Strange Brew
Draco stepped into a small, poorly taken care of shop in Knockturn Alley, the dim lighting casting eerie shadows on the dusty shelves. The air was heavy with the musty scent of ancient books and potion ingredients, making Draco's nose wrinkle in distaste. He heard of this so-called seer from whispers through the grapevine at his father's parties; only the most posh of people recommended her, saying she worked miracles for them.
Draco's curiosity had finally gotten the better of him, and he decided to seek out the seer for himself. As he approached the counter, a frail old woman with piercing blue eyes and an unsettling knowingness emerged from behind a tattered curtain, her presence sending a shiver down Draco's spine. Draco's conflicting emotions added an extra layer of complexity to his decision. As he cautiously approached the seer's dimly lit table, memories of their childhood rejection mingled with the anticipation of potentially finding answers about his future. The weight of his unrequited love for Harry seemed to grow heavier in the eerie atmosphere, making Draco wonder if seeking guidance from the seer could bring him any solace or closure. Intrigued, Draco hesitated for a moment before finally mustering the courage to speak.
"hello, Im-"
"Mr. Malfoy, I was wondering when you would make an appearance at my shop." The seer's voice, laced with a hint of amusement, echoed through the dimly lit room. Draco's heart skipped a beat at the realization that his presence had been anticipated. He took a deep breath, pushing aside his doubts, and continued, "I've come seeking answers... about my future."
"We've already had this conversation, have we not?" Draco's eyes widened in surprise as he struggled to recall any previous encounter with the seer. The seer chuckled softly, reading his confusion. "Perhaps not directly, but your destiny has been written in the stars for quite some time now," she said cryptically. Intrigued and slightly unnerved, Draco leaned in closer, eager to uncover the secrets that awaited him. She walked out from behind the counter, taking a seat at the nearby wooden table decorated with a raggedy doily tablecloth. The seer motioned for Draco to join her at the table, her eyes gleaming with ancient wisdom. As he sat down, he couldn't help but notice the faint scent of incense lingering in the air, adding an air of mystique to the room.
"Your hand, if you don't mind." She reached her hand out in request of his, her fingers adorned with intricate silver rings. Draco hesitated for a moment, uncertain of what to expect, but ultimately extended his well manicured hand towards the seer. As their hands touched, a shiver ran down his spine, as if an invisible current of energy passed between them. The seer closed her eyes momentarily, her face growing solemn with concentration, before finally beginning to trace the lines on Draco's palm with her fingertips.
"Tell me of your troubles. Why have you come to see me today, young man?" She breathed deeply, her fingers stopping briefly at the center of his palm before continuing to trace her patterns.
Draco took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before speaking. "I seek guidance on an issue that weighs heavily on my heart," he confessed, his voice filled with a mix of vulnerability and determination. "I haven't had a great record of being in H- someone's good graces for...a while."
"Yes, I can see that young Mr. Potter has caused you a great deal of heartbreak." A squeak came from Draco at the mention of the exact person he was thinking of. His mind flashed back to the countless times he had been overshadowed and humiliated by Harry Potter, the boy who seemed to effortlessly win everyone's favor. The memory of their rivalry fueled Draco's determination to seek a way out of this cycle of disappointment. Draco couldn't help but wonder if his uneasiness around her was a result of his own insecurities or if there was truly something off about her. He knew he needed to confront his fears and find a way to break free from the constant heartbreak he had experienced in the past.
Her eyes snapped open, and she looked directly at Draco with a piercing gaze. It was as if she could see right through him, unraveling his innermost thoughts and fears. Draco's heart raced as he realized that there was more to her than met the eye, and he couldn't shake the feeling that their encounter would change his life forever. She released his hand, clapping her own together. "I have just the solution to your problem; wait here." Draco watched her with anticipation, feeling a mix of curiosity and hope building within him. As she disappeared into the room, he couldn't help but wonder what kind of solution she had in mind.
The cryptic seer returned after moments of silence and placed a bottle of cologne with swirling pink liquid on the table. "I call it No. 9." Draco's eyebrows furrowed in confusion as he examined the peculiar bottle. Its enchanting aroma filled the air, leaving him intrigued yet skeptical. "How is a bottle of cologne going to change my life?" he asked, his voice laced with doubt. The seer smiled mysteriously, her eyes sparkling with certainty. "Trust me, Draco. No. 9 has the power to unlock hidden opportunities and attract positive energy into your life," she explained. "Just a spritz here and a spritz there, and you may even notice a particular Harry Potter practically obsessed with you."
Draco scoffed, unconvinced by the seer's claims. "I highly doubt a mere fragrance can have such profound effects," he retorted, his skepticism evident in his tone. However, curiosity lingered in his eyes, and he secretly wondered if there was any truth to her words.
The seer shrugged, her confidence unwavering. "Suit yourself," she said, as she reached out to retrieve the vial of fragrance. As she turned to leave, Draco hesitated for a moment before finally extending his hand to stop her. A smug grin spread across her face, and he felt some sort of protective nature over her simple offer to keep what she handed him.
He took it back and held it close to him. "I never stated I didn't want it." The seer's eyes sparkled with satisfaction as she observed Draco's change of heart. She nodded approvingly and walked away, leaving him to ponder the mysterious powers that lay within the vial of fragrance.
Even though it wasn't a particularly long walk to the closest Floo station, his trip home was quiet and rainy. The sound of raindrops hitting the pavement provided a soothing backdrop to Draco's thoughts. As he walked, he couldn't help but wonder about the significance of the seer's gift and the hidden meaning behind its enchanting fragrance. He felt more unsure than before, as the rain seemed to mirror his nuanced state. As Draco was a little intimidated by the entire interaction to touch the cologne, it remained wrapped up in his pocket and caused a burning sensation whenever his hand touched it. Draco's curiosity grew with each step, fueling his desire to unravel the mysteries that surrounded the seer's gift. The lingering scent of the cologne teased his senses, tempting him to uncover its secrets, yet fear held him back from fully embracing its power.
Arriving at his fireplace, he stepped into the drawing room, contemplating whether to follow through with his initial plan. The flames danced and crackled, reflecting his inner turmoil as he weighed the potential consequences of his actions. Taking a deep breath, he finally mustered the courage to retrieve the cologne from his pocket and cautiously held it out in wonder. Unbeknownst to him, his mother had been sitting in the corner of the room, awaiting his arrival. Narcissa's eyes widened in surprise as she watched him approach, her curiosity piqued by the cologne he held. Sensing her presence, he turned to find her there, a mixture of concern and intrigue on her face.
"Where have you run off to, Draco? She called out, startling Draco and nearly causing him to drop the enigmatic cologne. With minimal effort, he managed to catch it and secure it in his pocket once more. Draco's heart raced as he tried to come up with a plausible explanation. "I... I just needed some fresh air, Mother," he stammered, avoiding her gaze. His mind raced, wondering how much she had witnessed and if she suspected anything about his secret activities.
"It's unlike you to wander off without letting anyone know of your departure." She hummed, a knowing gleam in her eye. Draco's anxiety heightened as he struggled to maintain composure under his mother's perceptive gaze. He mustered a weak smile and replied, "I apologize, Mother. I simply needed a moment alone to clear my head." Deep down, he knew his explanation was feeble, but he hoped it would be enough to satisfy her curiosity.
"Does clearing your head have to do with that parfum in your possession, dearest?" Draco's heart skipped a beat at his mother's astute observation. He hesitated for a moment, carefully choosing his words. "Well, Mother, I happened to come across this item and thought it was nice smelling," he explained, hoping she wouldn't dig deeper into the matter. However, the glint in her eye told him that she wasn't easily fooled.
"Amortentia happens to have that effect, yes." She raised an eyebrow, obviously unimpressed by the notion that he might be in possession of something illegal. She crossed her arms, her tone stern. "I hope you understand the consequences of tampering with such powerful potions, young man. It's not something to be taken lightly."
"It's not Amortentia, mother; it's just this cologne that the seer—" He started but was abruptly stopped by the sound of a chair scraping against the hardwood floors. His mother interrupted him, her voice concerned and her expression sterner than ever. "Seer? Knockturn Alley's seer? The one of which I made it clear you were not permitted to visit?" Her eyes narrowed as she crossed her arms, waiting for his response. The room fell silent; the tension was palpable as she awaited an explanation for his disobedience.
"I wasn't even going to use it! It's useless, and she didn't even give me any useful advice—a complete sham if you ask me." Her mother's face softened slightly, but her tone remained firm. "That doesn't excuse your disobedience, young man. Rules are rules, and you know better than to go against them. We'll discuss this further later, but for now, I expect you to apologize and promise not to visit that seer again."
Well, She was of no good use; I don't think she'll be seeing me in her future ever again." He grumbled. His frustration was evident as he crossed his arms and looked away. It was clear that he had no intention of apologizing or seeking guidance from the seer again.
Alright, but Draco, if you put yourself in a difficult spot, I don't need to remind you that I warned you." His mother's words hung in the air, a reminder of the potential consequences that could arise from following the seer's advice. Draco sighed, giving a curt nod before turning to leave for his bedroom. As he walked away, Draco couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. He knew that his mother's words held truth, and he couldn't shake off the feeling that he was treading on dangerous ground.
His bedroom, a large room with vaulted ceilings and dark, ornate furniture, provided a temporary sanctuary from the weight of his mother's warning. Draco closed the door behind him, shutting out the outside world and allowing himself a moment to collect his thoughts. However, even within the confines of his bedroom, the unease lingered, casting a shadow over his every decision. "Alohomora!" He called into the air, pointing his wand at a large, beautifully engraved chest at the foot of his bed. The lid creaked open, revealing a collection of schooling items he had amassed throughout the years. As he carefully examined each item, a sense of melancholy coursed through his veins, reminding him of all of his past achievements: parchments with perfect scores, Quidditch robes and medals, even down to the neatly folded sketches of Potter that lay flat in his school books. He placed the wonderous bottle next to his winter scarf, making sure it was nestled in with care. The bottle, with its intricate design and mysterious contents, held a promise of adventure and possibility. Draco didn't need it—no, he didn't want it. If he wanted to charm Potter, he simply had to try. Draco knew that relying on a magical object to win Potter's favor would only undermine his own abilities and determination. He was determined to prove himself worthy of Potter's attention through his own actions and genuine efforts.
To be safe, though, he might bring it along. As a backup plan.