Chapter Three: Diagon Alley

Mortifera walked behind her uncle keeping to herself. She followed him silently from store to store as they knocked out the list of supplies she would need for her seventh year of school. "New robes," Severus said pulling her from her daze. "Yes, sir," she said as they walked into Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasion. "Severus," the old lady said as she approached them. The store seemed pretty empty only one other person stood there. "Miss Acerabus. It has been a very long time since I have had the honor of dressing you," she said pulling her away from her uncle and onto the circle in the center of the room. "Slytherin robes. Silk. And an Emerald riding coat, if memory serves me right."

She measured away not even waiting for a response from Mortifera. Mortifera heard the door open behind them. "Severus," a soft voice said. Mortifera tried to turn but couldn't. "Narcissa, Draco," Severus said in a polite tone. "How are you?"

"We've been better," Narcissa said smiling. Draco stood with his arms cross. "Draco's having a bit of a hard time, but what child wouldn't."

"I'm not a child anymore, mother," Draco said in a harsh tone. Mortifera walks towards them adorned in a rough stitch of her school robes. As she approaches, Draco's mouth falls open. "What do you think, uncle," she says calling attention to her and away from Draco. "You look stunning," Narcissa says smiling. "I must agree," Severus began. "You look a lot like your mother."

"You are an angel, Fera," Draco says with a slight blush. "Thank you Draco," she smiles her cheeks turning equally as red. "And you've grown up quite a bit."

"So have you," Draco smiled.

"Well dear," Madam Malkin says walking over. "What do we think?"

"I like them. Can you have them sent to us at the Leaky Cauldron?"

"Yes, of course dear," she said. "Fera," Severus began. "Stay here for the moment while I run to Gringotts to make a withdrawal to pay for your robes."

"Of course, uncle," she said politely. She followed Draco over to the circle. Mortifera watched as her uncle left and Crabbe and Goyle walked in. "Draco," Narcissa said. "Meet me when you are done here back at the Leaky Cauldron."

"Yes, mother," Draco said. He pushed Madam Malkin away. "Fera," he began. "I couldn't help noticing you didn't get a dress robe. Why not?"

"My father left me enough to cover the basics. Last time I went school shopping I spent a little too much."

"I'll buy them for you," Draco said smiling.

"No, Draco," she began. "I couldn't ask that of you."

"It'd be my honor," Draco said. Mortifera nodded and Draco directed Madam Malkin towards her again.

Diagon Alley was full of students and parents alike, all on edge. Harry walked close to Ginny and Mrs. Weasley with Ron and Hermione right behind him as they approached Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasion. "You four go on in," Mrs. Weasley began. "I'm going to pop right over to Flourish and Blott's to pick up your school books. Tonks will be right outside should you need anything."

They did as she instructed and headed on inside the shop only to see Draco Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle standing there talking to Madam Malkin. "She is gorgeous! Absolutely gorgeous," Malkin said. "These better be the best robes you have," Malfoy ordered. "I assure you, Mr. Malfoy. They are," Madam Malkin said as she walked toward the four of them. "What can I do for you today," she asked. "New robes," Ginny said. "Mum said we need to come in for a final fitting on the robes she ordered?"

"Oh, yes," Malkin said directing them toward the platform in the middle of the store. "Well if it's not the famous Harry Potter," Malfoy said in a crude tone. "What Potter, no army to protect you from the Dark Lord?"

"In case you've forgot, Malfoy," Ron began. "Harry's fought Voldomort twice and is still alive! How many people can claim that!"

"How dare you speak to me that way you filthy blood traitor!"

"Unlike you," Harry scoffed. "How's your father anyways? Enjoying his cell in Azkaban," Harry continued. Draco drew his wand as did Harry. Suddenly everything in the room went warm. A hand reached over and touched Draco's arm. Slowly he lowered his wand. Harry turn to see Mortifera standing there. He paused as his gaze met hers. There staring back at him were two emerald green eyes. Those are my eyes. My mother's eyes, he thought. "Draco," she spoke calmly and quietly. "There's no need for violence. Put away your wand."

"Someone needs to teach this blood traitor a lesson," Draco said raising his wand again. "Draco," her voice was stern this time. Draco's eyes met her and he slowly put away his wand. "Thank you," she said smiling. Hermione looked at her questionably. "I see that Draco has forgotten his manner," she said looking at Draco who sulked to a corner. "I'm Mortifera Acerabus."

"I'm-"

"Harry Potter, yes, I know. It must be horrible everyone gawking at you like you're some circus act. I bet it's only gotten worst after the fiasco at the Ministry last year," Mortifera said shaking his hand. Their hands lingered for a moment until Ginny stepped in front of Harry causing him to drop her hand. "I'm Ginny Weasley," Ginny said in a somewhat unpleasant tone. "It's a pleasure. Weasley…You aren't related to Fred and George are you?"

"Yeah," Ron began. "They're our brothers. You know Fred and George."

"I did," she began. "But that was ages ago. I hear they are huge successes now!"

"They own the joke shop here in Diagon Alley," Ron said.

"I had gather that for myself."

"Ron. Ron Weasley," he said realizing that she didn't know his name. "And this is Hermione Granger."

"Hermione Granger?"

"Yes," Hermione said in a questioning tone. "It can't be," Mortifera said. "What can't be," Ron asked. "Oh forgive me. It's just that Viktor spoke so frequently about you. I never thought I would get to meet you."

"You know Krum," she asked.

"Yes," Mortifera continued. "For four years now. For the past four years, I've attended Durmstrang. My father thought it would be safer to have me at Hogwarts though this year to finish my education."

"Mortifera, we must go," Draco whispered to her. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Harry. I hope that we shall become close friends," she said with a smile. She nodded to the others before looking back at Ginny. She had a cold look on her face.

"I don't like her," Ginny said. "I don't know she seems pretty descent and she's gorgeous," Ron said.

"Honestly Ron," Hermione said.

"What? She is," Ron smiled.

"Didn't you see the way she was poking fun at us," Ginny asked.

"You're just paranoid," Ron continued.

"She's a Slytherin. The fact that Draco Malfoy was with her proves that," Ginny defended herself.

"But didn't you see her," Ron continued. "She stopped Malfoy. She's doesn't seem like the rest of them."

"I hope that we shall become close friends," Ginny mocked. "Yes, she hopes you become close friends so she can sell you out to Voldemort and become a Death Eater like the rest of them."

"Let's not judge her too quickly, Ginny," Harry finally said. Ginny sulked in her spot. She didn't like the way that Mortifera had looked at Harry or the way that Harry had looked at Mortifera. "After all," Harry continued. "Everything isn't what it seems."

Mortifera walked beside Draco as they made their way back to the Leaky Cauldron. She had informed her uncle that she was going to spend some time catching up with Draco so he wouldn't worry, but that didn't seem to ease his mind. Draco stepped closer to her as they walked. The look on his face was unusual to all those who had known him these past four years. Their hands seem to brush as they walked making Mortifera blush as she looked down at him. "Draco," an angry voice echoed through her head as they passed the Ice Cream Parlor. "Pansy," Draco said stopping abruptly in front of the pugged face girl whom Mortifera recognized as Pansy Parkinson. "Where've you been? We were supposed to meet 30 minutes ago," Pansy asked in a harsh tone. Mortifera was in disbelief as she listened to her speaking to Draco. "I was busy," Draco answered. "With who, the Durmstrang tart," Pansy said motioning to Mortifera. "Good to see you again Pansy," Mortifera said politely. "But incase you haven't noticed, Draco is a big boy. He doesn't have to check in with you if he wants to do something."

"He's been my boyfriend for four years," Pansy spoke as if she had won the argument.

"Was your boyfriend," Draco said again in a stern voice.

"You don't mean that," she said in a pleading voice.

"Yes, I do. I mean it now just as I meant it four months ago."

"But you said you'd meet me here," Pansy sounded heartbroken.

"Yes, I did. To make it clear, Pansy," Draco said. "I tried my best over holiday to make it as clear as I could, but you couldn't take the hint."

"This is your fault," Pansy declared. ""If you had just stayed at Durmstrang where you belonged this never would have happened?"

"Don't blame her," Draco said stepping between Pansy and Mortifera. "I didn't even know Fera was returning to Hogwarts this year."

"Look at you," Pansy said. "The King of Slytherin and his Queen together yet again! You're pathetic!"

"Pansy," Mortifera said stepping forward putting her hand on Pansy's shoulder which she immediately looked at before looking into Mortifera's eyes which were locked onto her on. "You will not harness ill feelings towards myself or Draco. You will not think yourself better then me. You are not better then me. I would think it wise for you to return to your family and prepare yourself for a trying year at Hogwarts. And you will not speak of this to anyone. Understood?"

"This is not over," Pansy said before stomping off.