Short Change Hero

Chapter 16: The Hammer's Coming Down

Chapter Sixteen

The Hammer's Coming Down

"Where will you be when the sky comes down,
And what would do if the strength was found,

The only sound you'll hear is the breath we're taking,
If there's one thing I can promise you,
We'll see the light again,

Once it's started,
There's no turning back,

Finding faith will always be the hardest,
When you're standing in the heart of darkness..."

The Hammer's Coming Down by Nickelback

Friday August 30th, 1996

Diagon Alley- Shopping for last minute things for school- Quarter past noon

With the swishing cool breeze, Blaise Zabini took a short glance upwards towards the cold grey sky and was almost knocked right on his arse by some rude younger boy who was running from what looked like an angry shopkeeper. Sharply looking towards the boy who shouted an apology as he rounded a corner, Blaise held his monotonous usual expression, then huffed gripping onto his the handle of his bag tightly and dove in an out of some rather dodgy looking witches and wizards.

Knockturn Alley was always crowded, bustling, a bit grimy as well he thought with a pointed scoff and eye roll as he then turned into a small teashop tucked behind a Dark Arts shop. Once inside, looked over the rather empty room before him while he attempted to ignore the ripe smells from the unwashed pub. Other than the bar man, there was basically no one here, as he huffed and then he spotted a familiar middle-aged woman dress in a pristine pressed black outfit that only one that came from money could afford to wear. Walking towards the woman, he pulled at his leather black gloves and made his way towards her table in the back as she sipped upon a small glass of tea.

"Pardon me, Missus, but were you per chance the one who sent me that owl to meet you here discreetly?" he asked quietly as she stiffened at his words while Blaise walked forward in order to see her face. The second he did, he stopped walking as he recognized her immediately, watching the Madam Malfoy herself in a place like this with dark bags hanging under her usually flawless face. "Madam Malfoy, what are you doing here? I mean, you're the one who wanted to meet with me. Does this have anything to do with Draco..., " his mind race while he watched her eyes darting around the room for a second as if she were telling him not to talk here.

With a somewhat jagged nod, he mumble his house before pulling out his wand as did she and apparited out of the shop in a quick and efficient manner. His body felt as if magic was yanking him in several directions angrily at the same time as a bout of nausea hit him like a bus while he landed unsteadily upon his two feet at the front door to his family manor. Although Blaise managed to apparite properly, he hated doing it every single time almost as much as he hated flying on broomsticks.

With a deep inhale, he listened to the distinct crackling sound that came from behind him signaling that Narcissa Malfoy arrived, turning around, he saw her in her signature statue like posture seemingly unfazed by the apparition. Pulling the door open for her, she walked inside his house, which he knew was less than half the size of the great Malfoy Manor. Once the door shut, he called for the family house elf, asking for her to prepare some tea for the both of them and then turned so they could talk in the parlor.

"Now that we have some privacy, what happened? Is Draco alright?" Blaise asked as he reached for her coat placing it upon the back of a chair where she sat down with a loud sigh of what he assumed was exasperation.

"Yes... No- Honestly, I don't know how he is doing... Mr. Zabini, I asked to meet with you regarding Draco, because I am worried for him. As you already know about his father, my husband, Lucius and his current predicament, it was expected that Draco were to take his place as one of the Dark Lord's followers if something were to happen. Now that it has, I am at a loss here. I know that it was rather difficult for Draco to make friends, but I am fairly sure out of the only one's he has, you are the only one I can really trust telling this to." She spoke clearly, as Blaise sat down in a chair beside his friends' mother who was obviously worried about Draco, as was he.