A/N So, Chapter Three ! :) Wow, there's this new format in Doc Manager - it even keeps the font I was using, strange. I bet it won't when I upload it. Hope you like it, and thanks for the reviews ^.^

Chapter Three

The Leaky Cauldron

Their first stop was Flourish and Blotts, to get all their new books. On the window display was a large iron cage with books in them that seemed to be ripping each other apart. Amara gulped as she walked in.

"Hello," said an assistant, walking towards them. "What can I do for you?"

Amara retrieved her school list from her pocket.

"Um we all need Unfogging the Future," she said first and the assistant immediately hurried away to get three copies. "Thanks, and I need Ancient Runes Made Easy and Spellmans' Syllabary."

"So do I," said Hermione and then listed off the other books for Arithmancy and Muggle Studies. "We also all need The Monster Book of Monsters." She said as the assistant came back with an armful of books. They all tumbled to the floor at Hermione's words.

"Three?" he gasped, looking pale as Amara and Ron picked up the books. He walked over and got some thick leather gloves. He gulped as they saw the books fight each other. Amara suppressed giggles for a look of concern once she saw his face. She was rather glad that she was not getting the books.

After several long minutes of waiting and spectating, three snapping books were handed to them.

"Never, ever, are we having them again," the assistant said as they went to pay. "Awful books, completely awful – would you like some Spellotape with that?"

"Yes please," said Amara as the assistant wrapped the books up so they could no longer bite.

Five minutes later they trooped over to Madam Malkin's Robes for all Occasions, because Ron's robes were too small and Amara needed new ones, for hers were all damaged (from her rather clumsy days). Hermione sat down to wait for them, her bag of books bulging out of the sides. Ron and Amara were consequently dragged away from the area around Quality Quidditch Supplies, for they were intending on having a look at the new Firebolt broom that had been made.

Afterwards, Ron wanted to get his wand from Ollivanders, a shop which Amara had not entered since she bought her wand. Ollivander seemed pleased to see them again – discussing Amara's and Hermione's wand before moving onto Ron. After a few tries, Ron was the proud owner of a 14 inch Willow and Unicorn hair wand, which he placed carefully in a bag before leaving. They stocked up on Potion supplies and quills and parchment before going to Florean Fortescue's ice cream parlour, to see if they could see Harry anywhere.

They all bought their sundaes and after about five minutes, Ron spotted Harry's familiar crop of messy black hair in the crowds.

"Harry! HARRY!" They all waved him over.

"Finally!" Ron grinned. "We went to the Leaky Cauldron, but they said you'd left, and we went to Flourish and Blotts, and Madam Malkin's, and –"

"I got all my school stuff last week," explained Harry once he had sat down on the extra chair. "And how come you know I'm staying at the Leaky Cauldron?"

"Dad," said Ron.

"Did you actually blow up your aunt?" grinned Amara as she ate her sundae.

"I didn't mean to," said Harry, Ron and Amara laughed. "I just – lost control."

"It's not funny," Hermione said. "Honestly, I'm amazed Harry wasn't expelled."

"So am I," said Harry. "Forget expelled, I thought I was going to be arrested." He looked at Ron. "Your dad doesn't know why Fudge let me off, does he?"

"Who knows," shrugged Amara. "But you can ask Mr Weasley anyways, we're all staying at the Leaky Cauldron tonight – even Jesse, Noah and Tally!"

"You're all staying?" beamed Harry.

"Yeah, Hermione's parents dropped her off and my mum's in here somewhere, because Ethan is a wizard too."

"Oh, is he coming up this year?"

"Yeah, he's so excited," Amara said.

"Did you get all your new books and stuff?"

"Look at this!" Ron said, pulling his new wand out of the bag and showing Harry. "Brand-new wand. Fourteen inches, willow, containing one unicorn tail-hair. And we've got all our books – what about those Monster Books eh? The assistant practically cried when we said we needed three."

"What's all that, Hermione?" Harry asked, pointing to the three bags under the chair.

"Ergh, don't ask that," Amara said. "She's taking all the subjects, remember? What are they? Arithmancy, Divination, Care of Magical Creatures, Ancient Runes, Muggle Studies –"

"Muggle Studies?" repeated Ron. "What are you taking that for? You're Muggle-born! Your mum and dad are Muggles! You know all about Muggles!"

"Wait, what did she say?" Amara grinned as Hermione glared at her. "It'll be fascinating to learn about them from a wizarding point of view!" Amara mimicked.

"Are you planning to eat or sleep this year, Hermione?" asked Harry as Ron and Amara laughed.

"I've still got ten Galleons," she said, ignoring them. "It's my birthday in September, and Mum and Dad gave me some money to get myself an early birthday present."

"How about a nice book?" Ron asked.

"No, I don't think so," said Hermione, missing the sarcasm completely. "I really want an owl. I mean, Harry's got Hedwig, Amara's got Archimedes, Jesse's got Caesar and you've got Errol –"

"I haven't," said Ron. "Errol's a family owl. All I've got is Scabbers." He pulled the familiar rat out of his pocket and dumped him on the table. "And I want him to get checked over, I don't think Egypt agreed with him."

Scabbers was looking much thinner than previous years and his whiskers seemed to droop.

"There's a magical creature shop over there," said Harry, pointing over his shoulder. "You can see if they've got anything for Scabbers and Hermione can get her owl."

After they finished their ice-creams they crossed the road to the Magical Menagerie.

Amara hadn't been inside before and found it very squishy indeed. All the walls were covered in cages and filled with squawking animals and some strange humming. There was another customer in the shop, asking about a double-ended newt. Amara looked around and saw massive purple toads, tortoises, orange snails (Amara shivered at the scene of them oozing across their glass containers) and a fat white rabbit that turned into a top hat. Lots of cats were prowling with a cage of screeching ravens in the cage next to them (the cats were looking rather peckish and pawing at their cage) and the source of the humming noise was found in some fur-balls. Some sleek black rats were playing a skipping game with their tails.

Ron approached the counter once the wizard had left.

"It's my rat," he said. "He's been a bit off-colour ever since I brought him back from Egypt."

"Bang him on the counter," said the witch (whose name tag read 'Beatrice') and she got some black spectacles from her pocket. As Scabbers was placed on the counter, the black rats stopped their game to stare at him.

"Hm," said Beatrice-the-witch. "How old is this rat?"

"Dunno," said Ron. "Quite old. He used to belong to my brother."

"What powers does he have?" asked Beatrice.

"Er –" said Ron, unsure how to answer, because all Scabbers did was eat and sleep.

Beatrice tutted loudly at Scabbers' missing toe.

"He's been through the mill, this one," she said.

"He was like that when Percy gave him to me," said Ron.

"An ordinary, common or garden rat like this can't be expected to live longer than three years or so," said Beatrice. Now, if you were looking for something a bit more hard-wearing, you might like one of these …"

She pointed at the cocky black rats, who had started skipping again.

"Well, if you don't want a replacement, you can try this Rat Tonic," said Beatrice instead. She reached under the counter and retrieved a red bottle.

"OK," said Ron. "How much – OUCH!"

Something huge and ginger came soaring through the air and landed on Ron's head at its attempt to get at Scabbers.

"NO, CROOKSHANKS, NO!" Beatrice screamed as Scabbers shot out of her hands and aimed for the door.

"Scabbers!" Ron shouted and rushed out after him, Harry followed too.

Amara stayed in the shop to see a rather large, ginger cat. It's fur was thick and fluffy and it's face was oddly squashed. It was quite nice, in Amara's opinion, because now it was purring as Hermione stroked it.

"Isn't he lovely?" Hermione said to her.

"Erm, he's alright."

"He's been here for ages now," said Beatrice. "Nobody has wanted him."

"Oh, poor Crookshanks," Hermione cooed. "I'll take him!"

"Are you sure?" blinked the witch. "Well, that's eight Galleons, then."

Hermione paid for the cat and Amara picked up Ron's discarded Rat Tonic that was on the counter.

They exited the shop to see Harry and Ron walking towards them.

"You bought that monster?" Ron said, aghast.

"He's gorgeous, isn't he?" Hermione beamed.

"Hermione, that thing nearly scalped me!" Ron exclaimed.

"He didn't mean to, did you, Crookshanks?" Hermione said.

"And what about Scabbers?" said Ron, pointing to his shirt pocket. "He needs rest and relaxation! How's he going to get it with that thing around?"

"Oh, here's your Rat Tonic," said Amara, giving Ron the little red bottle. "It'll be OK, Scabbers won't have to see Crookshanks too much, he'll be in our dormitory."

"What's the problem?" Hermione said as Ron still looked annoyed. "Poor Crookshanks, that witch said he'd been in here for ages: no one wanted him."

"I wonder why," said Ron sarcastically as they started headed back up the cobbled street.

Mr Weasley was at the bar, chatting with Amara's Mum whilst Ethan and Tessie admired Ethan's new wand.

"Look, Amara!" said Ethan as the other three greeted Mr Weasley. "I've got my wand!"

"That's great, E," Amara grinned. "I'll try and see you on the Hogwarts Express tomorrow, alright? But I s'pect you'll sit with other first-years, then you can meet lots of new friends first."

Ethan smiled. "Can you pop in though? I'd like to see you."

Amara nodded.

"Can I go too?" whined Tessie, pouting.

"You're not old enough Tessie," said Mrs Matthews.

"I have to wait two years," Tessie moaned. "It's so unfair."

"How'd'you know you'll get in?" Ethan said.

"She showed some signs of Magic at Mrs Reynolds' house the other day," said Mrs Matthews. "I had to lie a lot about how her cat somehow got on the chandelier."

Tessie giggled. "It was so annoying; it was trying to eat my cake!"

Amara laughed.

"Well, we better get going – goodbye Amara, look after Tally, alright? Liz will kill me if anything does." Mrs Matthews said.

Amara nodded. "Bye, Mum, see you soon."

"Have a good year, dear – goodbye Arthur! It was nice seeing you!"

Mr Weasley grinned over his newspaper. "I'll show you out – are you getting a bus?"

After he'd hurried off, Mrs Weasley came in, followed by Percy, the new Head Boy, Ginny and Tally. Fred, George, Jesse and Noah followed them as well, all laughing heartedly about something.

Ginny, once seeing Harry, blushed very red and only managed a quick 'hello' to him. Tally, though, knew who he was immediately.

"'ello!" she grinned, her French accent getting thicker when she was excited. "Eet is nice to meet you finally! I'm Tally – Amara's cousin!"

"Oh," said Harry, looking rather shocked. "Hello, it's nice to meet you too."

Tally grinned, showing her white teeth before turning to the others.

"Hi again, Ron," she smiled. "Hermione."

Ron looked distinctly flustered as Fred and George sniggered.

"Harry, how nice to see you." Percy said rather formally.

"Hello, Percy," said Harry, with an odd look on his face, as though he was trying not to laugh.

"I hope you're well?"

"Very well, thanks –"

"Harry!" Fred said, elbowing Percy out of the way and bowing with flourish. "Simply splendid to see you, old boy –"

"Marvellous," said George, pushing Fred to the side and grabbing Harry's hand. "Absolutely spiffing."

Amara giggled as Percy scowled.

"That's enough, now," said Mrs Weasley.

"Mum!" said Fred and seized her hand. "How really corking to see you –"

"I said, that's enough," said Mrs Weasley, who was putting all her bags on a chair. "Hello, Harry, dear. I suppose you've heard our exciting news?" she pointed at the silver badge on Percy's shirt. "Second Head Boy in the family!" she said.

"And last," Fred muttered.

"I don't doubt that," said Mrs Weasley, frowning. "I notice they haven't made you two Prefects."

"What do we want to be Prefects for?" said George In disgust. "It'd take all the fun out of life."

Ginny and Tally giggled from their seats.

"You want to set a better example to your sister!" snapped Mrs Weasley.

"Ginny's got other brothers to set her an example, Mother," said Percy. "I'm going up to change for dinner …"

George sighed.

"We tried to shut him in a pyramid," he said. "But Mum spotted us."

Jesse and Noah approached them.

"'ello, 'Arry," Noah said. "I'm Noah, Amara's other cousin."

"Hello," Harry said.

"Alright?" asked Jesse as he shook his hand. "It's nice to finally meet you."

"You too," grinned Harry.

Amara, Hermione, Ginny and Tally went up to their rooms to put their new stuff (Tally had bought lots of stuff too, which Jesse hadn't noticed yet). They were staying in rooms fourteen and fifteen, so right next door, which meant Ginny and Tally visited them before dinner.

"I wish I went to 'Ogwarts," said Tally. "Instead of living in France, then I wouldn't be so far away."

"Which house d'you suppose you'd be in?" said Ginny, who got along very well with Tally.

"I'm in Ouest Wing," said Tally. "Our animal is a butterfly – un papillon, it's gold, and we wear them on our robes."

"Do you get sorted?"

"No, we get divided, but Jesse and Noah are in West wing too, so that's why I am."

"You could probably be a Ravenclaw," Hermione said (predictably).

"Or a Gryffindor," Ginny and Amara said together.

-OOOOO-

There were a lot of people at dinner that night. Tom the innkeeper put four tables together so that the seven Weasleys, three Reynolds, Amara, Hermione and Harry could eat through all five courses.

"How're we getting to King's Cross tomorrow, Dad?" asked Fred, as they started their chocolate pudding.

"The Ministry's providing a couple of cars," replied Mr Weasley.

Everyone looked up.

"Why?" asked Percy.

"It's because of you, Perce," said George seriously. "And there'll be little flags on the bonnets, with HB on them …"

"… for Humungous Bighead," said Fred.

Everyone but Mrs Weasley and Percy snorted into their puddings. Amara choked on hers and Noah thumped her on the back, grinning.

"Why are the Ministry providing cars, Father?" Percy asked.

"Well, as we haven't got one anymore," said Mr Weasley. "and as I work there, they're doing me a favour …"

His ears went red.

"Good job, too," said Mrs Weasley. "Do you realised how much luggage you've all got between you? A nice sight you'd be on the Muggle Underground … You are all packed, aren't you?"

"Ron hasn't put his new things in his trunk yet," sniffed Percy. "He's dumped them on my bed."

"You'd better go and pack properly, Ron, because we won't have much time in the morning," Mrs Weasley said, making Ron scowl at Percy. "Are you three alright getting back?" she asked Jesse, Tally and Noah.

"It's fine, Auntie Elisabeth is going to pick us up on the way back from dropping Ethan off," grinned Tally.

Mrs Weasley smiled and nodded.

Amara and Hermione went upstairs with Ginny and Tally after dinner to check they were all packed. Fred and George were next door and their room was uncharacteristically silent, so Amara, who had packed everything and put Archimedes in his cage, went to investigate.

They were crouched on the landing outside number twelve, which seemed to be Ron and Percy's room.

"What're you doing?" Amara asked, tripping slightly on the floor.

"Careful," said Fred, smirking. "We've been improving Percy's Head Boy badge."

They showed her and Amara saw it now read Bighead Boy.

Amara snorted slightly, hearing raised voices from the ajar door.

"Poor Ron," she sniggered. "He's getting the blow for it."

"It's only a matter of time …" George whispered.

"WHERE'S FRED AND GEORGE?"

Amara, Fred and George sprinted back to their rooms at full speed.