Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling, only the Archard family and other OCs belong to me. The French words/phrases will be italicized, as well as the spells. Reviews are appreciated!

Chapter 5: Book Shop Scuffle

Esme POV

Since it was right next door to Scribbulius, we went to Quality Quidditch Supplies next on Carlisle and Dustin's request, as they needed to broom maintenance supplies for the coming months. To my surprise Papa offered to buy me my own broom if I wished to play Quidditch like my brothers. He quickly amended that I would have to keep up with my studies, but since I did well last year, he trusted I could handle it. I couldn't help but blush at Papa's indirect praise, but still I declined as I had no interest in trying out for Slytherin's Quidditch team.

Instead I asked for the enchantable streamers, as I hoped to charm it for each match to cheer for my brothers when they play, and when they weren't, I could cheer for Slytherin. Papa agreed, and even bought Carlisle and Dustin new leather gloves and goggles to wear.

While Papa was purchasing the items, Carlisle and Dustin saw what he was buying for me. "Oh~, are you going to cheer us on as our number one fan this year, petite papillon," asked Carlisle as he looped his arm around my shoulders.

"I will always cheer for you, grands frères," I promised, nudging my head slightly against his arm.

"Especially when we play against Gryffindor?" Dustin added, scooching close to us as well - clearly trying to charm me.

Nice try, but it is I who manipulates you, not the other way around, I thought as I replied, "Non. I will cheer for all of you then because j'aime tous mes grands frères. I just wish for the three of you to have fun and remain uninjured during matches."

They both hugged me, even as they slightly pouted over not weaseling the promise they wanted from me. As they were hugging me, I saw three familiar faces outside the shop's windows. Potter and Weasley were gazing at the Quidditch team robes on display, before they were quickly dragged off by a bored looking Granger.

I should've guessed Potter and Weasley would be wandering around Diagon Alley if Fred and George were. I hoped I didn't run into those three again today; I wanted to enjoy my day of shopping without them mucking things up, Weasley especially with his thoughtless remarks. Still, if I did run into them, I would just continue what I did last week at dinner - completely ignore them, and hopefully this time they'd get the message and leave me alone.

My brothers released me as Papa had concluded his business and the four of us left Quality Quidditch Supplies and returned to the bustling street of Diagon Alley. The only thing left for us to buy on our school lists were our required books, and neither my brothers nor I had any other shopping requests, or at least none we would say out loud. I had thought to get Fain and Gérard something from the joke shop, but with Papa supervising this shopping trip, I wouldn't be able to get away with purchasing anything from there.

As we approached Flourish and Blotts, I was surprised to see a large crowd of witches jostling outside of the shop's doors as they all tried to get inside. Stretched across the upper windows of the bookshop was a large banner which proclaimed:

GILDEROY LOCKHART

will be signing copies of his autobiography

MAGICAL ME

Today 12:30 - 4:30

"Fils de pute!" muttered Papa under his breath, though not quietly enough that the three of us hadn't heard him. Dustin and Carlisle snickered at the unflattering words, while I fought back a smirk - Papa really didn't like Lockhart, and we hadn't even seen him yet.

There was no avoiding the situation, we needed to get our school books and this was our only chance before we had to leave for school. I saw Papa steel himself before he led the way through the crowd of excited witches. We quietly passed a harassed looking wizard trying to control the impatient crowd, saying, "Please, ladies, no pushing. Everyone will have their turn. Please, mind the books."

Squeezing inside the shop, I saw there was at least an organized line instead of the mass of bodies I was expecting. The line, while curving throughout the shop, led all the way to the back of the shop where I saw a table had been set up. I couldn't see through the crowd, but I honestly had little interest in really trying.

Papa directed us off to the side of the shop towards a nearby shelf of overflowing books before addressing us, "You three go browse out of the way of the commotion while I collect and purchase yours and Alaric and Blaire's school books. Stay away from the back of the shop. I do not want you three anywhere near Lockhart, vous pourriez attraper son idiotie."

Dustin snorted, but was silenced by Carlisle elbowing him. Under Papa's stern look, we all quickly nodded our agreement. He then moved away further into the shop to look for our books.

With Papa gone, Dustin finally unleashed his laughter. "Catch his idiocy…" Dustin said between snickers. "That was a good one." His laughter proved to be infectious as soon Carlisle and I were also laughing - it was funny and surprising to see Papa so ruffled that he actually expressed his displeasure, and in such a colorful way for a man beholden to the rigid behavior of a polite gentleman.

"Grands frères, why does Papa have such a low opinion of this wizard?" I asked. "He never said why, just that he doubted the quality of our education and such before."

"Well…" Carlisle started, his nose scrunching up as he clearly searched for the right words.

Before he could he was interrupted by Dustin. "Father read Lockhart's second published book, Gadding with Ghouls, and was barely done with it before he had Paddy dispose of it quickly. As I recall, he said most of the book was egotistical trash written by a vainglorious wizard seeking attention of fools easily distracted by beauticious coverings."

"Sweet Circe…" I mumbled, shocked at the sheer venom of words Papa once said. His words so far today seemed mild when compared to that.

Carlisle cleared his throat. "Oui, well, anyways, you should go browse, petite papillon." Carlisle gently pushed me towards the far side of the shop. "We'll be nearby if you need us."

I moved forward on my own as I accepted my brother's words. I might as well look to see if any books sounded interesting. Perhaps I would even find a new book to give Blaire for Yule. I made my way up the stairs towards the second floor, reading over the various book titles on the shelves as I went.

"Esme?"

I glanced up and saw Draco sitting on an armchair by the second story balcony, a book opened in front of him. "Hello, Draco. Pleasure seeing you this afternoon," I greeted as I made my way up the rest of the stairs. "Are you shopping for your school supplies too?"

"Yes, I am, though Father left me here while he went to take care of some business in Gringotts. Would you like to sit?" he asked as he gestured to an empty armchair nearby.

"Yes, thank you," I accepted as I sat down, carefully tucking my robes to rest neatly around my legs. "I have some time while my father purchases our school books."

Draco snorted. "That will take a while with those batty witches hovering about trying to get their five minutes with Lockhart."

"Indeed," I agreed with a giggle. "Honestly, our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor is likely a fan just like them with seven of Lockhart's books being required for all students in each Year."

"It's actually the wizard himself who is to be our professor."

"Pardon? How do you know that?" I asked while tilting my head in curiosity. Papa would definitely not be pleased if this is really the case.

"My father is on the Board of Governors for Hogwarts," explained Draco, a proud smirk spreading across his face. "Dumbledore has to inform them of all the latest hires, usually so the Board can vote against it, but since the Defense Against the Dark Arts always needs filling, they hardly seem to care at this point."

"Oh of course, that makes sense," I replied, remembering the position is supposedly jinxed. I twirled my hair with my finger as I thought aloud, "I wonder if Lockhart was a Slytherin? Making all the students buy so many of his books is a little bit of a cunning way to make a profit."

"As if," Draco scoffed. "Lockhart isn't worthy of Slytherin House. My mother actually attended Hogwarts with him and recalled him being in Ravenclaw." Draco leaned in closer and lowered his voice. "She told me that Lockhart may be a skilled wizard but his vanity and ego has always led him to highly embellish himself, so he's always less impressive face to face."

I smirked a little. "Did you find out for yourself trying to get one of your books signed?" I asked as I gestured to a stack of books at Draco's feet.

"No, of course not!" Draco blushed and avoided eye contact. "I didn't even think about it!"

I giggled a little. While I accepted his words, inwardly I had the feeling Draco got one of his books signed despite his words.

Our conversation was interrupted by a commotion happening downstairs, louder than the one the witches were making before. Excited whispers of "Harry Potter?" floated up to our ears. A large sneer broke out over Draco's face as he stood up against the balcony banister to look down to the first floor. My own good humor had fled as well - so much for avoiding Potter and the others.

I joined Draco at the railing and gazed down below. We had an excellent view over everything, so we easily saw Lockhart and Potter standing in front of the clapping crowd. A photographer, no doubt working for the Daily Prophet, madly clicked away on his camera, causing smoke to billow around before escaping out the opened shop door.

Lockhart and Potter made an odd pair: one dressed in light blue robes, all shiny and clean, with his wavy hair neatly styled - and the other dressed in his Hogwarts robe, dirty and ruffled, with his hair as messy as always. Potter looked distinctly uncomfortable as Lockhart clutched him close with a wide smile.

Lockhart finally let go of Potter and waved about for the crowd to quiet. "Witches and wizards," he said loudly. "What an extraordinary moment this is! The perfect moment for me to make a little announcement I've been sitting on for some time!"

My brothers and Draco weren't exaggerating before; Lockhart indeed thought highly of himself. His voice may have been smooth and charming, but his pompous tone of voice was off-putting - worse than some I heard from members of High Society even!

"When young Harry stepped into Flourish and Blotts this morning to purchase my autobiography, Magical Me, which I shall be happy to present to him now along with my entire collected works, free of charge-" The crowd broke into applause.

I, however, frowned in distaste as I watched Lockhart drop a large stack of books into Potter's arm. Potter, an heir apparent who could easily afford all of Lockhart's books, was getting them for free when there were families who had to pay full price for multiple sets of books - families that may not necessarily be able to afford those books. At least Potter seemed to still be quite uncomfortable. Being friends with Weasley, he might be thinking similar thoughts himself about the expense of the books.

"Potter, always getting special treatment," Draco muttered angrily beside me, rolling his eyes.

"Favoritism is always handed to him it seems," I agreed just as quietly to him. My mind instantly went back to how Dumbledore ensured Gryffindor won the House Cup - all for Potter. My thoughts were interrupted as Lockhart continued with his performance now that the crowd finished clapping.

"He had no idea that he would shortly be getting much, much more than my books. He and his schoolmates will, in fact, be getting the real magical me. I will be taking up the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!"

The crowd cheered and clapped, which acted as the boiling point for Draco as he quickly pushed off the banister and stalked down the stairs. I hesitated for a moment before grabbing Draco's forgotten books. I slowly followed after him as he approached Potter and his friends, who appeared from the back of Flourish and Blotts.

"Bet you loved that, didn't you, Potter?" accused Draco as he reached them. "Famous Harry Potter, can't even go into a bookshop without making the front page."

I stopped halfway down the stairs when I saw Dustin and Carlisle up ahead, shaking their heads at me. Both glanced uneasily at the brewing confrontation, and clearly didn't want me in the middle of it.

"Leave him alone, he didn't want all that!" snapped Ginny. Though her face was red, even from where I stood I could see the fire burning in her eyes as she glared at Draco.

Draco didn't even flinch as he chuckled. "Oh~ Potter, you've got yourself a girlfriend!"

Ginny's face flushed scarlet, but she was soon shuffled back as Granger and Weasley moved forward. Weasley glared at Draco as if he were something unpleasant on the sole of his shoe. "Bet you're surprised to see Harry here, eh?"

"Not as surprised as I am to see you in a shop, Weasley," retorted Draco. "I suppose your parents will go hungry for a month to pay for all those."

Weasley went as red as his sister, before he dropped the books in his arms and lunged for Draco. I gasped - while Weasley reacting so to taunts was normal, I hadn't thought he'd be foolish enough to do so in such a public place. Thankfully, Granger and Potter quickly grabbed the back of his jacket and held him back, all while Draco stood his ground.

"Violence is not the answer," I said to Weasley as I hurried down the rest of the steps, coming to a stop a step above my Housemate. I looked around for adults to hopefully arrive before Weasley attacked like a Muggle again.

"I would stay back, Esme," advised Draco, not looking back at me as his eyes remained fixed on Weasley and the others at the bottom of the steps. "Weasley is so low in magical skill that he's reduced to Muggle ways."

"You shut your bloody mouth," Weasley yelled at Draco. I tried to step forward, unwilling to leave Draco to continue to goad Weasley into a fight, but Carlisle and Dustin moved in front of me, placing themselves between me and the others.

"Ron!" Monsieur Weasley then hurried over, and I sighed in relief that an adult finally arrived. "What are you doing? It's too crowded in here, let's go outside-"

"Well, well, well," interrupted Lord Malfoy, a sneer like his son's on his face as he walked over. "Arthur Weasley."

"Lucius," Monsieur Weasley greeted in a cold tone of voice that sounded odd coming from him.

Lord Malfoy's face twitched - no doubt at the lack of use of his proper title - but it soon smoothed out to a haughty look. "Busy time at the Ministry I hear. All those raids…I hope they are paying you overtime?" He reached into Ginny's cauldron and took out a very old and battered book. "Obviously not," Lord Malfoy drawled. "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?"

Carlisle and Dustin stiffened as Monsieur Weasley flushed darker than either of his children. Those were harsh words even between adults, much less in front of their children and anyone else that may overhear. The tense atmosphere worried me - things were becoming worse than they were before!

"We have a very different idea of what disgraces the name of wizard, Malfoy," replied Monsieur Weasley with a bite in his voice, looking Draco's father steadily in the eye.

"Clearly," said Lord Malfoy, appearing unfazed. "What you taught your children is one thing, but the company you keep, Arthur…and I thought your family could sink no lower-"

Thump.

I yelped as Carlisle and Dustin suddenly pressed me back against a nearby shelf, the books in my hands pressed into my arms. I then saw between them the reason why - Monsieur Weasley had thrown himself at Lord Malfoy, knocking him backwards into a bookshelf. Dozens of large books came thundering down as two wizards struggled against each other on the floor. I stared wide-eyed in shock. Well…Weasley certainly had to get his rash behavior from somewhere.

Various yells soon filled the shop: "Get him, Dad!" - "Father!" - "No, Arthur, no!" - "Gentlemen, please, please!".

"Immobulus!" was shouted louder over all the other voices. After a quick flash of light, Monsieur Weasley and Lord Malfoy were frozen in place, while falling books floated in the air.

Shop workers quickly got to work and spelled the books and shelves back into their proper place. Papa appeared from the crowd, wand in hand. "That will be quite enough of such undignified behavior," commanded Papa, cold anger radiating from his face and tone. Papa then flicked his wand at the two frozen wizards. "Finite Incantatem."

His previous spell broke under the General Counter-Spell, leaving both Monsieur Weasley and Lord Malfoy to stagger to their feet, each brushing themselves off and righting their robes. Carlisle and Dustin finally moved forward and I squeezed by them as I hurried over to Draco, quietly handing him his books.

"Now, gentlemen. I shall remind you of the simple idea of decorum, especially when in front of the children." Papa practically hissed at both wizards, each appearing embarrassed and angrily to be scolded like children themselves - yet neither argued against Papa and accepted his words with as much dignity as they could muster.

"Come, Draco," Lord Malfoy called, while shoving Ginny's book back into her cauldron. Draco hurried after his father without a word, clutching his books close. The two then swept out of the shop and disappeared into the crowd still milling about Diagon Alley.

"Father?" called out a familiar voice.

I looked over to the shop's entrance to see Alaric and Blaire hesitantly stepping into Flourish and Blotts. The unsure looks on their faces revealed they likely saw the whole scuffle. Fred and George hurried past them and over to their family, through the crowd of witches going back to whatever they were doing before and once again ignoring the rest of us.

Papa sighed, but gestured to Alaric and Blaire to approach. They hurried over to me, Carlisle and Dustin, who had moved behind me after Draco and Lord Malfoy left. Papa faced Monsieur Weasley, who had Madame Weasley fretting over him as she straightened out his robes. "You should have just ignored him, Arthur. Lucius and his allies can make life difficult for you if they set out to do so."

"I know, I wasn't thinking," admitted Monsieur Weasley, taking a deep breath. "I apologize, Lord Ashton, for the trouble and mess I caused. I just couldn't let Malfoy say such things, especially not to the Grangers' faces."

"No matter how noble your intentions were, your actions were brash and unbecoming of a wizard your age. Such a scene won't fix the conflict at hand." Papa then glanced around at his surroundings. "Come along children, it is past time we return home."

I followed my siblings out of the shop, seeing both Blaire send an apologetic look towards Fred and George and Weasley glaring at the back of Papa's head. I glared at him in return with narrowed eyes, his eyes shifting to me finally. I made a huffing noise, ignoring an uncomfortable looking Granger and Potter, and hurried passed. Honestly, what did he have to scowl at Papa about. Papa was right, such actions could and would only cause problems. Potter and Weasley just loved being in the center of trouble.

Papa led us straight through the archway and into the Leaky Cauldron, his eyes shifting around quickly as if he was expecting something else to suddenly happen. I hadn't seen Papa this anxious since…since we lived in France.

All five of us wisely kept quiet and stayed close as we waited for our turn to use the floo - when Papa was agitated like this, we all knew better than to argue or even speak. The tenseness only left Papa's shoulders once we were back in the safety of Heaven's Garden.

I was grateful that the first term of school would be starting soon, as I had the feeling Papa's summer restrictions would only tighten after what happened today in Diagon Alley. I wouldn't have to endure lockdown for long before I would be free, or at least as free as I was when a Slytherin in Hogwarts.

Petite papillon = little butterfly

Grands frères = big brothers

J'aime tous mes grands frères = I love all my big brothers

Fils de pute = son of a bitch

Vous pourriez attraper son idiotie = you might catch his idiocy

Oui = yes

Pardon? = sorry?

Monsieur = Mister

Madame = Mrs.

Big thank you to my Beta-Readers: Anonymous and TheSparkler!