Chapter 54
A Date In Diagon Alley
Author's Note: Most of my plans for this chapter had to do with Hermione's PoV, but I figured some importance for Harry in this chapter that helps with the future storyline. Also, some of the shops in Diagon Alley are of my own creation and not canon.
(Harry's PoV)
The following morning, Ginny informed Harry, Hermione and Ron that Dora would meet them in the Leaky Cauldron around one in the afternoon, after she and Remus were finished with her appointment with the Healer.
Unfortunately, because she would be there, this meant that they would have to do their more important shopping earlier. So at ten-o-clock, they used the Floo Network to get to the Leaky Cauldron, and headed into Diagon Alley.
"We can't all stay together if we plan on doing any Christmas shopping today," Ron said.
"We have all day to do Christmas shopping, Ron," Hermione said, "We need to do our other shopping first. Besides, I know you want to buy me my gifts, so you can do that while Ginny and I doing – you know – girl things with Dora."
"We can split up into pairs for now," Harry said, "I have to go to Gringotts anyway to get more money from my vault, and Ginny can come along."
"Sounds good," Hermione said, "Ron seems to know what he wants to get anyway. We can meet back in the Leaky Cauldron around noon for a bite of lunch and wait for Dora to come. Agreed?"
Everyone agreed and Harry and Ginny headed off down the cobblestone pathway toward the bank. Compared to the last time he had been to Diagon Alley a few months back for school shopping, the marketplace looked a lot better now. Perhaps it was to get everyone in the mood of the Christmas holiday, but everything seemed more cheerful. Even Mr. Ollivander's Wand Shop, and Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor, though both were empty, were decorated in the front as to escape the gloomy setting last year's attack had left over the area. The marketplace was also very crowded, owing to the hustle and bustle of Christmas shoppers.
Two security guards were standing in front of the doors of Gringotts. They were each holding what Harry thought was a wand at first, but turned out to be long, thin golden rods. He had recognized these from when the security guard in the Ministry used them, and they were known as Probity Probes.
"One moment, sir," the guard on the left said, "Standard procedure."
"Over here, miss," the other guard said to Ginny.
As he was being checked he realized he had stored his Invisibility Cloak in his pocket, just in case he needed it. Would the Probity Probes sense it? After a moment, though, the guard smiled and motioned for him to go inside. Ginny was given the pass too, and they walked into the bank. They walked up to the desk at the very end of the long Entrance Hall, where a goblin was sorting through a large stack of Galleons, Sickles and Knuts. Beside Harry, Ginny cleared her throat.
"State your business," the goblin said.
"I wish to enter my vault," Harry said, "Vault 731."
"Do you have a preference of Gringotts' staff member you wish to accompany you?" the goblin asked.
Harry could only remember one goblin's name out of all the staff at the bank.
"Griphook?" Harry said.
"Ah," the goblin said, "Unfortunately, I cannot grant that request."
"But he's led me to my vault before," Harry said.
"Griphook no longer works for the bank," the goblin said. "In fact, his current whereabouts are unknown."
"He's missing?" Ginny asked.
"That is what I mean by 'current whereabouts are unknown'," the goblin said, annoyed, "I can offer you a replacement. Bogrod?"
A few moments later, a goblin appeared around the desk.
"Take this gentleman and what I assume is his mate down to Vault 731," the goblin said.
Ginny scowled softly at the term 'mate'. Harry couldn't blame her: it sounded stranger than girlfriend. They followed Bogrod through the large door that led to the carts and vaults.
"Do you know anything about what happened to Griphook?" Harry asked Bogrod, as he joined Ginny and the goblin in a cart.
"He left one day, a couple months ago," Bogrod said, "And he wasn't heard from until a couple weeks ago when he said, by post. that he could no longer work for the bank. There are rumors amongst other goblins he is on the run from something."
"Snatchers?" Ginny guessed, "They hunt Muggle-born. Why would they want him?"
"They no longer just hunt Muggle-born," Bogrod said, "It is rumored they will hunt down anything You-Know-Who wants them to."
"Like Luna," Harry said, nodding, "What would he want with Griphook?"
Bogrod started the cart, and it started off its trek across the tracks.
"What indeed?" Bogrod replied, then went silent and concentrated on the tracks ahead.
Harry looked at Ginny, and she shrugged. So Griphook was on the run from Snatchers? Harry wondered if there was a possibility he knew about Horcruxes. And if so... could they find him while on their hunt for the Horcruxes?
-
(Hermione's PoV)
"These journals are all pink and purple," Ron said, disgusted.
"These are diaries, love," Hermione said, grinning, looking up from a shopping list she and Ron had put together, "For girls, not guys."
Hermione and Ron were currently in the stationery store, Scribbulus, only their first stop of many along the marketplace.
"I see no journals in here," Ron grumbled.
"Too embarrassed to get a few diaries instead?" Hermione asked with a snicker.
"They'll have to do," Ron said, "You're purchasing them though. I wouldn't be caught buying something like this."
"If this is what I wanted for a gift sometime, would you?" Hermione asked.
"I'm buying you much better gifts," Ron said.
"Something a bloke wouldn't be embarrassed to buy, I'm guessing?" Hermione asked.
"Not exactly," Ron said, "Oh, goodie, a whole stock of Quick-Quotes."
Hermione smiled and returned her eyes to the shopping list.
"Blimey," Hermione said, "I didn't realize this shopping list was so big. How are we going to carry all of this?"
Ron paused in his motion to grab a Quill. He cursed silently under his breath.
"I hadn't thought about that," he said. "Er – Hermione, would you think it was – er – inappropriate to give you one of your gifts today? I have to buy it still, but it looks like we really need it today."
"Not at all," Hermione said, "But – er – is it the only gift you're getting me?"
"I have another one in mind," Ron said, blush crossing his cheeks, "but I think I'll wait to give you that until Christmas. Okay, we'll buy these and then go to Fred and George's shop."
"You're buying me a joke product?" Hermione asked, raising her eyebrows.
"You'll see," Ron said, before he walked up to the cash register. A few minutes later, Ron and Hermione walked into Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. George was standing at the register, and Hermione could just see Fred standing near a cauldron full of a gross, bubbling green substance.
"Little brother! Little brother's adorably cute girlfriend!" Fred joked, when he saw Ron and Hermione.
Hermione blushed and Ron scowled.
"Watch it, George!" he said, as he and Hermione walked over to the counter, "Or I'll make you completely deaf."
"You don't think she's adorably cute?" George asked, "Did you hear that, Hermione?"
"Only I can call her adorably cute," Ron said, "Could you distract her for a couple of minutes? I need to pick up something for her. It is a surprise."
"Christmas gift or six-month anniversary present?" George asked, "Which is almost the same thing."
"Six months?" Hermione gasped, "Has it been that long already?"
She calculated in her head. It had happened one week exactly before Harry's birthday... that would make it six months on Friday. It had really snuck up on her. She grinned, privately, thinking her idea for a gift was very appropriate now.
"Six months this Friday since Fred and I kidnapped you," George said, with a wink.
Ron scoffed and walked toward a section of rows in the store.
"Six months this Friday since you got bombarded with little tiny birds," Hermione growled.
"Why the glum look, honorary sis?" George asked, "Do you think you'd be snogging my little brother under the mistletoe this Christmas if Fred and I hadn't played that joke on you?"
Hermione blushed. "You have a point," she said, "But that is not a thank you."
"You're welcome," George said, grinning, "So what are you getting my brother for Christmas?"
"It's a surprise," Hermione said.
"Well, if it isn't my honorary little sister!" Fred said, "Who is also my brother's girlfriend. Which... if you think about it... is kind of gross."
Hermione felt her cheeks go hot at Fred's joke.
"I was his girlfriend before I was your honorary sister," she said.
"If you're looking for a wee snog with my brother this Christmas," Fred said, "We have floating mistletoe. Tell the mistletoe who you fancy, and it hangs over their head until you get what you wish. The more Sickles you hand over, the longer it stays above their head once your lips land, causing for a more intimate encounter."
"Charming," Hermione said.
"I don't think she needs us to help her get a wee snog in, brother," George said, "She seems to get enough lately."
"What is that supposed to mean exactly?" Hermione asked, glaring at the twins and crossing her arms against her chest.
"Are you, or are you not, sleeping in a tent outside the Burrow?" George asked.
"Yeah," Hermione said, slowly, "Quite comfortable too."
"Mmm," Fred said, "I see what you mean George. Does my little brother also find it 'quite comfortable'?"
He winked at Hermione.
"I – er – I – oh look, there's Ron!" Hermione said.
Ron walked over, and his arms were hiding behind his back.
"Are you trying to nick something, Ron?" Fred asked.
"No!" Ron said, "It is a gift for Hermione."
He revealed his hands and showed her a medium sized beaded bag that could easily fit on the belt she was wearing, and it wouldn't look strange. She thought it looked extremely cute, though she wasn't sure why Ron wanted to give her something like this. It was very unlike him – even when he had given her a bottle of perfume a couple years back.
"Aww, how romantic," George said.
"And a nice choice," Fred said.
"It's gorgeous!" Hermione said, "But why is it in a joke shop?"
Fred grinned and tugged a finger on one of the small drawstrings around the bag. It shrunk in Ron's hands to the size of a chicken egg. He then pulled on the other one and it went back to its original size.
"Say you are on a date," Fred said, "and it is – you know – that time of the month and you have to carry those – er – how can I put this nicely?"
"Those embarrassing lady products," George said, with a wink.
"How blunt of you, brother," Fred said, his eyes still on Hermione. "Obviously you don't want your beau to see it. Just shrink the bag and hide it in your sock."
"Would it work with an Undetectable Extension Charm?" Ron asked.
When he said this, Hermione finally realized why Ron wanted to give her this. This was a portable luggage bag that she could carry on her belt, put everything they brought on the hunt inside it, and it wouldn't look any different if she had to carry it in a crowd of people.
"Yes, it would," Fred said, "Unfortunately, we don't place them on the bags, because it is false advertising. What if some celebrity like Celestina Warbeck wanted to buy it? She'd probably fancy this bag to carry her brand new Crup in and it would – well – it wouldn't work very well, would it?"
Hermione snickered; a Crup was the wizarding world's version of a Jack Russel terrier, with an even worse temper, and a forked tail, though those were usually removed before they were given out as a pet.
"It is wonderful," Hermione said, "Thank you, sweetheart."
"You're welcome," Fred and George said.
Ron scowled and Hermione chuckled. She kissed him on the cheek, ignoring Fred and George's grins, and Ron paid the four galleons for the bag. They left the shop and resumed shopping for the rest of the items on their shopping list.
-
At noon, Hermione and Ron met up with Harry and Ginny and they took a seat at a table. Harry ordered four specials for everyone and Tom promised it would be done shortly.
"You two look very empty-handed," said Harry, who had three bags full of his and Ginny's purchases between him and Ginny on the seat, "Did you do any shopping?"
Hermione grinned at Ron and she took her bag from the belt of her jeans.
"Er..." Harry said, looking at it, "It's cute, but...?"
"Look inside," Hermione said, putting the bag in front of Harry.
He and Ginny did so, and his eyes widened. Hermione chuckled. Thanks to the Undetectable Extension Charm she had placed on it shortly after Ron purchased it, it was now filled with shopping bags full of their other purchases, including potion ingredients, a couple books Hermione found in Flourish and Blott's and a number of other items.
"It is like your knapsack, only smaller," Hermione said. "It can fit on my belt, and I can carry it around. It could carry everything we need for the trip, and we could move to different locations very easily."
"My early Christmas gift to her," Ron said, "One of them. I'll get the other one when you two girls are doing – you know – girl stuff."
"Oh, rats," Hermione groaned, "I still have to get my gift for you too, and others, of course."
"We can do that after we get some clothes with Dora," Ginny said.
"What did you buy for the hunt?" Ron asked.
"For starters, an assortment of cooking and food gathering materials," Ginny said, "We can bring some food along on the trip, but we don't know how long the trip will last, so we'll have to resort to other means. Fishing and setting traps and stuff."
"Setting traps?" Hermione asked.
"You missed out on a lot when you didn't take Hagrid's class in your sixth year," Ginny said, "Hagrid taught the class how to survive in the wild this past term. Remember that night I didn't show up to the Common last month?"
"A few students didn't show up for curfew," Hermione said, "Yeah, I found it peculiar."
"My class had permission to camp out in the Forbidden Forest with Hagrid that night," Ginny said, "I learned quite a bit. Hagrid set out a few rabbits and squirrels he found and – although he was rather distraught about it, he taught us to trap them."
"I guess we're lucky you're coming along then," Harry said.
Ginny grinned and kissed Harry's cheek.
"Aren't there ways to hunt with magic?" Ron asked.
"Well," Ginny said, "Hagrid said some kinds of fish are easy to Summon, but where's the fun in that. And then Michael Corner Stunned a rabbit, but I thought that was a bit too harsh."
"Barbaric," Hermione said.
Ginny nodded in agreement.
"Rabbit and squirrel meat?" Ron asked, sarcastically, "Yummy."
"You laugh now," Ginny said, "But when we can't dine on chicken legs and Mum's Onion Soup every night, you'll crave rabbit so much that you'll be chasing one down yourself."
"You first," Ron muttered.
"Speaking of food, here we go," Hermione said, as she saw Tom walking toward them.
-
Half-an-hour later, as the four of them were finishing their meal, Dora arrived and found them.
"Sorry I couldn't come earlier," she said, "I slept in today until I had to go to my Healer's appointment."
"How did it go?" Hermione asked.
"Very well," Dora said, "The baby is fine, and Remus and I were asked if we wanted to know if we'd have a boy or a girl, but we decided we wanted to be surprised. Remus offered to come along today, until I told him I was shopping for maternity clothes. He basically turned up his nose at that. But I'm sure he'll be eager to see them."
"You ladies enjoy," Ron said, "I'm going to go do my Christmas shopping."
"I'll come along, mate," Harry said.
"See you in a couple of hours," Hermione said to Ron, before kissing him on the cheek, "Have fun picking out my gift."
Ron grinned and followed Harry into Diagon Alley.
"Nice choice of hair-color today," Hermione commented to Dora, admiring her blonde hair.
"Ugh, too plain," Dora said, "But Ginny said you girls wanted to go out into the Muggle area to shop for clothes, so I have to look like a Muggle."
Since Hermione was the expert out of the three, she took them to a couple of popular Muggle clothing stores. Hermione thought it was rather funny watching Dora sort through maternity clothes, because most of them looked far too plain compared to what she was used to wearing. At one point, as the three of them were walking down the sidewalk toward another store, they passed by a store that sold mostly lingerie outfits, and Hermione had to pull Ginny away, because she was looking rather curiously at them.
Two hours after they started, Hermione and Ginny decided they needed to go back to Diagon Alley to get some Christmas shopping done. Hermione's first stop was her gift idea for Ron, because she couldn't stop thinking about it during the whole day. She made her way to Elena's Exquisite Emporium which sold mostly jewelry and fancy items like that.
"Jewelry?" Ginny asked, looking at the shop's sign, "How romantic."
Hermione was about to respond when she saw Harry standing outside the shop. He looked a bit shocked when they walked toward him.
"Er – you don't want to go in there, yet, Hermione," Harry said.
"This is where I'm buying Ron's gift," Hermione said, "Why wouldn't I want to –?"
Hermione looked over Harry's shoulder and into one of the windows of the shop. She noticed Ron standing at the cash register, his back turned to her.
"Oh," Hermione said.
"Aww, looks like he has a similar idea," Ginny cooed, "How sweet."
"He's going to kill me," Harry growled, "He wanted me to stand watch in case you came by."
Hermione nodded. She was still looking toward the shop, wondering what Ron was looking for.
"Ah, no peeking!" Ginny said, dragging Hermione away from the window, "We'll be back, Harry. We'll – er – shop elsewhere for now."
Hermione looked over her shoulder at the store as she was pulled away from it.
"Awfully silent there, Hermione," Ginny said.
"What do you think he's getting me?" Hermione muttered.
"It is a jewelry store, Hermione," Ginny said, "Could be anything. A locket? Er – on second thought, I doubt he'd get you that so soon after that whole catastrophe. A necklace, a bracelet, a –"
Ginny froze and Hermione looked at her, as Ginny's eyes went back to the store.
"He wouldn't," Ginny said, "Would he?"
"What?" Hermione asked.
"How long have you and him been together?" Ginny replied, "Er... I caught you kissing in July, so -"
"Six months on Christmas Eve," Hermione said.
"Too early," Ginny muttered, almost to herself, "Course he's known you for seven years, would that count to him.. No, too early -"
"Too early for what?" Hermione asked.
"Mum said this morning she talked to Ron last night," Ginny said, "And your name came up."
"Okay?" Hermione said, slowly.
"Are you that oblivious, my honorary sister?" Ginny asked.
Hermione's eyes widened at the term, as her mind suddenly clicked into realization. Mrs. Weasley's mind was always on one thing when it came to Ron's relationship with her.
"No," Hermione said, "No... he wouldn't."
"What would you say?" Ginny asked.
"I don't want to even think about that," Hermione said.
"What are you getting him?" Ginny asked.
"Something similar to what you're talking about," Hermione said, "Only not as – big."
Ginny's eyes sparkled, knowingly. "Aww, romantic," she said, "Aww, who am I kidding? He is probably giving you a bracelet."
Hermione nodded slowly, as she looked over her shoulder. Ron was walking out of the store, but Harry had lead him the other away. Hermione could see Ron stuff something into the pocket of his jacket, but she couldn't tell what. She suddenly wished she hadn't decided to go to that shop first thing after coming back from clothes-shopping. She was going to be thinking about this all week.
-
Ahh, I love the end of this chapter. It was so cute! So what DID Ron get her? What did Hermione get him? That happens next chapter! I'm going to love writing that chapter. So many good ideas!
Also... Fred and George crack me up in this chapter. Did you like them? I loved the "honorary sister/brother's girlfriend... gross" line. Cracked me up.Also hope you like my introduction of Hermione's bag, and what I did with it.
A bit of new storyline too in this chapter with Griphook... I'm not sure if I'm going to change his storyline too much. We'll see how that goes.
Hope you loved this chapter as much as I did!
