1(ii)
Mrs. Weasley, who was learning to drive, offered to drive them to Diagon alley.
'No, no, there's no need!' everyone said in unison.
'Ah, there's no need to be so courteous, no trouble at all, I've nothing to do and you'll have your heavy books on the way back, I'd better drive.'
Everyone was Horrified as Mrs. Weasley started the car and drove off. Mrs. Weasley had just learnt to drive that week and was still not very proficient.
Even though he knew the car was enchanted and could not crash, Harry felt himself gripping his seat every time Mrs. Weasley went round a corner at 100km/h.
'So how's my driving?' Mrs. Weasley asked for the millionth time, narrowly missing two muggle cars, which jumped out of the car's way. 'I've been taking lessons from Arthur for weeks!'
'It's… Very… Good…' Harry replied, his stomach churning.
Mrs. Weasley looked at him, which made him wish that she were keeping her eves on the road instead of him.
'Are you alright, Harry dear?' she asked concernedly ' You look pale.'
Luckily, Harry was saved the dilemma of answering her question as they arrived at Diagon alley. The five of them got down first while Mrs. Weasley went to park the car.
'Whew… glad that's over. Does your mom always drive so badly?'
'Bad?' Ron was incredulous. 'That was one of her better days!'
Mrs. Weasley's Driving had become somewhat of a private joke. The two of them laughed and went in.
When they were in Diagon alley, they split up to get the things they needed. George went off with Fred, while Harry, Ginny and Ron walked toward Flourishes' and Blotts' for their new books.
'Looks like we have a new subject this year, Advanced Dark Arts Defence', Harry said.
'Really? Who's our teacher? Not Snape, I hope.'
'No, it's not Snape. Hey, you're never going to believe this!'
'What?'
'Ron… It's Sirius!'
Sirius, of course, was Harry's fugitive Godfather.
'Really? Why is he teaching at Hogwarts?'
'Dunno… Something to do with Voldemort, d'you reckon?'
Ron winced. 'Yeah, that must be it. He wants to keep an eye on you or something…'
They noticed that passers-by were looking at them curiously, so they bought their books and went back to meet Fred and George. Harry couldn't stop thinking. Had Sirius been granted his freedom, in light of Voldemort's return?
Fred and George were there already, standing in front of their shop, dressed in magicians' capes. They looked quite ridiculous and Harry almost didn't recognize them.
'Welcome one, welcome all to the Grand Opening of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes! We have something for everyone! Practical Jokes, revenge, we're the place to come! Weasley's Wizard Wheezes – We'll make you wheeze! Alright! This is it! The Shop is now open! First twenty customers get a free Trick Wand!' And with that, Fred and George Pressed a large rubber chicken, which gave a squawk and opened the door of the shop. Customers poured in.
'Wow. Looks like people really need a good laugh.' said Ginny, marveling at the never-ending flow of wizards and witches flocking to the small shop.
'Yeah, glad they're so successful.' said Ron.
Harry didn't get a chance to say anything, for from behind him came a voice.
' 'arry! 'Ow are you?'
Harry spun around to find a stunningly beautiful girl in front of him. Not as pretty as my Ginny though, he found himself thinking. He struggled to remember where he had seen her before…
'You do not remember me?' The girl looked hurt.
Who was she? Thinkthinkthink… Ah, Fleur! From the Triwizard Tournament.
'Oh, Fleur!'
The girl looked slightly happier.
'Yes, it is me! I 'ave a job here! I am 'oping to improve my Eenglish.'
'Really? Well, see you around, then. We're going to get our books for school.'
Fleur grinned and bade them farewell. 'See you around then! ' she said cheerfully.
As they were walking, Harry noticed the look on Ginny's face.
'Ginny, what's the matter?' He asked, concerned.
'Nothing…' She said, but the look on her face remained.
'There's nothing between me and her.'
'But…but the way you were looking at her... and she's so much prettier than me…' Ginny's voice trailed off.
'How could you ever think that? You know I love you! Sorry, Ron.' He said, for Ron was pulling a disgusted sort of face and had suddenly become interested in a beetle on the glass window of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes.
They proceeded to buy their books and quills for the next year. Harry needed refills for his Potions set. They proceeded to Fred and George's shop, as Fred and George couldn't cope with the constant flow of customers. They spent an uneventful afternoon at the joke shop, marveling at Fred and George's new ideas.