Malfoy Neighbors

The Deserted Diagon Alley-Summer 5 Chapter 8

The next few days went by. The Daily Prophet had stories left and right about disappearances, odd accidents, deaths, and dementor attacks. You did your best not to read those articles but found it hard, as Draco didn't seem to mind them.

"How can you read those?" You ask him innocently.

"It's the news." Draco answered plainly.

"But it's so sad. People, innocent people, muggles, witches and wizards alike, are dieing." You pointed out.

"Well, it's not like I enjoy them." Draco replied defensely. You sighed.

"I didn't say you did." You said calmly and left the drawing room. You didn't feel like getting into an argument with him. You went outside and sat on the swing underneath the weeping williow tree. It was still misty out, but it was also peaceful. (N/n) jumped down from the tree and was now sitting on your lap.

"Hi there (n/n)." You said, petting him. "Draco's in there reading The Daily Prophet again." You sighed and vented to the niffler. He was a good listener, even if he couldn't understand what you were rambling on about. You staired off into the mist, and before long it was getting dark.

"I should have looked here first." Draco said, walking up behind you.

"I've been here all day with (n/n)." You said, while laying on the swing.

"Our school list came in today." Draco said, handing you your envelope. You took it, but didn't bother opening it. "Are you upset with me?" Draco asked curiously. You shook your no and sat up.

"I just didn't want to argue." You said calmly and a bit sleepy, as Draco sat beside you.

"We're going to Diagon Alley tomorrow," Draco said, changing the subject back to the school lists.

"Yeah?" you said softly and layed you head on him.

"Are you ok?" Draco asked with concern.

"Just a slight headache." You replied, and closed your eyes. You felt Draco's arm wrap around you.

"You probably needed to eat something." Draco whispered. "You've been out here all day." Draco stood and put his hand out for you. "Lets go inside, and we'll find something to munch on." You took Draco's hand and walked back the manner.

The next morning, you, Draco, Narcissa and your mom headed off to Diagon Alley. Going by floo powder, you stepped out of a fireplace and found yourself standing in a deserted town. You looked around, shocked by the state the town was now in. Large purple Ministry posters were scattered over windows and walls everywhere. Many were large versions of the pamphlet the Ministry sent out earlier. Others had wanted Death Eaters on them. Draco's Aunt Bellatrix was among them.

"Wow, this place is a ghost town." Draco said, walking up behind you.

"Yeah," you replied, looking around still. Some of the shop windows were boarded up.

"I wonder why Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor is shut down." You mumbled, as your eyes drifted to Oliverander's Wand shop.

"And what are the first years going to do for wands?" You asked, as Narcissa and your mom walked up behind you and Draco.

"They'll get a wand from another maker." Your mom answered, in a non-caring tone. "Now, let's get the stuff we need." She said and started walking away.

"I guess we'll meet up later." You said to Draco and gave him a quick kiss before fallowing after your mom. As you walked down the street, you noticed many hand painted, cardboard signs. Many trying to sell products that promised protection from Werewolves, Dementors and Inferi.

You picked up your books and other supplies on your school list. Before long, you and your mom ran into a lady, who your mom seemed to know. They were talking about Hogwarts when they were in school. You saw your opportunity to escape. You stepped backwards slowly and around the corner before fleeing. While you were walking around with your mom, you spotted a new shop, Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, and you wanted to check it out. There was only two of the Weasleys, that you knew, who would would have a shop. It was no doubt a joke shop. When you reached thw shop, you saw a large sign that looked like many of the others around town, but this one read 'why are you worrying about You-Know-Who? You should be worrying about U-No-Poo-- The constipation sensation that's gripping the nation!' You smiled and walked inside. As soon as you step through the doors, you immediately knew you were right; Fred and Gorge Weasley had a joke shop. They were selling all kinds of things, including Nosebleed Nougat, trick wands, quills that came in a verity of kinds which included self-inking, spell-chacking, and smart-answer. They also sold love potions and something alive. You walked over to a cadge of small round balls of pink and purple fur.

"Pygmy Puffs," you heard someone say. You looked up to see one of the twins. "Thats what they're called." He said. You must have looked confused.

"Do they get along well with nifflers?" You asked.

"Don't know." The other twin said from behind you. "Fred and I haven't had a chance to test that out."

"You have a niffler, right?" Fred asked. You nooded and looked back at the puffs. "How about we let you have one free of charge. Then you can see for yourself. " He said excitedly.

"If the Pygmy Puff and your niffler does not get along, we'll take it back of course." George said.

"All you would have to is let us know how they get along." Fred spoke. You smiled at the two. You did think they were cute, but what would the rest of the house hold say. What would Draco say? And most of all, if the twins realized that you were living at the Malfoy Manner, whould they let you take one?

"What do you say?" George asked, pulling you from your thoughts.

"Will you do it?" Fred asked.

"I... let me think about it." You said with a smile. "I'll let you know."

"Ok." They said together.

"Oh, Fred." George said looking at the door. "I see Harry."

"We'll see you later, (y/n)." The two said in unison and walked away. You nodded and left the shop to see if you could find Draco.