Twist of Fate

Chapter 27

Mid-February, Grimmauld Place

Harry looked over at Draco who was pretending to read a book in the armchair by the fire. He'd been staring at the same page for a half hour. Harry knew that he was worried about the upcoming session at St. Mungo's. They both had been disappointed by how poorly the first few sessions had gone. The first one had been the worst. The potion needed to prevent any shock had also prevented him from watching the memory as he would a Pensieve memory. It had been disorienting for Harry to come out of the session with a new "old" memory. He had also awoken to a headache and sense of vertigo that took hours to clear.

After that first session Watson and McCain had worked together and modified the potion that he was given so that he was conscious enough to be aware of Draco and the memory as it was being shared. But the headaches and disorientation continued to be a problem. The only solution was to slow down the sessions. They now went to St. Mungo's only once a week for a memory session. Watson hoped that soon Harry's mind would become more receptive to the new memories but until then they had to take it slowly. The next session was two days away.

"Draco, let's go out somewhere."

Draco looked up instantly from his book, "Do you feel okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine." Harry ground out patiently, those four words were rapidly becoming his least favorite in the English language, "I'm just bored, let's go to Diagon Alley. Maybe go to Wheezes and get something for Teddy to surprise him when he gets back." Andromeda had announced unexpectedly a few days ago that she and Teddy were going to take a holiday to America and visit her late husband's relatives. Harry suspected that she was just giving Draco and Harry time to get to know one another without Teddy's rambunctious and inquisitive personality. Although Draco still had his flat at the Center he now spent most of his time when he wasn't working at Grimmauld Place.

Draco looked at him and Harry knew what he was thinking. They hadn't gone out in the Wizarding areas as a couple, yet. Their dates had always been to Muggle areas. The Prophet was desperate for photographs of the two of them together and had photographers staked out across the street at the park and at the entrance to the Center. To avoid having to go past them every day when he came to see Harry, McCain added Grimmauld Place to the Center's floo network so that Draco could bypass them.

Draco closed his book and set it aside, "Okay, let's go."

The nearest apparition point was four blocks from George's store. They walked out of the alley and onto the street. It was early afternoon and weak winter sun was trying to shine through the gray clouds. The cold weather seemed to have put off many shoppers and they didn't encounter many people as they walked down the street. Harry noticed a few wizards blatantly turning and watching them walk by but no one said anything or tried to stop them. He still gave a sigh of relief when they arrived at the store and Draco pulled the door open.

George gave them a wave when he saw them came in but didn't stop from helping the customer in front of him. Harry gave Draco an encouraging smile and they turned towards the section that had toys and tricks for children Teddy's age. Harry tried on an exploding Wizard's hat and Draco laughed as it disappeared in a puff of purple smoke leaving Harry wearing a rubber duck on his head. They added that and a half dozen other toys in their baskets and had started to look around the rest of the store.

"It's wrong I tell you! You shouldn't allow people like that in the store!" Harry heard the shrill woman's voice from across the store. He glanced over his shoulder and saw that a middle-age witch was at the register talking to George. She wore mustard yellow robes that clashed violently with her pink hair and she was pointing straight at Draco. Harry felt Draco stiffen beside him but he didn't turned around.