分卷阅读34（1 / 2）

“Not that that wasn’t a fascinating way to wake up, but would you mind sharing exactly what that was for, Harry?” Draco asked as one eyebrow rose in question.

Draco never did find out what Harry found so amusing about that question before Harry answered, “No reason. I felt like it.”

Draco was pointedly eating breakfast and NOT thinking about what had happened that morning when the rest of his compatriots made their way into the Great Hall. He immediately regretted not leaving when he had the chance. After all, he should have been prepared for the human-sized leech that latched itself on to his right arm-which was unfortunately the arm that he was using his fork with and thus he was stuck staring at his eggs with an almost forlorn air as all movement of that arm was stopped.

“Draaacooo. We haven’t seen you in so long.”

Draco wished for a silencing charm…or for someone to just make that woman permanently mute. And yet she continued to keep talking. Merlin, hadn’t she insulted the English language enough by now by using it in such a way? And she really didn’t need to dance around the subject like that. There was no way she was going to get Draco to take her to Hogsmead, today of all days. Draco needed to get a present today and that had to take precedence.

“Pansy, I already told Blaise that I would accompany him to Hogsmead.” Draco flashed a sickeningly sweet smile at the girl. “Perhaps next time.” Then with practice-honed skill, he detangled himself from her grasp and headed for the Slytherin Common Room.

Blaise was just walking out into the hallway when Draco found him.

“Zabini, we’re going to Hogsmead today.”

“Pansy again?”

“Do I need to dignify that with an answer?”

“Fine, but you’re helping me with Potions homework then.”

Draco nodded and continued past the hidden door to the Slytherin Common Room to his own rooms. He would need more suitable clothing for a trip to Hogsmead.

Harry travelled through Hogsmead, surprisingly by himself, wondering what on this earth could one buy for Draco Malfoy…especially considering that anything he truly wanted he would have already bought a month ago…

Harry was pointedly avoiding any students of Hogwarts so as to not get distracted from this goal of his. Even if he didn’t find a present for Draco here, he would come up with at least an idea before this day was over or…well Harry couldn’t really come up with a reasonable threat for what would happen if he failed this self-imposed quest…but hopefully he wouldn’t have to come up with something.

All of the gift shops were decked out in all their splendor as he meandered down the road. Christmas was just around the corner after all, a mere week and a half away, and like any shopping center Hogsmead was full of last-minute shoppers looking for just the right Christmas gift. It was easy to lose yourself in such a crowd, not quite as bustling as the one in Diagon Ally but close.

It was also strange, in such crowds, who you actually saw. And as Harry neared one particularly…expensive looking shop, he saw none other than Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zambini standing nearby. Blaise was looking around and discussing where they should go next. Draco was only half paying attention, his eyes seeming to be drawn to something in the middle of the window display.

Harry hung back, careful not to be seen by either boy, watching as Draco’s perusal of this object turned to acceptance and then a look of more interest. But surprisingly Draco made no move to buy whatever it was that he obviously wanted, instead he moved through the crowd with his fellow Slytherin when said Slytherin excitedly began urging Draco along to look at something or other.

As they moved off, Harry went to look in the window. It was a jewelry shop that also sold small, expensive, trinkets. Harry had seen this kind of store before but had never actually been in one. And the item that Draco had been looking at was…well, Harry had to admit it was very pretty.