Chapter Twenty-Six – Diagon Ally
"Papa, are we going now?"
Severus chuckles and ruffles Aldwyn's hair. He watches as his child huffs, running a hand through his hair in an attempt to neaten it up again and Severus helps by summoning Aldwyn's hairbrush. His smile softens when Aldwyn brushes through the strands and then takes his leather strap from around his wrist to fix his hair in a neat plait stretching down his back.
"We will be leaving in just a moment, Snakelet. We are just waiting for your father."
Aldwyn huffs impatiently, his hands fiddling with the hems of his cloak sleeves, eyes staring at the doorway leading into the Floo room. His eyes light up when his father finally walks into the room smoothing his hands down his robes and he bounces on the balls of his feet.
"I am glad you could join us, Marvolo before our son manages to jitter himself through the flooring." Severus comments sticking his tongue out at his son who returns the gesture.
"I apologise Snakelet. Are we ready to go?" Marvolo rolls his eyes at his partner and son, shaking his head before he pulls Aldwyn into a hug and drops a kiss on his forehead. He draws Severus close next, brushing their lips together.
"We have been ready for ages, Father. Papa and I have been waiting for you!"
"Oh? Well then, I offer you my most sincerest of apologies and humbly beg for your forgiveness, My Little Prince. Would you like to Floo with us, or would you like to try by yourself today?" Marvolo sweeps a low half-bow, dramatically dipping his head pulling a whispered chuckle from Aldwyn who covers his mouth and stares at the fireplace.
Theoretically, his father and his papa had instructed him on what to do when he Floos by himself, but he had yet to try it. Staring into the fireplace intently, Aldwyn runs through the pointers once again in his mind ensuring that he can indeed recall them all before he turns back to his father and smiles.
"May I try by myself today? If I get lost or end up at the wrong fireplace, I have my mirror on me so I can call you. I also have my Heirships rings on and Bill's Talisman so nobody will be able to harm me if they were to try and take me."
Marvolo and Severus exchange a quick glance, they both knew that the other was just as worried about Aldwyn, despite him being twelve years old already and perfectly capable of looking after himself. Especially now after all of his added tutoring sessions. Aldwyn was influential, in magical strength, intelligence, and social standing, and he knew it as well. They had spent weeks reiterating just how brave and intelligent, how cunning they thought their child was, and they had to do so much to mitigate the damage left behind by his upbringing. It was a wonder how this was the same boy.
"You are more than welcome to try, Aldwyn though I feel like you are going to have no problems. How about we send your papa through first, so he is there for you when you arrive?"
"Okay, Father. Then we can go find Draco and Blaise?" Aldwyn questions, bouncing on the balls of his feet again, his excitement palpable at the prospect of seeing his friends after a few days, he had been missing them terribly. It would be nice to see them both again before they had to spend most of their time buried beneath schoolwork and homework. It was going to be an interesting term, a lot more fun than the previous year, that he was sure of.
"Yes, then we can go meet up with the Malfoys and Blaise."
"Okay, let's go!"
Severus and Marvolo chuckle at Aldwyn's eagerness and quickly move to leave. Severus steps forward, placing a kiss on Aldwyn's head as he glides past; he throws a small handful of powder into the hearth and calls out for 'Diagon Ally' before he steps into the green flames and disappears in a flash. Aldwyn watches the fire as it settles down before sparking out to nothing, leaving behind an empty fireplace once more. He turns to give his father a tight hug before he follows his papa's lead and steps into the fireplace.
"Remember what we told you, Snakelet and you will be fine."
"I know, Father. Keep my heels together, elbows and hands against my sides. Take a deep breath before throwing the powder down and try to hold it as I travel. Don't panic and if I wish I may keep my eyes closed to stop myself from getting dizzy on the journey. When I land, bend my knees, and take a step instantly to prevent falling on my face." Aldwyn recites with a smirk.
He knows his father is just worried about him hurting himself or, Merlin forbid, getting caught in the wrong fireplace; he also knows that his father and papa would always let him try things again and again if it meant he could learn from his mistakes and prove to them and himself that he was capable of achieving anything he had set his mind to. It was how they had taught him so many spells over the past couple of weeks and it had bolstered his courage and self-confidence.
Grabbing a handful of Floo powder from the pot, Aldwyn grins over his shoulder at his father. Throwing it into the hearth he calls out for Diagon Ally and steps into the flames, tucking his hands tightly against his sides, holding his breath as he begins to spin rapidly. Slamming his eyes shut, Aldwyn forces himself to remain calm as he flies through the air, passing grate after grate. His feet crash to the floor, and he bends his knees automatically before taking a step forward, smiling when he doesn't stumble.
Blinking into the dimly lit room in front of him, Aldwyn glances around the familiar settings of the Leaky Cauldron, noise level assaulting his ears. A smile blooms across his features when he sees his papa standing just off to the side, scowl firmly in place as he glares around at the customers, some of whom were already drinking alcohol this early in the morning. Giggling, Aldwyn walks over to Severus and wraps his arms around the man's waist. He looks up at his papa, his smile widening when an arm wraps around his shoulders.
"I did it, Papa and I didn't fall over."
"I am very proud of you, Snakelet. Not that I had any doubts, of course."
"Of course." Aldwyn returns, watching as Severus slips his wand out of its holster strapped to his arm and aims it down at his robes. Aldwyn laughs once again when the soot clinging to his clothes disappears, his papa's magic swirling around him in a warm embrace. The Floo flares once more and Aldwyn watches his father stepping regally out of the fireplace, his robes as pristine as when he had entered their Floo room at home, much to Aldwyn's chagrin. He would practice his Flooing and magic so he could be just like his father in a few years.
"Well done, Snakelet. I am very proud of you. Are we ready to go?"
Aldwyn nods at his father's question, grinning up the man, his eyes sparkling with glee. He steps away from his papa, slipping his hands into his parents' so he can drag them out of the pub and over to the entrance of the Ally. He bounces on the balls of his feet; pureblood decorum be damned for the moment, and he watches as his father taps his wand against the brick entrance.
The Ally's onslaught of noise didn't bother him as much as it had the last time he had been here, not that he was paying that much attention to his surroundings as he continued to drag Severus and Marvolo behind him. He weaves between adults running through the alley after their wayward children, skirting past rampaging students chasing one another from shop to shop. Glancing around an abnormally large woman in his way, Aldwyn laughs when he spies Draco's and Lucius's platinum blond hair; it is like a beacon.
"Draco!"
His friend turns at the call of his name, face splitting into a wide grin when he spots Aldwyn ducking between people on his way towards the bank. Draco makes his way down the stairs, waving a hand behind him to call someone else's attention to the approaching pre-teen. Blaise follows Draco's indication and also begins to move forward, smiling when he sees Aldwyn stopping at the foot of the steps. Draco and Blaise draw Aldwyn into a tight three-way embrace, pulling laughter from the younger.
"Aldwyn, I thought you weren't going to come. We have been waiting here for ages!" Draco pouts, crossing his arms in front of his chest when they all draw back. Blaise smirks and cups a hand over his mouth; he leans toward Aldwyn, eyes glittering with delight as he glances over at Draco, stage whispering.
"He was twitching."
"I was not!" Draco immediately defends, arms falling to his side, finger poking Blaise in the chest while Blaise and Aldwyn laugh as his pout deepens.
Aldwyn smiles, watching his two best friends as they begin to bicker back and forth. Before now he would have been worried that the two weren't actually friends or that they didn't get along as well as he thought, and they were just putting up with each other because Aldwyn was friends with them both. He soon realised pretty quickly that this was just their way of showing their friendship. They were constantly bickering, always trying to one-up each other. Aldwyn thought it was pretty amusing to watch.
"Well, if the two of you have finished bickering like plebians, then I believe it is time for us to purchase our school supplies."
The pair stop mid-insult, turning to eye Aldwyn incredulously. He offers them a smirk, sticking his nose in the air, and crosses his arms. He only has a second before Blaise and Draco exchange a look and dive on him. Their arms wrap around his shoulders and waist as they begin to rib on him instead. Draco pokes his cheeks, pinching it and cooing at him while Blaise tickles his sides.
The sound of a throat clearing from behind them has the three freezing, eyes widening they turn to stare up at Lucius and Narcissa who are looking down at them. Their faces are blank, eyes shining with amusement. Turning to look at their other side, the children find Severus and Marvolo watching them as well. Coughing, Blaise, and Draco release Aldwyn, and the three smooth down their robes and hair, giggling quietly whenever they happen to catch each other's eyes.
"Alright, you lot we best go and buy Aldwyn's new school trunk before you find yourselves getting caught up again," Marvolo smirks, stroking a hand through his son's hair to show Aldwyn that he wasn't annoyed or put out by their little by-play in the middle of the street and that he would never prevent his son from acting like a child.
Aldwyn grins up at his father and papa before Blaise grabs his hand and Draco drapes an arm around his shoulders. They begin to direct him through the Ally leaving their parents to trail behind. They can hear Aldwyn giggling as he is carted away, whispered words passing between the friends.
"You need to get a trunk like mine. It is black, green, and silver. My initials and the Malfoy crest have been printed on the lid."
"Yes, mine is the same. Though mine has deep blue accents instead of green and the Zabini family crest with my initials below."
"I don't know about all that. Father and Papa will already have a trunk in mind, and I wouldn't want to be a bother. Besides a trunk like that has to be expensive."
"You won't be a bother Aldwyn. Besides, if your parents are anything like mine, then they would love to show off your house and status wherever they can. That means a crest on your trunk and your initials."
"Draco is right, Aldwyn. Though I have a feeling that you will be getting both the Slytherin and Prince Family crests embroidered onto your trunk; you are wearing both Heirship rings after all."
Aldwyn glances down at his hand, rubbing his thumb against his Heirship rings. He wouldn't mind having his houses broadcasted for everyone to see, it would show them just how important he was, that he really was his parents' son.
He bites his lip, succeeding Blaise and Draco into a dark, dusty-looking store. When Draco holds the door open for him to step forward, he coughs, eyes taking in the array of trunks and backpacks hanging on display around the perimeter. Each one sports a different design, colour, and attribute. His eyes widen when he spies multiple trunks displayed behind the counter advertising various compartments, including potions laboratories, apartment complexes, libraries, and many more.
He startles from his thoughts when he feels two hands dropping onto his shoulders and he glances over his shoulder to find his father and papa standing behind him. Smiling down at their son, Marvolo and Severus direct Aldwyn toward the counter.
"Good morning, how may I help you today?" The shopkeeper asks; his voice soft yet firm as he glances at the three of them over the rim of his glasses.
"Bright blessings, Sir. I require a new school trunk and backpack for my son here." Marvolo glances down at Aldwyn, squeezing his shoulder.
"Of course, Sir. What sort of trunk were you looking for today?"
Severus glances down at Aldwyn, crouching down so he is almost level with his son. His lips upturn faintly when Aldwyn turns to him, worrying his lip and he knows that the boy wouldn't ask for anything in particular, not unless prompted anyhow, so it was a good thing Marvolo had already decided on a compartmentalised trunk for their son. He kisses Aldwyn's cheeks and stands back up, nodding to Marvolo.
"We would like a trunk with four compartments within. A library, a potions lab, one to store his school equipment, and the final to store his clothing. It will need to be equipped with a shrinking and enlarging charm, as well as a password-protected locking charm and a feather-light charm."
"Of course. I can have that made up for you right away. I will need to know which colours you would like the trunk to be and any designs you wish to add."
"Aldwyn? Which colours would you like?" Marvolo questions softly, stroking a hand down his son's hair drawing Aldwyn's gaze. Aldwyn glances from his father to the man behind the counter then over to his papa. He contemplates for a moment, worrying his lip before he turns back to his father.
"May I have a deep purple trunk? With silver and black?"
"Of course, you can, Snakelet. It is your trunk; you can have anything you like." Severus soothes, carding a hand through his son's hair carefully. He tugs gently at the end of his plait, drawing a quiet chuckle from Aldwyn. Marvolo smiles at the interaction before turning back to the sales assistant.
"May we have the body of the trunk done in deep purple, please? Silver clasps and black accents as well. I would also like the initials A.S.P.S carved into the lid alongside the Prince and Slytherin Family crests."
The shopkeeper's eyes widen at the request. He glances from Marvolo to Severus and then down to Aldwyn; it seems that he has just realised just who these customers are. Nodding his head rapidly, the assistant is quick to reassure them.
"Of course, Lord Slytherin, Lord Prince. I will be back momentarily with your purchase. Did you wish for a backpack as well? Did you wish for it to match your son's trunk?" Aldwyn nods before the keeper can finish his question, a small smile forming on his lips when the older man blinks down at him before smiling in return. He turns towards the boy's parents who are nodding as well.
"Yes, if you would. Thank you."
"I will be back with both items, Lord Slytherin, Lord Prince. I will even add feather-light charms and anti-tampering charms to the backpack to prevent anyone from trying to damage it or anything inside."
"That would be appreciated, thank you."
The man scampers off, almost tripping over his feet in his haste to fulfill their orders. Aldwyn turns around to continue surveying the shop as he leans back against the counter. Offering a smile to Blaise and Draco who are waiting with the Malfoys just a few short paces away. He rolls his eyes when both smirk over at him, and he can practically hear their smug thoughts of 'We told you so'. He smirks back at them, turning back to the counter when he hears something heavy dropping above his head.
Glancing up at the trunk, Aldwyn's eyes widen in surprise. When he had come with Hagrid last year, he had been told to order the simplest and cheapest trunk he could find, but this… this one was perfect. His papa lifts him up so he can see the complete picture and he can't help but brush his fingers against his initials sitting regally above his two family crests which are sitting in the middle of the lid. He sees four crystals stuck to the front and raises an eyebrow at them. The clerk must have seen his confusion before he clears his throat.
"Those four gems are your password runes. Each one is connected to one of your trunks compartments and will require a different password to unlock them. All you will need to do is tap your wand against the gem and speak the code you have chosen in order to set the password. If you wish to shrink or enlarge your trunk, then you will need to tap anywhere on the lip three times. It will shrink and enlarge without the need for you to incant any spells."
"Thank you, sir. This is amazing."
"You are most welcome, Heir Prince-Slytherin."
"Yes, thank you very much. This will do nicely. How much do we owe you?" Marvolo asks, wrapping his arm around Severus who is still holding their son in his arms.
"It will be 30 galleons for the trunk and 11 for the backpack, Lord Slytherin."
Marvolo inclines his head. He takes a small book out of his pocket, takes a quill that the clerk offers, and signs the parchment with a flourish. Tearing out the page he had written on, he hands it over to the shopkeeper. Aldwyn cocks his head as he watches the interaction. The little book reminded him of a muggle checkbook.
"This is a credit book, Aldwyn. It will allow any shop owners to go to Gringotts and retrieve our payment out of the family vaults. It saves us from carrying bags full of coins around the Ally." Aldwyn nods his understanding at his papa's explanation, it was quite inconvenient to carry around pockets full of change up and down the Ally. He always found it strange to think of people like Lucius Malfoy having magical pockets full of galleons.
Severus places Aldwyn down on the floor before he shrinks the trunk and backpack down to slip into his pocket. He settles his hand back on Aldwyn's shoulder in order to lead his son out of the dingy store with the Malfoys, Blaise, and Draco following close behind. It doesn't take more than a second for Blaise and Draco to migrate back to Aldwyn's side, arms wrapping around their friend as they make their way down the Ally.
"Alright boys, we would like for the three of you to go off and get yourselves measured for your new school robes. To cut our time here short, we will gather the rest of your supplies before meeting you outside Flourish and Blotts to pick up your schoolbooks."
"Alright, Father." Draco mumbles, the three boys scowling at the thought of being poked and prodded by Madam Malkin and her team as they are measured and fitted for their new robes. Marvolo and Severus chuckle, they had hated being fitted for their robes as well when they had been the boys' age.
"After we have purchased your books, we will go and buy your new wand, Aldwyn. Do not forget to ask Madam Malkin for the complete set of premium robes with all available charms on them."
"I won't Father," Aldwyn responds accepting the pouch of galleons his father offers him before he is ushered across the cobble street to Madam Malkins' robe shop. He glances over his shoulder, smiling when his parents wave at him. He waves back before he is pulled into the shop, the tiny bell above the door alerting the seamstress of their arrival.
"Ah. Hogwarts robes, dears? If you want to step this way, we will get you all measured up as quick as a snitch."
The three boys quickly follow her directions, each stepping up onto one of the raised platforms. As soon as they are situated, two junior seamstresses scurry out of the back storeroom, arms ladened down with pins and material before they converge on Blaise and Draco. Madam Malkin focuses her attention on Aldwyn and smiles down at him before she begins to take his measurements.
Aldwyn breathes a sigh of relief when she doesn't spell her tape measure to take his measurements like Ollivander does; not only did it make him uncomfortable, but he didn't understand why half of those measurements were needed. He glances to his right, watching as Draco fidgets as one of the young seamstresses flits around him, her high-pitched voice grating on his ears. Shifting his gaze to Blaise, Aldwyn rolls his eyes when the older boy just looks bored, eyes glazing as he stares off across the store ignoring every attempt his assistant is attempting to hold.
"Alright, deary, that is you all done."
"Thank you, Madam. My father requested that I order the complete set of Premium school robes if that isn't too much trouble?"
"Of course, deary. I will grab the materials and we will start on your robes. Hang tight."
Aldwyn returns his gaze to his friends, withholding a chuckle when he sees them both still grappling with the seamstresses fluttering around them. It seems that the girls were apprenticing under Madam Malkin for the summer and wanted to get on the good side of high-standing families if their gushing compliments were anything to go by. He shuffles on his feet, relaxing when Madam Malkin comes bustling back to his podium. She indicates for him to raise his arms before she throws a much too-large robe over his head.
He stroked the material around his chest as Madam Malkin began to pin it in place, pulling the material around his body to ensure it was the perfect fit. He smiles at the silky feel beneath his fingers. It felt a lot more breathable and comfortable than the stuff he had been forced to wear last year; Hagrid had directed him to purchase the standard set.
Aldwyn released the material and moved his hands out to his sides, lifting them out of Madam Malkins' way when she continued to flit around him working with quick precision. He watches in awe as she cuts the fabric and resows it with incredible speed. He is immensely impressed, not having paid all that much attention last year as he had been too busy trying to figure out what Draco had been talking to him about.
After a few more minutes of being tugged about and twirled in place, Aldwyn is allowed to hop down from the platform. He grins when Blaise and Draco are released just as he is finishing up paying for his robes, both looking decidedly ruffled and disgruntled. He giggles. Aldwyn thanks Madam Malkin when she shrinks his bags for him and waves him out of the shop when Draco and Blaise finish purchasing their own sets as well. Aldwyn waves back, hooking his arms through Blaise's and Draco's as they make their way through the thickening crowds traipsing along the cobblestone road.
"Papa! Father!" Aldwyn calls out drawing the attention of his and Draco's parents, invisible smiles lighten their features as they watch the three children approach. Aldwyn laughs joyously when he is tugged into a tight hug, two sets of arms wrapping around him as two kisses brush against his forehead. He hands the pouch of money back to his father when they pull back.
"How was your fitting, Snakelet?"
"It was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. Madam Malkin didn't stick me with a pin at all and her tape measure didn't move on its own."
"Speak for yourself, Aldwyn. That woman stabbed me at least four times with her pins, and she wouldn't stop her incessant chattering. I feared my ears would eventually begin to bleed."
"She seemed very excitable. Especially to be fittingtheMalfoy Heir for his school robes." Blaise cuts in, fluttering his eyelashes at Draco who jabs him in the side with a glare. Aldwyn merely chuckles at their behaviour.
"From what I could see, Blaise. You were not fairing much better." He teases, earning a scowl from his friend.
"That woman needs to learn to keep her hands to herself. There was absolutely no need for her to touch me so much nor physically maneuver me like a rag doll." Blaise complains, crossing his arms over his chest as he frowns over at Aldwyn who is laughing behind his hand.
"Awww. Poor Blaise. Would you like me to kiss your booboos better?" Aldwyn coos, reaching forward to pat Blaise on the head, causing his scowl to deepen.
"No, I do not. You are lucky that Madam Malkin worked on your robes, just imagine what they would have done if they were fittingAldwyn Prince-Slytherinfor his robes. You wouldn't have been leaving that shop for another hour or so." Blaise teases back, wrapping his arm around Aldwyn's shoulders when a shudder travels through the younger boy.
"Aldwyn wouldn't have given them the pleasure. He would have just hexed them into oblivion." Draco chimes in, coming to stand in front of his friends with a large grin stretching across his features.
The adults laugh along at the children's playful banter, they knew just how infuriating any young apprentices could be, especially when faced with predominant Lords, Ladies, and society members. They all had to deal with them at one point or another, and it was why Madam Malkin never took any apprentices on full-time.
"Come along you three. Shall we head inside?"
Aldwyn turns toward Flourish and Blotts, his eyebrow-raising when the sound of several women screaming reaches his ears, and he takes a step backward. They weren't seriously going in there were they? He glances through the murky windows, eyes narrowing at the large crowd of witches crowding around the front of the bookstore, each one clutching a stack of books in their arms as they twitter incessantly with their friends, or just anyone close enough to hear.
"What in the name of Merlin…?" He mutters, shaking his head.
"There is a book signing today. Gilderoy is signing his books; apparently, it is because they have all been added to the Hogwarts supply lists this year." Blaise steps up behind Aldwyn and places a hand on his friend's shoulder. His eyes narrowed in disgust at the complete lack of decorum being displayed by the store's multiple occupants. It was going to take them ages to elbow their way through that crowd just to collect their schoolbooks.
Luckily for them, they were accompanied by the Lord and Lady Malfoy as well as Lord Slytherin and Lord Prince; if people didn't move out of their way now, then there was going to be a great deal of trouble. Especially with all the hype surrounding Lord Slytherin and his son, as well as Lord Prince thanks to the articles written by the Daily Prophet.
"Who is Gilderoy Lockhart?" Aldwyn questions, glancing at the man smiling much too wide in the poster sitting outside the bookstore.
"He is a fraud of a man. His books are filled with nothing but lies and over-exaggeration. I have no idea what your new defense teacher is thinking by using his books in their lessons." Marvolo answers, his voice was cold as he glares at the store. He hated people, especially large groups of people. He despised how simple-minded they could become, how much of a fool they were willing to play in front of celebrities, even one who was too stupid to have pulled off any stunts that he had claimed to have accomplished.
"Heisthe new defense professor. Dumbledore hired him not too long ago, and because each professor is allowed to plan their own lessons and use any textbook they choose, that fraud decided the childrenneededto read his own books." Severus sneers, coming to stand next to Marvolo who curls an arm around his waist.
"Last I checked, his books were neither educational nor textbooks." Lucius agrees, shaking his head at the idiocy of the headmaster.
"Well, I guess it is a good thing that we are going to be conducting our own studying and practice then, isn't it?" Aldwyn drawls his mind whirling with questions. Why would Dumbledore willingly hire a professor who is as stupid as everyone suspected? It was as if the man was deliberately refusing to give his students a decent education. It was as if he were trying to keep them as ignorant as possible. Though it wouldn't really work out in his favour in the end, Pureblood families and many half-blood families would just teach their children what their professors have failed to do. It would be the Mudbloods and those Half-bloods and purebloods who followed Dumbledore who would suffer the most in the end.
Slowly the group forces their way into the store, keeping the children between them as they push past squealing men and women to gather their school textbooks. They decided to collect the ones for every other subject before they forced themselves to brave the crowds. Elbowing their way towards the front of the store where Lockhart has set up his book signing, the adults are quick to grab a complete set before they skirt around the line of people waiting to have their own copies signed. They direct the children towards the counter – paying for their purchases and breathe a sigh of relief when they move into an open space at the back of the store.
Aldwyn is just looking around the crowd for his father, the man seeming to have gotten separated from them in the dense gaggle of people. He flinches when he feels a heavy hand gripping his forearm, the hand sweating slightly making his arm feel overly warm and disgusting. It takes all his training to keep the fear and disgust he is feeling from his face as he turns on his heels, wrenching his arm from the stranger. His eyes narrow, mouth down turning into a sneer when he comes face-to-face with Gilderoy Lockhart. A sick smile stretches across the man's face.
"How dare you grab me like an uncouth heathen. Where are your manners?"
"Ah. Heir Slytherin. I have been just dying to meet such a character as yourself since I first heard about you through the grapevine." Lockhart ignores Aldwyn's words and throws an arm around his shoulders, tightening his arm so Aldwyn couldn't escape again.
Aldwyn glares up at the wizard, biting the inside of his lip to prevent himself from cursing the man who had not only grabbed at him, and shoved him into a sickening embrace, but had the nerve to ignore him as well.
"It is HeirPrince-Slytherinto you, thank you very much and I would be grateful if you release me before I am tempted to sue you for assault." His words are hissed through clenched teeth, hand twitching to grab his wand.
"Now, now, young Heir, there is no need for threats. How about we get a picture for the Daily Prophet? I am sure my fans would be delighted to see the two of us together." Aldwyn turns his glare toward the photographers and journalists preventing them from taking a step closer. He twists and turns his body, jostling his shoulders in an attempt to wriggle out of the man's grip. He is sure he is going to have bruises decorating his shoulders tomorrow from the vice-like grip. He begins to panic when the grip tightens even more.
"It is not a threat, Mister Lockhart. It is a promise. Now, I would appreciate it if you did not grab me or try to manhandle me into a situation for your own personal gain. I do not know you, nor do I wish to. Now release me before I make you." His voice turns to a hiss so serpent-like that he is surprised to find himself still speaking English, his eyes flash with anger as the man merely laughs at him, patting his shoulder so hard that his knees almost buckle. His fingers curl closer to his wand, thoughts of various hexes flashing through his mind when a dark shadow befalls them. Glancing up, Aldwyn lets out a breath of relief when he sees his papa standing over them his eyes glittering with malicious intent.
"Professor Lockhart, I do hope that you are not already harassing one of your students. I suggest you release my son from your grasp before I force you to. I am sure the Prophet would love to release a story on how you have been fired from your job for assaulting a minor before the term has even begun."
Lockhart drops his arm from around Aldwyn's shoulders allowing the boy to run behind his papa; his face paling when facing the wrath of the dour potions master. His eyes skit over to the reporters who have their cameras poised to capture anything of interest. They had been close enough to hear the entire altercation between himself and the young Heir Lockhart knew his reputation would be near ruined if the public were to hear wind of such infractions. It wasn't every day that a standard wizard, even a famous one, was caught grappling with an Heir from one of the most Ancient Households. It would be front-page news in a heartbeat. He scurries back to his desk.
"Are you alright, Aldwyn?" Severus questions quietly, kneeling so he can search Aldwyn's eyes for any signs of pain or discomfort. He smiles when all he sees is annoyance and fading anger. Aldwyn brushes his hands down his robes, smoothing out some of the creases, and smirks up at his papa.
"I am perfectly fine, Papa. I was a bit rattled, but I was mostly perplexed as to how anyone could hire a man with such deplorable etiquette and social manners to teach children. It is preposterous. Though Lockhart may not have been if you had not stepped in when you did."
Severus chuckles and pushes himself to his feet after he brushes a kiss on Aldwyn's forehead. He pats his son's shoulder and starts to steer him over towards their group. Glancing around, Severus finds his partner and Lucius missing, the smirk on Narcissa's face making him roll his eyes to the ceiling for a moment in exasperation. He turns back to his son.
"It seems that your father has gotten himself lost within the bookshelves, Aldwyn. Can you wait here with Narcissa while I go and retrieve him?"
"Of course, Papa. You make him sound like a parcel." Aldwyn snickers, watching as his papa walks back off through the hordes of people, elbowing his way through the crowds in search of his father and Lucius. He rolls his eyes; his father was absolutely ridiculous when to new books he hadn't seen or read yet. It was hard to drag him out of the library sometimes, and only his papa could convince the man to leave his precious books behind, though he would never tell Aldwyn how he managed it much to the boy's displeasure.
"Can't go anywhere without being the center of attention."