No reason to celebrate

Harry awoke early the next morning, indulged in a long, hot shower and carefully choose the robe he was going to wear today. The weather was fairly nice, only a few fluffy, white clouds disturbed the otherwise blue sky and a slight breeze made the smaller twigs on the trees bend and twitch.

A short breakfast later, Harry sat in a wizard’s taxi that sped him towards the hall, the convention was being housed in. Outside there were little flags welcoming the visi and and young girls, in pseudo Hogward’s robes, waiting with paper flags and Harry Potter badges in their hands, ready to pin them on robes and shirts of coming guests.

Had Harry taken a little more time and had looked at his surrounding a bit closer, he would possibly have noticed, that the flags billowing in the breeze did look slightly shabby and that the girls, wearing the flimsy fake robes never really smiled but looked rather bored.

Knowing the hassle all too well, Harry took his seat behind a long tabcovecovered with a paper table cloth, bearing the Griffindor crest and waited. Only from time to time families or single persons moved through the entrance door and made the place look even more deserted. Harry glanced at his pocket watch and frowned. Lunch time already. Putting his quill aside, he stretched his legs and moved over to the little cafeteria that had been put up at the far end of the large hall.

A small boy squealed when he spotted Harry and quickly tugged his mother’s arm pointing at him. The mother, a tall black haired woman addressed Harry politely and made her son stand beside him. She quickly took a few pictures of them and them pulled her son along with her towards the exit.

Sipping tiredly at his coffee, Harry looked out of one of the large windows. It was no surprise that it was so empty still. Most people would enjoy the weather and take the chance to spent some time in the sun. But later, when it was going to get cooler they would come. He was sure of it. When the afternoon had passed and his reason for the emptiness had been that most people would have afternoon tea or coffee had obviously not been right, his enthusiasm ceased slightly.

Some hours later, it was already dark, the place was even more deserted than before and Harry packed his quill and pictures of him and waved one of the organisers as he left the building to head to his hotel.

When the room service had left, Harry opened the cabinet beside the large wardrobe and took out a bottle of expensive Brandy, pouring himself a glass. Just as he was about to set the bottle down on a small side table, he decided against it and took the bottle with him. He contemplated about this day and worried a bit. He had only signed about 20 to 25 picture today and had even less people actually talking to him. But tomorrow he was sure was going to be a better day. He smiled a bit and decided yes, he still liked goingthesthese convention and have all the people laugh at him and envy him.

Half a bottle of Brandy later, his thoughts weren’t as pleasant as before. He knew perfectly well, that the next day was going toas bas boring as the last. That less and less people were interested in seeing him. And why would they be. It was after all nearly ten years ago that he had done his heroic deed. As the alcohol lulled his brain into a peaceful rest, tears of frustration made their way down his face. Not only had he lost almost every contact to his former friends, he had also lost his place and duty in his life. He had nothing more than the little attention he got from the bored visitors that came to these fruitless conventions. Why did he still put up with it? Because he had nothing else left!

Abandoning the glass, Harry took hold of the bottle and took a deep swig from it. He knew that tomorrow he would have forgotten his doubt and misery and would again face the world with a smile. It was just the way things went. And he would be happy to do so.

~~~~~~~~~~
After having walked calmly to his office and having thrown a few scrolls against the walls, Draco felt a little better. He took a steadying breath and picked up his outer robe and taking up the scrolls the Minister had given him he apparated straight home.

Even though it was fairly early, Draco found Dennis sitting on his door step waiting for him. His young always slightly innocent face beamed up at Draco.

“Hey, love!” Dennis cheered “I was hoping you’d come home early today. The weather is so beautiful today. We could go out for a coffee, and maybe later we could snuggle up on the couch, if you like.”

Malfoy exhaled slowly. The thing he wanted least, was to snuggle up with Dennis. “Listen Dennis, today is not good idea. I have loads of work here with me and it won’t help me having you sitting beside the whole time. As for the snuggle on the couch, no thanks. I am not in the mood for sex right now. Why don’t you have a nice weekend by yourself, buy something and go out a bit. Maybe you’ll meet someone nice and have a better chance with him.” Draco reached inside his robes and drew out a bundle of Francs and stuffed them into Dennis’ hand ignoring the hurt and confused look on the young man’s face.

He stepped past the crouching figure and stepped inside his house, closing the door swi beh behind him. What else was going to happen today? Could it grow any worse? Draco stretched his arms overhead and thought for a minute. The best way to cure his sour mood was to go shopping. Yes, he was going to by himself a new robe. Maybe something in bottle green or something less dark, something for the upcoming summer. He had heard from his colleagues that there was only one really good shop for robes in Paris. Since Draco was living on the outskirts of Paris he hardly ventured into Rue Lourdice that was lyrighright behind the Rue Richelieu. It could be entered by taking the passageway through the shop Le Bridgeur.

Draco hurried to his bedroom and took some Money from his safe and quickly ran his hands through his hair before he apparated right into Rue Lourdice.

It was crowded and happily chatting people lined the street, sitting in the cafés and ice cream parlours enjoying the sun. Families dragging their children along and young students buying books and supplies. Draco turned to his right and strolled down the street, occasionally looking at the shops displays. A few hundred meters further he spotted the sign he had been looking for. ‘Les deux fleures’. The robe shop the others had talked about. To Draco’s astonishment he noticed that this shop was selling wands too. What an unusual combination.

A smile on his face Draco entered the store and looked around curiously. The robes on display were absolutely fabulous. Beautiful and delicately made. A voice coming from behind him made Draco turn around and stop dead in his tracks.

“Bon jour monsieur. What can I do for you?” the voice was light and sounded cheerful.

When their eyes met time stopped and without warning catapulted them both back ten years. The voice had belonged to none other than Ronald Weasley.

t.b.c