Shadow Council 129C

*****

“You need a new suit.”

Xander blinked, looking over to where Wedsneday, who had been quietly reading alongside Hermione, had just spoken.

“I do?”

“You will be going to a party with the Queen,” The Addams scion told him bluntly. “And you’ve grown significantly since your last fitting.”

“If your last fitting was the suit we helped you acquire, she’s right, Lad,” Daniel said from across the room. “I can call my tailor, if you like.”

“That is most appreciated, but unnecessary,” Wednesday said. “I will contact the family tailor.”

Daniel and Emma exchanged slightly concerned looks.

“Not to put too fine a point on it, but this is an event with Her Majesty,” Daniel said. “Our tailor is quite well regarded, are you certain that your family tailor is… well, up to the task?”

“Quite,” Wednesday said, glancing to Xander. “Shall I call him?”

“Please.”

Wednesday nodded and got to her feet, “May I make use of your phone?”

“Land line is in the kitchen,” Emma gestured.

“Thank you.”

They waited for her to leave before anyone spoke, but Emma had a concerned look on her face when she turned back to Xander and Hermione.

“Are you quite certain that you want to take a chance with an unknown tailor?” She asked, looking pained as she did, clearly not wanting to speak against her guest but worried as well.

“It’ll be fine,” Xander said, relaxed. “The Addamses are an ancient family and, while they have little use for most social mores, it doesn’t mean they don’t know how to play the game. They just don’t care to.”

Hermione nodded, “I’m not certain what to expect from her family’s tailor, but incompetence will not be a problem, of that I am quite certain.”

“If you are both certain,” Daniel said skeptically.

Wednesday reappeared shortly after, nodding to Xander, “We have an appointment this afternoon. I believe that we had best be going.”

Xander nodded, getting up, “We’ll be back later, Hermione if you can get your research ready I’ll bring it to Harry later.”

“Of course, Xander,” She smiled.

“Wait,” Emma said as they were heading out, “Where are you going?”

Wednesday merely glanced back on their way out the door.

“Savile Row, of course.”

The door closed behind them, leaving Daniel and Emma staring as Hermione snorted under her breath.

“We did try to warn you,” She told her parents with a chuckle before getting back to her research.

***** 

“Where are we going?” Draco Malfoy complained as his mother tugged him along, “The Alley is back that way.”

“We’re not going to Diagon, Draco, we’re meeting my Sister.” Narcissa said simply.

“The mudblood lover?” Draco asked, both shocked and revolted. “For Merlin’s sake, why?”

Narcissa stopped on the sidewalk, turning to fix him with a glare that set him back on his heels.

“That will be the last time you use such language, at least until school begins,” She told him firmly. “You are not in the company of your father’s friends, nor the Dark Lord’s minions, at the moment. Fail me in this and I will see to it that you deeply rue your actions. Am I quite clear?”

Draco swallowed, “Yes, Mother.”

“Good.” She said, turning and starting off again, “Now to answer your incredibly ill thought out and revoltingly common question, you will be staying with my sister until Hogwarts session begins.”

Draco gaped after her, having to run to catch up, “I’m what?”

“Draco, the manor is not currently a safe place for anyone to be, and I will not have you exposed to the dangers our… houseguest… has brought with him.”

“But the Dark…”

She snapped a look around at him so fast that Draco shivered and corrected himself automatically.

“But… our Houseguest…” He stammered out.

“Is fully aware of your leaving and has offered his… best wishes to you,” She said through a rictor of an expression that might charitably be called a smile before she sighed. “Draco, our houseguest is not… well. His actions are erratic, violent, and often final. It is not safe at the manor.”

“But you and Father…”

She lowered her head, her voice dropping to a whisper, “Draco, if we tried to leave, he would kill us. He has already crucioed us both, several times.”

Draco went white as he heard that, part of his mind refusing to believe it… but part knowing it was the cold truth.

“Then why am I permitted to leave?”

“Because our houseguest will be expecting you to report back to him on what you see,” Narcissa said simply. “What you choose to report is up to you, but I will warn you not to lie to him in person. Never lie to him in person.”

Draco looked confused as they turned a corner and his mother looked up, waving, “Andromeda, over here.”

Draco was about to ask who or what he would be reporting on as he looked up, recognizing his aunt as she strode toward him, then he also recognized who was with her. His eyes widened as Harry Potter’;s gaze settle on him, no surprise in the other boy’s eyes, merely a set expression of challenge that set Draco on edge.

“You cannot be serious,” He hissed to his mother, who’s lips quirked.

“No, he is in the Americas at the moment.”

“WHat?”

“Never mind,” Narcissa said as the two groups came together. “Romy.”

“Cissy,” Andromeda replied. “Just on time.”

“Of course.”

“On time for what?” Harry asked.

“As much as it pains me to agree with Potter, I am also wondering,” Draco admitted.

“We’re here for a fitting,” Andromeda answered them both, “The finest tailors in the non-magical world can be located here.”

“Here? Why not Paris, if we need new robes?” Draco objected.

“You don’t need Robes, you need a suit,” Narcissa said. “Mr Potter, a pleasure.”

“Mrs Malfoy, likewise,” Harry nodded before looking to Draco and sighing, “You haven’t been informed, I take it?”

“Informed of what?” Draco was rapidly losing patience.

“I have a party to attend,” Harry said reluctantly. “I require two bodyguards. You have been volunteered.”

Draco stared, pure shock on his face, before he sputtered as he sought out the right words to respond to that.

“Bodyguard? Yours? Are you all mental?” Draco asked, looking around at his companions.

“Harry left out that he needed a date, you could do that if you like?”

Harry and Draco both flushed as they spun on the newcomer, spotting Xander Harris grinning widely at them as he approached.

*****