Ron ran backwards and forwards, laughing hysterically at the automatic doors.
"Ron, for God's sake," Hermione hissed, grabbing his arm and pulling him away, "We need to remain inconspicuous."
The red head looked at her with a gormless expression on his face. Hermione sighed."We can't be recognized by Muggles. Harry, are you done yet?"
Harry was having trouble with the mobile phone he had borrowed from a passer by. The passer by in question was tapping his feet impatiently.
"Look kid, are you finished or what?" he snapped angrily.
Harry flinched, and handed the phone back over. Hermione sighed.
"How on earth are we supposed to get back to Hog…"
She was drowned out by vibrant, enthusiastic singing coming from round a corner, followed by angry, raised voices, a loud thump, and then hysterical tears.
Rushing round the corner, the trio found a woman dressed in a long, black robe, lying on the floor and sobbing.
"Are you okay? Do you want me to help?" gabbled Harry.
Ron snorted and muttered something about a "saving people fetish" under his breath.
Harry shot him a filthy look, after helping the woman to her feet.
"Oh, I'm fine," she said, sniffling, "It's just….I can't find Joseph."
"Joseph?"
"My friend. It's not that I can't find him, it's that I don't have anything to do with myself."
"Well, I suppose you could hang round with us for a while…"
Two hours later, the trio was really starting to regret their decision. Hermione decided that as long as they were in London, they should get some shopping done. She was having rather a lot of fun in TopShop, snorting in disdain at the Muggle fashions. I mean, who would want to wear leggings under tights?
But there were two things dampening her mood. Firstly, Harry and Ron's complaints every time Hermione dragged them into another shop. And secondly, the narrator. It wasn't that she was an annoying person, it was that every time Hermione picked up a garment –
"WILL SHE BUY IT? MAYBE SHE WILL? BUT WHICH COLOUR TO CHOOOOOOOOOOOOSE?!" the narrator sang joyfully, and very, very loudly.
Harry groaned and massaged his temples.
"Um….Miss…..err….Narrator? Could you possibly excuse us for a minute?"
But the narrator continued to sing very loudly, progressing onto screechy higher notes.
"Narrator. Narrator. HEY LOOK, SOMEONE IN A BRIGHTLY COLOURED COAT!"
Harry bellowed, and pointed in the opposite direction.
The narrator stopped singing, let out a squeal, and began to run to where Harry was pointing, screaming the name Joseph, and startling several shoppers. The three took the opportunity to sprint out of the shop and down Oxford Street, glancing over their shoulders occasionally to see if they were being followed.