Shades of Black
Chapter 6
Chapter 6
The
summer passed rather uneventfully. Harry
had expressed an interest in the Dark Arts and Lucius had taken it upon himself
to teach him. Harry got along well with
the Malfoys. One of their house elves
though, Dobby, had told Harry not to go back to Hogwarts, that got the elf in
trouble because Harry told Lucius. After
that Dobby didn’t say anything. Over the
summer Harry had received a picture album from someone, it was unmarked but
inside were pictures, each neatly labeled.
of his parents. They didn’t look like
the people he had seen in the mirror.
Harry had asked Lucius about it and he had replied that the ones in the
picture weren’t his parents, he had then shown him a picture of the two who
were, they matched the ones he had seen in the
mirror. Harry was confused as to why
someone would send him pictures that were mislabeled but he didn’t bother to
ask. Finally they got their letters and
headed to Diagon Alley to get their supplies.
Instead of going to Diagon Alley right off the bat though they went to a
place filled with Dark Arts called Knockturn
Alley. Harry was very interested in the
items there but Lucius had only come to sell some items before they went to
Diagon Alley.
“All
of Lockhart’s books? How wrong is that?”
Draco growled, looking at his book list.
“I
know, how is that supposed to teach us a damn thing?” Harry replied, he was
wearing the robe Draco had given him for Christmas, it was his favorite.
“Language
Harry, mind it.” Lucius said absently as they walked into Flourish and
“Well,
if it isn’t the Weasleys. How many of
you are there now?” Draco drawled as he saw the youngest one.
Harry
half smiled, “Think they’ll go hungry to pay for all those books?
Ron
growled and went to move forward but Hermione grabbed him, “Come on Ron, not
here.” She said, shooting a venomous glare at Harry and Draco.
“Well,
well, well – Arthur Weasley.” Lucius said, coming up behind the two boys and
putting a hand on Draco and Harry’s shoulder.
Mrs.
Weasley’s eyes grew wide when she saw Harry and realized who he was; they
narrowed again when she saw who he was with, “Lucius.” Mr. Weasley said with
narrowed eyes.
“Busy
time at the Ministry, I hear. All those
raids…I hope they’re paying you overtime?” He asked, reaching into the cauldron
that Ginny, the youngest Weasley, had put her books into.
“Obviously not. Dear me, what’s the use
of being a disgrace to the name of wizard if they don’t even pay you well for
it?”
Mr.
Weasley looked appalled by his words, Draco and Harry snickered at the look on
his face, “We have a different idea of what disgraces the name of wizard,
Malfoy.” He said seethingly.
eyes, finally settling on Hermione’s parents, “The company
you keep, Weasley…and I thought your family could sink no lower.” At that Mr.
Weasley launched himself at Lucius, slamming him into a bookcase.
the course of their fight and Mr. Weasley’s lip was split.
still had the book he had taken from Ginny’s cauldron in his hand, “Here, girl
– take your book – it’s the best your father can give you.” He growled,
thrusting it at her and pulling himself out of Hagrid’s grip.
who followed him out of the shop.
Lucius
cast a simple spell to get rid of his black eye.
of you a pet of your choice.” He said before walking over to one of the stores.
The
three of them walked in and Lucius waited for the two of them to choose.
the tanks of snakes. One of the snakes
looked up at him, <Looking for
something?> It hissed but Harry understood.
snake.> He replied, <I feel
drawn to you.> He admitted.
Harry
smiled and didn’t notice Draco looking at him, blinking in surprise,
“Harry,
did you know you’re a Parselmouth?” Draco asked softly.
Harry
blinked, “A what?”
“Parselmouth,
you can talk to snakes.”
He
shrugged, “I didn’t know it was called that but I’ve always been able to.”
Draco
smiled, “It’s considered dark to be able to.”
said with a grin, “Maybe I’ll keep it to myself, reveal it later only to scare
people.”
Draco
laughed, “So, are you going to get a snake?”
He
nodded, “Yeah, I just have to pick one.”
Harry
looked over the snakes and finally saw one he liked.
come with me?> Harry asked.
It
looked up at him and seemed to smile, <Yes
young snake speaker. I’ll go with
you.>
taking the snake out of the tank.
It
wrapped itself around his arm, <Veneficus.>
Harry
smiled. Draco had picked out a raven who
was now sitting on his shoulder. Lucius
smiled at their choices and paid for the bird and snake, “Let’s get your books
since I’m sure those disgraces are gone.”
When
they returned the Flourish and Blotts Harry was
immediately grabbed by one Gilderoy Lockhart.
away from him, “What do you think you’re doing?” He hissed angrily, Veneficus
didn’t look to happy either.
“Harry
Potter.” He said warmly.
Harry
was about to speak when Lucius cut in, “Excuse us Mr. Lockhart.” He said in
contempt, “But obviously he doesn’t want to have anything to do with you.
from this fop.”
Harry
happily went with Lucius even though the Daily Prophet had managed to get
pictures, much to his disgust, “Thank you Lucius.” Harry said quickly.
He
half smiled, “My pleasure, go get your books you two.” Draco and Harry went to
collect their books, Harry trying to avoid Lockhart who seemed stuck on
him. When they returned to Lucius he
smiled, “Ready?” He asked, as they paid, his eyes narrowed at Lockhart.
Harry
stroked Veneficus’ head absently as they left, “What now?”
we need.”