Chapter 12
A Vain Shopping List
Harry wondered what the Dursleys did was legal. They bared his doors and locked his room, only letting him out for chores and to use the bathroom, three times a day. His Hogwarts supplies and magical possessions were all locked in his old room under the stairs. Hedwig, was locked in her cage, and hated it. She kept chirping and making noises, which made Uncle Vernon angry. Harry was bored in his room, so when he did his chores and finished cleaning Dudley's room, he swiped some comics from Dudley's massive pile of junk. A series that Harry liked, and seldom heard of, was the American comic series called Batman. Being a quick reader, Harry read through most of the series that Dudley had, following the Cape Crusader and his adventures with his partner Robin, named Jason Todd. Harry liked Jason, he reminded Harry of Draco a bit.
Draco… Harry hasn't received any letters from him, nor any of his friends. The recently turned twelve year old was worried, and nervous about that. His family was having guests to dinner, and Harry was sitting in his room, waiting for them to end so he could clean. He was reading one of the comics he was able to swipe.
Suddenly there was a crackling sound and Harry jumped away as a creature appeared on his bed. He had large, bat-like ears and bulging green eyes the size of tennis balls. "Err Hello?" Harry said.
"Harry Potter!" said the creature in a high-pitched voice. "So long has Dobby wanted to meet you, sir…Such an honor it is. …"
"Th-thank you." Harry said, edging against the wall and sinking into his desk chair, next to Hedwig, who was asleep in her large cage. "Who are you?" he asked.
"Dobby, sir. Just Dobby. Dobby is the house-elf," the creature said.
"Oh—really?" Harry said, "Er—well I don't want to be rude or anything but—this isn't a great time for me to have a house-elf in my bedroom." Aunt Petunia's high, fake laugh sounded from the living room. The elf hung his head. "Not that I'm not grateful you're here Dobby… err but is there any particular reason you came?"
"Yes!" squeaked the elf, "Dobby has come to warn Harry Potter! Harry Potter must not return to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, for he will be in mortal danger."
"What? Not go back to Hogwarts? But I have to go back, my friends are there." Harry said.
"Friends who don't write Harry Potter letters?" Dobby asked.
"What—but how did you know?" Harry asked, "How did you know I didn't get any letters from them?"
"Harry Potter mustn't get angry with Dobby. Dobby did if for the best—"
"Have you been stooping my letters!?"
"Dobby has them here, sir," said the elf. Stepping nimbly out of Harry's reach, he pulled a thick wad of envelopes from the inside of the pillowcase he was wearing. Harry could easily make out Draco's elegant writing, Hermione's neat writing, Ron's untidy scrawl, and even a scribble that looked as though it was from Hagrid. Dobby blinked anxiously up at Harry.
"Harry Potter mustn't be angry… Dobby hoped… if Harry Potter might not want to go back to school, sir. …"
Harry wasn't listening. He made a grab for the letters, but Dobby jumped out of reach.
"Harry Potter will have them, sir, if he gives Dobby his word that he will not return to Hogwarts. Ah, sir, this is a danger you must not face! Say you won't go back, sir!"
"No," Harry said angrily, "Give me my friend's letters!" He launched at the elf again, and was able to grab the elf's large ears. He pulled, and the elf fell to the ground, causing a ruckus. He grabbed the letters out of Dobby's little hands.
"No! Harry Potter has to promise not to return to Hogwarts!" Dobby squeaked, struggling to get the letters back.
"No! They're mine!" Harry snarled, angry at the little elf for daring to cut his ties with his friends, and especially Draco. There was a sound of footsteps banging on the stairs and Harry threw the elf, with all his force, away from him. The door opened and Uncle Vernon appeared, Dobby vanishing just as the door opened.
"What is all this noise boy!?" Vernon snarled.
"Sorry sir, it's just that Hedwig was being rowdy. She wants to fly." Harry said, hiding the thick stack of letters from his uncle. Uncle Vernon glared at Hedwig and Harry and said" Then shut your bird up. We agreed that there will be no funny business while you are here for the summer. That includes your bird flying in and out as it pleases. Now stop making noises." And with that, he slammed the door and Harry leaned against the desk, catching his breath. Damn elf, he thought. He looked at his letters and immediately took out Draco's, there were twenty all together. From casual discussions of his days with Blaise and Theo, to an invitation to join them, then to worriment that Harry wasn't replying, to anger that Harry forgotten about them, back to worriment again. Harry quickly grabbed a piece of pen and paper and began to write his reply, which he would send as soon as he could.
Dear Draco,
I am so sorry for not replying, please don't hate me! It is just that I haven't been receiving yours or anyone else's letters. A creature called a house-elf named Dobby was stopping them. It came into my room just earlier, as I'm writing this I do not know when I will be able to send it as my aunt and uncle has placed bars on my window and forced Hedwig to stay in her cage. They forced me to be in my room for most of the day, only being let out to do chores, and I am bored out of my mind! I wish I was with you and Blaise and Theo having fun, but as of I'm writing this that is just not possible. If somehow I am able to send this letter to you, then I really hope that you would forgive me. …Even though this really isn't my fault. I have a large, thick stack of letters to go through, but I went through yours first, and no I don't think Blaise was right about dragon flames, and Draco, I'm sure your father will come around.
I really don't know what to say, I feel as though I'm just writing out my frustrations at this point, I really wish that I wasn't here at this house. It would be fine if I had my Hogwarts supplies so I could do my summer homework to pass the time, but my uncle locked everything in my old bedroom in the cupboard under the stairs! In order to pass time without going insane, Draco I had to steal comics, these muggle books with pictures and text in speech bubble things, from my cousin's room! I just really miss you Draco, and I want to see you, now!
Yours,
Harry Potter
Harry read and reread his letter and sighed as he folded it up. He left the letter next to Hedwig's cage. He changed and went to bed, having nothing better to do. He rest sleeplessly, his dreams filled with odd images that he couldn't quite see. He was trapped in a glassed cage, as if he was an exibit at the zoo, and Dudley was there, tapping at the cage.
"Stop it," Harry murmured at the rattling noise that pounded his sore head. "Leave me alone… cut it out. … I'm trying to sleep…"
He opened his eyes. Moonlight was shining through the bars on the window. And someone was goggling through the bars at him: a freckle-faced, red-haired, long-nosed someone. Ron Weasley was outside Harry's window.
"Ron!? What—How?" Harry was surprised. Ron was leaning out of the back window of an old turquoise car, which was parked in midair. Grinning at Harry from the front seats were Fred and George.
"All right Harry?" asked George.
"What's been going on?" Ron asked. "Why haven't you been answering my letters? I've asked you to stay about twelve times."
"It wasn't me—Wait aren't we not supposed to be using magic?"
"I'm not, we're only borrowing this. It's Dad's, we didn't enchant it." Ron said. Fred threw Harry an end of a rope and said "Stop talking and tie that to the end of the bars, you're coming home with us."
"If the Dursleys wake up, I'm dead." Harry said as he tied the rope tightly around a bar and Fred revved up the car.
"Don't worry," said Fred, "and stand back."
Harry moved back into the shadows next to Hedwig, who seemed to have realized how important this was and kept still and silent. The car revved louder and louder and suddenly, with a crunching noise, the bars were pulled clean out of the windows as Fred drove straight up in the air. Harry looked out the window to see the bars dangling a few feet about the ground. Panting, Ron hoisted them up into the car. Harry listened anxiously, but there was no sound from the Dursleys' bedroom.
When the bars were safely in the back seat with Ron, Fred reversed as close as possible to Harry's window."Get in." Ron said.
"But all my Hogwarts stuff—my wand—my cloak—"
"Where is it?"
"Locked in the cupboard under the stairs, and I can't get out of this room—"
"No problem," said George from the front passenger seat." Out of the way, Harry."
Fred and George climbed catlike through the window into Harry's room. George took out an ordinary hairpin and quickly unlocked the door, both teens slipping out and down the stairs. Harry began to grab everything he needed from his room, including Draco's stuffed dragon and the two comics that he has yet to read and finish. He dashed around his room, collecting his belongings and handing them to Ron. Then he went downstairs to help George and Fred. Harry heard Uncle Vernon cough.
At last, panting, they reached the landing, then carried the trunk through Harry's room to the open window. Fred climbed back into the car to pull with Ron, and Harry and George pushed from the bedroom side. The trunk slid through the window and Uncle Vernon coughed again. Harry was about to get in when a sudden, loud screech came from behind him, followed immediately by the thunder of Uncle Vernon's voice.
"THAT RUDDY OWL!"
"I forgot Hedwig!" Harry tore back across the room as the landing light click on—he snatched up Hedwig's cage and the letter next to it, dashed to the window, and passed it out to Ron. Harry was about to get into the car when Uncle Vernon hammered on the unlocked door—and it crashed open.
For a split second, Uncle Vernon stood framed in the doorway; then he let out a bellow like an angry bull and dived at Harry, catching his ankle.
"Petunia!" roared Uncle Vernon, "He's getting away!" HE'S GETTING AWAY!"
But Harry struggled and kicked and the Weasleys gave a mighty tug and Harry was in the car. He slammed the door shut and Fred revved the engine, driving into the night sky. Harry couldn't believe it, he was free! "See you next summer!" Harry laughed out the window as Number 4 Private Drive became smaller and smaller. He turned to Ron and said "Let Hedwig out, she'll been stuck in that cage all summer." Ron nodded and allowed Harry to tie his letter on Hedwig's leg and then he opened the cage door. Hedwig flew out immediately, out of the car, and hopefully towards Malfoy Manor where Draco waited.
Harry told the Weasleys about why he couldn't reply that a house-elf named Dobby stole all of his letters, and obviously his aunt and uncle had locked him in his room for most of the time. "So, does your dad know you've got the car?" Harry asked.
"Er, no," said Ron, "he had to work tonight, at the Ministry of Magic. Hopefully we'll be able to get it back in the garage without Mum noticing we flew it."
"What does your dad do?" Harry asked.
"He works in the most boring department," said Ron, "The Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office."
"The what!?"
"It's all to do with bewitching things that were Muggle-made, you know, in case they end up in a Muggle shop or house. Like, last year, some old witch died and her tea set was sold to an antiques shop. This Muggle woman brought it, took it home, and tried to serve her friends tea in it. It was a nightmare—Dad was working overtime for weeks."
"What happened?"
"The teapot went berserk and squirted boiling tea all over the place and one man ended up in the hospital with the sugar tongs clamped to his nose. Dad was going frantic—it's only him and this old wizard in the department—and they had to do Memory Charms and all sorts of stuff to cover it up—"
"But your dad—this car—"
Fred laughed. "Yeah, Dad's crazy about everything to do with Muggles; our shed's full of Muggle stuff. He takes it apart, puts spells on it, and puts it back together again. If he raided our house he'd have to put himself under arrest. It drives Mum mad."
"Speaking of we're here." George said. The car landed and Harry for the first time looked at Ron's house. It looked as though it was once been a large stone pigpen, but extra rooms had been added here and there until it was several stories high and so crooked it looked as though it was held by magic, which it was. Four or five chimneys were perched on top of the red roof. A lopsided sign stuck in the ground near the entrance read THE BURROW. Around the front door lay a jumble of rubber boots and a very rusty cauldron. Several fat brown chickens were pecking their way around the road.
"It's not much." Ron said.
"It's wonderful." Harry said happily.
They got out of the car. "Now, we'll go upstairs really quietly," said Fred, "and wait for Mum to call us for breakfast. Then, Ron, you come bounding downstairs going 'Mum look who turned up in the night!' and she'll be all pleased to see Harry and no one need to ever know we flew the car."
They turned around to see Mrs. Weasley marching across the yard, scattering chickens. For a short, plump, kind-faced woman, it was remarkable how much she looked like a saber-toothed tiger.
"Ah." said Fred.
"Oh, dear." George said.
Mrs. Weasley came to a halt in front of them, her hands on her hips, staring from one guilty face to the next. She was wearing a flowered apron with a wand sticking out of the pocket.
"So," she said.
"Morning, Mum." George said, in what he clearly thought was a jaunty, winning voice.
"Have you any idea how worried I've been?" Mrs. Weasley said in a deadly whisper. All three Weasley sons were taller than her, yet they cowered in fear as her rage broke over them. "Bed empty! NO note! Car gone—could have been crashed—out of my mind with worry—did you care?—never, as long as I've lived—you wait until your father gets here, we never had trouble like this from Bill or Charlie or Percy—"
"Perfect Percy." Fred mumbled.
"YOU COULD DO WITH TAKING A LEAF OUT OF PERCY'S BOOK!" yelled Mrs. Weasley, prodding a finger in Fred's chest. "you could have died, you could have been seen, you could have lost your father his job—"
It seemed to go on for hours, Mrs. Weasley had shouted herself hoarse before she turned on Harry, who backed away. "I'm very pleased to see you, Harry, dear," she said. "Come in and have some breakfast."
Harry followed nervously and entered the small kitchen, sitting at the edge of his seat as he looked around.
Mrs. Weasley was cooking half-hazardly, throwing sausages into the pan as she muttered. "Not that I blame you dear," she said to Harry with a smile, "Arthur and I have been worried about you too. Just last night we were saying we'd come and get you ourselves if you hadn't written back to Ron by Friday. But really," (she was now adding three fried eggs to his plate) "flying an illegal car halfway across the country—anyone could have seen you—"
She flicked her wand casually at the dishes in the sink, which began to clean themselves, clinking gently in the background.
"They were starving him mum!" Ron said.
"You're lucky I don't starve you, now eat." Mrs. Weasley said, putting a plate filled to the brim with food in front of Harry. There was a noise and a small, red-headed figure in a long nightdress appeared in the kitchen, gave a small squeal, and ran out again.
"Ginny." Ron said in an undertone to Harry, "My sister. She's been talking about you all summer."
"Yeah, she'll be wanting your autograph, Harry," Fred said with a grin, but he caught his mother's eye and bent his face over his plate without another word.
"Autograph?" Harry asked confused.
"Yeah, she fancies you." George laughed.
"But, I'm with Draco?" Harry said. The boys snorted and George said "Just wait till Ginny hears that."
"Boys! That's enough, eat." Mrs. Weasley said, glaring at her sons. They did and finished breakfast without another word.
"Blimey, I'm tired," Fred yawned, "I think I'll go to bed and—"
"No you don't! It's your fault you've been up all night. You're going to de-gnome the garden for me; they're getting completely out of hand again—"
"Oh, Mum—"
"And you two," she said, glaring at Ron and George. "You can go up to bed, dear," she added to Harry, "You didn't ask them to fly that wretched car—"
Harry felt wide awake and offered to go de-gnome the garden with them. Mrs. Weasley was about to reply when Hedwig flew in, landing perfectly in front of Harry, Draco's letter tied to her leg. Harry petted Hedwig and saw that he had a piece of bacon in her mouth, Draco must have fed her.
He untied the letter and blushed. "Sorry." He said.
"Not a problem dear, read your letter. The boys will be outside de-gnoming the garden. Now… let's see what Lockhart has on the matter." Mrs. Weasley said. Ron rolled his eyes and Harry turned his attention to the letter.
Dearest Harry,
I cannot say how much it makes me happy to see your messy scratching! Of course I do not blame you. You're My Harry, my boy. I could never blame you; it is not your fault. It is Dobby's fault. I have to admit something to you; Dobby is my house-elf, well my family's. Please believe me when I say I haven't a faintest idea about this, I don't! I would never order any of my house-elves to stop letters from mailing to you, that's just barbaric! I do not know who ordered Dobby to do that, but please rest assured that he'll never do it again, nor interfere with us again. As punishment I've tripled his chores and made him the only elf to clean my room and my parent's room personally. I'm ashamed to admit this, but I wanted to hit the elf for what he did, but just picturing your smiling face stopped me. You have my letters now, and that is what's important. From seeing Hedwig, I can safely assume that you are now with your filthy relatives and are safe, though I wish you could be with me. I will see you either in Diagon Alley, or at worst case I will see you on the Hogwarts Express. Do your summer work and be the good boy I know you are.
Love,
Draco.
Harry blushed as he read the letter. He reread it twice, as he always do with Draco's letters, and added it to the small pile of letters from Draco. "Seems like it was a good letter." Mrs. Weasley smiled. Harry blushed again and nodded. "Go outside and help my sons with the de-gnoming now, I'll have Percy help carry your belongings to Ronald's room. Go on." Mrs. Weasley said, shooing Harry out of the kitchen.
Life with the Weasleys was different to say the least. Harry read and replied to all of the letters, getting relieved letters from Blaise and Theo, Blaise asking if Harry wanted him to send some of his extra "special clothes" that his mother brought for him. Harry and Draco exchanged letters frequently, Draco sending a box filled with sweets, saying that his mother always does that for him, and he had her help doing it for Harry. Harry blushed as he read that part as he nibbled on some chocolate, it was very tasty. He shared it with the rest of the Weasley family, Mrs. Weasley commenting that while it was good, she could easily whip up some better chocolates if she had the time. Fred and George resumed using Harry as their Personalized Test Subject, which Harry liked. He loved hanging out with the twins as they showed him their latest inventions. One of them was a fire cracker that, instead of an explosion, who say nonsense when it went off. Harry fully enjoyed his time at the Burrow, even with Ginny every now and then watching him creepily before blushing and running away.
One day, Harry caught up to her and she turned around and said quickly "Is it true you're in Slytherin? Why? I thought your parents were in Gryffindor, is it true everyone in Slytherin is slimy? Fred and George said they were—"
"Okay, stop." Harry said, "Umm I'm in Slytherin because I was sorted in there…yeah my parents were sorted in Gryffindor but I'm obviously not… and no we're not slimy, except for Crabbe and Goyle, but they were expelled during Christmas break."
Ginny took a breath to start another round of questions when Ron stopped her, telling to leave Harry alone. Ginny gave Ron a glare and scuttled off. "Sorry mate." Ron shrugged.
"It's okay." Harry said before the two went off to play Quidditch.
A week after Harry arrived to the Burrow, he heard from Hogwarts. "Letters from school," Mr. Weasley said passing them out. "Dumbledore already known you're here, Harry—doesn't miss a trick, that man. You two've got them, too." he added, as Fred and George walked into the kitchen still in their pajamas.
Harry opened his and read the list of new books he'd need for the coming year.
The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 2 by Miranda Goshawk
Break with a Banshee by Gilderoy Lockhart
Gadding with Ghouls by Gilderoy Lockhart
Holiday with Hags by Gilderoy Lockhart
Travels with Trolls by Gilderoy Lockhart
Voyage with Vampires by Gilderoy Lockhart
Wandering with Werewolves by Gilderoy Lockhart
Year with the Yeti by Gilderoy Lockhart
Fred, who finished his own list, peered over at Harry's. "You've been told to get all Lockhart's books, too!" he said. "The new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher must be a fan—bet it's a witch." He rolled his eyes.
"All these books, it's going to be expensive." George said.
"Well, we'll manage," said Mrs. Weasley, but she looked worried. "I expect we'll be able to pick up a lot of Ginny's things secondhand."
"Oh, are you starting at Hogwarts this year?" Harry asked. She nodded, blushing to the roots of her flaming hair, and put her elbow in the butter dish. Fortunately no one saw this except Harry, because just then Ron's elder brother Percy walked in. He was already dressed, his Hogwarts prefect badge pinned to his sweater vest. "Morning all." He said. He picked up his letter from Hogwarts and read it quietly. He shrugged and silently began to eat breakfast.
"Well," Mrs. Weasley said, "After we're all done, we'll head for Diagon Alley. Eat up."
Harry and the Weasleys ate dinner, Mr. Weasley asking Harry what was the point of the rubber ducky. Harry, who never actually had a rubber duck, didn't know how to answer, so he just told him they just squeak. Fred and George were whispering to each other, and glanced at Harry, both had smirks on their faces. After breakfast, everyone went to get dressed. They gathered in the living room and Mrs. Weasley took a flowerpot off of the kitchen mantelpiece and peered inside. "We're running low, Arthur," she sighed. "We'll have to buy some more today. …Ah well, guests first! After you, Harry dear!"
And she offered him the flowerpot. Harry stared at them all watching him. "W-what am I supposed to do?" he stammered.
"He'd never traveled by Floo powder," said Ron suddenly. "Sorry, Harry, I forgot."
"Never?" asked Mr. Weasley. "But how did you get to Diagon Alley to buy your school things last year?"
"I went on the Underground—"
"Really?" said Mr. Weasley eagerly. "Were there escapators? How exactly—"
"Not now, Arthur." Mrs. Weasley said. "Floo powder's a lot quicker, dear, but goodness me, if you've never used it before—"
"He'll be all right, Mum," said Fred. "Harry watch us first." He took a pinch of glittering powder out of the flowerpot, stepped up to the fire, and threw the powder into the flames. With a roar, the fire turned emerald green and rose higher than Fred, who stepped right into it, shouted, "Diagon Alley!" and vanished.
"You must speak very clearly, dear." Mrs. Weasley told Harry as George dipped his hand into the flowerpot. "And be sure to get out at the right gate. …"
"The right what?" said Harry nervously as the fire roared and whipped George out of sight, too.
"Well, there are an awful lot of wizard fires to choose from, you know, but as long as you've spoken clearly—" Mrs. Weasley said.
"He'll be fine, Molly, don't fuss." Mr. Weasley said, helping himself to Floo powder, too.
Harry took a pinch of floo powder and held it in his hand as he walked towards the fireplace.
"Watch out for the soot." Ron advised. Harry nodded and asked "Say the name when I get into the flame?"
"Yes dear, very clearly." Mrs. Weasley said. Harry nodded and scattered the powder into the flames and stepped forward; the fire felt like a warm breeze. He opened his mouth and said "Diagon Alley!"
It felt as though he was being sucked down a giant drain. He seemed to be spinning very fast—the roaring in his ears were deafening—he tried to keep his eyes open but the whirl of green flames made him feel sick—something hard knocked his elbow and he tucked it in tightly, still spinning and spinning—now it felt as though cold hands were slapping his face—squinting though his glasses he saw a blurred stream of fireplaces and snatched glimpses of the rooms beyond—his breakfast was churning inside him—he closed his eyes again wishing it would stop, and then—
He fell, face forward, onto cold stone and felt the bridge of his glasses snap. Hands grabbed him and helped him up.
"Harry, you aright?" Fred asked.
"That was a wicked landing mate," George laughed.
The twins helped Harry up and he held his glasses in front of him, frowning. His lens was cracked, and the bridge broke cleanly in two. "You should get better glasses Harry." George said.
"Here, let me." Fred bent down and pointed his wand at Harry's glasses. "Oculus Reparo." Harry's glasses fixed themselves, the bridge coming back together and the crack sealing as it once again looked brand new. "Thanks Fred." Harry smiled.
"Anything for our Number one Test Subject Harry." Fred smiled sweetly, causing Harry to blush. George smiled too, and their smiles reminded Harry of Blaise's.
The three waited for the rest of the Weasley family and Harry looked around to see that he was in the Leaky Cauldron. He smiled at Tom and said hi. Tom was honored that Harry remembered his name, and said that he decorated the pub in Slytherin and Potter colors to celebrate his birthday.
Harry smiled and blushed, flustered that Tom would do such a thing. He saw Hagrid sitting at the bar and asked if it was true. "Of course it was!" Hagrid said, "Led the carol of Happy Birthday myself."
Harry laughed, perfectly imagining Hagrid singing "Happy Birthday" with a flagon of ale in his hand.
"Right, is everyone accounted for?" Mrs. Weasley asked when she went through, "Let's see…Ron…Arthur…Percy…Ginny…Fred…George…and Harry. Alright Weasleys move out!"
"It was nice seeing you again Hagrid." Harry said.
"You too Harry; always a pleasure to see you. Have a good day now." Hagrid chuckled.
They went to Gringotts, and were escorted to their underground vaults by a goblin. Harry enjoyed the breakneck journey down to the Weasley's vault, but felt dreadful when it was opened. There was a very small pile of silver Sickles inside, and just one gold Galleon. Mrs. Weasley felt right into the corners before sweeping the whole lot into her bag. Harry felt even worse when they reached his vault. He tried to block the contents from view as he hastily shoved handfuls of coins into a leather bag.
"Alright Weasleys, we'll meet up in an hour." Mrs. Weasley said, "Fred, George do not go even near Knockturn Alley or else. Ginny, you're with me and your dad."
Harry and Ron departed quickly from the group, window shopping for a while before heading towards Flourish and Blotts. Harry made Ron stop at a shop to buy more ink and parchment, and the two got near towards Flourish and Blotts, a small crowd outside. The reason of the crowd was proclaimed by a large banner stretched across the upper windows:
GILDEROY LOCKHART
will be signing copies of his autobiography
MAGICAL ME
today 10:30am to 4:30pm
The crowd seemed to be made up mostly of witches around Mrs. Weasley's age. A harassed-looking wizard stood at the door, saying "Calmly, please, ladies. …Don't push, there …mind the books, now. …"
"I can't believe we get to meet him!" a familiar voice squealed behind the two boys, "I mean, he's written almost the whole booklist!" They both turned around to see Hermione grinning at them.
"Hermione!" they said, hugging her friend.
"Ron! Harry! It's so good to see you!" Hermione said, she turned to Harry and said "Don't worry Harry, I've received your letter."
Harry grinned and asked "Where are your parents?"
"They met up with Ron's parents, they're inside." Hermione said. The trio squeezed inside. A long line wound right to the back of the shop, where Gilderoy Lockhart was signing his books. They each grabbed a copy of The Standard Book of Spells Grade 2 and sneaked up the line to where the rest of the Weasleys were standing.
"Oh, there you are, good." Said Mrs. Weasley. She sounded breathless and kept patting her hair. "We'll be about to see him in a minute…"
Gilderoy Lockhart came slowly into view, seated at a table surrounded by large pictures of his own face, all winking and flashing dazzling white teeth at the crowd. The real Lockhart was wearing robes of forget-me-not blue that exactly matched his eyes; his pointed hat was at a jaunty angle on his wavy hair. Harry thought that the man looked very vain, and hoped to have little contact with him. Harry looked at his hair, and noticed that it was blonde, but a hideous blonde that looked a bit fake.
A short, irritable-looking man was dancing around taking photographs with a large black camera that emitted puffs of purple smoke with every blinding flash.
"Out of the way, there," he snarled at Ron, moving back to get a better shot. "This is for the Daily Prophet—"
"Who cares," Harry said, "That was mean."
Gilderoy Lockhart heard him. He looked up, and saw Harry. He stared. Then he leapt to his feet and positively shouted, "It can't be Harry Potter?"
The crowd parted, whispering excitedly; Lockhart dived forward, seized Harry's arm, and pulled him in front. The crowd burst in applause. Harry's face burned as Lockhart shook his hand for the photographer, who was clicking away madly, wafting think smoke over the Weasleys.
"Nice big smile, Harry." Said Lockhart, though his own gleaming teeth. "Together you and I are worth the front page."
"Let go of me!" Harry struggled, though Lockhart just held tighter as the crowd didn't hear him. Lockhart threw his arm around Harry's shoulders and clamped him tightly to his side. "Ladies and gentlemen!" he said loudly, waving for quiet. "What an extraordinary moment this is! The perfect moment for me to make a little announcement I've been sitting on for some time! When young Harry here stepped into Flourish and Blotts today, he only wanted to buy my autobiography—which I shall be happy to present him now, free of charge—" the crowd applauded again while Harry thought that this man is not only vain, but annoying as well. If this guy was serious about giving him that book, Harry decided to use it for tinder. "He had no idea," Lockhart continued, giving Harry a little shake that made his glasses slip to the end of his nose, "that he would shortly be getting much, much more than my book, Magical Me. He and his schoolmates will, in fact, be getting the real magical me. Yes ladies and gentlemen, I have great pleasure and pride in announcing that this September, I will be taking up the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!"
The crowd cheered and clapped and Harry found himself being presented with the entire works of Lockhart. Staggering under the weight, he managed to make his way out of the limelight to the edge of the room, where Ginny was standing next to her new cauldron. "You have these, I'll buy my own." Harry said, dropping the books into her cauldron.
"Be you love that, didn't you Potter?" said a voice Harry had no trouble recognizing. He turned around and smiled when he saw Draco, a fake sneer on his face. "Famous Harry Potter, can't even go into a bookstore without making the front page."
"It's awful isn't it?" Harry giggled, opening his arms as he hugged the taller boy. He looked up and grinned, Draco grew another five inches since he last saw him, Harry's head fitting perfectly on his chest.
"How is my Harry?" Draco whispered, returning the hug. Harry felt a comfortable, pleasurable warmth from the hug and Draco's words.
"Your Harry is good," Harry whispered, "How is my Draco?"
"Happy to have his boy in his arms." Draco whispered.
"Oh, it's you." Ron said as Harry and Draco finished hugging, Draco's hand in Harry's. "Hello Malfoy."
"Weasley." Draco said shortly.
"Ron, Ginny there you are." Mrs. Weasley said, her and Mr. Weasley joining them. She saw Harry and Draco and said "Hello, you must be one of Harry's friends."
Harry blushed and was about to reply when a cold voice interrupted.
"Well, well, well—Arthur Weasley." It was Mr. Malfoy. He stood with his hand over Draco's shoulder and looked down at his and Harry's hand. "Mr. Potter, it is nice to meet the boy who cause my son's rebellion." He said.
"Lucius." Mr. Weasley said, nodding coldly.
"Busy time at the Ministry, I hear." Mr. Malfoy said, "All those raids…I hope they're paying you overtime." He reached into Ginny's cauldron and extracted, from amid the glossy Lockhart books, a very old, battered copy of A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration. "Obviously not." Mr. Malfoy said, "Dear me, what's the use of being a disgrace to the name of wizard if they don't even pay you well for it?"
"We have a very different idea of what disgraces the name of wizard, Malfoy." He said.
"Clearly." Mr. Malfoy said, he dropped the book back into Ginny's cauldron, and Harry caught that he dropped an extra book. Mr. Malfoy looked at Mr. and Mrs. Granger and said "Muggles. And I thought your family could sink no lower…" He stared at Mr. Weasley and said "See you at work."
Mr. Malfoy left and Draco whispered in Harry's ear, "I'm sorry." Harry nodded, understanding that Draco is different from his father. Draco said louder, "See you at school." and kissed Harry's cheek. Harry kissed Draco's cheek back, and Draco left.
"Harry!" Mrs. Weasley gasped. Harry blushed and bit his lip, did he do something wrong? Mrs. Weasley grabbed Harry's shirt and whispered "What are you thinking? You are much too young for that sort of thing."
"I'm sorry, it's just we do that all the time." Harry admitted, blushing.
"They do." Ron said, his face curled up in disgust, like the way a young boy would do when talking about kisses and romance. "Even in front of me and Hermione."
"Yes…well…" Harry blushed. Mrs. Weasley sighed and said "You know the meeting behind those right dear?" Harry nodded and she said "Fine, but be careful. I don't want you to wind up with Mr. Malfoy. I cannot speak for his son, but Lucius is trouble, you understand?" Harry nodded and she smiled. "Good, now go buy your books, we'll be waiting outside."
"T-Thank you for the books." Ginny blushed. "You're welcome." Harry said, joining the line with Ron and Hermione.
"Ugh can't believe you guys do that." Ron said, "how do you not have cooties or something?"
"Ronald, you do know that cooties aren't real, correct?" Hermione asked.
"I…I knew that!" Ron said quickly. Harry and Hermione laughed and together brought their books, Harry staying as far away from Lockhart as he could. Although, Lockhart did see Harry though and winked, his hands moving and a small rainbow appearing in-between them for a second.
Harry, Ron and Hermione brought their books and had ice cream before they had to leave. They said their goodbyes in the Leaky Cauldron and Harry placed his glasses in his pocket before helping himself to Floo powder. It definitely wasn't his favorite way to travel.
A/N: Thank you everyone for your follows, favorites, and reviews! Next Time: Hogwarts and the begins of a few queer romances. And now, replies.
: For some reason I did not get an email about your review. Thank goodness I checked my reviews online for replying. As for Draco's involvement it will increase. Harry didn't include him because he thought it was too dangerous for Draco. Trust me, Draco will get VERY INVOVLED in Harry's life. Wink wink nudge nudge.
Tay: Maybe. Most likely, but will Harry like it? Probably not, because you know… consequences. If you have ANY questions about the second year, now is the time to ask!
BrotherOfBasilisks: I believe this is your first review for this and I thank you! I hope for more and now: thanks for calling a minor pairing beautiful! I have many gay romances planned. Many. And I hope to have them all cute and beautiful as Adrian and Terence.
Kurogami Mana: Yes that is one of the paired couples I have planed! So happy that you love it!
MagnificentFern: Harry wasn't disappointed because, as you said, he just saved the Philosopher's Stone! He's happy to be alive and happy that his friends have won.
SimbaRella: Draco and the others will join the trio on various adventures. As for who the seeker will be… it will be *SPOILERS* I hope you're happy.
Anon: There will be many side pairings and adventures! Some will be gay! Two will be lesbians and maybe I'll through a straight pairing there… oddly I find those hardest to write. And character development will take a great turn in later years when a certain character gets their revenge.
Ern: Thank you for your reviews! If I would, I would bake you cookies.
Happy Review: Yes Blaise/Theo! In fact I need your help! Spoilers The twins are gay! Not Spoilers: They (maybe) won't be together as a couple. I have a few ideas who, but I would like your help! Think of cute boys, old boys, hunky boys, boys boys! Who knows, that threesome relationship you want might happen! Lol. And no, I will try my best to make some years shorter than others. Hopefully 50-55 chapters tops.
