Chapter 13
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It was necessary to do the final shopping for the twins, and Harry's, adoption ceremony, and the subsequent celebration dinner. Hence, Narcissa and Hermione's insistence that it was time for Harry to venture out for a day of fresh air. Kendra had given the excursion her seal of approval and Harry's checkup that morning had cleared him as being up to the activity. A leisurely stroll from shop to shop in Diagon Alley wouldn't overtax him. He wasn't as sure about leaving the manor, but the excited dance Sebastian was doing had been enough to convince him; that, and a smirking Severus Snape.
Severus leaned against the door frame as he watched them ready themselves to Floo to Diagon Alley. Noticing Harry's nervousness, he beckoned his son to him. "Sebastian, behave yourself, and help your Aunt Cissa and Miss Hermione keep an eye on Harry."
"I keep a good eye on Hawwy!"
Severus kneeled down to Sebastian's eye level. "But, No Weasley candy."
"No Wheezy Candy." Sebastian nodded. "Bad for Hawwy. Messes up his potions."
"No running."
Sebastian shook his head. "No wunning. Hawwy's leg is not all bettewr yet."
"That's a good boy. Keep hold of Harry's hand at all times." Severus kissed the top of his son's tousled hair and pushed him gently in Harry's direction.
Right before he and Harry stepped into the Floo, Sebastian turned and waved to his Papa. Severus smiled and watched until they had all gone, before heading to the library to talk with Lucius.
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Mione was waiting on Harry when he finally stepped from the Floo into the Leaky Cauldron. As always, he stumbled a bit, but Hermione was there to stabilize him. He frowned down at his leg before smiling at her and mumbling a 'thanks.'
Off in a shadowy corner, Colin Creevey sat watching the comings and goings of wizards and witches, and other magical beings as they moved along the street, shopping, running errands, and meeting business associates and friends.
He worked, as a photojournalist, for three different Wizarding papers now--The Daily Prophet, Witches Weekly, and Wizard's GQ. Over the years he'd worked freelance at a few Muggle papers. He was always looking for the next big story or picture. He had been at the Ministry when he heard rumors that Harry and Draco Malfoy's marriage and bonding had been dissolved. There had been some scandal there as well, but that was when the trickle of information seemed to suddenly go dry. The words of verbal and physical abuse were the staple words of the rumors.
But he knew that there was more to the story.
Not just a story, but a Harry Potter who was free of the dark, evil, malevolent Malfoy family. Colin himself had thought of many ways to save his hero from those Slytherins. He was a Gryffindor after all. He would have his chance now, finally, after all these years. He'd show Harry how happy they would be together. He would treat Harry so much better than that nasty Pureblood had.
He looked up from his glass of Butterbeer when he heard the Floo activate. Out stepped the Lady Narcissa Malfoy--elegant and beautiful, who, had recently along with her husband, Lord Malfoy, adopted two young orphans. Names had not been released yet for the upcoming adoption ceremony, but he was trying to get with the reporter for the society assignment. He wanted--needed, more inside information on the Malfoy's.
Also, his latest information told him that Harry Potter was still living at the Malfoy Manor somewhere in Wales. For some reason, he had stayed rather than going out on his own. Colin had a feeling there was a perpetual mountain of stories buried somewhere under all the secrecy, and he planned on being the one to unearth them.
He watched as Hermione Granger-Weasley stepped from the Floo next, brushing a few smudges of soot from her robes. He'd been shocked when he'd heard she had married both of the Weasley twins in a triad bonding! He'd been certain she was to end up with Ron, their younger brother. But then again, he had been surprised at a lot of things that had happened after the war. He thought like everyone else that the Golden Trio would become Aurors and save the world from future dark-lords-in-training.
Harry married Malfoy. Hermione became a healer and married the Twins. Ron went off to work as a Apprentice Curse Breaker in Egypt. Snape had married another wizard and fathered a child with him. The fact that the man had been a gay, let alone, a sexual being, had been mind boggling.
He continued his mental tally of those of importance and heard the Floo activate once more, producing a small boy of four or five years old, who came barreling out full speed squealing to be caught by both women. As the little boy was being cleaned of soot, out stepped Harry Potter. He stumbled slightly only to be caught by Hermione. Colin watched him sway on his feet and a look of frustrated ire cross his face as he looked down at his legs as if they had offended him. Hermione spoke to him and his expression softened again. The most surprising thing was that Harry was using a walking stick, and he seemed considerable frailer than the last time he'd been seen in public. Curious. Very curious. Colin's mind spun at high speed, flipping through possible theories.
A Wizarding sickness, perhaps? A dark curse from when he fought He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named? Did Malfoy do something horrendous to Harry? Now that he thought about it, no one had seen Draco Malfoy in months. And today, was especially surprising, because in the time that Harry had been married to Draco, no one ever saw him in public without the Malfoy heir very close by. Things just didn't add up. He quickly swallowed the last of his drink and rose to his feet, slinging his camera case over his shoulder.
He had a gut feeling that he was on to something. He slipped through the entrance of Diagon Alley a moment or two behind his quarry. Harry was relying heavily on the cane to help him walk, his gait both careful and stiff. Something was clearly wrong with one of his legs. Colin frowned and felt his anger rise. He'd be willing to bet that that towheaded snake had something to do with Harry's current condition.
Colin didn't follow them far, as they came to an area that only the richest of the Wizarding World had access to. Hampton Courtwas filled with the latest fashions and most expensive things Galleons could buy. The small group came to a stop at Rosselini's Fine Catering. Sebastian was obviously too wired up to sit through frilly and girly things only Witches are known to enjoy.
"Narcissa and Hermione, why don't you two go and take care of what needs to be arranged. Sebastian and I will wander around here, window shopping, while we wait."
"You're sure, Harry?" Narcissa asked, clearly concerned about leaving Harry and Sebastian alone.
"They'll be fine, Narcissa. The Quidditch shoppe is putting some new items in their windows."
"Oh! Hawwy, can we go look, pwease?!" Sebastian bounced up and down excitedly, as he looked from one adult to another.
Who could deny a face like that? 'Certainly, not him', Harry thought to himself, with a smile. Severus Snape was one lucky bastard to have such a beautiful and wonderful son, such as Sebastian. "How could I turn down such an offer from a handsome and polite young man such as yourself, Prince Sebastian?"
Sebastian grinned, "I'm a Prince!"
"Of course you are. And I am at your service, my Lord! Shall we?" Harry gestured toward the elite Quidditch shoppe across the way, before reaching for Sebastian's hand. "Ladies, enjoy yourselves, and remember, Lucius did say it was to be an intimategathering."
As they turned to look at him, he winked and smiled. Narcissa and Hermione both smiled back and Hermione rolled her eyes as Narcissa kissed his cheek, and then leaned down to kiss the top of Sebastian's head.
"We'll be sure to order enough to feed the Ministry." Hermione smirked as Harry's eyebrows rose.
Before he could reply, she looped her arm through Narcissa's and pulled her toward the shop, her light laughter dancing in the air behind her.
"Beware of females when you get older, Sebastian. They are quite the conundrum at times." Harry commented as the door closed behind the women. "Come. It seems they've just finished the display at the Quidditch shoppe. Do you know where you would like to go when we are finished there?"
Sebastian looked up and down the busy street as they crossed it, trying to see what stores where nearby. Then he saw the sign with a bird and cat. "Thewre Hawwy!"
Harry looked to where his young companion was gesturing, "Ah, the Pettery?"
Sebastian clapped.
"Quidditch shoppe first, then the Pettery? Agreed?"
"Ageed, Hawwy!" Sebastian grasped Harry's hand again, as they reached the door into Royale's Elite Quidditch Outfitters. Harry stood by the front counter and smiled as he watched the boy run from one end of the shop to the other, looking at everything. Sometimes, he would bring small items to show Harry. After a few minutes, the clerk brought Harry a chair and encouraged him to sit. The young woman recognized him, but out of respect, did not acknowledge it. Something that Harry was very grateful for. Before they left the shop, Harry purchased a book on Quidditch history that he'd noticed Sebastian eyeing. Tucking the shrunken package into his robe while the boy wasn't looking, he winked at the clerk before turning to grasp Sebastian's hand firmly again before they exited the shop.
Man and child had a leisurely time window shopping, stopping at each window and discussing the items displayed. When they reached Huntington's Magical Pettery, Harry released his young charge's hand as they passed through the door. There were birds, and animals, reptiles, and snakes everywhere. Sebastian stopped and studied the occupants of every cage, tank, and perch, slowly making his way around the large shoppe.
Sebastian had finally fallen in love with a miniature male Snowy Owl, that looked very much like a tiny version of Hedwig. Now perched on Sebastian's shoulder, he had immediately been christened 'Buzz', after another of Sebastian's favorite Disney characters.
Harry selected a cage, perch, and other supplies, and summoned Dobby to take them, and the owl, back to the manor. He wasn't sure how Severus would take to the idea of his son having a pet/familiar, but, Harry figured he could use the little owl himself for longer trips, since Hedwig was getting on in years, and she was only up for very short trips now. He wouldn't replace her completely though. She would be very offended and tended to hold a grudge. Females seemed to have several similarities across all the species.
Of course the older man would know where the name came from. Sebastian definitely loved his Disney books. His Aunt and Uncle had always taken Dudley to the newest picture, leaving Harry at home locked in the cupboard. He shook his head, dispelling the depressing memory, as they stepped out onto the walk again. Harry would have to ask if the young imp had ever seen any of the movies...?? Something he, himself, had missed out on as a child. It could be something they could discover together.
Harry stopped for a moment and looked around, when he felt a cold prickling across the back of his neck. Sebastian's chattering became background noise to him, as he tried to focus in on the feeling and the cause for it. He felt he was being watched; that they were being watched. Closely.
He continued walking, keeping Sebastian closer to him. It could be a reporter or someone who'd caught sight of him as he stepped into the Alley. It didn't matter really, since his small companion was his main concern. He palmed his wand from it's holster, gripping it tightly as it stayed hidden in his sleeve. It wasn't hard to slip back into fighting mode. He had trained long and hard before the war.
Harry's magic instinctively whipped around him, and he quickly regained control, so as not to scare Sebastian. Luckily, the boy was so fixated on their adventure, he had noticed nothing. Harry steered him towards the next store, Amanuensis -- Bookshop and Coffeehouse. He would find them a table at the back, facing the door. Sebastian would be easily occupied with a few books and a steaming mug of cocoa, a few floating marshmallows and a dollop of cream to top it off. Harry would order himself a cuppa and keep watch.
Colin backed further into his shadowy corner of the alley when he saw Harry's magic flare. Harry wasn't the most powerful wizard alive and the hero of the Wizarding World for nothing. He'd been trained by the most trusted Aurors and Unspeakables, to be a hardened and skilled warrior. He would have to be very careful around him. Well-honed magical skills could make up for many an infirmity.
He wouldn't want to make Harry angry enough to hex him before he even got a chance to say hello or much less, get to the bottom of this mystery. He remembered an incident from his Sixth Year, when a DeathEater had made an attempt on Neville Longbottom's life. Harry, the Warrior, had come to the surface and awed the world as he defended his friend, and fellow Seventh Year. Awed him too--completely. And he had been exceedingly grateful that he was not the one on the receiving end of Harry's fury that day. That DeathEater had begged the Aurors to take him to Azkaban.
He watched as Harry and the boy passed his hiding spot and crossed the street to enter the book shoppe. Once he was sure they were well inside, he slowly slipped out of the shadows and moved to the end of the alley. Peering cautiously out onto the street, he surveyed the area to see if anyone, who would recognize him, was about. It wouldn't do to be brought up short by someone who wanted to make idle chat.
The coast was clear, thankfully. He cast a Shrinking Spell on his camera and slipped it into his pocket. It wouldn't do to have it swinging around and possibly making noise. Brushing down the front of his robes, he stood straight and strolled out of the alley as if he were on business. No one noticed him as he crossed the street and slipped quietly into the shop next door. He was very familiar with the cute little witch that worked behind the counter, and it didn't take him long to charm a favor from her. Exiting the door of the storeroom, he jumped the wall and waited till the coast was clear, before slipping in the back door of the book shop. He knew the only time it was busy in the back was in the mornings, when they accepted deliveries. Walking quickly to the front of the storeroom, he noticed a mirror hanging in an alcove near the door to the main floor of the shop.
Stopping in front of the glass, he cast a Silencing Spell before the thing could start the annoying commentary, a characteristic of all magical mirrors. Smoothing his newly charmed pale shoulder-length hair and running a damp fingertip over his arched brows, he smiled at his reflection. That dental charm had been a good idea, ridding him of that horrid gap between his teeth. They were also pearly white and perfectly straight now. As he cast a Smoothing Spell on his robes, he admired how the deep blue silk complimented his complexion and his new hair color. He hated that he was Muggleborn, so had set upon a quest after graduating, that would make people forget that little tidbit about him.
He had studied several people during his time at Hogwarts and after, learning what he needed to know to have the appearance of being Pureblood. He had eventually decided that Draco Malfoy was the one to emulate. The snotty aristocratic Slytherin always got what he wanted, which unfortunately, after the war, had included Colin's greatest desire--Harry Potter. But he was determined to win Harry for himself, no matter the cost.
As time went on, he noticed more and more doors opening for him. The opportunities increased until he could pick and choose who he worked freelance for. He was on the press list for all the major Ministry and Social events now. He could stand out or go unnoticed, as the need arose. Now, was his greatest opportunity. Harry was evidently no longer bonded, and free for the capture. He could finally be Colin's.
He was a Gryffindor. Running head long into the fire was what he did best. This was his chance to convince Harry to see things his way. He watched from his hiding place as man and child perused the stacks of books. The aggravatingly happy squeals of this child grated on his nerves. Who was this child anyway, who was stealing Colin's affections. He wasn't a product of the Malfoy/Potter union. That would have made headlines across the Wizarding World.
Colin didn't like it when Harry smiled down at the little ruffian. The child had a familiarity about him but he failed to put his finger on what it was. No matter. All he had to do was wait until the child was busy and distracted, to make his move.
He watched them for the next forty-five minutes, as they continued to browse the shelves, occasionally picking a volume up here and there, flipping lazily through the pages. Taking their time, they discussed each one, and it's possibilities for purchase. The boy had finally selected three children's books, and Harry carried two thick volumes.
Colin flexed to loosen his stiff muscles and sighed in frustration. He was thirsty and hungry and his head was starting to pound. Just when he thought he would have to wait for another opportunity, the boy tugged on Harry's sleeve causing him to lean down so the boy could whisper in his ear. Harry answered him and nodded, pointing to the opposite wall, where the loo was. After taking his books, and casting what appeared to be a Monitoring Spell on the boy, he gave him a gentle push toward the doors. After the door closed, Harry turned and walked to the wall of shelves closest to the storeroom, to continue browsing.
Colin rubbed his hands together in glee, as an evil grin appeared on his face. This was it. His chance. He peeked around the edge of the door from the darkness, to make sure there was noone else nearby. He positioned himself just around the corner of the doorway, and watched through the slightly open door, as Harry moved slowly in his direction, his attention focused on the rows of books.
Harry reached the last bookcase and pulled a heavy volume from the shelf. Turning, as he opened it and began to read, his back was now to the storeroom and Colin. The thick door behind him opened slowly and silently, before the tip of a wand extended through the opening.
Tbc…