With Love,
Left4Love*
Girl With the Leopard Print Tights
Weeks had passed since the incident in the study, but for how much Dominic was thinking about it, it could have happened yesterday. The summer was coming to a close and the new school year was fast approaching.
Draco still didn't know the details about what happened. In fact, he didn't know anything. Even though Natalie wanted to tell him literally straight after the spell wore off. Dominic convinced her not to, saying that they need to figure out more about what actually happened before they start pointing figures. It would cause more havoc then good.
Deep down inside she knew him to be right, but she couldn't shake the feeling of guilt whenever she saw her father. Knowing that of she hadn't been there he probably would have been a dead mean. She also believed that he had the right to know that someone tried to kill him. If she was in his shoes, she would want someone to tell her.
She would be on the train to Hogwarts later this week, and she couldn't tell who was more nervous, her or her father. It even bothered him to let his Nattie out of his sight every month to visit Hermione's parents. He was dreading this day ever since she left the womb (that and her future wedding).
Natalie was nervous for an entirely different reason. She was worried that she wouldn't be any good in magic. Especially with her mom being absolutely brilliant and her father close behind. She didn't want to be in any way a disappointment to them. She knew her brother got great marks last year, and knowing she hadn't had her mum's brain or even her father's ambition. How could she even compare?
At breakfast that morning Draco was smoking his tobacco filled pipe as he read the daily prophet. His grey eyes were squinted with intensity. He was still in his silk silver and green robe much to his wife's displeasure. The irony of it was that Hermione wasn't well put together in the morning either. Her hair was crazed and kinked without her wizard anti-frizz styling gel. Her pink night gown was slipping off her left shoulder, and her eyes were clouded as she poured her husband his coffee.
"When are you going to put out that damn pipe? It's a revolting habit, you know. You're a lucky bloke, you got that right?" Hermione said with a small smile creasing her face.
Draco looked up from the paper, looked into his wife's eyes, and laughed.
"The only reason I can see how I'm lucky is that you are my Mrs. Malfoy."
"You're such a cheese, Draco."
"Please, you know you just love to eat all the cheese."
"Maybe."
Putting his pipe down, he grabbed his wife's chin and kissed her. The kiss was cold, soft, and innocent. Their lips meshed into each other. Draco's hands moved from her chin to her waist. Her hands were on his hair.
He started to take of her nightie when...
"Ahemmmmm!" Dominic said as he entered from the west wing.
He was the only one out of his pajamas. Considering how his parents were dressed in the early morning. He was showered, dressed, and ready to go.
"I hope I wasn't interrupting anything too important. If I was my apologies."
"Oh no my boy, nothing your mum and I can't pick of later."
Dominic nodded and sat down. He began to munch out on his eggs and toast.
"Dominic, why are you dressed like that? You going some where important?" Hermione said sipping a bit of her coffee.
Dominic smacked his forehead with his palm, and shook is head in a disappointed manner.
"You guys seriously forgot?"
"Forgot what?" His parents said in near unison.
"Hello? School supplies for Nattie and I. Were going back to Hogwarts on Thursday, and today is Tuesday."
"I completely forgot," His parents both said in near unison.
"Obviously!"
"Is your sister up yet, son," Draco said, still smoking his pipe.
"Of course not, she always sleeps in till about ten."
"Well go wake her up then! Move, move, move! Get going! We have a schedule to keep. Oh Merlin, I can't believe I forgot! Let's go Draco."
"Let me finish my damn pipe, woman!"
"No!"
Hermione reached over for Draco's pipe. Grabbed it from his mouth, and chucked it across the room. It hit the ground. Shattering into thousands of tiny particles of glass. It was his favorite pipe too.
"Smoking is a disgusting vice," she said as she walked to the washroom.
'Can't live with her. Can't live without her.' Draco thought to himself as he finished up the prophet.
In the mean time, Dominic was pounding on his sister's door.
"Nat, get your scrawny arse out of here in two seconds, orI'm breaking in!"
"Nooooooooooooooooooooooo, five more minutes!" She screamed emphasizing the no.
"You said that ten minutes ago."
"Mhmmmmmmmm, go away!"
"Natalie, I'm serious. I'm counting to three. If you're not out here when I get to three I'm coming in and getting you for myself."
"One, two, and three," Dominic said pulling out his wand.
He pushed open the door with all the strength he can muster. He got into the room with ease.
'Stupid girl, she forgot to lock it.'
"Levicorpus."
Natalie was instantly hoisted in the air by her ankles. She had to be at least ten feet off the ground. Her face turning a reddish-purple as the blood rushed to her head.
Her lips started quivering. Her eyes started watering. Her fingers and toes started to twitch. She was flown into immediate panic.
"Oh my flippin' Merlin! Put me down! Please put me down!"
"Only if you promise to-
"Yes, I promise to never ever sleep in again. Just let me down!"
"Works for me."
Setting down his wand Natalie flipped right back up and fell down on her cushiony full sized bed. Quickly she managed to pick herself up from the fall. Her eyes were wide and bright. Her curls tangled, knotted, and frizzy. Clothes were half on and there was dirt on her nose.
Her brother's eye brow rose. "So I assume you're ready?"
"For me never going to sleep in again?"
He rolled his eyes at her.
"You Natalie Malfoy," he said with his arms crossed and his eyes razor sharp, "are a complete and utter idiot."
"Dommmmmmmmminicccccccccccc, just tell me."
"Does Diagon Alley ring a bell?"
She furrowed her brow. Making the same wrinkle in her face her father had since he was just barely an adult. She bit her buck teeth down on her full bottom lip until she figured it out.
"We were supposed to go today, weren't we?"
"Looks like you're not as completely brain dead as I assumed."
"Don't look so smug Dominic. You practically failed flying last year."
"How do you know that?"
"You see," she said tilting her head, letting her blonde mane of curls fall, opening her brown eyes wide, trying to achieve the perfect innocent expression. "I have my ways."
'Such a future Slytherin', Dominic thought to himself.
"You better get ready. Were taking off in thirty."
Natalie nodded.
"Oh and Nattie."
"Yes Dom?"
"Take a bath, you smell!"
"Are you sure that's not just your arrogance you got a whiff of? Because I think that scent overcomes any odor."
"Charming," he said as he turned to walk out of the room. He had very exaggerated posture. As if there was always the chance he'd meet someone important.
As he shut the door, Natalie went straight for the shower. Of course she'd never admit it to her older brother, but she really did stink. The washroom was decent. It wasn't as extravagant as all the other ones in the manor, but she liked it. In her opinion simple was best. It had marble flooring with light red walls. They use to be green until she convinced her dad to change it a few months ago. The shower could fit about three thin people comfortably. In short it was strikingly similar to a Muggle one. Except it ran on magic and not running water.
Her bare feet twitched as she moved across the washroom floor. She undressed, throwing the clothes on the ground, missing the bright purple laundry bin completely, and making her way to the radio by the sink.
Wizard Technology was a huge part of today's society. They had lap tops, phones, mp3 players, and all that good stuff. It was still pretty new though. Only the richest wizard families had it, and like many muggle technology it didn't work at places that didn't pay for the magic charm.
Natalie pressed play, and literally hopped in the shower. It started playing Natasha Bedingfield's Pocket full of Sunshine. She began singing along, horribly and very off key, but singing nonetheless.
She let the clean crisp water hit her skin. Scrubbing, rubbing, and rinsing. She finished her shower in less than ten minutes.
"A new record," she thought.
Grabbing a new, white, and fluffy towel she dried her body. She left a big wet spot by the shower, like she always did. She put on a clean robe and put her damp now borderline light brown hair in a towel wrap.
Walking to her dresser she pulled out each article of clothing. Looked at it, and would toss it on the bed. Natalie finally decided on a faded pair of tight jeans, a purple tank top, and a navy blue jacket from a cheap muggle chain store. She didn't even bother to pick all the clothes up. She kind of liked when thinks weren't in their place.
Pulling the towel off her head she turned to the mirror. Her hair was crazed. She didn't even bother to brush the bush. She wasn't going any where special, so she just put it up in a lopsided messy bun.
Grabbing her signature rainbow socks and her grey vans, she darted out the door.
Draco, Hermione, and Dominic were all waiting in the living room. As each second ticked by they all grew more impatient for Natalie to get downstairs. Hermione began to tap her index finger.
They heard a rumbling. All heads turned to Natalie who looked equally disorganized as she did when Dom woke her up. Her heart was beating at a fast rate and she was panting.
"What did I tell you about panting?" Dominic said slowly, cocking a smirk and raising an eyebrow.
He was wearing a plain green sweater and grey slacks. This was about as informal he would ever really get. His shoes, though, were shiny in extreme. It was from a spell he learned in charms last semester.
She ignored her brother and turned to her parents.
"Sleep well, Nat?" Draco said getting up and grabbing one of his cigars off one of the top shelf.
Draco had on a black collared shirt which was buttoned evenly under a dark emerald satin vest. His trousers were slim fitting and he had a golden chain hooked on his belt loop. On the end of that chain golden chain was a watch.
"You can say that I guess." She said weakly.
Hermione got up from her seat. Ran her fingers through her managable, thick, curly hair, and said "I'm just glad that you're up, sleeping beauty!"
She grabbed her daughters face and kissed her forehead. Natalie smiled, she loved to hugged, kissed, and just touched in general. Much different than her father and brother in that category!
"Sleeping, sure, beauty, now that's a bit disagreeable seeing that it is Natalie we're talking about, especially with that pathetic bun of hers" said Dominic trying to form the perfect insult to his younger sister.
"Well, at least my chin and forehead are smooth and acne free."
"Be nice to each other, or else no Diagon Alley!" said Mrs. Malfoy in a low threatening voice. She crossed her arms and squinted her eyes.
"Fine," Natalie said in a mumble.
"So are we already to leave?" asked Hermione.
"One second darling, let me finish my cigar."
"Nasty little...whatever just hurry Draco, were already two hours late as it is."
"Mother, I believe it was you who forgot-"
"Shut it, Dom being a smart ass isn't necessary right now."
"Natalie don't swear," Draco said between puffs from his cigar.
"Let's just go now, okay? Okay...Dominic you grab on to me, Natalie, you grab on to your dad. Make sure to hold on real tight."
"If you don't you might leave a part of you body behind."
"Draco, don't scare them!"
"What? It's true!"
Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Dominic, grab my hand, and don't let go no matter what happens."
Dom went towards Hermione and grabbed her slender hand. Hermione closed her eyes. Breathing threw her nose. She didn't even ask her son if she was ready. In a split second they were gone.
"Dad, they just apparated didn't they?"
"They did, and so are we. Now you must be careful don't let go of me no matter what happens. You got that?"
Natalie nodded.
"You ready?"
Before she could even open her mouth he started. She felt her father's arm twist away from her and tightened her grip: the next thing she knew everything went black; she was pressed very hard from all directions; she could not breathe, there were iron bands tightening around her chest; her eyeballs were being forced back into her head; her ear-drums were being pushed deeper into his skull. And when she thought it would only get worse it stopped. Her eyes were still shut.
"Is it over?"
Draco laughed, "Of course it is! Open your eyes, we're in Diagon Alley."
She still grasped on to her father's hand as she opened her eyes. It was a bit embarrassing to say but it was her first time in Diagon Alley. Not that she wasn't aloud to go. That wasn't the case at all. She just never found it that interesting until today. Now she was mentally kicking herself because she was seeing what she was missing.
Natalie almost wished she had a thousand more eyes. There was so much to see, smell, hear, taste, and feel. It was a colorful blur of bright buildings with narrow roads and sidewalks. It wasn't very sunny today, but it felt warm and bright in this strange market place. There were shops selling robes, shops selling telescopes and strange instruments that which Natalie wasn't familiar with, windows stacked up with books, and not to forget the store selling the new Dragonscript 2025. The fastest broom ever built. It was slim, sleek, and black. She believed it to be made out of mahogany, but she couldn't really tell from here. It had gold around the tip. The random quirky stalls made her smile, and she was amazed by the glittering windows.
Draco reached into his back pocket, and pulled out what Natalie assumed to be her list of school supplies and a key. His mouth was open ready to talk, but Natalie moved to fast. She snatched the piece of paper and the key from her father. Running off as fast as her legs could make her go.
Draco blinked a few times until he realized what just happened. He started running after her. Dodging street vendors and the people passing people. She knew he was faster than her, and that if she continued the chase like this the odds would be in his favor.
She mumbled I'm sorry to the people she rammed into, and thrusted herself towards an alley way hidden behind a store with a huge sign that said: "Weasley's Wizard Wheezes". Ducking behind a brown paper box, she peeked out to see if he would follow. Draco eventually appeared by the corner. He turned towards the dark alley way. Scanning it with his grey eyes. She held her breath. He ended up not going down it at all; in fact he just kept running straight.
The coast was clear, and without looking she dashed into the store. Her jaw just dropped. It was a massive room with mahogany stair cases to the top floor. The ground was worn wood, but was covered in shabby red rugs. There were shelves with unevenly stacked, what Natalie believed to be practically joke charms. It was incredible! There were love potions, acne removers (a must get for Dom), headless hats, u-no-po, it was her heaven.
A man approached her and said, "Excuse me young miss, are you buying or just looking."
He was taller than her father with bigger hands and feet. His hair was a fiery red, his eyes her blue, and he was rather freckly, more so than herself. He had a long haggard looking face and a big nose. He might have been handsome in his younger day, but every shred of good looks he ever had was gone. He was drawn, tired looking, but he still appeared warm and friendly. Wearing rich maroon robes, he had a name tag which Natalie didn't bother reading.
"Do you know where to get money?"
"Pardon?"
"You know...where to get money."
"Oh, I see your talking about the bank!"
He laughed and patted her head as if she were his pet. He thought her to be a muggle born. She appeared to be utterly confused and star struck by the store, and her clothing made his opinion even firmer. It didn't help that she held a striking resemblance to a book-worm, bushy haired, bossy, little muggleborn witch that stole his heart some years ago,
He bent down to her height and said, "You take a left, then you'll come to a store called, Potage's Cauldron Shop. Now when your there you just walk straight down and there's gonna' be a big a big white building called Gringott's, that's the wizard bank. You got that, sweetheart?"
She nodded.
"Good girl...wait right here, okay?"
The man came back with three little boxes and five sparklers.
"These are my favorites, don't open em'. You see, once you open em' they explode into fireworks, and once you light these...well their like muggle ones except they last longer and form cooler looking shapes."
He wrapped it in a little red bag and gave it to the child.
Natalie smiled, "Thanks Mr. …..," She looked down at his name tag. "Mr. Weasley."
"Mr. Weasley's my father, you can call me Ron."
"I'm Natalie, thanks for the awesome things, but I really need to get going."
"It's no problem, come back anytime!"
She went out the door, following Ron's instructions.
'Turn left, then find a potions...or was it cauldron store, then find a big white building called Gringott's', she thought to herself as she held her red little bundle against her chest.
After about fifteen minutes of walking around aimlessly she found it. The building was the biggest she's seen so far in Diagon Alley. It was massive! Towering over all of the other neighboring shops. She entered it, but stopped because she noticed an inscription on the door. It said:
"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."
Natalie thought it was silly, and it be much simpler to just say "Shoplifters will be prosecuted", or something like that.
She opened the bronze door, and she sighed because there was another door to go through!
'They really take security to a strange level.'
Opening the set of silver doors she entered Gringotts: The Wizard Bank. The lobby's floor was paved with marble and had long counters stretching along it's length. The people working there...well she wouldn't really call them people. They were funny looking creatures with balding heads and short little bodies. Their noses were very prominent taking up half of their face. They all had intelligent looking spectacles and pointy teeth. They were goblins, she remembered her mum telling her about them years a go. Very clever creatures, but they weren't the most friendly of beast. In her mind they looked similar to how she'd picture her brother as an old man.
Approaching one of the many counters a goblin came up to her; "Are you lost, girl?"
"Uhh...no I'm actually here to get some money."
"And do you have your key?"
She reached in her jacket pocket and pulled out the little gold key and gave it to him. His scrunched up face brightened up as he took the key from her.
"Ahh, yes your little Ms. Malfoy aren't you? Shopping all by yourself for Hogwarts, very strange."
"My father doesn't know I'm here, sir. I wanted to explore Diagon Alley all by myself and I knew he wouldn't let me if I asked."
"I see," said the goblin his expression still cool and collect. "Well don't just stand there like a half witted troll! Come on."
He grabbed the sleeve of her jacket pulling her through the main lobby.
"Where are you taking me?" She said in a nervous voice.
"To your vault, of course! Let's not dilly-dally I have many other costumers to deal with after you."
Staircase after staircase, the pair made it to the undergrounds. They boarded what seemed to look like a mine cart. The goblin hopped on grabbing Natalie's hand to help her up.
The vaults were miles below the surface, but the Goblin reassured her that the ride would take no more than five minutes, since the Malfoy vault was close to the surface.
"What's your name, I'm afraid I didn't catch it when we were upstairs," Natalie said.
He looked up, then looked down and said, "My name is Ruhurk, senior manager of Gringott's."
"It's a pleasure to meet you Ruhurk! I'm Natalie, Natalie Malfoy, but you already know I'm a Malfoy. You recognized the key."
He nodded his head, and they continued their journey in silence.
The cart stopped, causing Natalie to be flung forward. Ruhurk helped her down. They finally came across a big silver vault. There was a tiny hole which the goblin slid the key in. Without even having to open it the door swung open. It was a tiny room, but Natalie guessed it was average for the size of a vault. Filled to almost to the roof with copper, silver, and gold coins. She always knew her family was wealthy, but this, this was unbelievable!
"Ruhurk... how much do you think I need for my supplies?"
"I would say about 40 galleons, 17 sickles, and 2000 knuts. Just to be safe, you might have a bit extra, but better extra than not enough."
"Okay, I'll have exactly that many. I'm trusting you, so if I don't have enough I'm blaming you."
Ruhurk smiled, but quickly changed his expression to the stern serious one he and before. He loaded up a satchel of exactly that amount with the golden key, and handed it to the young Malfoy. Closed the vault, and lead Natalie to the magical cart.
After making it to the main lobby she bid a quick thank you and good bye to the goblin. Exiting Gringotts with hopefully enough money for supplies and her wizards fireworks the nice man in the joke shop gave her.
Grasping her supply list from the pocket she read to herself. It read:
- 3 sets of plain work robes (black)
- 1 plain pointed hat (black)
- 1 pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
- 1 winter coat (black, silver fastenings)
- 1 wand - 1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
- 1 telescope - 1 set brass scales
Books:
-The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1)
-A History of Magic -Magical Theory -A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration -One Thousand Herbs and Fungi -Magical Drafts and Potions -Fantastical Beasts and Where to Find Them -The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection
Students can also bring a cat, an owl, or a toad.
PLEASE NOTE THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALOUD TO HAVE A BROOMSTICK
The list wasn't very interesting, but she supposed if she had a little extra she could stop by the joke store again to get some more little items.
She decided to stop by Madam Malkin's: Robes for All Occasion, first. They were probably not going to be that expensive, depending on what robes she got. It was also literally right across the street from Gringotts.
The bell chimed as she entered the store. It wasn't very crowded, assuming that most of the people got their supplies earlier this summer. It was a charming store. Neatly organize, sweetly scented, and very clean. She got her three black robes, black pointed hat, and gloves in no time (with the help of Madam Malkin of course). It only ended up being about eight galleons, two sickles, and 20 knuts.
Since there was a ton extra, Natalie decided to look around a bit more. She walked around the store until she saw a beautifully ornate light blue dress robe. It was probably very expensive, but it couldn't hurt to try it on, could it?
Coming out of the dressing room with it on she went towards the three sided. Now it didn't look awful on her. The cut suited her thin eleven year old figure quiet nicely, but something wasn't right. Natalie couldn't put a finger on it.
"No," Said a voice from behind her.
Natalie whipped around, and there stood a girl about her age.
She was petite, scrawny; similar to an eight or nine year old. She was paler than Natalie, but not at all pasty. Her eyes were a light green color and very pretty. Her hair was longer than her own. It was dark brown and very straight with two butterfly hair pins keeping her bangs out of her eyes. Her face was dainty, fairy or elfish. Speaking of being elfish she had strangely pointy ears. She also had a few random freckles around her cheeks, eyes, hands, and every other part of her body.
She was dressed in muggle attire, though the outfit was surprisingly odd. She was wearing two inch black high heels, which made her about Nat's height. Leopard print leggings paired up with a grey knit mini skirt, her shirt was a purple Lady Gaga (a muggle singer who the young Malfoy was familiar with) band t-shirt.
"Excuse me?"
"That robe, it isn't the right color for you. See you're a spring and dull colors don't really seem to work for your complexion. A nice bright poppy fuchsia would do wonders for you. It would bring out your absolutely gorgeous brown eyes."
"Uhhh...thanks I guess."
"Oh, how rude of me! You must think me...I don't even know! Sorrayyyyy! You must be going to Hogwarts, eh? I mean why else would an eleven year old -wait you are eleven aren't you?"
Natalie nodded her head.
She had a bit of an accent. She sensed it to be American, though it could be anything really.
"How do you know I'm not going to Durmstrang or Beauxbottons?"
"Well for one you're not French, and you don't look part veela. Not that you're not pretty. You are very pretty, by the way. You just don't have that air of conceit most of em' usually have. Second, why would your parents ship you off all the way to a foreign country? Guessing that your english, because a. your accent, and b. your shopping in Diagon Alley. Unless they really, really hated you."
"Point," She said more to herself than the strange girl in front of her.
"What's you name anyways? I'm Dessy-Rae Longbottom, the middle name's Anne. Pleased to meet you," she said as she put her arm out for Natalie to shake.
"I'm Natalie Malfoy, my middle name is Rose," she said accepting Dessy's hand and shaking it.
"You're a Malfoy, eh? You don't really look like one, well I guess your hair.-
Dessy reached out, touching a strand of a dirty blond curl.
Natalie gave Dessy a confused look.
She laughed and said, "Well it's a bit darker than the normal Malfoy hair, eh? You look more like your mom anyways."
Her brows formed the wrinkle that her father had, and said, "Wait...you know what my parents look like?"
"Of course I do, you see Nattie- I can call you Nattie, eh?- my parent's were friends with your mom in school. They get little postcards from her all the time. Not so much your dad though, he was a real jerk to both of em'. No offense or anything."
"None taken, I've heard a thing or two about my dad in his younger years. I know he was a real git. Still kind of is one too."
"Oh that's funny, I've never liked the "daddy role" if you know what I mean. I think it's just plain stupid being "daddies little princess". Most dads I know are way too over-protective. I guess I'm glad I don't really have one."
"I'm sorry to hear that! Even though I can't stand him sometimes. I really do love my dad. I would be destroyed if I lost him."
"You misunderstood me, you see I have a Dad, but I'm adopted. My dad is really great and I do love him, but I don't love him you know like a dad. He's almost like an uncle. Same with my mom, except I'm a bit closer to her. I actually just started calling her mom awhile ago. I call my dad by his first name. He doesn't mind though."
"Is that why you have an American accent?"
"AMERICAN! That's funny, your hysterical! I was born and raised in Canada. I moved to the U.K when I was six."
"It's been really nice talking to you and all, but I really need to finish shopping for school. I haven't really started even started yet," She said referring to her three little bags.
"That's just perfect! You see, I'm waiting for a dear friend of mine. I already went shopping last weekend. I'm sure Avie wouldn't mind if you tagged along. It's nice to have some girl company every once in awhile, eh? Go change back into your normal clothes. I'll be waiting outside."
Natalie didn't know what to think about the Longbottom girl, but it appeared that she just made her first friend. Going back into the dressing room, she ripped off the pale blue robe, and threw on her muggle attire.
She quickly thanked Madam Malkin for helping her find what she needed. She ran outside to find Dessy waiting.
"Come Nattie, like you said you still have so much more to buy. But, first we need to go find Avie."
"Is Avie a boy or a girl?"
"HA! Your funny...he's a he. He's my he even though he may not be the best looking- Oh my god it's him. How do you I look?"
"Ermm...nice... I suppose?"
"Thanks! Do you see him? He's right over there," She grabbed Natalie's shoulders, twisting her to see her friend. "You see him?"
The boy she was revering to wasn't very handsome. He was tall, nearly her brother's height, but with longer, ganglier limbs. He was much thinner than her brother too: Natalie noted. "Avie", or whatever his name may be was nearly anorexic looking. His hair was pitch black, even from this distance it looked greasy, stringy, and mopish. His face was long, gaunt, and his complexion was sickly.
"Aren't his eyes just so pretty?"
As he got closer, Natalie nodded in agreement and said, "Wow, their like…"
Perhaps they weren't pretty; the world pretty and this boy really didn't fit in the same sentence. They were striking, breathtaking, inquisitive. The word pretty was beneath those eyes. His eyes were heavily lashed, and though sunken in appearance the color was a deep brown.
"Already lost in them I see?"
"Aren't you a charmer, Miss. Canada?"
Dessy playfully hit her upside the head. Natalie laughed as Avie approached.
"AVIE!" screamed Dessy as she lunged at him.
She wrapped her arms around his neck as he did around her waist. The two friends embraced each other in a soft yet intimate hug. He stroked her brown hair. Natalie thought it was quite a comical sight. Two eleven year olds, one who looked like he really needed some good shampoo, the other wearing high heels, hugging each other as if they were twice their age.
Once they let go with each other, Avie spoke, "Uh...who's she?"
"Avie! Don't be rude, if you act like that I'm going to be your only friend till were eighty! This is Natalie, but you can call her Nattie, I call her that. I can already feel that were going to be very great friends."
"...Hi...um how are you? I'm Avius...and since you seem so close to Dessy I suppose you can call me Avie, but coming from you I think I prefer Avius."
"Gee, well I guess you can just call me Natalie if were going to be so formal!"
"Don't worry hun', just ignore him! Avie isn't very keen on new people. He'll warm up to you eventually."
'I don't think he's very keen on people period.' Natalie thought to herself
She shot a week smile to Avius. He didn't return it, but she didn't blame him. There was something about the skinny boy with the swarthy complexion that made her pity him. He looked fragile, breakable. Maybe that's why he needed a friend like Dessy.
"Hey Avius...is this going to be your first year too?"
"Uhmmmm...nooo, it's uhhhh going to be m-my second. I'm in uhhh Slytherin. It's an okay house...I guess."
"That's brilliant! You see my brother, Dominic, is in your year and house. You probably know the git!"
"Dominic...are you talking about Dominic Malfoy?"
"Mhm! That's my brother."
"I...I know Dominic. He-eee's pretty okay I guess. You don't seem like you're a Malfoy...no offense...and you don't seem to the type to be in Slytherin."
"I'm sorry, but I didn't know people had 'types'."
Before Avius could even answer Dessy interjected, "Avie... isn't Dominic the guy you always whine about. You know, the one besides that damnable James Potter? Yeah, it was defininitely Dominic. He's the on that no one really likes except his little fan group, and they only like him because he's easy on the eyes, eh."
Avius blushed and said, "Snitchy! You weren't suppose to say that!"
"Why it's true!"
"Look guys, I don't really mind. I know my brother isn't the most likable bloke, but there's more to him than you probably think. Like, I know there's more to you, Avius, than your loner jerk-ass persona."
Their eyes both widened and mouths dropped.
"Oh my god! I didn't mean to insult you! Damn mouth." Natalie muttered under her breath.
"What do you have to be sorry abut', eh? For being honest? Telling it like it is? I think not! I like you already, Miss. Malfoy. And trust me, if were going to be friends your going to have to deal with a lot of honesty."
"Y-You will! Trust me...," Avius said gaining the eye from his best friend. "Not... that it's a bad thing though."
Dessy smiled and ruffled his oily hair as if it were a feathered boa. "How can I stay mad at this face? Come on guys we still need to kick some shopping in before sun down! Let's move!" Dessy said grabbing both of their arms and leading them off in the direction of a store called Flourish and Blotts.
Around this time, Draco was frantic. His daughter ran off about two hours ago, and there was still no sight of the young Malfoy.
'How could I loose her? Diagon Alley isn't even that fucking big!'
Well, he didn't technically loose her. She ran away, but apparently his wife thought they were the same thing.
'It'd be easier if she just took her. Oh Draco, she's your daughter NOT a missing item. Draco this, Draco that, blaaa-bleeehhh-blahhhhhh! IT'S NOT MY FAULT.'
Did someone kidnap her? She's probably somewhere in a box, being shipped off to someplace like California!
He checked every little corner of Diagon Alley. He even checked out Nocturne Alley. Just to see if his little angel made a wrong turn or two. By this time, Master Malfoy was literally just walking in circles. Until it hit him. There was still one shop he missed.
He didn't actually miss it. He purposely avoided it. Sadly, it was his only hope. He sighed heavily to himself as he pushed the door open to Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. He knew that he'd end up regretting this. Stepping into the enemy's territory, I guess school boy grudges never really fade.
The store was shabby, nothing less than he would expect from just a mere Weasley. Most of the wizard pranks weren't anything too complex. He wondered how people could find these things at all amusing. Though the Weasley's being simple minded folk could find a rock interesting.
"You've got a lot of nerve coming here ferret," said a low threatening voice which sounded all too familiar.
Draco turned around, and smirked at the tired looking Ron Weasley.
"Well, well, well if it isn't Weasel-Bee? Shitty looking as ever aren't ya'? It's been way too long, over a decade at least"
"It wasn't long enough. Why are you here? What could you possibly want?"
"Maybe I missed you Weasel, you and Potty," he said with the signature Malfoy smirk. "I don't think we've ever had a nice chat. How's your wife? Still barren as ever I assume. Mine is still great. As beautiful as she was at seventeen, still great in the sack, sparks's there. Oh, and on top of that she gave me children!"
Ron's beaten face tightened, "What wife? Oh, yeah, I remember the one you use to call mudblood every chance your dirty mouth got. Bloody hell Malfoy, did you come all the way here just to rub that all in my face?"
"Oh weasel, how could you think me so cruel?" said Draco sarcastically trying to seem hurt. "I'm actually here on the most of noble reasons, to enter this shack of a store I must be. You see, I lost my daughter."
Weasley cracked a bit of a smile, "You lost your daughter? You're just as pathetic as you were in first year."
"I was just wondering if you seen her."
"I might have, despite what you want to believe this store is popular, especially with the kids. I see hundreds of em' a day. What does she look like, for her sake nothing like you?"
"Hahaha funny, no. She has blonde curly hair, and I think she has it in a bun. I don't really remember. Big brown eyes, rosy lips, a bit of freckles across her face, she's wearing muggle clothes. Umm, think of a young Hermione with a Malfoy twist. And her name's Natalie."
Ron's lips began to quiver. No, that sweet-looking, seemingly muggle-born Natalie couldn't be a Malfoy! The one he gave free treats to because of the lonely expression in her eyes. Could she? No! It was impossible; inconceivable. That child was not Draco Malfoy, the ferret boy's.
"Weasel?"
"Yeah? Oh, right no it doesn't ring a bell. Sorry, guess you should be more careful with your kids."
Draco knocked over a few glass jars of Extendable Ears. Making a sharp piercing sound as it hit the worn wooden floor. He closed his blood shot blue eyes as Malfoy stormed out of the shop.
Ron was now left to clean up the mess with the image in his head of little Natalie with Weasley red hair.
The trio was nearly done with their shopping. The girls were all smiles, and even Avie at some points sported a grin. Dessy seemed to be very taken with the Malfoy heir, Avius not so much. It wasn't anything personal. She seemed nice enough, nothing like her brother. But, he would not loose his Des to anyone. Whether it be wizard or muggle, no one was going to take his best friend away from him.
Natalie looked down at her list and said, "I still need a wand."
"You can go to Ollivander's? There's no place better! I got my wand from em'. Look at this, eh?" Dessy said as she pulled out her wand. "Gorgeous ain't it? Nine inches, willow, and the base is unicorn hair. I think Olivander said it was good for charms or something like that."
"It's better looking than my brother's wand, that's for sure. I think his is made from dragon heartstring. At least I think it is. I don't really remember. I think his is good for the dark arts. Creepy right?"
"Here hun', don't waist anytime. Don't worry, Avie and I will be waiting right out here. Go in, trust me it's not as scary as you think," she said literally pushing Natalie through Ollivander's.
Peeling gold letters over the door of the shop read: Ollivander's: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C.. The shop's display consisted of a solitary wand lying on a faded purple cushion in the dusty window. The shop was tiny, empty except for a single, spindly chair in the corner. Thousands of narrow boxes containing wands were piled right up to the ceiling of the tiny shop, and the whole place had a thin layer of dust about it.
"Hello...Hello?"
"I was wondering when I was going to be seeing you Miss. Malfoy," Boomed a voice from behind the counter. A man whipped across on a rolling ladder. His wild hair was matted, unkempt, and his glassy blue eye had a faraway look in them. Natalie could tell that he was a man of short stature, and was rather thin.
"Don't be afraid, child. Step up! Now what hand do you write with..."
"My right one sir," she said holding up her right hand.
"Ah, very good, now let me take your measurements. Are you familiar with how this shop works?"
She shook her head.
"No? I see, then you may not know that every Ollivander's wand has a core. It's a powerful magical substance," he said reaching for a wand on the shelf behind him. "We use only the finest ingredients; unicorn hair, phoenix tail feathers, and the heartstrings of dragons. Such as this wand; this is an ash wand, Miss. Malfoy, with a core of dragon heartstring. Would you please take this wand?"
Natalie just stood there, with an obnoxiously big wand in her relatively small right hand.
"Give it a wave!"
Doing that made five cabinets fly towards her. Covering her head, she ducked. Tentatively she put the wand down.
"I'll take that...curious...I was sure that this was your wand. No matter, the right wand is here somewhere. Let's see...uhhh...ahhh!" He said taking a wand down from the right hand corner. "Perhaps one made of Holly will suit you better; it's thirteen and a half inches, unicorn hair, of course. I feel that there's a definite connection. Take this wand, and give it a wave!"
Giving it a wave...nothing happened.
"A wave again."
And again nothing happened.
He looked up at the wand and said, "Not quite, I'll take that. Tricky customer, eh? No matter…"
A blank expression passed over Ollivander's face.
"Sir? Are you okay?"
"Oh...of course... why didn't see I it before?" He went to the back of his office and came back with a wand. "Let's try this one. It appears to be another ash wand, but this one is older, so much older. This…"
He couldn't even finish talking because when he handed her the wand a beam of red light peered out of it. The old man just stood there, his fingers intertwined. A smile crossed his lips.
"Miss. Malfoy...I remember every wand I've ever sold. From your father's and mother's; your father. I believe his was of hawthorn and the core was unicorn. Your mother was a tricky one, but her's was vine and of dragon heart string. You see... I didn't make this wand. I've never sold a wand I didn't make...this wand was a gift from a powerful man. Very powerful indeed. His name was... Godric Gryffindor, and this was his wand a very long time ago. In his youth I believe. It was his wish...strange as it was. To give it back to shop that made it. So that the next wizard who was worthy of this wonderful device would..."
"Would what, sir?"
"It's unimportant...you'll find this wand excellent for defense against the dark arts. I will say though it appears you're destined to make your mark upon this world. If you please."
She gave the wand back to Ollivander, he put it back in it's red case. "That will be seven galleons, now off you go! I don't want to keep anyone waiting now."
After paying, Natalie was nearly pushed out of the shop. Funny, she was pushed to go in, and now she was pushed to get out.
"What wand did you get?" Asked Avius slowly.
Handing the case to him, he opened it with thin long spindly fingers. "It's nice...it looks like phoenix feather to me, but I'm not an expert."
"Ohhh Avie you're right! Her wand is lovely!"
"So, where to now? Since we did all our shopping?"
Dessy was about to speak, but they heard a voice from behind scream Natalie. They all jumped.
The voice belonged to none other than Dominic.
"Natalie? Merlin, did you know how worried I-I mean father and mother are! You made father go into a find you frenzy!"
"I-I wanted to shop by myself."
"You would've got lost-
"But look I didn't I got every thing I need. Robes, books, my wand. I'm all set!"
"Well we didn't know that. For all that we knew you could've been dead."
"I think it's stupid to jump to conclusions like that," said Dessy.
"And who are you?"
"I'm Dessy-Rae Anne Longbottom, and you're Dominic. Dominic Malfoy, I'm sorry I'm afraid I don't know your middle name.
"And you know this because..."
"Your sister and I are friends."
Dominic cocked his eyebrows ignoring that comment and saying, "Hello Avius, I didn't see you behind the girl dressed like a muggle circus exploded. Enjoying the orphanage?"
Avius's eyes shot up. "Yeah...it's been awhile. It's...it's okay. You know...same old same old."
"A muggle circus, eh? Your exactly how I pictured you. Very handsome, very tall, nicely dressed, but that's only your pretty wrapping. You, Dominic are a jackass. A complete and utter jackass."
"I don't think little girls should swear like that. It's not very attractive, not that you are to begin with. And where are you from anyways, your accent sounds like a mentally ill American."
She gave a sarcastic laugh, stepped forward, and slapped him across the face. Leaving an imprint of five little red finger prints on his pale white cheek.
Natalie started laughing, "Come on, Nat were leaving." he said grabbing her wrist.
She turned her head around, and waved good bye to the two hopeful new friends.
Dominic began ranting, but she didn't really listen. All she could think about was the lady balls on the girl with leopard print tights...
*I hoped you enjoyed this. It was painfully long I know. But better painful long that painfully short. If you have any suggestions make sure to tell me*