"Now that you mention it, I could use some more sugar quills." Daphne agreed and they began walking towards the candy shop. For the next hour they visited the various shops in the small village, sometimes making purchases but more often just browsing. They both felt that they had spent too much time in the castle and were enjoying the chance to do something different. They were in Zonko's Joke Shop when Harry noticed someone sneaking up behind them. Harry spun around with his wand ready, only to find Fred and George Weasley laughing at his reaction.
"Careful there, Fred!" the twin that must have been George said. "Dark Lord Potter almost blasted your head off."
"Too true, my handsome brother. And a lovely head it is." Fred agreed. Harry had lowered his wand and was now looking at the twins in amusement.
"Hey guys." Harry said.
"A good afternoon to you." Fred replied.
"And to you, our dear Dark Lady." George added, after which both twins bowed theatrically.
"It's good to see someone showing me proper respect." Daphne said. "I suppose I might forgive you for sneaking up on us. Just this once."
"How gracious of you!" Fred answered excitedly. "Now Harry, you aren't seriously considering buying something from this pathetic establishment are you?"
"Why wouldn't I?" Harry asked. "I thought you two loved this place." The twins shared a glance between themselves and then leaned forward, as if to tell Harry and Daphne a secret.
"We're going to put this place out of business one day." George claimed with a large smile on his face. "Take one of these. We call it a Canary Cream. Normally I'd charge you seven sickles, but you get the Dark Lord discount for today." George handed him a small candy that looked like a custard cream.
"What does it do?" Harry asked suspiciously, holding the candy up to his face for a better look.
"Nothing dangerous, we promise." Fred answered. "Just use it wisely, and come see us if you want some more." With that the twins moved on and started talking to another one of Zonko's customers. Harry laughed when he realized they were attempting to advertise their line of joke products in their competitor's own store. 'Not a bad way to raise interest.' he finally decided.
"Are you hungry?" Harry asked Daphne as they left the joke shop. "I was thinking we could eat lunch at the Three Broomsticks."
"Oh, and I had my hopes set on Madam Puddifoot's." Daphne replied. Harry looked at her in surprise, not expecting Daphne to want to go to the tea shop he had heard described as 'feminine' at the nicest and 'a version of hell on earth for every male' at the worst.
"Uh, well ok. If that's what you want to do." Harry answered. Daphne responded by starting to laugh as if she had never heard anything funnier.
"No Harry, I don't really want to go. But it's nice that you would follow me into that hellhole if I wanted to go." Harry stared at her for a moment before beginning to chuckle as well, partly from relief that he didn't have to go to Madam Puddifoot's. "The Three Broomsticks will be great." When they made it to the pub they saw that most, but not all, of the tables were already taken. Harry was able to find one close the bar and they sat down and waited for Madam Rosmerta to come take their orders. Harry and Daphne were enjoying the good food and company when their happiness was interrupted.
"So Potter, taking your tramp out for an evening on the town are you?" the always annoying voice of Draco Malfoy asked. Harry and Daphne turned to see him and Pansy Parkinson approaching their table. Draco stood on one side of the table between Harry and Daphne while Pansy stood at the opposite side.
"Why don't you just leave, Malfoy. I'd prefer not to have to curse you in front of so many witnesses." Harry replied, upset that his date had been disturbed.
"Really? I didn't think you even paid attention to rules or laws, is it just to see how many you've broken? Only an idiot would believe that you have it in you to be a dark lord, but you are a liar and cheat. I'm just glad the rest of the world seems to be coming to their senses." Malfoy responded bitterly.
"Sod off, Draco." Daphne said, breaking in to the conversation. "Besides, we both know you aren't going to do anything here. Tuck your tail between your legs and go home." Malfoy sneered at her, but inwardly was starting to get desperate. His plan called for him to get Harry angry enough to start throwing spells, but so far nothing he said was having the effect he wanted it to.
"Perhaps I won't hex Potter." Malfoy said, still trying to find a way to anger his nemesis. "I'll just take this then, hope you weren't saving it." Malfoy reached towards the table and grabbed the Canary Cream that Harry had set by his plate. A small grin came over Harry's face, wondering if he could get Malfoy to eat it.
"Give it back!" Harry demanded, knowing that the more he seemed to want it the less likely Malfoy was to give it back. Malfoy smirked, thinking he was finally starting to get under Harry's skin.
"I don't think I will." Malfoy said as he unwrapped the candy and popped it into his mouth. As soon as he swallowed the candy his eyes bulged and he knew something was terribly wrong. Feathers began sprouting up out of his skin and his nose began growing into the shape of a beak. He tried to yell out but his voice had been replaced by a strange squawking sound. Everyone in the pub turned and started laughing as he slowly turned into a giant canary. In the distraction, Pansy Parkinson saw her chance and removed a small vial from her robes. She placed a few drops of the red liquid it contained into both Harry and Daphne's drinks before hiding the vial. She smiled evilly, the distraction may not have happened as planned but this part still worked. She had completed her task and no one seemed to notice, their attentions were still focused on Malfoy.
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