Chapter Text
She was honestly shocked to see him, Draco Malfoy standing in the middle of a Muggle clothing store. He looked entirely lost in his 3 piece all black suit, and it made her feel entirely under dressed in her skinny jeans and crop top.
“Malfoy?” she asked rounding a jean rack to face him head on.
The blonde whipped around on her, obviously surprised to hear his name in a muggle setting. “Evans?” he asked, it was quite clear her presence was equally unnerving to him outside of Hogwarts walls. He gave her outfit a quick once over settling with a look of distance at the cartoon smiley face on her shirt.
“Are you lost or something? You know this is a muggle store right?” she asked, crossing her arms over her chest.
“I am well aware” He sniffed looking around with the constant state of aloofness he seemed to always carry. “I am here for my mother.”
“Two Malfoy’s in a muggle store?” Jamie laughed. “You must be joking.”
“If you must know, her birthday is coming up. I am here to procure a gift. She recently became infatuated with a muggle cobbler.”
“Shoes?” Jamie clarified. “She wants shoes, you’re on the wrong floor.” She grinned at him. “You’re so lost aren't you?”
“I am not” he denied immediately.
“The shoe department is upstairs Malfoy, did you even bring muggle money? They won’t accept galleons, you know.”
“Yes yes I am not a fool you know” he spat irritably despite the way he shifted uncomfortably.
Jamie sighed, feeling bad for him he was obviously unsure. “Alright come on, I’ll help”
“Why would I require your assistance?” he asked, looking at her again.
“Because you don’t take muggle studies, you have no idea what you are doing. I was raised a muggle, as you well like to remind me.”
“So is that what this is about, your offer of help. Are you going to hold it over me at school telling everyone how you helped more Malfoy shop for shoes for his mummy”
“Actually, I was gonna see if you’d be willing to call a temporary truce and agree we tell no one I helped you. But if you want to be like that, fine” she said, raising her hands as she backed off.
“Wait” Malfoy said finally after she turned her back. “Your help would not be unappreciated.”
Jamie crossed her arms facing him again with a ‘is that seriously the best you can do’ look on her face. Draco stared her down and she threw her arms up. “Fine, don’t be nice. Just don’t say muggle to loud people here who will think you’re crazy.” She moved towards the escalator not even checking if he was following her, she knew he was.
She stepped easily onto the escalator turning around to face him just in time to watch him take a small leap onto the platform. She turned away pressing her hand to her smile to stifle her laugh.
“Ha ha Very funny Evans”
“You know, with this whole truce you could try calling me by my given name for once” she threw back over her shoulder stepping off onto the new floor with ease. “You might even try to be friendly while you are at it, if you can.”
“I am perfectly capable of being nice.” he muttered stiffly
Jamie couldn't control the snort that escaped her this time as they walked into the shoe department.
A few sales women saw them, it was a younger one who approached them. A tall blond beauty that made Jamie envy the curves of her waist. “My name is Elizabeth, who are we shopping for today?”
Jamie turned to face Draco who was already examining shoes on a table completely ignoring the conversation. She laughed, turning back. “His mother’s birthday, pumps in black, silver, green or white no animal print.”
“Nothing under 5 inches, in a size nine” Malfoy added, coming to stand behind Jamie. “Tasteful and elegant”
Elizabeth smiled at him. “I can certainly work with that, and is there anything I can pull for you Mr.…?”
“Malfoy, and not just for my mother, thank you.”
“I have a few new releases in stock that fit your needs, feel free to browse the show room while I pull them sir.” She batted her eyes at him before moving through a set of white doors.
“Black, silver, green or white? Perhaps you have style after all.” He mused moving to a new table.
“Nonsense, I've seen your mother a few times shopping in Diagon alley. Those are the only colors she ever wears. Which may be a family trait judging by your 3 piece suit, though this is the first time I've seen you outside of your house robes to be fair.”
“Which are also, black green and silver,” Malfoy added, almost smiling.
“Exactly” Jamie moved away from him into the clothing sections trailing her hands across a stack of red cashmere sweaters. She picked up the sweater pressing her face to the fabric.
“Getting a new wardrobe?” Draco teased. “Perhaps something a little longer” he said, looking at her crop top again.
“Muggle fashion is different, crop tops are normal Malfoy. But this is cashmere, it's so soft” she cooed, folding it gently back onto the table. “My aunt has a cashmere scarf, it’s very soft too.”
“From your muggle side I take it?” He asked conversationally.
“Well yes” she laughed, squinting at him. “I live with her after all.”
“You don’t live with your parents?” Draco was clearly learning something new, it was all over his face.
“My parents died when I was a baby, my mother was muggle born, my father was from a wizard family. Not a very big family though they had mostly passed on when it was time to place me.” She circled the table pressing her hands into another cashmere sweater “Look its Gryffindor red” she smiled delightedly.
“But, I thought you didn't know about Hogwarts until you received your letter. Did your aunt know about your sister?”
“Oh she knew,” Jamie muttered irritably. “She was just hoping I wouldn't be the same.”
“You mean to tell me, your muggle aunt knew you were from a magic family. And just didn't tell you until your Hogwarts letter arrived?” Draco asked clearly disturbed.
“Well…” Jamie thought back to the room filled with letters and the light house they had escaped too. “Basically? It was actually Hagrid who told me. He took me shopping my first year.”
“That’s why you are friends with that oaf” Malfoy said as if everything was suddenly falling into place.
Jamie punched his arm hard. “No being mean,” she reminded. “Hagrid is a kind person and does not deserve this attitude”
Draco rubbed his shoulder clearly about to say something when Elizabeth arrives holding an assortment of shoe boxes. “Sir I've brought out some selections, let me know if anything is to your liking” She smiled, setting them on the cushioned seat next to them.
“Excellent” Jamie smiled rubbing her hands together as she flipped the lid off the top box pulling out an entirely white shoe with silver encrusted heels and toe. “Mmmm, too bright?” she asked looking over her shoulder.
“Yes” he agreed, pulling out a shoe from his own stack. A plane black pump with a white sole.
“Too shiny, looks like plastic.” Jamie said, frowning at it.
“I quite agree, mother prefers softer textures.”
They dug through the boxes for a few moments before deciding they were entirely unsatisfied. “I’m gonna look around, have her take these back and bring out another batch.” Jamie drifted away through the racks before he could responded moving to the far section they had yet browsed. She quickly tied her hair up into a bun using a clip to secure it in place as she got into the zone.
Aunt Petunia only let her have one day a month with no chores, She had become an expert in using her time wisely. With only three days out of the summer each one was specifically designated. Day one, Diagon alley to remove any funds she would need for her school shopping. In June she spent her one day shopping for necessities like underwear or tampons she would need to bring. Then finally, in July her last day was shopping for supplies. She had finished most of her own shopping this morning so spending the day with Malfoy was far more preferable than going home early.
She was in the shoe section for about twenty minutes before she found them. A sleek pair of suede heels in a deep black tone. The heel was made of silver and shaped into the figure of a coiling shake with green stones set for eyes. She gasped, yanking the heel off the shelf.
With all the speed of a seeker she had built over the years she quickly navigated her way back to Draco, interrupting Elizabeth who had her hand on his chest.
“Draco, look” she purred, holding the shoes like a house elf and a sock. “Aren't they perfect?”
He turned to face her, stepping easily out of the woman's touch. “Yes, those will do perfectly Jamie.” He took the shoe from her hands examining the snake feature. “In a size nine please” he said, holding it to the shoe girl.
Elizabeth sighed, taking it from his hand. “Right away.”
“Well done,” Malfoy agreed. “Mother will love them, do they have any matching accessories?”
“I didn't get that far, they have some silk scarves though I'm sure you can find one in Slytherin green.”
“Quite, I shall go pick something out.” he slipped his hands into his pockets before bending down to speak in her ear. “Will you please do something about that woman?” he whispered.
“Have no fear I’ll protect you” Jamie smiled ignoring the goosebumps on her neck.
Draco laughed slowly, moving away towards the scarf table just as Elizabeth exited the room. Elizabeth walked confidently to Jamie holding the box out.
“He’s taken isn't he? I’m sorry I didn't mean to make anyone uncomfortable.” She said, smiling awkwardly.
“Oh I have no idea” Jamie laughed while taking the box. “I think he’s with some girl in our grade but that was last year.”
“Oh, so you two aren't?”
“Just classmates, we actually don’t even get along but he ran into me today at the mall and needed help” she said honestly.
“And you’re sure he’s not interested?” she said, glancing at Draco across the room. “In you, I mean,” she clarified.
“In me?” Jamie asked, shocked. She turned towards Draco for a minute, his eyes snapped up to hers for a moment and she looked away blushing. “I would be very surprised if he were,” Jamie said instead to the girl. “He will however take these, he’s picking out a scarf for his mother.”
“I wouldn't be” Elizabeth said, easily taking the shoe box. “Surprised I mean, you’re a very beautiful girl.” She smiled knowingly before making her way back to the counter. Draco’s voice sounded behind her a moment later.
“Which one?”
She turned and he was holding a handful of silk scarves in varying shades of green and white.
She pulled a dark emerald tone out admiring it. “You’re mother, does she have the same color eyes?” she asked, holding it in comparison next to Malfoy's face.
“Yes” he said, staring intently at her.
“Mmm” she set the dark scarf on his left shoulder before pulling another one from his hand, it was a light shade like sea foam. “This is lovely but it’s to light” she threw it over her shoulder instead working that way to single out the scarves she liked from the pile. In total there were four Jamie determined to be worthy. “One of these I think” she said, pulling the silks from his shoulder. “I’ll put the rest back, which ones will you keep?”
“All of them” he shrugged.
“Four scarves?” Jamie laughed. “Alright, I'll put the others away. Elizabeth promises to keep her hands off you go pay.”
The two parted while Jamie neatly folded the scarves in question and placed them back on the white marble display table. She glanced at the price tag and nearly vomited. They were nearly three times what she spent on school supplies each! She knew the Malfoy’s were well off but this was unnecessary.
She joined him at the checkout counter, just as Elizabeth was handing him a receipt. He stuffed it into the bag at hand, a large black paper bag to match his black ensemble. She couldn't help but laugh.
“Have a great day!” Elizabeth waved
“Are you ready?” Jamie asked.
Malfoy nodded and motioned her towards the door, gently placing a hand at her waist to guide her.
Her back was on fire where his hand was placed against her shirt, his pinky just barely brushing skin. The moment they exited the store she stepped from his reach turning to face him. “I’ve gotta admit Draco you’re not so bad.”
“I’m afraid I must agree Ms. Evans, you are hardly as unmanageable as you seem during the school year. Who knew you had such fine taste.”
“Are you saying my shirt isn't so bad after all?” she grinned as they continued down the sidewalk. She was sure there was a Flu network somewhere around here.
“It’s atrocious” he said, nose wrinkling.
“It’s Jamie actually, nice to meet you.” She extended her hand for him to shake.
He looked at it clearly amused. “Draco” He answered by taking her hand, but instead of shaking it he knelt down slightly bringing her hand to his lips. Placing a soft kiss against her knuckles. “A pleasure to meet you.”
Her hand slid from his fingers and she found herself blushing again. “You are far too formal” she declared instead after a moment, glancing at her watch. “It’s getting late, I guess I’ll see you at school?”
“Dinner?” He blurted seeming unsure. “Do you have dinner plans? I’m not expected back for a few hours. Father is making my excuses.”
“Sure, but nothing as fancy as you are thinking.” She said pointing accusingly at him.
“I wouldn't dream of it, what would you suggest?”
“Have you ever had pizza?”
The confusion on his face was clear enough.