignoring their advances may turn out fatal. Who knows if their satellites can make out our places or not."

"Their what? How would they be able to do that. They'd never notice us."

"Maybe. But if there are limitations to extending wizard space there may also be limitations on those charms that drive the Muggles away. And a satellite is no Muggle but a machine that is flying around in the orbit."

That got the blond thinking. Maybe there was yet a chance for the other boy.

"So, your family is one of the old ones?"

"It's one of the oldest. Though, my family is originally from France we can trace it back about over height hundred years", now Draco sounded rather proud again.

"So you know a lot about our world already. Did you go to a primary school."

"I guess so. And there's no such things as primary schools. My father hired tutors for me. He, of course, taught me about the Malfoy family. Mother was a Black before they married so I learned about her family as well." Black? That made Harry listen up and it was fairly difficult to hide a reaction. Oh, he would have loved to ask but bringing unwanted attention towards the matter may make the situation worse, especially if the goblins suspicion turned out correct. In that case the two relatives may have very well been on opposite sides of the war.

"What lessons did you have", he asked instead.

"History, Latin, French, Potions and some others. My godfather is a Potions' master. It's also my favourite subject."

"I can understand that. It sounded the most interesting, yet complex when I asked Hagrid about the Hogwarts subjects yesterday evening."

"Hagrid? Oh, I've heard about him. He's a sort of servant at Hogwarts, isn't he?"

"He introduced himself as the gameskeeper and Keeper of Keys of Hogwarts, what ever that means. He did not much elaborate about what he does."

"My father told me that he lives in a hut on the school grounds and every so often when he gets dunk the tries to do magic and setts that thing it on fire."

"That's done, my dear", interrupted the voice of Madam Malkin who had quietly worked on fitting Harry's robes. She had not intruded on the conversation even though she had listened. First she was frowning for she had surly recognized Harry. Or that was what Harry assumed since her eyes had widened for a moment before she firmly kept her eyes from his forehead. As the conversation continued he could see her smirk occasionally. She had obviously recognized what Harry was doing and decided to save him that very moment.

Harry, naturally, used that change of topic in order to slither out from giving an answer to that. In stead the hoped from the footstool and turned towards the seamstress.

"Madam Malkin, you wouldn't happen to know if we'll be allowed to wear anything besides our uniforms on weekends or in the evenings."

Malfoy scoffed beside him and answered instead.

"Of course we are." The older woman just nodded.

"Could you use the same measurements for four sets of casual robes. Two warmer for winter and two lighter ones. Nothing to extravagant though."

"Of course, dear." She headed towards one of the racks and pulled our two forest green robes. Both had silver fastenings and were decorated with silver embroidery of ivy leaves.

"Those are second hand", Malfoy commented besides him.

"They are indeed, Mr. Malfoy." Madam Malin's tone was rather cold towards the blond. "But not everyone is fortunate enough to be able to afford new robes. And these are half formal, as you will notice and hardly worn."

"You have to keep in mind, that I'm an orphan. I only have my trust vault and that has to last me through all of Hogwarts", Harry, though he, too, was chiding Malfoy, was purposefully keeping a much lighter and rather shy tone. It would go over with the blond much better. The larger boy was probably used to adults taking a harsh tone and therefore immediately brushed off what the others wanted him to learn. Harry's approach was much more subtle. And it worked, too. The dark look and the wrinkles on Malfoy's forehead, that he had adopted after Madam Malkin's harsher critique, creased as soon as the smaller preteen had finished speaking.

"Sorry", he said to Harry and this time he even sounded a little like he meant it.

"It's fine", Harry assured. "Won't those be too big", Harry gestured to the robes.

"They'll be fine if I shorten them a little. I'll just put a second seam over the existing one. It will not be visible to anyone but a seamstress and we can reverse it should they hold out and you grow enough."

Harry looked at the tiny price sign and agreed.

"Now, for the other two. Should they also be green and silver", the seamstress asked, eyes twinkling.

Harry was left unable to cope with this. He had never cared about cloths. Well, that was not entirely correct. He was never given the chance to care about cloths. The only things he ever got new were underpants and that was only because Dudley's were so wide that no one else could use them. Otherwise, everything he worn were second hands.

Malfoy was not that timid. He dragged Harry so he could take a walk around him and than looked closely into his face. For a moment Harry feared he would be identified but that didn't happen.

"You should do something about those glasses", he commented absentmindedly. "They look horrid and they are broken." Than he turned back to Madam Malkin. "Some variety, might be better. How about midnight blue with silver or bronze fastenings and seams."

While the seamstress got a sampler of her cloth. Draco looked carefully over the racks. He seemed to find what he was looking for and took out one slightly dusty robe at the end. It was clearly made for a slim built adult and would be to large. But it's condition was excellent. The style was also somewhat similar.

"Madam Malkin, is it possible to just shrink those and than gradually release the spell?"

This time Malfoy actually received a tiny smile from her. Harry did not see an obvious reaction from the blond but for a second his eyes shined a bit brighter. Praise was evidently not something he received often.

"You have a good eye, Mr. Malfoy. And yes I can shrink them. Now unless we find one more set these are the less expensive samples that would work for an other set of winter robes. Are you sure it's to be dark blue, dear?"

"Oh, I don't mind dark blue. I just don't like the washed out overly much."

It took only a while but they soon found what they looked for. As the blue robes had no stitchery but bronze fastenings they decided to go with an identical style with the winter set, even though Harry would have liked the small seam of snowflakes. He did however ask in a moment when Malfoy did not pay attention if it was possible to change the fastening on his neck in a way that his family crest could be shown which Madam Malkin confirmed with a secret smile.

"I'll be collecting later this evening or tomorrow then", Harry confirmed and turned back the blond teen that was unnervingly enough at least half a head taller than him.

"By the way, what is your name. I can hardly address you as Malfoy or just 'you' all of the time?"

In this very moment the bell over the shop's door chimed. A tall, well built man with long blond hair and rather similar features to the blond preteen entered. His expression was a cold mask. Only his eyes betrayed his feelings, showing the impatience.

"Draco, what is taking you so long?"

edited: August 18, 2014; 01:25