HP: The Stealing Isn't That Bad! Is It?

"The Malfoy lord looked up and found the Owner waiting for his payment while the customers lined behind him grumbled a bit. "It seems that I have misplaced my money..." Lucius said softly, so that the people behind would not hear of his predicament.

"I'm sure you'll find it Lord Malfoy... I'll just set aside this for you until you return with the twenty galleons." The Owner replied, not bothering to lower the volume of his voice.

"Could I not just take it with me? Surely you know that I can pay..." Lucius Malfoy said as his face reddened from embarrassment amidst the stares of the witches and a few wizards behind him.

"I'm sorry sir... but that's the policy of this establishment." The Owner said trying to be polite while at the same time fighting the smirk growing on his face.

"Very well... I will send my elf to collect it." Lucius Malfoy sneered at the crowd and composed himself for an exit that was expected of a Lord of a noble and ancient house. He twirled his hand and realized that his walking stick was also missing, and to the eyes of some, moving one's hand in a strange fashion near the crotch was considered rude.

"Mom... what is he doing?" A young girl asked her face inches from the Lucius Malfoy's hand.

"Nothing Ginny dear... absolutely nothing." A red head woman covered her daughter's eyes while a pair of boys beside her snickered. "You should be ashamed Lucius Malfoy! And in front of the children! My daughter no less!" The angry mother said, confronting the perverted Lord of the ancient and once noble house of Malfoy.

Lucius wisely chose to shut his mouth and moved towards the exit quickly, his girly hair bouncing behind him.

Harry scratched his itchy back with his brand new stick as he looked around the shops for things that would interest him. He had acquired what was specified on his school list and then some and was now just passing the time, determined to spend most of his time in Diagon Alley before going back to Privet Drive.

A glint of something shiny caught his eye and saw an exquisite pocket watch on an old man with a cane. Harry grinned and decided for the old approach.

"Is something wrong mister?" Harry asked politely as the old man walked back and forth in front of a local wizard market.

"Nothing dear boy" The old man said kindly. "I'm just waiting for the Missus to finish her shopping. And you? The Alley's closing in an hour, you should start heading home!"

"I will... Thanks mister." Harry said as he subtly pushed out his toe. The cane fell and Harry leaned down and picked it up. "You dropped your cane sir."

"Oh? How clumsy of me!" The old man laughed.

"Here." Harry said as he stood beside the old man and positioned the old man's arm on the cane again. "Good bye then sir!"

The old man waved and watched the strange boy walk away. A few moments later the boy vanished among the crowd heading back to their homes.

"I hope you didn't wait long..." An old woman said as she exited the Wizarding grocery. "The charms on the carts kept on malfunctioning... I had to recast temporary ones three times!"

"Not at all... a young boy kept me company while I waited for you." The old man said as he fondly kissed his wife's cheek. "Let's head back."

Private room, Leaky Cauldron

Harry smiled as he admired the strange watch he had recently 'acquired.' It didn't tell the time, but it sure looked pretty. He had spotted a Wizarding pawn shop and wondered how much he could sell it. He would have to return to Diagon Alley tomorrow and determine the value of the watch. Besides he needed to start heading back home and start cooking for his relatives.

"You like my watch do you?"

Harry's eyes widened when he heard the old man's voice and he saw the old man seated across from him with a smile he couldn't place. He immediately jumped out of the seat and sprinted towards the door when he found an old woman blocking his path. He was trapped.

"I got to give you some points for that acting of yours... I really thought you were just a nice polite boy willing to help an old man." The old man said. "Now my watch please... it's a gift from my mother and it has deep sentimental value."

Harry sheepishly gave the watch back. Yes he was a thief... but that didn't mean he did not have any heart. And he knew from experience from pawning stolen jewelries that old things that have great sentimental value tend to have low value. They were usually a ploy by the owner to make the item they have higher than it should have.

"Now young man... You do know that stealing is wrong?" The old woman said as she walked closer to the boy while her husband waved his wand, making sure his watch was not damaged.

Harry fearing that he was about to be captured and given to the wizard police, had no choice and decided to use his hidden method of travelling. He faded, to the complete surprise of the old couple with him.

Harry appeared inside his cupboard, angry that he had forgotten to take his shopping bag with him when he escaped. He heard his relatives cursing as they complained that he was not there cooking dinner for them. He couldn't come out of his cupboard now as he didn't want another scolding and beating.

Knowing that he was stuck for the night till his relatives fall asleep, he lied down on his cot to take a nap. He realized that he was tired, all that shopping and pick pocketing took a lot of work, and minutes later, Harry Potter was deep asleep.

"That lazy boy... no gratitude at all!" Petunia complained.

"Forget him Petunia... he'll learn his lesson when he gets home... I'll make sure of it." Vernon said as he flipped through the food delivery book searching for something he fancied. "Now Dudley, what do you want? Pizza or Chicken?"

"BOTH!" Dudley said eagerly.

DING DONG!

"That was quick." Vernon said as he stood up from the couch. "It's not even ten minutes yet."

"Better give him a tip dear." Petunia said. "I don't the delivery person complaining that we don't tip."