Special update chapter for my little sis, happy 21st!
Spy: So she is legal, nez pas?
Kyugan: You get within a CONTINENT of her and I'll feed you to Heavy.
Heavy: *offscreen* I eat your spy!
Bspy: AAAAUUUUGH-!
Spy: I retract my previous question.
Kyugan: You better. Now then, the Wheel of Fate is turning, let's see what the shift to the continuum has wrought!
Chapter 2: Flourish and Blotts.
A week had passed since the encounter with the enigmatic Dobby, during which time Perenelle had adjusted the wards, it was a matter of pride really, and Nicholas had managed to turn the Study into an even BIGGER mess than when they'd started. Naturally, none of them spoke of Hogwarts, nor Herwald's plans to return that year, Nicholas even going so far as to ask if the boy was 'certain' about his decision, just in case the elf was listening in, you never knew with House Elves.
It was Harry's birthday, and the Perenelle had cooked up an impressive breakfast for the occasion, since it had been agreed Herwald was to spend the rest of the summer with his family, who were doubtless already making party preparations, to which the Flamels were most certainly invited.
Herwald was just digging into his porridge with fresh cream when Perenelle returned with the post, holding out a familiar Hogwarts letter to Herwald, who accepted it, knowing that she would have already removed any tracking spells placed on it. The letter's contents were surprisingly very similar to the acceptance letter he'd received a year ago, informing him to catch the Hogwarts Express as usual from King's Cross station on September first. There was also a list of the new books he'd need for the coming year, though he found it rather strange that, with the exception of 'The Standard Book of Spells-Grade 2', most of the books for this year were by the same author.
"Qui l'enfer est Gilderoy Lockhart?" he asked, turning to Nicholas, even as Perenelle levelled a mild frown at him for his language "He must be pretty important if the entire booklist is composed of his works."
"I can't say I've ever heard of him." Nicholas admitted, the Alchemist shaking his blonde head with a mild frown, "Though I'm certain he must be quite skilled if his books made the list for recommended material…perhaps I'll purchase a few copies myself when we're in town."
Herwald said nothing, deciding that it may prove better to peruse the material before wasting Galleons on it. Not that the Flamels were hurting for Gold, Heaven forbid, but they'd made it clear they were buying his school books this year as birthday presents, and he didn't want them wasting their money if it turned out this Lockhart fellow had written a load of crock, he'd sooner waste his own gold, his parents having set up a trust fund for him at Gringotts in London, a small fortune intended to handle his student finances until he officially came of age. True, as heir to House Potter, he could wave this edict aside and claim ALL the Gold in the Potter vaults, as well as the two other Vaults assigned to him by blood, but he preferred to be thrift with his purchasing, and so limited himself to the late Potters' wills.
After breakfast...
After a quick wash-up they pulled on their coats and piled into Nicholas' car; a perfectly maintained 1963 Bentley S2 Continental Flying Spur, Perenelle setting a picnic basket on the seat next to Herwald before they took off towards the nearby City ofTours, where the closest Gringotts Branch was. From there, it was a simple matter of parking the car in the special, thief-proof parking lot, guarded by Goblins carrying semi-automatic weapons no less, and arranging for a portkey to the Branch inLondon.
Once there, the adopted Einzbern begged off escorting the Flamels around London, wanting to stop by his vault for a little 'spending money', citing he intended to buy some presents to placate his elder sister's temper, to which the Flamels relented, Nicholas chuckling in amusement even as he escorted his wife out of the bank, intent on doing some shopping of their own, leaving Herwald to his own devices, the boy moving to join the queues lining up before the goblins, only to pause as a familiar voice called out to him, turning to see Hermione Granger, his bushy haired Gryffindor friend, rushing towards him excitedly.
"Oh, it's wonderful to see you again!" the Gryffindor girl enthused, moving to embrace her Slytherin friend, only to recover herself, clearly having made use of the 'Wizarding Etiquette' book he'd gifted her with for Christmas last year "Did you just arrive?"
"Ja." Herwald admitted, smiling at his first female friend, well, his first BRITISH female friend, even as he glanced over her shoulder "Are you here alone?"
"Oh no, Hermione countered "I'm here with my parents." She explained gesturing to the side, where Herwald espied the elder Grangers standing nervously at the counter, apparently exchanging pounds for Wizarding currency "Come say hello!"
Herwald consented, allowing his friend to lead him through the crowd to introduce him to her parents, who were pleasant and welcoming, albeit a little nervous, looking distinctly out of place in the sea of robes and Goblins that was Gringotts. It was quite understandable really; they were Mundanes after all, DENTISTS at that, a profession made all the more apparent by the little flinches they gave every time a Goblin leered at them with their sharp yellow teeth.
"So you're this Herwald my daughter's been going on about." Thomas Granger noted, turning his attention away from the maniacally grinning goblin, putting on his 'protective father' frown, though it was clear from his eyes and the quirk of his lips he was only playing, as he eyed the adopted Einzbern "Just what are your intentions for my daughter?"
"Pure, Herr Granger, I assure you." Herwald replied, his tone laced with amusement, both at the man's obvious jest, and the idea that he thought he could intimidate the boy. Grandfather Jubstacheit was intimidating, Rin when annoyed was intimidating, Fujimura Taiga when HUNGRY was VERY intimidating, if amusing, and Berserker simply BREATHING had often caused weaker willed beings to simply curl up and die. Compared to that, Dan Granger's half-teasing glare was like water off a duck's asche "We're only twelve, after all, I think you have some time before you need to worry about the slew of suitors coming to whisk your daughter." He snorted "Though I'd be wary of any with a family library."
Hermione flushed as her father barked in laughter, sending an accusing look at her friend and parents, as even her mother was tittering at her daughter's expense. "Here Hermione, that you?" a familiar voice called out, Herwald turning just in time to see Fred, 'or was it George?' one of the infamous Weasley twins peering at them through the crowd "Blimey! It's been ages!"
"Hello to you too George." Herwald greeted, earning a look of shock from one half of the Weasley twins as he smirked coyly "Or is it Fredrick? I can never tell, Where is your other half anyway?"
"Call me Fredrick again and I'll bust your lip Harry." The other Twin threatened, popping up alongside his brother, though the grin on his face made it clear he was joking as they sidled up to the boy and shook his hand "You here with your family?"
"I'm meeting up with them in a few minutes actually." Herwald assured them, smiling at the twins, who even despite his being a Slytherin and them Gryffindors had been spot on with him during his first year "And you?"
"We're here for our school things." Fred or George responded, Herwald vowing to figure out how to tell them apart one of these days or die trying "Our little sister's joining this year too."
"Might wanna watch your back Harry." The other twin warned, grinning teasingly "She's had a crush on you since she was four years old."
"Gott im Himmel..." Herwald muttered, looking torn between concern and exasperation as he pinched the bridge of his nose, even as the Grangers blinked at his use of German "This has to do with that ridiculous 'Boy Who Lived' thing, doesn't it?"
"Could be." Fred snickered, Herwald only able to tell because the pair hadn't moved since they arrived, sharing a look with his twin "Gotta warn you Harry, as her brothers, we're duty bound to beat the tripe out of you if you hurt her feelings."
"Fred? George?" a voice called out, the twins turning to face a thin, balding man wearing spectacles and long green robes, which were dusty and travel-worn. Judging by his familiarity with the twins, and the fact his remaining hair was as fiery as their own, Herwald rightfully suspected the man was their father "Who are you talking to?"
"Over here dad." George waved, confirming Herwald's suspicions even as he gestured the Weasley patriarch over "This is Hermione and Harry, Ron's friends."
"Harry?" Mr. Weasley repeated, pausing mid greeting, blinking blankly at his son's for a moment, before turning to Herwald and jumping "Good lord, is it Harry Potter?" he exclaimed, eyes wide with delight as he brushed himself down nervously "Arthur Weasley, I must say I'm very pleased to meet you, Ron's told us so much about you!"
"Indeed?" Herwald wondered, quirking a brow, honestly surprised, and a little unnerved, at the sight of the older Magus practically tripping over himself to greet him, making a note to ask Ron just what the hell he'd been telling his parents over the summer "A pleasure to meet you, Herr Weasley." He offered, bowing to the elder magus as he'd been taught "Though I believe Ron forgot to mention I go by Herwald now."
"Hmm?" Mr. Weasley wondered, blinking in confusion, only to start a little as something clicked "Oh...yes, I'd forgotten." He stammered, his excitement not dimming in the slightest, though now it was tinged with what seemed to be fearful respect "Is it true then? You were adopted by the Einzbern family?"
"I was." Herwald confirmed, his tone polite, even as he quirked a brow at the older man's lack of fear at the revelation, wondering if it was a genetic trait he'd passed on to his sons "If you don't mind my saying so, Herr Weasley, you don't seem very shocked."
"Oh I'm surprised, to be sure." Mr. Weasley assured the boy-who-lived, chuckling softly "Though that doesn't change what I think of you, I've always told my boys to never judge a book by its cover."
"A trait which is a bit redundant when it comes to George and Frederick, by their own admission." Herwald noted, smirking in amusement at Fred as the twin scowled at the name, though he was quick to turn his ire on George when his other half-guffawed loudly, allowing Harry to introduce the Grangers "Have you met the Grangers, Herr Weasley? From what Hermione tells me, they're quite the Premiere Dentists."
"But you're Muggles!" Mr. Weasley declared delightedly, his eyes widening with joy as he turned to greet the Grangers, who'd been waiting patiently for the man to notice them, the Weasley Patriarch shaking them both by the hand "Oh pardon my manners, if my wife were here she'd give me such a scolding, lovely woman, can't wait to introduce you."
"Introduce me to WHO Arthur?" a voice asked, Herwald turning to espy short, plump, kind-faced woman pushing her way towards them, her handbag held in one hand, the other holding the hand of a familiar, redheaded girl he'd last seen running alongside Illyasviel at the train station the previous year. Trudging behind her were Ron, and another redheaded boy, older than the twins, which Herwald recognised as the third eldest son, Percy.
"Molly!" Arthur exclaimed, releasing Tom Granger's arm, much to the dentist's relief, guiding the Weasley Matriarch towards the group "Molly, do come say hello, I've just run into Hermione and Harry, sorry, Herwald, Ron's friends, and her parents."
"A pleasure to meet you." The Weasley matriarch greeted, smiling at the Grangers, who relaxed, unable to believe such an ordinary woman could be a witch, then again, the only example they had to go by was Professor Minerva McGonagall, who was intimidating at the best of times, turning her gaze over to the children, only to blink at the sight of Harry "Oh Merlin...Harry Potter?"
"I go by Herwald von Einzbern now, frau Weasley." Herwald introduced, bowing once again, right hand over his heart, his left held a little away from his body, as he'd been taught "A pleasure to meet you."
"Oh! Not at all!" Molly Weasley countered, looking rather flushed, or was it embarrassed, at being greeted so formally by someone more than half her age "Oh Ron's told us so much about you!"
"So I've been told." Herwald noted, casting a half-bemused, half-annoyed glare towards his redheaded friend, whose ears turned pink as he winced apologetically, only to relent, instead turning his attention to the redheaded girl that was even now trying to hide behind her mother's skirts "I take it this is your daughter?"
"Oh, yes!" Molly admitted, rallying admirably as she pushed her youngest out from behind her, a motherly smile on her face despite the youngest redhead's look of terror "This is our Youngest, Ginerva, she's starting Hogwarts this year. Say hello Ginny."
"Hello." Ginny greeted, her features flushing a bright scarlet as she peeked shyly up at the adopted Einzbern, only to glare angrily at the twins as they sniggered.
"Guten Tag, Frau Weasley." Herwald greeted, offering the same bow to the girl as he had her mother, a kind smile on his face "Or should I say, nice to see you again? I believe you've already met mien sister, Illyasviel? The girl from the platform last year?"
"Oh!" Ginny exclaimed, her brown eyes widening in surprised recollection after a moment, even as her parents blinked at the word 'sister' "I remember! The girl with the lovely white hair!"
"She's very proud of her hair, she gets it from her mother." Herwald explained, smiling at the girl, before turning to her parents "Illyasviel's father adopted me, you could say she's my step-sister, though we never let such things concern us."
"I...see..." Mrs. Weasley noted, looking both surprised and confused, only to shake her head and turn to her husband, who was chatting with the Grangers, apparently fascinated with Mundane British currency "Arthur, I'll be taking Ginny to the vault, can you keep an eye on the boys?"
"I was actually going to invite the Grangers for a drink Molly." Mr Weasley countered, gesturing to the Dentists "Not to far, just to the Leakey Cauldron."
"Oh alright then..." Molly sighed, shaking her head with a bemused smile, before turning to Herwald and Hermione "Would you like to come along dears?"
"I was about to visit my own vault, Frau Weasley." Herwald admitted, returning the woman's smile, unable to help but feel comfortable in her presence, she gave of the same motherly air that Perenelle Flamel exhibited, "I've some time before I need to meet with my family. Shall we?"
Come sing with me! ya-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-ya-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-!
The small, goblin-driven carts that sped along miniature train tracks through the bank's underground tunnels were just as harrowing an experience as Herwald recalled, more so than ever, though he found it hard pressed not to whoop along with Hermione and the Weasleys, Molly and Percy excluded, as they raced through the caverns towards their family vault.
As a result, he couldn't help but feel like a heel when the door to the vault actually opened, revealing a very small pile of silver Sickles inside, and one lonely golden Galleon. It had been heart wrenching to watch as Mrs. Weasley felt right into the corners, as if searching for any stragglers, before sweeping the whole lot into her bag and turning around with a smile to face the silent entourage, Herwald managing to force his features into a mask of neutrality, tapping Hermione in the small of her back to get her to lower her hands from her mouth.
As such, when they got to HIS vault, the Baron of house Potter, rather than waiting for the Goblin to open the door fully, marched in once it had opened wide enough, shovelled a handful of gold and silver into the leather pouch provided, and promptly stepped out, tipping the stunned Goblin with a Galleon once they'd gotten back to the surface, where the group split up, Percy muttering vaguely about needing a new quill, Fred and George racing off to meet their friend Lee Jordan, while Mrs. Weasley and Ginny made their way to a second-hand robe shop, the Weasley Matriarch calling over her shoulder for them to meet at Flourish and Blott's in an hour, warning the twins to stay away from a place called Knockturn Alley.
"So where would you like to go?" Hermione asked, having been given the converted wizarding currency to buy her books from her parents.
"I'd actually like to stop by a few places first." Herwald admitted with a smile "I need to look for gifts to placate Ilya, I wasn't with her all summer so she's likely to be very vexed with me."
"Younger sister's can be a right terror when their pissed." Ron agreed sagely, even as Hermione giggled at the boys' predicament.
"Older actually." Herwald countered, earning a look of shock from the redhead "Remember? I told you she suffered from an ailment that stunted her growth, she's actually eighteen."
"Blimey..." Ron muttered, looking stunned even as Hermione's brows quirked "In that case mate I'd get advice from dad, he knows how to calm mum down better than anyone."
"I'll take that under consideration in future." Herwald chuckled "Though I think I know mien own sister well enough by now to know just what she'd be looking for..."
Later...
Sure enough, after making their way to several stops, Herwald and Hermione having to literally DRAG Ron away from Quality Quidditch Supplies, which was displaying a set of Chudley Cannon's Robes in the window, the trio made their way towards Florean Fortesque's Ice-cream parlour for a treat, when Herwald was suddenly accosted by a small, purple and white projectile. "HERWALD!" it cheered, Ron and Hermione blinking as they realized the missile was, in fact, a girl with hair as pale as snow, dressed in a purple blouse over a white skirt "I missed you!"
"Hello, Ilya..." Herwald greeted, his smile warm as he embraced his sibling, running his fingers through her beautiful white hair, only to pause, stepping back to look at her with a look of surprise "Ilya..." he asked in German "did you grow?"
"Yep!" Illyasviel replied, stepping back with a twirl, her bright crimson eyes, set in a pale face framed by silken white hair drawing looks from the crowd, not that she cared, not with her sibling before her after so long apart "I was surprised too! But apparently whatever Mr Flamel did fixed me in more ways than one!"
Herwald couldn't help it, he simply gaped at his sister in awe, unable to comprehend what he was seeing. Traditionally, Homunculi, even those created by Einzberns, did not age once their set limit had been reached. Sella and Leysritt, who appeared to be in their Twenties, were actually no older than Three years of age, their physical growth having been accelerated in order to prepare them for servitude as Ilya's maids. Even Irisviel, Ilya's mother, was no exception, having been coined with the appearance of a woman in her mid to late twenties, never aging a day from that point up until her death during the events of the 4th grail war.
But Illyasviel was different, even in the manner of her birth, having been conceived from the union of Irisviel, a Homunculus designed as the vessel for the 4th Holy Grail, and a man, Emiya Kiritsugu, a renowned Magus Killer and the man that adopted Herwald, then Harry, and later Shirou, gifting the latter his name and leaving the former with the Einzberns along with Illyasviel, albeit unwillingly. She'd been conceived normally, but even prior to that, she'd undergone tremendous treatment that would later affect her growth, the Einzberns having already decided to use the 'miracle child' as the NEXT vessel, provided her mother 'failed'. Those same modifications would later threaten her life after the 5th Grail war ended without an apparent victor, only Flamel's use of The Stone saving her very soul from dying.
"But never mind that!" Illyasviel exclaimed, still speaking in German, Herwald feeling a shiver race up and down his spine as she frowned at him, her hands on her hips "You were gone all summer and all you sent me was the occasional letter!"
"Sorry..." Herwald winced, recognizing the beginnings of a patented Illyasviel tantrum, cursing Berserker for not being here and Gilgamesh for killing the Greek Hero, even as he held up the travelling case in his hand "But look! I bought you a present!"
"Hmm?" Ilya wondered, blinking in confusion, leaning forward to look between the bars, only to squeal at the sight of the little tiger-striped kitten peering back at her "EEE! A KITTY!" she squealed, scooping the little bundle up in her arms "Oh it looks just like a tiger doesn't it! I know! I'll call you Taiga!"
"Smooth, Herwald-kun." A familiar voice called out in Japanese, Herwald looking up to see a familiar face, framed by long purple hair and stylish reading glasses, standing nearby "You do know Fujimura's going to kill you when she sees that?"
"Verdammt Gorgon..." Herwald cursed, even as he flinched at the realization, the smile on his face belying his words as he turned to face the purple haired woman "Is Sakura-san well?"
"Mm," Rider nodded, running her fingers through her luxurious purple locks "She says she's sorry she couldn't make it, but someone needed to be there to keep Rin from going overboard with Shirou's training."
"Which basically means she doesn't want to leave Rin-san with Shirou for too long unattended." Herwald snorted, shaking his head at his step-brother's luck at snagging two sisters as lovers, only to turn back to his friends, who were blinking at him in confusion "Oh, where are my manners." He muttered, shaking his head "Ron, Hermione, permit me to introduce mien Sister, Illyasviel von Einzbern, and Rider, a friend of the family."
"A pleasure to meet you." Illyasviel greeted in perfect English, curtseying perfectly to the pair even as Rider nodded "Thank you for looking after my little brother, he must have caused you so much trouble."
"Bloody hell, he wasn't joking..." Ron muttered, unable to believe the girl before him, who looked no older than Ginny, was in fact older than Percy.
Even lay-ter...
After stopping at Fortesque's Ice-Cream Parlour, where Herwald treated everyone to large strawberry-and-peanut-butter ice creams, they wandered up the alley, examining the fascinating shop windows, running into Fred, George and Lee in Gambol and Japes Wizarding Joke Shop, where the trio tried, unsuccessfully, to flirt with Rider, only for her to shoot them down in flames, their overly dramatic reactions earning peals of childish laughter from Illyasviel, whom they treated like a princess, earning her immediate approval, as they walked down the way to Flourish and Blotts', chatting about their respective families on the way.
"'Course, he's very ambitious, Percy," Ron admitted, having run into his elder brother in a junk shop reading a worn copy of 'Prefects Who Gained Power' "he's got it all planned out, wants to be Minister of Magic-what the hell's going on?."
The redhead's surprise was understandable, as a large crowd, mostly composed of witches of around Mrs. Weasley's age, was jostling outside the doors of the bookstore, trying to get in, Herwald's brow quirking as he espied the reason for the disturbance, a large banner stretched across the upper windows that proclaimed: 'GILDEROY LOCKHART will be signing copies of his autobiography MAGICAL ME today 12:30P. 4:30P.M.'
"We can actually meet him!" Hermione squealed, looking like Christmas had come early "I mean, he's written almost the whole booklist!"
Herwald quirked a brow at the girl, a sense of dread washing over him at the idea that the man inside was apparently some sort of celebrity. The crowd before them seemed to be made up mostly of witches around Mrs. Weasley's age, and a harassed-looking wizard standing at the front looked to be at his wits end trying to calm the horde from advancing further. It took employing Rin's patented use of elbows to clear a path, but eventually they fought their way into the store, the Einzberns and Rider espying the Flamels in a corner, moving to greet them while Hermione dragged a reluctant Ron into the cue. "Master, Mrs Flamel." Herwald greeted in polite French "I believe you've met my Sister, and Rider?"
"Ah, Herwald." The Alchemist returned, smiling at the group as they approached "And good day to you, Madoiselles, I trust you are well?"
"Very well, Master Nicholas." Illyasviel greeted, curtseying politely to the man that had saved her life, Rider inclining her head respectfully "I trust my brother wasn't a bother?"
"Au contraire." Perenelle countered, smiling at the deceptively young child before her with a mothering air even Ilya found hard pressed to ignore "He was a perfect gentleman, you should be proud."
"I am." Illyasviel admitted, and Herwald felt his chest fill with pride at her words "But enough of that, are you here for the book signing too?"
"Heaven's no." Perenelle scoffed, looking affronted by the very idea "Honestly, why good, honest woman would flock to a vapid fop like that is beyond me. In MY day, a man like that was NOT to be trusted around women of marriageable age."
"The times change, mon amour…" Nicholas soothed, his tone placating even as he closed the book he was reading "And while the man DOES seem to wax poetic on his own legend, at the very least the material covered is accurate."
"You're too soft, Nicholas." Perenelle sighed, the sorceress shaking her brown head, a bemused smile on her face even as Herwald eyed the books in his master's arms.
"I take it THOSE are the…books recommended for this year?" he asked, quirking a brow at the titles, which seemed to focus on certain creatures in particular.
"Indeed." Perenelle sniffed, eyeing the books dismissively "OH don't get me wrong, the information seems…accurate…" for Perenelle, that probably meant it was BARELY adequate "But it's more like a glorified travel log than a textbook."
"All the more reason to save my apprentice from wasting his parent's savings on them then." Nicholas soothed, smiling at the boy as he placed the books in a charmed sack before handing them to the boy "Happy Birthday, Herwald."
"Merci beaucoup, Master." Herwald thanked the Alchemist, unable to voice his protests, as the man had already given him a greater gift than any when he saved Illyasviel's life. Had Flamel ordered Herwald to commit a crime, even murder, as payment, Herwald would not have refused, instead the man had made him his apprentice. There was no END to the gratitude he felt for the Flamels, and he vowed he would spend the rest of his life repaying them.
"I say, is that you Herwald?" a voice called out, the Einzbern turning to espy Draco Malfoy, another friend and fellow Slytherin, weaving his way towards him through the crowd "It IS you! Merlin it's been forever since I last saw you!"
"It's only been a few months, Draco." Herwald countered, though he smiled nonetheless as he shook his friend firmly by the hand, as was Pureblood Custom among friends "Are Gregory and Vincent with you?"
"No, I'm here with my Father actually, I finally convinced him to by me a Nimbus 2001." Draco admitted, his face filled with pride, though whether it as directed towards his Sire or the broom was debatable "I simply must introduce you," he paused, as if seeing their onlookers for the first time "Oh, pardon me, are you with family?"
"And friends." Herwald admitted, gesturing to the others "These are the Flemings," he introduced the Flamels, using a fake name they'd employed before "Old family friends, Miss Rider, an associate of mien Step-brother, and my sister, Illyasviel."
"Pleasure to meet you." Ilya curtsied, smiling at the Malfoy Heir who for some reason seemed to be rather flushed as he stared at Rider "Thank you for taking care of my brother."
"Oh! Not at all…" Malfoy countered, waving a hand dismissively, shaking his head to recover from his flush, though his cheeks were still pink and he kept stealing glances at Rider, only to straighten as he espied a familiar face "Ah, Father!"
Herwald turned, the Adopted Einzbern quirking a bro at the approaching Wizard, who even a complete idiot couldn't mistake for anyone other than Draco's father, as he possessed the same pale, pointed face and grey eyes, though Herwald liked to think Draco's were brighter, and less ominous.
"So this is where you've run off to, Draco." He muttered, quirking a brow lazily as he glanced over the group, clearly seeing them as beneath him "Who are your…friends?"
"Father." Draco bowed, inclining his head to his sire respectfully, before gesturing towards Herwald with a smile "Permit me to introduce my friend, Herwald von Einzbern. Herwald, my father, Lucius Malfoy"
"Greetings, Lord Malfoy." Herwald offered, bowing to the Lord of Malfoy, as was proper in pureblood circles, noting with some amusement the man's eyes had widened at the mention of the Einzbern name "A pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"Indeed…" the Lord of Malfoy returned, recovering from his shock, regarding the Einzbern youth with wariness in is cold grey eyes "Draco speaks often of you. It has been many years since an Einzbern walked the halls of Hogwarts, traditionally they go to Durmstrang."
"It was my late parents wish that I attend Hogwarts, apparently." Herwald countered, shrugging his shoulders as he spoke as he truly didn't have much emotional attachment to the Potters. Oh there was SOME, if his vision in the Mirror of Erised was to be believed, but to him, his only family would always be Illyasviel, Shirou, and the Einzbern Homunculi.
"I see." Lucius noted, his features calm, though Herwald could tell he was being evaluated by the elder man, emerald eyes clashing with grey as the Einzbern youth matched the Lord of Malfoy look for look, Draco's father relenting after a moment with a look of grudging, if nervous approval "Very well, I shall leave you to your shopping, Lord Einzbern, come Draco."
Draco nodded, shaking hands with Herwald one last time, bowing to the Flamels, Illyasviel and Rider one last time before moving to follow his father out of the store, only to pull up short as they bumped into the Weasleys and Hermione, who'd apparently come looking for Herwald when they missed him in the crowd. "Well, well, well." Lucius sneered, the Lord of Malfoy standing with his hand on Draco's shoulder, his cane held in the other "If it isn't Arthur Weasley."
"Lucius," Mr. Weasley greeted, nodding coldly towards Draco's father, Herwald honestly surprised to see the loathing in the normally affable man's eyes.
"Busy time at the Ministry, I hear," Lucius Malfoy drawled, as if bored "All those raids… I DO hope they're paying you overtime?" he noted, only to reach out, his gloved hands darting like a snake, extracting from amidst the glossy Lockhart books, a very old, very battered, copy of A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration. "Obviously not." He mused "Dear me, what's the use of being a disgrace to the name of wizard if they don't even pay you well for it?"
"We have a very different idea of what disgraces the name of wizard, Malfoy." Arthur Weasley countered, even as he flushed a darker shade of red than any of his children had ever managed, though whether it was from embarrassment, anger or shame was debatable. Personally, Herwald was leaning more towards Anger, as he'd seen that look before whenever Rin was about to have a tantrum.
Herwald glanced at Draco, who met his gaze and nodded subtly, tugging on his father's robe discreetly whilst clearing his throat "Father, we should go, Mother will worry if we are late."
Lucius glanced at his son, a frown marring his features, before wordlessly tossing the battered book into the cauldron and turning on his heel, Draco pausing to offer Ron small, almost unnoticeable nod, which the redhead returned, before following after his sire.
And I believe that'll do for now.
Spy: Zat Lucius is one bad mother...
Kyugan:...yes go on?
Spy: Perdon, usually people tell me to, 'ow you say, 'shut yo mouth' whenever I do zat.
Kyugan: I'm different, swear away. Just watch out for Karma Piro.
Spy: Who? *Turns to see Piro wering a cape with a k on his mask* Why?
Kyugan: Because Every team needs karma.
Karma Piro: HMHMHMHMHMHMHMHM!