Diagon Alley,
Chapter 2
''Seriously, Ellie, its just a robe pick one so we can finally go home!'' Blaise pleaded as he carried 4 of my potential robes.
''Just five more minutes Blaise, promise!''
I couldn't pick one, they all looked the same: long, black, heavy, screaming boring and lame at me. Some robes had enchantments to reflect different colors as the sun hit them, the effect was dazzling. I wanted one that fit my tall figure right, that would blend in as it stood out and, of course, that wasn't cheap so that no one would have the same one as I did. As I looked at a silk collar robe, a light blue sparkle caught my attention: there was a lonely Beauxbâtons uniform hanging on the sale rack. My heart felt like if it dropped in my stomac. How I would miss my school, my friends. My best friend Annabelle always scored the best grades, she was all the way in Italy. What was I going to do without her? She'd always help me study last minute for tests I was never ready for... We would have the best times, she could be so ditsy but had a fierce determination to be the best at everything. I admired her for that... Like the time when-
''Ah that's the Beauxbâtons uniform, you won't be needing that miss Daragon!'' a rather stylish young man put his boney hand on my shoulder, his great big smile seemed to be blinding, ''Mister Malfoy told me you needed assistance?'' He gestured towards Malfoy, who was leaning against the counter casually, looking impatient.
''Oh,'' was all I got out, still dreaming about France.
''Perfect, so as this poor replacement,'' Blaise almost spat out his last words and the man's shoulders began to slump, ''for Madam Malkins helps miss Daragon, Mafloy and myself will be at Quality Quidditch Supplies, just around the corner, it's not far away... Good luck.'' He snorted and joined Malfoy. On their way out they met with three other young wizards : two boys and one girl. I heard them talking and it sounded as they didn't like eachother. I self noted not to talk to those three.
''Right, well, um...'' The man looked more of a boy after Blaise's jab, taken aback at how he spoke to him.
''Don't let them get to you, the less you care the better,'' I gave him a sympathetic look, I wasn't aware of his blood status but he just wanted to help me, and since we were alone I didn't exacly have to be mean… ''Now I would like to know where you keep your finest robes!'' I added, showing him a handful of galleons. A smile curled up his lips and his whole face brightened at the word finest.
''Yes yes of course! Follow me, miss.'' He headed towards the back of the store.
We went through a door at the end of the shop and ended up in a huge, oval, room. There were robes and different colored fabrics lying in neat piles everywhere. With a swish of his wand they swooshed around us and disapeared. Mirrors covered the single, never ending, wall.
''So, size 4?'' He asked
''6...'' I answered, still in awe of this room.
''Let the fitting begin!'' The man laughed, it was almost scary how excited he was. I'm guessing he didn't have many costumers that he could bring in here...
''I do not see why we have to be here, Draco,'' Blaise hissed, trailling behind Malfoy in the narrow path. ''I'd rather be watching Ellie pick out her robes...''
''I'd rather be watching her change out of them...'' Malfoy said snickering, ''just shut up and follow me.''
The two sixth year boys walked down the rest of Knockturn alley in silence. This alley always felt much cooler than Diagon Alley and was always dark and humid, at any time of the day. Water would trickle from the roof down the dirty stone walls, the scream of unknown creatures could be heard fainlty. Blaise was unusually nervous, fumbling with his sleeves and peaking over his shoulder every now and then. Malfoy stopped abruptly in front of an old smelly shop. Blaise hit right into him. Draco scowled.
''Sorry...'' Blaise mumbled.
''I'll be 15 minutes,'' Draco said, turning the door knob, ''try not to look as scared, Zabini.''
''Wait, can't I come in?'' Blaise tried to ask cooly.
''No.'' Was all Draco said and he vanished into Borgin & Burkes.
''Try not to look as scared, Zabini,'' Blaise repeated to himself, mocking Malfoy. He shoved his hands in his dress pants and leaned against the wall, looking physically relaxed. Mentally, he was revising Defense Against the Dark Arts spells.
''Merci beaucoup, miss Daragon!'' Said Gregory Niche, Madam Malkin's employee, handing over 3 bags full of robes and a complimentary winter cloak. ''If ever you need anything during the year, send me a letter and I'll do my best to accomodate you!''
''Thank you Gregory, I'll make sure to write you if ever I need an experts help with clothe!'' I smiled and left, but not before asking the directions to Quidditch Quality Supplies.
It was late afternoon, most of Diagon alley's occupants were in pubs and restaurants. I browsed around the Quidditch store, looking for Blaise and Malfoy. They were no where to be seen. They probably went to get a bite, I did spend a lot of time in the robes shop. I still went to ask the cashier if he saw the two boys, he was hiding behind a newspaper with his feet up on the counter. I cleared my throat, he jumped in surprise and almost fell off his chair but graciously jumped on his feet to catch his balance and to catch his chair. He swiftly caught all the newspapers flying around.
''Merlin's beard! You scared me lil' lady!'' A playful grin was on the young boy's lips.
His Scotland accent melted my heart. I'm so glad I came to the cash to... to... Shit, what was I here for? Blushing ferociously -damn my pale skin- I stamered:
''I-I... sorry!'' I glued my eyes on the floor. What was I doing? This was not behavior of a pureblood!
''Don't worry!'' A crystal clear laugh escaped his mouth, ''I didn't even hear ya come in, miss...?''
''Ellisabeth Daragon'' I snapped out of my shy little girl act, I stuck my hand out, ''you can me Ellie though.''
''Nice to meet ya Ellie, I'm Oliver Wood! What can I do for ya?'' He went around the counter so he could take my hand and kiss it. It surprised me as I was expecting a handshake, so much for my blushing to stop.
''Wood eh, long way from Scotland... I, am, um...'' I remembered the old pure blood family name, not much money to their name my dad had told me. Very nice people, though. I walked towards the broom section, rubbing my hand where he had kissed, ''Oh! Right, I was looking for two of my friends,'' I turned towards him, smiling.
''Maybe, but France is as far missy,'' He said with a wink, ''who are you looking for?''
''Touché, is my accent that bad?'' I laughed, he laughed, we were laughing together. He was so charming, nothing like Malfoy or Blaise could ever pull off. ''Blaise Zabini and Draco Malfoy,'' I answered his question.
''Oh,'' He let out another laugh, but this one was more of a snort, ''now why would a lady like you be looking for a character like Malfoy?''
''A lady like me?'' I feigned confusion, ''now what would a boy like you mean by that?''
''Boy?'' he put his hand on his hip, ''listen here, Ellie'' he pointed a broom at me, jokingly, ''I am a man and-
''Ellie! There's my favorite little french girl!'' Blaise stumbled in the shop, reaching us and putting an arm around me.
''Blaise... where were you- ugh you smell horrible...'' I shoved him away, ''This is Oliver Wood, Oliver this is Blaise.''
''We know who Wood is Daragon,'' It was Malfoy's turn to stumble in.
Both their hair were messes. Blaise knocked over a broom and as he tried to pick it up, he knocked over a whole row.
''Oops...'' Blaise mumbled, as he started to hick up.
''You're drunk!'' I accused them, ''both of you, out. We don't want to give Oliver any more cleaning up to do.'' I gave Oliver an apologetic look and mouthed 'sorry'. He gave me a weak smile.
''Fine!'' Both Malfoy and Blaise yelled together.
''You're fraternizing with the enemy, Ellie!'' Blaise shouted as he exited the shop, shaking both his hands in the air.
''Slytherin rules, Gryffindor drools!'' Malfoy sang, leaving right behind Blaise.
''I am going to beat them so bad,'' I started picking up the brooms, ''I am so sorry, Oliver, I will fix everything!'' I got up to put back a broom and found Oliver very close to me... not that I minded.
''Ellie, stop picking up brooms,'' he took the broom from my hand. ''That's my job,'' he smiled at me.
''I know, but Blaise knocked over all these brooms and its all my fault I have to clean up I mean-
''If you want to make it up to me...'' He moved passed me and went to the counter, scribble something on a piece of paper and came back. ''Take this, meet me at this spot a week from today,'' He passed me the piece of paper with an hour and an address on it. Malfoy and Blaise were knocking on the window chanting 'Vive Slytherin!'. They had no shame.
''You better get going Ellie.'' He smiled.
I went out of the shop, in a daze.
''Oh. My. God.'' I whispered to myself. Could I trust this boy? Was he asking me out on a date? Probably not… Oh my god I think he did…
''Elliiiiiie I don't feel so gooooddd...'' Blaise's hick ups were getting worse, he was sitting on the ground, his head between his knees.
''Wipe that smile off your face,'' added Malfoy, taking my bags from me. Was he being nice?
''Let's go home.'' I glared at them. ''I thought I was going to get all my shopping done today,'' I rolled my eyes. ''Can't wait till your mother sees you like this, Zabini.''
''Wow second name basis! You're taking steps back Zabini,'' Malfoy mocked my tone of voice, ''soon she'll be calling you mudblood!'' They both laughed, now I see why Blaise and Malfoy are friends, they need each other to laugh at their jokes.
I picked Blaise up and we headed towards The Leaky Cauldron. Malfoy threw the bags over his shoulder, throwing off his balance, he stumble in the now almost empty street.
''Why are the streets so empty? It was so busy earlier...'' I wondered out loud.
''Probably scared of your horrible flirting...'' Blaise answered, ''Ellie and Wood, sitting in a tree,'' he continued to sing as Malfoy giggle like a little girl behind us.
''Shut up Blaise,'' I said, laughing along with them.
Blaise would always joke around with me, but around other people he was so serious. I guess Malfoy was like that too, because as soon as we entered the Inn, they both straightened up. It was a pitiful try, but they looked better than they did at the Quidditch shop. Blaise maneuvred his arm so that I wasn't supporting him but holding on to him. We hurriedly got in the fireplace, rather ungracefuly. Right before Malfoy could throw the floo powder on the ground, an older man caught my eye, he lifted his drink as to cheers towards us, his smile was repugnant. Chills went up my spine, this was not a friendly character.
''Malfoy Manor!'' said Draco, and off we were.
When we got there Blaise rushed out of the fireplace, knocking Malfoy, myself and all my bags. We both cursed after Blaise.
''Malfoy we're supposed to go to the Zabini's not here!'' I said, still on the floor. ''Hey what's this...'' A diamond was popping out of a paper bag, I reached out to touch it but Malfoy swapped it before I could get any closer.
''You very well know that Blaise's mother would kill him if she saw him in this state!'' Malfoy said as he stuffed the bag in his pocket. ''I'm going to bed, make yourself at home.'' He added.
''But Malfoy I don't know where anything is? And its not even 6 why are you going to bed?'' He disapeared before I could say anything else. Two house elves popped out of nowhere and took care of Blaise's mess.
''Hello? Draco, is that you?'' A woman's voice came from the next room.
''Oh, um, no, he went to his room with Blaise... its um, Ellisabeth Daragon,'' I walked towards the room the voice came from, guessing it owned to Draco's mother, Narcissa.
She was sitting at the dinning room table, alone, sipping on some wine. She didn't have one misplaced hair, but you could tell, inside she was broken. She seemed distant, everywhere she looked it was like if she didn't see anything.
''Ah, dear Ellisabeth, I knew I heard someone.'' She smiled at me, gestured me to take a chair. I returned her smile and sat down.
''How was shopping?'' She asked, not very interested, twirling her wine in her glass.
''Good, we got everything we needed,'' I answered sweetly, lying.
''Anything... unusual happen?'' She asked, suddenly, starring at me... no, through me. She wasn't twirling her glass anymore.
Unsusual? Was I supposed to rat out Blaise and Malfoy? Does Narcissa even allow her son to drink?
''Not, um, not really... I met a nice boy, Oliver Wood.'' I said, waiting for her reaction.
''Oh,'' she said, twirling her glass once again, ''that's nice, Wood is a decent pure blood family. Irish, right?'' she fixed her stare outside the window.
''Scottish, not very good with money I hear though...'' I followed suite and checked outside, not looking at anything in specific.
''Yes, yes... I'm getting rather tired dear, I had a long day, how about I get an elf to show you the guest room?'' She smiled softly and snapped her fingers, an elf appeared.
''Oh that's alright, I think I'll floo over to my house, thank you though.''
''Alright. Good night, Elisabeth.'' She left the kitchen.
''Good evening miss, may Gilbert help you with your bags?''
:)