Shadow Council 129D

*****

“This is a surprise,” Narcissa said, looking Xander up and down for a moment before her eyes were drawn to the young girl standing quietly behind him. “I was not informed you would be here, young mister Harris.”

“Nor I,” Andromeda said, sounding equally surprised. “What brings you to Savile Row?”

“A suit,” Xander shrugged idly. “It seems that I have a bodyguard gig for some useless ponce or another and need to look the part.”

“Hey,” Harry snapped, “still not recovered from the suggestion of Draco being my date, you want to dial it back a little?”

“Poor Potter, is the world not fair?” Wednesday asked from behind Xander, the barest hint of amusement twitching her lips.

“You were able to get an appointment here in short notice?” Narcissa asked, surprised, “I had to horse trade on both the Black and Malfoy names to get Harry and Draco in.”

“My family’s tailor was willing to make time for us,” Wednesday said simply.

“Speaking of,” Andromeda said, checking her timepiece.

“Ah yes, this is us here,” Narcissa nodded to an impressive looking storefront. “Where are you two going?”

“Next door, in fact,” Wednesday said, gesturing to a much more humble and noticeably run down shop.

Draco sneered at her, “The best your family can manage, I suppose.”

“Draco,” Narcissa snapped, her eyes wide as she paled, looking at the shop in question.

“What? Look at it,” He pointed. “It’s falling down on itself.”

Wednesday merely smiled at him, no humor or emotion at all reaching her eyes as she took Xander by the arm.

“We’ll not keep you,” She told them. “Cousin Malfus is expecting us.”

Xander just nodded to the small group and let himself be led to the old decrepit looking shop.

“Draco Malfoy, you and I need to have a long conversation about keeping our mouth shut when you don’t know what you’re talking about,” Narcissa said tersely.

“Is he wrong?” Harry asked, confused. “The shop does look…”

“It does,” Andromeda nodded, “but only because Dereck Malfus likes it that way. He’s the most elite tailor on this street, Harry, having apprenticed easily half of the rest and taught them everything they know. I presume that was the Addams?”

“Wednesday?” Harry asked, nodding.

“Unassuming child,” Narcissa said, taking a breath. “Now, come along, we have an appointment with one of Malfus’ apprentices… Draco.”

Draco flushed, but followed along dutifully as he and Harry were led into the fancy looking shop. His eyes darted to the side, though, wondering at the decrepit looking one that had such an apparent reputation.

***** 

“Wednesday! It’s been too long, child, you’ve grown so much.” Dereck Malfus said warmly as he emerged from a back room at the sound of the old bell sounding as the door opened ahead of Wednesday and Xander. “And for shame, five years in England and this is the first time you call me?”

“Apologies, cousin,” Wednesday smiled as warmly as she ever managed. “I have no excuses.”

“You’re a child still,” He told her cheerfully, waving off the dark look that clouded her eyes, “and none of that, girl, I may only be a cousin but I’m experienced enough with the family to put you over my knee if you try your games with me.”

Xander snorted, amused, and drew Wednesday’s ire in his direction only to laugh it off just as easily.

“You’d probably enjoy me putting you over my knee,” He told her blithely, “So don’t get any ideas.”

“Oh ho!” Malfus laughed uproariously, “Has the little dark princess found her prince? The family will be so tickled, though I know of several distant cousins who will be heart broken.”

Wednesday seethed silently for a moment, forcing the blush away from her cheeks.

“We are not here for a reunion, Cousin,” She said firmly. “My friend, Xander, needs a suit.”

“I gathered as much, else why come here?” Malfus grew more serious, looking Xander over with a critical eye. “Good frame on ye, if nothing else, lad. What sort of suit do you need?”

“I have no idea,” Xander shrugged, “I have to play bodyguard for a friend at a part attended by the Queen.”

“Oh ho, interesting,” Malfus said thoughtfully. “Let me see now, that would be the upcoming Knights’ Ball, no doubt. Escorting The Potter, I presume?”

Xander shot a questioning glance at Wednesday, who said nothing.

“Don’t look at her,” Malfus reprimanded him casually as he searched through some rolls of material. “I keep track of such things, and there’s only one Knight being presented this year who may not already have his entourage decided. Given your school, since I must presume you and my lovely dark cousin here go to the same place, it’s an easy guess to make.”

“Ah, yeah, right.” Xander confirmed.

“Well, a properly fitted three piece should do. Single breast,” Malfus said as he casually pulled out a heavy looking roll of wool and dropped it onto the cutting table, shooting Xander an appraising look. “Yes… single breast, let’s accentuate that wide chest of yours.”

Xander pulled back slightly from the gaze, only for Wednesday to push him forward again.

“Indeed, that sounds… perfect,” She said from behind him.

“Now hang on a…”

“Relax, lad, I only bite if you ask very nicely,” Malfus was suddenly in his personal space, wrapping a tape around him while winking licentiously before dropping to his knees in front of Xander.

“Ay yi!” Xander went up on his tiptoes as the tape slid up his leg.

“Dress to the right, do we?”

“Cousin.”

Malfus winked at Wednesday, “Can’t blame me for being curious about what attracted the dark princess, now, can you?”

He paused before grinning at her, “Good choice though.”

Wednesday fumed in his direction, which the tailor casually ignored with all the impunity of family.

“Now,” He said, getting to his feet and marking down measurements, “Let us talk materials. Might I suggest Worsted? The real thing, of course, from an old family farm in Wurðestede. I buy their entire product each season, and I promise it is the finest on the planet.”

“That sounds fine,” Wednesday confirmed.

“Excellent,” Malfus said, ignoring Xander’s confusion. “Now, shoes?”

Wednesday nodded.

“We have another cousin who runs a fabulous cobbler’s shop, I’ll make a call.”

*****