Chapter Six
Diagon Alley
Mrs. Weasley did her best to heal Ron's back, but Ron was still sore, when he walked around. After the second day, he was outside trying to de-gnome the garden. However, it hurt him to throw them, so as they didn't get very far, they returned and only after the third time Ron threw the same one, did they stop coming. When Hermione awoke to find him outside working, she offered to help.
"I'm not very good at throwing, mind you, but in your condition right now, you aren't either, and it couldn't hurt to have another pair of arms, if you want them." Hermione says.
"I'd appreciate any help you could give me Hermione, your arms would definitely help me, thank you." Ron says.
"Well, your welcome. Now what exactly, am I supposed to do?" Hermione asks.
"Pick 'em up, spin them around, then throw them out of the yard as far as you can. It won't hurt them; it will just make them dizzy. Grab them by their feet so they can't bite you." Ron says.
"Right." Hermione says.
Ron picks one up by its ankles and demonstrates. He spins around in a circle holding it at arms length and kicks it. It flies into the next yard. Ron moans and rubs his lower back.
"Still sore?" Hermione asks.
"Just wasn't prepared for that." Ron says.
Hermione grabs one by its foot. In a desperate attempt to get away, the gnome lifts it's self up and bites Hermione's wrist, causing her to drop it. "Ouch!" Hermione cries.
"Are you all right? You don't have to do this, you know. I appreciate the offer." Ron says.
"No, I'm fine." Hermione says rubbing her wrist. "Where is that stupid little bugger?" Hermione asks. She finds it running toward the garden and dives after it, grabbing it by its feet. She stands up, holding it a good distance away from her body, and spins around in circles until she, herself becomes dizzy. She throws the gnome, though she wasn't sure exactly where she threw it, as she began to fall.
Ron caught her, just before she hit the ground. "Hermione, you're supposed to make IT dizzy, not you." Ron says. "Are you sure you still want to do this? You really don't have too."
"I know I don't have too, and I certainly don't want to de-gnome a garden, but I do want to help you, so that's why I'm still out here." Hermione says.
"Well, I appreciate that, thank you." Ron says.
"Your welcome." Hermione says.
Ron and Hermione had fun kicking and throwing the gnomes as far away as they could, getting their vengeance for biting Hermione. Hermione often fell down from making herself so dizzy, and Ron would laugh at her. Hermione got her laugh too, Ron had fallen and collided right into her.
They finished just in time for lunch. Ron made two sandwiches and gave Hermione one.
"Where's Harry?" Ron asks.
"Fred and George conned him into going into their room to supposedly talk. I suspect he's been turned into some type of creature, for him to not have come downstairs yet." Hermione says.
Ron made another sandwich for Harry and they went up the stairs and knocked on the twins' bedroom door.
"Who is it?" Fred or George called, Ron wasn't sure as he couldn't see them.
"Ron. Is Harry in there?" Ron calls.
"Yes, now go away." One of the twins says.
"Can I at least see him so that we know he's not a canary?" Ron asks.
"For a price." One of the twins says.
"Just make him say something, so I don't have to worry about him." Ron says.
"I'll be out in a minute Ron." Harry says.
"Okay, just making sure you're all right." Ron calls.
"You did, now scram." One of the twins calls.
Ron looks at Hermione and they head downstairs. They were eating on the sofa when Mrs. Weasley came downstairs.
"Where were you?" Ron asks.
"Upstairs storing some of Percy's stuff in the attic." Mrs. Weasley explains. "Your Grandfather wants me to keep you busy, would you mind raking the leaves or trimming the lawns more?"
"Trimming the lawns." Ron says.
"Then go rake the leaves. There's supposed to be some muggle rake in your father's garage." Mrs. Weasley says.
"Yes mum." Ron says.
"Oh, before I forget, we're going to Diagon Alley first thing tomorrow, will you be able to go, or should I just get your stuff for you?" Mrs. Weasley asks.
"No, I'll be able to go." Ron says.
"Good, then get started on those leaves. Your Grandfather wants you to earn your privileges." Mrs. Weasley says.
Hermione offered to help rake the leaves. They raked all the leaves into a huge pile, which Ron subtly pushed Hermione into.
"I can't believe you!" Hermione asks as she struggled to get up, seeing leaves scatter around her.
"Look what you did! Now we have to rake them all up again!" Hermione yells.
"Hermione, calm down, will you? It was just a little fun. If it's such a big deal, I'll rake the leaves up again, all by myself." Ron says.
"How can you do so much work just to mess it all up?" Hermione asks with disbelief.
"Easily. Do I need to show you again?" Ron asks.
"No! I mean why would you do something so foolish after all that hard work?" Hermione asks.
"For the look on your face. It was priceless." Ron says. Then as an afterthought he adds, "This work is easy compared to what my Grandfather had me doing." Ron says.
Harry came outside looking confused. "What's going on?" Harry asks.
"I'm raking the leaves." Ron says.
"You're doing a good job, looks like you're almost finished." Harry says.
"Correction, we did a great job of raking the leaves. We just finished, but Ron had to be immature and push me on to the pile." Hermione says irritably.
"Yes, but Harry, if you would've seen the look on her face." Ron says cracking up.
"I'm sure it was great." Harry says. He wanted to laugh with Ron, but the look from Hermione told him otherwise.
"What were you doing in the twins' room?" Hermione asks.
"Talking." Harry says. "I was seeing their inventions, not trying them."
"Well you were up there so long, I thought you had been turned into a canary and mistakenly eaten by Crookshanks." Hermione says.
"I never thought of that. That would be interesting, I think we should try it with Ginny." Ron says.
"You won't either! Ginny's never done anything wrong to you. What's your problem with her?" Hermione asks.
"Nothing, I just wanted to see if it would work. Do you think Crookshanks would kill her, or do you think Crookshanks would blow up, when Ginny returned to normal size?" Ron wonders aloud.
"Why not sacrifice one of your brothers?" Hermione asks.
"My parents would miss Percy too much, and if I sacrificed one twin, the other would kill me." Ron says.
"Well it doesn't matter, because Crookshanks will be far away from the twins' room, and YOUR room!" Hermione says going inside the house.
"She acted as if I were serious." Ron says grinning.
Harry laughed. "I wish I could've seen her face." Harry says.
"It was brilliant. It would've made you laugh and laugh and laugh." Ron says as he pushes Harry into the pile. Ron fell on the ground laughing.
"Very funny." Harry says standing up and kicking leaves at him. "Now get up and rake these leaves." Harry says walking away.
Ron rolled his eyes. His friends had left him to clean up the mess all by himself, but Ron thought it had been worth the laugh.
When Ron came in the house, everyone was just getting his or her dinners. Mr. Weasley and Percy were both home.
"Oh good, you're finally done. I was just about to call you in for supper." Mrs. Weasley says.
"I'm going to go wash up, then I'll be ready to eat." Ron says leaving the kitchen and going up the stairs.
"Is he still mad at me?" Mr. Weasley asks.
"I didn't know he was." Percy says.
Mr. Weasley excuses himself from the table and leaves the kitchen. He walks up to Ron's room. "Ron?" Mr. Weasley calls as he knocks on the door.
Ron lets him in his room. "I was just coming down to dinner now." Ron says.
"Wait just a minute, please. I'm really sorry that I didn't stop your Grandfather from punishing you. I knew what he was going to do, but I couldn't say no to my own father, because he still has control over me, as absurd as it sounds. He paid your way out of a muggle prison, if he didn't we'd never know where you were, and we'd never have enough wizard money, let alone muggle money to bail you out. He said that if I didn't discipline you right, he'd take you until you were finished Hogwarts. I couldn't whip you. I knew how much I hated my father for it. I didn't want you to hate me. So I said discipline him this time, but you won't need to discipline him anymore, and he agreed not to fight me about taking you in every summer, and the holidays. I'm sorry that you had to put up with him. You didn't deserve it. I didn't think he'd whip you. I prayed he wouldn't. Your mother said she only asked that he kept you busy and out of trouble. I knew he wouldn't have a problem keeping you out of trouble, but I hoped that he wouldn't punish you so severely. I'm sorry." Mr. Weasley says.
"Its not your fault dad. I understand." Ron says.
"Are you still mad at me?" Mr. Weasley asks.
"Dad, I was never mad at you." Ron says.
"Your mum?" Mr. Weasley asks.
"No, don't worry about it. May I go have dinner now?" Ron asks.
"Of course." Mr. Weasley says.
The following morning, Mrs. Weasley awoke everybody and they took Floo Powder to Diagon Alley.
After getting money from their vaults, they came out of Gringotts Bank and Mrs. Weasley spoke to Ron and everybody.
"Listen, I trust you to be by yourself with Harry and Hermione. Do not cause trouble, or you'll be living with your Grandfather, which will be out of our control." Mrs. Weasley says.
"I have no intentions of causing trouble." Ron says.
"Harry and I will keep him in hand, Mrs. Weasley." Hermione assures her.
"Thank you." Mrs. Weasley says. "Stay out of trouble!"
"I will." Ron promises.
"Take this and get your books, we'll meet back here in an hour's time." Mrs. Weasley says.
Ron, Harry, and Hermione set off for their school supplies. They stopped in the Stationary Store to get parchment, quills, and ink for this year. Harry and Ron wanted to stop into Quality Quidditch Supplies, but Hermione insisted they buy their books first.
So they went into Flourish & Blotts to buy their books. In Flourish & Blotts, they ran into the Patil twins, Padma of Ravenclaw and Parvati of Gryffindor. Both girls were wearing their robes, and both girls wore their long dark hair in high ponytails. They were the prettiest girls of the year, Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan their fellow classmates would say.
After getting their books and paying for them they left the store, but before they could go anywhere else, Padma stopped them. "Ron, do you think I could talk to you for a second?" Padma asks.
"Sure." Ron says. He walks over to Padma. Parvati had just found Lavender and ran off to go talk with her. Harry and Hermione looked at each other wondering what Padma had to say to him. Unfortunately, for them they couldn't get close enough to hear their conversation.
"How was your summer?" Padma asks.
"I've had better, how was yours?" Ron asks.
"Mine was pretty good. I heard some rumors about Sabrina and you, are they true?" Padma asks.
"Yes. I made a mistake." Ron says.
"Wow, that's impressive. You're actually sorry, and you didn't lie about it. I was thinking maybe we could hang out more this year, I had fun talking to you when I passed you in the corridors." Padma says.
"I had fun too. Would it be all right if I were to owl you some time?" Ron asks.
"I'd like that." Padma says.
"Good, well I have to go, I'm sort of on a short leash with my mum right now. I'm not supposed to be within ten feet of a female. Hermione doesn't count, because she's just a friend, but I'll be sure to owl you." Ron says.
"All right, I'll see you later then." Padma says.
"Yea, I'll see you." Ron says.
He walks back over to Harry and Hermione.
"What was that about?" Harry asks.
"Oh nothing." Ron says.
"You're supposed to tell friends everything, remember? I mean we are still your friends, aren't we?" Hermione asks.
"Of course, but you never told us about that Time Turner." Ron says.
"I did too, or how would you know about it?" Hermione asks.
"You didn't tell me when I wanted to know. Harry had to find out for himself, and that's when you explained everything." Ron says.
"That's not fair! McGonagall made me promise not to tell. It was a direct order from the Ministry! There's a difference, you know." Hermione says.
"I never hid anything from you, you've got to tell me." Harry says.
"Fine, Padma was just wondering if I was interested in hanging out with her. She said she enjoyed my company when I walked her to one of her classes after meeting up with her in the corridors last year." Ron explains.
"What did you say?" Hermione asks appalled.
"I told her I'd like too. Why? You don't have a problem with that, do you?" Ron asks.
"Your mum said you couldn't be around girls!" Hermione snaps.
"I'm not going to do anything at Hogwarts." Ron promises. "I'm not starting trouble, Hermione. It's not your matter to worry about."
"It is something to worry about, and because you won't worry about it, I have too! Don't you think it's a bit odd that Padma practically asked you to be her boyfriend?" Hermione asks.
"She didn't ask that Hermione, you don't know what you're talking about." Ron says. "And what would be so odd about somebody asking me out anyway? Just because I'm not up to your boyfriend standards, doesn't mean I'm not up to anybody else's! Just because I'm not perfect like you, doesn't mean that nobody will like me!" Ron says defensively.
"Ron, you did something insanely stupid! Sabrina's a gossip queen, everyone in our year probably knows what you did, and because they know, they'll know that you won't reject them, as long as they give you what you want." Hermione says.
"Hermione!" Harry yells, surprised at her. "Hermione, Ron's good enough for anybody! His personality can get him anybody he wants. They won't be afraid of rejection, because Ron's nice enough to accept anybody, even if he doesn't want too, or he'll let them down gently, because that's how good of a friend he is! Nobody would dare trick Ron, and they certainly wouldn't use him! Ron can see through someone easily. It's not as if they're going out either, and Ron said he made a mistake. The whole world could know, but why blow it up and make such a big deal about it by reminding them?"
"Hermione, I said I would hang out with her, not take her out. Why do you even have to have a say in this? Do me a favor, and stay out of my business!" Ron yells. He takes off in a run.
"Hermione, you're wrong this time. I don't know why you said what you did, but you hurt him, and you went too far!" Harry says.
"I was just trying to warn him of the truth, Harry. Something FRIENDS do! Sometimes the truth hurts, Harry!" Hermione says.
"The truth is you ARE wrong!" Harry says.
"No, Harry, I'm right! You just remember that when Ron's heartbroken, when he ends up used, because you two are to blind and foolish to see what's right under your nose!" Hermione says.
Hermione takes off in the opposite direction of Ron. Harry was now torn between two friends. He ran after Ron.
When Harry caught up with Ron, Ron was buying his potion ingredients he would need for this year at the apothecary.
"Hey, Hermione was wrong." Harry says.
"She's probably right, she's ALWAYS right." Ron says with a sigh.
"No, Ron that's not true!" Harry protests.
"99.9% of the time she is. The only time she was ever wrong on something was in the Shrieking Shack, and that was something that nobody knew! I mean it seemed reasonable, but only Moony and Padfoot, could've known." Ron says. "So basically it is 100%." Ron says.
"What she said was wrong though. She's not right. If I didn't know any better, I'd say she's…" Harry gasps, realizing it.
"She's what… jealous… of what? Harry if you were even hinting at that, you're definitely wrong. She's with Krum, an International Quidditch Player, compared to me. Hermione's lowered my self-esteem for one day, so don't make me lower it even more by telling you all my faults, as in why she would never like me." Ron says.
"You've got to be joking. Moping over a stupid mudblood who would never like you… Nobody would ever like you Weasley, you're family gives wizards a bad name, muggle and mudblood lovers, you are… But if you were that desperate you should resort to someone lower than that MUDBLOOD Granger girl. You haven't the brains for the likes of her. You haven't got even Potter's poor talent, and of course you can't afford anything new. So I suppose if you're desperate to get a girl, go for your best friend." Malfoy says.
"Yes, and when you grow up and need to find one you can ask Moody to turn you back into a ferret, I hear they're pretty dumb creatures, maybe even dumb enough to fall for you." Ron says smartly.
At this Malfoy walked over to him angrily. "BOYS! Not in my store! Pay for your things and get out." The man says.
Harry and Ron followed the man's instructions. Malfoy wasn't far behind them. "Weasel, get back here!" Malfoy yelled and he chased after him.
Ron and Harry tore down the cobbled road of Diagon Alley. Ron knew he'd best not fight, and he knew that Malfoy was looking to start one.
Attracted by Malfoy's voice, Crabbe and Goyle jumped in front of the two boys stopping them.
"Aww, is the Potty and the Weasel scared?" Malfoy asks as he catches up.
"Scared, of what, a little old ferret? Of course not! We just didn't want to smell your horrid breath anymore. I mean have you been eating garlic or something? You can smell your breath far away; we were just trying to keep our distance! Can you back up so I don't gag from that putrid smell?" Ron asks waving a hand in front of his face as if something smelled.
Malfoy covered his mouth with his hand, and breathed into his hand, allowing him to smell his breath.
"My breath does not smell!" Malfoy yells.
"No, of course not your nose does!" Ron says trying to keep a straight face.
Malfoy wiped his nose with his hand trying to smell something, before realizing Ron's little game.
"Oh you think you're clever, weasel, but not clever enough to stop this!" Malfoy says as he throws a punch at Ron's face. Ron falls to the ground covering his mouth.
Ron kicks Malfoy in the back of the leg, causing Malfoy to fall. Wizards and Witches started to move away from the boys. Malfoy crawled over to Ron and punched him in the face. Ron punched him back causing him to fall back. Ron punched him again before getting up.
Ron was ready to make a run for it then, but a punch from Crabbe in the back, sent him sailing back down to the ground.
A wizard more or less their age saw the punch thrown by Crabbe and yelled "FIGHT!" causing young wizards to hurry forward to see what was happening.
At all the commotion, Harry tried to help Ron up, but a shove from Goyle sent him to the ground, and Malfoy had already tackled Ron back down to the ground punching him repetitively, while Ron punched and kicked him, trying to get him away. A wizard, whom nobody recognized as their parent, pulled Malfoy off of Ron, and pulled Harry and Ron on to their feet. Crabbe and Goyle had maintained standing, because once Harry was down all they had to do was kick him to hurt him and keep him down.
"Break it up! Break it up!" The wizard yells spreading them all apart. Crabbe and Goyle started to walk away, but the wizard grabbed them both by their shoulders and pushed them against the wall. "Oh no you don't! I'm a Hit Wizard from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, I'm very strong, and I've got a very good memory, so don't try running. You're all coming with me, so I can get some answers. Diagon Alley is not a place to fight!" He says.
"Let's go all five of you!" He says dangerously, pushing all five of them forward. "This show is over!" He added to the crowd.
"Ooh!" and "Somebody's in trouble!" Were whispered amongst the wizards and witches.
The five of them followed him into the Leaky Cauldron. Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle sending dangerous glares toward Harry and Ron, who were too confused and afraid to notice anything other than where the Hit Wizard was taking them.
"Tom, can I get a table, please? I found some young lads who were starting trouble." The Hit Wizard says.
"Of course, Mr. Edwards, right this way." Tom, the Innkeeper says. He leads them to a table. "Anything I can get you?" Tom asks.
"Perhaps a pot of tea, and a few wet rags. I'm no magical doctor." Mr. Edwards suggests.
"Of course." Tom says.
"Sit!" Mr. Edwards orders.
All five boys sit down in the booth; Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle sat down reluctantly.
"What are your names? I'll be wanting to have a word with each of your parents about your reckless behavior." Mr. Edwards says pulling out a piece of parchment from his robes. He takes out a quill and a bottle of ink as well. "I'll start with you." Mr. Edwards says looking at Malfoy who was on the end, opposite him.
"Draco Malfoy…" Malfoy started.
"Lucious is your father?" Mr. Edwards asks.
"Yes." Malfoy answers.
Mr. Edwards writes something down. He looks up and over to Crabbe.
Ron was lost in his thoughts as Mr. Edwards asked about Crabbe and Goyle's parents. Tom came back with tea and a pot of hot water with towels on a tray for them, interrupting Ron's thoughts.
"Your name?" Mr. Edwards asks Ron.
"Ron Weasley." Ron answers.
"Ah, I've heard of you. Made a deal with your Grandfather, you might've heard about it." Mr. Edwards says.
"Yes, I know about it, sir." Ron says.
"Is he here, or are you with your parents?" Mr. Edwards asks.
"My parents." Ron answers.
"What are their names?" Mr. Edwards asks.
"Arthur and Molly Weasley." Ron answers.
"And you?" Mr. Edwards asks Harry.
Ron saw that Harry didn't want to say anything, after all his parents were deceased, so he spoke for him. "Sir, he came with me." Ron says.
Mr. Edwards didn't seem to care. "What's your name?" Mr. Edwards asks.
"Harry Potter." Harry says softly.
Mr. Edwards wrote this down not remembering who Harry was at the moment. "Your parents? I don't care that you came with whomever; I'll owl your parents." Mr. Edwards asks.
"Sir you can't." Harry starts.
"Of course I can." Mr. Edwards says.
"No, you can't!" Malfoy begins with a laugh. "See he's an orphan! His parents are dead, and even better, his Godfather's the one responsible for his parents' death."
"That's enough!" Mr. Edwards says dangerously to Malfoy. In a softer tone, he speaks to Harry, "I apologize for not putting that together. Whom are you staying with?"
"The Weasley's sir." Harry says.
"Are they your legal guardians?" Mr. Edwards asks, confused.
"Oh, no sir. My aunt and uncle are, but they're muggles." Harry explains.
"I'll talk to the Weasley's then, I hate dealing with muggles, no offense." Mr. Edwards says.
"None taken." Harry says.
"Stay here and clean yourselves up. I'll be finding your parents." Mr. Edwards says.
Mr. Edwards leaves the Leaky Cauldron. It didn't take long for him to find Mrs. Weasley. She had Ginny with her, and they had just run into the twins and Lee Jordan.
"Excuse me, Mrs. Weasley?" Mr. Edwards asks.
Mrs. Weasley turns.
"Yes?" Mrs. Weasley asks.
"Molly?" Mr. Edwards gasps.
"Robert Edwards?" Mrs. Weasley gasps.
"I didn't know you were married!" Mr. Edwards says.
"I haven't seen you in years, how are you?" Mrs. Weasley asks.
"Sir, if you didn't know my mum was married, then why did you call her Mrs. Weasley?" George asks.
"I was just coming to speak with your mother about her son, it wasn't until I recognized her that I realized who she was!" Mr. Edwards explains.
"All right, before I forget, what has Ron done now?" Molly asks.
"He's been in a fight with a few other boys. He claims another boy, Harry Potter, is staying with you as well. I know you'll take care of Ron, but at least lecture the young Potter lad, I don't want to talk with his muggle relatives, and since he's staying with you I figure you could handle him as well. How have you been though? I haven't seen you since Hogwarts!" Mr. Edwards says.
"That long?" George teases.
Mrs. Weasley smacks George in the back of the head.
"Seems like just yesterday, to be honest with you. You haven't changed a bit. Still the gorgeous Molly McTiernan I remember." Mr. Edwards says.
"You're very kind." Mrs. Weasley says blushing.
"How long do you plan on staying in Diagon Alley? I was hoping to buy you a drink in the Leaky Cauldron." Mr. Edwards says.
The twins and Ginny looked at their mother.
"For old times' sake." Mr. Edwards adds.
"Oh, all right, I suppose it wouldn't hurt, where did you say my son and his friend are?" Mrs. Weasley asks.
"At the Leaky Cauldron." Mr. Edwards says. "Can I meet you there in fifteen minutes time?"
"Sure." Mrs. Weasley says.
"Great, I'll see you then. Right now I need to speak to some other parents of the children who were in the fight." Mr. Edwards explains.
"And I need to speak with my children." Mrs. Weasley says.
Mrs. Weasley started walking toward the Leaky Cauldron, but the twins, followed by a confused Lee Jordan, and Ginny followed her.
"Who was he?" Fred asks.
"You do remember you're married, to our father!" George says.
"He's an old friend from Hogwarts, mind your business. I would never cheat on your father, if that is what you're implying George!" Mrs. Weasley says.
"But he said McTiernan, and you said fine, as if you forgot your own last name!" George says.
"He said he remembers me from yesterday, which was ages ago, and my maiden name back then, was McTiernan." Mrs. Weasley says.
The conversation was ended when they saw Ron and Harry, dried blood on Ron's face, while Harry had dirt on his robes from being kicked, while on the ground.
"Ron, Harry, outside, now!" Mrs. Weasley barks under her breath.
Ron and Harry didn't need telling twice. They left the Leaky Cauldron, while Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle snickered.
Once outside of the Leaky Cauldron, Mrs. Weasley started in a very soft whisper, in an undertone, the boys knew she was furious, but they knew she didn't want to make a scene.
"I told you NOT to get into trouble, and you PROMISED me, you wouldn't! Hermione even assured me she wouldn't allow you to cause a problem. Where is she?" She asks, though not with a dangerous tone, she sounded as if she just realized she wasn't with them and asked in a curious manner.
"We got into an argument." Ron admits.
"You started trouble with Hermione, and then with Malfoy! You wait until we get home. Harry, I know you were probably only trying to help Ron, but please do not follow or help him. He's digging himself deeper, and deeper, and he doesn't seem to hear me." Mrs. Weasley says.
"I heard you, and just to let you know, I'm right here, and I didn't start anything with anybody!" Ron says.
"I said I'd deal with you when we get home. In the meantime, go find Hermione, apologize for whatever it is you did, finish buying your school supplies, and meet me back here in a half an hour." Mrs. Weasley says.
"Yea, meet her after her date!" Fred says.
A dangerous glare came from Mrs. Weasley's eyes warning Fred to be quiet.
"What do you mean?" Ron asks.
"Nothing, I ran into a friend of mine from Hogwarts, he offered to buy me a drink? Your brothers exaggerate everything as usual." Mrs. Weasley explains curtly.
"Oh, does dad know?" Ron asks.
"He will when we return. Go find Hermione. You're in enough trouble as it is." Mrs. Weasley says.
Harry and Ron run off to find Hermione. "Ron, are you all right?" Harry asks.
"Please, Malfoy hits like a girl. I'm getting used to pain by now." Ron says.
"No, I know Malfoy didn't stand a chance against you. I was asking if you were okay with your mum, I don't know if…" Harry began, but Ron was already shaking my head.
"Of course I'm all right with it. It's not like my parents are apart, she's just going to have a drink. I know my mum loves my dad, and she would never betray him. They're just old friends catching up. Besides, this will get me out of deep trouble with my dad. When mum says I've been fighting, I'll mention her 'old friend' buying her a drink. That'll buy me a delay at least." Ron says.
Harry laughed.
"Now where is Hermione? I don't know of a library around Diagon Alley, so I'm assuming she must be at Flourish & Blotts. You know wherever a book is, Hermione can't be too far behind." Ron says.
Harry rolled his eyes, but stopped. Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw Hermione go into Gambol & Japes' Joke Shop. "That can't be right." He said aloud what he was thinking.
"I was only joking Harry." Ron says.
"No, no, Hermione just went into Gambol & Japes!" Harry says.
"Let's see what she's on about, now." Ron says.
They were about to run over to the store when Padma stopped Ron again. "Ron… may I have another word. It'll be quick." Padma assures Harry.
"Just a second." Ron says to Harry.
"I'll go catch up with Hermione." Harry says leaving.
Ron watched as Harry went into Gambol & Japes safely. He turned his attention to Padma.
"Look, I heard what Hermione said to you, and I would never use somebody. I'd think anybody else would use me, first. I mean it's not as if we're more than friends, but if we ever were that I just wanted to let you know I'd never take advantage of you. I talked to you then, because I haven't seen you all summer, and I finally got the chance to catch up. Even if I wanted you to be my boyfriend, it wouldn't have been because of Sabrina. I like you Ron, I might've been cold to you last year, but I wanted to dance, and you wouldn't ask me. I still like that we're friends now, and the reason I like you is because your personality is brilliant. I mean I love your sense of humor, and you can tell a good tale. Besides, you're attractive." Padma says.
"You think I'm attractive, for real?" Ron asks.
"Of course. I thought you might be taken already, and I wouldn't blame you if you wouldn't go for somebody like me." Padma says.
"Padma, you're the prettiest girl in our year! Well, one of the two prettiest, I mean Parvati has your looks, but you're the only girl's whoever given me this much attention without being Hermione." Ron says.
"So is she your girlfriend?" Padma asks.
"Hermione? No." Ron laughs.
"So who is then?" Padma asks.
"I was hoping you could be." Ron says.
Padma smiled, Ron grinned.
"I'll talk to you later." Padma says, and she kissed him deeply before running off blushing.
Ron prayed that none of his family or friends witnessed that. After all he was on restriction from dating after Sabrina. 'What did I get myself into now?' Ron thought in his head.
Ron entered Gambol & Japes to find Hermione and Harry talking to an old witch.
Ron browsed around; he didn't feel like getting sucked into talking to an old witch. She'd gab away for hours. He didn't get much luck though, once Harry spotted him, they gestured for him to come over. He hid his annoyed feelings and walked over to the three of them.
"Oh, Ron, how nice it is to see you again! You've been taking my Godson well, I heard." The witch says.
"I beg your pardon, mam. I don't believe I've met you before. Harry, since when did you have a Godmother?" Harry asks raising an eyebrow.
"I don't." Harry says with a wink.
"I'm lost. You know what, I don't want to know right now. My brain's got too much to deal with. You all can tell me later." Ron says starting to turn.
"Oh no, lad, but we have met before. In Hogsmeade, in your third year, I kind of broke your leg. You remember Harry's Godmother, don't you?" She asks with a wink.
"Si-" Hermione's hand clapped over his face stopping Ron from saying his name.
"Oh, good you do remember old Sierra!" The witch says giving Ron a glare.
"How?" Ron whispers.
He heard Hermione whisper, "Polyjuice Potion" in his ear. She kicked him in the ankle and he clenched his fists as the pain shot through his leg, before releasing them with a sigh.
"Would you three like to join me at the Leaky Cauldron for some tea?" The witch asks.
"Sure." Harry says. The other two follow.
They entered the Leaky Cauldron and Tom seated them to a booth. Quickly, Ron glanced around and found his mum doubling over with laughter as the Hit Wizard flirted with her. Ron swallowed hard. 'My mum would never hurt my dad. He, he can't be flirting with her, maybe just some old memories. I wonder if they dated back in their day. I hope not. Please just leave my mum alone. I don't need any more problems right now. If my mum leaves my dad for him, I'm staying with dad.' Ron thought to himself as he watched them. Mixed emotions raged through him. 'Why can't he just go away? Doesn't he have a family? Can't he go to work? If there was another commotion, he'd have to go to his job, and mum would be distracted and would remember she was supposed to meet us soon. Where can a good problem be?' He wondered. 'Wait! The problem's me!' He answered himself.
"Ron? Ron?" The old witch across from him in the booth calls.
"What?" Ron asks not wanting to tear his eyes away.
"Ron!" Hermione says. She kicks him hard in the shin.
"What?" Ron asks softly. Reluctantly, he let himself be distracted, and turned his attention to the people around him.
"What are you looking at?" Hermione asks.
"Nothing." Ron says.
Harry stood up so he could get a better look. He saw Mrs. Weasley laughing with the Hit Wizard up at the pub.
"Ron, you said it yourself, your mum loves your dad, they're just old friends catching up. It looks bad, but maybe they're just joking or something." Harry suggests.
Hermione sits up and turns around to see. "Who's your mum with?" She asks.
"The Hit Wizard, who was an old friend who went to school with her." Harry says.
"I'm just hoping a friend is all he was." Ron says.
"Well its all he is now, isn't it? Your mum's married and knows perfectly well who her husband is." Hermione says.
"They're enjoying themselves too much." Ron says.
"You're so overprotective." Hermione says.
"I think I'll go find Malfoy and cause a problem. That will make him have to go back to work again, and my mum will want to get home straight away." Ron says.
"No you won't! I promised your mum, you wouldn't cause any chaos here!" Hermione says.
"Too late." Harry says.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Hermione asks.
"Malfoy started crap. Wonder boy over there ended it though." Ron says.
"You got into trouble?" Hermione asks with anxiety in her voice.
"Yes, Harry, did you get into trouble?" The witch asks.
"He was only trying to stop it, honestly. I didn't want a part of it, but they started it, and they pushed Harry down!" Ron explains.
"Don't let your temper get to you, it can only cause you problems." The witch says wisely.
"Right. So, Sierra, you said your name was?" Ron asks.
"Yes." The witch says.
"Are you out of your mind?" Ron whispers.
"Of course it's what a few years of being a certain somewhere will do to you." The witch says. Sirius of course was talking about Azkaban, the Wizarding Prison.
"No, I meant don't you think this is a bit dangerous?" Ron whispers.
"I was thinking that." Harry says.
"Worry warts, you two are." The witch says with a grin that resembled Sirius'. "Ron, have you been made a prefect?" Sirius as the witch asks.
"No," Ron says. He looks behind him again and sees his mum writing something down. She was glowing with happiness. It wasn't her husband who was making her happy like this. 'She's going to keep in touch with him! This isn't right, this isn't fair!' Ron thought.
At that moment a window shattered in the Leaky Cauldron. Ron covered his mouth with his hand before he ran it through his hair. Harry and Hermione stared at him with anxiety and disbelief. Sirius however was looking at him with surprise and much concern.
Everyone went silent looking around. An old wizard who was playing cards stood up angrily. "Just my luck, you're a cheat, you are! Damn you to hell! Oh, sorry about your window there, Tom. REPAIRO!" The window repaired itself.
The hit wizard said goodbye to Molly and walked over to the angry man and started to talk to him. Ron breathed a sigh.
Molly started to leave when she spotted Ron's red hair. She walked over to him, and started, seeing an old witch with them.
"Mrs. Weasley, have you met Sierra?" Hermione asks.
"No, I'm afraid I haven't. Molly Weasley, please to meet you." Mrs. Weasley says shaking the witch's hand.
"A pleasure to meet you as well. Thanks for taking such good care of my Godson." She nodded toward Harry. "I'll be going now. Nice to see you all again. Take care, Harry." The witch nods. She stands up and leaves the Leaky Cauldron.
"Harry I never knew you had a Godmother… why do you have to stay with the Dursley's if you have her?" Mrs. Weasley asks.
"It's a long story." Harry says. "I'll explain at the burrow. Do you want us to help you find the twins and Ginny?" Harry offers.
"I'd appreciate that, I need to have a word with Ron, anyway." Mrs. Weasley says.
"All right, then. Come on Hermione." Harry says.
Hermione started to get up, but paused. She turned to Mrs. Weasley. "Mrs. Weasley, when Ron and Harry got in trouble, I wasn't with them, and I'm sorry I lied to you about keeping him under control." Hermione says.
"Nobody can keep him under control, and I know you tried, thank you Hermione." Mrs. Weasley says.
Harry and Hermione left the Leaky Cauldron looking for the twins and Ginny.
Ron sunk back in the booth.
"I know you were the one responsible for the window breaking. You were in here at that time, and when you lose your temper, things break, like the window. Your lucky that that man thought he did it, or you might have just gotten yourself expelled." Mrs. Weasley says.
"I didn't do it!" Ron says. Though he probably did do it, his mum had no proof, and Ron didn't want to be punished for something else.
"We'll discuss this at home." Mrs. Weasley says seeing the twins, Ginny, Harry, and Hermione enter the Leaky Cauldron.