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The fifth year boys' expressions sharpened with interest.
"Are you going home?" LeStrange asked.
"No. Definitely not."
Jeremiah nodded and produced an off white envelope as did Dagwood Larkins.
"We didn't want to make trouble for you if you were going home to your mu – muggles."
Harry nodded. "Thanks." He stared down at the envelopes in his hands. "I've never been invited to something like this."
In either timeline. It was a sad fact of life that Harry Potter was probably socially stunted. He had not even bought dress robes when he was Diagon Alley. Did this count as them making an effort not to end up Dark? Or were they just trying to get some sort of advantage with Harry? Both? Or was it too early to worry about things like that?
Interestingly, pockets of the Slytherin table were just as interested in Harry's pick up quidditch game as the Gryffindor table had been.
'They really aren't very different from us' Harry thought as he nibbled on his pie and examined his invitations. 'Just quieter. And sneakier. And better dressed.'
Harry was still worrying about his invitations the next day at lunch. He was scribbling and blotting out and sucking on his quill at the Hufflepuff table when Justin Finch-Fletchley delicately leaned over his shoulder. Justin's curly hair was a bit too long and it dangled in his eyes. Irritably, Justin shoved his curls behind his ears.
"Have you considered using 'Yours sincerely' before your name?" Harry sat back and blinked at Justin who flushed slightly and added, "And it might be better to actually address the letter to either the head of the family or whoever invited you."
Harry grinned. "You're good at this!"
Harry pulled a clean bit of parchment out of his bag and showed Justin the two invitations from the night before.
"How should I write this then?"
"Do you intend to attend these events?"
Harry nodded. "Might as well. It'll be something new."
Justin shot Harry a considering look then nodded. "Okay."
Justin helped Harry to write out a standard acceptance and a standard rejection then suggested that Harry buy some extremely expensive parchment and envelopes by owl order.
"They'll be expecting it" Justin said. "It'll be considered good manners."
Harry nodded and promised to by the specific parchment that Justin suggested even as he was grateful Ron was not around to hear it. Ron would have a fit over Harry spending so much money on parchment!
That Friday Harry snuck out of the castle and down to Hogsmeade where he flooed to Diagon Alley. An owl sent a few days before ensured that Madam Malkin was ready, willing, and able to help him. Narcissa Malfoy was also there. Harry beamed at his cousin. She smiled back and quickly hugged him. She was not as soft or all encompassing as Mrs. Weasley but she was just as warm and comforting. She even seemed to be rather fond of Harry.
"Hello Harry."
"Hello Mrs. Malfoy."
"You haven't shown Draco how to get out of the castle, have you Harry?"
"No Mrs. Malfoy."
"Good." She let go of him and took a step back. "Your robes are too short."
Harry blinked then looked down at himself. He could see his sneakers, ankles, and the bit just above them.
"They weren't that short on me when I bought them."
Mrs. Malfoy laughed. "You grew silly. We shall simply have to see to your school robes while you're here."
That seemed to be some sort of signal. As soon as she said that Madam Malkin bustled from the background.
"Please remove your robes, Mr. Potter."
Harry shrugged and obligingly took them off. Underneath he had on a pair of muggle jeans that fit him and a muggle t-shirt. Mrs. Malfoy wrinkled her nose as his choice of attire but said nothing as Madam Malkin's tape measure went to work. While that happened Madam Malkin showed him and Mrs. Malfoy a selection of fabrics and colors. They ended up choosing a thin over robe in a shade of green that matched his eyes, a thicker white under robe, black dress trousers, a black vest, a white shirt, a green tie that matched his over robe, and a white undershirt. Harry stared at the stack of clothes in open horror.
"I just want to go to a few parties. Do I really need all of that?"
"A few parties?" Narcissa Malfoy went on alert like a bloodhound scent prey. "How many parties have you agreed to attend?"
"Just three. Daphne Greengrass, Jeremiah LeStrange, and Kevin Larkins all invited me to their holiday parties."
"And you'll be invited to ours." Mrs. Malfoy promised. "Draco will be handing out the invitations soon."
Harry nodded. "Okay. So four."
Mrs. Malfoy shook her head. "Harry you cannot attend four parties in the same dress robes."
Harry blinked. "Why not?"
"It just isn't done! You're not poor, Harry darling. And even if you were, you would charm your robes a different color."
"So why can't I do that? I'm good at Charms!"
"Harry!"
For some reason it was desperately important to Narcissa Malfoy that he have more than one dress robe to his name. Harry sighed.
"Can we at least make it so that they all match?"
Narcissa, it seemed, could be gracious in victory. "Of course dear."
Harry ended with three more thin over robes – a Gryffindor red one, one the color of burnished copper, and one in a really dark shade of blue – one more thicker white under robe, and two more thicker black under robes. He also found himself with matching ties and interchangeable shirts, undershirts, trousers, and vests. At least she had not insisted on picking out pants for him. All of his robes were to be done in very formal cuts but each one had to be slightly different from the others.
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(P).(A).(T).(R).(E).(O).(N)
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