CHAPTER THREE .
Diagon Alley
The wizarding shopping centre wasn't as crowded as usual. They walked though the arch which two seconds before had been a solid brick wall, into the Leaky Cauldron. 'Hello?' said Hermione, poking her head around the corner of the door. They walked in curiously, exchanging uneasy looks. At last, they heard movement from the door behind the bar and Tom the innkeeper's toothless face appeared. 'Mr Potter!' He said, with a mixture of horror and confusion. 'Err.sorry.' said Harry, puzzled. 'Mr Potter, are you sure you should. I mean.are you with someone?' he stammered. Hermione came around the corner. Tom stared and said 'I think I'd better let Dumbledore know that you're here!' He said, taking some floo powder from a dish behind the bar. He threw some into the fire, uttered a few words, and was gone. Harry and Hermione exchanged mystified looks and stood in silence, both examining the room from where they stood. Harry wondered what was wrong, and why Tom had gone. 'Do you understand what's going on, Hermione?' said Harry, finally. 'Everybody fears Voldemort more than before. But with the precautions Dumbledore has taken, every one is over-reacting. But you of all people, Harry- you should be more worried! Before he could reply, the innkeeper reappeared by the fireplace, looking grim. 'Mr Potter.' said Tom, seriously. This was a dramatic change from his usual, bubbly self. 'Dumbledore said that he gave you specific instructions to stay at your aunt and uncles house, and now you have left, the magic he cast to protect you has been broken. However, seeing as it's too late for you to go back now, Dumbledore says that you can stay here for the remainder of the holidays, under my care. You will not be allowed anywhere when it is dark, or when there are no authorised witches or wizards around.' He looked steadily from Harry to Hermione, checking they had been paying attention. 'Oh yes, Dumbledore wishes for you to tell me before you go out into Diagon alley, and you must not be gone for more than an hour at a time. If you are more, then I will come looking for you and bring you back here. You will not be allowed out for the rest of the holidays, if you force me to do this.' He stopped. It was evident that he did not enjoy bossing his guests around, and he was trying not to give them his usual cheerful smile and escort them upstairs. Finally he added in a hoarse whisper, 'There have been many unpleasant events here in the past few days. Most fear to approach now. The ministry has given this place high protection, and now, even though it is thoroughly safe, most people avoid it. 'Mr Potter, you will be in room 11 and Miss Granger, room 10.' he said. 'If you would like to follow me, I will lead the way.' And with that he turned and led them up an uneven staircase, sparsely covered in a red threadbare carpet. Harry recognised room 11, and he remembered that he had stayed in it once before at the beginning of his third year. There were evidently no other guests staying because all the other doors were wide open, and the smell of Mrs Skowers All-purpose magical mess remover was drifting out. 'Your trunks will be brought up soon.' Tom added as he turned to go back downstairs. 'I'm sure he'll calm down soon.' said Harry nervously to Hermione. 'I think we should just do what he says. And Harry, be on guard.' 'Right.' said Harry, and with that thought, they separated into their rooms.
It wasn't until two weeks later that they realised how fast time had been going by. It was a sunny Saturday morning, the last day of the holidays, and Harry could hear a chorus of birds singing outside his bedroom window. Hedwig gave a good morning hoot as Harry pushed his round glasses up his nose. 'Good morning Hedwig.' Harry said groggily in reply. He heard creaking floorboards next-door, which told him that Hermione, was already up. Yawning, Harry climbed out of bed and rummaged in his trunk for some clothes. In the next room, Hermione was pacing up and down, agitated. Where could she have put it? She thought back to when she had last used it. It had been last night, she had been studying it before she went to bed, and then put it on her bedside table. She groaned inwardly. Harry couldn't have taken it could he? She would have to ask him. She walked down the corridor and tapped gently on Harry's bedroom door. 'Harry,' she said quietly, so as not to disturb him if he were still asleep. She heard Harry's footsteps padding towards the door, and a second later, a fully dressed Harry appeared at the bedroom door, his un-brushed black hair even wilder than usual. 'Harry!' said Hermione before he had a chance to greet her. 'Did you take anything from my room last night?' Harry was surprised to see Hermione so flustered. He frowned. 'No.' He said 'Why would I?' He asked, giving Hermione a curious look. 'Oh.' Hermione sighed. 'It's just that my miniature moving modal of the galaxy that my parents gave me as an early birthday present has gone!' Harry recalled seeing one of these on his first visit to Diagon Alley on his 11th Birthday. He also recalled the price and understood why Hermione was so anxious about it. 'I'll have to ask Tom- it's quite a large thing to be able to hide itself.' she added. Harry had been right about Tom calming down, because as the two weeks had passed, he had become a lot less hostile towards them. 'I'm sure it'll turn up.' said Harry, but there was something disconcerting, even in an object going missing, because there was the ever- increasing possibility that Lord Voldemort was behind it. Harry shook himself. Of course Lord Voldemort wasn't behind it. Hermione had probably just misplaced it. Tom the innkeeper hadn't seen it either, which made Hermione even more anxious, but she seemed to calm down slightly after having some breakfast. 'Why don't' we get our school equipment?' said Harry as soon as they had finished breakfast. The thought of school seemed to cheer Hermione up considerably. 'Oh yes!' said Hermione brightly 'I needed to get that book on advanced transfiguration...' 'I'll just get my money.' said Harry running up the stairs, relieved that he had managed to take Hermione's mind off her galaxy model. Ten minutes later, they were walking along the cobbled street, Diagon Alley. 'I haven't had this much fun all summer!' said Hermione happily as they walked out of Flourish and Blotts, arms full of glossy new spell books. Harry laughed, and then laughed even more as Hermione walked straight into a stack of neatly stacked cauldrons which clattered all over the street. Hermione let out an exasperated 'Honestly' but Harry could see she was trying not to laugh as an old and dignified wizard waggled his finger at her and told her to stop 'goofing around.' When all the cauldrons had been restored to their rightful place and the old wizard was out of sight, Harry and Hermione burst out laughing. Five minutes later they were still in hysterics, and it wasn't until Harry felt a tap on his shoulder, that they finally stopped. Harry turned round slowly, hoping it wasn't the old man with more tirades about 'Youths of today,' but instead, a red haired, freckled faced boy of fifteen was staring at them trying to look disapproving. It was Ron Weasley, Harry and Hermione's best friend. 'It's about time you two!' he said imploringly. 'I thought you were choking!' This sent them all into more fits of hysterics. 'I thought you were the old man!' Harry managed to splutter through his laughter. Ron tried to look offended, whilst screwing up his face trying to restrain himself from laughing, but failed. By the time they had all stopped laughing, there was no need for greeting each other, and so Harry suggested that they all go and get a sundae from Florean Fortesques ice cream parlour. 'Where have you been?' asked Ron as they sat under the bright umbrellas eating Florean's refreshing ice creams. 'Well, until three weeks ago, we were both at our houses, and then we came here,' said Harry. 'Why didn't you send Pig? I would have sent you an owl, but Hedwig was out all summer with a letter for Hermione.' Ron looked puzzled at this. 'Pig only came back yesterday; it's the first time he's failed to get a letter to someone. I sent him at the beginning of the holidays with a letter to you Harry, and I assumed that he was just resting with Hedwig, but then he came back, still holding the letter. I tried to borrow Hermes, but he was out. And Errol.Errol died.' Harry didn't know whether to be glad about this or not- Ron had moaned about Errol continuously, so perhaps he would be pleased- the Weasleys might be getting a new owl. They were all silent for a moment, pondering on what could have happened, and then Hermione began to explain the events of the holidays to Ron, prompted occasionally by Harry. After they had finished their ice cream, Harry told Ron and Hermione that he needed to go to the Magical Creatures shop for some ointment for Hedwig's sore leg which hadn't been getting any better. Ron went in first, and Harry saw him grin at someone in the shop. He walked in, expected to see another Weasley, but instead, he saw the large red face of Hagrid beaming down at him. 'Harry!' he boomed (his voice rattling some of the cages hanging from the ceiling.) 'Good to see yeh! Having a good holiday I hope?' Harry nodded, but something in Hagrid's hand had just caught his interest. It was a box of dragon food, the type he had seen lying around the Weasleys' household last summer, which Charlie had brought home. 'Um.Hagrid.what have you got Dragon food for?' Harry asked curiously, he saw Ron and Hermione looking curiously at Hagrid as well. 'Oh, err. it's for a friend, who keeps dragons in um. Brazil. Oh I'd really better go, see yeh at school.' And with that he swept out of the shop, his face a deep shade of plum. That evening, Ron, Hermione and Harry returned to the Leaky Cauldron, feeling happy and relaxed. Ron and the rest of the Weasleys were planning to spend the last night there. The Weasleys greeted Harry very warmly, as usual; however they were obviously very concerned. Mr. Weasley, according to Ron, had not been home for the past few weeks, working seriously overtime. Harry assumed this was due to the precautions the ministry was setting up for protections against Voldemort. Harry was about to ask him whether there was any news about it, but when he approached, Harry noticed him looking very strained, as though he'd rather not talk about it. They enjoyed a delicious, but quiet supper in the parlour at the leaky cauldron, and then went to bed, to get enough sleep for the early rise the next day.
Diagon Alley
The wizarding shopping centre wasn't as crowded as usual. They walked though the arch which two seconds before had been a solid brick wall, into the Leaky Cauldron. 'Hello?' said Hermione, poking her head around the corner of the door. They walked in curiously, exchanging uneasy looks. At last, they heard movement from the door behind the bar and Tom the innkeeper's toothless face appeared. 'Mr Potter!' He said, with a mixture of horror and confusion. 'Err.sorry.' said Harry, puzzled. 'Mr Potter, are you sure you should. I mean.are you with someone?' he stammered. Hermione came around the corner. Tom stared and said 'I think I'd better let Dumbledore know that you're here!' He said, taking some floo powder from a dish behind the bar. He threw some into the fire, uttered a few words, and was gone. Harry and Hermione exchanged mystified looks and stood in silence, both examining the room from where they stood. Harry wondered what was wrong, and why Tom had gone. 'Do you understand what's going on, Hermione?' said Harry, finally. 'Everybody fears Voldemort more than before. But with the precautions Dumbledore has taken, every one is over-reacting. But you of all people, Harry- you should be more worried! Before he could reply, the innkeeper reappeared by the fireplace, looking grim. 'Mr Potter.' said Tom, seriously. This was a dramatic change from his usual, bubbly self. 'Dumbledore said that he gave you specific instructions to stay at your aunt and uncles house, and now you have left, the magic he cast to protect you has been broken. However, seeing as it's too late for you to go back now, Dumbledore says that you can stay here for the remainder of the holidays, under my care. You will not be allowed anywhere when it is dark, or when there are no authorised witches or wizards around.' He looked steadily from Harry to Hermione, checking they had been paying attention. 'Oh yes, Dumbledore wishes for you to tell me before you go out into Diagon alley, and you must not be gone for more than an hour at a time. If you are more, then I will come looking for you and bring you back here. You will not be allowed out for the rest of the holidays, if you force me to do this.' He stopped. It was evident that he did not enjoy bossing his guests around, and he was trying not to give them his usual cheerful smile and escort them upstairs. Finally he added in a hoarse whisper, 'There have been many unpleasant events here in the past few days. Most fear to approach now. The ministry has given this place high protection, and now, even though it is thoroughly safe, most people avoid it. 'Mr Potter, you will be in room 11 and Miss Granger, room 10.' he said. 'If you would like to follow me, I will lead the way.' And with that he turned and led them up an uneven staircase, sparsely covered in a red threadbare carpet. Harry recognised room 11, and he remembered that he had stayed in it once before at the beginning of his third year. There were evidently no other guests staying because all the other doors were wide open, and the smell of Mrs Skowers All-purpose magical mess remover was drifting out. 'Your trunks will be brought up soon.' Tom added as he turned to go back downstairs. 'I'm sure he'll calm down soon.' said Harry nervously to Hermione. 'I think we should just do what he says. And Harry, be on guard.' 'Right.' said Harry, and with that thought, they separated into their rooms.
It wasn't until two weeks later that they realised how fast time had been going by. It was a sunny Saturday morning, the last day of the holidays, and Harry could hear a chorus of birds singing outside his bedroom window. Hedwig gave a good morning hoot as Harry pushed his round glasses up his nose. 'Good morning Hedwig.' Harry said groggily in reply. He heard creaking floorboards next-door, which told him that Hermione, was already up. Yawning, Harry climbed out of bed and rummaged in his trunk for some clothes. In the next room, Hermione was pacing up and down, agitated. Where could she have put it? She thought back to when she had last used it. It had been last night, she had been studying it before she went to bed, and then put it on her bedside table. She groaned inwardly. Harry couldn't have taken it could he? She would have to ask him. She walked down the corridor and tapped gently on Harry's bedroom door. 'Harry,' she said quietly, so as not to disturb him if he were still asleep. She heard Harry's footsteps padding towards the door, and a second later, a fully dressed Harry appeared at the bedroom door, his un-brushed black hair even wilder than usual. 'Harry!' said Hermione before he had a chance to greet her. 'Did you take anything from my room last night?' Harry was surprised to see Hermione so flustered. He frowned. 'No.' He said 'Why would I?' He asked, giving Hermione a curious look. 'Oh.' Hermione sighed. 'It's just that my miniature moving modal of the galaxy that my parents gave me as an early birthday present has gone!' Harry recalled seeing one of these on his first visit to Diagon Alley on his 11th Birthday. He also recalled the price and understood why Hermione was so anxious about it. 'I'll have to ask Tom- it's quite a large thing to be able to hide itself.' she added. Harry had been right about Tom calming down, because as the two weeks had passed, he had become a lot less hostile towards them. 'I'm sure it'll turn up.' said Harry, but there was something disconcerting, even in an object going missing, because there was the ever- increasing possibility that Lord Voldemort was behind it. Harry shook himself. Of course Lord Voldemort wasn't behind it. Hermione had probably just misplaced it. Tom the innkeeper hadn't seen it either, which made Hermione even more anxious, but she seemed to calm down slightly after having some breakfast. 'Why don't' we get our school equipment?' said Harry as soon as they had finished breakfast. The thought of school seemed to cheer Hermione up considerably. 'Oh yes!' said Hermione brightly 'I needed to get that book on advanced transfiguration...' 'I'll just get my money.' said Harry running up the stairs, relieved that he had managed to take Hermione's mind off her galaxy model. Ten minutes later, they were walking along the cobbled street, Diagon Alley. 'I haven't had this much fun all summer!' said Hermione happily as they walked out of Flourish and Blotts, arms full of glossy new spell books. Harry laughed, and then laughed even more as Hermione walked straight into a stack of neatly stacked cauldrons which clattered all over the street. Hermione let out an exasperated 'Honestly' but Harry could see she was trying not to laugh as an old and dignified wizard waggled his finger at her and told her to stop 'goofing around.' When all the cauldrons had been restored to their rightful place and the old wizard was out of sight, Harry and Hermione burst out laughing. Five minutes later they were still in hysterics, and it wasn't until Harry felt a tap on his shoulder, that they finally stopped. Harry turned round slowly, hoping it wasn't the old man with more tirades about 'Youths of today,' but instead, a red haired, freckled faced boy of fifteen was staring at them trying to look disapproving. It was Ron Weasley, Harry and Hermione's best friend. 'It's about time you two!' he said imploringly. 'I thought you were choking!' This sent them all into more fits of hysterics. 'I thought you were the old man!' Harry managed to splutter through his laughter. Ron tried to look offended, whilst screwing up his face trying to restrain himself from laughing, but failed. By the time they had all stopped laughing, there was no need for greeting each other, and so Harry suggested that they all go and get a sundae from Florean Fortesques ice cream parlour. 'Where have you been?' asked Ron as they sat under the bright umbrellas eating Florean's refreshing ice creams. 'Well, until three weeks ago, we were both at our houses, and then we came here,' said Harry. 'Why didn't you send Pig? I would have sent you an owl, but Hedwig was out all summer with a letter for Hermione.' Ron looked puzzled at this. 'Pig only came back yesterday; it's the first time he's failed to get a letter to someone. I sent him at the beginning of the holidays with a letter to you Harry, and I assumed that he was just resting with Hedwig, but then he came back, still holding the letter. I tried to borrow Hermes, but he was out. And Errol.Errol died.' Harry didn't know whether to be glad about this or not- Ron had moaned about Errol continuously, so perhaps he would be pleased- the Weasleys might be getting a new owl. They were all silent for a moment, pondering on what could have happened, and then Hermione began to explain the events of the holidays to Ron, prompted occasionally by Harry. After they had finished their ice cream, Harry told Ron and Hermione that he needed to go to the Magical Creatures shop for some ointment for Hedwig's sore leg which hadn't been getting any better. Ron went in first, and Harry saw him grin at someone in the shop. He walked in, expected to see another Weasley, but instead, he saw the large red face of Hagrid beaming down at him. 'Harry!' he boomed (his voice rattling some of the cages hanging from the ceiling.) 'Good to see yeh! Having a good holiday I hope?' Harry nodded, but something in Hagrid's hand had just caught his interest. It was a box of dragon food, the type he had seen lying around the Weasleys' household last summer, which Charlie had brought home. 'Um.Hagrid.what have you got Dragon food for?' Harry asked curiously, he saw Ron and Hermione looking curiously at Hagrid as well. 'Oh, err. it's for a friend, who keeps dragons in um. Brazil. Oh I'd really better go, see yeh at school.' And with that he swept out of the shop, his face a deep shade of plum. That evening, Ron, Hermione and Harry returned to the Leaky Cauldron, feeling happy and relaxed. Ron and the rest of the Weasleys were planning to spend the last night there. The Weasleys greeted Harry very warmly, as usual; however they were obviously very concerned. Mr. Weasley, according to Ron, had not been home for the past few weeks, working seriously overtime. Harry assumed this was due to the precautions the ministry was setting up for protections against Voldemort. Harry was about to ask him whether there was any news about it, but when he approached, Harry noticed him looking very strained, as though he'd rather not talk about it. They enjoyed a delicious, but quiet supper in the parlour at the leaky cauldron, and then went to bed, to get enough sleep for the early rise the next day.