Chapter Text
Harry was very much, just a little bit smug when the summer holidays had started.
He had to reassess his opinions on Snape just then and he thought he had owed the professor an applause. It was absolutely a wonderful sight to see his aunt’s face go pale at the sight of the Potions Professor and his act of talking to had the Dursleys leaving him alone and well ignored him for the past week.
It was absolutely marvellous.
A week… he was a week in the summer break and Harry was already gazing outside his bedroom window and wishing he was back at Hogwarts. He sighed as he leaned his head on his arm, watching Hedwig settle herself in her cage after a little trip around the neighbourhood. Draco had owled him three days ago, telling him that he’s still planning on scheming to get him out of the house and be patient for a little bit—seriously, the adults won’t tell me anything! It’s ridiculous. Harry had owled him back when Atlas just stared at him for a while and had refused to go, Harry ended up grinning so wide when his relatives couldn’t do anything when the eagle owl had screeched at them loudly and flew about like he owned the territory.
Harry said that it was no problem at all, he could wait… whatever it is that he is waiting for and now he had to remind himself to just trust Draco at the moment. Be patient—the boy had said, he could do that. Although, truth be told that he’d been thinking from day one on what he could do to get out of the house; he doesn’t know if Dumbledore would approve, doesn’t give a shit if the old wizard doesn’t. In all honesty, he was just staying because of his mum, her protection was something still of a mystery to him and perhaps in a way… it’s a way of honouring her. But if Harry had had enough, he’ll just chance his way back to Diagon Alley and perhaps seek out Yvonne again. He’s pretty sure his Lily wouldn’t mind.
Harry sighed and banged his head on the table. Stop moping, he scolded himself, honestly. But really now, Harry couldn’t help it; he just wanted out of the blasted house.
A loud squawk had him snapping his head up in surprise.
He saw Atlas’ glorious form gliding through the skies and Harry grinned as he opened his window and let the owl perch himself on the sill. The owl immediately presented the folded parchment from his beak and Harry instantly seized the letter and began to read. It was, well not really a letter at all and Harry was absolutely bewildered at the words written on it. Eyebrows shooting up, he re-read the absurdly short note and frowned.
Stand by, wait for a moment.
Harry stared down at the letter—note, short-handed scribble? —some more and back to Atlas, but the owl was ruffling his feathers and was already stretching out his wings. “Hey!” Harry called out, the owl had swooped back outside and was flying to the skies in a second. Harry gaped slightly and stared at the open window. He ended up slumping back down on his seat, eyeing the letter on his hands with narrowed eyes and scowled. “What in the hell are you planning, Draco?”
He was mulling and maybe sitting there for about five minutes, when his answer came in the form of a loud pop and Harry startled hard when a small figure was suddenly jumping up and down on his bed and had begun to wave at him. “Harry Potter!”
Harry immediately scrambled up and vaguely heard his chair clatter to the ground as he spluttered, “I—what? Dobby?” The elf bounced a little bit more on his bed, before he hopped on the wooden floors and did a little bow. Harry had to choke out a laugh, a little incredulous and had to blink a couple of times to make sure the elf was really there. He did do a double take though, as he truly took in the elf’s appearance. “Erm—” Dobby was wearing a striped vest, along with some miss-matched vibrantly coloured socks, a frilly green skirt along with a neon yellow top hat.
“Harry Potter! It is an honour to be seeing sir again! Dobby is very happy to be serving Harry Potter!” the elf exclaimed as he gestured around excitedly.
“Well—thank you, Dobby? I—uh—I like your clothes,” Harry said, distracted by the brightness of the colours and honestly puzzled at the elf but Dobby just beamed at him.
“Yes! Dobby also likes them! Mistress Narcissa has shows Dobby lots of clothes! Although Mistress has already said that it’s fines if I don’t call her ‘mistress’ anymore,” Dobby frowned at this and seemed to contemplate himself.
“Um—Dobby?” Harry started, he hated to interrupt the house elf, but he thought they were rather getting off track at the moment. “It’s wonderful to see you again—it truly is. But may I ask, what are you doing here?” Harry was in no doubt, genuinely delighted to see the house elf but at the moment he is thoroughly confused.
“Oh, yes! Dobby is here to help Harry Potter!” the elf did a little hop, looked around the room and made a an ‘aha’ noise as he spotted Harry’s trunk by the foot of his bed.
All of his Hogwarts stuff were smugly sitting in his room, Snape was the one who levitated his trunk and school things up to the stairs and Harry was all too happy to let him lest his things were locked up under the cupboard again. Although, he wasn’t at all afraid of threatening his relatives with magic for real this time but that blasted Trace had him thinking so otherwise. Being underage again is really annoying.
Dobby was busy snapping his fingers and organizing his scattered things, expertly rearranging for all of them to fit inside his trunk.
“I—uh, pardon? Help me?” Harry asked while Dobby flicked at Hedwig’s cage and opened it, the owl obediently flying out and perched comfortably on Harry’s shoulder, tilting her head as she did so to look at him.
“Yes! Help Harry Potter! Draco Malfoy has sent Dobby when Dobby asks if he could do’s anything for him! Draco Malfoy said Dobby could come here first to help with Harry Potter’s things before Mistress Narcissa comes!” Dobby said before he was rapidly streaming questions on what other things, he should be packing along with his Hogwarts supplies.
Harry slowly blinked.
“What—uh, yes, those clothes as well—wait, Narcissa? Narcissa Malfoy?” Harry spluttered some more, mind racing with his hands mindlessly gathering his quill and parchment in a midst of an attempt to help the elf. Harry all but gave up when Dobby stomped his foot and pointedly zoomed them along with the rest of his things inside his trunk and fastened the locks with a click. “Narcissa is coming here?”
“Indeed Harry Potter! Mistress is coming to escorts you to Diagon Alley!” Dobby had shrunk Hedwig’s cage and presented it to him and Harry dumbly took it as he stared wide-eyed at the elf. Dobby snapped his fingers and then his trunk was levitating off the floor, the elf looked up at him expectantly.
Harry, in all his life, couldn’t even entertain the idea that Narcissa Malfoy would willingly step foot in a Muggle neighbourhood. The thought that Narcissa could be walking down the streets right now had his mind stuttering and just as, he was still having trouble comprehending on what Dobby had said. Dobby only continued to look at him patiently when he spoke, “Harry Potter should lets his owl fly herself to Diagon Alley, Draco Malfoy said that she already knows hers way to the Golden Mug.”
Harry startled and he spun his head to look at his owl who was still perched on his shoulder, “I—well yes,” he held out his arm and Hedwig promptly hopped on it as he turned dazedly to the open window. “Well, the Golden Mug it is then Hedwig,” he said and the owl hooted in reply, flapping her wings quite excitedly. “I’m guessing Atlas is on his way there too,” he mumbled distractedly, Hedwig blinked at him and then she was off, soaring fast into the skies. Dobby nodded his approval at this and then he was opening the door before gesturing for Harry to lead the way. Harry barked out a short laugh once more and had to run his hands through his hair in astonishment, he couldn’t believe he was actually getting out of there so soon.
He started stomping his way down the stairs; a huge grin was breaking on his features as he twisted to see Dobby was right behind him with his trunk hovering along with the elf’s magic. He heard a shrill shout as he stepped on the landing and saw Aunt Petunia gaping in horror as she spotted the house elf and his trunk being let down carefully on the floor.
“What—what is this?!” she shrieked and Harry only had to roll his eyes at her and saw that Dudley and Uncle Vernon had peered their fat heads through the living room once they heard the screaming of Petunia. His uncle made incomprehensible noises and before either of his relatives could talk any further, he cut them off.
“I’m leaving now,” Harry said without any preamble and his aunt spun her head at him.
“Leaving?!”
There was a sudden rap on the door followed by short and sharp knocks that drowned out the sound of his aunt and Harry only stared at her unflinchingly as he reached and turned the knob deliberately, opening the front door while staring her down.
It was a sight to see Narcissa Malfoy standing beyond the door, her blonde hair tied in an elegant swirl as some loose curls framed her face beautifully. She was wearing a simple green dress that would put any designer brands to shame along with a pair of black high heels that was polished and adorned with what looked like real diamonds. She pulled the strap of her handbag higher on her shoulder as she smiled down at him, “Hello Harry, it’s wonderful to see you.”
Harry blinked at her in astonishment; she really was here. He smiled slowly just as he made to move to let her in, “It’s great to see you too, ma’am,”
“Oh, come now Harry, I told you to call me Narcissa,” she lightly admonished him, her soft smile still in place. “Ah, Dobby! Excellent, all of your things are packed now I assume?”
“What is this?!” Aunt Petunia’s voice boomed out and he and Narcissa turned to look at her aghast expression. “How dare you! Who gave you permission to let this—this—your kind in our home!”
Harry frowned deeply, he saw Narcissa’s smile slip off and a mask of blankness came instead. It was unnerving, how her seemingly bright grey eyes had dulled itself instantly, it reminded him so much of Draco. “I believe you have been informed that someone will be coming here to escort Harry out of this…place,” she said slowly, voice low and condescending. “Severus, I believe was the one to tell you. So, I don’t see why you’re making a fuss out of this,” she pulled herself to her full height and put her chin up to regard everyone in the room, an air of pure elegance and exuding such authority that would part people in the streets. She put a dainty hand on Harry’s shoulder and stood beside him, “We’ll be taking our leave now,”
She made to turn him towards the door but not before Aunt Petunia was loudly striding her way to them, “Disgusting, nasty freak!” she spat out. Harry froze and gritted his teeth as he spun sharply and he was itching to take out his wand. Narcissa tightened her hand on him, holding him firmly and when he looked up, Narcissa’s gaze was dead set on his aunt, a dangerous glint in them. She calmly took out her wand and a little smirk found its way to her features when his aunt halted on her steps.
“You will not insult Harry Potter!” Dobby boorishly exclaimed and all heads turned to the elf as he stood himself between them, a fierce look in his eyes. He suddenly raised his hand but seemed to stop for a moment and twisted his head to look at Narcissa in question.
Narcissa only smirked wider at this and inclined her head with a bright gleam in her eyes. “Oh Dobby, you’re a free elf now. No more permissions that need to be asked; you are free to do as you please,”
Dobby seemed to puff up at that and he turned excitedly as he snapped his fingers sharply and a bowl flew its way over his aunt’s head and in a second, was drenching her in sweet smelling goo. Petunia shrieked loud and shrill and stumbled as the baking batter was dumped all over her, splattering messily on the ground. She slipped and was soon landing on her bum before the rest of the Dursleys were shouting too and hurrying to her with vulgar words thrown their way.
Harry was giggling and he saw Narcissa deftly cover her mouth as her shoulders shook and he had to laugh louder when Dobby was apparently not done, seeming to fancy dumping another set of sticky cookie batter and a tray of eggs on the rest of the Dursleys before the elf crossed his arms in triumph. Narcissa then led him out of the threshold, Dobby following them outside and slamming the door with a loud bang. His trunk was levitating lowly on the ground and once outside, the elf settled it on the garden as he looked at them with a big smile.
“Great show Dobby,” Narcissa complimented and Dobby beamed at her before he bowed low. “Now, if you’ll please take Harry’s trunk to the Golden Mug and wait for us there, that would be wonderful.” The elf nodded while still smiling wide at them and then he was Apparating out of Privet Drive with a pop along with his trunk.
Narcissa turned to him, a genuine smile returning as she regarded him. She bent low as she began to talk to him in a hush whisper, “I’d Apparate us out of here, but I believe we’ve caused enough ruckus in this neighbourhood. So, the long way to Diagon Alley for us I suppose,” she glanced up at the houses and Harry just about saw Mrs Fig peek out at her curtain, Harry waved a little hand at her.
“Well, it’s a nice day to walk, isn’t it?” he said lightly and Narcissa chuckled a little bit as they made their way down the street.
“I’m sure it is. Although, you’ll have to placate Draco when we arrive at the Golden Mug, he could be impatient sometimes.”
Harry didn’t really know what to think about Narcissa Malfoy. In the Past he’d had gauged her as someone as prideful and unpleasant as one Malfoy could be, she is Draco’s mother after all. The name Malfoy really did come with distasteful preconceptions, his usual rows with Draco didn’t help with that one bit. But then, back there in the forest when he lay in a motionless heap and her feeling for a pulse, soft words echoed in his ears as she asked for her son. Harry’s presumption of her all but shattered itself when she slowly stood up and boldly lied in the face of Voldemort without an inch of thought.
So, Narcissa Malfoy is as complicated as they come and at this moment, Harry couldn’t help but see a bright woman with a relaxed smile as they walked their way down to Diagon Alley and then, they finally arrived at the Golden Mug. She opened the doors for him and her smile widened when they were met with the sight of Draco talking to an excited Dobby.
“Well, I’ve never worn a yellow top hat before. But if you like it then, so why not?”
Harry couldn’t help it, he grinned big and bright once he saw Draco sitting on one of the couches on the lounge—the little git did good on his promise. He rushed to him then and saw the boy startle just as he looked up, Draco broke into a smile of his own as he pushed himself to his feet, grey eyes shining with mirth. Harry stopped short in front of him and found his hands hovering on his sides, he didn’t quite know what to do and Draco seemed just as lost when the boy flitted his eyes all over him. Harry forced his arms down, deciding to put his hands behind his back instead, “Well, could you have been more vague with that note?”
Draco blinked owlishly, seeming to shake himself out of his stupor, before he huffed and crossed his arms. “It was a last-minute thought and I wasn’t entirely sure what to say when I only planned for Dobby to come fetch you in the first place.”
“Oh, the restless and scheming boy you are, Draco,” Narcissa drawled out as she approached them, fondness and exasperation dripping in her words, “this one wouldn’t hear any of it once I’ve caught him plotting with dear Dobby here this morning. So, I took it upon myself to get you Harry, in order for my son to settle down and wait,” Narcissa pointedly said.
Draco rubbed the back of his neck as he muttered, “Well, Severus was taking too long and Dobby was offering his help anyway.”
Narcissa peered at Harry then, “Impatient. What did I tell you?” she whispered to him and Harry only smiled at the boy. “Dobby, would you be a dear and take Harry’s things upstairs, Yvonne had told you the room number, yes?”
Dobby nodded eagerly and the elf turned to Harry, “Harry Potter sir, yours owl cage if you pleases,” still smiling, Harry fished out Hedwig’s shrunk cage and handed it to Dobby with the elf snapping his fingers in quick movements before returning to its full size.
Harry for a moment stared at the elf and he felt a certain pang at his chest when he saw the happy elf fussed over his things. Dobby was a good friend and this time; he’ll try and see to it that he remains this happy and lively. He’ll make sure he won’t end up bleeding on the ground. “Dobby?” he started a bit too quietly and the elf spun to him with wide expectant eyes.
“Yes, Harry Potter? What is Dobby doings for Harry Potter?”
After a moment’s hesitation, Harry slowly opened his arms and gestured to them, “Um… may I?” he asked, the elf tilted his head in confusion for a minute before he nodded his head, still puzzled. Harry immediately dove and he just about heard a shriek when he hugged the elf softly. “Thank you. Thank you so much, Dobby,” he whispered and as he released the elf, Dobby was gaping at him with shining eyes. He smiled, Dobby’s chin trembling for a moment before he puffed out his little body and bowed low with a proud grin. He then Apparated out of the lounge along with his trunk.
When Harry looked up, he saw Draco subtly staring at him with a wistful expression and Narcissa had an inquiring look before she smoothly turned to him with a smile. “Severus had arranged for your stay here at the Golden Mug,” she said as she sat down on a fluffy side-chair, “I believe he was—discussing things with the Headmaster Dumbledore about two days ago and well, now here we are,”
“Didn’t tell me anything until then and I would’ve sent Dobby much earlier if it weren’t for Severus visiting us and putting a stop to it,” Draco whispered to him, Narcissa heard him however and she threw her son a reprimanding look.
“I seemed to remember Severus talking to you at the platform and pointedly telling you not to do anything. Just as, he did say to wait at least a week—whatever that meant. I also presumed Severus intended to be the one to escort you here Harry, but this one apparently couldn’t wait another minute when the week was up,”
“A week is too long in my opinion,” Draco muttered stubbornly as he shuffled on his feet and placed himself beside Harry.
“Draco really,” Narcissa sighed, “kids, unwilling to wait as always,”
“But such lovely children they are, no?” a voice piped up behind them, then the familiar tall form of Yvonne came gliding across from the pub and she grinned as she tossed her braided hair over her shoulder. She eyed the two of them with a glint in her eyes, “Wonderful to see you again, Harry!”
“Yvonne!” Harry was suddenly swept in a hug, laughing slightly as his feet left ground. “It’s nice to see you too! I hope I’m not imposing.”
“Nonsense! You’re always welcome here at the Golden Mug,” she said putting him down before turning to Narcissa, who seemed caught off guard when Yvonne threw her a big smile and took her hand in hers, shaking it avidly. “And I’m especially pleased to meet any of Severus’ friends,”
“Likewise,” Narcissa replied primly and Harry might’ve heard Draco laugh a little at his mother’s expression. When he turned however, the boy had looked away and Harry nudged him on the shoulder and promptly saw a twitch on his mouth.
Harry perhaps thought they made an odd sort of group, but he couldn’t really complain when Yvonne was greeting Narcissa as if they were old friends and with Draco hiding a subtle smile as he threw glances at him. Whatever, he was feeling elated at the moment. Just then, a rowdy ruckus was heard and they all looked up when it appeared to be coming from upstairs. Yvonne raised an eyebrow when the sounds of banging become prevalent, before it suddenly turned quiet. “Huh,” Yvonne uttered, after which appeared a stumbling man on the second-floor landing, brushing off smoke and dust on his robes as he blindly made his way down the stairs. “Ah,” Yvonne sighed and rolled her eyes as he missed a step which almost made him crash face first on the floor. “Honestly, way to make an appearance,” she mumbled, striding over to help the guy up and using a Scourgify to clean off the rest of him.
“Meet my darling husband, my dear esteemed guests,” she said dryly.
Now that he was standing upright and the soot and dust were off, Harry noticed that the guy was rather tall, he was sporting a low ponytail but there were loose, messy ash blonde hair strewn over his deep blue eyes and he smiled sheepishly as he straightened himself up properly. “I promise, I’m usually more coordinated than this. Erm—Dmitri Weldbrim,” he introduced himself, rearranging his robes as he did so and dropping a kiss on Yvonne’s cheek. He then surprisingly turned to Narcissa and greeted her with a smile, “Also, a pleasure seeing you again Mrs Malfoy. I hope the purchase you’d made was up to your liking,”
“Oh, you’d have to ask my son about that,” Narcissa said, seemingly unfazed by the guy in front of her.
Draco frowned when he was mentioned, “What?”
“Oh, yes! Legends they are!” Dmitri beamed as he spun to them and Harry startled when he immediately shook both of their hands in one go, “Slytherin’s Chaser and Seeker! In their first year no less, my house couldn’t be more proud!”
“Former house Dmitri and let the boys breathe, goodness,”
“I’m afraid I don’t follow,” Draco slowly said as Harry adjusted his glasses and found himself nodding agreeably. Dmitri only grinned brightly and he pointed to the wall behind them. When he last stayed there at the Golden Mug, Harry didn’t really take any interest in scrutinizing the décor in the slightest. It looked perfectly lovely to him and found it really cozy with the sofas and wooden tables haphazardly strewn about. But when he and Draco spun around, he suddenly remembered the vast collection of broomsticks that hung on the walls along with different uniforms from local and international Quidditch teams. It was an impressive display, he had to admit and Harry had just thought Yvonne had a particular taste for the sport and he quietly approved of that.
“He was the one who sold me your broomstick, love,” Narcissa helpfully said and Draco twisted around in mild surprise.
“You sell broomsticks?” Harry had to ask, he too turned to the grinning face of Dmitri who threw his arms open to gesture grandly and lovingly at the brooms on the walls.
“I don’t just sell them, I make them. My only pride and joy!”
“Oh, don’t mind me then,” Yvonne rolled her eyes and Dmitri faltered for a moment before rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. “Mad about Quidditch and even more mad about broomsticks, couldn’t make him shut up even if I tried,”
“Is that why the upstairs is now a little, erm—smoky? Where you trying out broomsticks up there?” Harry mindlessly asked and Narcissa eyed the top of the stairs in mild alarm as the smoke continued to slowly disappear.
“Hm? Oh no, Yvonne banned me from doing so when I crashed and destroyed the banister. Trying out the new Floo network on my workshop that is, lads. Might’ve used too much Floo powder or perhaps it was because I made the fire too big?”
Yvonne just sighed wearily before turning to the rest of them with a smile, “Husbands,” Yvonne said rather fondly and Harry couldn’t help but notice how Narcissa was trying for a smile but ended up sitting a little stiff. “So,” oblivious, Yvonne started to say, turning to them and entirely ignoring her husband who was somehow now muttering about speed and enchantments, “it’s a bit early but could I interest you lot in seeing our lunch menu? We’ve got quite the dishes today,”
“Oh, you must! I actually left the latest Nimbus 2001 in my hurry here, she’s made her special Spiced Sticky Toffee Pudding you see,” Dmitri piped up to them.
“Oh… well—that sounds lovely, but I’ve already made a reservation at Open Flame’s,” Narcissa said sounding genuinely sorry for having to refuse.
Dmitri then clapped his hands loudly and pointed at Narcissa while nodding his head approvingly, Yvonne awed and sighed dreamily, “Open Flame, we dined there on one of our date nights and it was absolutely marvellous,”
Narcissa’s stiff posture relaxed somehow, seeming to return to her usual composure with a slight upturn on her lips, “We didn’t get a chance to celebrate Draco’s birthday you see, with him being in Hogwarts and all, so I thought today was great as any for a special little lunch,” she said, giving her son a look with a glint in her eyes.
“Mum, honestly—”
“It was your birthday?” Harry suddenly interrupted, his voice maybe a little bit too loud, making all the heads turn to him. Draco, on his part, only blinked.
“What?”
“Why didn’t you tell me it was your birthday?” Harry pressed, finding himself scowling at the boy. Draco who had a crease on his brow, opened and closed his mouth for a second, looking thoroughly puzzled.
“I—what? It wasn’t a big deal?” Draco said sounding genuinely baffled as he slowly turned to the others only for Harry to cross his arms.
“What do you mean it wasn’t a big deal? When was your birthday? We’re roommates and you didn’t tell me it was your birthday,”
“Wha—last June, I don’t…” Draco gestured around helplessly, “I’m honestly lost here,” Harry scowled some more and was completely oblivious to the giggling of the others.
To be honest, Harry doesn’t really know why he’s making such a fuss over this—it wasn’t like he cared before when Draco’s birthday was, it’s just that—it really bothered him at the moment. Harry was about to berate the boy some more when Narcissa made an amused hum followed by a little ‘ahem’ that had both boys spinning in her direction.
“I made a reservation for three at Open Flame so,” she smiled slowly at him, “Harry, I would like for you to have lunch with us, is that alright?”
Harry only stared at her for a moment and turned to Draco who was staring at his mother with wide eyes. “Oh well…” he trailed off, not knowing what to say. This was unexpected, he was suddenly very aware that it was Narcissa Malfoy who was inviting him for lunch. He took in her elegant appearance, her immaculate dress and his eyes then strayed to Draco, who was wearing a well-tailored light grey vest over a nicely pressed black dress shirt. And all of a sudden, he was feeling very scruffy while standing between them. “Um—” this was ridiculous, he’d never cared about what he wore up until now. So, what if he’s wearing a big faded shirt and loose paint splattered jeans, it was nothing he hasn’t worn before.
“Not to worry, we’ll wait here for you to change into more formal clothes. Open Flame won’t be open until a few hours,” Narcissa said kindly to him.
“Um… I don’t have any formal clothes?” Harry tried and wanted to kick himself for sounding so meek. Narcissa just merely blinked at him, he could see Draco throwing him side glances before darting his eyes back to his mother, seemingly assessing the situation. He took a step forward then, opening his mouth to speak, but whatever he was about to say was lost when Narcissa suddenly clapped her hands and stood up.
“Well, you know what this means?” she said and there was a sparkle in her eyes that looked so odd on her otherwise, composed features. “Shopping!”
For a moment, Draco froze on his spot before turning a wide-eyed look at Harry and Harry—well, he was honestly bewildered and needless to say, he didn’t know what in the hell was going on. “Oh, I like her,” Yvonne suddenly piped up while Draco was gesturing in a rather funny way, honestly looking so very lost.
“Mum, I—well…” Draco trailed off but Narcissa was already ushering both of them to the doors while Yvonne was waving a cheery hand and telling them she’ll have some of her Toffee Pudding ready if they ever decided that they wanted some. Draco only looked over at him rather helplessly.
“Blasted Buttons is a good place to start and if you want shoes you’d definitely have to stop by Ambrose’s, ‘magnificent, stylish and sturdy footwear for all occasions’ as he always says,” Narcissa was saying as she led them down the streets of Diagon Alley.
The blonde beside him just heaved a deep sigh, “I guess I should warn you that it’s very much futile to stop her at this point,” Draco whispered to him as Harry was darting puzzled glances at Narcissa and back to the boy.
“I mean… I don’t mind going to lunch with you guys, but—oh wait my pouch of Galleons is in my trunk,” Harry twisted his head to look back at the Golden Mug and was about to head there again when Draco started pulling him by the arm, hurrying over when Narcissa turned down a street.
“I should also warn you that she probably plans to pay for all of the clothes you’ll be buying today,”
“Wait—what?” he yelped, sounding absolutely incredulous but Draco was already pushing him inside a set of doors, swinging them open to a store that was so brightly coloured, Harry had to blink his eyes a couple of times. The shop was wide with gloriously mismatched shelves, there was a small chandelier that hung from the roof and Harry thought it looked so odd as opposed to the homey style interior. A bell had rung by itself by the counter, immediately followed by a quill that had floated by itself and began tapping at a parchment. Not a minute had passed when a short woman with long black hair appeared from one of the storerooms. She was grumbling as she stalked her way through, under the light, they could see that her hair is streaked with teals and golds that was flowing all over, she was distractingly muttering to herself and then she heaved a box out of the way and kicked it for good measure.
Narcissa didn’t even blink once. “Good morning, Sumi,” she greeted as she started going through the racks of shirts.
“Honestly, boxes everywhere! Blasted deliveries always dumping them wherever in the whole damn store,” Sumi then spun around and blinked at them, “Oh, yes! Narcissa!”
Harry turned to Draco with a helpless look and the blonde just pushed him further inside, placing him in the middle of the shop. “Just go with it,” Draco whispered.
“—something formal to start with, maybe a simple dress shirt, trousers of course and perhaps some neckties?” Narcissa was saying and she spun to Harry with a smile. She then put up a beautiful silk shirt next to him and eyed the garment with a thoughtful look, she nodded approvingly as she stared at him with a fond grin, “I think you’ll look lovely in green,” she then gently handed the shirt to Harry and he held it there in his hands rather dumbly. Twisting around, he gestured with wide eyes to the shirt in his hands to Draco but the boy only sat himself on a plush side chair and proceeded to make himself comfortable.
“This may take a while,” Draco said to him and Harry blinked some more before he regarded the garment on his hands, looking a little bit thoughtful. It does look nice—running his fingers through the soft material, he eyed the shop and saw the vast collection of suits, jumpers and shirts; he never really went shopping before. But now that the prospect has been laid before him, realised that the idea was sort of exciting.
“—Alrighty then,” the girl, Sumi, rounded the front of the counter with the quill and parchment floating after her. “A whole wardrobe change you say, Narcissa? I do love it when you demand such lovely tasks,” she said with a sparkle in her deep black eyes, her grin splitting her face as she took out her wand and started to roll out several clothing racks around them. She then bent down in front of him, grin toning down a bit and turning soft but that glint in her eyes remained. “Do forgive us ladies if we go a bit overboard, I know you think it might be a waste of time but a bit of indulgence on apparel could be quite fun,” she winked at him as he handed her the piece of garment on his hands.
“Well,” Harry started as he took one more sweep around the shop, “I’ve never seriously shopped before,” he admitted sheepishly and Sumi did a little hop as she rubbed her hands together.
“Well then, Mr Potter, Blasted Buttons will do its best not to disappoint you,” Sumi spun on her heels, straightened up her pristine suit and tapped the quill with her wand. “TISH! Get down here!” she yelled and then was lost in her midst of searching for more shirts.
Harry turned to look at Draco and found him rubbing the back of his neck, the blonde offered him a weary smile and Harry returned it in full. Aside from the baffling way on how he was now surrounded with floating ties and vests—there is one thing he was very sure of; he was actually very glad to see Draco again.