(Untitled)

[seekingharry]

Date: August 22
Time: Late afternoon/evening
Location: Flourish and Blotts, Diagon Alley
Characters Involved: Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy

Comments

[dmalfoy_purbld]

Draco headed up to Flourish and Blotts. He was tired and cranky, and more than ready to head back to the Manor, being waited on and ignoring the world.

He entered the bookstore looking for a few titles on conveyancing. He had more studying to do if he wanted to find a way to get his license before winter as he'd told his parents he was attempting. Marrick had said it was possible, instead of having to wait until spring or next summer, but he also said it would be difficult. Draco would end up studying much harder than he was used to, and certainly harder than he ever would admit to.

After collecting the first couple books, he moved to the main area, sitting down and skimming through them to make certain they were the ones he needed.

[seekingharry]

It took a bit of searching among the various piles of schoolbooks for various years to find the one he needed, but before long Harry had his very own, non-written-on N.E.W.T. potions book, which he quickly skimmed through to make sure it was the one he remembered using in his sixth year. Satisfied with the contents, he turned to bring it to the counter when he was brought up short by the sight of Draco Malfoy sitting in the aisle in his way, skimming through a pile of his own books.

"Malfoy," he greeted cautiously. It was difficult to tell where they stood these days, since they had not spoken in ages, and left things on an uncertain note the last time they had--but Harry hadn't missed his presence at the protest. That much he appreciated.

[dmalfoy_purbld]

Draco didn't look up. The voice addressing him could only belong to one person. "Potter."

This was one relationship for which normal meant barely speaking. He would rather not go back to whatever bizarre scenario that had spawned their living together. If he had the power to eradicate it from his past, he would have. However, as that power lay far beyond him, for which he noted he should likely look up memory charm books in Knockturn Alley before heading home, he was forced to be something resembling civil.

He closed his book slowly and deliberately, looking at his own book then lazily moving his eyes upward as if it were a chore. "Shopping for your girlfriend?" he asked, drawling. It was as civil as he could manage currently with his own mood turning foul. He, in fact, thought it sounded remarkably pleasant all things considered.

[seekingharry]

The familiar mocking drawl of Malfoy's voice told Harry how this meeting was going to go. Well, at least now he had some ground to stand on. "Shopping for myself," he answered coolly, wondering what 'girlfriend' Malfoy was referring to--Ginny, he could only assume, though why Malfoy should bring up Ginny was anyone's guess.

Harry wasn't sure himself what kind of circumstances had ever brought about him and Malfoy living under the same roof, but he really didn't care to be rivals anymore. It was childish, and not worth the effort. "What are you shopping for?" he asked with a note of genuine curiosity, surveying the pile of books beside Draco.

[dmalfoy_purbld]

Shopping for himself? Perhaps Severus had been right and the Weasley girl, Ginny, he corrected himself, had better sense than to date him. That raised her a notch in his mind if she had refused him.

He arched a blond eyebrow and leaned back, nearly lounging, "Some books on conveyancing. Nothing you'd be interested in certainly." It requires finesse and proper intelligence, as opposed to barging in and raiding Dark Objects. Draco was impressed with himself that he kept that much quiet. He did need to maintain an act of civility though, didn't he? He entertained, however minutely, the thought of going syrupy-sweet on Potter, making the other to be the fool.

"What brings you into the bookstore?"

[seekingharry]

Yes, he was pretty sure by now that his initial assessment of the conversation was how it was going to go. Conveyancing, eh? "What for?" he inquired neutrally. "Starting a career?" There was definitely a skeptic sort of who'd have figured? undercurrent to the question.

"Buying a potions book," he said in answer to Malfoy's question, holding up the book so he could see the title. "Finally going to finish up my N.E.W.T.s."

[dmalfoy_purbld]

Yes, starting a career you slow-witted baboon. "I'm in an apprenticeship, actually, Potter. I finished my N.E.W.T.s through private tutors already." He smiled with satisfaction, though he nodded in something resembling politeness.

"What are your plans once you do?" He figured that he already knew. Potter was nothing if not predictable, and Potter would insist on battling evil wherever he imagined it to be.

[seekingharry]

"Congratulations." Harry never would have guessed Malfoy might be interested in a career, considering all the money his family was swimming in and the fact that he'd never shown any propensity for working before, unless one counted sucking up as work. "Going to enter Auror training," he answered, not disappointing with the expected reply. "Well..." There were still those pots to find, that was a good excuse for leaving. "Good luck and all." He stepped around Malfoy to make his way up to the front and pay for his book, joining the long queue to the register.

[dmalfoy_purbld]

Draco was relieved to see Potter heading off, then frowned when he looked at the queue. It seemed he would not be able to escape from him quite so quickly. While this may have been the last errand of his evening, he did have to study before work in the morning.

He stood up, sighing, and followed Potter to the end of the queue, his own books stacked neatly. "Still your passion then, is it?"

"Good luck to you as well." Not that he meant it. It was just what one said.

[seekingharry]

And of course Malfoy got into line right after him. Well, hopefully the meeting wouldn't be prolonged anymore than it had to. It was discomforting company, to say the least.

"Ever since fourth year," Harry answered, thinking rather evilly of Malfoy the Bouncing Ferret as well as the fake Moody's suggestion that he might make a good Auror. "And conveyancing," he added somewhat dryly, glancing back, "is that a passion as well or just something to do?"

[dmalfoy_purbld]

Draco couldn't completely keep his eyes from rolling at the question. Of course, he only had himself to blame on the turn of events. He had asked first about passion, prying into motive. He simply hadn't expected Potter to respond in kind. Why not, he couldn't say.

His face hardened as he remembered their fourth year, and Harry's implications sunk in. Whether it was seeing Draco's father unmasked as a Death Eater, or Vold--The Dark--HIS return, or the Tri-Wizard tournament, or Diggory's death didn't matter. That year was what cemented it, not their fifth year, or sixth, or even the war itself.

Draco tried to let that wash over him, though he wasn't sure if he was fully able to. Hopefully only the anger and frustration would show.

"Passion. Do you think I'd be pursuing a career simply to have one?" It was only a partial truth, and a half-lie. He knew, however, that allowing Potter to think it was nothing more than passion was safer than letting him into the more volatile truths that complicated Draco's life.

[seekingharry]

Malfoy seemed to have been put somewhat off-balance by his casual mention of their fourth year. Harry watched as his face hardened, wondering what part of that particularly unpleasant year (though by far not the least pleasant, in Harry's experience) Malfoy was recalling.

Harry shrugged. "It's good to have something to do," he said neutrally, wondering what there was in conveyancing to ever get passionate about. "Is it interesting?"

[dmalfoy_purbld]

"It's very interesting," he said casually. He truly found it so. Certainly more interesting than the black and white view of the world Potter knew.

Fiddling with his books, he wondered how long this was going to take. "I find it full of perspective, and reliant on intelligence."

[seekingharry]

Harry nodded. "Good for you," he said, and there was perhaps truly some sincerity in the statement. He couldn't help regretting the state of things between him and Malfoy when they had been on their way to solidifying a friendship just a few months ago. Maybe they were just too different to ever truly be friends, but Harry knew he didn't want to be enemies anymore, either.

"Look, thanks for coming to the protest," he added abruptly. "I saw you there and...I appreciated it." By now the line had finally dwindled and the shopkeeper was beckoning to Harry. "Well, I'll see you around, I guess," he said over his shoulder as he paid for his purchase.