The Slytherin Within

Harry and company set out from class=SpellE>Grimmauld Place an hour later
than planned due to some minor mishaps, including a jam covered
Crookshanks. Once everything had been
cleaned up and set back to its original place the group headed out.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>

They were going by floo, not necessarily Harry’s first
choice in travel but it would work. He
took a pinch of powder and threw it into the flames.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> “Diagon Alley!” he called loudly.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> He ended up sprawled on the floor of The
Leaky Cauldron. Hermione giggled, having
arrived in a much more gracious manner, basically on her feet.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Harry growled at her as he pulled himself up
and began brushing soot off of his jeans.
Once everyone had safely arrived, they split into smaller groups and
headed off agreeing to meet for lunch in three hours.

Harry stepped into the sunshine for the first time in
weeks. He smiled to himself, ‘This is
the life. Never again will I forsake
free time and spend it indoors.’ He turned to look at his friends.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> “Where to first?”

“Quality Quidditch” said Ron at the same time Hermione named
off some obscure bookstore.

Harry laughed, “Why don’t we get school supplies out of the
way first so we can have the rest of the time to ourselves and no more
educational stuff after that?” His
suggestion was met with little grumbling from both parties.

The trio made their way around Diagon Alley collecting
things they needed for the upcoming term and things that might just be
interesting to have such as dung bombs and chocolate frog cards.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>

Harry and Ron were admiring a display in Quality Quidditch
when they heard a snort behind them.
“Drooling over things you can’t afford again Weasel?style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Or have you managed to persuade your friend
Potter to give you a loan?”

Both boys turned to face a sneering Draco Malfoy.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> “Shove it, Malfoy,”

Harry growled.

“What an original retort, Potter.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Not that I would expect much wittiness from
you given the company you choose to keep.”

Harry’s hand tensed around his wand, “Why don’t you go find
someone else to insult Malfoy since you seem to consider yourself so far above
everyone else?”

Malfoy smirked and went to reply. “Harry, Ron it’s time to
meet everyone else! Come on or we’ll be
late!” Hermione shouted, rushing in the
door.

“Looks like the little mudblood saved you this time, Potter.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Next time you may not be so lucky.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Draco turned to leave the store as Hermione
came up to the group.

“What was that all about?”

“Nothing more than Malfoy being his normal
arse of a self.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Let’s go, I’m starving.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Harry turned towards the door. style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Hermione shot Ron a questioning look.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> The red head just shrugged.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Harry continued on ahead of the group lost in
though.