The 20th of August was around before I even realised, I woke up early and set about having a shower, I hated this part of my day because the tiles were always so grimy and I felt like I was getting more dirty than I was clean.
The water was never really hot either which I supposed was a good thing seeing as cooler water makes you more alert and apparently, with yet another person wanting to kill me it would do well to stay alert.
After I was showered and dressed I made my way down the stairs and to Tom's great english breakfasts.
Hermione and Ron had written and they were scheduled to arrive at 11:00, it was now 9 and saying I had time to kill was an understatement.
"'ere you go Mr Potter!" Tom set the plate in front of me and gave me a bright smile.
"Thank you Tom, The Weasley's will be here at 11." Tom nodded and took his leave,
It was comforting to know that in 12 days I would be leaving for Hogwarts. This place was much better than the Dursleys but not being able to leave and do anything was really rather boring.
I'd already read all of my class books for this year twice already, which would probably scare Hermione seeing as I had a head start over her who had not yet purchased any of her books.
"Morning Potter." Malfoy drawled sliding into the seat opposite me and startling me from my thoughts.
"Ugh sod of Malfoy." I responded, trying to sound bored. Malfoy rolled his eyes as if he knew I was adding in fake tones and started eating the breakfast plate he had brought with him to my table.
"You haven't left here once." Malfoy pointed out, I sighed.
"Not that it is any of your business, but with Sirius Black on the loose, apparently it's too dangerous to leave." I told him, Malfoy frowned at his food, his snowy hair covering his eyes.
"That's ridiculous." He finally said, I gave him a questioning look.
"Why would Sirius Black come to Diagon Alley when everyone is looking for him?" he added
I shrugged,
"I wouldn't be surprised really with the types I've met" He snorted, and bit into a hash brown,
"When are Weasel and Granger visiting then?" He asked after he swallowed.
"Later on today." I sipped on my goblet of pumpkin juice.
"Yes, I get that Potter. I just don't want to be around here when they get here." I frowned and gave him a skeptical look,
"Thought you'd want to upset people and make trouble," He looked away and shook his head.
"They come at 11." I told him. He nodded and moved to look down at his plate, the atmosphere around our table suddenly became tense and awkward.
we ate in the awkward silence for about 20 minutes, In a desperate attempt to make some sort of conversation with my enemy, I spluttered out the first thing that came to mind.
"What have you been doing with your time?" He looked up from his empty plate and his silver eyes met mine,
"Walking around Diagon Alley a little bit, It gets boring after awhile." He muttered.
"At least you've been able to leave, I've been stuck here." Malfoy smirked,
"Tom won't let me out, I stay in my room all day. I've contemplated going into muggle London but it's just getting out." I said more to myself than him.
"Why don't you just wait until 12pm? It get's really busy then." Malfoy mumbled,
Merlin he was acting weird, definitely not his usual self.
"I never thought of that," I mumbled,
"Of course you wouldn't have Potter, that would be so hard for the boy who lived to be a pain in everyone's arse." Malfoy drawled, There it was, still less venom to it than usual though.
"Anyway Potter unlike you, I have important matters to attain to." malfoy stood up and turned to leave.
"I'll see you tomorrow morning." It wasn't a question it was a statement. I frowned there was something going on with him.
I was doing my horoscope in the daily profit (Yeah I was that bored) when Ron and Hermione came in, along with the Weasley's and the Grangers.
"Harry!" Hermione exclaimed waiting until I had stood up before throwing herself into my arms.
"Alright mate." Ron said nodding,Ginny gave me a shy looking smile,
"Right then kids, lets split up, Arthur if you take Fred and George and Percy, I'll take the others, should we meet back at flourish and blotts to collect our books." Mrs Weasley ordered,
Arthur nodded, and led the older boys out of the leaky cauldron.
"Okay Ronald need's some new robes, He's gotten mighty taller since last year." Mrs Weasley laughed,
"Hermione's doing well for robes, but I suppose a new set can be managed," Mrs Granger said,
"No mum don't worry! It's fine they all still fit," Hermione expressed, Mr Granger gave his daughter a warm smile.
"Are you sure?" He asked, Hermione nodded vigorously. "Yes you got me two new sets last year for my birthday." I watched the exchange with a thoughtful frown. I knew Hermione's parents, had good jobs, I hadn't realised that they were struggling, But now that I really thought about it, it made sense, The wizarding world was a lot more expensive than the muggle, Robs would probably cost at least £80 pounds.
"Harry dear do you need any new robes?" Molly asked, I shook my head,
"No Mrs Weasley all my robes are still too big."
Hermione shared a knowing look with her parents, which I ignored,
"But I do need to go to gringotts." I added
"We do as well." Mr Granger agreed,
"Gringotts first then!" Mrs Weasley motioned us to follow her out of the leaky cauldron,
"How was your summers?" I asked Ron and Hermione.
"Oh mine was great we went to the science-"
Ron cut Hermione off,
"You heared we went to Egypt to see my brother bill!" Ron exclaimed,
"It was amazing, we went into loads of tombs and met loads of interesting people, there was this one guy-" I looked over to Hermione to see she looked rather annoyed at being interupted and then ignored, I patted her hand gently, a she gave me a sad smile.
"-He invited us round for tea, didn't he mum? can you imagen living on a full diet of Dragon, that's all he ever ate."
"Impossible." Hermione muttered,
"No it's not." Ron snapped.
"How long had he been living on this diet?" Hermione asked sounding skeptical.
"After his 17 birthday till now and he's 45." Ron's face screwed up in thought as he tried to work it out.
"28 Years." Hermione told him, Ron nodded,
"There isn't any nutrition in Dragon meat, or on any part of a dragon for that matter. So this man was lying to you, because had he been living on only Dragon. He would be dead." Hermione finished the argument in her matter of fact tone.
"It was a special kind of Dragon." Ron told her smugly.
"Grow up Ronald." Hermione told him, sounding very amused.
I laughed at the mini argument. Mr Granger looked very amused as well.
"So Harry how is life treating you he asked." I smiled
"Okay." Mr Granger nodded, "I wondered Harry, If maybe on the 23rd of August, you'd like to come out to lunch with me? See I am in London for a really important meetup and with you being stuck her I thought it would be a nice excuse to give you some more air?"
I looked at Mr Granger in awe, This was quite possibly the longest conversation we had ever had and it involved him asking me for lunch.
"I-I Would love to Mr Granger! Thank you!" He smiled kindly and patted my shoulder. Mr Granger I noticed Had slight grey hairs to his dark brown hair, and Hermione definitely got her chocolate eyes from him and the hair colour, It was then I noticed that she must get her curls from her blond mother, but where Hermione's curls bushed out, her Mothers fell elegantly to her shoulders. I grinned,
"That settles it, I shall meet you at the leaky cauldron at 1pm?" I nodded and thanked him once again.
Ron apparently was annoyed at Hermione's argument and had started the bickering once again. I could tell Hermione's heart wasn't into it and she seemed rather bored, She half heartedly bickered to him all the way to Gringotts.
"Erm the books last year cost a lot £45 in all." Mr Granger said, "We'll take out £60 again and hope for the best, we can always come back and get more." He mused "Would you like me to come down with you to your vault Harry?" Mrs Weasley offered,
"If you wouldn't mind."
"Nonsense dear of course not."
Mrs Weasley bustled her way into the carriage, Ron climbed in too and sat next to me, On our way down I started to feel really apprehensive, Mrs Weasley was going to see how much money I had in my vault and it was a lot more than they had. Perhaps I could ask them to wait in the carriage.
The carriage came to a complete stop and the goblin got out.
"You can stay here if you like?" I pretty muched begged,
"Don't worry dear, I'll come with need to walk a bit, as I tend to get very motion sick." Mrs Weasley informed me very cheerfully.
"Her you are Mr Potter." The goblin grumbled, Opening my vault door. Mrs Weasley nodded for me to go in.
Pulling out my money pouch from my pocket, I added a handful of galleons and sickles.
"Right I am ready to go." I mumbled.
I felt so awkward going to my vault with Mrs Weasley and Ron, Ron had a shocked expression, he knew I had money, just didn't know how much, it's more gold than he'd probably ever seen in his life, Mrs Weasley looked just the same, cheerful and loving.
Maybe next time I would take Mr Granger, He might not be so awkward.
We were finally done in Madam Malkin's, when Ron dragged me over to the Quidditch shop.
"Look at it." He said in awe, pressing his freckled face against the window to get closer.
"It's just a broom." I said.
"JUST A BROOM" Ron half shouted, "That Harry, Is the fasted Broom in the world!" Ron sighed into the glass,
"It's also another Broom you can't afford." We spun round from the window to see, Theodore Nott standing smugly with Blaise and Draco chatting unnoticing behind him, Hermione was slowly walking over and Mrs Weasley looked like she was having a heated argument with Mrs Granger.
Ron was already turning a nasty shade of red,
"I don't see you rushing into buy it!" I snapped,
"I don't want some stupid broom Potty, Besides I'll probably get it for christmas anyway."
By now Hermione was stood next to us, and Draco and Blaise had turned around.
Hermione burst out laughing,
"What's so funny Mudblood." I watched Blaise roll his eyes and whispered something to Draco, who nodded frowning.
Hermione stopped her wheezing and calmed herself down,
"Do you know how spoilt and childish you sound?" She giggled a bit more, Nott snarled,
"How dare you! You mudblood. You shouldn't even be allowed to speak, mudbloods should be locked up!" He hissed,
Hermione laughed again causing Nott to turn a deep shade of purple.
"You asked me what I found funny Nott and I told you." Hermione laughed.
She fluttered her eyelashes at him and laughed. Nott stalked off Draco and Blaise laughing behind him.
"So much help you two were Salazars sake!" Nott snapped,
"Sorry mate, Thought you had it under control." Blaise joked.
"Flourish and Blotts now?" Mrs Weasley said in a huff as she neared us.
We nodded, Mrs Granger I noticed, kept her arm around Hermione and glared at Mrs Weasley frequently.
Mr Weasley was outside waiting for us,
"Fred and George have found a book they want." Mr Weasley Informed his wife proudly.
"How much?" She asked following him in.
"It's 2 knuts from the second hand section."
When we got into the shop it was busy, full with parents and their children, looking for the books for their year.
"Hmm, Tell them we will see, what about Percy did he say what he wanted, as his reward for becoming head boy?"
"A new cauldron."
I stopped listening in to the droning of Mr and Mrs Weasley and saw Hermione rushing up the spiral staircase to the second floor.
I decided to follow her up, seeing as Ron was talking to Fred and George about the book they'd found. Ginny was listening to the conversation looking in awe and slightly excited by her two older brothers.
As soon as I reached the second floor, Hermione pushed 6 books into my hands,
"Hold these please." She mumbled, scouring the shelves in interest.
"Ohh I saw a book I think you'd like!" She said throwing another onto the pile in my arms.
I laughed and followed her down more aisle of books.
She added another 3 books before she stopped looking.
"I'm only allowed 7" She laughed, "Going to persuade as hard as I can for the others.
"I'll get them if you want?" I asked. She smiled,
"Thank you Harry but I couldn't."
"Yes you could, Please Hermione be a friend." She scoft. "Fine. Only because you emotionally blackmailed me into it." She took 6 books out of my hands and swapped a few over.
"Okay you have the cheapest books there you are, Oh and I wasn't sure if you were interested in that book I was telling you about but here it is."
I gave her an alarmed look, said book seemed to appear out of thin air and onto my pile, I looked at the title.
"It's a book on ancient runes. I know you're not taking it, but common Harry, Divination is such a cop out." She huffed,
"I thought you were taking it?" I asked,
"Yeah as a second option." she smirked,
"Right yeah, uh okay, I'll buy it." Hermione beamed at me, "oh you'll love ancient runes, I started reading a book on it this summer that I'd borrowed from the Library and it's so exciting!"
"Hermione! You know we can't afford all those books. Oh poor Harry, you're making him carry them," Mrs Granger said fussing,
"No No Mrs Granger it's okay, I'm buying them for me, But Hermione's going to read them first." I told her, Mrs Granger laughed, "Aww Harry you are very sweet." I laughed followed Hermione to the cash register.
The man ran Hermiones lot of books through first.
"5 Galleons altogether miss." Mrs Granger handed the man the coins and the store assistant wrapped them up in paper packaging,
The books I was buying came to 2 Galleons, 6 sickles and 23 knuts. I handed him the money and requested the other books be wrapped differently to the one I was actually buying for myself.
"Right I think we'd best be off, Harry dear!" Mrs Weasley said, when we got back to the Weasleys.
"Oh okay, It was great seeing you Mrs Weasley." I said,
"I was wondering if you wanted to spend the rest of the-" I didn't hear Mrs Weasleys question over Hermione's screaming.
"I CAN HAVE A CAT!" I turned around to see Mrs Granger smiling at her daughter and Mr Granger looking slightly off.
"Yes! Harry would you like to come with Hermione to chose a cat." Mrs Granger sent Mrs Weasley a cheery smile.
"Uh Yeah okay." I replied in slight shock. Hermione squealed and grabbed my hand, pulling me out of the book shop and into the next door pet shop the Eeylops Owl Emporium,
The shop smelled like a wet dog and and owl treats, which reminded me, I needed to get some of those for Hedwig, Hermione scoured all the cats the same way she did the books in the shop,
Standing up she frowned, "It sounds awfully silly, but none of these are my cat."
The shop assistant laughed, "Not at all dear, Are you sure th- AAAAA CROOKSHANKS YOU NAUGHTY CAT!"
Hermione smiled in delight at the ginger mass of fluff as it landed in her arms.
"This is my cat!" She said excitedly, "Er Hermione, you sure you want that cat?" I asked looking at the horrible thing,
"Yes Harry! How much is this cat!" The shopkeeper looked very shocked,
"er free of charge." She said in haste. "What?!" Hermione and I said in unison.
"Yes see Crookshanks was a rescue cat to begin with and then every owner just kept bringing him back, so you can have him free of charge."
The bell above the door rang, signaling that Mrs and Mr Granger had walked into the store,
"I want this cat and he is free of charge!" Hermione squealed, It was the first time I had seen Hermione act like...a teenage girl. I was surprised and I loved this knew side of Hermione, But I knew that once the novelty of having a cat died down she would return to her usual self.
I followed the Grangers back to the leaky cauldron, helping Hermione carry her Cat bed and Cat food, It was pretty heavy but I had assured Mr Granger that I could manage it.
"Thank you for all your help today Harry." Hermione said hugging me, "And thanks for the books" She whispered, smiling I laughed,
"You're welcome Hermione."
Mrs Granger smiled fondly at us both, before pulling me into a hug,
"See you soon Harry!" She whispered, I frowned thoughtfully, before I remembered september first, I was sure to see the Grangers then.
Mr Granger patted me on the shoulder and gave me a wide grin, "See you on the 23rd for lunch Harry."
I nodded vigorously and shook his offered hand.
I watched them leave the leaky cauldron, Hermione coeing her ugly cat and Mr and Mrs Granger struggling with all her stuff, It was an amusing sight and I found myself chuckling at the closing door.
A/N- I am soo soo soo frightfully sorry, I am nearly a week past posting date! I know I am awful but in my defence this is the longest chapter I have ever written for you! So teehee forgive me...Free cookies or smthing,
Anyway now that I have finished college there is plenty of time for updates!
Love you all! Please read and review