Chapter 11 | Unpredictable Fate

After a couple of subtly directing the young blond's mind, he finally said the main problem.

Now for the final blow.

"Then, what if your father said that you were an embarrassment to the Malfoy Family, or that you're not worthy of the Malfoy name? Would you just accept it blindly?" She asked seriously with a straight face, lifting her hand when heavy strides approached them to stop the person from possibly interrupting the process.

She needed to break down his fixation on his father, his superiority and the need to fulfill every single thing that his father said. The faster he stopped his dependency to his father, the better.

Silver eyes flashed in anger, "What are you trying to say, huh?!" He accused.

Giving him a mirthless smile, she shrugged. "Nothing. I'm merely asking of what you would do in a situation as such."

Malfoy's face fell - not that she could see, "T-Then that would mean that he's right." He muttered sadly. She could just make out the shadow of the blond looking down in frustration with his hands clenches by his sides.

Snapping her fingers on her left hand, "And that's where you're wrong, Heir Malfoy." She tutted. She continued when he made a questioning sound, "If things come to that, then he is the one who is at fault as he, the Head of House Malfoy, should be teaching anything and everything to his one and only heir. If you put in all your effort in, I'm sure he would be proud of you." She said warmly before turning her head fully at him for the first time.

"But if he does indeed tell you that you were the one at fault, then I'm not sure that he even is worthy of the title Head of House Malfoy with what immature behavior but of course this is not really him I'm talking about, this is just an example." She clarified before he could misinterpret her speech.

The eleven-year-old waited for Madam Malkins to finish her measurement, thanked her and continued, "The Head of a House is basically the leader of a clan, is it not? Even if they have the skills to increase the House's honor, reputation and whatnot, how would we know if they know what best course of action they should take when they lack the maturity, open-mindedness nor experience?"

"But of course the fault goes both-ways, if an heir just absorb every single thing that their parents told them without actually experience it themselves, wouldn't you say that they are quite close-minded and down right dependent on their parents?"

"I-I suppose?"

Nodding when he showed that he was paying attention, "Then tell me, Heir Malfoy, what kind of behavior have you displayed in our previous conversation?" She threw him an encouraging smile, as though to tell him that it was okay to answer.

Draco cleared his throat, "I-Immature and close-minded even though I lack experience?" He said slowly, heat seeping up his neck in embarrassment.

"Good job!" She praised, happy that her words got through the blond. "At least, you admitted it. That is already progress." She winked at the blushing boy.

"Just know that those three criterias are only able to be achieved by oneself. Don't just hang on every word you father says, try to have your own opinion. And if you were wrong," She gave her shoulders a helpless shrug, "Then wouldn't just that be a whole new experience to learn from? Not afraid of the consequences to come when you act in what you believe in is quite thrilling, I would say."

One hand tracing the wall, she stepped off of the stepping stool. "But then again it's just my subjective way of thinking, you may take it however you'd like. Good day, Heir Malfoy." She gave him a nod, "Shall we meet again in the train, I would love to be called a friend of yours."

She followed the wall to the front of the shop and was met with a waiting Snape, "Had fun berating my Godson?" He drawled, though his tone lacked its usual hostility.

The ravenette blinked in surprise. "You've been here all along?" She questioned, "Then who did I hear was walking towards us?" She asked as a shadow appeared in her peripheral vision.

"I am quite impressed that you're able to get some sense into that my son's think head. I've always told my husband that he spoiled Draco too much." The shadow said in a feminine regal voice as a small hand patted her shoulder. "You have my gratitude, child."

"Son-?! Lady Malfoy." Harry gasped in horror that someone else, who is not Professor Snape yet the child's own mother, had been there listening to her berating her child on how to act properly as an heir.

Gulping, she inched slowly to her right, towards Professor Snape, and leaned in. "Professor, I forgot whether I've said something offensive. But just in case - do I need to run?" She whispered to the older man. Though when the baritone voice that she had expected to answer was coming from her left instead of her right, she quickly jumped away from the figure, whom she thought had been Professor Snape.

"How would you even run when you can't even see which one I am, you daft child."

Following the direction of the voice, she finally latched onto the correct hem of robes as the person she mistook as Professor Snape snorted in amusement, "Keep him, Severus. He would be a great asset for Draco. Keeping the boy in check in their first meeting is quite the feat." An elegant masculine voice said. "Even if he is a believer of.... Mudbloods. I'm sure he'll come around."

"He's not mine, Lucius." Severus drawled, rolling his eyes.

Lucius made a sound of amusement before moving closer to his wife, whispering something that's inaudible from her spot. Narcissa whispered back and they continued the routine of for a minute until the head of the family straighten back up.

"With the right mentoring, I suppose he could suffice." The pale blond said, a hint of reluctance in his tone.

Harry saw the shadow growing bigger as Lucius got closer to her. "Say boy, how would you like to sign a marriage contract with my son?" He asked, so suddenly that the girl swore she had a brain malfunction. Oh, how lucky Draco was to be absent during this very bizarre moment.

When she didn't answer, the man repeated his question and this time Harry moved back in apprehension.

Severus quirked an eyebrow at his friend, "Stop it Lucius, as much as I enjoy you scaring the boy, this is not a comfortable position." He said calmly, not betraying his amusement at the sudden turn of event.

True to his words, she was indeed a bit scared and she felt much safer when hiding in the space between Professor Snape and his cape. As long as she was not in the direct line of sight of one Lucius Malfoy, she'll be fine.

Of all things she thought Lucius was going to be, straightforward was definitely not one of them. And this was about Draco's, his own son who's still an eleven-year-old, hand in marriage at that. Such as its immortal entity, Fate sure is unpredictable.

"Are we not escaping yet?" She whispered to her guide as said guide snorted at the desperation in her voice. "I suppose we better finish shopping before the day ends. Else, I'd need to take more of my precious time helping you." He said before bidding his goodbyes to the Malfoy couple and to one deep-in-thought Draco as the girl handed her stamp over and gave Madam Malkins her address.

XxXxX

She was hit with the rustic smell of leather and parchments when they walked in to Flourish and Blotts. Giving a deep satisfied sigh, "Nothing like a good book on a shelf." She nodded to herself, getting a surprised look from her companion.

"You read?" Severus asked in disbelief as, you know, she's quite blind last time he checked.

Raising a brow at him, "If you didn't know then why would you bring me here, sir?" Harry asked, equally confused.

"Textbooks, as one should know if your little head isn't just for decoration, are the epitome of education."

She followed as the man went to pick the required books for her, "And you should also know, as a Hogwarts Professor, that magic really is an abstract and wondrous thing, sir. As long as there's will, we can bend it as we please." She said, summoning a random book into her hand from the shelf, before using her original spell, Litterasonus, to make a point, "For example, this is titled 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them' by-" She blinked in surprise, "Newt Scamander and Morris Scamander." She said, in an amused tone.

"Totally buying this." She quickly waved the book of into the basket Severus was holding.

The thirty-one-year old man's eyes bulged at her casual display of both wandless and wordless magic. But that was not all, "You," He stopped his action altogether to fully pay attention to the boy - girl - infront of him. He narrowed his eyes at her bright green unfocused ones. "How did you figure out a spell for that?" He asked.

The girl only tilted her head in a child-like manner and grinned, "As I have said, magic really is an abstract thing." She said, doing jazz-hands before shrugging, "But if you want the details, I suppose you could say I invented it."

"Invented it." Severus breathed in disbelief. A child, who hasn't even attended Hogwarts or any magical schools, had made an effective working spell. He knows how difficult and long the process of making spells so the fact itself was flabbergasting.

Pursing his lips tightly, "Are you sure you're Potter's son? Because in the hour I've interacted with you-" Severus trailed before he could finish the sentence. "Forget I said anything, go walk around as I finish this."

Because what should he say to the son of his all-time school bully and his first friend? That he wasn't really as insufferable as he had expected? That he's not much like the mini-James that he was told to expect? That he didn't really remind him of any characteristics of his parents aside from his physical appearance? That his hate for the boy has lessened? That he is a genius prodigy? He doesn't really have the will to say any of those things. Especially that last statement.

Sighing, he continued on with picking out all the first year's books while occasionally glancing at the blind child.

XxXxX

Running her finger across the spine of the row of books, Harry absentmindedly skimmed through each of their contents, which are mostly full of theories and speculations, when she stopped at a very familiar pseudonym.

"Oh, hello there."

Tracing back to the book, her mind was indeed saying the right name by the use of litterasonus.

Letting out a breath of amusement, "Fate indeed is a confusing little thing." She mused, picking the tattered book out of the shelf specially used to store used books. Its parchments were hard and rough through out the time, and she felt scratched littering the slightly thick book cover.

The Property of the Half-Blood Prince indeed. She thought when she was hit with the smell of potion ingredients lingering on the pages despite the long time it's been untouched. A sign that clearly tells her it had spent years with potion fumes in its surrounding.

Curious, she quickly ran through all the book in the used section and ended with at least twelve - she lost count - more books of the Half-Blood Prince.

She grinned at some of the brutal comments the Prince made. These would certainly entertain her during class.

She continued skimming through the shelves and came upon another book that piqued her interest. I didn't realize they sell fictions here. She thought, taking out a book with the title, Marauding with Monsters. She stared unblinkingly as words from the cover began filling her mind.

Marauding with Monsters. Book 5 of The Adventures of G. Hart.

Nodding in approval, she accio-ed the other books made by the same author. This could also help her pass time, alternating the Half-Blood Prince's books with fictions would keep her mind from depending, or obsessing, too much on either. The story seemed promising, if not a bit dramatic. But who doesn't love a flair of drama, she certainly does.

After making sure that no Professor Snape figure was near the cashier register with a quick expandi noscito, she made the transaction and practically threw all twenty-two - the employee told her during the transaction - books into her expanded pouch when she felt the Half-Blood Prince himself made the corner to where she was.

Professor Snape seemed to only stare at her for a moment but made no sound of acknowledgement. He finished the transaction, gave an extended bag with a featherlight charm and offered her his sleeve.

Actually, he more like nudged the cloth into her grip.

Biting the inside of her cheek to smother the chuckle threatening to slip out from the hilarity of it, she took it gratefully and followed him to the next stop.

The rest of the day went of without a hitch. Thankfully.

Hagrid, who had caught up to them, bought her an ice cream which she accepted happily. As they say, chocolate flavored ice cream is a classic. The half-giant still haven't got a clue regarding her blindness. He only gave them a questioning look when he saw Harry gripping the professor's sleeve but Professor Snape didn't bother to fill in with him as Harry herself made no move to explain.

Visiting store after store, they checked out the supplies one by one in a rapid pace. And also in peace. No misguided child in need of scoldi- arguing nor are there any unexpectedly straightforward father just casually offering his son's hand in marriage.

Alas they finally reached their last destination as the sun was starting to set.

Hagrid excused himself to 'I'sa surprise fer yeh, Harry' as he said, leaving her alone yet again with Professor Snape to do their final task.

Walking through the door, she heard some feet shuffling closer. "Ah, Professor Snape and-" Ollivander's voice stopped short as recognition flashed in his eyes. There was a sharp inhale before "Harry Potter." He finally breathed in awe after a moment of silence.

XxXxX

-In The Malfoy Estate-
Narcissa: "Draco, I have something to tell you. "
Draco: "What is it, mother?"
Narcissa: *Smiling softly* "Your father and I think that we've finally found the perfect match for you, Little Dragon."
Draco: *Immediately scowling* "I told you, I am not going marry Daphne. She just a friend."
Narcissa: *Giggling slightly* "We know that, Draco. We were actually talking about the boy in Madam Malkin's."
Draco: "The boy-?"
Draco: *Suddenly remember the event before starting to blush* "O-Oh, him."
Narcissa: *Smiles knowingly* "Then would it be alright to say that you'd agree to it?"
Draco: *Huffing while crossing his arms* "I-I suppose I am not opposed to that."
Narcissa: "Good, now you just have to convince him. Did you get his name by any chance?"

-During One of The Future Slytherins' Hangouts-
Draco: "Does any of you know a boy with messy black hair and green eyes? He was escorted by Uncle Sev on the 31st of July in Diagon Alley."
Theodore: *Raising a brow* "Is this the potential suitor we've been hearing about?"
Pansy: *Gaping* "What?! Weren't you going to marry me, Drakey?!"
Draco: *Huffing* "Am not."

Daphne: *Humming* "If Lord Malfoy deemed him better than me, then perhaps I should ask for his hand of marriage."
Draco: *Turning quickly to Daphne* "You can't! I met him first!"
Daphne: *Smiling slyly* "My, Draco. Shouldn't it be his choice as to whom he wants to be with?"
Blaise: *Chuckling* "Now I'm intrigued, I shall also partake in this competition!"
Draco: "Don't do that!"

Theodore: *Sharing an exasperated look with Millicent* "I already feel sympathy for the boy."
Millicent: *Nodding* "I know. Lord Malfoy did deem the boy to be better than Daphne, so that just put a bigger target on his back in our parents' circle."
Theodore: *Shaking his head in sympathy* "So much sympathy."

Vincent & Gregory: *Eating chips in the background*

J Out!