-Chapter Two-
Journey Down Knockturn Alley
'Greetings, young Harry,' Cornelius Fudge said. 'How are we doing today?'
'Hello, sir. I'm fine, thank you,' said Harry in a shaky voice.
'Are you sure? I'm positive that the shock about Gringotts must have got to you, didn't it?' Fudge asked.
'Well, of course,' Harry began, 'but I figure things happen like this all the time, so I don't have to worry.'
Fudge went slightly pale. 'Yes, well, Mrs Weasley told me to guide you and your friends around Knockturn Alley so as to not get lost in the Dark Arts category.'
'Er-right, I'll go get the others,' he said hastily. Harry walked back inside, got Ron and Hermione, and went back outside.
'Hello....Ron, is it?' Fudge said with a smile.
'Yes, sir, hello,' Ron said politely, trying not to get angry that Fudge almost didn't remember his name.
'Your father told me you would be here,' he said smugly. 'And you...Miss Granger, I presume?'
'Yes,' Hermione replied shyly. 'Hermione will do just fine.'
'Right, well, we'd better get on our way, shall we?' Fudge smiled. 'If you would just follow me, I will escort you where you need to go. The bookstore first, I think.'
Harry stared down at the list of books he would be needing. It read:
Standard Book of Spells, Grade 5
Alternative Fighting Skills (this was for Defence Against the Dark Arts)
And Fire-Reading (Divination)
The shop manager greeted them, asked what books they needed, and handed them down.
'That will be 27 Knuts, 6 Sickles, and 9 Galleons, please,' he said. Harry pulled out a handful of money and handed it over to the man.
'Well, what next?' Fudge asked.
'Well, I need to buy some new ink bottles,' said Ron.
'And I need some cat food for Crookshanks,' said Hermione. 'As well as a few new quills and spare parchment.'
'Excellent!' said Fudge. 'I know just the place!'
He led them into a grey-coloured shop, with the title 'Baggettes and Burnes.' A tiny little witch greeted them.
'G'day, boys and girls!' she said. 'I be Rosie Belle! What are ya needin' today, hm?'
'Some ink bottles, preferabley black or green, and some unicorn quills,' Harry said. 'Three of each, please.'
'Right you are, and-crikey! You're Harry Potter!' Rosie said, looking up at Harry. 'Right this way! Right this way! Goodness me, it's a pleasure to have you in here, really!'
'Er-thanks,' Harry said, slightly going red in the face. He knew that people got really excited when they had met him, but never this much.
'Now, Mr Potter, do you need anything else??' asked Rosie after she had brought down the quills, parchment and ink bottles.
'No, I don't think so,' said Harry, 'but thank you for asking.'
'Great! Great! Come back anytime!' Rosie beamed as she escorted them out of the shop. 'Have a good year at Hogwarts, now!'
'OK!' said Fudge excitedly. 'Who's up for an ice cream?'
'Me!' the three said in unison. Fudge walked up to the ice cream parlour, and began ordering.
'Two chocolate frog sundaes,' he began, 'and one pumpkin and peanut parfét.'
'Comin' right up!' said the man. Harry, Ron and Hermione went to find a table, but couldn't find one that wasn't already in use. They looked around for awhile, then spotted Draco Malfoy.
'Well, if it isn't Potty and Weasel again!' said Malfoy malevolently. His grey-blue eyes glittered in the soft sunlight. He saw Hermione coming up behind Fudge, then quickly stopped insulting them. 'Oh, er-nice weather today, isn't it, Hermione?'
'Yes, it is, Draco,' said Hermione, trying not to smile at him.
'Well.....Um...You can sit at my table, I suppose,' said Malfoy. 'There's room for all of you.'
'Thank you, Draco,' said Hermione politely, and sat down next to him.
Ron and Harry exchanged looks. 'Malfoy called her Hermione!' said Harry.
'I know!' said Ron. 'And Hermione called him Draco!'
Fudge didn't notice anything unusual, of course, since he didn't know that Malfoy was usually mean to Harry and Ron.
'Hello....Mr Malfoy, is it?' Fudge asked, smiling, as he sat down on the other side of Hermione. 'Yes, yes, your father, Lucius, has told me all about you.'
'Oh,' said Malfoy in a startled tone. 'Nothing bad, I hope.'
'My heavens, no!' said Fudge with a chortle. 'He keeps going on about how he hopes you'll follow in his footsteps.'
'I'd sooner hang out with Harry and Ron then follow in his footsteps...' Malfoy muttered to himself.
'So sorry, didn't catch that-what did you say?' Fudge questioned Malfoy.
'Nothing!' Malfoy said. 'Harry, Ron, aren't you going to sit down?'
'No thanks,' said Ron quickly. 'We'd rather stand.' And the two boys quickly forced a smile at him. Hermione and Malfoy kept looking at each other, while eating their sundaes.
'So,' Malfoy said coolly, 'got all of your things for Hogwarts yet?'
'Yes,' said Hermione. 'I think so.'
'Well, that's good. I'm glad you didn't have any trouble finding your things,' Malfoy smiled. Hermione smiled back.
*
'Hey, Harry! Over here!' squeaked a high-pitched voice.
Harry quickly wheeled around. 'Hullo, Neville,' he said dully. Neville was a fifth-year student; he was round-faced, and commonly referred to as a 'squib' (a Muggle born into a wizard family). Neville often got picked on by Professor Severus Snape, the Potions teacher.
'Harry! I saw you, Ron and Hermione passing by, and I knew it just had to be you that was walking beside them! Oh, oh! But who is that?' Neville asked excitedly, pointing at Fudge.
'Hello, I'm Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic,' said Fudge brightly, holding out a hand to Neville. 'Nice to meet you.'
'Hi!' squeaked Neville, holding out a shaking hand. 'I'm N-N-Neville L-Longbottom.'
'Ah, so you are Neville,' Fudge said graciously. 'Yes, yes, I've heard the name before.'
'Wow!' Neville said anxiously. 'I ca-can't b-believe I'm talking to the Minister of Magic! I-it's such a-a-an honour, sir!' he stammered. Neville waved to Ron and Hermione, who were a little ways off in the distance.
'So, you and Harry are friends from Hogwarts, I presume?' Fudge asked with a smile.
'Oh yes, sir!' squeaked Neville. 'Good friends! Aren't we, Harry?'
'Er-yeah,' hesitated Harry, 'that's right.'
'Neville, how would you like to join us?' questioned Fudge with a broad grin upon his face.
'Oh...I really don't want to be a bother,' Neville frowned.
'Uh...You wouldn't be a bother,' said Harry with a sideways glance at Ron and Hermione, who were bored standing there for so long. 'Right, guys?'
'Yeah!' shouted Ron. 'We're happy to have you with us!'
'Oh, wow!' piped up Neville. 'Thanks a lot!' So, Neville caught up with Ron and Hermione, followed shortly by Harry and Fudge.
*
'Hold up, guys!' Harry shouted. 'I need to go into the Magical Menagerie to pick up some food for Crookshanks.'
'No, Harry,' said Hermione. 'I'll pay for it. I think I have some Galleons in my bag...' she added, searching her bag for the money. 'Oops!' Hermione's money fell all over the ground. She bent down to pick it up. Harry couldn't help but notice how well she had grown into a young woman.
'Harry!' mouthed Ron, 'stop looking at her butt!'
'Sorry, Ron! What's that? I can't hear you; you'll have to come over here!' Harry beckoned. Ron had a puzzled expression on his face. But then Harry mouthed 'Malfoy,' and Ron clued in.
Harry grabbed Ron's right hand and pulled him into a corner.
'Ron, have you noticed anything weird about Malfoy today?' he asked.
'No, you mean besides the fact that he;s acting nice whenever Hermione's around?' Ron asked sarcastically. 'Of course I noticed, Harry!'
'Well, it's just...you don't think they could...you know...' Harry asked timidly.
'What, you mean, be in love?'
'Yeah...'
'Harry,' said Ron, 'that's impossible!'
'Good, then we're agreed,' he said, 'they are definitely NOT in love.'
'Hello! Boys?' called Hermione. 'I've got the food for Crookshanks. We can go now.'
'Yeah, OK,' said Ron. 'Can we go home now, then?'
'I think so...Unless, of course, you need to buy something else,' Hermione replied. 'Oh! That reminds me; I need something from the gift shop...you know, just something for a friend that I wanted to buy.'
'OK, the gift shop's just up there, Herm!' squeaked Neville. 'Is it all right if I call you Herm?'
''Course it is, Neville,' Hermione said politely.
*
'I wonder what I should get him,' Hermione thought to herself. 'Well, he likes Dark Arts stuff...I'll get him this!' She was looking at a Serpent pendent, which opened up so you could put a small picture inside. After she bought what she needed, Hermione went outside to the boys.
'Hermione! Someone's just sent you a ltter! Crookshanks brought it!' yelled Harry. He handed Hermione the letter. She read it to herself. It read:
Dear Hermione,
Hi! It's Draco. I was just wondering
If you'd like to sit in my compartment on
The Hogwarts Express tomorrow. Let me
Know as soon as you can!
Love you lots,
Draco
P.S. Are Ron & Harry suspecting anything?
'Well?' said Harry. 'Who's it from?'
'Oh, er-' she thought for a moment, 'it's from...Malfoy, just calling me a filthy Mudblood again...'
'Urgh! That idiot,' snarled Ron. 'When I get through with him, he'll be attached to Pansy Parkinson with a love potion!'
'Ron, it's quite all right,' Hermione retorted. 'I'll handle it on my own,' She took out a quill and parchment, and began to write back to Malfoy. Her letter read:
Dearest Draco,
Thank you for the letter! Yes,
I'll sit with you on the Hogwarts Express!
Silly question, really. You should have already
Known the answer! Don't worry about Ron
And Harry...I told them that the letter was
Just you calling me a Mudblood, and they
Believed it. I hope to be in your arms again soon!
All my love,
Hermione
P.S. Save me a big kiss for when we're on the train!
Hermione placed the letter in Crookshanks' mouth, and he took off.
'Well,' said Ron, 'I guess we're all finished here. Ready to go, g-'
'Harry! Ron! Hermione! And-er-what's your name again?' It was Fred and George.
'Boys, don't be silly,' said Ginny. 'It's Neville Longbottom, of course!' Neville went pink in the face. As a matter of fact, so did Ginny.
'Ah, you must be Fred, George and Ginny,' said Fudge. 'Pleased to have finally met you. Well, I guess that now you're all together, I'll let you go.'
'Bye, sir!' said Harry.
'Good-bye, Harry Potter!' Fudge waved. 'May we meet again soon!'
Everyone walked into the shop where they had first arrived. Draco was in a corner, reading a book, but no one noticed except Hermione. She insisted on staying longer.
Fred and George went into the fireplace first; then Ron, Harry, and finally, Ginny.
'Don't worry!' Hermione had said. 'I'll catch you up!' Hermione walked over to where Draco was, and tapped him on the shoulder. He closed the book and whirled around quickly.
'Did you get my letter?' he asked thoughtfully.
'Yes,' smiled Hermione. 'Did you get mine?' Draco nodded. Draco pulled her in close and kissed her softly on the lips for a moment.
'You have no idea how long I have been waiting to do that,' smirked Draco. 'So, I'll see you tomorrow then?'
'Yep, don't worry. I'll definitely sit with you,' she replied. 'Oh! I almost forgot!' Hermione pulled out a small box from a pocket inside of her robes. 'I got you this.'
'Oh?' he said, looking surprised. He took the box, opened it up, and looked at the pendent. 'Wow, that's really nice...How did you get it be-witched so it had my name on it?'
'Just a quick charm,' Hermione grinned. 'So do you like it?'
'Like it?' Draco said with raised eyebrows. 'I love it! Just like I love you...' and he kissed her again.
'I better go. The others will be wondering where I went,' she whispered. 'I'll meet you at King's Cross tomorrow at 11 o'clock. If you need anything, send me and owl!'
'And if you need anything, don't be afraid to send me one,' he replied. 'Love you.'
'Love you, too,' she smiled, as they let each other's hands part. Hermione stepped into the fireplace, and said, 'The Burrow!' For the first time this year, Hermione had gone back to Ron's house, and hopefully would be home shortly, anxiously awaiting the time when she could leave to get on the Hogwarts Express.
Journey Down Knockturn Alley
'Greetings, young Harry,' Cornelius Fudge said. 'How are we doing today?'
'Hello, sir. I'm fine, thank you,' said Harry in a shaky voice.
'Are you sure? I'm positive that the shock about Gringotts must have got to you, didn't it?' Fudge asked.
'Well, of course,' Harry began, 'but I figure things happen like this all the time, so I don't have to worry.'
Fudge went slightly pale. 'Yes, well, Mrs Weasley told me to guide you and your friends around Knockturn Alley so as to not get lost in the Dark Arts category.'
'Er-right, I'll go get the others,' he said hastily. Harry walked back inside, got Ron and Hermione, and went back outside.
'Hello....Ron, is it?' Fudge said with a smile.
'Yes, sir, hello,' Ron said politely, trying not to get angry that Fudge almost didn't remember his name.
'Your father told me you would be here,' he said smugly. 'And you...Miss Granger, I presume?'
'Yes,' Hermione replied shyly. 'Hermione will do just fine.'
'Right, well, we'd better get on our way, shall we?' Fudge smiled. 'If you would just follow me, I will escort you where you need to go. The bookstore first, I think.'
Harry stared down at the list of books he would be needing. It read:
Standard Book of Spells, Grade 5
Alternative Fighting Skills (this was for Defence Against the Dark Arts)
And Fire-Reading (Divination)
The shop manager greeted them, asked what books they needed, and handed them down.
'That will be 27 Knuts, 6 Sickles, and 9 Galleons, please,' he said. Harry pulled out a handful of money and handed it over to the man.
'Well, what next?' Fudge asked.
'Well, I need to buy some new ink bottles,' said Ron.
'And I need some cat food for Crookshanks,' said Hermione. 'As well as a few new quills and spare parchment.'
'Excellent!' said Fudge. 'I know just the place!'
He led them into a grey-coloured shop, with the title 'Baggettes and Burnes.' A tiny little witch greeted them.
'G'day, boys and girls!' she said. 'I be Rosie Belle! What are ya needin' today, hm?'
'Some ink bottles, preferabley black or green, and some unicorn quills,' Harry said. 'Three of each, please.'
'Right you are, and-crikey! You're Harry Potter!' Rosie said, looking up at Harry. 'Right this way! Right this way! Goodness me, it's a pleasure to have you in here, really!'
'Er-thanks,' Harry said, slightly going red in the face. He knew that people got really excited when they had met him, but never this much.
'Now, Mr Potter, do you need anything else??' asked Rosie after she had brought down the quills, parchment and ink bottles.
'No, I don't think so,' said Harry, 'but thank you for asking.'
'Great! Great! Come back anytime!' Rosie beamed as she escorted them out of the shop. 'Have a good year at Hogwarts, now!'
'OK!' said Fudge excitedly. 'Who's up for an ice cream?'
'Me!' the three said in unison. Fudge walked up to the ice cream parlour, and began ordering.
'Two chocolate frog sundaes,' he began, 'and one pumpkin and peanut parfét.'
'Comin' right up!' said the man. Harry, Ron and Hermione went to find a table, but couldn't find one that wasn't already in use. They looked around for awhile, then spotted Draco Malfoy.
'Well, if it isn't Potty and Weasel again!' said Malfoy malevolently. His grey-blue eyes glittered in the soft sunlight. He saw Hermione coming up behind Fudge, then quickly stopped insulting them. 'Oh, er-nice weather today, isn't it, Hermione?'
'Yes, it is, Draco,' said Hermione, trying not to smile at him.
'Well.....Um...You can sit at my table, I suppose,' said Malfoy. 'There's room for all of you.'
'Thank you, Draco,' said Hermione politely, and sat down next to him.
Ron and Harry exchanged looks. 'Malfoy called her Hermione!' said Harry.
'I know!' said Ron. 'And Hermione called him Draco!'
Fudge didn't notice anything unusual, of course, since he didn't know that Malfoy was usually mean to Harry and Ron.
'Hello....Mr Malfoy, is it?' Fudge asked, smiling, as he sat down on the other side of Hermione. 'Yes, yes, your father, Lucius, has told me all about you.'
'Oh,' said Malfoy in a startled tone. 'Nothing bad, I hope.'
'My heavens, no!' said Fudge with a chortle. 'He keeps going on about how he hopes you'll follow in his footsteps.'
'I'd sooner hang out with Harry and Ron then follow in his footsteps...' Malfoy muttered to himself.
'So sorry, didn't catch that-what did you say?' Fudge questioned Malfoy.
'Nothing!' Malfoy said. 'Harry, Ron, aren't you going to sit down?'
'No thanks,' said Ron quickly. 'We'd rather stand.' And the two boys quickly forced a smile at him. Hermione and Malfoy kept looking at each other, while eating their sundaes.
'So,' Malfoy said coolly, 'got all of your things for Hogwarts yet?'
'Yes,' said Hermione. 'I think so.'
'Well, that's good. I'm glad you didn't have any trouble finding your things,' Malfoy smiled. Hermione smiled back.
*
'Hey, Harry! Over here!' squeaked a high-pitched voice.
Harry quickly wheeled around. 'Hullo, Neville,' he said dully. Neville was a fifth-year student; he was round-faced, and commonly referred to as a 'squib' (a Muggle born into a wizard family). Neville often got picked on by Professor Severus Snape, the Potions teacher.
'Harry! I saw you, Ron and Hermione passing by, and I knew it just had to be you that was walking beside them! Oh, oh! But who is that?' Neville asked excitedly, pointing at Fudge.
'Hello, I'm Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic,' said Fudge brightly, holding out a hand to Neville. 'Nice to meet you.'
'Hi!' squeaked Neville, holding out a shaking hand. 'I'm N-N-Neville L-Longbottom.'
'Ah, so you are Neville,' Fudge said graciously. 'Yes, yes, I've heard the name before.'
'Wow!' Neville said anxiously. 'I ca-can't b-believe I'm talking to the Minister of Magic! I-it's such a-a-an honour, sir!' he stammered. Neville waved to Ron and Hermione, who were a little ways off in the distance.
'So, you and Harry are friends from Hogwarts, I presume?' Fudge asked with a smile.
'Oh yes, sir!' squeaked Neville. 'Good friends! Aren't we, Harry?'
'Er-yeah,' hesitated Harry, 'that's right.'
'Neville, how would you like to join us?' questioned Fudge with a broad grin upon his face.
'Oh...I really don't want to be a bother,' Neville frowned.
'Uh...You wouldn't be a bother,' said Harry with a sideways glance at Ron and Hermione, who were bored standing there for so long. 'Right, guys?'
'Yeah!' shouted Ron. 'We're happy to have you with us!'
'Oh, wow!' piped up Neville. 'Thanks a lot!' So, Neville caught up with Ron and Hermione, followed shortly by Harry and Fudge.
*
'Hold up, guys!' Harry shouted. 'I need to go into the Magical Menagerie to pick up some food for Crookshanks.'
'No, Harry,' said Hermione. 'I'll pay for it. I think I have some Galleons in my bag...' she added, searching her bag for the money. 'Oops!' Hermione's money fell all over the ground. She bent down to pick it up. Harry couldn't help but notice how well she had grown into a young woman.
'Harry!' mouthed Ron, 'stop looking at her butt!'
'Sorry, Ron! What's that? I can't hear you; you'll have to come over here!' Harry beckoned. Ron had a puzzled expression on his face. But then Harry mouthed 'Malfoy,' and Ron clued in.
Harry grabbed Ron's right hand and pulled him into a corner.
'Ron, have you noticed anything weird about Malfoy today?' he asked.
'No, you mean besides the fact that he;s acting nice whenever Hermione's around?' Ron asked sarcastically. 'Of course I noticed, Harry!'
'Well, it's just...you don't think they could...you know...' Harry asked timidly.
'What, you mean, be in love?'
'Yeah...'
'Harry,' said Ron, 'that's impossible!'
'Good, then we're agreed,' he said, 'they are definitely NOT in love.'
'Hello! Boys?' called Hermione. 'I've got the food for Crookshanks. We can go now.'
'Yeah, OK,' said Ron. 'Can we go home now, then?'
'I think so...Unless, of course, you need to buy something else,' Hermione replied. 'Oh! That reminds me; I need something from the gift shop...you know, just something for a friend that I wanted to buy.'
'OK, the gift shop's just up there, Herm!' squeaked Neville. 'Is it all right if I call you Herm?'
''Course it is, Neville,' Hermione said politely.
*
'I wonder what I should get him,' Hermione thought to herself. 'Well, he likes Dark Arts stuff...I'll get him this!' She was looking at a Serpent pendent, which opened up so you could put a small picture inside. After she bought what she needed, Hermione went outside to the boys.
'Hermione! Someone's just sent you a ltter! Crookshanks brought it!' yelled Harry. He handed Hermione the letter. She read it to herself. It read:
Dear Hermione,
Hi! It's Draco. I was just wondering
If you'd like to sit in my compartment on
The Hogwarts Express tomorrow. Let me
Know as soon as you can!
Love you lots,
Draco
P.S. Are Ron & Harry suspecting anything?
'Well?' said Harry. 'Who's it from?'
'Oh, er-' she thought for a moment, 'it's from...Malfoy, just calling me a filthy Mudblood again...'
'Urgh! That idiot,' snarled Ron. 'When I get through with him, he'll be attached to Pansy Parkinson with a love potion!'
'Ron, it's quite all right,' Hermione retorted. 'I'll handle it on my own,' She took out a quill and parchment, and began to write back to Malfoy. Her letter read:
Dearest Draco,
Thank you for the letter! Yes,
I'll sit with you on the Hogwarts Express!
Silly question, really. You should have already
Known the answer! Don't worry about Ron
And Harry...I told them that the letter was
Just you calling me a Mudblood, and they
Believed it. I hope to be in your arms again soon!
All my love,
Hermione
P.S. Save me a big kiss for when we're on the train!
Hermione placed the letter in Crookshanks' mouth, and he took off.
'Well,' said Ron, 'I guess we're all finished here. Ready to go, g-'
'Harry! Ron! Hermione! And-er-what's your name again?' It was Fred and George.
'Boys, don't be silly,' said Ginny. 'It's Neville Longbottom, of course!' Neville went pink in the face. As a matter of fact, so did Ginny.
'Ah, you must be Fred, George and Ginny,' said Fudge. 'Pleased to have finally met you. Well, I guess that now you're all together, I'll let you go.'
'Bye, sir!' said Harry.
'Good-bye, Harry Potter!' Fudge waved. 'May we meet again soon!'
Everyone walked into the shop where they had first arrived. Draco was in a corner, reading a book, but no one noticed except Hermione. She insisted on staying longer.
Fred and George went into the fireplace first; then Ron, Harry, and finally, Ginny.
'Don't worry!' Hermione had said. 'I'll catch you up!' Hermione walked over to where Draco was, and tapped him on the shoulder. He closed the book and whirled around quickly.
'Did you get my letter?' he asked thoughtfully.
'Yes,' smiled Hermione. 'Did you get mine?' Draco nodded. Draco pulled her in close and kissed her softly on the lips for a moment.
'You have no idea how long I have been waiting to do that,' smirked Draco. 'So, I'll see you tomorrow then?'
'Yep, don't worry. I'll definitely sit with you,' she replied. 'Oh! I almost forgot!' Hermione pulled out a small box from a pocket inside of her robes. 'I got you this.'
'Oh?' he said, looking surprised. He took the box, opened it up, and looked at the pendent. 'Wow, that's really nice...How did you get it be-witched so it had my name on it?'
'Just a quick charm,' Hermione grinned. 'So do you like it?'
'Like it?' Draco said with raised eyebrows. 'I love it! Just like I love you...' and he kissed her again.
'I better go. The others will be wondering where I went,' she whispered. 'I'll meet you at King's Cross tomorrow at 11 o'clock. If you need anything, send me and owl!'
'And if you need anything, don't be afraid to send me one,' he replied. 'Love you.'
'Love you, too,' she smiled, as they let each other's hands part. Hermione stepped into the fireplace, and said, 'The Burrow!' For the first time this year, Hermione had gone back to Ron's house, and hopefully would be home shortly, anxiously awaiting the time when she could leave to get on the Hogwarts Express.