Chapter 18: London Calling

July 1995

Draco POV…

Draco Malfoy was in awe.

The pureblooded wizard was now standing in the middle of Piccadilly Circus with his mouth agape. How had muggles built such a place?

Earlier that day…

Draco swiftly arrived at King's Cross Station as planned and immediately noticed what the muggle trains looked like on this side of the barrier. He'd never been brought to this part of the station before as his family always used the floo connection only available for wizarding folk. It was just the muggle-born or muggle-raised students that ever used the portal.

He wandered around for a few moments, examining how everything around him looked full of curious new technology. As he was looking at a station map for the surrounding area of London, he found a nearby advertisement for the latest in mobile technology. There was a photo of what appeared to be a miniature telephone with something called GSM. The StarTAC was apparently new at a Motorola store located somewhere called Piccadilly Circus. Smiling, Draco rechecked the map to see that there was an underground train that would take him directly there. Now, he only needed to figure out how to board the right train.

In his excitement, he quickly turned away from the map and immediately bumped into a stern man in uniform. By the looks of him, he must be some type of muggle auror. He wore a white shirt, a black tie and vest with the word "metropolitan police" clearly marked. He also had a strange looking hat with checkered trim. If he was an auror, maybe he could help?

"Excuse me, sir. I didn't mean to bump into you."

The much older man with the serious expression looked at Draco carefully and then smiled. "No harm son, what's your hurry?"

"Oh," Draco replied nervously. "I'm wanting to travel to Piccadilly Circus and was just about to find where I could access the correct train. Would you be able to point me in the right direction? I've never used the underground before."

The police officer chuckled and said, "No worries. I'll take you to the Travelcard dispenser where you can purchase a one-day card. This will allow you to ride any train or bus in London for the day. Once you have your card, you'll need to hop on the Piccadilly line for Cockfosters and Heathrow Terminal 5. Mind from here you need to head towards Heathrow and on the way back, you'll need to look for the line towards Cockfosters. There's really nothing to it as there are directional signs everywhere."

Draco was amazed. Were all muggles so nice? The two he'd interacted with so far today were extremely helpful. Why was it then that were they all described as barbaric? Everything he's observed indicated things here were done decently and an in order.

It was a question he'd have to ask Hermione after he purchased his mobile phone, of course.

As the officer directed Draco to where he could buy his ticket, he asked, "So, what's got you wanting to travel all the way to Piccadilly on your own?" The wizard looked up at the man and nervously replied, "Um, I'm wanting to buy one of the new mobile phones and I need to go there to visit the store." He gulped as this was where he decided to use a little creative elaboration. "My girlfriend's parents just bought her one and I wanted one, too, so I could speak to her more often." Draco embarrassingly cringed at this admission, one he wished were true, but quickly turned to see the officer laugh heartily.

"Oh, I remember the days of early love! Well, I'll help you on your way young Romeo so you can secure the affections of the fair Juliet." The man shook his head in amusement and Draco was confused. Who were Romeo and Juliet and was this something he needed to ask Hermione, too?

"No worries lad, we're here."

The officer helped Draco obtain the correct Travelcard and then stayed with him until he was safely on the correct train. The Slytherin watched through the window as the man waved in farewell as the train left the station. Draco smiled as he sat down and waited for his stop. He couldn't believe he was truly navigating around London as a muggle! He felt a forbidden thrill knowing that he was finally doing something that would cause his father an apoplectic fit and his mother a fainting spell. Draco was surrounded by muggles…and he liked it!

Soon, the train car stopped with the call of Piccadilly Circus, so Draco disembarked with the other passengers. Not knowing where exactly the store was located, he decided to follow everyone else up to the street. As he cleared the stairwell, Draco looked around and felt his mouth drop open like the Weasel at a leaving feast.

What was this place and where do I go first?

Recovering his senses, Draco started wandering around and excitingly taking in all the sights and sounds of London. This was certainly bigger than Amesbury and he briefly wondered how many people lived here. Perhaps that was another question for Hermione? He also wondered briefly where she lived.

It didn't take him long to find the Motorola store as there were signs everywhere about the newest StarTAC mobile phone. Draco knew he wanted the best money could buy so he courageously entered the store. After a confusing two hours, he left with the phone, emptier pockets, and all the accoutrements he could ever need. His main problem, he realized, was how he was going to keep the battery charged without electricity. For now, the battery was fine as it already came fully charged, and he didn't expect to use it for anything other than to speak with Hermione. Draco figured she could help him with that problem when he next spoke to her.

Should he call her now? Draco shook his head and decided the best course of action was to get the manor quickly so he could beat his parents home. He knew they would be there for dinner, and it was about two in the afternoon now. Draco was very glad he started his adventure early this morning, otherwise he'd be toast if they found out what he was up to. If he left now, he'd have enough time to stash his purchases and maybe even read through the manual that came with the device. It was a good thing he could prepay for a year of service, otherwise he'd have to figure out how to pay the bill, monthly. Money certainly spoke to muggles as much as it did for wizards so that worked out in his favor. The fact he had cash on hand didn't hurt.

Draco made his way back through the gauntlet of the London Underground to King's Cross and caught the floo connection at 9 ¾ with just moments to spare of his parents' arrival. He was in his room relaxing in his favorite chair with a potions text when he heard a rapping on his door. Curious, he opened it to see his father looking at him with an interestingly strange expression. He wasn't quite angry, but he wasn't happy either.

"May I come in?" Lucius asked and Draco obediently let his father into the sitting room. He closed the door and turned to see the man he'd always idolized staring at him in a way that was making the young scion very uncomfortable.

"So, how was your day in London, son?" Draco looked up at him gulped. He was busted. How did his father know?

"I have eyes and ears everywhere. Did you really think you could sneak out all day and that we wouldn't know about it? What was so important that you'd risk surrounding yourself with muggles?" That word, Draco realized was said with the utmost disgust. "Your mother is resting after learning what you did today, so I'll ask again, what was so important that you'd do such a thing?"

Not knowing what else he could do, Draco went to his mobile phone's hiding place and pulled out the plastic Motorola shopping bag. He brought it over to the low table in front of the settee and pulled out his purchases. As he did so, his father's eyes widened.

"What is all of this, Draco?" Not having any other option, he explained to Lucius what he did that day, including his conversation with Hermione. As he wrapped up the adventurous tale, his father had a wide grin on his face. Shocked, Draco waited for an explanation.

"Very clever, son. You wish to woo Ms. Rosier by using a means familiar to her. Your overture of navigating the muggle world for her has already made an impression. I can understand, given our current houseguest, that you would keep this a secret and I somewhat agree, but in the future, please speak to me before you run off. Death Eater campaigns will be escalating soon, and I don't wish for you to be caught in the crossfire. Make sure your mother never sees that thing and I will overlook this infraction. I will tell her about your misguided attempt to impress Ms. Rosier and she will see it as such. You must also practice your occlumency as the Dark Lord can never know what you did today. Do you understand?"

Draco was shocked at his father's acquiescence. He quickly bobbed his head up and down, afraid to speak as if the sound of his voice would change the man's mind. His father gave him a stern nod and as he was leaving the room, said, "Dinner will be at seven. Don't be late." The door closed softly behind him.

Once he was alone, the young wizard jumped up in triumph. He was one step closer to securing Hermione for himself. There were no other serious suitors vying for her attentions and the Weasel was no real threat. With his father's permission to carry out his plan, he couldn't see anyone or anything standing in his way. He'd bury anyone who tried.

As far as Draco Malfoy was concerned, Hermione "Granger" Rosier was already his.

Salazar POV…

The one thing the Malfoy's never considered was that Salazar also had eyes and ears everywhere. Even though he was stuck within the portrait network of Hogwarts, that didn't mean some of the others he associated with weren't. Phineas Nigellas Black was one such resource, but the one he'd been pressuring lately for news was Nicholas Malfoy. This ancestor was a nasty piece of work who lived during the 14th century but was now a reluctant ally he could intimidate for news. Nicholas had the ability to navigate the paintings at Malfoy Manor freely and Salazar was taking advantage of him for updates. This was how he learned of young Draco's most recent adventure to muggle London and his subsequent conversations with Hermione.

Salazar was beyond frustrated and angry. The Malfoy whelp was able to move about freely and converse easily with his prophecy-promised bride while he was still stuck within his prison. He knew Hermione had no romantic feelings toward young Draco, but like any Slytherin given time and planning, he could easily woo her to his side making things much more challenging for Salazar. From his vantage, it looked like he was well on his way to achieving that end. The founder still needed to shift Hermione's thoughts of him from grandfatherly mentor to future love interest.

Morgana's pensieve did reveal the outcome of his eventual marriage with Hermione so he shouldn't be worried at this stage by a young upstart suitor. He was a Dark Lord after all who was to be revered by all the wizarding world. Once things were finally cleared up from his Heir's epic temper tantrum, he would wed the beautiful Heiress, and all would be well. Young Potter would stand by her side and the red-haired menace would be put in his place at her feet. The thought of that part made him smile.

As soon as Salazar was out of portrait purgatory and physically in his younger, most handsome form, he was sure to turn Hermione's eyes towards him. He would no longer look like the elderly man she knew but would still possess the intellect she was clearly attracted to. Salazar would woo her with his brilliance as he'd have all the brains she'd ever want in a partner wrapped up in a very attractive package. He needed to wait for just over a year now and in the meantime, he'd step up their lesson frequency. This, along with her OWL studies, should allow for no free time to cater to Malfoy shaped distractions. He'd lure Hermione and draw her close with discussions over the werewolf cure. He'd help her with any little thing her heart desired and by the time she turned seventeen and he was free, he'd be able to work with her side by side. Salazar imagined the closeness they would share while potion brewing during her sixth year and he couldn't wait. Draco Malfoy and his clumsy attempts at courting would become all but a memory.

As far as Salazar was concerned, Hermione was and would always be, his.

A/N: Salazar just had to get in the last word! Here is a short chapter to tide you over until the next installment. I took a few liberties using the net to describe the London Underground as I've never been there and the StarTAC phone wasn't released until 1996. I changed it to 1995 to fit what Draco would be looking for. Coming soon, we'll be zipping forward to the beginning of fifth year and will highlight the bigger events. There will be some Sirius fallout over Harry's feud with Dumbledore and perhaps that action may unpredictably influence events along with the pink toad we all know and love.

In response to some comments I've received over time, this Salazar is very controlling and possessive. He wants Hermione so he can secure his place in ruling over the world as the Dark Lord, but he also does selfishly care about her, even if right now it may be for what she can give him. You never know what will happen once he's set free… Draco truly loves her and is navigating a dangerous path with Voldemort nearby. At this point, Hermione's heart is still open to choose as she's only known Sal as a fatherly-type mentor. How will she react; however, to a younger, flesh and blood version? Was everything that Morgana showed Salazar in the pensieve the truth? She did invent the process after all. Did he trust her too easily by taking what he saw at face value? Did she have another objective for her Heiress that involved Salazar needing to be in the future? Did she actually out Slytherin, Slytherin or is the prophecy set in stone? How will Harry handle things once Sal is set loose? Lots of questions that still need to be answered! Stay tuned to find out more as the story unfolds!