Chapter 4: Diagon Alley and the Prefect Badges
The weeks past quickly, almost too quickly for Harry who was enjoying the time he flew and practiced Quidditch. Hermione also made sure that Ron and Harry finished all their summer homework, even through all their protest of it being summer. All Hermione would say is that they had O.W.L.'s this year. All the Weasley's, Hermione, and Harry gathered in the Weasley's kitchen. They were preparing to travel by Floo Powder to Diagon Alley to shop for the six Hogwart's student's school supplies. They also decided it would be easier if they stayed at the Leaky Cauldron for their final weed of vacation. From there they would leave for King's Cross and Platform 9 ¾.
"Hermione, your parents know to meet you in front of Gringott's, right," Mrs. Weasley said.
"Yes they know," Hermione told her.
"Alright, Fred, George, go first, we'll meet you in the Leaky Cauldron," Mrs. Weasley said holding out the pot of Floo Powder to them.
Fred grabbed some Floo Powder and stepped into the fireplace, he threw it down and yelled, "Diagon Alley." In a flash of green flames he disappeared. George followed suit yelling, "Diagon Alley." He then also disappeared. One by one they stepped into the fireplace disappearing in a flash of green flames. When it was Harry's turn he stepped in and threw down the Floo Powder, "Diagon Alley," he yelled and soon he disappeared. He closed his eyes as he began spinning, fireplaces passing by quickly. When he slid out of the fireplace in the Leaky Cauldron he found that his glasses were broken again. He got up off the floor trying futilely to dust off all the soot from his robes.
Hermione walked up to Harry, "Repairo."
His glasses were fixed in an instant, "I really have got to remember that one."
As the final Weasley showed up Mrs. Weasley led them to the backcourt yard of the Leaky Cauldron. She tapped the third brick from the left, which activated the portal into Diagon Alley. The whole group headed off towards Gringott's Wizard Bank to either pull out money or exchange muggle money for wizard money (In Hermione's case anyway). They met up with Mr. and Mrs. Granger in front of Gringott's. Once they were finished they were led outside, pockets bulging with bronze knuts, silver sickles, and gold galleons. Mr. Weasley led the Granger's back towards the Leaky Cauldron to talk. Hermione, Ron, and Harry chuckled at the look on Hermione's parent's faces when Mr. Weasley began asking them questions about different muggle items (A.N. it was kinda one of those looks that combined a grimace with amazement). The three friends waved to Mrs. Weasley as they headed into Diagon Alley alone. Their first stop was Flourish and Blott's to get their new schoolbooks. They headed in seeing a few of their classmates heading out. They paid for their purchases and headed back outside. They were just stepping outside when they ran into Malfoy and his goons, Crabbe and Goyle.
"Out of my way, Mudblood," he said pushing past Hermione.
Harry and Ron were behind her and were refusing to move out of his way.
"If it isn't the famous Harry Potter and his side kick the red-haired Weasel," Malfoy started, "Planning on killing anymore students this year?"
Harry balled up his fists ready to punch Malfoy in his stuck up nose, but Ginny who had just come out of Flourish and Blott's with her friends put her hand on his, "I seem to remember only one weasel here, Malfoy."
Malfoy looked ready to kill Ginny for bringing up the painful memory, "At least I don't need my little red-haired girlfriend to fight my battles."
"At least my daddy isn't kissing Voldemort's robes every other minute," Ron said.
Harry, Hermione, and Ginny looked at Ron surprised. Malfoy's eyes flashed with hatred as he reached for his wand to curse all four of them. A cloaked stranger showed up behind the group. He grabbed Malfoy's wand arm preventing him from performing the curse.
"Is there a problem?" the cloaked stranger asked in a rough voice.
"No sir, there isn't," Harry said, "We were just leaving."
"Very well," he said letting go of Malfoy's arm.
Malfoy hurried past the friends Crabbe and Goyle following. The friends turned to thank the stranger, but he was gone. They headed down the street towards the Apothecary to restock their potions ingredients.
"Did you see Malfoy's face when you said that about his father," Harry said to Ron.
"Yeah, I didn't think a person's face could turn that many shades of purple at one time," Ron replied.
"It was just lucky that that cloaked stranger showed up or else we may have been belching up slugs for weeks," Hermione said.
Ron's face briefly went pale as he remembered in his second year when he tried to curse Malfoy his broken wand backfired the spell, "I guess your right, anyway it was funny you have to admit that."
"Your right it was," Hermione said finally agreeing.
They suddenly started laughing unable to control themselves any longer. They finished up when they reached the Apothecary. They went in purchasing what they needed. Ginny said good-bye as they came out. She hurried over to her friends who were waiting. As they watched her leave Harry turned to his friends suggesting a mint-chip ice cream cone at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor. They went in saying hello to Seamus Finnegan , Neville Longbottom, and Dean Thomas as they each carrying an ice cream cone left the shop. Harry bought the cones and they also left eating their cones as they headed to the joke shop to see what the twins were up to. They walked into Gamble and Japes Wizarding Joke Shop seeing Lee Jordan purchasing stink pellets. Ron and Harry headed over to a display of Dr. Filibuster's Wet-Start, No-Heat Fireworks. Hermione excused herself and headed down the block to the Magical Menagerie to buy Crookshanks, her cat, a few toys and treats. Ron and Harry barely noticed that she had left as they walked deeper into the joke shop seeing some exploding quills on the shelf. Fred and George showed up purchasing quite a few stink pellets, exploding quills, wet-start, no-heat fireworks, and a few other joke items. Ron and Harry knew it was going to be an interesting year.
All three Weasleys, Harry, and Lee left the joke shop heading back to the Leaky Cauldron. At the entrance to Diagon Alley they said bye to Lee Jordan who left to meet up with his family. The four friends met up with the rest of the Weasley clan and Hermione. Tom the old landlord and bartender to the tavern led them into a back room where there were tables set for the nine people to eat. Soon their food arrived and they ate till they were about to explode.
The week past quickly for everyone. Ron and Hermione spent most of the time walking the streets of Diagon Alley together. Harry opted to wait in his room to see if Sirius had owled him back yet. None had come and Harry was becoming worried that he had been caught. On their last day at the Leaky Cauldron Ginny approached Harry.
"Harry can we talk?" asked Ginny quietly.
"Sure," came Harry's response, "Let's get an ice cream."
Ginny and Harry walked down to the ice cream parlor where they each got a glass of pumpkin juice.
"Harry for a long time I have liked you and I was wondering if perhaps you-er-would…" Ginny trailed off.
"What's wrong Ginny?" Harry asked.
Ginny took a deep breath, "I was wondering if you'd like to go out with me."
Harry smiled his lopsided grin causing Ginny to blush the famous Weasley blush, "I would love to."
"Really?!" Ginny said surprised and relived.
"Yeah, I was just wondering where you got the potion vials," said Harry.
"I ordered them through one of Percy's catalogues with the money I saved up for a year," she said blushing again, "Do you like them?"
"I love them," Harry said leaning over the table to kiss Ginny gently on her lips.
They both blushed deeply when they realized what had happened. Ron saw the kiss from across the street and decided to approach his friend after dinner. Harry and Ginny got up from the table holding hands. He squeezed her hand affectionately as they headed back to the Leaky Cauldron. They went in to attend dinner. Ron glared at Harry the whole time. Hermione noticed Ron acting strangely towards Harry. As soon as dinner was over Harry started to head up to his and Ron's room when Ron pulled him into an empty hallway.
"What were you doing with my sister earlier," Ron said anger flashing in his eyes.
Hermione watched from the shadows, "What do you mean?"
"I mean why did you kiss her?" Ron said his voice low and menacing.
"We were talking when she asked me out," Harry started, "I like her and would never let anything happen to her."
Ron let go of Harry's robes, "I-I'm sorry… it's just- she's my baby sister and I…"
"I understand, you don't want anything or anyone to hurt her," Harry said, "I promise to treat her right."
Rn smiled at his friend showing Harry that there were no hard feelings between them. Harry smiled and led the way back to the staircase.
Hermione came out of the shadows and hit Ron upside the head, "You git, I thought for a minute there I would be picking up Ron and Harry pieces from the floor."
Both Harry and Ron laughed shaking their heads as they walked up the stairs. At the top landing they said good-night to Hermione as they headed into their room. Harry walked over to his trunk closing it after putting in the last few items. He saw two letter sitting on the table. He recognized the emerald green lettering right away as being from Hogwart's. Ron came up behind him to see what was so important.
"What are those?" he asked Harry.
"I'm not really sure, but it looks like they are from Hogwart's though," Harry said handing Ron his.
"Well, Let's open them," Ron said already tearing his open.
Harry followed Ron's lead opening his up to read it:
Dear Mr. Harry Potter-
The school year is upon us once again and as you
Probably already know we have to choose our new Prefects.
I am pleased to inform you that you have been chosen
As a prefect. Enclosed is your Prefect's badge. You will also
Need to report to the Prefect's carrage to accept your
Duties.
Also you will need to report to Professor Dumbledore's
Office after the sorting ceremony to accept other duties besides
That of the Prefect's.
Professor M. McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
"Can you believe it I've been made a Prefect!" Hermione shouted as she ran into their room.
"So have I and I think Ron has as well, but he hasn't said anything yet," Harry said.
"Ron?" Hermione asked the shocked Ron trying to get his attention.
"My Mum and dad are never going to believe this," he said finally, "And, oh man, Fred and George are never going to let me live this one down."
"What about these other duties, maybe Dumbledore has finally decided to allow a group to expell those who could be You-Know-Who's supporters," Ron said, "Just snap their wands in two and tell them to get lost."
"Yeah like Draco Malfoy for starters," Harry added.
"Ron! Harry!" Hermione said surprised at them both.
"What?!" they both said, "It was just a thought." Ron added.
"Besides Dumbledore would never put out a student like that, especially during this time," Harry said, "We should show your Mum and Dad the good news."
"Yeah I can't wait till Perfect Percy gets a good look at this," Ron said already pinning his Prefect badge to his shirt.
Ron, Hermione, and Harry walked down the stairs to talk with Mrs. and Mr. Weasley. Once they were in the dining area they saw Hagrid and Madame Maxine talking with the Weasley's and Percy. They saw the same cloaked stranger from earlier also sitting at the table. The three friends sat down at the table waiting on the adults to finish their conversations. Harry finally got a good look at the cloaked stranger. As Harry watched the stranger he was thinking that his movements reminded him of someone. He turned to say something to Ron, but he was talking to Hermione. The adults soon finished up and took notice of the three students.
"Shouldn't you three be up in bed, tomorrow is your first day of your fifth year," Mrs. Weasley said.
"We each received a letter from Professor McGonagall informing up that we have been chosen as Prefect's," Ron said.
"Impossible!" Percy said, "Why would they chose you or Harry?"
"Hold your tongue, Percy," Mrs. Weasley said, "I am so proud of all three of you."
"Thanks Mrs. Weasley," Harry and Hermoine said.
" 'Ey 'Arry did yeh lik' meh presen'?" Hagrid asked.
"Yeah I did, where did you get it?" Harry asked.
"Madame Maxine go' it from France," he told them.
"Thank you," Harry said to Madame Maxine.
"You ez velcome, young Potter," she said smiling.
Harry waited for the cloaked stranger to say something, but he continued to sit in silence. Harry was about to say something when Mr. Weasley stood up suddenly.
"I think it is time for all young Hogwart's students to go to bed," he said.
"But we…" Ron began.
"Off to bed," Mrs. Weasley said with an air of finality.
Ron, Harry, and Hermione all trudge upstairs too excited to go to bed. They stopped at Hermione's room first. Ron kissed Hermione good-night and Harry told her good-night before the boys went to their own room. Harry saw that Hedwig had returned and she was watching Pig as he flew about the room. Ron grabbed Pig out of the air and stuffed him into his cage. Pig continued to screech and make all kinds of noise inside his cage.
Ron threw one of his school robes over the cage, "Remind me to thank Sirius for Pig."
Harry walked over to his bed, laying down. Ron did the same.
"I wonder who was at the table," Harry said.
"It was the same man from earlier," Ron said, "Maybe it was Dumbledore in disguise."
"Maybe," Harry said before falling asleep.