Chapter 3

Life at the Burrow was as different as possible from life on Privet Drive. The Dursleys liked everything neat and ordered; the Weasleys' house burst with the strange and unexpected. Meg got a shock the first time she looked in the mirror over the kitchen mantelpiece and it shouted, "Comb your hair, scruffy!" The ghoul in the attic howled and dropped pipes whenever he felt things were getting too quiet, and small explosions from Fred and George's bedroom were considered perfectly normal. What Meg found most unusual about life at the Weasleys', however, wasn't the talking mirror or the clanking ghoul: It was the fact that everybody there seemed to like her. Mrs. Weasley fussed over the state of her socks and tried to force her to eat fourth helpings at every meal. Mr. Weasley liked Harry and Meg to sit next to him at the dinner table so that he could bombard them with questions about life with Muggles, asking them to explain how things like plugs and the postal service worked. "Fascinating!" he would say as Harry talked him through using a telephone. "Ingenious, really, how many ways Muggles have found of getting along without magic." Harry heard from Hogwarts one sunny morning about a week after he had arrived at the Burrow. He and Ron went down to breakfast to find Mr. And Mrs. Weasley, Meg, and Ginny already sitting at the kitchen table. The moment she saw Harry, Ginny accidentally knocked her porridge bowl to the floor with a loud clatter. Ginny seemed very prone to knocking things over whenever Harry entered a room. She dived under the table to retrieve the bowl and emerged with her face glowing like the setting sun. Clearly pretending he hadn't noticed this, Harry sat down and took the toast Mrs. Weasley offered him. "Letters from school, " said Mr. Weasley, passing Harry and Ron identical envelopes of yellowish parchment, addressed in green ink. "Dumbledore already knows you're here, Harry-doesn't miss a trick, that man. You two've got them, too," he added, as Fred and George ambled in, still in their pajamas. For a few minutes there was silence as they all read their letters. Meg got hers out and looked it over. First-year students will require:

Uniform

Three Sets of Plain Work Robes (Black)

One Plain Pointed Hat (Black) for day wear

One Pair of Protective Gloves (dragon hide or similar)

One Winter Cloak (Black, silver fastenings)

Please note that all student's clothes should carry name-tags at all times.

Books

The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk

A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot

Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling

A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch

One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore

Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander

The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble

Break with a Banshee by Gilderoy Lockhart

Gadding with Ghouls by Gilderoy Lockhart

Holidays with Hags by Gilderoy Lockhart

Travels with Trolls by Gilderoy Lockhart

Voyages with Vampires by Gilderoy Lockhart

Wanderings with Werewolves by Gilderoy Lockhart

Year with the Yeti by Gilderoy Lockhart

Other Equipment

1 Wand

1 Cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)

1 set of glass or crystal phials

1 telescope

1 set of brass scales

Students may also bring an Owl OR a Cat OR a Toad.PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS. Fred, who had finished his own list, peered over at Meg's. "You've been told to get all Lockhart's books, too!" he said. "The new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher must be a fan-bet it's a witch." At this point, Fred caught his mother's eye and quickly busied himself with the marmalade. "That lot won't come cheap, " said George, with a quick look at his parents. "Lockhart's books are really expensive..." "Well, we'll manage," said Mrs. Weasley, but she looked worried. "I expect we'll be able to pick up a lot of Ginny's things secondhand." "Oh, are you starting at Hogwarts this year?" Harry asked Ginny. She nodded, blushing to the roots of her flaming hair, and put her elbow in the butter dish. Fortunately no one saw this except Meg, and most likely Harry, because just then Ron's elder brother Percy walked in. He was already dressed, his Hogwarts prefect badge pinned to his sweater vest. "Morning, all," said Percy briskly. "Lovely day." He sat down in the only remaining chair but leapt up again almost immediately, pulling from underneath him a moulting, gray feather duster-at least, that was what Meg thought it was, until she saw that it was breathing. "Errol!" said Ron, taking the limp owl from Percy and extracting a letter from under its wing. "Finally-he's got Hermione's answer. I wrote to her saying we were going to try and rescue you from the Dursleys." He carried Errol to a perch just inside the back door and tried to stand him on it, but Errol flopped straight off again so Ron lay him on the draining board instead, muttering, "Pathetic." Then he ripped open Hermione's letter and read it out loud: "Dear Ron, and Harry if you're there, I hope everything went all right and that Harry is okay and that you didn't do anything illegal to get him out, Ron, because that would get Harry into trouble, too. I've been really worried and if Harry is alright, will you please let me know at once, but perhaps it would be better if you used a different owl because I think another delivery might finish your one off. I'm very busy with schoolwork, of course' How can she be?" said Ron in horror. "We're on vacation!-'and we're going to London next Wednesday to buy my new books. Why don't we meet in Diagon Alley? Let me know what's happening as soon as you can. Love from Hermione." "Well, that fits in nicely, we can go and get all your things then, too, " said Mrs. Weasley, starting to clear the table. "What're you all up to today?" Harry, Ron, Fred, and George were planning to go up the hill to a small paddock the Weasleys owned. It was surrounded by trees that blocked it from view of the village below, meaning that they could practice Quidditch there, as long as they didn't fly too high. They couldn't use real Quidditch balls, which would have been hard to explain if they had escaped and flown away over the village; instead they threw apples for one another to catch. Meg and Ginny wadded in the pond and and laid out in the sun,watching the boys soar through the air. They had asked Percy if he wanted to join them, but he had said he was busy. Meg had only seen Percy at mealtimes so far; he stayed shut in his room the rest of the time. "Wish I knew what he was up to," said Fred, frowning. "He's not himself. His exam results came the day before you did; twelve O. W. Ls and he hardly gloated at all." "Ordinary Wizarding Levels," George explained, seeing Harry's puzzled look. "Bill got twelve, too. If we're not careful, we'll have another Head Boy in the family. I don't think I could stand the shame." Bill was the oldest Weasley brother. He and the next brother, Charlie, had already left Hogwarts. Neither Meg nor Harry had ever met either of them, but they knew that Charlie was in Romania studying dragons and Bill in Egypt working for the wizard's bank, Gringotts. "Dunno how Mum and Dad are going to afford all our school stuff this year," said George after a while. "Five sets of Lockhart books! And Ginny needs robes and a wand and everything..." Meg said nothing. She felt a bit awkward. Stored in an underground vault at Gringotts in London was a small fortune that her and Harry's parents had left them. Of course, it was only in the wizarding world that they had money; you couldn't use Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts in Muggle shops. Harry had never mentioned their Gringotts bank account to the Dursleys; he didn't think their horror of anything connected with magic would stretch to a large pile of gold. Mrs. Weasley woke them all early the following Wednesday. After a quick half a dozen bacon sandwiches each, they pulled on their coats and Mrs. Weasley took a flower pot off the kitchen mantel piece and peered inside. "We're running low, Arthur, " she sighed. "We'll have to buy some more today... Ah well, guests first! After you, Meg dear!" And she offered Meg the flowerpot. Meg stared at them all watching her. "W-what am I supposed to do?" she stammered. "They've never traveled by Floo powder," said Ron suddenly. "Sorry, Harry, I forgot." "Never?" said Mr. Weasley. "But how did you get to Diagon Alley to buy your school things last year?" he asked Harry. "I went on the Underground-" "Really?" said Mr. Weasley eagerly. "Were there escapators? How exactly-" "Not now, Arthur," said Mrs. Weasley. "Floo powder's a lot quicker, dear, but goodness me, if you've never used it before-" "They'll be all right, Mum, " said Fred. "Guys, watch us first." He took a pinch of glittering powder out of the flowerpot, stepped up to the fire, and threw the powder into the flames. With a roar, the fire turned emerald green and rose higher than Fred, who stepped right into it, shouted, "Diagon Alley!" and vanished. "You must speak clearly, dear," Mrs. Weasley told Meg as George dipped his hand into the flowerpot. "And be sure to get out at the right grate..." "The right what?" said Meg nervously as the fire roared and whipped George out of sight, too. "Well, there are an awful lot of wizard fires to choose from, you know, but as long as you've spoken clearly-" "She'll be fine, Molly, don't fuss, " said Mr. Weasley, helping himself to Floo powder, too. "But, dear, if they got lost, how would we ever explain to their aunt and uncle?" "They wouldn't mind," Harry reassured her. "Dudley would think it was a brilliant joke if we got lost up a chimney, don't worry about that-" Meg chipped in "Well... All right... You go after Arthur," said Mrs. Weasley. "Now, when you get into the fire, say where you're going-" "And keep your elbows tucked in," Ron advised. "And your eyes shut," said Mrs. Weasley. "The soot-" "Don't fidget," said Ron. "Or you might well fall out of the wrong fireplace-" "But don't panic and get out too early; wait until you see Fred and George." Trying hard to bear all this in mind, Meg took a pinch of Floo powder and walked to the edge of the fire. She took a deep breath, scattered the powder into the flames, and stepped forward; the fire felt like a warm breeze; she opened her mouth and immediately swallowed a lot of hot ash. "Dia-gon Alley, " she said, holding in a cough. It felt as though she was being sucked down a giant drain. She seemed to be spinning very fast-the roaring in her ears was deafening -she tried to keep her eyes open but the whirl of green flames made her feel sick-something hard knocked her elbow and she tucked it in tightly, still spinning and spinning-now it felt as though cold hands were slapping her face-squinting, she saw a blurred stream of fireplaces and snatched glimpses of the rooms beyond-her bacon sandwiches were churning inside her-she closed her eyes again wishing it would stop, and then-she fell, face forward, onto cold stone. Dizzy and bruised, covered in soot, she got gingerly to her feet. Fred and George grinned down at her and helped dust her off. There was a whoosh and Ron came out of the fireplace behind Meg. He looked around. "Where's Harry?" he asked, looking concerned. "He must have gone to the wrong gate." Mr. Weasley exclaimed, "Molly won't be happy when she hears." Shortly, both Ginny and Mrs. Weasley came through the fire place. As predicted, Mrs Weasley did not take the new well. "I can't believe we lost him!" she said nervously after asking a small group of witches if they had seen a boy about this tall with black hair and glasses. After about ten minutes of franticly searching around Diagon Alley, they found him. He was standing on the steps of Gringotts with Hagrid and a girl with very bushy hair that Meg could only assume was Hermione Granger, Harry's muggle-born friend. "Harry," Mr. Weasley panted. "We hoped you'd only gone one grate too far..." He mopped his glistening bald patch. "Molly's frantic-she's coming now-" "Where did you come out?" Ron asked. "Knockturn Alley," said Hagrid grimly. "Excellent." said Fred and George together. "We've never been allowed in," said Ron enviously. "I should ruddy well think not," growled Hagrid. Mrs. Weasley now came galloping into view, her handbag swinging wildly in one hand, Ginny just clinging onto the other. "Oh, Harry-oh, my dear-you could have been anywhere-" Gasping for breath she pulled a large clothes brush out of her bag and began sweeping off the soot Harry was still covered in. Mr. Weasley took Harry's glasses, gave them a tap of his wand, and returned them, good as new. "Well, gotta be off," said Hagrid, who was having his hand wrung by Mrs. Weasley ("Knockturn Alley! If you hadn't found him, Hagrid!"). "See yer at Hogwarts!" And he strode away, head and shoulders taller than anyone else in the packed street. "Guess who I saw in Borgin and Burkes?" Harry asked Ron and Hermione as they climbed the Gringotts steps. "Malfoy and his father." "Did Lucius Malfoy buy anything?" said Mr. Weasley sharply behind them. "No, he was selling." "So he's worried," said Mr. Weasley with grim satisfaction. "Oh, I'd love to get Lucius Malfoy for some-thing..." "You be careful, Arthur," said Mrs. Weasley sharply as they were bowed into the bank by a goblin at the door. "That family's trouble. Don't go biting off more than you can chew." "So you don't think I'm a match for Lucius Malfoy?" said Mr. Weasley indignantly, but he was distracted almost at once by the sight of Hermione's parents, who were standing nervously at the counter that ran all along the great marble hall, waiting for Hermione to introduce them. "But you're Muggles!" said Mr. Weasley delightedly. "We must have a drink! What's that you've got there? Oh, you're changing Muggle money. Molly, look!" He pointed excitedly at the ten-pound notes in Mr. Granger's hand. "Meet you back here," Ron said to Hermione as the Weasleys, Meg, and Harry were led off to their underground vaults by another Gringotts goblin. The vaults were reached by means of small, goblin-driven carts that sped along miniature train tracks through the bank's underground tunnels. Meg enjoyed the breakneck journey down to the Weasleys' vault, but felt dreadful, far worse than he had in Knockturn Alley, when it was opened. There was a very small pile of silver Sickles inside, and just one gold Galleon. Mrs. Weasley felt right into the corners before sweeping the whole lot into her bag. Meg felt even worse when they reached her and Harry's vault. They tried to block the contents from view as they hastily shoved handfuls of coins into a pair of leather bags. Back outside on the marble steps, they all separated. Percy muttered vaguely about needing a new quill. Fred and George had spotted their friend from Hogwarts, Lee Jordan. Mrs. Weasley and Ginny were going to a secondhand robe shop. Mr. Weasley was insisting on taking the Grangers off to the Leaky Cauldron for a drink. "We'll all meet at Flourish and Blotts in an hour to buy your school books," said Mrs. Weasley, setting off with Ginny. "And not one step down Knockturn Alley!" she shouted at the twins' retreating backs. Harry, Ron, and Hermione strolled off, leaving Meg alone on the street, feeling quite alone. Nervously she looked around and wondered where she was should start. Uneasily she studied her school list as she walked off down the streets. While she was looking down at her list, she walked into something solid. "Watch where you're going!" a boy that looked about Harry's age sneered down at her. Meg looked up at him tearfully, "I'm so sorry." she said softly. The boy looked down at her uncomfortably and ran a hand through his gelled platinum blonde hair. "It's okay, please don't cry. I'm not good at dealing with girls when they cry." His cold grey eyes were widened almost fearfully; he held out one of his hands and helped Meg to her feet. "Actually," she said, glancing confusedly down at her list again, "I'm a bit lost. Would you tell me where to get some of these things? My family split up and I think they forgot about me." she admitted. "Sure thing," he said taking the list from her hands. "Well, the first thing you'll want is the robes, you can get measured and then go shopping for the other things while Madam Malkin is making them." He strode off down the street and Meg hurried after him. They came to a stop outside of a shop that read "Madame Malkin's Robes for All Occasions". The inside of the shop was sleek and civilized, there were a few pedestals surrounded by mirrors and several seats around the shop. On racks there were rows of pre-made black robes and on several dress forms there were beautiful gowns. A woman approached Meg, "Do you two need Hogwarts robes?" she asked. "I already got mine," the boy said, "I was showing her around, she needs them." he said gesturing to Meg. The woman, who Meg assumed was Madam Malkin, led her to one of the pedestals. In about 15 minutes she had gotten all of Megs measurements and had her write her name for pick up. The next stop was "Potage's Cauldron Shop" where Meg Bought her cauldron that could be put to use immediately as a way to carry her stuff. They stopped at "Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment" where Meg bought her phials, telescope, and scales. Her guide led her down the streets and stopped outside of a shop that said in faded gold lettering "Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C.". In the display window there was a single wooden wand on a faded purple cushion. The inside of the shop was tiny and dusty, there was a single spindly chair in the corner and along the walls were rows upon rows of thousands of boxes. Meg walked up to the counter and rung the bell. A small, pale man appeared from the rows of boxes, his glittering black eyes fixed on Meg. "Ah yes," he said, "I figured you would come for a wand any day now." he looked at the boxes and grabbed one. "Unicorn Hair, Mahogany, 10 inches, swishy." he handed the wand to Meg who looked at it and held it with care. "Go on, go on. Test it out." Meg flicked the wand, and a glass vial exploded. Mr. Olivander snached the was back from her. "No, no," he muttered, shuffling through the boxes, "I know it's in here somewhere, ah-ha!" He pulled another box from the stacks. "Try this, Dragon Heartstring, Willow, 10 and ¾ inches, flexible. " he said, handing it to her. Meg took it and flicked it. A plant caught fire. "Closer," said Mr. Olivander. "I think I know just the wand now." He went back into the rows and came back a minute later with a dust box. "Dragon Heartstring, Ebony, 9 and ½ inches, slightly springy." This time when Meg took the wand she felt a warm glow all throughout her body. This was her wand, she knew it. Mr. Olivander clapped, "Congratulations! This wand is good for spell casting." Meg paid for her wand and went to the last stop before she had to pick up her rodes. It was The magical animal shop. Inside was dark with a slightly musty smell, from all the walls there were crates from which glowing eyes peared and strange noises came. After looking through the selection of cats and owls, Meg decided on a majestic Great Horned Owl that she named Colleen. Soon she was led back to Madam Malkin's, where she picked up and paid for her robes. "Now I'm supposed to be going to Flourish and Blotts to get my books," Meg said. "Okay," said the boy said, "I have to go there too, anyways." The two children walked down the streets talking and laughing. As they approached the shop, they saw to their surprise a large crowd jostling outside the doors, trying to get in. The reason for this was proclaimed by a large banner stretched across the upper windows:GILDEROY LOCKHART will be signing copies of his autobiography MAGICAL ME today 12:30-4:30. Meg peared through the crowd looking for the Weasleys, she soon spotted them on the other side of the sea of witches. Meg turned to her guide and held out her hand. "This was fun," he said, shaking her hand, "we should hang out again sometime." Meg grinned, "I don't believe I ever caught your name" he added as Meg was turning to walk away. "Oh, it's Meg," she said, "how about you?" "Draco, Draco Malfoy." Meg felt like she recognized that name from somewhere, but could not place the name. As she ran off towards the Weasleys, she looked back and shouted, "I'll write you when I get home." Draco gave her a thumbs up and beamed. The crowd seemed to be made up mostly of witches around Mrs. Weasley's age. A harassed-looking wizard stood at the door, saying, "Calmly, please, ladies... Don't push, there... Mind the books, now..." Meg squeezed inside. A long line wound right to the back of the shop, where Gilderoy Lockhart was signing his books. She grabbed copies of the various books on her school list and made her way to where the Weasleys were standing with Mr. And Mrs. Granger. "Oh, there you are, good, " said Mrs. Weasley. She sounded breathless and kept patting her hair. "We'll be able to see him in a minute..." Gilderoy Lockhart came slowly into view, seated at a table surrounded by large pictures of his own face, all winking and flashing dazzlingly white teeth at the crowd. The real Lockhart was wearing robes of forget-me-not blue that exactly matched his eyes; his pointed wizard's hat was set at a jaunty angle on his wavy hair. A short, irritable-looking man was dancing around taking photographs with a large black camera that emitted puffs of purple smoke with every blinding flash. "Out of the way, there, " he snarled at Ron, moving back to get a better shot. "This is for the Daily Prophet-" "Big deal," said Ron, rubbing his foot where the photographer had stepped on it. Gilderoy Lockhart heard him. He looked up. He saw Ron and then he saw Harry and Meg. He stared. Then he leapt to his feet and positively shouted, "It can't be Harry and Megan Potter?" The crowd parted, whispering excitedly; Lockhart dived forward, seized Harry and Meg by an arm each, and pulled them to the front. The crowd burst into applause. Harry and Meg's faces burned as Lockhart shook their hands for the photographer, who was clicking away madly, wafting thick smoke over the Weasleys. "Nice big smile, Harry, " said Lockhart, through his own gleaming teeth. "You too Megan, together, you and I are worth the front page." When he finally let go of Meg's hand, Meg could hardly feel her fingers. She and Harry tried to sidle back over to the Weasleys, but Lockhart threw his arms around their shoulders and clamped them tightly to his sides. "Ladies and gentlemen," he said loudly, waving for quiet. "What an extraordinary moment this is! The perfect moment for me to make a little announcement I've been sitting on for some time! When young Harry and Megan here stepped into Flourish and Blotts today, they only wanted to buy my autobiography -which I shall be happy to present them now, free of charge-" The crowd applauded again. "They had no idea," Lockhart continued, giving Meg a little shake, "that they would shortly be getting much, much more than my book, Magical Me. They and their school mates will, in fact, be getting the real magical me. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I have great pleasure and pride in announcing that this September, I will be taking up the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!" The crowd cheered and clapped and Meg found herself being presented with the entire works of Gilderoy Lockhart. Staggering slightly under their weight, she managed to make her way out of the lime-light to the edge of the room, where the Weasleys were. Mrs Weasley took her books and mumbled something about getting them signed. Meg wandered around looking at the books on the shelves."Leave him alone, he didn't want all that!" Meg heard Ginny say from across the shop. Meg looked around for her friend. She was glaring at Draco. "Potter, you've got yourself a girlfriend!" drawled Draco. Ginny went scarlet as Ron and Hermione fought their way over, both clutching stacks of Lockhart's books. Meg hurried over, and looked at Draco with wide eyes. "What's going on?" she said. Draco looked down at her, his sneer faltering just a little. "When you said your name was Meg, I didn't realize you meant Megan Potter." Meg glared at him, "Is that a problem?" she asked challengingly. Draco looked at her with pain, then his gaze turned cold again. "I dont have a problem with you," he said, "but don't expect me you be friendly with your brother." He looked at Meg coldly and they stared each other down for about a minute. "Fine," said Meg, "I don't know what the problem with you and my brother is, but I don't answer to him any more than I answer to you." "Meg!" shouted Harry, "This guy is pure evil! He's in Slytherin!" Meg turned on her brother, "I'll have you know, he helped me find all of the shops and supplies I needed while YOU went off with your friends and didn't give me a second thought!" Harry met her glare for a few seconds then looked down at the ground. "I'm just saying," he muttered. It was a subdued group that headed back to the fireside in the Leaky Cauldron, where Harry, Meg, the Weasleys, and all their shopping would be traveling back to the Burrow using Floo powder. They said goodbye to the Grangers, who were leaving the pub for the Muggle street on the other side; Mr. Weasley started to ask them how bus stops worked, but stopped quickly at the look on Mrs. Weasley's face. Meg helped herself to Floo powder. It definitely wasn't her favorite way to travel.

AN: Okay the way I went about introducing the friendship of Meg and Draco was super cliche...I guess their friendship is also super cliche... I just couldn't think of another way of going about it, and their friendship is needed for my plans in the feature. I'm super sorry about how cliche I am. :(