Chapter 89 - A trip to Diagon Alley(1)

No matter how much Thomas wanted to spend the entire day with his mom, lazing around and watching TV with her, he knew that with less than a week left before he had to go back to Hogwarts as well as with his job of making potions for the devils, he couldn't exactly laze around.

After what seemed an eternity, Thomas decided to go on his own to Diagon Alley and buy the books he needed for his new school year, while his mother will wait for his father to "tell him" what just happened. And while Thomas would have preferred the potion to completely cure his mother, it was still better than nothing.

Once there, Thomas made his way through Diagon Alley, but he couldn't help but notice the unusually large crowd of people heading toward the bookshop. It seemed like everyone was in a hurry, and he couldn't figure out the reason for the commotion.

As he approached the bookshop, he decided to ask one of the witches, addressing her as "pretty lady," about what was going on. She turned to him with a smile and said, "Oh, didn't you hear? Gilderoy Lockhart is here today! He's going to meet his fans and sign some of his books. It's quite the event, you know."

Thomas's eyes widened in surprise. Gilderoy Lockhart, his new Defense Against Dark Arts professor and self-proclaimed "the greatest adventurer to ever life," was in Diagon Alley?

'Damn, and with this, gone is my quiet day of shopping. Say Bahamut, do you think I could make the man disappear so that I could shop in peace?'

[Once you will see the man for yourself, then you will know the truth, boy.]

Trying not to think too much about this, he thanked the witch for the information and went on his way to another shop. Despite how much he didn't want to be around Lockhart, Thomas was determined to focus on getting his own school supplies and be done with it today, even if that means having to meet the "hero" of those witches.

Just as Thomas was about to enter a shop to buy some things for his project, he heard a familiar voice calling his family name. As soon as he turned around, he saw Draco and a middle-aged man looking like the boy's older version, which Thomas guessed was the boy's father.

"Grayson!"

"A pleasure to see you too, Draco. And I presume you are Mr. Malfoy, sir."

Lucius Malfoy looked down at the boy that greeted them in one of the most polite ways he had ever seen a wizard does, then again from what his little birds told him, the boy was nothing but normal. Being friends with the devils was one thing, but having the strength and mind to fight, even if that meant certain death, made Lucius look differently at the boy. After all, not many wizards or witches can proudly say that they would have stood their ground in that situation.

"Thomas Grayson I presume. It is indeed a pleasure to finally meet the boy, who saved my son's life."

"I'm sorry for not being able to visit, sir. But I was quite busy this whole summer, but if the invitation still stands, I could come for a visit tomorrow. Of course, if that's all right with you, sir."

"That would be fine, Mr. Grayson."

"Ah, please, sir, call me Thomas. Mr. Grayson is my father."

"Anyways, Thomas what are you doing in this place? Since I reckon you didn't accidentally stumble across this particular shop."

"Ah about that sir. I'm here to search for some potion ingredients that aren't that common."

"I see, well then, Thomas, why don't you follow me and my son inside and I will make sure that Borgin will not rip you off."

The trio walked inside the shop and the moment the younger Malfoy saw some of the stuff displayed on the counter he went closer to them when he heard his father's voice. "Touch nothing, Draco."

Draco, who had reached for the glass eye, said, "I thought you were going to buy me a present, Father."

"Didn't I say that I would buy you a racing broom?" Mr. Malfoy asked while drumming his fingers on the counter.

"What's the good of that if I'm not on the House team?" Draco argued, looking sulky and somewhat jealous. "Harry Potter got a Nimbus Two Thousand last year. Special permission from Dumbledore so he could play for Gryffindor. "

"The same permission I got too from my head of the house, Draco. "

Draco stopped for a second before continuing his ranting about how everything was unfair since Dumbledore was letting Harry do whatever he wanted to do.

"But compared to you, he's not even that good, it's just because he's famous … famous for having a stupid scar on his forehead …"

Draco paused as he looked at some strange-looking skulls, while Thomas tried his best to hide his reaction since this was the first time he saw the other blonde boy act like this.

"... everyone thinks he's so smart, wonderful Potter with his scar and his broomstick …"

"You have told me this at least a dozen times already. And do I have to remind you that you have one of your schoolmates here? Act like a proper wizard and don't embarrass yourself. " Mr. Malfoy berate his son, and for some reason, Thomas found this interaction cold, almost as if the older man didn't exactly care all that much about his boy. "And I would remind you that it is not, prudent, to appear less than fond of Harry Potter, not when most of our kind regard him as the hero who made the Dark Lord disappear — ah, Mr. Borgin there you were."

A stooping man had appeared behind the counter, smoothing his greasy hair back from his face.

"Mr. Malfoy, what a pleasure to see you again," Mr. Borgin spoke in a voice as oily as his hair. "Delighted … and young Master Malfoy, too, and, oh my Merlin. Thomas how did you meet Mr. Malfoy."

The man seem genuinely worried for Thomas's wellbeing, after all, he was one of his best customers, and seeing him together with Malfoy, was nothing less than a recipe for disaster in the shopkeeper's eyes.

"Borgin to the point."

"As charming as always, sir. How may I be of assistance? I must show you, just in today, and very reasonably priced …"

"I'm not buying today, Mr. Borgin. I'm here to sell."

"Selling? Of course, of course, sir. What are you selling?" The smile faded slightly from Mr. Borgin's face, but then quickly the smile spread on his face once more acting all professional.

"You have heard, of course, you have, about the Ministry's new favorite sport, conducting more raids," Mr. Malfoy spoke as he took a roll of parchment from his inside pocket and unraveled it for Mr. Borgin to read. "I have a few, well let's call them items at home that might embarrass me if the Ministry were to give me a sudden visit."

Mr. Borgin fixed a pair of pince-nez to his nose and looked down the list.

"The Ministry wouldn't presume to trouble you, sir, surely? They are not so free to randomly come and check such a law-abiding citizen as you sir."

Mr. Malfoy's lip curled in response, for a second before responding to the man.

"I have not been visited yet. The name Malfoy still commands a certain respect, yet the Ministry grows ever more meddlesome. There are rumors about a new Muggle Protection Act, no doubt that flea-bitten, Muggle-loving fool Arthur Weasley is behind it."

'That's not a good sign. Maybe it was a bad move to propose a visit, then again, the wizards and witches aren't exactly all lovely dolly with the muggles either.' Thought Thomas while watching Lucius talking with Mr. Borgin.

"Ahem, and as you see here and here, certain of these poisons might make it appear …" Mr. Malfoy whispered to the shopkeeper, trying his best not to be overheard by his son "friend".

"No need to explain sir. I understand, sir, of course," Mr. Borgin spoke while taking a closer look at the parchment. "Let me see what could we…"

"Can I have that?" interrupted Draco, pointing at the withered hand on its cushion.

"Ah, the Hand of Glory!" said Mr. Borgin, abandoning Mr. Malfoy's list and scurrying over to Draco, almost as if he had found a treasure. "Insert a candle and it gives light only to the holder! Best friend of thieves and plunderers! Your son has fine taste, sir."

"I hope my son will amount to more than a thief or a plunderer, Borgin," Mr. Malfoy responded coldly, making Borgin quickly apologize for his mistake.

"No offense, sir, no offense meant. I was just trying …"

"Though if his grades don't pick up," Mr. Malfoy continued, even more coldly than before, "that may indeed be all he is fit for …" He once again stopped before turning towards Thomas who didn't know if he should continue staying here ." Tell me, Thomas, what do you think of my son's performance at Hogwarts, and please, be truthful with me. I don't need sweet words sung in my ears."

Thomas hesitated for a moment, unsure if he should speak openly about Draco's performance at Hogwarts. But he knew that Mr. Malfoy had asked for the truth, and he couldn't bring himself to lie.

"Mr. Malfoy, I'll be honest with you," Thomas began, trying to choose his words carefully. "Draco is a bright student, but it seems like he hasn't been putting in much effort or paying enough attention in class. He has a lot of potential, but he often seems disinterested in his studies and more focused on other things such as bullying other students."

He continued, "I've noticed that he always relies on his family's influence and status to get by, rather than really applying himself. I think if he put more effort into his studies and took his education seriously, he could excel at Hogwarts."

Thomas knew his words might not sit well with Mr. Malfoy, but he believed it was essential to be honest, especially when asked directly.

Mr. Malfoy regarded Thomas with a stern expression, and for a moment, there was silence in the shop. Then, unexpectedly, a slight hint of approval flashed in Mr. Malfoy's eyes.

"Thank you for your candor, Thomas," he said, his voice still cold but with a touch of respect. "I appreciate your honesty, and I assure you, I will take your words into consideration."

The man then turned towards the shopkeeper, hoping to finish whatever deal he could get from Borgin and leave this place.

"It's not my fault," retorted Draco. "The teachers all have favorites, that Hermione Granger …"

"I would have thought you'd be ashamed that a girl of no wizard family beat you in every exam, not to mention Thomas here as well. You have better chances of getting an even better education, and yet even a troll will have more self-respect than you." Mr. Malfoy snapped at his son, almost ready to smack his face if he even so dares to speak again.

"It's the same all over," said Mr. Borgin, in his oily voice. "Wizard blood is counting for less everywhere …"

"Not with me," Mr. Malfoy, retorted, scaring the shopkeeper at how was the man responded back.

"No, sir, nor with me, sir. I think I'm not feeling well sir, that must be it, sir." said Mr. Borgin, with a deep bow.

"In that case, perhaps we can return to my list," said Mr. Malfoy shortly. "I am in something of a hurry, Borgin, I have important business elsewhere today and I'd rather not waste my time with promises and sweet words."

The two men started to haggle while Draco went to check some of the stuff, leaving Thomas to finally search for what he had come here for. And thankfully it didn't took him long to find what he was looking for. There in a corner, stood a rather large cabinet and if what he had read about was true, then this cabinet was actually Vanishing Cabinet. A magical cabinet that has the ability to connect with another identical cabinet located in a different place. When an object or person is placed inside one of the cabinets, they can be magically transported to the other cabinet's location.

Thomas wanted to get one for himself ever since he learned those things existed and after months of searching he finally found one, however the only problem was where the twin cabinet was located, but that could wait for later.

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