Regency in Diagon Alley [Theodore Nott | Harry Potter AU]

Chapter Forty-One

It was blind faith that had the Malfoys journey to Muggle establishment, far from their home and estate, and take the Muggle-looking carriage being driven by two large and blonde men, wearing wolf pelts for a coat, passing as Muggle fashion but was failing in every possible way as their hairs were long and braided in the back, and not to mention the scar that the taller one had. They would have passed as mercenaries than footmen in Narcissa and Draco's opinion. But again, Theodore Nott has an odd type when it came to picking his people.

To the Malfoy's relief, Roman Alston was present and accompanied the mother and son and Astoria Greengrass throughout the journey. Though Roman was not exactly the person Narcissa would have for company or be seen with, she was glad for the familiar face. She made a mental note to thank him for his assistance throughout the journey, for carrying Astoria into the carriage and giving her a warm fleece to keep her warm.

The journey was rough with the carriage riding through uncemented terrain. Roman did his best to make sure that the Malfoys and Astoria did not have to suffer too much by using magic. It was essential that they traveled the Muggle way until they leave civilization, to go to the edges of the island until they were lost and would use a portkey to cover the rest of the journey. A part of it was the practicality of the journey to not exhaust the riders and the people in the carriage, but mostly it was part of Theodore's conditions to let them step foot in his home, to keep the path to Nott Manor unknown so they would not bring it to Lucius Malfoy.

Draco found it as an insult that Theodore did not trust them and demanded to alter the conditions, but Theodore was firm and Narcissa understood his reasons. They were in need of his help, and the information they will give him was merely a piece of the whole picture, one that he could figure out if given time. They became even more desperate when they saw the effect of a teardrop of the fountain's water on Astoria. For weeks she looked ill, she suddenly sprung back to life.

The journey was silent, neither one of them wanted to speak. Roman would occasionally ask how they were and would give Astoria a drink from his flask – water, he promised them – and then the check with the riders, asking how long they would be there. Then there was the singing of the riders. It was in a different language, the Malfoys noticed, and if they hear it correctly, the language was Norwegian. Whatever they were singing it made Astoria smile and she started singing along but translating it in English, catching them all by surprise.

"You know Norwegian?" Draco asked.

Astoria smiled and said with hoarse voice, "I told you I was very interested in Viking culture when I was little, so I had my parents send a tutor that could teach me the languages in Scandinavia."

"Languages," Roman mused, impressed. He then grinned mischievously. "Did you also ask your parents to have you train to be a shieldmaiden, Astoria?"

"Lady Greengrass," Narcissa corrected him. Roman only met her gaze, none yielding.

"Lady Narcissa, Roman is a close friend of mine, I've told him that he may call me by my name." Astoria spoke. Narcissa said no more.

To ease the tension, Roman spoke again to Astoria. "Do ye ken the myth about thistles and Vikings?"

Her brows furrowed. "I can't say that I do."

"Well, there is a story why thistles became Scotland's flower. It was during the age when Vikings came to either raid or settle in our island. One of the raiding parties waited for nightfall to attack, so they could take on a band of Scot warriors. It was dark, and they couldn't see where they were going. As they walked through the terrane, one of the invading Norse army stepped on the spiky thistle. His anguished cry woke the slumbering Scots and they beat the invaders. Thus, they made the thistle as their symbol."