-Better start with the robes- suggested Hagrid, pointing to some store near where they had entered Diagon Alley- You take them professor. I have to go get something.
Uncle Severus guided Leandra and Harry until they were standing by the door of a shop that read "Madam Malkin's robes for all occasions" on a plaque hanging by the door. They entered the shop and were greeted by an old woman with a warm smile.
-Hogwarts, I suppose?- she asked.
Uncle Severus nodded to the woman.
-And why are you with a teacher?- she asked- First time in the wizarding world?
-Yes, ma'am- the twins answered together.
-Leandra here will need more than her school robes- uncle Severus rested a hand on her shoulder - Add the cost of any more robes she may like into my account.
Madam Malkin inquired about the boy as she waved her wand summoning some samples for Leandra.
-I'm not responsible for Mister Potter, he may decide how he spends his money, and if he may like me to gift him some robes.
The samples in front of Leandra dropped to the ground.
-Harry Potter?- Madam Malkin examined the boy - Name's Madam Malkin. Thank you so much my boy, I can give you a great discount on any robes you might want, 90 percent off, in everything.
After shaking Harry's hand, she waved her hand and the samples Leandra was now examining on her hands floated out of her grasp and into the next room.
-Come on- the lady urged them- There's a boy from Hogwarts here as well you may go there and stand near him for the fitting.
As she said that, she guided them through the door the samples had disappeared through. Leandra eagerly followed behind, albeit trying not to show it. She had really liked some of the materials and some of the colors. When she saw them levitating in front of one of the stands, she nearly jumped there and started studying again, completely missing the boy right next to her, who grinned broadly at her godfather, until he spoke:
-Hello, uncle Sev!
-Hello, Draco- greeted uncle Severus back.
Harry quietly made his way to the stand near Leandra.
-Hi! I'm Malfoy. Draco Malfoy- said the boy offering his hand to Leandra.
Leandra slowly lifted her head from the samples and regarded the boy. Her eyes bulged for a moment when she realized she was ignoring him, and she quickly composed herself, going to shake his hand. Instead of shaking her hand, however, Malfoy brought it to his lips to kiss. Unused to being shown anything other that hateful disdain by boys her age, Leandra failed to hide her reaction.
-I'm Potter- she said quietly - Leandra Potter.
-Potter as in...?- Draco murmured eyeing her suspiciously.
-Yes, Draco- confirmed uncle Severus.
-You're Leandra Potter?!- he asked, completely forgetting about the boy next to her.
-Yes- she answered.
-It's a pleasure to meet you- he said, bowing a little -I've heard great things about your mother, you know? Although, uncle Sev has been a bit grumpy about telling me anything about yourself.
Leandra giggled a little at that. Malfoy noticed and grinned.
-You don't have to bow- said Leandra, blushing redder- I'm not a princess.
-Gentlemen bow to any pretty lady- Malfoy recited.
Leandra's blush deepened. She turned away from the boy not wanting him to see it. Even if she didn't mind him seeing it, her fitter had just arrived and she would have had to stand straight anyway.
-So what house do you want to be in?- he asked- I want to be in Slytherin, all my family was there as well as uncle Sev.
-Houses?- Leandra asked, dumbfounded, turning her head to him- As in teams? You mean to tell me, Mister Malfoy, that Mister Hagrid and uncle Severus have been arguing over school teams all day?
-Please do call me Draco... Leandra- he tried - I do want to be your friend. But I must ask, have you been living with muggles? Hogwarts' Houses are common knowledge among the wizarding community.
Leandra looked to the floor, her blush deepening even more, pretending to be counting the tiles but Draco noticed. Her fitter also noticed and instructed her to look up.
-You have been living with muggles!- he turned to uncle Severus- I thought you were kidding when you said she wasn't living with you! How did she even know how to properly address me?
-I told you many times before- the man said- I wasn't. And I'm guessing she guessed.
Draco waved a dismissive hand to him and turned back to Leandra. Harry was feeling a bit ignored but he also had a strong feeling he wouldn't want to be acknowledged.
-There are four houses- Draco explained -Slytherin, Ravenclaw, Gryffindor and Hufflepuff. I personally think Slytherin is the best. I really hope I get sorted into it.
-How do you get sorted?- asked Leandra.
-A hat- the boy said, being shushed by his uncle- Oh, as if you weren't going to tell her! Anyways, a magic hat is placed on your head and it tells you where you belong according to your personality.
-What does it take to be a Slytherin, then?- Leandra asked.
-Slytherin's are cunning and ambitious. Most people think we are all bad people because our founder was a dark wizard - Draco said rolling his eyes- Ignorants in my opinion. Uncle Sev, for example. May look like the big bad guy but he's a sweet at heart. He'll just do anything to achieve his ends. That's what Slytherins do.
-What about the other houses?- asked Leandra, the samples completely forgotten.
-Hufflepuffs are known for always trying to find the solution that will work out best for everybody included- Draco answered matter-of-factly- Though, if you ask me, they're... So little self preservating it hurts to watch.
-But they try to find the best solution- Leandra interjected- That's a good thing, right?
-You could say that- Draco admitted- But then again, what good is doing the right thing for everybody? Is there even a solution that is the best for everyone? What if that solution sacrifices a part of you, but it doesn't help you achieve your long term goals?
-I do see where you're coming from- Leandra scratched her chin.
The samples, apparently sick of being ignored, started arranging themselves in a line between Draco and Leandra. Draco took one of the bunch and hold it to near Leandra's eyes.
-What about Ravenclaw and Gryffindor? - Leandra asked, inspecting a sky blue sample of a material that felt like what she thought clouds must feel like.
-Ravenclaws are known for their brains- Draco explained, before scrunching the sample in his fist.
He concentrated for a moment in Leandra's eyes and then opened his palm to reveal a sample of the same material, this time the same bright green Leandra's eyes were. Leandra tried doing the same, closing her fist around the cloud like material and trying to find some color that drew her eye. She ended up looking intently into Draco's gray eyes. She opened her fist to find the material had changed to that same color. Draco let her finish her experiment before continuing his explanation:
- I wouldn't mind ending up in Ravenclaw if I don't get sorted into Slytherin. Gryffindor is the House of the Brave. Not a very good feature and I'd very rather end up in Hufflepuff. By the way, this color would look great on you.
Leandra nodded to the new information on Hogwarts as she took the sample he was extending her.
-I agree with you on the team matter- she said smiling- And after you helped me get that sorted out, I might just follow your advice on clothing as well.
Uncle Severus smiled at the two children. He was the Head of Slytherin so he was devoted to convince his goddaughter Slytherin was the best before school year started, especially so after having seen her potential. 'Just leave it to a Malfoy...' he thought.
Hagrid chose that moment to appear on the window of the shop with four ice creams, two in each hand. Leandra and Harry waved eagerly at him.
-You know him?- Draco asked.
-He's Mister Hagrid, Hogwarts' grounds keeper- Leandra answered.
-My parents told me about him- Draco said- Something about staying away from him.
-Why?- Leandra asked, confused- He seems nice.
-They don't want me mixing with the wrong social crowd, I think- Draco explained- But if you like him, then there must be nothing wrong with him.
-Well, he's a bit clumsy - Leandra admitted - And he has been saying some mean things about Slytherin, but I guess that's just because he probably thinks Slytherins are dark, like you said. Other than that, he's amiable.
Draco looked at the man through the window and tried waving at him. Hagrid waved back with a smile on his face.
They both kept quiet after that, examining materials and changing colors, as Draco helped Leandra choose some sample for the robes and dresses she would be needing.
Soon enough, Draco's robes were ready and he descended from the stand as the employee took the robe off him and sewed it magically.
-See you at Hogwarts!- he said turning to Leandra.
Draco took her hand and kissed it once again. Leandra felt a blush, not as bad as before, come to her cheeks.
-Bye- she said.
Draco exited the shop some time and Leandra saw him talking to a man similar to him through the window. 'Must be his father' she thought. The man looked her way and smiled politely before turning back to his son 'Doesn't seem so bad. At least he's polite'.