A/N: A Happy New Year to All. Not much to say, really. Stayed out too late. (Big surprise.) Caught a cold. Now I have an excuse to take the next week off from work.
My New Years Resolution, which I intend to keep: Enjoy Life.
Chapter Five: On His Own, Almost
When Draco left the funeral, he headed straight for Nigel's shop. His plan was to grab anything that was his and leave. Not that he had anywhere to go. He wasn't going anywhere. He was leaving.
As he drew near, he glanced down a side street. He did this at every street. A fear in the back of his mind that he might be followed. And this time he saw what he feared. A familiar looking car. Similar to the one Sirius Black's partner drove. That made Draco cautious. He turned down the street to take a closer look.
Sirius Black originally planned to take Draco to Hogsmeade after the services were concluded. Not that Draco agreed. And as Draco saw it, Black had decided to wait. If this was the same car. This is what posed the problem. Black was the last person he wanted to see. Just the thought of him, of those wizards, and their gall. Arson in daylight. Who else but a wizard would do that and know they could get away with it. They didn't mean to kill anyone, Draco thought, then mentally added a sarcastic note that accidents will happen. But it was only muggles so it shouldn't be a problem.
"Damn them, damn them all," Draco muttered. He walked away. From the shop. From the funeral. From everything he knew. London was a big enough city to lose oneself in. And that was something Draco had plenty of experience with.
The hard part about keeping one's head down is that it can be very boring. And Draco was in the position that he needed food, clothes and a place to stay. The nice suit he was wearing wouldn't stay nice for very long. His first requirement was money and he knew how to find it. That meant he had to be careful. The best place to be careful was the underground. There were plenty of people to be careful around.
As Draco rode from train to train and walked the stations, he was kept wary of two things. Cameras and uniforms. And he made it a point to look as unsuspicious as possible. The first things he stole were books. If you carried books, and you were fourteen, you were either going to school or leaving. And if you're underground, and well dressed, it must be a fancy school.
Having books in hand, Draco approached a crowd of people waiting. He waited close behind a rather large man. As the train pulled up, everyone moved forward. Draco held back just long enough to slip the unnoticed wallet into his pocket, then dashed for a less crowded door to the train. After three stops, he exited to the street. Briskly walking to the nearest quick food place, he went to use the facilities.
Taking as little time as he normally would, he exited and walked up to the counter. Pulling out a fiver, he ordered a burger combo. To go. He ate quickly as he walked to the next station. A passing bin claimed his unfinished meal as well as a wallet, empty of money.
Draco garnered little attention, although he was told at least twice that he should be more careful. Both times, he used his fancy voice to apologize. Central London was dutifully busy as the afternoon rush hour took full swing. A half dozen times, a well dressed young boy pushed through a crowd with barely a comment. But most of these people were businessmen and he had nothing to show for his efforts.
There was one close call at the end, but that was Draco's fault. Having little fortune in the tubes, he ventured aboveground. He hesitated for some reason. It was a tourist family he passed. Appropriately, they were Americans. That meant either plenty of useful money or useless plastic. As he grabbed the wallet, he knew it was money. But the family stopped as a small boy said, "Daddy, I'm tired."
An exasperated voice said they were almost there when Draco realized he was staring at the boy. Brown hair, long because Mum probably thought it was cute. And dark blue eyes. As the boy pointed, Draco knew why he was staring. The boy could have been Cheryl's twin brother.
"Daddy." The boy was still pointing. The man was turning. He eyed Draco and then looked at Draco's hand. Draco gave him a smile when he looked up again.
"Coulda walked away an' no one'd 'ave been the wiser," he told the man in an accusing voice. He handed the man the wallet. "Best be more careful, mate."
Husband, wife and three kids were thanking him. The woman suggested a reward and the man pulled out a twenty pound note. Draco shook his head. A small scene was starting. A strolling couple stopped to look when they saw the money. Another passerby stopped. These were people who would now remember him.
"No t'anks, mate. Don't need it."
Then the woman insisted he take it. The tagalongs, 3, 5 and 9, began to agree. That boy who pointed was grabbing at Draco's arms. Draco said he couldn't, he was late, anyway, and he had to go.
The oldest tagalong was telling the curious couple how Draco had found Daddy's wallet and ran all the way to return it.
Dad offered to give him a ride. His rental was parked halfway to the corner. Draco told him he wasn't going far. He took a quick look around, spotted the Empress down the way and said he was going to the Yard, his uncle worked there.
"Scotland Yard?" the five year old asked. All three tagalongs became excited, the youngest only because the other two were. They begged Mum and Dad to go along.
"Crisp It," Draco muttered. The entire situation was stupid. He was standing on the streets of London with almost a hundred quid (half of it stolen) in his pocket and some junior Yanks wanted to go with him to visit his parole officer.
The five year old heard what he said and asked what Crispy meant. "Crisp it," the nine year old told his sister. "It's that rhyming slang I read about, I bet." He looked up at Draco. "Are you a real live Cockney?"
"Then what does Crisp It rhyme with," number five asked. Mum gave Draco a look that said she figured out what word it rhymed with.
He noticed it was only him and the family again. The curious couple became bored when the confrontation became a conversation. That still didn't help. He was trapped. Tourists had latched on to a local and wanted the complete experience of meeting someone who actually lived there. And he had just cursed in front of their children.
"Sorry," Draco said sheepishly, "Janice said I shount talk like that aroun' lil'uns." As the woman raised an eyebrow, he explained that Janice was his sister, she and her husband lived in the Midlands. He was forgiven because he had a sister.
Young master nine asked about Midlands, resulting in a brief geography lesson. Then master three asked what was in that pocket. As Draco put his hand over the pocket with the money, he felt what three was pointing to. Where the inside coat pocket was. Where his wand was. Where he had shoved the money. Enough small bills that his wand was pressed against his jacket, making a conspicuous outline.
Mum and Dad were shushing the boy for being rude. Dad said it was probably a pen. "Awful big for a pen," nine said with authority.
Laughing at the absurdity of the situation, Draco pulled out his wand. He cleared his throat and used his fancy voice. "It's a baton. Or it's supposed to be. I study music. Friend gave it to me as a joke." Knowing it would do nothing, he let number three try conducting an imaginary orchestra with it. The concert ended the second time he hit Dad's leg. A very polite "could I see," came from number five. She smiled when Draco nodded. Dad handed her the wand. She held it in her hand as number nine said it looked more like one of those toy magic wands than a baton. Then five said something that made Draco's world crumble.
"It feels funny. All tingly."
Draco wasn't breathing as she handed the wand to her older brother. He barely noticed that Mum and Dad weren't breathing either. Number Nine said, "yeah, it does." and flicked his wrist as if to shake away the feeling. Bright red and blue sparks shot out of the tip of the wand and into the air.
"Bloody Hell," Draco said as he heard a loud popping noise behind him. Nine and five both jumped back in surprise but the parents didn't notice. They assumed the man had simply walked up to them.
"You are extremely lucky, Draco," Arthur Weasley told him. "I was walking by when Sirius Black asked me to keep a watch for him as he . . . went down the hall. Not even a minute and you were spotted. Your wand, please. I'll take care of these muggles, then you can give me an explanation."
"Muggles?" Mum asked.
Arthur Weasley smiled and held up a finger. "You're Yanks? How wonderful. I'll explain in a bit. Draco, your wand. I will have to . . ." Arthur's smile faded when he noticed Draco pointing. He turned and saw nine and five, both clearly frightened, standing a few feet away. A pedestrian walked between them and Arthur, clearly not noticing anything. That scared them even more.
"I didn't mean it," the boy said in abject fear.
"Ahhh," Arthur Weasley said in understanding. He looked at the now surprised parents. "And you didn't know?"
"Know what?" It was three who asked. He was hushed by Mum while Dad repeated the question. Five and Nine were debating whether to run for the hills or remain standing still.
"It appears that your son is a wizard. Oh, and I'm being rude." He held out his hand. "Arthur Weasley, Department of Muggle Intervention."
As the nervous parents shook Arthur's hand and asked what muggles were, Draco walked past him and to the two scared children. The youngest one, who knew no reason to be scared, followed after. Draco reached over and took the wand from the boy's hand and replaced it inside his jacket. This time, behind the money so it wouldn't make a bulge. He saw that Arthur Weasley and Mum and Dad were engaged in a conversation. Giving the children a quick salute, he began to run.
The youngest ruined it by yelling, "goodbye."
"Please stay with me," Arthur admonished as he apparated directly in front of Draco . He reached into the boy's pocket and removed the wand. "You did create this mess."
Another popping noise was heard, this time by everyone, and Sirius Black appeared.
"Ain't goin' back," Draco told him.
"I love complications," was Arthur's sarcastic reply. He stopped Black with a look, then added, "You don't have to, but you have to help me with the immediate problem."
"Whot problem? They know their kids can do magic."
Dad recovered enough to ask what was going on. This led Arthur to introduce Sirius to the family, to explain that he was an Auror and to explain what an Auror was. When the girl asked if he was the Uncle that Draco said he was going to visit, Sirius laughed and said he was the Uncle that Draco was running away from. Sirius gave a frown when Arthur told him the girl was a witch, her older brother a wizard and their parents two very confused muggles. He added the need to explain matters to them.
Sirius suggested in a whisper that they talk over dinner, as he had nothing to eat since the night before. He held back a remark when Draco retorted, "best not be your place, then."
Sirius Black glared at Draco. "Someone needs to pick up his belongings."
"Ain't goin' back," Draco repeated in a harsh voice.
"Back where?" Miss Five asked. When she was told it was a school, she asked if it was a magic school. Then she asked if she could take Draco's place. Mum said she had to go to regular school first, then sighed. Magic was real and her whole life had changed, and that of her whole family. All because an honest young man had found and returned her husband's wallet.
Draco's first thought was that Sirius Black didn't have to laugh that loud. His second thought was that Black should have laughed louder. Two quick backward steps as he looked over his shoulder, a pivot on his left foot and a strong kick off with his right. Two seconds later, Draco was racing across the street and directly toward the nearest station, Earls Court. Less than a minute later, thanks to luck, he was on the first train out. He smiled as he rested against the door.
"What happens now?" A scared voice asked.
Draco looked down to see young master nine.
Draco sighed. This was not what he wanted. "Why'd you follow me?"
"Scared. They're wizards. What will they do to my parents? Abby? The runt?"
"Buy 'em dinner," Draco answered. He had no choice. If he was right, Arthur Weasley would take everyone to the most obvious place in town. The Leaky Cauldron. With this thought in mind, he pulled his young partner off the train at the next stop. They boarded the next train going in the opposite direction. He pulled the boy off that train at Leicester Square. Once every five minutes, the boy told Draco he was sorry. Draco, not hiding his annoyance, kept telling him it didn't matter.
Apparently, Draco's disappearance caused some delay, or he had guessed wrong. No one was waiting for them when Draco opened the door to the Leaky Cauldron. The boy was surprised that no one seemed to notice them going in. His surprise continued when he was told muggles couldn't see the pub.
As Draco looked for his executioners, the boy stared at everything around him. The people in funny robes. The paintings that moved. A strange man in a purple hat stepping out of the fireplace. When he voiced his approval, a nearby portrait noticed his accent and began asking him questions about the colonies.
"OY, YOU," Draco called and the boy walked over to where his guide was standing next to an old bald man.
"This is Tom," Draco explained then told the man, "This is, um . . ."
"Jack." the boy supplied.
"Yeah, an' I'm Draco." Inwardly he was thinking, 'now, if anybody asks, I can honestly say I do know Jack'.
"So, Tom," Draco asked. "Could you let them know, if I'm not back before they get here. Don't want them to worry, you know."
"Don't you worry," Tom assured him. "Best get you shopping done." He paused. "And I am sorry to hear about your loss."
Tom led the two boys to the back wall and struck it with his wand. He waited long enough to watch Jack's mouth fall open. After that, Draco began to play tour guide. He told Jack that Tom had promised to let his parents know what happened. They would walk through Diagon Alley until they received word to return to the pub. Truth be told, Draco wanted to avoid the initial yelling that would occur. Black would scour Diagon Alley for him but he was less likely to make a scene with people watching. Wizard people.
They paused at the Quality Quidditch Supplies where Jack learned that brooms were really used to fly. As they walked past the shops, Draco explained Quidditch, pointing out that he was the Seeker for his house. He couldn't promise, but he would ask Arthur Weasley to find out how they could go to a match in the States. The conversation stopped as Jack noticed Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor.
Draco shrugged his shoulders at the expectant look. He didn't have the right kind of money. He suggested they go when he noticed something he should have. Gringotts, the wizarding bank. Suddenly, getting ice cream sounded like a good idea. Draco grabbed Jack's arm and told him they'd have to see the goblins first.
Jack stared at everything. The goblins. The stacks of gold. The wizards and witches walking around looking important. And his eyes popped when Draco pulled out a pile of pound notes. Draco said that of course he had money. He had very rich relatives. But he had to spend the summer as a muggle. This was the money he had left over. He handed over his recently acquired money and asked for asked Fifteen Galleons, payed the amount in pounds plus the transfer fee. The remaining notes went into his trouser pocket while he started to fill his coat pocket with Galleons.
The goblin sneered. He then pointed out that they sold money pouches as well. Draco decided to buy one. He payed in pounds. And the goblin caused both boys to gasp as he put all of the gold coins in the pouch and then placed it in the palm of Draco's hand. Trying to act casual, he slipped the pouch into his jacket pocket and suggested to Jack that they get going.
"It all fits into that small bag?" Jack asked. He was amazed when Draco told him it was a common thing. Wizarding houses where like that as well. Sirius Black's house is hidden between two other buildings. "It expands, magically, when you come up on it but no one else ever notices."
Draco had an honest smile. It was rare he ever had a chance to show off. They returned to Fortescue's so that he could now show his largesse as well. He may rank as the most disliked schoolboy in Britain, but there was going to be at least one boy who would think him the greatest wizard in the world.
They continued their walk, avoiding Knockturn Alley. All the while Jack asked questions between mouthfuls of a hot fudge sundae. About things he was seeing. About the school of magic. What it was like growing up as a wizard. Out of the blue he asked Draco what his friends were like.
He reminded Draco of why he would want to return to Hogwarts. Justin and Hermione. Fred and George. Hagrid. Uncle Severus. Draco gave Jack a brave smile.
"They're like family. I can't stand them when they're around and I miss them when they're gone."
"Got a best friend? Mine's also named Jack."
"Ain't never met any other Draco. You're the firs' Jack I ever met. Best frien'?" He smiled at Jack. "The one I'm wit'. You want the job? It's only for one night, though."
As Jack laughed at the idea, Draco spotted the shop he wanted to go to. They finished their sundaes and dropped them in the nearest bin. It flashed a green sign at them which said, "Thank you for keeping Diagon Alley clean". Then Draco led his young charge into Ollivander's wand shop.
The old man with steely grey eyes appeared from a dark alcove. "You are a late visitor, Mister Malfoy. And you bring a strange young man from across the pond."
"How . . ." Jack began to ask.
"And one who is too young to purchase a wand."
"Yeah," Draco acknowledged, "but I need a spare. Everyone keeps taking my old one away, then forgetting to give it back." He smiled as he explained. He wouldn't always need a second wand. Only until he could get his back from where it had been forgotten. But he did need a wand. Any wand. On the other hand, it would only be a couple years before young Jack was old enough. It would be nice to have a wand waiting for him.
"And it would be best if he had one of mine," Ollivander said in conclusion.
Draco had the distinct impression that Ollivander did not trust him. He felt the slightest touch on his mental shield. But the man asked Jack which was his wand hand. Specifically, he asked, "Master Andrews, show me your wand hand, please."
Jack raised his right hand in surprise. "How . . ."
Draco finished the question. "'ow'd 'e know your name? I'm guessin' magic?"
Ollivander was back with a box. He opened it and pulled out a wand, pronouncing it to be Ash and Unicorn Hair, good for charms. Jack flicked it in the same manner he had with Draco's wand, happy when the sparks came out. Draco stopped him and showed him how to properly wave it. Jack tried again and the sparks came out as before, only a little brighter.
With a sigh, the wand seller told him to put the wand on the chair. He went back and pulled out another box. Maple and Dragon Heartstring. The sparks came again. They were larger and more colorful than with the last wand. Jack said it was almost like the first time. Ollivander smiled and said he had tried Draco's wand. He had the boy put the wand down as he went back into the shelves for another box. He came back with two.
"This first is close to Mister Malfoy's's wand. Holly. But you seem partial to Dragons," he smiled at Draco, "so it has a heartstring as opposed to a phoenix feather."
Jack smiled as he took the wand. He waved it and was pleased to see actual stars instead of sparks. Ollivander handed him the other wand as he took the one from his hand. It was the same wand except it was a half inch shorter. Jack shrugged his shoulders. Even Draco didn't understand what difference the length would make. And Jack waved the wand.
The red and blue stars came out again, but even Draco could tell the colors were more distinct. Also, they were leaving trails as they flew out of the wand. A minute later, the stars had all faded. Jack was holding the wand and simply staring at it. Ollivander was putting the other wands back into their boxes. He smiled at Draco.
"The wand chooses the wizard, Mister Malfoy. That will be Seven Galleons and eight Sickles."
Draco pulled Eight Galleons out of the pouch. On a whim he handed them to Jack. "You found the wand for me, you pay for it. And you can keep the change."
Jack paid the money and pocketed the change. Handing the wand to Draco, he followed him out of the shop with a worshipful look on his face. As they walked back the way they came, Jack's first question was if the wand was really going to be his. Draco told him it was his, if he could find a place to hide it. Magic was supposed to be secret from muggles, non-magical people. Otherwise, he'd have to keep it in his luggage until he went home. At that last line, Jack's face went from nervous excitement to plain and simple joy. He would really be getting the wand.
"Thanks, Draco. Thanks for everything."
Draco smiled. In the waning light, he saw there was no one near them. "Jack, I need a favour. In exchange for the wand."
"Sure. Anything,"
"When you go back to the Leaky Cauldron, tell them I bought you an ice cream, then I left you."
"But . . ."
"They want me to go back. But I can't." He couldn't explain. "Jus' can't."
"Okay."
"I mean it. You're a nice kid, but . . . you have to promise." Draco's tone became forceful. "You tell them I lost you and you get the wand. Do we have a deal?"
He held out his hand, his look telling Jack to take it. Jack laughed nervously and grabbed Draco's hand.
"Seize the Cups," came the garbled voice.
"Whot?" Draco looked at the boy standing before him. Jack was almost like a statue.
"You take one cup, one cup takes you. / One for fire and one to rue. / One begets a mother's flame. / One revives a wizard's name. / Fortune demands that you choose true."
Jack blinked a couple of times. "It's a deal."
"Bugger tha'. I'm taking you back even if I have to go to the States to do it."
"But the wand," Jack said, confused and fearful he would lose his new toy.
"It's still yours."
Draco saw the bookstore up ahead was still open but not for long. The day was almost gone. He suggested they stop and get a book of beginner spells. Then he asked Jack if he liked his adventure.
Jack nodded his head. "You're still giving me the wand?"
"Yeah, already said." He pulled the wand out and, careful that no one saw him, slide it inside the sleeve of Jack's shirt. The wand holder it was attached to automatically wrapped itself around Jack's arm. It was safely hidden. "An' you got secrets to keep, whot wit' bein' me best mate. The wand gives you somethin' to lie about so you don't have to tell them other secrets."
"It's a bribe."
"Naw. Book's the bribe. Wand ain't no good if you don't know whot to do wit' it."
A few minutes later, Jack had under his arms a copy of Basic Transfiguration, Magical Theory for Beginners, The Standard Book of Spells (Book I) and Fantastic Creatures & Where to Find Them. They were all school books, but Jack didn't care. They were magical schoolbooks. He thanked Draco profusely then stopped as he looked ahead. "DAD." He ran forward as Draco saw that Sirius Black was with the Yank tourist.
Draco didn't hesitate. He turned around and walked the other way. He heard Black call after him that he had a room at the inn, but pretended he didn't hear. Seeing the man brought all his anger back.
As he passed Knockturn Alley, a dark figure stepped out of the shadows a short way in front of them, forcing the boy to slow from his brisk walk. Draco's first thought was 'what now?'
"You wouldn't happen to be lost. Would you?"
"Naw," Draco said casually. "Dad won't let me play in traffic, and I like danger."
The man took a step closer. "You looked familiar, Mister Malfoy." The man stepped up to him. "Permit me to take the risk of introducing myself. The name is Travers. Just so you know, the Minister will pay a lot to hear that name."
Draco gave a genuine smile. "Too bad." He switched to his fancy voice. "The Minister and I are not on speaking terms." He looked at Travers. "If we were, I wouldn't be here."
"It's good to find the Malfoys still know their proper place. But I need a small favour. A message. You do know Rodolphus Lestrange?"
"He is my Godfather."
"Let him know you met me. And where."
Draco took his best guess as to why the man was here. "You were watching me."
Travers gave Draco a look of pride as he sent him on his way.
Draco continued walking for a bit. He counted his money and found he had enough left in British currency to take the bus. He had two Galleons and some change in Wizard money, but one of those Galleons he could not spend. It was really an emergency portkey to Saint Mungo's Hospital. He carried it just in case. Having no other choice, he turned around. He was going to the Leaky Cauldron. At least he had a place to sleep and enough to buy at least one meal.
By the time he reached the pub, Draco had decided. He would go back to school. He had no better choice. He even knew what to say when the inevitable conversation occurred. He could at least have some fun by lying to people. At least one person.
Black waited for a minute, to make sure Draco wasn't going to run from the common room. He then walked toward his young charge. "You BOUGHT those books?"
"Mac lied about payin' me," Draco said, pointedly "Jack kep' askin' 'bout magic an' school an' . . . " Draco dramatically rubbed an eye as he turned his head downward. "I want to go back. Li'l Bastard made me miss the place."
"It's where your friends are," Sirius said in a (excuse the pun) serious tone. "At least those you admit to having." Sirius Black put his hand on Draco's shoulder. "It's gone Ten, already. I'll show you to your room."
"Did you buy him a wand?" Sirius asked, warily, as they walked up the stairs.
"Thought of it. Din't have enough after buyin' ice cream."
Yes, Draco thought, he did enjoy lying to people.
