Disclaimer: Are these really nessary? I mean we are on a fanfiction site. Eh, I DO NOT own Harry Potter.

Authors Note: Well, it seems I still have writers block on my other stories. So I'll be continuing this one until I can't figure out what to put on paper, er, computer. I'm going to speed Creton up on his shopping, and make this chapter longer as to have him enter Hogwarts in the next chapter.

Betaed By: Cintasia

Creton looked around before completely stepping out of the store. He was glad to have a new ally although he didn't really trust the Madam.

Really, doing all this shopping for his new school was just a reason for his procrastinations. You see, he had a meeting with the old coot sometime today. Dumbledore had sent a letter for a meeting at his convenience, so Creton was going to take his time shopping for school supplies to a school he didn't want to go to.

It was amazing how Diagon Alley never seems to change. Passing right by the quidditch store, he headed straight for Florish&Bolts. Amazingly enough, no one recognized him by sight. In some countries, he was flagged as a suspect for numerous crimes although the ministries could never seem to find any evidence to hold against him. He guessed the rumour was only the truth; The British never peeked out of their shell, choosing to remain ignorant.

He had been walking through the bookshop when a blonde-haired girl bumped into him. She had an angelic face, with grey eyes like arctic ice. He couldn't help but smile at the girl, as she had a surprised look on her face.

"Sorry 'bout that, I was following the Nargles. They led me straight into you", she said dreamily. She started to get up, when Creton offered his hand to help her. After being helped up,she looked at the wizarding clock on the store's wall.
"Oh! I've got to go, Father will not be happy if I'm late for our hunt", she hurried out and with that, she was gone.

Creton noticed that she seems to disappear into thin air. Interested in the fae-like girl, he soon realized that he didn't know her name only the remembrance that she was carrying a bag with the Crest of Hogwarts on it. Shrugging it off, he figured that he would find out on September first. Looking through the books, he grabbed what he needed and went over to the cashier. It didn't take long to make payment and soon, he was ready to leave and obtain the remaining school supplies he lacked. Looking over the list again, he decided to head to Knockturn Alley to get his potion ingredients, amongst other things.

As he entered the alley, many shied away from him. His magic had let loose a few strands of his aura making the locals weary. It had been a long time since an aura of such power had been felt.

Seeing a dark, shabby building cloaked in what seems to be a notice-me-not ward, Creton headed straight for it. Once inside the small shop, you could tell it sold potion ingredients and other whatnots. Bits and pieces of different creatures, rare plants, and other ingredients for potion-making were kept in jars on shelves around the room. It smelled of brews, and had a rather shady atmosphere. Anything a potioneer was looking for would most likely be found from the impressive number of shelves found in the medium-sized store. The young lord glided over to the counter and pressed the small bell resting upon the table top. It made a high pitched ringing noise before a man in black robes appeared. Although he appeared no older than thirty, Creton knew better.

"I assume you came to pick up your order", the man stated.

Creton smirked, Crux always did seem to state the obvious.

"Ah, yes, that. I would also like to get a sixth-year potions kit", Creton said in a dull voice, knowing that last part would peak the interest of the other man.

"Sixth Year? I would have thought you were well advanced, almost at Masters' level. My, how the mighty have fallen. There has been talk of you being under control of the Ministry." Crux answered lightly.

He didn't have to add the last part, but it had just slipped out. He went to gather Creton's package of 'goodies', along with the potions kit to hurry to the green-eyed boy, hoping to finish the transaction fast. But when he turned around with the supplies, he found a wand aimed directly between his eyes.

"You shouldn't talk about such things if you wish to live to see your next customer", Creton hissed, Crux had gone too far. Most likely, such rumours had come from the same people who had put a leash on him. Well, this was the last school he would ever attend! Afterwards, he will be free!

Crux just nodded, and pushed the merchandise towards the young man. At the moment, his life was more important than mounds of galleons. "Take it, it's your stuff", was all Crux replied.

The young man nodded and removed his wand from the shopkeeper's head. Grabbing his stuff, he silently cast an invisible shield around himself.
A spell flew past him but missed. A good thing for the shopkeeper because had it hit, it would have been reflected back towards the caster. Ignoring it, he passed through the entry way.

Creton went over his supply list once more, and found that he had obtained everything he needed for his new school. Now, he just needed to visit the ol' Dumbles.

The instant he apparated and appeared at the gates of Hogwarts, he was grabbed roughly by the shoulder and forced into a side-apparation.