They left the end of the Alley in silence not quite knowing which way to go, each with heads full of new thoughts. Had they really just heard a prophecy?
'W What was that all about' stuttered a white face Ron, looking Harry in the face.
'She's a fraud, just like her sister' Hermione answered before Harry could get his thoughts together, his brain didn't seem to want to let his mouth talk, but rather focus on all that had happened in the little shop.
'It's all for effect, no doubt she had some kind of charm set up to dim the fireplace, yes that's it, and'
'No' interrupted Harry slowly, his mouth finally catching up. 'I've heard that voice before, she sounded exactly like Prefoessor Trelawney'
'Oh seriously Harry, are you really going to believe her' Hermione scoffed, but Harry noticed she had gone a little white too.
'I don't know' he replied and tried to piece the supposed prophecy together, a heptagonal soul, what did that mean, 7 souls? He couldn't think.
'Oh dung' Ron muttered pulling Harry out of his thoughts, mums going to kill us. Harry looked around and they had made their way back onto the Main Street,
Harry having heard Professor Trelawney before was sure of it but if he understood what she was saying then it clearly wasn't anything good, in the sixth month? June he guessed so there was plenty of time yet but still. Harry crashed into the back of Ron he went to call him some choice words and found Hermione's hand clasped over his mouth. A familiar voice rang through the air, proud and arrogant as ever. Hermione' pulled Harry and Ron in to a doorway and they Listened to the two people as their voices drifted around the corner.
'Well it was only a matter of time you see' a patronising voice spoke.
'Knew he couldn't do it without me and needed my help'
'Draco' Ron mouthed his eyes wide in surprise, Hermione placed a finger to her lips.
'such a great honour' the second voice said in low husky tones sounding almost bored as if this was a story he had heard more than a few times and didn't quite believe it. 'but I can scarcely believe they have let such a young inexperienced wizard when those such as myself are denied the chance'
Seeming to ignore the man Draco continued 'Yes well after Fathers erm need to step back'
'you mean the fact he got caught, him and his friends at the Ministry, all bound up by Dumbledore like cattle' the husky voice interrupted sounding a little more pleased this time. 'Does little Draco have a plan'
'I know what I mean' Draco spat, 'and I know what I must do, something no one else could, I'm going to Borgins to view it now actually that is why mother requested you follow me i guess, she doesn't approve, she seems to think I'm not up to it'
'your mother might have a better measure of the situation that you little boy'
'My mother doesn't know whats good for her, see this, you know what this means' Draco said angrily. Footsteps echoed round the corner sounding as if one had suddenly descended on the other and stumbling to the floor.
'Yes of course Master Draco, I didn't realise, please beg my pardon I did not know'
'Yes well' said Draco regaining his composure, now you do so treat me with a little more respect'
Harry looked at Hermione who shrugged, if only he had the cloak with him he could see what was going on, what was Draco showing the other man? something that made him so scared
'Might I suggest we Hurry Master Draco, we cant be seen lingering too long on these streets' and with that footsteps led away down the alley.
'Well not wanting to get caught myself we better hurry' Hermione whispered and the three of them ran back down the Alley not really knowing which way to run. Before they knew it a shadow loomed over them and they crashed into a large figure.
'oomf' cried out a familiar voice and Harry looked up into the disgruntled face of Hagrid.
'now what do you three think you're doing round 'ere, you've had Molly in a right panic'
Harry looked at Hermione and Ron with a knowing glance, he wanted to talk about what they had just heard but it would have to wait.
'we were just exploring the Alley Hagrid' Hermione told him looking up to him innocently.
'HoHo I'm not going to fall for that one, you might look all sweet and innocent like but I know your just as bad as these two, you just have the sense to cover it up' Hagrid lectured her.
Hermione looked to Harry slightly embarrassed and allowed Hagrid to usher the three of the towards the main street.
'Its not safe to be wondering these side streets alone, specially not for young 'uns like you three, and specially not you Harry' Hagrid whispered looking to Harry who found that he couldn't keep the giants gaze.
'I never knew there were other streets around here other than Knockturn Alley' Hermione broke the silence sensing the tension.
'Oh yes' Hagrid replied still looking at Harry, 'Let me see theres Abnorm Alley which is where I'm guessing you just came from, best little pub down there The Thunderbird and Clog, does a great Whiskey only I never seems to be able to find it more than once a year' he chuckled to himself feeling that the danger had passed as they stepped out onto the cobbles of Diagon Alley
'Are there more then?' Ron asked truly interested.
Hagrid looked down suspiciously again he dark eyes crinkled. He seemed at odds with himself as if he wasn't too sure if he should be telling them this but he shrugged.
'Theres the 5 streets, Knockturn, Diagon and Abnorm which you now know
Harry thought back to the day Hagrid had found him in Knockturn Alley when he had gone a grate to far, Hagrid had been stalking the back streets that day too and never fully explained why, what had he said flesh eating slug repellent, surely Dumbledore knew a few things to help with that. Why had Hagrid been down there?
Then theres Cross road and ...'
'Cross Road' Hermione interrupted 'What's that'
Hagrid Grinned 'I thought you might know about that place, you're the smart one aint ya'
Ron and Harry grinned as Hermione crossed her arms, even Hagrid sensed he had said something wrong and carried on. Hermione didn't like to be questioned, especially seen as it was about something she didn't know about.
'Yeah, small place, cut between Flourish and Blotts and the Cauldron place and you come out at Cross Road, you know its one of those transport hugs'
All three of them looked at Hagrid confused until Hermione figured it out
'Transport Hubs Hagrid, Hubs with a B' she said almost laughing.
'No its with a H' he corrected her ' and she scowled at him again which went unnoticed by Hagrid 'anyways its where all International Witches and Wizards arrive and Depart.
This even caught Harrys attention, 'Like an Airport you mean' he asked wondering how something that big could be hiding behind the Cauldron shop.
'Air port' Hagrid asked confused splitting the word into its syllables 'You mean those big daft metal flying muggle things' and he laughed so loud the the nearest shoppers hurried by looking scared.
'No Harry its like at the Quidditch World cup where they had that one place where all Portkeys appeared, I assume' said Hermione looking to Hagrid for approval and he nodded. His nod ending her bad mood and she unfolded her arms feeling like she had redeemed herself from her earlier lack of knowledge.
As Harry thought on this he was suddenly shocked when a mass of vivid orange hair seemed to envelope him and Mrs Weasley's arms squeezed him tight.
'Dear where have you been, we've been looking all over for you, almost sent out for Arthur, when i realised you had gone off wondering i thought to myself what should i do? ' Mrs Weasleys bustled over Harry straightening his ruffled hair. and and smoothing his jacket. She rambled on in one long breath.
'Im Fine to Mom' Ron said sounding insulted.
'Yes yes' she replied absent minded as she used her wand to trim a loose thread from Harrys shirt, then she acknowledged him and span round facing her son ' and what were you doing going off like that? you know not to go too far its dangerous, especially now, you know whats happened, whats going on, wait till your father hears of this' her face began she flush pink and Rons ears turned the same shade. Ron looked incredulous at his own mother audacity to tell him off and not Harry.
Hagrid stepped in' don't worry Molly i found 'em and everthin's ok now' he patted her on the shoulder and her legs buckled slightly under his hand.
Harry smiled he was now used to Mrs Weasleys worry and grinned and she straightens her scarf and ushered the group, he allowed to be bustled down the street towards what seemed like a show of colours and noises.
Not really noticing, Diagon Alley was almost deserted. Shops were boarded up, street lights dimmed and a handful of worried looking shoppers moved quickly as they carried their parcels. however in contrast Weasleys Wizarding Wheezes stood out like a bright firework. The bright orange paint clashed with everything around and it looked packed. bright flashes and sound flew from open windows and he smiled as he stepped foot over the door.
