Riptides (Fred Weasley Fan Fiction)

Chapter 9

Sum 41 - In Too Deep

The next couple of weeks were rather intense. Lyssie had to buy everything she needed for the fifth year of Hogwarts and mentally prepare for the journey. They went to the Diagon Alley in late August, but it didn't change anything – the street was extremely crowded, just like always.

They purchased the books she was going to use that year, and she had to admit that the pile of volumes they walked out of the shop with was bigger than ever. Apart from the usual subjects she's been studying for years now, students had to choose two additional lessons. Lyssie decided to go with the Care of Magical Creatures and the Study of Ancient Runes. The latter was responsible for the huge number of books they walked out with, as the teacher asked them to purchase three huge volumes of runes and their meanings.

Then, they decided to get a new cauldron, since the previous one was quite used. Anthony was worried that it may break in class, so he decided to spurge on a new one. Soon after it appeared that they have forgotten to buy some of the required potion ingredients, due to which they had to come back to Diagon Alley the next day.

What was most important for Lyssie, however, was the fact that this year there are going to buy her a school uniform. They went past Madam Malkin's shop each year, but never went inside. Lyssie could only look at the beautiful black robes through the shop window. Of course, she didn't need them at home, so buying them would be a waste of money, but she just couldn't resist dreaming about them. This time, however, they were going to get a set for her, and she was excited.

They walked into the shop and were immediately welcomed by a warm, feminine voice coming from the back of the store.

"Welcome to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions!" the voice said. "Sit down, relax and I will join you in a minute!"

Lyssie and Anthony looked at each other and decided to sit down on a small, light blue sofa in the corner. While they were waiting for the lady, they could hear sounds of fabric being pulled around, sewing machines and someone saying "ouch" from time to time. Lyssie looked at her dad with a little bit of fear in her eyes, but he just smiled and stroked her shoulder.

In five minutes or so, a small lady dressed in a light pink dress came up to the front of the house. With her came two people – a tall, scary looking man with long platinum blond hair and a teenage boy, looking like his younger copy. They all went to the cash register and paid for new, hand-made dress robes. "That's a lot of money," Lyssie thought when she heard the price. The older man didn't seem worried about that, as he paid and left a big tip for Madam Malkin.

"Who are they?" Lyssie whispered to her dad, but he didn't have the chance to answer her.

"Anthony! Such a pleasure to finally meet you," said the blond man. His words didn't sound genuine.

"Lucius," Anthony greeted him and they both stood up. Lyssie had no idea her dad had such a friend. "This is my daughter, Lysandra."

Lucius gave Lyssie an intimidating look. She wasn't able to keep eye contact with him, so she said a quick "Good morning" and started looking around the shop.

"Pleasure to meet you, Miss Black," Lucius said. "I've heard a lot about you."

"Have you?" Lyssie replied surprised. She recalled her first trip to Diagon Alley, when Mr. Ollivander claimed that everyone in the wizarding world knew her name. She noticed, however, that it seemed to apply only to older wizards. No one her age has ever come up to her and tried to introduce themselves.

"Of course," Lucius answered. "Let me introduce my son, Draco. Draco, you know Miss Black?"

Draco didn't pay much attention to the conversation so far, as he, similarly to Lyssie, has been looking around the shop. He didn't seem to be stressed, on the other hand, he was rather bored. Now, that his father called him, he obediently introduced himself to Lyssie. She smiled at him nervously, but he kept a straight face.