Draco Malfoy had essentially been in love with Hazel McGonagall since he first saw her last year. Then when his father began saying that she was an exceptional witch he knew that he truly loved her. Seeing her with a Weasley and a Muggle-born always annoyed him, but he held his opinion because he did not want her mad with him.
When he entered Honeydukes he was a bit bored but he became overly excited when he saw her. He smiled broadly and looked around the sweet shop trying to figure out what he wanted to buy her.
He selected chocolate covered mana fruit, candy espresso beans, strawberry and banana walking Fudge, and angel teardrops.
He quickly paid for his selections and then moved quickly to her side. He wanted to impress her and invite her to Puddifoot's Tea Shop and he could not help but smile at the thought of them together there. Just as he reached her side, a wide smile on his face and a bright light in his eyes George, Fred, and Harry blocked his path in one motion as if it were planned.
The truth was they had all be startled by the actions of the others but they did not show any sign of this outwardly.
George in particular had a frown on his face as he looked at the large bag of items that he himself could not buy Hazel.
"And what exactly do you want?"
"I would like you to move out of my way."
"Who is all of that for?" Harry spoke with contempt lacing his voice. Malfoy looked at him with a sneer.
"These are for your sister. I intend to ask her out to Puddifoot's."
"You what?!" Both Fred and George spoke as one, with Fred cracking his knuckles.
Hazel and Angelina frowned while Hermione beamed. Hazel pursed her lips and went to intervene when Angelina held her back with a light squeeze to her shoulder. Her frowned deepened but she trusted the older girl and waited.
"You do know that she is my brother's girl? They do not keep their friendship secret."
"Exactly. It is just a friendship. I will show her how it is better to be with me. What can you offer her. Can you buy…?"
Before he could finish George snatched the bag from his hands.
"I don't have to buy it. You already bought it for me." As he spoke he pulled out his wand and when he went for his wand both Fred and Harry pulled theirs out. They had all pulled their wands out at the same time. Both Hazel and Hermione gasped quietly as one. This is when Ron looked up from the candy selection to see his best friend and older brothers there with their wands out and at the ready. He fumbled his out and joined them.
George smiled at Malfoy and his friends who stood looking dumbfounded. "Thank you for your purchase. Hazel. I have a gift for you."
"A gift for me?!" Hazel frowned and responded incredulously.
"It's from me Hazel! Do you see how those who are lacking respond to things. My father has said that you have sizable wealth because you can create stronger and even new potions and incantations. Do not let this one eat you alive."
Hazel frowned and attempted to step to Malfoy but was held back. She did not miss a beat and just asked her question without looking to see who stopped her.
"And how does your father know this?"
"He has friends." Malfoy lifted his chin in pride but Hazel's question now had everyone frowning. Did Hazel sell anything in this dimension and was Malfoy's father secretly traveling between dimensions.
Hazel looked at Malfoy for a long time and nodded. "I am sorry I can not accept your gifts Draco."
Harry looked to the bag and smiled. "He bought your favorite."
George frowned. "Her favorite? What's your favorite love?" Hazel's eyes went wide and she blushed deeply.
Malfoy smiled. "Every woman loves chocolate covered manna."
"I do like that but it's not my favorite. Give him his things back George."
George smile at Malfoy but he didn't return the items, then Harry spoke.
"But he has strawberry banana walking Fudge and angel teardrops."
Hazel's face changed. "Really." She still shook her head. "Sorry Draco. I can't accept it."
"Why would you want someone so poor and desolate."
Hazel frowned. "George is not poor and desolate and he may not have money now but he will become very successful in the future."
George's smile widened. First she said it with passion and conviction and second she turned down someone for him without any hesitation.
"He's still not getting his candy back."
Hazel frowned and pursed her lips. "I am going to The Three Broomsticks for a butter beer." She was gone before anyone could respond.
Hazel stormed out of Honeydukes and as she passed Hogs Head Inn she heard something in the adjacent alley. She knew she needed to enter so she pulled out her wand and walked in without hesitation. Her eyes went wide and a smile bloomed across her face as she saw a huge dog staring at her.
"Uncle Sirius?" The dog transformed into Sirius Black. His eyes on her wand.
"I thought you had a black wand."
She looked at her wand and shrugged. I have two. I usually only use this one here though. I guess I thought I needed something a bit stronger to help you."
"And how do you have two wands?"
She sighed. She knew that this was going to come up sooner or later. "I go to school in a different dimension. I got this wand here and an ebony wood with a star bird feather core."
Sirius blinked twice and then nodded. "Why is Harry here under an invisible cloak?"
Hazel's eyes went wide and she looked back toward Honeydukes. She hadn't realized Harry had revealed himself. She would need to fix that.
"Our Uncle refused to sign the permission slip."
Sirius nodded. "I rushed into things long ago and left you two to fend for yourselves. I am really sorry."
He looked down as if he were ashamed. Hazel stepped to him and took him into an embrace.
"It is not your fault Uncle Sirius."
"Will you come live with Harry and I when I clear my name?"
She slowly shook her head. "No I want to finish school at Star Academy and I won't disrespect my parents." She quickly change the subject when she saw her Uncle frown.
"How goes your search going?"
"He keeps hiding from me but I will get before the year is out."
Hazel nodded, sensing his determination. They spoke only a moment longer and then the man turned back into a dog and Hazel put her wand away and left the alley.