The Enemy of my Enemy

The Spectacle of Diagon Alley

Diagon Alley had changed. The colourful, glittering window displays of spell-books, potion ingredients, and cauldrons were lost to view, hidden behind large Ministry of Magic posters that had been pasted over them. Most of these sombre purple posters carried blown-up versions of the security advice on the Ministry pamphlets that had been included in copies of the Daily Prophet, while others were moving black-and-white images of Death Eaters that were still on the loose.

Cyrus Nott was sneering from the nearest one, and Theo clenched his hand into a fist as he stared up into his fathers, cold, dead eyes. "It's not fair," he said.

"What's not?" Teddie asked, standing beside him.

"He kills my mother, and they can't find him."

"They'll find him."

"How?" Theo asked. "When?"

Teddie shrugged. "I don't know, but they will," she said, reassuringly. "In the meantime, you're safe. He can't get to you."

Theo sighed and reached for her hand.

"Move along, you two," said Cruise, appearing behind them. His reflection askewed in the dirty window glass.

"Can't we have a minute?" Teddie asked.

"I'm afraid not," said Cruise, shaking his head. "We have a time limit on how long you can be seen."

Teddie rolled her eyes.

"Where to first?" Melanie asked. She had been walking ahead of the group, looking in every direction for any potential dangers. But the alley was empty. There was a slight commotion at the end of the road, but it was too far away to be of any trouble to them.

"Ursula says that they all need new robes," said Cruise.

"Madam Malkin's is on this stretch," said Melanie.

Teddie looked up. "We don't have money," she said. "I haven't seen Professor Snape today. He normally gets my money from Gringotts."

"Professor Snape has given me the key to your vault," said Cruise. "He has instructed me that you are now old enough and know enough to enter your own vault."

"It's not my vault," Teddie grumbled.

Cruise shrugged indifferently. "Nevertheless, I have the key," he said, handing her a small silver key. It was attached to a thin black cord, which Teddie could see was frayed at the ends. "He says you should keep it around your neck for safe keeping."

"Why did he give it to you?" Teddie asked. "Why not me, like usual?"

"Professor Snape is a busy man, Miss Green, he can't address every student's whim. At some point, you have to grow up."

Teddie clenched her hands into fists. "Grow up?!" she spat, stopping in place, and spinning around. "What's that -?"

"Is there a problem here?" Melanie asked.

Teddie looked at Cruise, her brow raised. "I want to know what he is implying by stating 'sometimes we all need to grow up'," she said. "I have seen and done things that no other fifteen-year-old should have to see and do."

"You are acting like a child right now, Miss Green," said Cruise. "Throwing a temper tantrum over the fact that Professor Snape is unable to cater to your every whim."

"It was a simple question," said Teddie. "You answered it perfectly fine the first time."

Cruise sniffed and looked up at Melanie. "How far to Gringotts?" he inquired.

"Not far," said Melanie. "If we can get there without any more delays then I'd reckon, five minutes, max."

Cruise nodded and looked back at Teddie. "If it is so important to you that someone else enter your vault, I shall assign Quinn and Dominic to secure your money," he said. "I reckon 200 should be enough for you and your brother, don't you think?"