The Hogsmeade weekend in November left Adrian walking with a thick wool scarf around his mouth and Lutain nestled against his chest. Lutain was certain he was going to get one of those exotic mice bred in Africa which somehow tasted twice as good and was half as easy to digest. The others were planning on starting early holiday shopping.
Adrian had been tasked with even more supplying and selling than the year earlier. Somehow his status had become well known in slytherin, to the point that now the upper years were asking for his help in ordering and dealing questionable goods to the other students. Lutain made an excellent lookout, as well as intimidation technique if students didn't want to comply with his brokering system.
Dementors still circled around the school, staying high above the quidditch pitch in a silent guard to the wizarding school. They were expecting something big, something deadly. It was rather annoying, since the students were not permitted to know why the dementors were at Hogwarts. Draco had already made a fuss about them, raving about how his father refused to tell him information besides how he was upset with the new addition. The Dementors wre generally used to guard Azkaban- so why were they at Hogwarts and not protecting the wizarding prison?
The only thing Adrian could possibly think of was perhaps they were placred at Hogwarts by the Ministry to try and halt the Slytherin Monster from attacking other students. It would be a smart idea, especially since the death of Ginny was still mentioned through hallways.
Nobody seemed to like the dementors, they found them creepy. Ghastly beings that croaked and whistles shallowly while they breathed through rotten lungs. Pansy had sworn she heard one talk, a hoarse croaky noise that sent hairs upwards on end.
Adrian thought they were beautiful.
Adrian didn't often have the opportunity to see them up close, mostly due to his reclusive pattern. He only ventured out when he was positive that he wouldn't be spotted, or when he wouldn't draw attention to himself. So far, he hadn't actually talked to any of the first years, although Theo informed him his usual clients were getting fed up with his hermit status.
Mostly for appearance's sake, he agreed to venture into Hogsmeade. Already he had seen a quarter dozen clients, each looking somewhat relieved or pissed with him.
Daphne found it interesting, the Pureblood politican that she was.
Hogsmeade was alight with lanterns and loud voices. Children ran from a joke store into a candy store and back again repeatedly. The crowd at the resident pub was overflowing with people.
"Mouse! I want a mouse!" Lutain cheered, inaudible to everyone else there.
"I'll head to the pet store." Adrian found himself saying, already turning without care if anyone heard him or not.
"Oh! I'll come with!" Daphne chirped excitedly, nearly jumping onto his arm with enthusiasm. She smiled widely, actually pretty in comparison to Millicent and Pansy, and started to drag him along.
The protesting noise Draco made was lost in the atmospheric background noise that was Hogsmeade. Her arm was firm, leaving him no room to escape as they walked along the well trodden path towards the store.
The pet store was an old, rustic-looking building with aged wooden side panels and a resident cat that, although it lived in the store, was not for sale. It watched them with friendly blue eyes, brushing against their black robes and leaving calico cat fur in its wake.
"Aren't you adorable?" Daphne cooed, bending down to pet the affectionate cat. "Who's a good boy?"
"Girl," Adrian instantly corrected, "Calicos with multiple colors can only be female."
Daphne had a wistful smile on her face as she eyed the calico as it ran away, the sound of its bell tinkling in the quiet store.
The owner was an elder man with a kind smile more trademark for a candy shop store. He wore small glasses which had an uncanny resemblance to Ollivanders', yet skittered slightly on the anxious side Theo always displayed.
"Hello!" Daphne chirped with pureblood politeness, "This is a wonderful store you have."
The man smiled and Adrian almost snorted at how straightforward Daphne was coming across. Daphne sharply elbowed Adrian's side.
"I have a younger sister and I was wondering if you have anything I could gift her for the approaching holidays," Daphne smiled brightly, her blue eyes sparkling as she looked around the store calmly, "I'm positive that you could find me something."
The man smiled and peered out on of the larger windows, "You may have better luck at Diagon Alley, missus."
Adrian wandered over to one side of the store, which was charmed with a shimmering reddish spell to keep the heat at manageable levels. An assortment of old or full grown animals peered up curiously.
"You resale animals," Adrian stated, looking over his shoulder in surprise, "Doesn't seem much profit in that."
The man looked somber, and more uncomfortable with Adrian than he was with Daphne.
"Too many wizarding children get pets and don't know how to care for 'em. Or don't want 'em anymore. It's a pity, such beautiful creatures."
Adrian smiled sadly and looked down at the assortment. A full grown lizard blinked at him and burped a green bubble.
"Oh no," Daphne exhaled, "Oh no, I know that look."
"What look?" Adrian quickly blanked his face, lifting one sleeve to let Lutain slide out and investigate the shop. The owner didn't see.
"The look you get right before you do something stupid," Daphne crossed her arms with a pointed look, "Adrian Selwyn, you are not bringing something back with us."
Well of course he wasn't. That would be making a large glowing sign practically shouting his name to everyone. He was trying to remain anonymous
"Master! Look!" Lutain cheered, peering in at something unseen, "It is a bird but noble kind! It is like hatchling but large!"
A cockatrice?
Shit
....
Want to read ahead by more than 60 chapters. Then join my pa*treon now.
Link: pa*treon.com/Amelie796 (Remove the *)
Free members will get 2 chapters for free.