บท 66: Diagon Alley I
Draco P.O.V.
I stretched my arms, neck, and back, trying to get comfortable with the strange feeling of magic being sucked from my chest to my head. Glancing at myself in the mirror, I stared at the shiny metal plate + green and silver light swirling at it's center for a good couple seconds. For the first time in my life I went to sleep shirtless to get comfortable and acclimate myself to having a solid metal thing on my skin all night.
Now, I barely notice it's feel on my skin. Thank biology for homeostasis.
I had a quick bath and threw on my best attire. Acromantula silk dress shirt and trousers, Selma leather cap-toe Oxfords, and a Bicorn leather robe to be worn when we enter Diagon alley.
Thank Potter for convincing my dad it was safer for me to be in boarding school 'Hogwarts' than to be left to my own devices whenever duty calls for him to leave home. Now that I think about it, Potter has done so much for us as though we were paying him to be our family's personal secretary… we should probably pay him. Perhaps a house for Christmas? No… he may not accept it. A couple more contracted house elves for his aging parents? Yeah he can't always be home. Especially with his new job as a chief auror who works with the I.W.P (wizarding interpol).
Parting my hair 60/40, I cast a quick charm of my eyes to mimic the silver irises I originally had then rush downstairs remembering to grab a bag filled with several boxes.
"Daaaaaaadd. Can you please have someone mail these for me while we are at Diagon Alley?"
My dad inspected the bag filled with ordinary brown boxes with names and addresses written on them.
"What are. . . these, son?"
Tony took one box and turned it over, casually analyzing it. I'm pretty sure he was confused. They were just simple cardboard boxes with names written in permanent marker, but each was addressed to one of his work colleagues excluding the one to Jack (college best friend).
I added sorry and explanation letters within all of them with my most excellent calligraphy, hence I hope they wouldn't be too angry with me. I also added a $200 starbucks gift card in each of them if the letter alone isn't enough.
"You know, just… some stuff."
". . ." Tony stared at me again with an eyebrow raised, then smirked and ruffled my hair.
"No! Stop! Dad! Not my-" I initially started to compain but then noticed that dad's gaze lingered on my hair for a longer time than what was normal. I wonder what he's thinking about? "… okay you know what? it's fine. Didn't know you liked your own hair so much. And to think I was the vain one. No wonder Bruce called you a diva!" I let out a muffled laugh, amused at dad's shocked reaction after hearing my small taunt.
"Yes! This diva loves his hair so much all I want to do is touch it. Now come here!"
"Uwah!" I exclaim in surprise as his arm locks my head in place before he started furiously ruffling my hair. His roaring laughter echoed through the room like an infectious virus that I couldn't help but laugh as well.
The whole morning passed in a blur. Dad asked William if he could mail my boxes after he drops us off, to which he happily agreed and for that I gave him some French-caramel chocolate sweets I had in my pocket (which he stored in his pocket saying he will share it with his family. Hence, I just gave him all the candy in my pocket and thus he finally tried one with a wide grin on his face.)
I swear the poor squib is too much of a pushover. Even something as small as sweets, he decides to give away rather than take for himself. I should ask dad later if he thinks William needs more income. It's such a sad sight.
Arriving at the Leaky cauldron, I asked the old bartender (whose name is also Tom. Who knew there were so many wizard Toms? Well… I never did bother to learn his name before his son took over the business. Maybe Tom was a more magical name than I initially thought?) to open the back for us since I was an incoming first year and dad was a muggle.
Stepping onto the familiar cobblestone pavement, I felt elated at finally having arrived at Diagon Alley for the first time since-! Wait… No. I remember walking through here before. In this life I mean. But when?
I was shaken out of my thoughts by a tall child who almost rammed himself into me, but before that happened dad pulled me to the side with a protective hold.
"Woah careful there!" Dad said to the child.
"Oh I'm so sorry sir! Hey, are you alright kid?" the tall child spoke in concern. "Yes, I'm alright-" I glanced up to see a familiar face with an expression so soft and warm you'd think he was the reincarnation of Hufflepuff herself.
"I'm glad I didn't hurt you. Are you an incoming firstie at Hogwarts? I can help you find any shops or things you need. I'm a third year you see."
The sunshine kid smiled like a ray of sunshine, it was almost too bright for me to continue looking at him. Wait… I remember this kid. Isn't he the one that died that one year when I was a kid? Diggory? Wasn't he that really influential Hufflepuff older student in school during my younger years?
"No need. Thank you for the offer but I'm quite familiar with this area. Instead, could I ask for your help once I enter Hogwarts? I'm a bit nervous you see since I'm the only wizard in my family." I smiled back in return. Seeing his expression shift from shock to empathy and eagerness, I knew I bagged a lackey. He'll be helping me more than what he would be aware of.
"Of course! You can come to me anytime, I'll be glad to help! My name's Cedric Diggory, I'm in Hufflepuff." He stretched out his hand and I readily took it. Such a gullible lackey, I'll make sure to use you well.
"Tom. Tom Stark! I don't know which house I'll be in yet. But I hope I can make many friends!"
"I'd love to be your first-friend at Hogwarts if you'd like!" Ahaha see what I mean?~ such a gullible lackey.
"Of course I would! Thank you very much! I'll see you at Hogwarts Cedric!" I imitated his sunny smile, and the smile on his own face immediately brightened.
"To you as well Tom!" Cedric laughed and waved goodbye as he probably left for the busy alley to look for the next school material in his list.
That conversation was so much smoother than what I had accomplished during my later years at Hogwarts. I always heard Hufflepuffs were the easiest to manipulate, but have never succeeded in doing so since they were always so guarded. Probably due to my standing as a pure-blood Slytherin or ex-death eater…
This interaction has brought my awareness to a whole new realm of possibilities. Should I still go for Slytherin? Or should I go for another house?
I can easily gain Slytherin accomplices through money or politics as long as it benefits them. Ravenclaws are the easiest harvest since they're mostly neutral regardless of your house. Hufflepuffs would trust everyone whose not a Slytherin. And Gryffindors would only trust another lion… should I go for Gryffindor instead? Hmmm… but Slytherins would rather lose profit or power than lose reputation by interacting with a muggle-born lion. Choices~ choices~
Dad started ruffling my hair again and I glanced up at him in curiosity. He was softly smiling with a warm gaze "Yeah Dad?"
"Nothing Tom. Just that Samuel may be right about letting you go to this boarding school."
"What? You're still debating about that? Ill be fine dad! Hogwarts is hidden from muggles. Let alone Fury, I bet even Loki wouldn't be able to find me as long as I'm at Hogwarts. The headmaster is also a powerful wizard and even the worst wizard criminals don't dare harm students in his presence."
I felt a pang of guilt at how I twisted the truth. But I didn't lie to Tony. That's improvement, right? I should leave a 5 star review for our family therapist, Dr. Banner.
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