Severus had arrived at the headmaster's office and had to wait half an hour for the man to appear.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," Dumbledore said as he swept into his office, his neon yellow and blue robes clashing spectacularly. "Sherbet lemon?" he offered up the bowl of sweets as he sat down at his desk.
"No," Severus glared at the bowl as if it had committed murder. "You wanted to see me, Albus?"
Dumbledore did not answer immediately ignoring his Potions Master in favour of selecting one of the sweets. He popped it into his mouth, with a satisfied smile. Biting down, the shell split with a loud crack, he then sucked on it noisily. "Hmmm, I do so enjoy the fizz! Don't you?" Severus continued to stare at the man, wondering if he was truly mad, it would explain so many things. Dumbledore quickly consumed his treat and then turned his twinkling eyes on his Potions Master. "I merely wanted to ask how Harry was going viewing the memories I gave you?"
"He has not seen them as yet," Severus stated flatly. Dumbledore knew this, he had interrupted just about every Occlumency lesson, invariably to see 'how Harry was doing'.
"And why have you not been showing them?" Dumbledore asked. His spy had been acting out lately, if the man had not been a Potions Master, he would have found himself on the receiving end of the Elixir as well. "It is imperative that he understands his opponent. Knowing his enemy might be the key to winning against the Dark Lord Voldemort." Dumbledore looked over his steepled fingers at Severus bringing out his patented disappointed look.
Severus thought quickly, could he possibly use this to explain that he had removed the compulsion potions that Dumbledore had poured into the memories? Well Dumbledore had often used his vow against him perhaps it was time Severus did the reverse, "When I tipped the memories into the Pensieve, I noticed that there was a strange blackness to them. I didn't know what it was and could not ascertain what had contaminated them. As you know my vow will not allow me to knowingly cause the boy harm, so I had to find a way of removing the contaminant before I allowed him to view them. We have been working on his Occlumency, Merlin knows he is making little progress, while I have tried to rectify the problem. I believe I have achieved this …"
The headmaster tensed imperceptibly; the blasted man had spoiled everything. Was it deliberate? Did Severus know what he had done? Severus was an expert at lying, as evidenced by his years acting as a spy. He needed Harry to be impulsive, reckless and …well stupid. The boy needed to do as he was told nothing more. Truly the boy should feel honoured. He would become the ultimate hero and martyr. Giving his life so that Voldemort would be made vulnerable, so Dumbledore could swoop in and finish him off. Dumbledore would then receive the acclaim that he so richly deserved and would shepherd the wizarding world into a new era. If by some miracle the boy survived, then he would easily be turned into an emerging villain. When that was done, Dumbledore could pass the baton over to his apprentice, who having helped defeat the last Dark Lord would simply continue Albus' plan giving all credit to her mentor of course. Yes, one final battle against the dark was just what he needed to cement his name into the history books as the greatest wizard of all time.
While Dumbledore had been plotting, he had not noticed Snape finish speaking.
"Albus?" the man enquired, sounding concerned. "Are you quite well?"
"Oh," Albus squashed his anger. Damn the man for being so observant. "Do you know what was wrong with the memories?"
"No," Severus frowned, a twist to his lips as if he were displeased by the fact. "I thought maybe they had been contaminated at the source, perhaps the giver had tried to manipulate them in some way," he sounded appropriately quizzical as if it were a puzzle he was trying to solve.
"Perhaps?" Well at least for all his skill at Occlumency this was beyond Snape's ability to discern. Given Harry's response to the Elixir it was probably just as well that the man had managed to remove the potion, who knows what the boy's response would have been to being immersed in it. Yes, Dumbledore decided it was probably for the best. He would just need another way of achieving the same end. "Make sure that you start as soon as possible then Severus. We must give the boy the best chance possible." Dumbledore ended the conversation distractedly.
There was that set of cuffs … it would mean another trip back to the continent which could not happen now until the Christmas break, but they might be useful.
-o0o-
It was strangely lonely, Percival thought as he sat on his bed in his and Harry's room at Grimmauld Place. He would never have suspected that he would feel the separation so keenly. The Gods knew in his last life, he had never really missed anyone. His stoic demeanour being more than enough to drive anyone away, he had not really had anyone to miss. Sure, there was Seraphina, but they had drifted apart after school, and once they had commenced working together well, they had a friendship, but it was … different, more … formal. But this longing, the aching weight that seemed to compress his chest, this was new, and in many respects frightening.
"And now he begins to understand." The amused feminine voice had Percival spinning on the spot wand dropping to his hand. "Aww look at his reaction times," Magic chuckled indulgently. "You are slowing down Mr Graves. I would suggest that you practice duelling. You will need to be in top form to defend my favourite."
Percival watched as she simply faded into nothingness. What had that been about? He shook his head, wondering if the most important bit had been his acknowledgement of his feelings for Harry or the tip about the duelling. He stood with a huff, going to find Sirius, surely the old dog, would not mind helping him.
"Sirius?" Percival called as he wandered the house.
"In here," Black's voice issued forth from the library, where he had seemingly taken up residence again. He had been ordering a seemingly endless supply of books on obscure magic, not to mention the ones that Seraphina had been sending him. Sirius' days, were filled with ordering the books, ensuring they were entered into the library catalogue and quickly scanning them to see which he needed to read first. He looked up as the young man who had his son so enamoured entered the room. "What do you need Percival?"
"I would like to do some duelling practice, if that is possible."
Sirius studied the young man standing before him, it could not be denied that was exactly what the boy was. He should have been a teen on the cusp of adulthood, still laughing and joking, much as Sirius himself had been, but no, before him stood a self-assured young man. As determined as Sirius himself to protect Harry, and Sirius was sure that was the reason behind the request. In truth the fight at the Ministry had shown that Sirius himself could well use a refresher course in duelling. The years in Azkaban had not been conducive to maintaining his reaction times and while his strength and endurance had improved exponentially since his escape, he still had a long way to go.
Sirius glanced at the book in his lap, closing it he put it aside, it could wait. They could use this reprieve while Riddle was finding a new body for preparing to fight. "I believe that the basement would be the best option."
There had always been just two rooms in the basement below the kitchen, the potions laboratory and what had previously been a dungeon. The equipment in the later was antiquated but that had not made it one whit less scary to a five-year-old Sirius when he had stumbled across the room one Sunday afternoon. Consequently, the room had been locked the moment he had re-entered the house. Sirius did not want to know if it had been used in the time he had been … away.
"Kreacher," the small elf popped to his side. "I would like you to clear out the dungeon, store everything in it in labelled boxes, and take them to the vault. I do not want them in the house." Kreacher nodded and popped away.
Sirius moved to the fireplace and placed his hand on the wall beside the mantle, silently asking the house to comply with his request. Hopefully the house would simply re-arrange the space.
"Come let us see," SIrius said.
They descended to the basement and for the first time in over twenty years Sirius Black entered the room that had haunted his childhood dreams.
It was different. There was still the stone floor, but that was all that was left to show what the original room had been. The small space had been elongated; improbably there were windows showing star lit skies along the far wall. The only furniture was a bookshelf built into one end. "Winky!"
"Yes, Black Master Sir."
"I want you to go to Flourish and Blott's and purchase as many books on professional duelling as you can find and see if you can find a table and chairs to go in the corner. There might be something suitable in the attic." Sirius indicated where he wanted them placed. "Right, I'm assuming that Seraphina would have had you practicing some duelling?"
"Yes. With the Aurors who provided her security, sir."
Sirius chuckled, "Don't start that now. The first question is … is it duelling you want to practice or is it fighting?"
"Ah, fighting I guess," Percival said thoughtfully. It was a valid point. The rules and structure of the duelling circuit would not benefit him when fighting against the Death Eaters.
"Then the first thing you need to be aware of is, that there are no rules …"
-o0o-
Despite everything it was a relatively peaceful summer. Harry spent much of the time in the orchard with Ron. The pair were joined by Neville, Ginny, Luna, and Percival at various times. Using the spell Bill had taught them, which Harry subsequently taught to Neville, they had avoided consuming any potions. In fact, they made a game of seeing who could come up with the most outrageous excuse for not eating whatever food Hermione had dosed, with points awarded for creativity, as judged by Neville as the only unbiased observer. In addition, the purple bruise around Hermione's eye had not faded one bit. A fact which gave Harry the giggles every time he saw her.
Once a week Harry still had 'Occlumency' training with Severus. Severus had made Harry practice, shoring up his defences and pushing Severus out of his mindscape, but he was satisfied with the alarms and systems that Harry had in place. Most of the time was spent with Harry translating the Slytherin journal. A project which had proved most interesting. Just the name changes alone were a fascinating insight into the development of the English language. Godric Gryffindor had been Godric the Lord of the Griffin (or Griffin Lord). Rowena had been known as the Claw of the Raven for her defence of her tribe, and Helga well apparently, she had always been a Hufflepuff.
So far it did not appear that the house of Slytherin had been terribly misrepresented over the years, and the man had in fact been rather prejudiced against muggles. Though not without reason. There had been a great many incursions into his lands by the neighbouring non-magicals hell bent on destroying the devil's spawn that dwelt in the neighbouring county. He himself had rescued more than a dozen Muggleborn children from being killed by their own relatives, bringing them to the relative safety of Hogwarts.
Best of all there was a raft of references to potions journals that the founder had kept. Harry, and Severus, were hoping that when they had a chance, they would be able to spend more time down in the chamber, searching for them. Something they had been unable to do as the headmaster had been in residence at the castle for their recent lessons and invariably checked in to see 'how Harry was doing'.
Severus had advised Harry that on his next visit they would start viewing the headmaster's collection of memories, but that he had managed to remove the compulsions that had been in them and the headmaster was aware, so Harry would not need to pretend to be affected by them. Which had been a great relief for all concerned.
The Daily Prophet revealed nothing of the approaching storm that threatened the wizarding world. Instead, it was filled with a social commentary on the life of one Hermione Granger and how she was spending her holidays. In contrast Bill and Arthur bought home rumours of Muggles going missing. However, this fact alone did not appear to give any indication of the next return of Voldemort.
The worst thing by far was that Molly, highly influenced by Hermione, refused to allow Percival and Sirius to attend Harry's birthday dinner. Rather than complaining or fighting her decision, on the morning of his birthday Harry simply packed his bags and grabbed a pinch of floo powder and stepped through the fireplace.
"Hi honey, I'm home," he called as he emerged from the kitchen floo.
There was the thunder of feet up the stairs.
"Harry?!" Percival barged through the door ahead of Sirius, and practically threw himself at his boyfriend. "What's wrong? Are you hurt? Are the Weasley's following?" Percival hurriedly checked Harry over, looking for injuries. Sirius lent against the door frame with a broad smile on his face. Seeing that the two were going to be occupied for a while he backed out of the room.
"Perce!" Harry said, in slight exasperation. "Stop. I'm fine."
"But," Percival took Harry's face in his hands, looking deeply into his eyes for any sign that the shorter boy was deflecting, "then why are you here?" he asked intensely.
"Molly said she wasn't going to allow you, or Sirius come for my birthday. So I came home."
Percival finally allowed himself to feel relieved and dropped his forehead to meet Harry's. Harry looked up with doe like green eyes and then could not resist tilting his chin further to instigate a kiss.
"Happy Birthday," Percival breathed when they finally drew away from each other.
"Best present ever," Harry grinned back, before snaking an arm around Percival's neck and drawing his head down once more.
In the end Harry managed to spend half the day at Grimmauld Place before Molly finally called in a panic because Harry was missing. Percival had time to update Harry on the duelling practice that he had been doing with Sirius and Harry begged to be allowed to join in.
"I'm here to shield you!" Percival had tried to argue.
"And if you are injured? How much easier will it be if I can defend myself. You've been teaching me spells, and different types of magic, how is this any different?" the shorter boy glared at his partner.
In the end Percival had conceded and they moved to the duelling list in the basement to practice. Percival had to admit that Harry had not been as bad as he had thought he would be given their lack of reliable defence teachers. That was not to say that Harry even came close to beating Percival. He had been unequivocally overwhelmed. Which had led to a very sweaty Harry slumping against the wall, brooding. He had been leaning but his shaky, tired muscles refused to hold him up any longer.
"I'll never be good enough, will I?"
Percival snorted, "You have literally just turned sixteen."
"So have you!"
"This time, but I have a whole other life worth of experience."
"Does it really make all that much difference."
"Yes, I mean, my endurance and strength are not what they used to be, but the knowledge of spells and skills is still all there."
"Do you think I will be able to take them on?"
"Who the Death Eaters? Or Riddle?" Harry shrugged, causing Percival to frown. "Depends how much work you want to put into it," Percival said factually. "You have a lot of subjects that you are working on. How much time are you realistically going to have?"
"Not enough," Harry, said glumly. "Just if there's a fight, I don't want to be a burden. I'm not some damsel in defence needing to be defended all the time."
Percival slid an arm over Harry's shoulders. "You are not now, nor could you ever be, a burden. I'll need to keep up my practice, so we will manage to do some at school. You can join me when you can. I'll make sure that at the very least you can defend yourself."
"Okay," Harry gave a little smile.
It was just as they were climbing the stairs from the basement that Mrs Weasley arrived.
"Sirius! Sirius!" her nasal voice could be heard coming through the floo. "Oh, where is that dratted man now! SIRIUS!"
The two boys paused and stayed back from the doorway, allowing Sirius into the kitchen to deal with the Weasley matriarch.
"You hollered, Molly?" Sirius swaggered over to look down on Mrs Weasley's face as it sat in the fireplace. He did not bother kneeling; the woman did not deserve that level of respect after she had tried to keep him separated from his son on his birthday.
"You should be worried, Harry is missing!" she immediately scolded.
"What a nice way to break the news to me, Molly. Real subtle!" Sirius smirked.
"I've already advised Albus," she said as if she thought Sirius was being ridiculous. "He's raising the alarm to search for that stupid boy!"
"You've already alerted the headmaster of Harry's school?" Sirius arched an eyebrow, "before telling his father?"
"Well of course, what were you going to do?" Molly snorted as if the thought were ridiculous.
"Well, I suggest that you call Albus back and advise him to hold off on his search. I should remind you Molly that the best option for finding a missing person is to speak with their family and friends and then to advise the Aurors. And not to advise a school principal particularly when school is not in session."
"Well I never!" Molly huffed. "What are you going to do about it? Albus is the only one that has any chance of bringing that boy back to heel. Running away is just a sign of how irresponsible he is. Who knows what other bad habits he has picked up from you."
"Bad habits?" Sirius mused. "Oh you mean like …doing his homework or…"
"I mean like your philandering, ways."
"You mean the fact that Harry has a boyfriend?"
"Pftt, it's just a phase. I mean Bill, Charlie and the twins all went through the same thing. They don't mean it, it's purely experimentation, and if you talked to him and set him a good example, he would have grown out of it already. Look at Bill!"
"And look at Charlie and his dragons," Sirius said blandly. "Clearly he is just dying to settle down with a good woman."
Mrs Weasley looked like she had swallowed a lemon, "Yes well. He should be allowed to follow his heart," she said though her tone indicated she did not believe the words. "He'll settle down when he is ready."
"And so should Harry," Sirius countered. "I don't see what your problem with Percival is." Technically he did, he knew it was because Percival was not Ginny. Sirius had thought that Molly had become resigned to the situation, but the issue seemed to have reared its ugly head again.
"Harry doesn't know what's good for him. He's only sixteen. I'm…"
"If the next sentence out of your mouth contains the word mother, I will hex you where you kneel. My gender has no impact on my ability to parent."
"You have always been an irresponsible, uncouth …"
Sirius cut her off before she could build up too much impetus, "I was," he started by admitting, "but now I have responsibilities. As I recall Arthur was much the same, so was James. Harry is here, so there is no need for Dumbledore to look for him." Sirius changed tack so suddenly Molly was stunned. Her mouth gaping, as she stared at him, but before she could open her mouth to release another tirade, Sirius continued. "When Dumbledore came to pick him up, he assured us that both Percival and I would be allowed to see Harry on his birthday."
"But…" Molly swallowed hard. "He needs to be at the Burrow," she hissed.
"Why?" Sirius asked bluntly. "And don't even dream of saying it is because it is safer as we all know that Dumbledore still wants this house as headquarters because it is the safest place he knows."
"Because he needs to be part of a normal family so he can see …"
"Molly, I respect that you and Arthur have raised your seven children the way that you have. Harry loves your family, and that is the only reason I allowed him to spend any time at the Burrow. He is my son…"
"He's your godson! You're not James! Hermione was right, you are trying to take James' place, James was a hero. You're just…"
"I will never replace James and nor will I ever try," Sirius said firmly. "However, Harry is now my son, and James would have wanted it that way. I was made Harry's godfather for a reason."
"I'll have to go back there, won't I?" Harry whispered to Percival as they stood together in the stairwell.
"It's up to you," Percival said. "I'm sure that we can come up with some excuse if you really do not want to."
Harry frowned, "It's just that … if I show I'm completely free of that stuff then Dumbledore will do something else. He's lost control of Sirius and his plans aren't going the way he wants. I … I'm a bit scared actually… of what he might do."
Percival looked at Harry closely, then gave a firm nod, "I'm scared too. He already thinks it is wearing off, so we will negotiate, more visits or something."
"Harry!" Sirius called, obviously the adult's conversation had progressed to a point where the boys could not hide on the stairs any longer.
"Coming," Harry said, grabbing Percival's hand and walking up the last step and through the doorway. "What do you need dad?" he said just to emphasise Sirius' point.
"Who did you tell that you were coming here today? The Weasley's were looking after you and it was rather rude to leave without telling them."
"But, I told Ron…"
Molly snorted derisively.
"… and Mr Weasley," Harry was delighted when Molly apparently inhaled some soot that caused her to have a coughing fit.
"Well that's alright then," Sirius nodded happily. "I did not think you would have gone off without telling anyone. What are your plans for the rest of the day?"
"Well Mrs Weasley said she was going to make a nice dinner, but she wouldn't let you or Percival come," Harry said miserably. "Dumbledore promised that I could see you for my birthday, and that I could see Percival, but then Mrs Weasley wouldn't let me. I hardly get to see Percival at all, and I need to," Harry looked imploringly at the adults.
"Fine…fine…" Molly finally conceded. "The boy can come every other day."
"Oh, okay then," Harry's smile was blindingly bright. "I'll be back at the Burrow round four then."
Molly looked taken aback, having expected to have to call in Dumbledore to convince Harry to return. "I will see you then."
"Bye Molly," Sirius cut off the call. "Are you sure you want to go back?"
Harry nodded, "I think it is best, we're both … worried about what Dumbledore will do if I get to much freedom from him too quickly."
"Okay, then. Kreacher, while Harry's here we need birthday cake!"
-o0o-
The letters and book lists from Hogwarts arrived the day after Harry's birthday. Harry's had included a surprise: he had been made Quidditch captain. There was a short note, stating that the lifetime ban applied by Umbridge had been rescinded, folded around a badge.
"That gives you equal status to the prefects," whined Hermione, as she tapped her up-turned envelope against her hand. Nothing fell out of it except the pieces of parchment.
"You can use the special bathroom and everything," Ron added, happily. "I remember Charlie wore one of these," he had plucked the badge out of Harry's hand and was turning it over in his fingers. "Harry this is so cool, if you let me back on the team, you'll be my captain. You'll still have to hold try-outs of course so that you are seen to be impartial."
Harry frowned as he took back the badge and slid it into the envelope his letter had come in.
"Well, I don't suppose we can put off a trip to Diagon Alley, now you have your letters," sighed Mrs Weasley, looking down Ron's book list. "We'll go on Saturday."
"Excellent I'll tell Sirius and Perce to meet us there," Harry smiled, folding up his letter.
"I don't think …" Mrs Weasley started.
"The more adults the safer we will be and besides as he's my guardian, I need Sirius to take me to my vault. If he is coming into the Alley anyway, then he may as well bring Percival to get his school things too," said Harry practically. "They won't hold us up any."
Mrs Weasley's mutterings about Sirius 'hardly being an adult' were drowned out by Hermione screeching, "Hand in my badge, my badge!" as she glared at the parchment she held in her hand. Dumbledore had told her not to worry and had guaranteed she would be Prefect once more.
Harry made a tactical retreat before Mrs Weasley could make her feelings on Sirius known again, or Hermione could blow up about her removal as a prefect.
"What's up?" Ron asked intuitively, closing the door behind him.
Lifting the envelope containing the Captain's badge in the air and shaking it so that the badge could be heard sliding around, Harry said, "This." He grimaced. "It doesn't seem right. I mean, what about Katie? She's had more experience than anyone else on the team."
"Technically she joined the same year as you. Maybe she turned it down? She is in seventh year, it migh tbe too much when you take into consideration the N.E. ."
"Or maybe it's a bribe from Dumbledore? Think I'll ask her on the train if I can, and I'll talk to McGonagall before I make a decision. You wouldn't be terribly disappointed, if I turned it down, would you?"
Ron shrugged, "Nah mate. You've kind of got a lot going on, I get it."
-o0o-
Saturday arrived without any further confrontations, though this was mainly because Hermione stayed in the room she shared with Ginny, room sulking. It seemed that the whole Weasley family wanted to go to Diagon Alley in the end. Sirius and Percival were waiting for them at the Leaky Cauldron, talking to Bill.
"I didn't know you would be here. Shouldn't you be out house hunting with Fleur?" Molly asked her son.
"I have to pop in to work for a few moments," Bill said, in truth it was to sign a contract to purchase the house, Shell Cottage. Fleur had seen it the evening before and adored it as much as he had.
"Perhaps we can split up then," Sirius suggested. "Bill and I can take the boys to Gringotts, and we can meet up at the twins' shop when we are finished the shopping?"
Mrs Weasley looked like she would very much like to protest.
"It's probably for the best mum, I need new robes and the boys won't want to hang around for that!" Ginny said diplomatically, there was nothing worse for trying to make a decision on the cut of a set of robes, then to have Ron whining in the background.
"Can't think of anything worse than spending an hour in Madam Malkins," Ron blanched.
"And I haven't been to Flourish and Blott's in ages," Hermione added.
"Boring!" Ron and Harry sang together, pretending to fall asleep on each other.
"Fine!" Molly snapped, and then began digging around in her purse.
"It's alright mum, Ron won't need much this year, I can cover it," Bill said helpfully.
"Right well, I suppose as long as Bill will be there, it will be alright," Molly finally gave her permission.
"Off we go then," Sirius herded the boys through the entrance into Diagon Alley and down the street to Gringotts.
"How's work Bill?" Ron asked.
"Crazy. The Goblins seem to know something about 'You-Know-Who'," he said in an undertone, "so they have tightened up security. Just yesterday Arkie Philpott had a Probity Probe stuck up his …" he shuddered, "well let's just say that it is a good thing I made you an appointment to see your Account Manager."
"Thanks Bill," was echoed around the group as they made their way up the stairs. It was only a moment later that they were led through the tunnels to Striknott's office.
"Gentlemen," Striknott, smiled showing all of his teeth.
"Master Accountant Striknott, how are you?" Harry asked.
"I am well young Master Potter."
"How are the accounts going?"
"Very well, the investments that we have made over the last year are proving to be very lucritive. Was there anything else that you were considering investing in?"
Ron looked thoughtful, "Dad mentioned a muggle thing …" he paused suddenly very shy. He was still unsure about the whole situation, and this was the first time he felt he could make a contribution. It was befuddling to think that he already had surpassed his family's savings. While he might never amass the fortune of the Potter's with careful managing he would never have to stress about money.
"Go on, Ron," his eldest brother encouraged.
"Ah, they're called … com-pew-tas."
"That's computers Ron," Harry corrected with a grin.
"Right, well Dad thinks they are going to huge. I know it's dad, and he just loves Muggle things but …"
Harry ran a hand through his hair in thought, "They're already used a bit. I know Dudley had one, but …"
"Dad said there was an inter-webs where you can find all sorts of information if you have a com-pu-ter."
"Well, he's not wrong," Harry shrugged. "It's a bit slow, but I assume it will improve given time."
"We could invest in a company that makes these computers," Striknott mused.
"The one Dudley had was a Mackintosh."
"I will make some enquiries," Striknott, made a note on a piece of parchment. "How much would you each like to invest? If you don't mind the open forum."
Harry looked around, and shrugged, "I think 5000 galleons should be plenty to start with. We can see how they are going in a few years and maybe increase in then."
Stricknott, turned to look at Ron, "Mr Weasley would you also like to invest in this?"
"I … I … How much is there in my account?" Ron asked hesitantly.
"Your account currently holds one hundred and two thousand, seven hundred and fifty Galleons."
It was a tribute to how far Ron had come that he did not fall off his chair, though he did go bright red and breath heavily for several minutes. "Um," Ron turned blue eyes on his brother.
"It's a risk," Bill said softly. "Always remember that there are no guarantees. But from not only what dad says but some of the Muggleborns I know, I agree, computers are going to become a big part of the Muggle world in the coming years. So, I think it will be a sound investment. I haven't saved up quite as much as you, but I'll be talking to Fleur about investing maybe a thousand Galleons."
The amount alone was enough to make Ron's eyes bug out of his head. His brother had worked so hard that he had enough to buy a house and still have that much money left to invest!
"I think. I'll invest the same as Harry," he finally said swallowing hard.
"Good," nodded Striknott, adding to his note.
"Can I also invest in Fred and George's shop?" Ron asked curiously.
Striknott, peered at him, before making another mark on the parchment.
"I will ask it they require a further investor," he said. "If they do …"
"A … a thousand Galleons," Ron said sounding more confident.
"Now, I assume, that you are after money from your vaults?"
"Yes please."
Ron found it freeing to know that he had enough money to cover his own school supplies. While he did feel slightly embarrassed that it was all because of Harry's generosity, it made him realise how much Harry appreciated his friendship and he vowed that he would never again desert his friend the way he had done in their fourth year.
"Hey," Harry called out pointing to Florean Fortescue's Ice-Cream Parlour, which had its windows all boarded up, "What do you think happened there?"
Bill hunched down and said quietly, "I heard last night that Florean has gone missing. His daughter said that several men in black robes grabbed him as he was packing up. She came out of the cold room at the back of the shop in time to see them as they disapparated. The Aurors haven't got any leads and the Ministry is keeping it quiet."
"But why would they want Florean. He sells Ice-Cream," Ron frowned.
"He's also a history buff, he helped me with my homework when I was here the summer before third year," Harry added thoughtfully. "Maybe there's something that Riddle needs to research."
"What's his specialty?"
"Literally everything."
"Right well we won't solve anything standing around here," Percival said. "We may as well get on with our shopping. Where to first?"
"You all seem to have grown a few inches, so robes first," Sirius said sensibly.
The five entered the little shop together making it quite crowded. It appeared at first glance to be empty, but no sooner had the door swung shut behind them than they heard a familiar voice.
"… not a child, in case you haven't noticed, mother. I am perfectly capable of doing my shopping alone."
There was a clucking noise and a voice, Harry recognised as that of Madam Malkin, said "Now your mother's quite right dear. With Florean going missing none of us should be wandering around alone. It's nothing to do with being a child-"
"Watch where you are sticking that pin, will you!"
A teenage boy with a pale, pointed face and white-blond hair appeared from behind the rack wearing a handsome set of dark green robes that glittered with pins around the hem and the edges of the sleeves. He strode to the mirror and examined himself; it was a few moments before he noticed Harry, Ron and Percival reflected over his shoulder. His light grey eyes narrowed.
"If you are wondering what the smell is, mother, a mudblood just walked in," said Draco Malfoy.
"I don't think that there's any need for language like that!" said Madam Malkin, scurrying out from behind the clothes rack holding a tape measure and a wand.
"Narcissa!" Sirius said, the usual light jovial tone completely absent. "I would suggest that you ask your son to refrain from insulting the ward of Seraphina Picquery. There was some trouble last year and he was warned that she would have no hesitation arranging an investigation into every single one of Lucius' activities. Bring the boy into line or you will not like the consequences."
"Yes, cousin," Narcissa nodded her acknowledgement, failing to make eye-contact. "Draco, come."
"But mother!" Draco hissed. "A Malfoy does not …"
"Not now Draco, show some decorum. How can you not realise that Seraphina Picquery's godson is a pureblood!" Narcissa hissed as she grabbed her son by the arm and pulled him from the shop. Draco made sure to shoulder check Harry as hard as he could on his way out.
Sirius made a note to mention the incident to the Potion's Master. He was sure that Severus had said that Narcissa had approached him to protect Draco. Well, the boy was not going to make the job easy, that was certain.
"Well, really!" said Madam Malkin, watching as the boy walked out in his half-finished robes.
She was distracted all through the fitting of Percival and Ron's new robes, trying to sell Harry witches robes instead of wizards and when Sirius offered to pay for the robes that Draco had walked out in she bowed them out of the shop looking as if she was going to burst into tears.
Mr and Mrs Weasley, Hermione and Ginny, came upon them as they emerged from the shop, and they all stopped in the middle of the street to decide where they wanted to go to next.
"Everyone alright?" said Mrs Weasley instantly organising the group. "Got your robes? Right then, we can pop in at the apothecary and Eeylops on the way to Fred and George's."
"I still need to go to Flourish and Blott's," Hermione said firmly.
Ron stood to the side while the others searched through the shelves of potions ingredients. Silently watching the passers-by.
It was only after she had selected everything that she wanted that Hermione noticed Harry, lifting up a glass jar containing leeches so that he could examine the contents and comparing it to his list. He could damage the ingredients doing that. Then the thought struck her, there was no possibly way Harry had gotten the necessary score on his O.W.L to need to be purchasing ingredients, clearly he was up to something.
"There's no point you getting anything Harry!" she said loudly. Hermione felt that she ought to try and stop him. If she failed, she could always tell one of the Professors, when they got back to school. "Professor Snape only takes students who got Outstanding on their O. into his N.E.W.T. classes."
Harry wondered what Slughorn required, he did not seem anywhere near as strict as Severus. On impulse Harry decided he would get double the amount just in case Ron could join him in potions. "Not that it is your concern Granger, but I happened to do well enough in potions to continue on to N.E.W.T.s"
"Harry don't call me that," she turned abruptly to face him straight on. "You sound like one of those snooty Purebloods. And you have to stop lying about your grades, Harry. If you would just admit you're struggling I could help you." She looked at him earnestly.
"I'm not lying Granger, and as I don't want your help anyway, I don't see that there is an issue." Harry turned back to the ingredients, checking his list again, ignoring her screech of annoyance.
After paying for his purchase Harry joined Ron who was tucking the large boxes of owl nuts that they had purchased for Pigwidgeon and Hedwig, into the expanded book bag that Bill had given him as an early birthday present 'you would not believe how useful a bag like this is'.
Slowly the group made their way to Flourish and Blott's. Hermione pushed her way to the front of the group so she could enter the store first.
"If you're right from here, I might head home, Fleur and I have plans," Bill said to his parent's. Now that the contract was signed, he had been given the key and was anxious to start moving their things into their new home. Bill was not a stupid man, he had seen the way his mother and sister, treated his fiancé'. He had even tried to talk to them about it but to no avail. The sooner they could move into their own place the better.
Sirius waggled his eyebrows, with a cheeky smirk, "I think we will be fine. We wouldn't want you to miss out on your plans."
Harry and Ron watched Bill disappear into the crowds before turning back to the store. Fortunately, Hermione had disappeared, so Harry was able to select books for all the subjects he wished to continue, plus some additional reading without comments. It was not long before everyone was standing back out the front of the shop waiting for Hermione, whom Mr Weasley had gone back in to get. The girl was most disgruntled that her time had been cut short, clearly none of them understood how important it was for her to have more books. After all she was the brightest witch of the age.
"We really haven't too long," Mrs Weasley said, checking her watch. "So we'll just have a quick look around. We must be close, that's number ninety-two … ninety-four …"
"Whoa," said Ron stopping in his tracks.
Set against the dull, shop fronts around them, Fred and George's windows hit the eye like a fireworks display. Casual passers-by were looking back over their shoulders at the windows, and a few rather stunned-looking people had actually come to a halt, transfixed. The left-hand window was dazzlingly full of an assortment of goods that revolved, popped, flashed, bounced and shrieked; Harry's eyes began to water just looking at it. The right-hand window was covered with a gigantic poster in a violent purple, emblazoned with flashing yellow letters:
So You Have Stopped Worrying About You-Know-Who!
Time To Start Worrying About
U-NO-POO
The Constipation Sensation
That's GRIPPING the Nation!
Harry started to laugh. He heard a weak moan beside him and looked to see Mrs Weasley gazing, dumbfounded at the poster. Her lips moved, silently mouthing the name, 'U-No-Poo'.
"They'll be murdered in their beds!" she whispered.
"No, they won't!" said Ron, who like Harry was laughing. "This is brilliant."
"No, it's not!" hissed Hermione. "You know as well as I that …"
Harry and Ron walked into the shop without waiting for her to finish. It was packed with customers; Harry could not get near the shelves. He stared around, looking up at the boxes piled to the ceiling; here were the Skiving Snackboxes that the twins had perfected during their last year at Hogwarts; Harry noticed that the Nosebleed Nougat was most popular with only one battered box left on the shelf. There were bins full of trick wands, the cheapest merely turning into rubber chickens or pairs of pants when waved; the most expensive beating the unwary user around the head and neck; boxes of quills, which came in Self-Inking, Spell-Checking and Smart-Answer varieties. A space cleared in the crowd and Harry pushed his way towards the counter followed closely by Percival. Here there was a gaggle of delighted ten-year olds watching a tiny wooden man slowly ascending the steps to a real set of gallows, both perched on a box that read; Reusable Hangman – Spell It Or He'll Swing.
"Patented Daydream charms …"
Hermione had managed to squeeze through to a large display near the counter and was reading the information on the back of a box bearing a highly coloured picture of a handsome youth and a swooning girl standing on the deck of a pirate ship.
"One simple incantation and you will enter a top-quality, highly realistic thirty-minute daydream, easy to fit into the average school lesson and virtually undetectable (side-effects include vacant expression and minor drooling). Not for sale to under sixteens. How could they! People will spend all their time daydreaming when they should be studying!" the girl huffed.
"It is really rather extraordinary magic," Percival said looking at the stand over Harry's shoulder.
"For that Percival, you can have one for free," said a voice behind them. Percival chuckled declining the generous offer with a shake of his head.
A beaming Fred stood before them, wearing a set of magenta robes that clashed magnificently with his flaming hair.
"How are you? Harry, Percival." They shook hands. "What happened to your eye, Hermione?"
"Your punching telescope," she said accusingly.
"Blimey, I forgot about those," said Fred, he did not sound particularly apologetic. "Here-"
He pulled a tub out of his pocket and handed it to her, she unscrewed it gingerly to reveal a thick yellow paste. It smelt of rosemary.
"Just dab it on, that bruise'll be gone within the hour," said Fred. "We had to find a decent bruise-remover; we're testing most of the products on ourselves."
"It is safe, isn't it?" Hermione looked at it dubiously.
"Course it is," Fred said bracingly. "Come on Harry, I'll give you a tour."
They left Hermione dabbing her black eye with paste and followed Fred towards the back of the shop where Sirius joined them. There was a stand of card and rope tricks.
"Muggle magic tricks!" said Fred happily, pointing them out. "For eccentrics like dad, you know, who love Muggle stuff. It's not a big earner, but surprisingly we do fairly steady business, they're great novelties … oh, here's George …"
There was another round of energetic handshakes.
"Giving them the tour? Come through to the back, that's where we're making the real money- pocket anything, you and you'll pay in more than Galleons!" he added warningly to a small boy who hastily whipped his hand out of the tub labelled: Edible Dark Marks- They'll Make Anyone Sick!
George pushed back a curtain beside the Muggle tricks and revealed a darker less crowded room. The packaging on the products lining these shelves was more subdued. Everything was neat and ordered.
"Thanks to some encouragement," he nodded in Percival's direction, "We've just developed this more serious line," said Fred.
"You wouldn't believe how many people, even people who work at the Ministry, can't do a decent Shield Charm," said George. "Course, they didn't have you and Harry teaching them."
"Well we thought that shield hats would be a bit of a laugh you know, challenge your mate to cast a jinx at you while you're wearing it and watch his face when the jinx just bounces off. But Amelia Bones came and bought enough to cover the Aurors. Apparently so they can concentrate more on offence than defence you see. Asked if we can up the protection on them and all. We have, but the enhanced ones only get sold to the Aurors."
"We've expanded the range to include Shield Cloaks, Shield Gloves …"
"I mean they won't help against the Unforgivables but for minor to moderate hexes or jinxes…"
"Then we thought we would get into the whole area of Defence Against the Dark Arts," continued George enthusiastically. "This is cool look. Instant Darkness Powder, we're importing it from Peru. Handy if you want to make a quick escape."
"And our Decoy Detonators are just walking off the shelves, look," Fred pointed at a number of weird-looking black hooter-type objects that were indeed attempting to scurry out of sight "You just drop one surreptitiously and it'll run off and make a nice loud noise out of sight, giving you a diversion if you need one."
"Handy," said Harry thinking how they could have been employed against Umbridge.
"Then there's these," he indicated the next shelf up, filled with what looked like old black and a grey-green records, though they were made of something floppy. "Portable swaps, and portable holes. Someone following you? Criminal breaking into your house? Just drop one of these and when they fall into it, they'll become stuck. They won't be released until an Auror is present. Or in the case of the black holes, when they are placed within a Ministry cell the criminal is evicted. We've sold dozens of them to the Ministry."
Percival was quite frankly amazed at what the twins had achieved.
"What did you boys score on your N.E. ?" Sirius, who had followed them into the back room, asked curiously.
Fred, tapped his nose with his index finger, "That's for us to know."
"And mother never to find out! Given she thinks we dropped out," George grinned. "Here!" George caught a couple of the Decoy Detonators and threw them to Harry.
A young witch with short blond hair poked her head around the curtain; Harry saw that she too was wearing magenta staff robes.
"There's a customer out here looking for a joke cauldron, Mr Weasley and Mr Weasley," she said.
"Right you are, Verity, I'm coming," said George promptly. "Harry help yourself to anything that you want, all right? No charge."
"I can't do that!" said Harry, who had already pulled his money pouch out to pay for the Decoy Detonators.
"You don't pay here," said Fred firmly, waving away Harry's gold.
"But-"
"You gave us our start-up loan, we haven't forgotten," said George. "And don't think we don't know who ensured we got a list of the Marauders pranking ideas last Yule."
"Just take whatever you like, and remember to tell people where you got it, if they ask."
George swept through the curtain to help with the customers and Fred led the others back into the main part of the shop to find Ginny and Hermione still poring over the Patented Daydream charms.
"Haven't you girls found our special WonderWitch products yet?" asked Fred. "Follow me, ladies…"
Near the window was an array of violently pink products around which a cluster of excited girls was giggling enthusiastically. Ginny and Hermione both hung back looking interested.
"There you go," said Fred proudly. "Best range of love potions you'll find anywhere."
Ginny raised an eyebrow sceptically, "Do they work?"
"Certainly they work for up to twenty-four hours at a time depending on the weight of the boy in question-"
"and the attractiveness of the girl," said George, reappearing suddenly at their side.
The temperature dropped as if a dementor had entered the shop, Sirius and Harry had frozen and Percival looked livid.
"You cannot think these are a good idea!" he snapped. Fred and George stepped away from the venom. It surprised them as Percival was usually so calm. "What happens if your own brother is given one? Who knows what could happen in twenty-four hours? It is certainly enough time for an unexpected pregnancy to occur! Then what? You know he would be made to marry the witch as a matter of honour. And there is nothing here to suggest that they would not work in the opposite way either. Would they?" The twins shook their heads. "How would you feel if the recipient was Ginny? If it was your little sister being seduced under the potion and a boy doing who knows what to her! And you know that the majority of these will find their way into Harry's meals!"
"People wouldn't really do that would they? We only meant it as a laugh!" Fred said looking upset.
"We didn't think that it could be used that way!" George said equally distraught. With a wave of his wand the entire display was banished to the back room, to the disappointed groans of the gathered girls.
"We would never have sold them to our sister anyway," Fred added, before trying to re-introduce some levity by becoming suddenly faux-stern, "Not when she's got about five boys on the go from what we've-"
"Whatever you've heard from Ron is a big fat lie!" said Ginny calmly, leaning forwards to take a small pink pot off the shelf. "What's this?"
"Guaranteed Ten-Second Pimple Vanisher," said Fred. "Excellent on everything from boils to blackheads, but don't change the subject. Are you or are you not currently going out with a boy called Dean Thomas?"
"Yes I am," said Ginny. "And last time I checked, he was definitely one boy and not five. What are those?"
She was pointing at a number of round balls of fluff in shades of pink and purple, all rolling around the bottom of a cage and emitting high-pitched squeaks.
"Pygmy Puffs," said George. "Miniature Puffskeins, we can't breed them fast enough. So what about Michael Corner?"
"I dumped him, he was a bad loser," said Ginny putting a finger through the bars of the cage and watching the Pygmy Puffs crowd around it. "They're really cute!"
"They're fairly cuddly, yes," conceded Fred. "But you're moving through boyfriends a bit fast aren't you?"
Ginny turned to look at him, her hands on her hips. There was such a Mrs Weasley-ish glare on her face that Percival was surprised that Fred didn't recoil the way that Harry did.
"It's none of your business. And I'll thank you," she added angrily to Ron, who had just appeared at George's elbow, laden with merchandise, "not to tell tales to these two!"
"I think that you are being rather sexist," Hermione added. "I'm sure you would think that it was alright for her to have gone through that many girlfriends if she were a boy!" She flicked her hair and followed after Ginny who had stormed off.
"I don't often agree with her, but you have to admit that Hermione has a point there," Harry said.
"What did I do?" Ron asked feeling attacked.
"Never mind," Fred decided it best to change the topic. "That'll be three Galleons. Nine Sickles and a Knut," said Fred, examining the many boxes in Ron's arms. "Cough up."
"Wait till I'm done, won't you," Ron complained.
"What?!"
"I haven't finished yet; thought I would get some of the shield clothing that you've got."
"But you can cast a shield," Harry protested.
"Yeah, but the first years can't," Ron replied. "And as far as they're all concerned there's no danger anymore."
"Good point, how many first years are there?"
"Varies each year, doesn't it? Ours was one of the smallest years, what with the war going on, but the year following Ginny was massive 'cause of the end of the war, and each year after that has been pretty big."
"So, if we work off the year after Ginny's?"
"That'll be this year's fourth years, there's twenty in Gryffindor."
"Right," Harry turned to Fred. "Can you make eighty Shield Scarves. Twenty in each of the House colours by September first? Oh and could you add expansion charms to them, for when the kids grow?"
George looked at him with wide eyes,"But Harry!"
"What? We," he gestured to Ron and Percival before saying quietly, "know that Riddle is not gone. Something always happens at the school at Halloween and again at the end of the year. If we can make sure that every first year is a little bit safer, shouldn't we do that? I know it's a big order in a short time frame, but I'll pay double to have it done."
"But you don't pay Harry," Fred pouted.
"Make the order out for me then," Ron shrugged.
"But … but … How will you pay?" George stuttered.
"That's for me to know and you not to find out," Ron grinned.
"Actually, I will cover it," said Sirius who had been quietly watching the whole conversation.
"Alright then," said Fred. "Ron you can put that lot back where you got it from."
"And make sure you put it back on the right shelves."
"Oi, I'm a paying customer!"
Fred made a rude hand gesture at Ron that was unfortunately spotted by Mrs Weasley, who had chosen that moment to appear.
"If I see that again I'll jinx your fingers together," she said sharply.
"Mum, can I have a Pygmy Puff?" said Ginny as she returned to the group, throwing a glare at her brothers who clearly had not been forgiven. Fortunately, it seemed that Hermione had been lost somewhere in the crowd.
"A what?" said Mrs Weasley warily.
"Look they're so sweet."
Mrs Weasley moved aside to look at the Pygmy Puffs, and Harry, Ron and Percival momentarily had an unimpeded view out of the window. Draco Malfoy was hurrying up the street alone. As he passed Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, he glanced over his shoulder. Seconds later, he moved beyond the scope of the window, and they lost sight of him.
"Wonder where Narcissa is?" Sirius mused with a frown, seeing the direction they were looking.
"Given her the slip by the looks of it," said Ron.
"Why though?" said Percival. "He was pretty keen to get away from her in the robes shop as well."
Harry said nothing, he was thinking too hard. Narcissa had not seemed to want to let her son out of her sight, so Malfoy must have made a real effort to free himself from her clutches.
He glanced around. Mrs Weasley and Ginny were bending over the Pygmy Puffs, cooing at the little balls of fluff. Mr Weasley was delightedly examining a pack of muggle marked playing cards. Fred and George were both helping customers. Hermione was nosing around some of the joke products writing notes on a piece of parchment she had pulled from somewhere, probably in order to get the products banned at Hogwarts. He pulled his Invisibility Cloak out of his bag.
"Quick get under-"
Sirius grabbed hold of his wrist, "No you don't!"
Three pairs of eyes turned to look at him, but he merely bent his head to Harry's ear and whispered, "I know you are used to doing everything yourself. But if he has gotten away from his mother there must be a reason and it is unlikely to be good."
"But …"
"No Harry," Sirius hissed. "I agree something is not right, but I can follow him. Just keep the others here until I get back or tell them I nipped down the pub. Mrs Weasley will believe that readily enough."
Harry glanced at Percival, who clearly agreed with Sirius. "Alright."
Harry passed his cloak to Sirius; no-one saw the man vanish beneath it they were all too interested in Fred and George's products. The three bumbled their way around the store, Ron nearly pushing Harry through the door on the way passed to open it for Sirius. Harry and Ron collected more items as they went and eventually ended up in the front of the line at the register.
"We told you to put them back!" Fred said to Ron.
"And I told you I'm a paying customer," Rom said firmly, staring down at his brother.
"But how?"
"None of your business," Ron replied pulling a handful of Galleons out of his money pouch which was hidden in his pocket.
"Was it illegal? 'Cause you know we would be okay with that."
"No, it wasn't illegal. Bill knows all about it. Now how much will it be?"
Fred shook his head in disbelief and finally rang up the sale on the till.
-o0o-
Sirius walked quickly in the direction that they had last seen the Malfoy Heir. He cast a disillusionment charm and a spell to mask the sound of his feet even though he moved quietly and carefully. It was just like being back at Hogwarts really, he thought with a small thrill of excitement. He peered left and right through shop windows and doors until he spied a tall thin figure disappearing into Knockturn Alley.
"Not the place the heir of the Noble House of Malfoy should be seen is it," he said to himself. "What are you up to junior?"
He sped up pulling the cloak down to ensure that it covered his feet. Apparently, he had grown somewhat since the last time he had borrowed the cloak from James, which must have been in their sixth year.
By the time he turned the corner, Knockturn Alley, the side street devoted to the Dark Arts looked completely deserted. Again, he stared through windows as he walked, but there were few with customers inside. Finally, he saw a flash of blonde through a window: Borgin and Burkes which sold a variety of sinister objects. There in the midst of the cases full of skulls and old bottles stood Draco Malfoy with his back to the window, just visible beyond the same large black cabinet in which Harry had once hidden to avoid Malfoy and his father. Judging by the movements of Malfoy's hands he was talking animatedly. The proprietor of the shop, Mr Borgin, an oily-haired, stooping man, stood facing Malfoy. He was wearing a curious expression of mingled resentment, surprise and fear.
Sirius pulled from a pocket one of the extendable ears that Fred and George had left behind at Grimmauld place the previous summer. He had known it would come in handy. Quickly unravelling it he bent to be able to feed along the wall until it rested against the crack at the bottom of the door, the other end was placed in his ear. Through it, Malfoy's voice could be heard, loud and clear, as though a radio had been turned on.
"… you know how to fix it?"
"Possibly," said Borgin, in a tone that suggested he was unwilling to commit himself. "I'll need to see it though. Why don't you just bring it into the shop?"
"I can't," said Malfoy with some annoyance. "It's got to stay put. I just need you to tell me how to do it."
Borgin licked his lips nervously.
"Well without seeing it, I must say it will be a very difficult job, perhaps impossible. I couldn't guarantee anything."
"No?" said Malfoy, the sneer that was surely on his face was audible in his tone. "Perhaps this will make you more confident."
He moved towards Borgin and was blocked from view by the cabinet, Sirius quickly moved to get a better view. Borgin looked down at something Malfoy was showing him with horrified shock.
"But it was in the papers! They said he died at the Ministry."
"Do you think those idiots would know anything. He has his ways. Tell anyone and there will be retribution. You know Fenrir Greyback? He's a family friend." Sirius hissed at the implication. "He'll be dropping by from time to time to make sure you're giving the problem your full attention."
"There will be no need for-"
"I'll decide that." said Malfoy. "Well, I'd better be off. And don't forget to keep that one safe, I'll need it."
"Of course not … sir."
Borgin made a deep bow, much deeper than was usual. It was another piece of the puzzle and Sirius was not liking the picture that was being made.
Next moment, the bell over the door tinkled loudly as Malfoy stalked out of the shop, looking very pleased with himself. Sirius re-wound the Extendable Ear just in time to prevent Malfoy stepping on it. Inside the shop, Borgin remained frozen, his unctuous smile had vanished; he looked worried and ill.
While it was not clear what the whole situation had been about, Malfoy clearly wanted something mended, something that was to be used as part of a pair, the one half of which was in that shop. Going in and asking Borgin would be useless, there was nothing that Sirius could or would do that would terrify the man more that whatever it was that Malfoy had shown him. It would need to be approached another way … perhaps he could talk to Harry about having some of the darker Black items sold at Borgin and Burkes, that would at least give him an opening. He walked briskly back to Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, barely noticing the people that he passed. Inside he was lucky enough to find a clear path to the back room, so he ducked behind the curtain and pulled off Harry's cloak, rolling it up. Making his way back into the main room he found Harry and hastily shoved the cloak into his bag, before making his way to the register.