Romilly ducked out of the large fireplace and into the dark bar. By the time she brushed the ash off her shorts and top her brother had appeared beside her. They smiled politely at the barman, Tom as they walked past and out to the courtyard.
Once in Diagon Alley they realized it was as busy as ever, hoards of shoppers jostling through the busy streets fetching supplies, many of them parents accompanied Hogwarts attending children.
"Where shall we go first?" Romilly asked.
"Quality Quidditch Supplies?" Harry replied hopefully.
"Robes it is then," she said with a grin. It took them a while to navigate down the heaving cobbled street but soon they were stood in the queue to be fitted by Madame Malkin. It took a long time in a small, hot and crowded shop but finally they emerged, each laden with three sets of everyday school uniform, one formal set of school robes and some dress robes. Harry had bought one set of emerald green dress robes, Romilly had bought three, on the mantra that it was better safe than sorry, of course.
Next they each picked up their potions ingredients for the next year in the apothecary and stocked up on owl treats for Hedwig and Ubald. Harry and Romilly's owls who were named after saints with amusing names, when Romilly's best friend Ginny had found out what she had called her owl she was furious and tried to change his name because 'Ubald was silly, and he'd get bullied by the other owls' it seemed Ubald liked his name however, as he would refuse to answer to anything other than it.
It wasn't long before Harry made them duck out of the busier main street to go and find somewhere small and less crowded in one of the side streets to have lunch.
"Have you seen anyone you know?" Romilly asked as they both tucked into extravagant burgers, sat under striped umbrellas outside a restaurant.
"I briefly saw Dean Thomas, but he was in a hurry to get to Gringotts," Harry said. "I thought I saw Angelina too, but it was from a distance so I'm not sure."
"I saw Cormac, whilst you were paying for owl treats, he introduced me to his parents, that was awkward," she said, popping a chip into her mouth.
"I'm going to have a word with Cormac," he said, narrowing his eyes slightly. Romilly just laughed and shook her head.
"You're quite ridiculous sometimes," she said. "Do you want to go and drool over brooms after we've finished eating?"
"Is that even a question? Of course I do, I need to buy some broom polish and a new pair of gloves as well though," Harry said.
"Okay, after that we'll go and buy books, we'll have to remember to buy something for Hermione in Florish and Blotts too though, because we might not get the chance to go to Hogsmeade before her birthday," Romilly said. "And then I need to go and buy a new telescope and mum said to get you another pair of dragon hide gloves because you had burnt half of yours off."
"That's a fair point," he replied. "What are you getting for Hermione?"
"I was thinking a book and some sweets of some sort," she said. "Possibly sugar quills, she likes sugar quills."
"Hermione talks about books with you? What kind of book could I get her?" Harry asked.
"As it happens I do know one you could get her, on Ancient Runes, I'll find it for you," Romilly replied.
"What book are you getting her?" he asked.
"I'm going to try and find her a copy of the book Uncle Remus lent me, I think she'd really find it interesting," she said.
"Well from what you said to Remus it sounded really boring," Harry said. "And that's really her scene." Romilly rolled her eyes and continued with her meal.
Harry was browsing through the Quidditch section of Flourish and Blotts whilst Romilly was looking at more academic books when he was hugged from behind.
"Fancy seeing you here Harry," said a very familiar voice from behind him.
"Perusing the Quidditch section, Angelina? How could you expect any different," he responded, turning around and returning her hug. "How are you?"
"I'm fantastic as always," she replied with a grin. Angelina Johnson was in the year above Harry at Hogwarts, they both played for their house team. Last year Angelina had sustained an injury from a nasty bludger to the head whilst in the middle of a match and Harry had caught her before she hit the ground. She had been in the Hospital Wing for a long time and had been unable to play Quidditch for even longer, Harry had taken on the workload of her captaincy for her until she had recovered enough to re-join training, despite his imminent OWLs, something Angelina was eternally grateful for. As such she had renounced her captaincy of the team and told their head of house that Harry should be given the title, unbeknownst to him of course.
"It's good to hear, have you been doing much flying this summer?" he asked.
"A fair bit," she admitted, giving him a proud smile. "A little birdie told me that you got given the captain's badge." Harry nodded and smiled.
"Yeah, I still can't believe McGonagall told you that you weren't allowed it this year because of your injury though," he said. She shrugged.
"It doesn't matter to me, she's just looking out for my wellbeing," she said. "You're the best man for the job this year, all things considered. Now tell me have you been working your arse off practicing training routines?"
"Yes, I've been using Romilly," he said. "She's going to try out for the team this year, in Alicia's spot."
"It is a pity she's not playing this year, but I suppose her NEWTs are very important to her," Angelina sighed. "How good is Rom?"
"Don't tell her I said this, but I think she could give you and Katie and run for your money," he said with a grin.
"Really," Angelina said clapping her hands together. "In that case I cannot wait to see her try out. Do you think she has what it takes?"
"She's a Potter of course she has what it takes," he replied, Angelina laughed.
"It's in the blood, of course," she chuckled. "I'm sure with your one on one training she must be pretty good."
"You definitely can't tell her this but, most of it's her own merit. She's good. I've been trying to put her through her paces but she keeps coming up trumps. By the end of the summer I think she'll be good," Harry admitted. "She has a lack of confidence though, I think once she's gets into Quidditch and see's that everyone is not head and shoulders above her that it will instil some in her."
"I'm looking forward to it," Angelina said. "All we need is a keeper and we have a dream team set up."
"We still have to go through the procedure of try outs," Harry reminded her. "In case anyone spectacular comes up. Though I'm not excited by finding a Keeper, I think McLaggen is the best chance we have and that isn't promising."
"He's a fair Keeper but if I had to spend more than ten minutes in his company I may fling myself off my broom at great height," Angelina said.
"We'll find a way round it," Harry said, running a hand through his hair. "Even if we have to do some shuffling around, one of us could play as a Keeper if no one else was trained in Quidditch before. It's not ideal but we could make it work."
"That's a fantastic idea, I think I'd make a better Keeper than some snotty nosed first year," she said with a wink at him.
"Of course, snotty nosed first years are only good at seeking," Harry said.
"You're lucky you're good looking, that's the only reason we keep you on the team," Angelina teased, looking at her watch.
"Ange, please I'm blushing," he replied with a laugh. She smiled and shook her head.
"I'm late," she said. "I said I'd meet my parents five minutes ago. It was lovely seeing you Harry, say hello to your sister for me." She hugged him again and kissed him on the cheek.
"Take of yourself, Ange," Harry replied. "Have a good summer."
"You too," she replied. "Oh and owl some of your ideas for formation, I'd love to see them."
"And I'd love to get your advice on them," Harry said. "See you soon." With one last kiss on the cheek Angelina dashed out of the bookshop and Harry got back to piling Quidditch books in his arms.
Quarter of an hour later Harry met Romilly outside the shop, both happy with their purchases.
"Got everything?" he asked. She replied that she had. "Okay, ready to go?"
"We could always get an ice-cream first," she suggested. Harry agreed that this was an excellent idea so they went to sit outside Florean's ice-cream parlour, with huge towering cones. As Harry ate his peanut butter and chocolate ice-cream he told Romilly about his meeting with Angelina.
"Angelina eh," she questioned, waggling her eyebrows at him. "And how is dear Angelina?"
"You're so funny," he said dryly. "How's Cormac?" Romilly let out a laugh and shook her head.
"I don't think you can compare the deep, meaningful love you share with Angelina to our friendship," she said, grinning over her raspberry ice cream. Harry looked at her with a deadpan expression. "You don't protest very much, and you know how fond she is of 'dear Harry'."
"I'm not dignifying your senseless assumptions with an answer," he said, raising his chin in defiance.
"Oh excellent your home," their mother said as they walked through the front door, kissing them both on the cheek and pulling them into an embrace. "How did your shopping go? Did you get everything?" They both nodded. "Fantastic, make sure you take everything upstairs, we have people coming round for dinner."
"Who?" Harry asked.
"Remus, Sirius and a few Weasleys," she replied.
"Which Weasleys?" Romilly asked hopefully.
"All except Bill and Percy, Bill's still in Egypt and Percy is working late," Lily said. "Oh and Ginny isn't coming. She's not invited."
"Mum," Romilly said, elbowing her playfully.
"Of course she's coming," Lily laughed. "Now go on, get everything put away whilst I go and make dessert."
"We must be the only kids at Hogwarts who spend time with two Professors in the holidays," Harry said as they trudged up the stairs.
"Remus and Charlie are hardly typical teachers though," Romilly replied.
"Point taken, but it takes me a few weeks to get back into the routine of calling them Professor Weasley and Professor Lupin," he said with a smile.
"Romilly!" Ginny exclaimed as she stepped out of the Potter's living room fireplace that evening.
"Hi Ginny," she replied, wrapping her arms around her best friend. "How are you?"
"As well as anyone can be after spending the summer with my brothers," she laughed. "I hope yours hasn't been giving you too much bother."
"Only the usual," Romilly replied.
"I resent that," Harry said, also hugging Ginny. "You've got taller since I saw you last."
"Hello Mrs Potter," Ginny said as Lily poked her head round the door at the noise.
"It's lovely to see you Ginny," Lily said, beaming and crossing the room. "You're looking well."
"As do you Mrs Potter," she replied as they embraced.
"Come in, come in rather than standing on the hearth you lot. Someone will trip over you as they come in," Lily instructed. As if on cue the flames turned green and Ron stepped through.
"Afternoon," he said with a grin as he and Harry shared a brotherly hug. "Hi Mrs Potter, hi Rom."
"Hello Ron," Romilly replied, hugging him as well. After Fred, George, Charlie and Mr and Weasley had entered through the fireplace they went into the kitchen.
"Excited for your last year boys?" Lily asked the twins, sliding bottles of butterbeer over the kitchen table to them.
"Very excited Mrs Potter," Fred replied with a mischievous grin.
"We have big plans for our final year," George said mirroring his brother's smirk.
"Unfortunately they do not seem to be in the way of NEWTS," Mrs Weasley said, giving them both a disapproving look. "Thank you Lily dear," she said as a cup of tea levitated expertly in front of her, not spilling a drop.
"Well some people just aren't suited for exams," Lily said fondly, patting Fred on the shoulder. "Look at Sirius, he was never academic and he has done perfectly well for himself."
"Thank you Mrs Potter," George said appreciatively. "See Mum, some people get us. This year is going to be profitable for us."
"Well I wish you luck," she replied, the doorbell went. "That must be Remus or Sirius."
"How's the seeking going Harry?" Charlie asked, taking a sip of his cup of coffee.
"Well I think thanks," he replied
"He's been practicing all summer," Romilly said with a smile. "He takes team dedication to a new level of obsession."
"Harry said in a letter that you were going to try out for the team," Ron said to her.
"Yeah I'm going to try out for chaser," she said with a smile.
"Wow," he said, enthralled. "I bet you're really good. I'm going to try out for keeper."
"Great," she said politely. "Well good luck." Harry gave Ron a strange look, but was stopped from saying anything by the arrival of Remus and then Sirius. Remus and Charlie got into a conversation about teaching, Fred and George were telling Sirius about their plans for after they finished school, Ron and Harry were talking about the Quidditch league and Ginny and Romilly about boys and how they were going to decorate the dorm this year.
A little after Sirius arrived James finally got back.
"Sorry I'm late everyone," he said, kissing his wife sweetly. "Loads of work in the office today, stacks of paperwork."
After a delicious and gigantic roast dinner made by Molly and Lily, Fred and George ushered everyone under the age of eighteen upstairs to talk about highly secret operations.
Fred, George, Ron, Harry, Ginny and Romilly piled into the latter's room.
"Why have you forced us up here?" Ron asked, seating himself in the chair by Romilly's desk.
"We have to talk about this year's high jinks Ronald," Fred said as he and George flung themselves on to the bed after casting a silencing charm on the room, they were the only ones overage. "As the committee of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes –minus Lee, we have many things to discuss."
"Is it not the same as usual?" Romilly asked, settling herself between them as Harry and Ginny sat crossed legged on the rug.
"Possibly not," George said. "Me and Fred, with the help of extendable ears heard some very interesting things when Bill and Charlie were having a chat via the fireplace."
"Bill is coming back from Egypt at the beginning of September because Gringotts needs all hands on deck here, for something big which is happening at Hogwarts," Fred said.
"We think all the adults know, because they work at the ministry, Charlie and Remus must definitely know, they're teachers," George said. "But we aren't sure what it is, all we know that it is big, the whole ministry is involved and Gringotts expects a lot of galleons to change hands over the course of the year."
"What could it be?" Romilly asked. "Why wouldn't they have told us about it?"
"I imagine Dumbledore will tell us at the feast," Harry said.
"What we have to do in the meantime is ponder away to make some of those galleons which are changing hands end up in ours," Fred said.
"Which is going to be difficult seeing as we have no idea what's actually going on," Ginny pointed out.
"It's a game," Romilly said, eyes widening in comprehension. "Of course it is!" Everyone turned to look at her.
"How on earth do you know that?" Fred asked.
"Ludo Bagman has been in talks with Dumbledore," she said, jumping from the bed and darting over to her desk. Ron rolled out of her way so she could riffle through the bottom drawer. "Here," she said, flinging a copy of the Daily Prophet at the twins. "Why else would the Head of Magical Games and Sport be convening with the Headmaster so often if it were not to do with that?"
"You're quite the detective," Ron said, obviously impressed.
"This is good," Fred said, smiling broadly. "If we can't compete in the mysterious game we can still make a profit."
"Bets, merchandise and themed products to sell to students?" Ginny asked.
"A true Weasley," George said with a smile. "I think this year we may be able get enough money to set up shop."
"Promise me you'll be good," Lily implored to her two children, her long red hair fanning out in the breeze on the platform.
"We're always good Mum," Romilly replied with a smile. "Prefects after all."
"We all know what a good idea that was," James said with a smile. "But remember to do your absolute best. Good luck with the Quidditch."
"I'm so proud of you both," Lily said, her eyes slightly teary. "So, so proud and I'm sure you'll be just fantastic this year."
"Mum, are you okay?" Harry asked worriedly.
"Oh of course I am," she said quickly pulling them both into an embrace. "I'm just going to miss you both, that's all."
"We'll back for Christmas, Mum," Romilly said, rubbing her back comfortingly, she did not answer, just hugged them tighter.
"They're going to miss the train, love," James said. Lily nodded and let them go.
"I love you both so much," she said, kissing them both on the cheek and grasping their hands. "Take care of yourselves, don't forget to write and just… be safe."
"We always are Mum," Romilly said.
"And we love you too," Harry contributed. James coughed.
"And we love you as well," Romilly said, hugging her father.
"The train's leaving," Lily said.
"Bye Mum, bye Dad," Harry said.
"Take care," Romilly said waving as she crossed the platform to the train.
"Fly well," James said, clapping Harry on the back. He nodded but did not have the time to question the oddness of his parents' farewells. Both of them jumped onto the train just as it pulled out of the station, waving at their parents as they passed. They saw their father put a comforting arm around their mother as tears streamed down her face.
"What do you think that was about?" Romilly asked her brother.
"No idea," he replied. "They're a strange pair. Come on let's go find the others."
In the third compartment they found Hermione, Ron and Ginny.
"Harry, Rom!" Hermione said happily as they entered, having not seen them all summer she rose to hug them. "How are you?"
"We're just great," Harry said with a smile. "You look well." Hermione smiled and released them, going back to her seat next to Ginny. "How was your holiday in Italy?"
"Wonderful, thank you. Ron told me you got the Captains badge," she said. "Congratulations, and you too Rom. Just wait until you see the Prefects bathroom."
"Thanks," they both said in unison.
Soon they were joined by the twins and Lee Jordan and the subject changed to what was going on at Hogwarts that year. A little while later, Angelina, Alicia and Katie also entered the now crowded compartment and Quidditch became the order of conversation.
"I still can't believe you're not going to play this year," Katie said to Alicia sadly. She shrugged.
"I'm focussing on my NEWTs, besides it's about time we had some new blood on the team," she said, putting an arm round her blonde friend. "It's alright, you'll find an even better chaser to replace me and Gryffindor will kick everyone else's arses even harder than last year."
Five hours, a boring prefect meeting and a stack of cauldron cakes later the train rolled into Hogsmeade station.
"Trust it to be raining," Ron said, turning his cloak up against the drizzle.
"Come on Romilly, we have to go and round up the second years, they've never taken the carriages before," Hermione instructed. "We'll meet you guys in the Great Hall."
"I like how Hermione has now given up trying to make you do Prefect stuff," Ron murmured as the two girls disappeared into the crowd.
"Me too," Harry said with a smile. "Come on, before there are no free carriages left."
On the way castle Harry and Weasleys talked of nothing but what Dumbledore may or may not disclose in the Welcome Feast.