Chapter 2.0

Percy


They received their book lists the next day, and everyone managed to make it back to Diagon Alley in one piece. It was a lot more difficult than it sounded. Pushing a bunch of magical teenagers into a car is definitely a challenge.

"What electives did you sign up for, Percy?" Asked Harry, who was reading his list again.

"Care of Magical Creatures and Ancient Runes. What'd you sign up for?" Percy had chosen the first one because: A. It's awesome, and B. Easy O. Which was a wizard's A. He had chosen Ancient Runes because he already knew Greek and Latin, which are two of the three main things the class teaches. Easy O.

"I chose Magical Creatures and Divination, and so did Ron. Why didn't you?" Percy scowled.

"First, I know Greek and Latin so it's an easy O. Secondly, I hate prophecies. At least we have Magical Creatures together, though. Hermione signed up for everything." The three boys sighed, Harry and Ron because Hermione would have less time to help them with their homework, and Percy because he thought Annabeth would do the same thing. They made their usual trip to Gringotts, then they seperate ways. Harry, Ron, and Percy went as a group; the twins stayed together, and the parents went with Ginny. As the trio went into Flourish and Bott's, they saw a familiar face.

"Hey Neville, you getting your school books too?" Neville nodded, looking anxious as a flustered attendant brought him a book that was trying to bite him. Neville took it, but his shaking hands dropped it almost immediately. Percy snatched it up, and tried giving it a pat. It stilled, and lay limp.

"Guess it just wanted a little kindness." The store attendant looked like he was about to cry, he was so relieved.

"We're never stocking these again! This is worse than when we ordered two hundred copies of 'The Invisible Book of Invisibility' and lost them all." Harry and Ron handed them their lists, and Percy decided to wait before asking if he had any in his preferred languages.

"Here you go, you two. The three of you can have one of those awful books free of charge, I'll be glad to be rid of them." He plopped two piles of books onto the counter, and the two boys paid him. Percy then stepped forward.

"You wouldn't happen to have these in Greek or Latin, do you?" The attendant left to look, and Percy sighed as he realized the Monster book probably didn't have a translation. The attendant, who's name tag read "Paul", returned a minute later with a stack of books.

"We don't have the Monster Book of Monsters or Intermediate Transmutation in those languages. We can order them, but they'll take a few days to arrive." Percy nodded, he'd expected as much. He paid for his books, and for the ones he'd ordered, and they heaved them out of the shop.

They next got Potions ingredients, and dumped their books into the cauldron with the ingredients.

"Ron, Harry, Percy!" Hermione was there, with two people who had similar brown hair who were undoubtedly her parents. And also, very clearly Muggles. And uncomfortable. The boys introduced themselves, and they smiled.

"It seems Hermione made some food friends at this school. I was afraid she might have buried herself in books, forgetting to interact with the living." said Mrs. Granger, and they laughed.

"We spent almost all our free time in the library, Mrs. Granger. Trust me, she sometimes considered it." I said. Hermione gave him a punch on the shoulder, and Ron stuck out his tongue at her. Everyone laughed at Hermione's blush, and continued to the Magical Menagerie.

Percy bought Aeto more toys and magical food, while Ron bought a tonic for his sickly rat. Harry bought some food for Hedwig, and some owl treats. Hermione found the largest, ugliest cat the shop had and bought it. Ron gaped at her as they left the store.

"You bought that thing?!" He exclaimed, and Hermione held the massive orange cat in front of his face.

"Crookshanks is not a thing, Ron. He's my wonderful cat." She hugged the squirming orange cat, and Ron dropped it.

"Let's get Astronomy stuff next, I need a new compass." They walked along, the four of them simply enjoying the sunlight. …. When they had finished their shopping, they decided to get some ice cream. And Diagon Alley had the best ice cream around. They waited in line for a few minutes, before they could finally order.

"Butterscotch, please." Said Hermione, and she was handed a cone with honey gold ice cream.

"Strawberry and peanut butter for me, please." Harry said, and Percy scowled. That sounded nasty.

"I'll have the same." Said Ron, and his disgust grew. They were handed identical cones with a pink scoop and a tan-brown scoop.

"Got anything blue?" The man nodded, and handed him a deep blue cone.

"Blue raspberry sherbet." He said, and Percy thanked him. They paid, and went to eat it in the shade.

"Harry, Ron. I'm rather disappointed in you. Hermione may have chosen a boring flavor, but at least it isn't an abomination against ice cream. PBJ ice cream is probably a war crime." All three of his friends began to argue at once.

"Says the bloke who asked for blue!"

"Not liking it is probably a war crime!"

"It's not bland, it's perfectly sweet!" Mrs. Weasley found them in the middle of another argument about Merlin knows what. The sides this time were Harry and Ron, Hermione, and Percy. They were talking about colors and flavors, and somehow war at the same time.

"I'm serious, PBJ flavor definitely violates the Geneva Convention!" Said Percy, pointing at Harry and Ron. They gasped in mock outrage.

"You're staining your tongue and teeth blue!" Harry said, pointing a finger at Percy.

"Both of those are way too sweet, you'll get cavities!" Said Hermione, and the Weasleys who'd shown up looked confused. Cavities were something they might have heard about in passing, but wizards didn't have that problem. Mrs. Weasley broke up the argument, and the four laughed.

"No hard feelings, guys." Said Percy. "Even if you're completely wrong, we'll put it aside for now." Said Ron, and Hermione nodded.

"See you at Hogwarts, then." Hermione said, going with her parents who looked utterly bamboozled.

"Bye, Hermione!" Said Ron and Harry in unison. "Don't you dare forget about this! This isn't over!" Percy yelled, much to the amusement of the Weasleys and Harry. They made their way out of Diagon Alley, and back into Mr. Weasley's car.