CHAPTER TWO- Slytherins and Snakes
"Hurry up!" Arthur called.
"Hold on. just need. to. GOTCHA!" Ron yelled, hands grabbing around Pig who had been zipping around the ceiling, not wanting to be put in his cage. Ron stuffed him in his cage. "Stupid owl. ugh why am I stuck with such an annoying owl!?" He demanded from Harry who rolled his eyes. He knew Ron didn't mean it.
The two of them ran down the stairs and piled into the van with Ginny, Fred and George. A while later they were in London, parked near a dingy old pub called the Leaky Cauldron. After going though they arrived at a dead end behind it.
Arthur pulled out his wand and tapped the brick wall and a doorway appeared. The five Weasleys and Harry stepped through into the bustling Diagon Alley. They headed straight for a huge, white marble building. Gringotts, the Wizarding bank. After getting money, they all separated.
Ron dragged Harry to Quality Quidditch Supplies. "I want to check out the new model. Crossed Wands say there's a really, really awesome new broom." Ron said.
"Crossed Wands?" Harry asked in confusion, wishing Ron would let go of his arm.
"The Wizarding Magazine for Wizard and Witch teens." Ron explained.
"Ah." Harry muttered. They arrived at the store. "I don't see any new brooms." Harry said, looking in the window. A Firebolt lay on display.
"They must have them." Ron said, opening the door. The bell jangled and the clerk looked up.
"Hello, welcome to Quality Quidditch Supplies." He greeted them.
"Do you have the new models mentioned in Crossed Wands?" Ron asked.
"Over there." The clerk pointed a finger towards the back of the shop. The two boys went back and Harry gasped. Along the wall were four shelves. Holding up four brooms. A Firebolt, Dragonfly, WindSweeper5000, and a SkyBlazer900.
"Wow those three look awesome." Harry said. Ron picked up the Dragonfly and ran his fingers down the smooth ash handle. His fingered the neatly clipped tail longingly.
"Top of the line. Fastest model ever made." He said, looking at the word 'Dragonfly' stamped in purple on the handle.
"What about the others?" Harry asked.
"The WindSweeper5000. Has the best turning ever. SkyBlazer900 has the best brakes. But I really want a Dragonfly." He said, sighing unhappily. Harry knew what he was thinking. A broom like that would be way out of his price range.
The Weasleys, though probably the nicest family Harry had ever met, were also the poorest. Ron sighed again and reluctantly put it up.
"Well, well, well." They jumped at the contemptuous voice. "Poor Weasley. Probably couldn't even afford a splinter of that broom." Scowling at the familiar voice, they turned to see Draco Malfoy standing there.
"Go away, Malfoy." Harry snapped. Malfoy marched between them and took the Dragonfly off the shelf.
"Petty broom. Not worth the money." He sneered and let it clank back on the shelf.
"Won't your daddy buy you one or is he waiting till you beat Gryffindor which will be... never?" Ron asked.
Malfoy got pink tints in his cheeks, obvious because of his pale skin and Harry had a feeling Ron spoke the truth.
"Watch it, Weasel-boy. Or else." Malfoy hissed, gray eyes narrowing.
"Or else what?" Ron demanded.
Malfoy opened his mouth to answer but the clerk appeared. "If you're going to clatter my new brooms around like that, you can leave." He snapped.
"See you at school, scar-face." He sneered and walked off.
"How can anyone be so horrible?" Ron demanded, setting the Dragonfly up properly.
"Are you going to buy or are you going to leave fingerprints?" The clerk asked.
"C'mon." Harry muttered, pulling Ron out of the store.
"I wish Malfoy would fall off a cliff." Ron grumbled as they stepped into the sunlight.
"Don't we all." Harry mumbled. They only went a few feet before being stopped by a tall black boy and a small, sandy-haired boy. They were Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigin, fellow Gryffindor Fifth years.
"Are you taking the new Healing course?" Dean asked as they walked down the street.
"Yeah, both of us. You?" Harry asked.
"Uh-huh." Seamus said. "Didja hear?" He added.
"About what?" Ron asked.
"There's a bunch of transfer students coming in from the Americas." Seamus said, eyes getting wide.
"How d'you know?" Harry asked.
"My cousin is one of them." Dean explained. "He wrote to me and told me. His school shut down due to lack of funding or something like that." He explained with a shrug. They talked for a little while longer then Dean and Seamus went off to the Quidditch Supplies since they hadn't been there yet.
"Where to next?" Harry asked.
"Apothecary. Need to get Potion refills." Ron said.
"Me, too. Plus the new Potion ingredients." The two boys found the shop and stepped inside. It was completely empty except for the clerk who was setting up jars of herbs. They got refills for their basic Potion-making kit, and the stuff that the list said they needed for Fifth year potions.
They paid the clerk and stepped back out. Harry breathed in the fresh air as they headed to Madam Malkins Robes for All Occasions. Both boys had grown. Harry a few inches and Ron about a few feet it seemed. "Are you ever going to stop getting taller?" Harry asked.
"Mum says I'm going through another growth spurt." Ron said.
"Any taller and we'll have to use you for a telephone pole." Harry muttered under his breath.
"What?" Ron asked.
"Nothing." Harry said brightly. They bought their robes and went back out. Next they went to Scribbles Stationary for rolls of parchment, bottles of ink and some new quills. There they saw Neville Longbottom, the fifth of the Fifth year boys.
"Hi guys." He said, dropping a lush eagle quill.
"Hey Neville." Harry and Ron chorused as he picked it up. After talking to him a few minutes, he had to go for his Grandmother stood by the door yelling at him to hurry.
Harry and Ron bought the stuff they came in for then stepped back out with only one more shop to go to now. Flourish and Blotts, the bookstore.
It was slightly crowded with Hogwarts students getting their books.
"Hi Harry." The two jumped and turned to see Cho Chang, an extremely pretty Sixth year Ravenclaw. Harry immediately began blushing slightly.
"Hi Cho." He somehow managed.
"And. Rob, is it?" She asked.
"Ron." Ron corrected. Cho continued her pearly smile.
"Are you going to be the new Captain now that Wood's gone?" She asked Harry.
"Uh. er. um." Was all he could muster.
"Yeah, the others elected him." Ron said.
"Congratulations." Cho said. Harry's cheeks burned red.
"Th-thanks." He stammered.
"You're Fifth years now, aren't you?" She asked. Harry managed a nod. "Are you taking the Healing class?"
"Uh-huh." Harry got out.
"Its a great class. Well, gotta go. See you at Hogwarts." Cho said and walked off, her black hair flouncing behind her.
"Someone's got a cru-ush." Ron said in a sing-song voice. Harry turned even redder.
"No I don't." He said.
"Yes you do-oo." Ron continued. Harry smacked his arm.
"Do not."
"Do so. Admit it. You liiiiiiike her." Ron said and Harry punched him in the arm. "Ouch." He muttered, rubbing the now sore spot.
They walked back into the isles and got all the books except the healing ones. When they went down the isle labeled 'Healing' they saw a girl with her nose buried in a book, reading. Her bushy brown hair and carrier laden with tons of books gave it away of who she was.
"Hermione!" Both said. The girl looked up and her brown eyes sparkled.
"Harry! Ron!" She said and smiled. Her smile was now very beautiful since she had lost her buck teeth. She set her stuff down and pulled them both into a hug.
"When did you get back?" Harry asked.
"A few days ago." She said. Hermione took a step back and puffed up to show off her shiny Prefect badge. "Isn't it wonderful?" She asked.
"It certainly is a surprise I mean who would of guessed, Hermione Granger becoming a Prefect?!" Ron demanded, waving his arms about.
"Oh be quiet." Hermione said, shaking her head.
"Oh come off it, everyone knows you were going to end up as a Prefect and Head Girl once your old enough." Ron said.
"Really? H-Head Girl?" She asked in a flattered, stammering and embarrassed tone of voice.
Ron just stared at her. "Well duh!" He finally said.
"How was your- ah- visit with. Viktor Krum?" Harry asked as they looked for the Healing books.
"Oh wonderful. He invited me to come visit for Christmas. I'm not sure if I will or not. Something might... come up." Hermione said.
Harry grimaced inwards. Yeah something would come up- something always came up that ranged from three-headed dogs to giant spiders to escaped murderers to the Triwizard Tournament to who knows what else. "Visit him for Christmas?! Oh why don't you just... move in with him." Ron complained bitterly.
"Jealous?" Hermione asked.
Ron's ears turned slightly red. "Ofcourse not. I'm just... worried."
"Worried about me? Oh how flattering." Hermione said flatly.
"He's four years older then you Hermione. he's just using you." Ron said.
"Using me for what?" Hermione demanded. Harry closed his eyes and wished his friends would not fight but it was useless- they fought and would continue fighting. Even if they were dating they probably would fight!
"Oh come on, Hermione. He's a 19 year-old famous Quidditch player. He could probably have his choice of almost any girl on this entire earth!" Ron said, neck starting to get red but not with embarrassment- with anger.
"So what if he chose me?" Hermione grumbled.
"Well-I-the-that's not the point!" Ron sputtered out. Hermione glared at him and flounced off angrily.
"I'll wait outside, Harry." She said before disappearing.
"Why do you always fight with her?" Harry asked as he got the healing books.
"She starts it." Ron complained bitterly.
Harry snorted. "Yeah, uh-huh." He said. They got their books and went outside where Hermione was waiting, reading a book.
"Have you gotten everything else you need, Harry?" She asked, obviously ignoring Ron.
"Yeah, this was our last stop." Harry said.
"I'm done, too." She said, pushing back some of her bushy hair.
"Let's go get some ice cream." Harry suggested and the three headed to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor. They sat at an outside table and ate ice cream which Harry paid for.
"I wonder what our year is going to be like." Hermione pondered out loud.
"Hopefully not dangerous." Ron said, making a face.
"I have the feeling it will be." Harry said. Ron gave a groan and his head thumped down on the table.
"And then you'll save the day like always, eh Potter?" They looked over as Malfoy swaggered by. He carried a dark green broom carrying case, with silver locks and handle. There was a silver snake stamped on the top as well as the gilded words 'Draco Malfoy'.
"What do you want, Malfoy?" Harry groaned.
"I just came to get an ice cream. Like my carrying case? It holds my new broom. I just got the Dragonfly." He said.
"I thought you said it was 'Petty' and not 'worth the money'." Ron said. Malfoy scowled.
"Shut up, Weasel-boy." He snapped.
"Make me." Ron said.
"You are just jealous I can afford a broom like this and you couldn't even if you sold your house and all your possessions." Malfoy sneered.
Ron stood quickly up, ready to fight. "Bring it on, girly boy." He said. Malfoy dropped the carrying case and flung himself at Ron, fists flying.
"Oh no!" Hermione gasped as they rolled on the ground, hitting and kicking.
"Ron! Ron, stop!" Harry said, and was going to peel him away but they rolled towards the steps and down onto the street. Harry and Hermione flew down the steps and picked Ron up. His nose was bleeding and he had a large bruise under one eye. Malfoy had a cut above his right eye and a swollen lip.
"Let... me... go!" Ron demanded, struggling to get free. But Harry and Hermione held tight.
"You better watch it. All three of you. You'll be sorry." Malfoy threatened, wiping the blood from his head. He went up the steps, got his broom and left.
"Ron, you idiot! That's just what Malfoy wanted.' Hermione said as she and Harry let go. Ron lightly touched his nose and looked at the blood on his finger. "Here." Hermione soaked a napkin in water and gave it to him. Scowling, Ron pressed it lightly against his nose. "Tip your head back as well." Hermione advised.
Ron scowled even more and tipped his head back. The three walked back up the steps and sat down. Or rather Harry and Hermione sat down. Ron leapt back up, shouting that there was something in his seat. "Hey, watch it." Hissed a voice in the seat. The three looked down and saw a snake curled up.
"What the.?" Hermione asked, glancing at Harry quizzically.
"Um, excuse me but uh. what are you doing here?" Harry asked. The snake looked up and flicked out its tongue.
"A human that speaks snake. I've heard of that." He said, flicking his tongue and studying Harry.
"Yes, well, what are you doing in this seat?" Harry asked.
"Resting." He hissed.
"I... noticed. I mean." Harry looked around nervously. A lot of people thought that being a Parselmouth was the mark of a dark wizard and he had enough trouble with that in his Second year. "Why are you in the seat?"
"Oh! Why didn't you say so?" The snake asked and flicked his tongue. "Resting." He replied after a moment.
"Resting from what?" Harry asked and knelt down.
"My journey."
"Journey to...?" Harry asked. The snake coiled up and raised his head some more.
"Journey away. Away from the voice." He hissed quietly.
"What... voice.?" Harry asked hesitantly.
"The voice calling us. Listen, if you want me to leave." He said.
"Er. what kind of snake are you?" Harry asked, trying to keep the snake there to hopefully find out what voice.
"I am a Boomslang." He said and Harry raised his eyebrows.
"Eh, heh heh, boomslang, huh?" Harry asked.
"Yes." He hissed. "My name is Lateef."
"Uh, hi Lateef. I'm Harry." Harry said.
"You want me to go now?" Lateef asked.
"Harry what is it saying?" Hermione asked impatiently.
"Hold on. Half a moment." Harry said then turned back down to Lateef. "You mentioned a voice?" He asked.
"I, er, better go. Its getting late." Lateef said and slithered off the chair.
"Wait!" Harry said and Lateef stopped.
"Yes?"
'What about the voice? Can you tell me about the voice?" Harry asked.
"Sorry, must be going. Farewell Harry." He said and slithered off quickly. Harry sighed and straightened up.
"What did it say?" Ron asked, head still tilted back.
"He said his name is Lateef and he's on a journey away from the voice." Harry informed them
"V-voice?" Ron asked, dropping the damp and bloody napkin.
Harry shrugged. "That's all he told me. Plus, he said he was a boomslang."
"Boomslang?" Hermione asked.
"Uh-huh." Harry said. The three sat down in an awkward silence.
"Well, uh, what do you want to do now?" Hermione asked after they finished their ice creams.
"I want to go to the Magical Menagerie shop." Harry said.
"How come?" Ron asked.
"Oh just to... get a new water dish for Hedwig." Harry said. His two friends looked at each other but shrugged. They gathered their things and headed to the store. Inside was filled with animals. Many, many different animals.
"I wonder if they make muzzles for owls." Ron muttered as Harry slipped away and headed to the back of the room. There was a glass wall and behind it held many snakes of all shapes and sizes and types. And they all seemed in an angry fit. They slithered and hissed and tried desperately to get out. But before Harry could ask them anything, Hermione called to him saying she found the owl dishes. Harry bought Hedwig a new water dish and they left.
"Hurry up!" Arthur called.
"Hold on. just need. to. GOTCHA!" Ron yelled, hands grabbing around Pig who had been zipping around the ceiling, not wanting to be put in his cage. Ron stuffed him in his cage. "Stupid owl. ugh why am I stuck with such an annoying owl!?" He demanded from Harry who rolled his eyes. He knew Ron didn't mean it.
The two of them ran down the stairs and piled into the van with Ginny, Fred and George. A while later they were in London, parked near a dingy old pub called the Leaky Cauldron. After going though they arrived at a dead end behind it.
Arthur pulled out his wand and tapped the brick wall and a doorway appeared. The five Weasleys and Harry stepped through into the bustling Diagon Alley. They headed straight for a huge, white marble building. Gringotts, the Wizarding bank. After getting money, they all separated.
Ron dragged Harry to Quality Quidditch Supplies. "I want to check out the new model. Crossed Wands say there's a really, really awesome new broom." Ron said.
"Crossed Wands?" Harry asked in confusion, wishing Ron would let go of his arm.
"The Wizarding Magazine for Wizard and Witch teens." Ron explained.
"Ah." Harry muttered. They arrived at the store. "I don't see any new brooms." Harry said, looking in the window. A Firebolt lay on display.
"They must have them." Ron said, opening the door. The bell jangled and the clerk looked up.
"Hello, welcome to Quality Quidditch Supplies." He greeted them.
"Do you have the new models mentioned in Crossed Wands?" Ron asked.
"Over there." The clerk pointed a finger towards the back of the shop. The two boys went back and Harry gasped. Along the wall were four shelves. Holding up four brooms. A Firebolt, Dragonfly, WindSweeper5000, and a SkyBlazer900.
"Wow those three look awesome." Harry said. Ron picked up the Dragonfly and ran his fingers down the smooth ash handle. His fingered the neatly clipped tail longingly.
"Top of the line. Fastest model ever made." He said, looking at the word 'Dragonfly' stamped in purple on the handle.
"What about the others?" Harry asked.
"The WindSweeper5000. Has the best turning ever. SkyBlazer900 has the best brakes. But I really want a Dragonfly." He said, sighing unhappily. Harry knew what he was thinking. A broom like that would be way out of his price range.
The Weasleys, though probably the nicest family Harry had ever met, were also the poorest. Ron sighed again and reluctantly put it up.
"Well, well, well." They jumped at the contemptuous voice. "Poor Weasley. Probably couldn't even afford a splinter of that broom." Scowling at the familiar voice, they turned to see Draco Malfoy standing there.
"Go away, Malfoy." Harry snapped. Malfoy marched between them and took the Dragonfly off the shelf.
"Petty broom. Not worth the money." He sneered and let it clank back on the shelf.
"Won't your daddy buy you one or is he waiting till you beat Gryffindor which will be... never?" Ron asked.
Malfoy got pink tints in his cheeks, obvious because of his pale skin and Harry had a feeling Ron spoke the truth.
"Watch it, Weasel-boy. Or else." Malfoy hissed, gray eyes narrowing.
"Or else what?" Ron demanded.
Malfoy opened his mouth to answer but the clerk appeared. "If you're going to clatter my new brooms around like that, you can leave." He snapped.
"See you at school, scar-face." He sneered and walked off.
"How can anyone be so horrible?" Ron demanded, setting the Dragonfly up properly.
"Are you going to buy or are you going to leave fingerprints?" The clerk asked.
"C'mon." Harry muttered, pulling Ron out of the store.
"I wish Malfoy would fall off a cliff." Ron grumbled as they stepped into the sunlight.
"Don't we all." Harry mumbled. They only went a few feet before being stopped by a tall black boy and a small, sandy-haired boy. They were Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigin, fellow Gryffindor Fifth years.
"Are you taking the new Healing course?" Dean asked as they walked down the street.
"Yeah, both of us. You?" Harry asked.
"Uh-huh." Seamus said. "Didja hear?" He added.
"About what?" Ron asked.
"There's a bunch of transfer students coming in from the Americas." Seamus said, eyes getting wide.
"How d'you know?" Harry asked.
"My cousin is one of them." Dean explained. "He wrote to me and told me. His school shut down due to lack of funding or something like that." He explained with a shrug. They talked for a little while longer then Dean and Seamus went off to the Quidditch Supplies since they hadn't been there yet.
"Where to next?" Harry asked.
"Apothecary. Need to get Potion refills." Ron said.
"Me, too. Plus the new Potion ingredients." The two boys found the shop and stepped inside. It was completely empty except for the clerk who was setting up jars of herbs. They got refills for their basic Potion-making kit, and the stuff that the list said they needed for Fifth year potions.
They paid the clerk and stepped back out. Harry breathed in the fresh air as they headed to Madam Malkins Robes for All Occasions. Both boys had grown. Harry a few inches and Ron about a few feet it seemed. "Are you ever going to stop getting taller?" Harry asked.
"Mum says I'm going through another growth spurt." Ron said.
"Any taller and we'll have to use you for a telephone pole." Harry muttered under his breath.
"What?" Ron asked.
"Nothing." Harry said brightly. They bought their robes and went back out. Next they went to Scribbles Stationary for rolls of parchment, bottles of ink and some new quills. There they saw Neville Longbottom, the fifth of the Fifth year boys.
"Hi guys." He said, dropping a lush eagle quill.
"Hey Neville." Harry and Ron chorused as he picked it up. After talking to him a few minutes, he had to go for his Grandmother stood by the door yelling at him to hurry.
Harry and Ron bought the stuff they came in for then stepped back out with only one more shop to go to now. Flourish and Blotts, the bookstore.
It was slightly crowded with Hogwarts students getting their books.
"Hi Harry." The two jumped and turned to see Cho Chang, an extremely pretty Sixth year Ravenclaw. Harry immediately began blushing slightly.
"Hi Cho." He somehow managed.
"And. Rob, is it?" She asked.
"Ron." Ron corrected. Cho continued her pearly smile.
"Are you going to be the new Captain now that Wood's gone?" She asked Harry.
"Uh. er. um." Was all he could muster.
"Yeah, the others elected him." Ron said.
"Congratulations." Cho said. Harry's cheeks burned red.
"Th-thanks." He stammered.
"You're Fifth years now, aren't you?" She asked. Harry managed a nod. "Are you taking the Healing class?"
"Uh-huh." Harry got out.
"Its a great class. Well, gotta go. See you at Hogwarts." Cho said and walked off, her black hair flouncing behind her.
"Someone's got a cru-ush." Ron said in a sing-song voice. Harry turned even redder.
"No I don't." He said.
"Yes you do-oo." Ron continued. Harry smacked his arm.
"Do not."
"Do so. Admit it. You liiiiiiike her." Ron said and Harry punched him in the arm. "Ouch." He muttered, rubbing the now sore spot.
They walked back into the isles and got all the books except the healing ones. When they went down the isle labeled 'Healing' they saw a girl with her nose buried in a book, reading. Her bushy brown hair and carrier laden with tons of books gave it away of who she was.
"Hermione!" Both said. The girl looked up and her brown eyes sparkled.
"Harry! Ron!" She said and smiled. Her smile was now very beautiful since she had lost her buck teeth. She set her stuff down and pulled them both into a hug.
"When did you get back?" Harry asked.
"A few days ago." She said. Hermione took a step back and puffed up to show off her shiny Prefect badge. "Isn't it wonderful?" She asked.
"It certainly is a surprise I mean who would of guessed, Hermione Granger becoming a Prefect?!" Ron demanded, waving his arms about.
"Oh be quiet." Hermione said, shaking her head.
"Oh come off it, everyone knows you were going to end up as a Prefect and Head Girl once your old enough." Ron said.
"Really? H-Head Girl?" She asked in a flattered, stammering and embarrassed tone of voice.
Ron just stared at her. "Well duh!" He finally said.
"How was your- ah- visit with. Viktor Krum?" Harry asked as they looked for the Healing books.
"Oh wonderful. He invited me to come visit for Christmas. I'm not sure if I will or not. Something might... come up." Hermione said.
Harry grimaced inwards. Yeah something would come up- something always came up that ranged from three-headed dogs to giant spiders to escaped murderers to the Triwizard Tournament to who knows what else. "Visit him for Christmas?! Oh why don't you just... move in with him." Ron complained bitterly.
"Jealous?" Hermione asked.
Ron's ears turned slightly red. "Ofcourse not. I'm just... worried."
"Worried about me? Oh how flattering." Hermione said flatly.
"He's four years older then you Hermione. he's just using you." Ron said.
"Using me for what?" Hermione demanded. Harry closed his eyes and wished his friends would not fight but it was useless- they fought and would continue fighting. Even if they were dating they probably would fight!
"Oh come on, Hermione. He's a 19 year-old famous Quidditch player. He could probably have his choice of almost any girl on this entire earth!" Ron said, neck starting to get red but not with embarrassment- with anger.
"So what if he chose me?" Hermione grumbled.
"Well-I-the-that's not the point!" Ron sputtered out. Hermione glared at him and flounced off angrily.
"I'll wait outside, Harry." She said before disappearing.
"Why do you always fight with her?" Harry asked as he got the healing books.
"She starts it." Ron complained bitterly.
Harry snorted. "Yeah, uh-huh." He said. They got their books and went outside where Hermione was waiting, reading a book.
"Have you gotten everything else you need, Harry?" She asked, obviously ignoring Ron.
"Yeah, this was our last stop." Harry said.
"I'm done, too." She said, pushing back some of her bushy hair.
"Let's go get some ice cream." Harry suggested and the three headed to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor. They sat at an outside table and ate ice cream which Harry paid for.
"I wonder what our year is going to be like." Hermione pondered out loud.
"Hopefully not dangerous." Ron said, making a face.
"I have the feeling it will be." Harry said. Ron gave a groan and his head thumped down on the table.
"And then you'll save the day like always, eh Potter?" They looked over as Malfoy swaggered by. He carried a dark green broom carrying case, with silver locks and handle. There was a silver snake stamped on the top as well as the gilded words 'Draco Malfoy'.
"What do you want, Malfoy?" Harry groaned.
"I just came to get an ice cream. Like my carrying case? It holds my new broom. I just got the Dragonfly." He said.
"I thought you said it was 'Petty' and not 'worth the money'." Ron said. Malfoy scowled.
"Shut up, Weasel-boy." He snapped.
"Make me." Ron said.
"You are just jealous I can afford a broom like this and you couldn't even if you sold your house and all your possessions." Malfoy sneered.
Ron stood quickly up, ready to fight. "Bring it on, girly boy." He said. Malfoy dropped the carrying case and flung himself at Ron, fists flying.
"Oh no!" Hermione gasped as they rolled on the ground, hitting and kicking.
"Ron! Ron, stop!" Harry said, and was going to peel him away but they rolled towards the steps and down onto the street. Harry and Hermione flew down the steps and picked Ron up. His nose was bleeding and he had a large bruise under one eye. Malfoy had a cut above his right eye and a swollen lip.
"Let... me... go!" Ron demanded, struggling to get free. But Harry and Hermione held tight.
"You better watch it. All three of you. You'll be sorry." Malfoy threatened, wiping the blood from his head. He went up the steps, got his broom and left.
"Ron, you idiot! That's just what Malfoy wanted.' Hermione said as she and Harry let go. Ron lightly touched his nose and looked at the blood on his finger. "Here." Hermione soaked a napkin in water and gave it to him. Scowling, Ron pressed it lightly against his nose. "Tip your head back as well." Hermione advised.
Ron scowled even more and tipped his head back. The three walked back up the steps and sat down. Or rather Harry and Hermione sat down. Ron leapt back up, shouting that there was something in his seat. "Hey, watch it." Hissed a voice in the seat. The three looked down and saw a snake curled up.
"What the.?" Hermione asked, glancing at Harry quizzically.
"Um, excuse me but uh. what are you doing here?" Harry asked. The snake looked up and flicked out its tongue.
"A human that speaks snake. I've heard of that." He said, flicking his tongue and studying Harry.
"Yes, well, what are you doing in this seat?" Harry asked.
"Resting." He hissed.
"I... noticed. I mean." Harry looked around nervously. A lot of people thought that being a Parselmouth was the mark of a dark wizard and he had enough trouble with that in his Second year. "Why are you in the seat?"
"Oh! Why didn't you say so?" The snake asked and flicked his tongue. "Resting." He replied after a moment.
"Resting from what?" Harry asked and knelt down.
"My journey."
"Journey to...?" Harry asked. The snake coiled up and raised his head some more.
"Journey away. Away from the voice." He hissed quietly.
"What... voice.?" Harry asked hesitantly.
"The voice calling us. Listen, if you want me to leave." He said.
"Er. what kind of snake are you?" Harry asked, trying to keep the snake there to hopefully find out what voice.
"I am a Boomslang." He said and Harry raised his eyebrows.
"Eh, heh heh, boomslang, huh?" Harry asked.
"Yes." He hissed. "My name is Lateef."
"Uh, hi Lateef. I'm Harry." Harry said.
"You want me to go now?" Lateef asked.
"Harry what is it saying?" Hermione asked impatiently.
"Hold on. Half a moment." Harry said then turned back down to Lateef. "You mentioned a voice?" He asked.
"I, er, better go. Its getting late." Lateef said and slithered off the chair.
"Wait!" Harry said and Lateef stopped.
"Yes?"
'What about the voice? Can you tell me about the voice?" Harry asked.
"Sorry, must be going. Farewell Harry." He said and slithered off quickly. Harry sighed and straightened up.
"What did it say?" Ron asked, head still tilted back.
"He said his name is Lateef and he's on a journey away from the voice." Harry informed them
"V-voice?" Ron asked, dropping the damp and bloody napkin.
Harry shrugged. "That's all he told me. Plus, he said he was a boomslang."
"Boomslang?" Hermione asked.
"Uh-huh." Harry said. The three sat down in an awkward silence.
"Well, uh, what do you want to do now?" Hermione asked after they finished their ice creams.
"I want to go to the Magical Menagerie shop." Harry said.
"How come?" Ron asked.
"Oh just to... get a new water dish for Hedwig." Harry said. His two friends looked at each other but shrugged. They gathered their things and headed to the store. Inside was filled with animals. Many, many different animals.
"I wonder if they make muzzles for owls." Ron muttered as Harry slipped away and headed to the back of the room. There was a glass wall and behind it held many snakes of all shapes and sizes and types. And they all seemed in an angry fit. They slithered and hissed and tried desperately to get out. But before Harry could ask them anything, Hermione called to him saying she found the owl dishes. Harry bought Hedwig a new water dish and they left.