Chapter Eleven
The news of Harry's new job spread quickly after Harry talked to Kingsley. His decision to leave the ministry was met with a little too much enthusiasm for his taste. He wondered if Dumbledore had undercover agents everywhere.
Neville took the news quite well, Harry thought. But that now set them to the task of reviewing applicants for the flat. Harry had no idea their flat was in such a prime location; applicants seemed to flood in immediately after an ad was placed in the Daily Prophet. Helping Neville review applicants for another roommate, Harry noticed that Neville was unusually critical and found faults with most of the submissions.
"Look, he works at Dragon Scales," Harry pointed out, naming a wizard "hotspot." It was a popular club located in the heart of downtown London. "He can definitely afford his share. And I'll bet you'd get into the club all the time," Harry said, frowning at various answers.
"But look here, he's allergic to peanuts. I can't have that. I don't want to have to worry about some of my snacks getting mixed with his. No, chuck it," Neville said, throwing it into the growing pile of rejects. Harry sighed. Neville had found miniscule flaws in nearly every application so far. The pile of approved applicants was slim and mainly comprised of females, which Harry had tried to avoid with Neville's track record.
"OK, this fellow's got a cat. You like cats, Neville."
"No I don't. I'm allergic and they might eat Tony," Neville said, referring to his newest frog. With some phenomenal stroke of luck, Trevor had managed to survive through Hogwarts but Neville unfortunately lost him in an Auror training drill. Harry had his suspicions that Trevor hadn't gotten "lost" so much as he more likely "escaped," due to the fact that the training drill was located in a swamp.
"You were never allergic to Crookshanks," Harry said as Neville set the application in the dismissal pile.
"People develop allergies. Who's next?"
"You do realize that if you don't find a roommate, you'll have to let the flat yourself? You can't afford that, Neville," Harry said. "I'm going to move out whether or not you find a roommate."
"I know that!" Neville said, shuffling the papers with indignation. "Jeez, Harry, I'm not dumb."
"OK, sorry," Harry said, returning to the applications. He nevertheless felt that he had struck a chord with Neville, as the latter began to look over applications with more interest.
~*~
~April 22 had seemed so far away~ Harry thought, nervously twisting the paper wrapper that had come off his straw. ~How did it get here so fast?~
He was waiting for Ginny for their lunch "date." He certainly hoped she didn't think it was a real date. At least, he didn't think he wanted her to think so. He didn't acknowledge the waiter who came over to refill Harry's glass. He had only been there for about 10 minutes but during that time he had drained two glasses of water. His eyes anxiously scanned the front door, then to the back hallway leading to the toilets. He wasn't sure where Ginny would make her entrance, but he just hoped she would remember not to dress in her robes......
"Looking for someone?" a voice laughed behind him and a hand touched his shoulder. Harry turned swiftly as Ginny came around from behind him and sat down in the opposite chair.
"How did you get here?" he asked in a low voice.
"Dad had me borrow a Ministry car," she whispered conspiratorially.
"I didn't see you come in," he said anxiously.
"And I won't tell you. A woman has to retain some element of mystery," Ginny laughed. She glanced at the menu with curiosity.
"What are some of these drinks?" she asked, pointing to the different lines of cola. The waiter came over, his pen poised over the paper.
"Can I get you something to drink, Miss?"
"Why don't you get a Coke, and I'll cover your bill?" Harry said quickly. The waiter glanced at Ginny who shrugged and nodded. He quickly scribbled down the order and left them alone again.
"I didn't know you knew how to drive," Harry said, starting to relax. She must have had help dressing from Hermione, or girls are just naturally inclined towards fashion, Harry thought, remembering the mismatching that usually occurred when wizards tried to go "incognito." She was wearing a black sleeveless top that had three blue ribbons and one white streaking across the front at various angular degrees. She had completed the ensemble with a pair of black capris. If she had wanted him to beg, she couldn't have done a better job.....
"I don't. All I had to do was keep my hands on the wheel and just look like I do," Ginny said with a smile. She glanced around them at the restaurant. It was fairly quiet for a lunch hour, with just a few tables occupied here and there. No parties larger than four people were located anywhere. The afternoon sunshine streamed through the large front windows and she watched several people march past. Most of them had phones held to their ears as they chattered incessantly, clutching a bag emblazoned with a store logo or a professional briefcase. She turned back to Harry with a smile.
"It's nice," she remarked with approval. The waiter returned just then with Ginny's drink, and she gave the waiter a grateful smile before he left. She glanced at the straw, clearly doubtful toward its purpose. Quickly, Harry grabbed the straw in his water and took a sip. He casually played with the wrapper, tossing it at her. Ginny picked up the straw, unwrapped it and placed it in her drink and took a sip.
"Interesting," she said, glancing at the drink. She gave Harry a smile. "I like it."
"Good."
"So, Hermione told me you put in your notice at work," Ginny said, folding her arms and leaning on the table.
"Yeah. I thought I'd use the summer to prepare. Dumbledore sent me some paperwork to fill out. I take a test for obtaining my license May eighth. I officially take my leave of the Ministry May thirty-first."
"It must not be a very strenuous process, getting your license, considering we had a new teacher every year in Defense," Ginny said.
"Yeah, I hope. I'm staying with Neville until mid-July. Then I'll move into Hogwarts."
"That'll be exciting. What kind of living arrangements do the teachers get? I never really thought about it while we were actually there. I wonder if Fred and George know," Ginny said thoughtfully.
"I never thought about it either. Truth be told, I don't know. Can you imagine if I had to have a roommate? I'm about fifty years younger than all the other teachers!" Harry said, laughing. The laugh came even if the thought made Harry a little queasy at the thought of sharing a room with one of the teachers.
"Like Snape?" Ginny said. "I can't believe he's still there."
"So is McGonagall, and she's older than he is. Heck, Dumbledore's still there!" Harry said.
"I know, but he just seems to hate teaching so much. Do you get to be head of the Gryffindor house?" Ginny asked eagerly. The thought hadn't occurred to Harry.
"Likely not. I don't even know I'll be returning next year. It is the defense against the dark arts job," Harry reminded her with a laugh.
"Yeah, but you tend to break all the laws of fate," Ginny said, her eyes glancing up to Harry's scar. He shook his head with a smile and looked at his water glass. Ginny glanced down at her menu, forgetting that it was still sitting on the table.
"Oh we better decide before the waiter comes back!" she said, starting to run down the list of various entrees.
After they had ordered, they decided to get down to business.
"OK, let's talk about this elixir," Ginny said, pushing her glass away from her slightly as she set her purse on the table.
"What exactly doesn't this potion entail?" Harry asked somewhat nervously. For one crazy minute, he imagined the Weasley family standing in the kitchen, gathered around a cauldron, Mrs. Weasley pulling glass jars off the shelf. "We're out of eye of newt!" she calls to the family. Harry shook off the image, scolding himself for the stereotypical view.
"Oh, you know, tongue of goat, eye of newt," Ginny said lightly. She took a sip of her Coke before catching Harry's eye. She laughed. "Only pulling your leg, Harry. Everything is edible--well, on some level."
"Is this a recipe you can find in 'Gilderoy Lockhart's Best of House and Home'?" Harry asked warily.
"Definitely not. Here, why don't you take these and I'll try to remember." Ginny dug into her purse and produced a pencil and small pad of paper. Harry looked at it and cleared his throat.
"Is there something you're not telling me?" Harry held out the paper, which had a large lipstick mark from where Ginny had blotted her makeup on a previous occasion. Ginny grinned and shrugged.
"Well, at least it treats me like a real woman," she said suggestively. Harry gave her a look of interested curiosity before putting pencil to paper.
"All right, what does this poison require?"
"First is mink's blood." Harry grimaced and looked up at Ginny again.
"You expect Hermione to drink MINK'S blood?" He clearly did not expect this tradition to sit well with ANY Muggle.
"Ron has to drink it too!" Ginny countered, tucking a lock of red hair behind her ear. "Hermione isn't the only person that may suffer here." The waiter arrived with their meals just then, which prevented Ginny from continuing. Harry noticed she had clutched her napkin rather tightly when she had shot back with her last comment. A mere inch away was her fork, just read y and waiting.....
"So you admit it is a form of torture," Harry said, the pencil poised over the paper, ready for Ginny to continue. Ginny turned her plate clockwise and rolled her eyes.
"Look, I'm going to have to do it someday, too. I won't deny that I'm not looking forward to it, but at the same time we can't whine too loudly or we'll ruin it for Hermione and Ron," Ginny said flatly, taking up her fork. She stabbed her salad a few times before deciding to lift a few leaves to her mouth.
"Let's get on with it, then." Harry's curiosity intensified as he imagined creating this notorious beverage and then watching Ron and Hermione drink it. He wrote "mink's blood" on the paper in his neatest handwriting, feeling as though he might be tested on this later.
"Silver goblet." Ginny munched on a baby carrot from her salad, then took a sip of her Coke. Harry couldn't help but notice the attractive way her hair fell forward.....
"If this is an old family tradition, wouldn't you already have one?" Harry asked suddenly, pulling his eyes back to hers.
"Dunno. Better ask Dad, I guess. Write that down, so we don't forget," Ginny said, pointing to the paper. Harry obliged and did as told.
"Crushed white lily, that they might maintain the purity of their love. We can crush it ourselves if we can't find it pre-crushed," Ginny said. She paused a moment to think. "Three unicorn hairs for the mysticism of romance."
"Wait a minute. All these ingredients have MEANING?" Harry asked, holding up his hand. One of Ginny's eyebrows shot up toward her hairline.
"Yes. Traditions usually have a purpose, although being forced to drink random items is fun in itself."
"Then what's the purpose of mink's blood?" Harry said skeptically.
"The basis for the drink, like water to soup."
"Yeah, but what's its meaning?" Harry asked, dramatically over- emphasizing the last word.
"Well, the Weasley family crest, you know.....has a weasel....OK, technically we should use weasel blood. But mink's blood is sweeter and they're related to the weasel, right? Well, even if they're not they should be. So.....that's why." Ginny related this bit of information awkwardly, as though she was embarrassed.
"So....for my name, would we drink 'eau de potted plants?'" Harry said. Ginny laughed.
"I don't know, maybe. Are you ready for the next one?"
"Yeah."
"A pinch of shredded dragon scales to ensure the solidity and strength of their marriage. And they HAVE to be pre-shredded, otherwise we'd have to do it ourselves and that's near impossible," Ginny said. Harry scribbled away her notes and gave the paper a tap.
"Right. What next?" He asked. Ginny counted silently on her fingers, trying with some difficulty, to recall the recipe.
"OK, next is the nick of a tongue and ear of a rabbit for communication, essential to a good marriage. I think the fact that it's a rabbit also subtly ties in to fertility," Ginny said with a smile. "But that's not directly mentioned in the presentation."
"Who'll be presenting this, anyway?" Harry asked, looking up after he had finished writing his last sentence.
"Fred and George. Ron and Hermione figure that if we get them to do it, the Muggles will know not to take it seriously, and all the wizards will find them just as amusing." Ginny twirled her straw in her glass, making the ice clink against the sides. She stared at her drink and watched the swirling action for a moment before returning to their task.
"Good call," Harry said as he nodded his head in approval. "What next?"
"There's also a ruby in it, also part of the Weasley family crest."
"Red," Harry remarked. "How appropriate," he said with acknowledgement to Ginny's hair. She blushed and counted off her fingers again.
"Oh yes, and last but not least, chocolate syrup."
"Let me guess this one," Harry cut her off. "Chocolate to ensure the sweet childlike nature of their relationship." Ginny smirked.
"No, chocolate for flavor. Even if the mink's blood is sweet, it's not going to make it all that tasty." Harry smiled to himself and wrote this down.
"So, that's it?"
"Almost. You and I have to add one last ingredient just before we give it to them. So, start thinking," Ginny said with a warning. She returned to her salad as Harry put down the pencil and paper and leaned back in his chair. He rubbed his hand over his tousled black hair as he became lost in thought.
"And I can find all this in Diagon Alley?" he asked warily. Ginny glanced around her, making sure no one would overhear.
"Yeah, you have to know where to look. It's not contraband or illegal; you've probably just never been in any of the right stores. That's why I need to know when we can meet again."
"Again?" Harry asked, trying not to sound too interested.
"So I can take you shopping for this stuff. Honestly, you didn't think I was going to let a GUY do all the shopping, did you?" Ginny asked, rolling her eyes. She took another sip of her Coke and glanced at Harry's sandwich.
"Aren't you going to eat that?" she asked, pointing to it with her fork.
"So why bother to bring me along at all?" Harry asked with curiosity. He probably shouldn't press the matter, but he couldn't help himself.
"Because it's from BOTH of us to Ron and Hermione. If you don't do any of the work, then you don't get any of the credit," Ginny said haughtily.
"Hey, I'm here, aren't I?" Harry asked with playful indignation.
"Wow, hard work, writing things down. Did you learn that in Auror training?" Ginny said sarcastically. She reached over and took the pickle off of Harry's plate. "So, when do you want to meet? It would be better to do it on a weekend, that way we have plenty of time."
"Anytime from this Saturday until May 8th is good. And after that, too," Harry said, knowing he had a very empty schedule.
"Fine." Ginny pulled out her calendar again and glanced over it. "May fifteenth okay?"
"Let's see......it's not the eighth, so yeah, I guess it's all right."
"Great. Meet me at the Burrows at eleven and we'll go to the Alley from there." Harry nodded, making a mental note of the date. He had no doubt he wouldn't forget it.
The news of Harry's new job spread quickly after Harry talked to Kingsley. His decision to leave the ministry was met with a little too much enthusiasm for his taste. He wondered if Dumbledore had undercover agents everywhere.
Neville took the news quite well, Harry thought. But that now set them to the task of reviewing applicants for the flat. Harry had no idea their flat was in such a prime location; applicants seemed to flood in immediately after an ad was placed in the Daily Prophet. Helping Neville review applicants for another roommate, Harry noticed that Neville was unusually critical and found faults with most of the submissions.
"Look, he works at Dragon Scales," Harry pointed out, naming a wizard "hotspot." It was a popular club located in the heart of downtown London. "He can definitely afford his share. And I'll bet you'd get into the club all the time," Harry said, frowning at various answers.
"But look here, he's allergic to peanuts. I can't have that. I don't want to have to worry about some of my snacks getting mixed with his. No, chuck it," Neville said, throwing it into the growing pile of rejects. Harry sighed. Neville had found miniscule flaws in nearly every application so far. The pile of approved applicants was slim and mainly comprised of females, which Harry had tried to avoid with Neville's track record.
"OK, this fellow's got a cat. You like cats, Neville."
"No I don't. I'm allergic and they might eat Tony," Neville said, referring to his newest frog. With some phenomenal stroke of luck, Trevor had managed to survive through Hogwarts but Neville unfortunately lost him in an Auror training drill. Harry had his suspicions that Trevor hadn't gotten "lost" so much as he more likely "escaped," due to the fact that the training drill was located in a swamp.
"You were never allergic to Crookshanks," Harry said as Neville set the application in the dismissal pile.
"People develop allergies. Who's next?"
"You do realize that if you don't find a roommate, you'll have to let the flat yourself? You can't afford that, Neville," Harry said. "I'm going to move out whether or not you find a roommate."
"I know that!" Neville said, shuffling the papers with indignation. "Jeez, Harry, I'm not dumb."
"OK, sorry," Harry said, returning to the applications. He nevertheless felt that he had struck a chord with Neville, as the latter began to look over applications with more interest.
~*~
~April 22 had seemed so far away~ Harry thought, nervously twisting the paper wrapper that had come off his straw. ~How did it get here so fast?~
He was waiting for Ginny for their lunch "date." He certainly hoped she didn't think it was a real date. At least, he didn't think he wanted her to think so. He didn't acknowledge the waiter who came over to refill Harry's glass. He had only been there for about 10 minutes but during that time he had drained two glasses of water. His eyes anxiously scanned the front door, then to the back hallway leading to the toilets. He wasn't sure where Ginny would make her entrance, but he just hoped she would remember not to dress in her robes......
"Looking for someone?" a voice laughed behind him and a hand touched his shoulder. Harry turned swiftly as Ginny came around from behind him and sat down in the opposite chair.
"How did you get here?" he asked in a low voice.
"Dad had me borrow a Ministry car," she whispered conspiratorially.
"I didn't see you come in," he said anxiously.
"And I won't tell you. A woman has to retain some element of mystery," Ginny laughed. She glanced at the menu with curiosity.
"What are some of these drinks?" she asked, pointing to the different lines of cola. The waiter came over, his pen poised over the paper.
"Can I get you something to drink, Miss?"
"Why don't you get a Coke, and I'll cover your bill?" Harry said quickly. The waiter glanced at Ginny who shrugged and nodded. He quickly scribbled down the order and left them alone again.
"I didn't know you knew how to drive," Harry said, starting to relax. She must have had help dressing from Hermione, or girls are just naturally inclined towards fashion, Harry thought, remembering the mismatching that usually occurred when wizards tried to go "incognito." She was wearing a black sleeveless top that had three blue ribbons and one white streaking across the front at various angular degrees. She had completed the ensemble with a pair of black capris. If she had wanted him to beg, she couldn't have done a better job.....
"I don't. All I had to do was keep my hands on the wheel and just look like I do," Ginny said with a smile. She glanced around them at the restaurant. It was fairly quiet for a lunch hour, with just a few tables occupied here and there. No parties larger than four people were located anywhere. The afternoon sunshine streamed through the large front windows and she watched several people march past. Most of them had phones held to their ears as they chattered incessantly, clutching a bag emblazoned with a store logo or a professional briefcase. She turned back to Harry with a smile.
"It's nice," she remarked with approval. The waiter returned just then with Ginny's drink, and she gave the waiter a grateful smile before he left. She glanced at the straw, clearly doubtful toward its purpose. Quickly, Harry grabbed the straw in his water and took a sip. He casually played with the wrapper, tossing it at her. Ginny picked up the straw, unwrapped it and placed it in her drink and took a sip.
"Interesting," she said, glancing at the drink. She gave Harry a smile. "I like it."
"Good."
"So, Hermione told me you put in your notice at work," Ginny said, folding her arms and leaning on the table.
"Yeah. I thought I'd use the summer to prepare. Dumbledore sent me some paperwork to fill out. I take a test for obtaining my license May eighth. I officially take my leave of the Ministry May thirty-first."
"It must not be a very strenuous process, getting your license, considering we had a new teacher every year in Defense," Ginny said.
"Yeah, I hope. I'm staying with Neville until mid-July. Then I'll move into Hogwarts."
"That'll be exciting. What kind of living arrangements do the teachers get? I never really thought about it while we were actually there. I wonder if Fred and George know," Ginny said thoughtfully.
"I never thought about it either. Truth be told, I don't know. Can you imagine if I had to have a roommate? I'm about fifty years younger than all the other teachers!" Harry said, laughing. The laugh came even if the thought made Harry a little queasy at the thought of sharing a room with one of the teachers.
"Like Snape?" Ginny said. "I can't believe he's still there."
"So is McGonagall, and she's older than he is. Heck, Dumbledore's still there!" Harry said.
"I know, but he just seems to hate teaching so much. Do you get to be head of the Gryffindor house?" Ginny asked eagerly. The thought hadn't occurred to Harry.
"Likely not. I don't even know I'll be returning next year. It is the defense against the dark arts job," Harry reminded her with a laugh.
"Yeah, but you tend to break all the laws of fate," Ginny said, her eyes glancing up to Harry's scar. He shook his head with a smile and looked at his water glass. Ginny glanced down at her menu, forgetting that it was still sitting on the table.
"Oh we better decide before the waiter comes back!" she said, starting to run down the list of various entrees.
After they had ordered, they decided to get down to business.
"OK, let's talk about this elixir," Ginny said, pushing her glass away from her slightly as she set her purse on the table.
"What exactly doesn't this potion entail?" Harry asked somewhat nervously. For one crazy minute, he imagined the Weasley family standing in the kitchen, gathered around a cauldron, Mrs. Weasley pulling glass jars off the shelf. "We're out of eye of newt!" she calls to the family. Harry shook off the image, scolding himself for the stereotypical view.
"Oh, you know, tongue of goat, eye of newt," Ginny said lightly. She took a sip of her Coke before catching Harry's eye. She laughed. "Only pulling your leg, Harry. Everything is edible--well, on some level."
"Is this a recipe you can find in 'Gilderoy Lockhart's Best of House and Home'?" Harry asked warily.
"Definitely not. Here, why don't you take these and I'll try to remember." Ginny dug into her purse and produced a pencil and small pad of paper. Harry looked at it and cleared his throat.
"Is there something you're not telling me?" Harry held out the paper, which had a large lipstick mark from where Ginny had blotted her makeup on a previous occasion. Ginny grinned and shrugged.
"Well, at least it treats me like a real woman," she said suggestively. Harry gave her a look of interested curiosity before putting pencil to paper.
"All right, what does this poison require?"
"First is mink's blood." Harry grimaced and looked up at Ginny again.
"You expect Hermione to drink MINK'S blood?" He clearly did not expect this tradition to sit well with ANY Muggle.
"Ron has to drink it too!" Ginny countered, tucking a lock of red hair behind her ear. "Hermione isn't the only person that may suffer here." The waiter arrived with their meals just then, which prevented Ginny from continuing. Harry noticed she had clutched her napkin rather tightly when she had shot back with her last comment. A mere inch away was her fork, just read y and waiting.....
"So you admit it is a form of torture," Harry said, the pencil poised over the paper, ready for Ginny to continue. Ginny turned her plate clockwise and rolled her eyes.
"Look, I'm going to have to do it someday, too. I won't deny that I'm not looking forward to it, but at the same time we can't whine too loudly or we'll ruin it for Hermione and Ron," Ginny said flatly, taking up her fork. She stabbed her salad a few times before deciding to lift a few leaves to her mouth.
"Let's get on with it, then." Harry's curiosity intensified as he imagined creating this notorious beverage and then watching Ron and Hermione drink it. He wrote "mink's blood" on the paper in his neatest handwriting, feeling as though he might be tested on this later.
"Silver goblet." Ginny munched on a baby carrot from her salad, then took a sip of her Coke. Harry couldn't help but notice the attractive way her hair fell forward.....
"If this is an old family tradition, wouldn't you already have one?" Harry asked suddenly, pulling his eyes back to hers.
"Dunno. Better ask Dad, I guess. Write that down, so we don't forget," Ginny said, pointing to the paper. Harry obliged and did as told.
"Crushed white lily, that they might maintain the purity of their love. We can crush it ourselves if we can't find it pre-crushed," Ginny said. She paused a moment to think. "Three unicorn hairs for the mysticism of romance."
"Wait a minute. All these ingredients have MEANING?" Harry asked, holding up his hand. One of Ginny's eyebrows shot up toward her hairline.
"Yes. Traditions usually have a purpose, although being forced to drink random items is fun in itself."
"Then what's the purpose of mink's blood?" Harry said skeptically.
"The basis for the drink, like water to soup."
"Yeah, but what's its meaning?" Harry asked, dramatically over- emphasizing the last word.
"Well, the Weasley family crest, you know.....has a weasel....OK, technically we should use weasel blood. But mink's blood is sweeter and they're related to the weasel, right? Well, even if they're not they should be. So.....that's why." Ginny related this bit of information awkwardly, as though she was embarrassed.
"So....for my name, would we drink 'eau de potted plants?'" Harry said. Ginny laughed.
"I don't know, maybe. Are you ready for the next one?"
"Yeah."
"A pinch of shredded dragon scales to ensure the solidity and strength of their marriage. And they HAVE to be pre-shredded, otherwise we'd have to do it ourselves and that's near impossible," Ginny said. Harry scribbled away her notes and gave the paper a tap.
"Right. What next?" He asked. Ginny counted silently on her fingers, trying with some difficulty, to recall the recipe.
"OK, next is the nick of a tongue and ear of a rabbit for communication, essential to a good marriage. I think the fact that it's a rabbit also subtly ties in to fertility," Ginny said with a smile. "But that's not directly mentioned in the presentation."
"Who'll be presenting this, anyway?" Harry asked, looking up after he had finished writing his last sentence.
"Fred and George. Ron and Hermione figure that if we get them to do it, the Muggles will know not to take it seriously, and all the wizards will find them just as amusing." Ginny twirled her straw in her glass, making the ice clink against the sides. She stared at her drink and watched the swirling action for a moment before returning to their task.
"Good call," Harry said as he nodded his head in approval. "What next?"
"There's also a ruby in it, also part of the Weasley family crest."
"Red," Harry remarked. "How appropriate," he said with acknowledgement to Ginny's hair. She blushed and counted off her fingers again.
"Oh yes, and last but not least, chocolate syrup."
"Let me guess this one," Harry cut her off. "Chocolate to ensure the sweet childlike nature of their relationship." Ginny smirked.
"No, chocolate for flavor. Even if the mink's blood is sweet, it's not going to make it all that tasty." Harry smiled to himself and wrote this down.
"So, that's it?"
"Almost. You and I have to add one last ingredient just before we give it to them. So, start thinking," Ginny said with a warning. She returned to her salad as Harry put down the pencil and paper and leaned back in his chair. He rubbed his hand over his tousled black hair as he became lost in thought.
"And I can find all this in Diagon Alley?" he asked warily. Ginny glanced around her, making sure no one would overhear.
"Yeah, you have to know where to look. It's not contraband or illegal; you've probably just never been in any of the right stores. That's why I need to know when we can meet again."
"Again?" Harry asked, trying not to sound too interested.
"So I can take you shopping for this stuff. Honestly, you didn't think I was going to let a GUY do all the shopping, did you?" Ginny asked, rolling her eyes. She took another sip of her Coke and glanced at Harry's sandwich.
"Aren't you going to eat that?" she asked, pointing to it with her fork.
"So why bother to bring me along at all?" Harry asked with curiosity. He probably shouldn't press the matter, but he couldn't help himself.
"Because it's from BOTH of us to Ron and Hermione. If you don't do any of the work, then you don't get any of the credit," Ginny said haughtily.
"Hey, I'm here, aren't I?" Harry asked with playful indignation.
"Wow, hard work, writing things down. Did you learn that in Auror training?" Ginny said sarcastically. She reached over and took the pickle off of Harry's plate. "So, when do you want to meet? It would be better to do it on a weekend, that way we have plenty of time."
"Anytime from this Saturday until May 8th is good. And after that, too," Harry said, knowing he had a very empty schedule.
"Fine." Ginny pulled out her calendar again and glanced over it. "May fifteenth okay?"
"Let's see......it's not the eighth, so yeah, I guess it's all right."
"Great. Meet me at the Burrows at eleven and we'll go to the Alley from there." Harry nodded, making a mental note of the date. He had no doubt he wouldn't forget it.