Dramione And The Order Of The Phoenix

An unpleasant meeting in Diagon Alley

While Harry and Ron were too busy, talking about Quidditch tactics, without even bothering, asking me to join, I decided to use my spare time, to get my books and stuff for next year. The shopping lists had just arrived and I've been really keen on reading through all the new books, as reading was still the easiest way to learn. Taking a last glance at the boys discussing tactics, I turned towards the fireplace, the floo powder ready to throw and grabbed my list. As soon as I threw the powder in the fire, I almost shouted "Diagon Alley" and was sucked into nothing.

Few seconds later I stood in Diagon Alley, wizards and witches rushing around, not taking notice of me. They would probably not even recognize Harry Potter himself, standing here. Obviously I chose a bad day, to do the shopping, many parents were running around with their children, the shops were stuffed with students, some I knew and some I have never seen before. Somehow it made me smile seeing all the overly excited first years, preparing for a completely new part of their lives. On the other hand, I really felt sorry for them, after all the dark arts happening around Hogwarts lately. It's really no fun, going shopping on your own, not sure where to go, I decided to get my books first.

In the moment, I opened the door to Flourish and Blotts, a cat ran past me, followed by a small sobbing girl, trying to catch it again.
"What do you think you are doing? Letting the cat of my daughter flee?", was the first reaction, after that scene. A very angry looking woman was stepping towards me, glaring at me, while walking by.
"Yeah, what do you think you are doing Granger?", Malfoy sneered, obviously amused.
"Shut up you filthy...," I could not imagine a word, nasty enough to describe him, so I turned around and left.

Great, I was able to free a cat, get in a row with that big-headed snob Malfoy, but could not buy my books. Not at all keen on seeing him again, I decided to lay my hands on a new cauldron. My other one flew away, after Fred and George were done with their experiments. Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, shall be the name of their joke shop, which is the most stupid idea of all, they had so far. Opening a joke shop is made for people, who take working seriously, the only thing the two of them are taking seriously, is never being serious at all.

"Are you trying to flee from me, like that cat, Granger? Where are you going anyways?", I heard Malfoy shout from behind me.
Obviously, he had bought the books he needed and was now about to get on my nerves. I'm still not sure why, but I truthfully answered him, that I was about to buy myself a new cauldron.
"A new cauldron Granger? As far as I remember, you didn't destroy yours in Potions classes, like that idiot Longbottom did. I saw him getting dragged around Potage's Cauldron Shop by his grandma, earlier today. At least she knows, how to handle her fool of grandson, I mean he really..." Malfoy stopped mid-sentence, shocked by the slap in the face I had given him.
"Who do you think you are, you useless, filthy Mudblood?!", he spat in my face.

"Watch your language boy! You not ought to call people that nasty word!", bellowed a familiar voice behind me.
I turned around, to face Mrs. Weasley hurrying towards us.
"It's ok Mrs. Weasley, I'm used to Malfoy's swear words already, it does not bother me anymore!", she looked shocked at my words.
"He used that...that word on you already? My dear girl, you do not have to let him get away with that, go and tell Dumbledore, he will help you. So Arthur was right all along, the bad behavior of your parents influenced you already.", she murmured towards Malfoy.

"So you really are a blood traitor Weasley, hanging around with that Mudblood. Actually, it doesn't really surprise me, your husband was interested in Muggles anyways right? But still I really hoped, you would keep up the honor of being a pure-blood family. Let's go Draco, you should no longer talk to that scum!", Lucius Malfoy finished his speech and rushed past us.
Draco looking more pleased about this meeting, than he did before, walked past me, making sure, the terrified and angry look on my face would not vanish.
"See you in school Granger," he whispered in my ear, while walking by and pushing my shoulder.