Disclaimer: I don't own them.

A/N: This is the prequel to "Forget Us Not," so it can (in theory) be read without reading the others ("Forget Us Not" and its sequel, "Forget Us Never") (although, if you would like to read them, I will most certainly not stop you).

Chapter One

Draco sighed. Work was particularly slow today. Hogwarts was out for the summer, and very few people were even in Diagon Alley to begin with, let alone in search of reading material.

Yes, today, Flourish and Blotts was completely uncrowded. And, well, boring.

--

"Let me guess… underage magic." Harry said.

Ron nodded.

Harry sighed. "Come on, let's go."

"Harry... do you ever get the feeling that being an Auror is banal now that Voldemort's been defeated?" Ron asked.

"Banal? Have you been reading Hermione's Word-A-Day calendar?" Harry questioned as the two headed towards the apparition point.

Ron blushed, causing Harry to laugh.

"Yeah, I would say that it's gotten banal." He replied. "But, in a way, that's good… I think."

--

"Have you taken inventory?" The shopkeeper asked.

Draco nodded.

"Um… dusted?" The shopkeeper offered.

Draco scoffed. "No, but I'm not that bored."

"I was just suggesting things." The shopkeeper shrugged.

"Well, thank you. But I'll just re-alphabetize everything…" Draco said.

--

"Well, it's nice to know that all that magic I learned is useful in real life…" Ron muttered, changing his hair from pink to its natural red.

Harry laughed. "Hermione would be so proud."

"Speaking of Hermione…" Ron said as they walked away from the house, "She asked me to pick up a book for her in Diagon Alley."

"Uh… okay…" Harry uneasily replied.

"I mean, you don't have to come if you don't want, but I would like the help…" Ron flashed Harry a grin.

Harry rolled his eyes. "Sure, why not."

A few moments later, they Apparated to Diagon Alley.

--

"A B C D E F G…" Draco sang to himself, as he shelved books according to his new alphabetizing system.

"Hello! Anyone here?" A voice called out.

Draco grumbled at having to deal with people, but headed to the front of the store.

"How may I help you?" He asked, before he saw who had come in.

"I'm looking for- Malfoy!" Ron exclaimed as Draco came into view.

Draco smirked. "I highly doubt that you were looking for me, Ronald."

"What he meant to say was that he was looking for, uh…" Harry began, before realizing that Ron had never told him what book Hermione had wanted.

Draco crossed his arms and leaned against the counter, still smirking. "Whenever you two decide to become coherent, let me know."

"I'm plenty coherent, Malfoy!" Ron exclaimed.

"Hey, Ron, just ignore him. Now, what book does Hermione want?" Harry asked,

"1001 Useful Magical Spells." Ron replied.

Harry frowned. "Do you know who wrote it?"

Ron shook his head.

"Draco, do you-" Harry began.

"Abbott. Alyssa Abbott. Should be upstairs on the left." Draco offered.

"Thanks." Harry smiled, which Draco returned.

"When did you and Malfoy become friendly?" Ron asked, frowning.

Harry's face reddened as he guided Ron up the stairs.

"Harry… what aren't you telling me?" Ron questioned.

"There's nothing to tell." Harry muttered.

Downstairs, Draco tried to hide his laughter.

A few moments later, Ron and Harry came back downstairs, book in hand, with Ron glaring at Harry.

Harry slid the money for the book across the counter to Draco, who smiled and said, "See you tonight," before heading back to where he was re-alphabetizing.

"Harry, what does he mean by that?" Ron asked, as Harry dashed out of the bookstore. "Harry! Come back here!"

As Ron chased Harry out the door, Draco was writhing on the floor with laughter.