Chapter Twenty

The Jerk

"How about exploding chocolates?" asked Harry.

"No," said Ron, "Those make me feel sick."

Harry, Ron, and Hermione had gone to Hogsmeade to fill up on their supply of candy.

"How about some every-flavor beans?" asked Hermione.

"Yes, those sound good," said Harry as he grabbed ten boxes.

"Every-flavor beans?" asked George as he and Fred walked in.

"What about them?" asked Ron.

"Oh nothing," said Fred.

Harry, Ron and Hermione placed their goodies on the check out counter. Harry reached into his bag for his money, but couldn't find it.

"What is it?" asked Hermione.

"I left all my money back at the Three Broomsticks." said Harry

"Well hurry up!" said Ron.

Harry ran out of the shop.

"Could you please move out of the way," said the witch at the counter, "you're holding up the line."

"Hey!" said Ron. "Aren't you the witch who sold Hermione the medication for her cat in Diagon Alley?"

"Umm... I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Yes you do!"

"Okay! So I like to work in Diagon Alley over the summer! Sue me!"

"Really?"

"No. Now GO!"

"Fine!" said Ron as he moved out of the way.

Harry ran into the Three Broomsticks to find his money. He had left it in the windowsill beside the table where they had shared butterbeers.

"Hey Harry?" said Colin.

"What?" asked Harry.

"Some idiot forgot their money. Let's go spend it!"

"Yeah!" said Harry in a sinister voice. "Hold on, that's my money! Give it back!"

"Oops! My bad! Sorry Harry!" said Colin as he walked off embarrassed.

Harry spun around and bolted for the exit, but instantly crashed into someone wearing a hooded cloak.

"Sorry!" said Harry quickly.

"Sorry?!" said the person as they pulled themselves off the ground. "Why I should curse the living- Harry!! Oh, Hello! Nice to meet you!"

"Umm... hi."

"Say dear boy, could you please help me walk to the exit?"

"Er... okay."

Harry helped the hooded wizard to the exit.

"Thank you good child! Now could you help me walk over into that dark alley there?"

"Okay."

Harry took the wizard into the dark alley.

"Very good, young one. And now... Ha ha ha!"

Voldemort took off his hood but Harry was faster.

"Expelliarmus!" shouted Harry.

Voldemort's wand shot out of his hand. "What?! You can't do that!"

"I just did!"

"Jerk!"

"Hey!"

"Well you are!" retorted Voldemort.

"I am not!"

"Are too!"

"Are not!"

"Oh yeah? Prove it!"

"I will! Why just yesterday- Hold on! You're Voldemort!"

"Did you just now figure that out?"

"What do you want?"

"I want you to give me my snake back!"

"I want you to take your snake back!"

"Why? Do you not like her? Are you too good for her?!"

"No!" said Harry. "Let's just say that I now know why they call her Nagini."

"Heh heh, yeah. Wait, you think she nags too much too?" asked Voldemort.

"Yeah. So what?"

"Is that why you were so mean to her?" asked Voldemort before listing all the things in Snape's letter.

"Pickle fish liver? What are you talking about? It was Snape that made Nagini and I pickle fish livers! And at the Halloween feast, I was trying to stop her from sneaking up on poor old Professor McGonagall. And as for the dead rat thing, Ron and Hermione did that. I was the one who saved her."

"Wait, are you saying Snape lied to me?"

"Yes."

"But I thought I trusted him!"

"Maybe he just wants you get Nagini back so that she won't burst in his class room asking, 'Harry, why aren't you looking for me?'"

"You use the hide and seek trick too?" asked Voldemort.

"Would you like to discuss this over a butterbeer?" asked Harry.

"Okay!"