A CHILL IN DIAGON ALLEY
Two days later, Mrs. Weasley announced that they would visit Diagon Alley for their supplies. This was always a bit of an embarrassing time for Harry; though the Weasleys were the richest family they had ever met in spirit, in terms of money, they were not well-off. Harry had been left enough gold to last him through his school years, and he could be quite comfortable. While Harry could get new robes, books and other school things each year, Ron had to endure used items. Harry never tried to buy anything for the Weasleys though, it would only embarrass Ron and Ron's ears went pink enough at the sight of his robes.
And less than an hour after Mrs. Weasley had announced the trip, they were off. Hermione, Ron and Harry decided to split up from the group, they would handle all of their own shopping. Mrs. Weasley gave Ron a small bag of Galleons, Sickles and Knuts to purchase all of his supplies, and Harry felt HIS ears turn pink, for they had only just visited Gringott's, where Harry had retrieved a large bag of Galleons.
As the three walked down the streets together, Harry noticed a change in the Alley. No one shopped alone, and everyone seemed in a hurry to get home. There was a bit of a chill about the place which Harry had never known, but he supposed it had been this way when Voldemort had first risen. Everyone nervous, everyone wanting to get home. Voldemort had ruined lives- oh, God, Sirius. He had managed to not think-
"Harry, is anything wrong?" Hermione interrupted.
"Oh, no, nothing." mumbled Harry.
"Well, I asked you if you wanted to go for an ice cream." said Hermione.
"Sure. I'd love to!" said Harry, with fake enthusiasm, which Hermione and Ron saw right through but didn't mention, for which Harry was thankful. Suddenly anything he noticed was connected to Sirius. The Shrieking Shack, a broomstick that reminded Harry of his Firebolt Sirius had sent him. A tear came up in his eye, he forced it down. 'You're sixteen years old. Stop it,' he told himself.
As the day tore on, Harry managed to take his thoughts off Sirius. For the most part, at least. As the trio enjoyed sundaes, they discussed their summers, for Hermione had been vacationing in Brussels with her family (oh, there were so many WONDERFUL museums) and had not seen Ron all summer, as she had the summer before. Ron had spent his summer at Grimmauld Place, and he was not nearly as enthusiastic as Hermione.
"Although," he said, "it is interesting sometimes. Secret meetings. People there all the time, rushing in and out. But I don't get a word of the news- thanks to Mum."
And so Harry told them of his summer.
"Lying in bed. Thinking."
Hermione looked at Harry sympathetically, and Ron suddenly looked uncomfortable.
"Well, are we ready to go? We've got quite a bit to do." Ron then said, startling Harry.
And at the end of the day, all three carrying supplies, they walked to their rooms.
"Goodnight, Harry," said Hermione, "goodnight Ron."
And with the Ron, Hermione seemed to have a shine in her eye that she didn't have when she had said goodnight to Harry.
"Goodnight, Hermione!" said Ron excitedly. Harry saw something there he hadn't seen before (tale as old as time.). Something between Ron and Hermione, something almost- well, romantic!
"G'night, Hermione," Harry said, appreciatively. Friends like these were hard to come by.
Two days later, Mrs. Weasley announced that they would visit Diagon Alley for their supplies. This was always a bit of an embarrassing time for Harry; though the Weasleys were the richest family they had ever met in spirit, in terms of money, they were not well-off. Harry had been left enough gold to last him through his school years, and he could be quite comfortable. While Harry could get new robes, books and other school things each year, Ron had to endure used items. Harry never tried to buy anything for the Weasleys though, it would only embarrass Ron and Ron's ears went pink enough at the sight of his robes.
And less than an hour after Mrs. Weasley had announced the trip, they were off. Hermione, Ron and Harry decided to split up from the group, they would handle all of their own shopping. Mrs. Weasley gave Ron a small bag of Galleons, Sickles and Knuts to purchase all of his supplies, and Harry felt HIS ears turn pink, for they had only just visited Gringott's, where Harry had retrieved a large bag of Galleons.
As the three walked down the streets together, Harry noticed a change in the Alley. No one shopped alone, and everyone seemed in a hurry to get home. There was a bit of a chill about the place which Harry had never known, but he supposed it had been this way when Voldemort had first risen. Everyone nervous, everyone wanting to get home. Voldemort had ruined lives- oh, God, Sirius. He had managed to not think-
"Harry, is anything wrong?" Hermione interrupted.
"Oh, no, nothing." mumbled Harry.
"Well, I asked you if you wanted to go for an ice cream." said Hermione.
"Sure. I'd love to!" said Harry, with fake enthusiasm, which Hermione and Ron saw right through but didn't mention, for which Harry was thankful. Suddenly anything he noticed was connected to Sirius. The Shrieking Shack, a broomstick that reminded Harry of his Firebolt Sirius had sent him. A tear came up in his eye, he forced it down. 'You're sixteen years old. Stop it,' he told himself.
As the day tore on, Harry managed to take his thoughts off Sirius. For the most part, at least. As the trio enjoyed sundaes, they discussed their summers, for Hermione had been vacationing in Brussels with her family (oh, there were so many WONDERFUL museums) and had not seen Ron all summer, as she had the summer before. Ron had spent his summer at Grimmauld Place, and he was not nearly as enthusiastic as Hermione.
"Although," he said, "it is interesting sometimes. Secret meetings. People there all the time, rushing in and out. But I don't get a word of the news- thanks to Mum."
And so Harry told them of his summer.
"Lying in bed. Thinking."
Hermione looked at Harry sympathetically, and Ron suddenly looked uncomfortable.
"Well, are we ready to go? We've got quite a bit to do." Ron then said, startling Harry.
And at the end of the day, all three carrying supplies, they walked to their rooms.
"Goodnight, Harry," said Hermione, "goodnight Ron."
And with the Ron, Hermione seemed to have a shine in her eye that she didn't have when she had said goodnight to Harry.
"Goodnight, Hermione!" said Ron excitedly. Harry saw something there he hadn't seen before (tale as old as time.). Something between Ron and Hermione, something almost- well, romantic!
"G'night, Hermione," Harry said, appreciatively. Friends like these were hard to come by.