Author's Notes:
Ok, guys, I am so sorry it too this long, but I have been absolutely swamped with work. Now that I have winter break, my creative juices are flowing again, and my little fairy has come back to her perching place on my shoulder to whisper ideas in my ear. Hopefully, I will get a couple more chapters done over this break.
To my faithful reviewers, whom I love so dearly:
Gemini Allora Drazel: Dreams are my favorite way to let a reader know what the character is thinking... Look and see if you get my symbolism, or maybe I'mbeing so creative noone will be able to tell :)
usha 8: yay! the fairy is back!
milkyway: thanks, see my responses to usha 8 and Gemini Allora Drazel.
Ellie Love: I know what you mean, I share your work problem!
Samgirl: Sorry for the delay, I hope there will be more in this next week and a half.
Loki-goddess of destruction: I hate slow updaters too. Most unfortunately, I am one of them.
Gods fire angel: Of course I can write! There is nothing wrong with Harry and Hermione, they are just 15 and going through all that teenage stuff.
jennycraig10: I am so happy I have supporters like you!
anonymous: thanks so much, even though i know who you are!
itsumademo mamoru: I wasn't aware that people felt I was out the story. I personally hate stories that move slowly, I need things to be quick-paced to keep my attention. Sorry about the paragraphing--I put them in, anf ffnet took them out. Hopefully this chapter will come out better formatted.
Claire Starling: I knew I could count on you for a good review!
ME: thank you sweetie, here is more!
Whew, sorry, that took almost a whole page! Now onto chapter three!!
CHAPTER THREE
After donning two very mismatched socks, due to the state of chaos in his trunk, Harry made his way down to the main pub on the ground floor, feeling a bit like a house-elf friend of his.
He joined Ron and Hermione at the bar, and waited with them for Tom to come and take their orders for breakfast. They were waiting, because the elderly innkeeper was involved in a conversation of sorts with a tiny, wrinkled witch who looked like she could have been related to Professor Flitwick, Harry's charms teacher at Hogwarts.
The dwarfish woman was almost purple in the face, demanding that Tom serve her a slice of pie.
she cried, PIE! DO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT IS, YOUNG MAN?
he said, exasperatedly, That's what I'm trying to give you. All I want to know is what kind of pie you want, ma'am!
ARE YOU DEAF? shouted the witch, I said PIE!
By now, all of the patrons of the Leaky Cauldron were focused on the duo, with bemused grins on their faces and their hands over their ears.
Bit thick, isn't she? commented Ron. Hermione elbowed him.
Shh, she might hear! she whispered
I don't think there's a chance of that happening, hon, Harry said. He proceeded to immediately turn a painful shade of crimson and relocated his hands from his ears to his mouth. Luckily, though, Hermione was distracted by the spectacle before them:
Tom had finally just put a piece of pie down in front of the woman, pointed at it, and said loudly and clearly,
Oh, pie? she echoed in an astonished voice, Well, why didn't you say so?? With that, she buried her face in the pie plate, and began to munch noisily and with great gusto. She didn't seem to want to bother with any tools such as a fork or her fingers.
***
The streets of Diagon Alley were filled with Hogwarts students like themselves, getting their last-minute shopping done before the start of term. Hermione chattered excitedly as they walked, telling them all about the two weeks she had spent in Bulgaria with Viktor Krum.
Viktor took me to the most interesting places! The bookshops were spectacular, I begged Viktor to teach me Bulgarian so that I could understand some of them. Of course, I also bought some English translations. I've learned ten new spells already!
As Hermione prattled on in her fashion, Ron muttered to Harry, Leave it to Hermione to visit her boyfriend in a foreign country and come back talking about the books!
At the mention of the word boyfriend, Harry's stomach did a flip. He clenched his fists and turned to look at Ron, and then stopped. Why was he mad at Ron? He shook his head, and followed with Ron as they tried to keep up with Hermione. But as Hermione kept talking about her holiday, and Viktor, Harry's stomach kept sinking lower and lower.
And then we went to a little art gallery, the funniest paintings by an old warlock--
Hey! Will you look at that! Hermione was interrupted by Ron's enthusiastic announcement. They've got the next model of the Firebolt!
And indeed, the front window of Quality Quidditch supplies was nearly eclipsed by a large red banner proclaiming, FIREBOLT 150! THE FASTEST EVER! In smaller letters underneath was written price on request. Relieved, Harry pulled Ron away from Hermione and her talk of Bulgaria and Viktor.
They advanced toward the window, shoving their way through the throng of Quidditch fans to get a good look at the broomstick. It looked amazingly fast and agile. Every twig appeared to be streamlined perfectly, and the handle was shiny, smooth and came in a choice of colors, each with Firebolt 150 in gold foil on the end.
Hermione dragged them back out of the mass of people. Honestly, I love Quidditch as much as the next person, but we have more important things to do! For instance, Ron, look at your robes, they're getting frayed at the hems, and I need to visit Madam Malkin's anyway. We can all get our new robes.
As Harry and Ron followed Hermione down the street towards Madame Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, Ron mimicked Hermione silently behind her back, screwing up his face and mouthing orders at Harry. Harry felt his face turn red, and said to Ron angrily, That's not very nice, you know! Hermione spun around. What's going on? Ron and Harry were surprised at how much she resembled Professor McGonagall at the moment.
Nothing! Nothing at all, they stammered.
I thought it was funny, whispered Ron apologetically, once Hermione had turned around again.
Well, it wasn't, answered Harry shortly.
Just then, they reached the shop. A small bell tinkled as they stepped inside, and a small witch bustled to the front of the shop. Harry and Ron just ordered their usual set of Hogwarts uniforms. Hermione however, had more in mind.
Don't mind me, she called from the dressing room, I'll be out in a minute. I just want to have something else to wear in case there's anything formal, like the Yule Ball last year.
Don't you have your dress robes from last year? called Ron quizzically.
Those are from last year, Ron! came the muffled reply.
Oh, brother, said Ron, Harry, I'll meet up with you guys by Florean Fortescue's -- I need food, and I can't take any more school shopping!
said Harry, but if we aren't there in fifteen minutes, come rescue me!
While he waited for Hermione, Harry paid for his purchases and then sat down on an upholstered stool. Moments later, Hermione emerged from the dressing room in beautiful, sweeping robes of midnight blue.
Turning around to reveal a strip of milky skin, she blushed and asked apologetically, I'm sorry, Harry, but would you zip it up for me?