V.
"I really should go back to Hogwarts today," Harry told Theo over breakfast. A fresh loaf of bread had appeared in the cupboard just as Theo had promised along with new eggs and some apples. Harry had quickly whipped up a batch of toads in holes, which Theo deemed delicious, and found a tin of tea tucked in the far corner of a shelf, so they had a proper English Breakfast.
"But what about holiday shopping?" Theo's face fell dramatically, "We were going to go to Diagon Alley and get you a wand and new robes and look at the shops and get sweets and-"
It all sounded very tempting to be honest. Christmases were always a low point for Harry who had never particularly enjoyed watching Dudley attack dozens of presents while he unwrapped a pair of old socks. Last Christmas was the first proper celebration- what with the gifts from the Weasleys and Hagrid and eating dinner with the Professors. It would be pretty smashing to go see Diagon Alley all dressed up for Christmas.
"Alright," Harry conceded and Theo brightened immediately, "But I have to go back to Hogwarts afterward. Just for a little."
He'd get some chocolate or something for Ron and Hermione as an apology for abandoning them after the disastrous potion accident.
. . . . . . .
Diagon Alley dressed up for Yule was even more magical than Harry had hoped. The little shops were lit with strings of fairy lights- real fairies in some cases- and the snow fell white and crisp on the roads. A choir of yuletide singers stood on the corner, singing songs that sounded almost familiar, between the bustle and hustle of children laughing, parents shopping and shopkeepers calling out. Theo and Harry stumbled out of the floo, hands held tight, and shared near-identical grins.
"Robes first, I think," Theo said and began tugging Harry down the street and Harry could only agree. They had compromised on Harry wearing half of his uniform but one of Theo's old robes- since no one would believe a Nott would willingly wear Gryffindor robes.
"Daphne says that no one in their right mind shops for normal robes at Madame Malkins and that anyone with any taste has to go to the Silk Worm's Sonnet." Harry had never heard of such a place but was happy to be guided along as he eagerly devoured the sights of holiday cheer in the wizarding world.
They stopped in front of an elegant door and were ushered inside by a pretty shopgirl with a curious look. Her eyebrows raised further as Theo ordered a 'full-set' for his sister.
"And who's tab shall we be placing your order?" She asked. Theo fumbled around his neck and produced a heavy, stone ring that was elegantly carved into a winding, twisting pattern. The girl leaned closer and her eyes widened. "Oh, of course, Master- and Mistress- Nott. Right this way. We will be most eager to place your order."
Theo grinned happily at an astonished Harry as they were led to superbly comfortable chairs, given their choice of tea or hot cocoa, and a very elegant woman appeared. She introduced herself as Madame Linena and, over her own cup of tea, began to quiz Harry on every possible aspect of her life.
Did she prefer dancing or singing? What was her favorite season? Did she spend much time in the kitchens or potions rooms? How often did she find herself riding Pegasi? Which was her favorite- periwinkle or eggshell blue?
At first, Harry tried to guess what someone like Dorothea might answer, which only seemed to confuse and irritate the older woman, so he switched to answering honestly. After that, the questioning went much more smoothly.
"Very well," Madame Linena concluded, "The final question is, which of these do you prefer?" She waved her wand and several different swatches of cloth floated over to where Harry was seated. Harry leaned forward but could tell little difference between the colors. Finally, he reached out and touched each cloth. As soon as he did, their differences were immediately apparent. This one felt slippery. This one felt rough. That one made him sneeze uncontrollably. Finally, he found one that felt 'right,' and looked up excitedly.
"This one," He told Madame Linena, who nodded seriously and, with another flick of her wand, sent that particular swatch flying away.
"An excellent choice, Mistress Nott. You truly live up to your family's name. Now the first dress is complete. Let us try it on."
. . . . . . .
"I'm sorry if that was horribly boring for you," Harry told Theo for the third time in as many minutes. "I didn't know it would take that long. Or that there were so many choices."
Or that it could be so fun, he added silently. All his life, his clothes had been hand-me-down's from Dudley and were either stained, holely, or so large he could swim in them. He hadn't realized the clothes could be worn and actually make you feel good.
So, even though he was wearing very much a girl's dress, it was the softest, most comfortable thing he had ever put on his body. Plus, the skirt flew out when he spun around which was fantastic. Pairing the dress with a small cape, and a matching white fur muff and hat, and new kid boots- Harry barely felt like himself anymore!
"I had fun," Theo protested.
"Really?"
"It was fun to watch you have so much fun," Theo repeated. Harry grinned at him and caught his reflection in a store's window. He looked wonderful- like the most stylish of witches in the magazines all the girl's read. He felt like a movie star. Like someone special and important. Not because of something they had done as a baby, but because of who they were and what they could do at this very moment.
Sponatneoulsy, Harry reached out and grabbed Theo's hand.
"I had a lot of fun," He confessed. "Thank you."
. . . . . . . .
"Ah yes, beech and unicorn hair," Ollivander studied Harry with his luminous eyes thoughtfully as Harry spun in a circle- a long, olive colored ribbon trailing out of his new wand. It had taken some convincing to coax Harry to step back into the wand maker's shop. First, it still felt like a betrayal of his old Holly and Phoenix feather one. Second, after taking ages in the clothing shop, he dreaded another hour long session finding the right wand for him. Finally, and most secretly, he was worried that the mysterious old man might somehow see through his transformation to the boy underneath.
But his fears were unfounded. Ollivander hadn't even questioned the sudden appearance of Dorathea Nott, hadn't even asked her a question about her origins. It had taken three tries, rather than three hundred, to find a wand which leapt to quiet life in his hand. Harry had wrapped his fingers around the soft wood and it had felt right, much like the tapestry magic in Nott Keep had felt right. An experimental wave of his new wand produced not colorful sparks, but a long, silk ribbon. Harry smiled.
"I sold a similar wand many years ago," the old man continued and Harry's heart seized in his chest. Surely the prophecy couldn't have followed him into this body! Surely the Dark Lord didn't have two wands?
"Your mother, I believe," Olivander concluded and Harry let out a breath or relief. "Yes, was it beech or was it willow- Willow, I believe. Unicorn hair, quite thin, quite swishy. Excellent charm work potential, but not much stamina."
Out of the corner of his eye, Harry saw Theo lean forward, drinking up the small bits of information hungrily. Harry dropped his wand and the ribbon slowly drifted down around his feet. Theo bent and picked it up quickly.
"It's good luck," He muttered, knotting the ribbon into a compact braid quickly, "To keep the first thing you make with your wand. Good protection. Or a sign of favor when courting." He tucked the ribbon into Harry's pocket. Ollivander nodded in agreement.
"A good wand," He told Harry, "Solid. Be true to yourself, keep your mind free and flexible, and it will serve you well."
Such a different prediction than his first wand, Harry thought quietly as Theo once again showed the stone ring as payment. But he almost preferred this one.
. . . . . . . .
"Where do you want to go next?" Theo's nose and cheeks were shiny with cold, but his eyes were bright. Harry couldn't remember the last time he had had so much fun in an afternoon. After collecting Harry's new wand, they had gone sweet tasting, browsed the stacks of Florish and Blotts, dared each other to stick their hands in buckets of beetle eyes and toad spawn, and pet the softest cats in the world at the Pet Euporium. "We could-"
"Nott?" A familiar voice called out in disbelief. "Theodore Nott? Out in public? With a - who are you?"
Theo and Harry turned as one to see Draco Malfoy, of all people, arms loaded with brightly wrapped gifts and nose pink with cold, gawking at them. Lucius Malfoy and a woman who could only have been Draco's mother trailed behind him. They were dressed warmly and beautifully, Harry noted and then was surprised that he noticed.
"Now Draco," Draco's mother swept up behind the boy and patted his head disapprovingly, "Is that anyway to speak to a lady?
"Not just any lady," Lucius Malfoy commented, eyeing Harry critically, "With that coloring, you must surely be a Nott."
"My sister," Theo said quietly. His hand sought out Harry's and held fast.
"Really?" Lucius' eyes widened in surprised delight, but his smile reminded Harry of a snake. "This calls for a celebration. Please, you must allow us to treat you both to dinner."
Theo and Harry shared a look. Harry bit his lip and Theo sighed.
"Thank you, Lord Malfoy. We would be most honored."
. . . . . . .
A/N: Thank you for following this story so far! It has been very fun to write such a fluffy story so far.