Chapter Six: Off to Diagon Alley
The three friends spent the rest of the summer together at the Burrow, except for Harry who spent a brief stint in number 12 Grimmauld Place. Remus Lupin was now living in the house, keeping it up for the other members of the Order of the Phoenix. He was still have problems with Kreacher, the old house elf who had snitched on them, only now they kept the creature more or less contained, as they didn't want to risk giving the vindictive little guy clothes to go free. They were afraid he might reveal their secrets, and that was something they didn't want. As it was, they were still searching for a new place to lay low, as they were afraid Lucius Malfoy might have more than enough information to find them.
Ron and Hermione stayed as cheerful as they could around Harry, and they tried to make him smile and join them in their activities. Sometimes Harry wanted to join in, but mostly he kept to himself. He wasn't always in Ron's room. Very often they found him in the living room, or sometimes sitting outside under a tree, but every time they found him alone he was sitting with a quiet expression on his face, deep in thought. They all knew what he was thinking about.
The arrival of Dean Thomas caused a change only in Ginny. All of sudden she started acting giddy and excited. She wanted everyone to go places together, but with Harry seemingly out of commission it was always Ron and Hermione who went along. Ginny mused to herself that it was as though they were on a double date, except Ron and Hermione were merely platonic and Ron kept throwing Dean looks whenever he would get to Ginny. Hermione thought Ron would practically have a heart attack when Dean took Ginny's hand as they walked down the street on their way to have some lunch.
"Ron, don't," Hermione said, and she pulled him back by his arm to create a little distance between the two pairs. "Ginny's a big girl now Ron. You're going to have to get used to that."
"It's just I don't trust Dean, that's all," said Ron, though Hermione.
"Since when?" Hermione asked. "You've know Dean Thomas for almost six years now, and you've never said a nasty word about him. Not even a complaint, as far as I know, and that's saying something coming from you."
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?" Ron said.
"It just means you need to have more faith in people," said Hermione. "Ginny can take care of herself. She's stronger than you think. You know that. How many people can be possessed by Voldemort-"
"DON'T SAY THAT!" Ron exclaimed. "He could be ANYWHERE!"
"Oh, Ron, just get used to it!" Hermione exclaimed. "Yes, he could be anywhere, and horrible things could be lurking just around the corner, but what kind of a life will you have if you live it in fear?!"
Ron was taken aback by Hermione's comment. She sounded so brave, yet her face gave her away. "You're really frightened by all of this, aren't you?" he asked.
Hermione sighed, "Well, it IS scary, Ron. I mean, with just a few little words, all the things I love could be lost. I mean, we came so close to death recently."
"Aww, don't worry Hermione," Ron said, and they started to walk. "I'll take care of you." He put his arm around her, and then instantly began to wonder why. "Me and Harry, of course."
"Yes. Yes, you always have," Hermione murmured.
* * *
Soon before school was scheduled to begin, the usual letters came in the mail. This time they were accompanied by official looking letters from the Wizarding Examination Authority. "Out O.W.L. scores!" Hermione exclaimed excitedly. "I was wondering when they'd come!" She eagerly teared into hers, while Harry and Ron were reluctant.
Though they could tell by the beaming smile on Hermione's face that she had gotten Outstanding O.W.L.'s in ALL her subjects, Ron tentatively asked, "How'd you do?"
Hermione flung her arms around Ron's neck and hugged him tight, surprising herself, Harry and especially Ron. "Oh, Ron, I got Outstanding in everything! Everything!"
"Uhhh. wow Hermione," said Ron. "I bet that's some kind of record or something." He wasn't sure what to do, except hug her back. However, this motion seemed to stir something in Hermione and she tensed and pulled away.
"Sorry 'bout that," she said. "I just got carried away, I guess."
"Oh," said Ron, only half listening. "It's. uh. it's okay."
"Well, come on, come on, open yours," said Hermione, and she stood and waited until Harry and Ron had opened their envelopes.
"All right!" exclaimed Harry, with the first genuine smile on his face since the end of the year. "I passed Potions!"
"Hey, me too!" Ron exclaimed. "Don't imagine Snape wants me back in his class though."
Hermione looked over his shoulder at his paper. "And you said you thought they asked for a lot to become a Healer. Ron, you've got really good grades here. I'm so proud of both of you."
Harry smiled, but Ron positively beamed, and felt his cheeks go flush. "Well, maybe a career as a Healer wouldn't be such a bad idea after all.."
Mrs. Weasley came into the room at the commotion and soon joined in the excitement of the three friends. She hugged Ron so hard he thought he would run out of air, and then she did the same to Harry and Hermione. "Oh, dears, I'm so proud of you all. Couldn't be prouder of Harry and Hermione if they were my own children!"
"Thank you so much, Mrs. Weasley," said Hermione. "And there's more to be proud about. Looks like Ginny's the new prefect." Hermione gestured toward Ginny, who was standing with her badge much the same way Ron had done when he was first made the prefect of Gryffindor.
"Oh, Ginny! Another prefect in the family! It's so wonderful!" Mrs. Weasley gushed. "And Fred and George doing so well with the joke shop. Granted I would have wanted them to finish at Hogwarts, but. oh, this calls for a celebration! Let's get your father and go to Diagon Alley for dinner. While we're there we can get your supplies for this year!"
"Sounds great mum," said Ginny and she left the room to tell Dean the plan.
* * *
That night, most of the Weasley family, along with Harry and Hermione were sitting in the Leaky Cauldron enjoying a wonderful meal. They had spent the day in Diagon Alley, and while they waited for Mr. Weasley to arrive for dinner they bought all their school supplies. Ron and Hermione noticed a change in Harry. He seemed happier in Diagon Alley as he bought his new school robes. Mrs. Weasley had been in a generous mood, and bought Ginny her very own owl to take back to school with her. She also bought Ron a broomstick servicing kit, much like the one Hermione had given to Harry for Christmas one year.
After dinner, Mr. Weasley decided that they should make a night of it in Diagon Alley and he rented rooms for everyone at the Leaky Cauldron. Harry seemed skeptical of allowing the Weasleys to spend so much money, but then he remembered Mr. Weasley's raise at work and was happier, though he still intended to try and pay them back a little bit. Now the family sat around the table quietly talking.
Ginny and Dean asked for permission to take an evening stroll in Diagon Alley, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley agreed to let them, as long as Ron tagged along. "You want to come Harry?" Ron asked.
"No thanks," Harry said, as usual. This time, Ron was expecting - and even hoping for - that answer.
"Hermione?" Ron asked.
Hermione agreed to go, and the four set off again. Ron noticed that Ginny kept throwing small smiles his and Hermione's way, and it confused him. He was in a calm mood that night, and didn't want to let anything bother him. He even let Ginny and Dean get quite far ahead of him without TOO much complaint. Besides, it gave him a chance to talk to Hermione alone.
He didn't know why, but he wanted to give her a gift in private. He would have felt funny in front of his entire family, as well as his other best friend. Still, he was determined that Hermione have something nice. It had been his idea to buy her something for doing so well on the demanding tests, and he was happy to have come up with something all by himself.
"Hermione, hold on a sec," Ron said, and he stopped her outside of Flourish and Blotts. She turned to him, and the moonlight caught in her hair, and it made Ron's stomach feel queasy.
'Must have eaten too much at dinner,' he thought to himself.
"What is it Ron?" Hermione asked when he didn't say anything right away.
"I have something for you," Ron said, and he pulled the small paper bag out of his pocket. "I didn't want to give it to you in front of everyone else. It's for. well, for just being the smartest girl I know, I guess."
"Ron, you didn't have to do that," said Hermione.
"Yes, I did," said Ron. "Think of it as an apology for all our silly fights. AND for breaking O.W.L. records!" He held the bag out to her and she took it and began to open it.
What Hermione found inside was a small, silver owl charm on a simple silver chain. "Oh, Ron, it's very nice," she said. "Thank you."
"It's because you passed so many O.W.L.'s. That's why it's an owl shape," Ron explained.
"I guessed that," she said, and Ron blushed. Hermione smiled at him and put the necklace on. "How does it look?"
"Nice," said Ron.
"Thank you," said Hermione again. They stood in silence, something that was becoming a common occurance for them. Hermione could feel Ron's eyes on her, and though she relished in the idea that her biggest wish might come true, she started to feel awkward, and decided to break the connection. "Where have Dean and Ginny gone off too?"
Ron was brought back to life at the mention of his sister and her boyfriend. "Yes, where are they?" Ron said. "If I find them snogging, then Dean Thomas better watch his back this year at school!"
"Ron, you don't mean that and you know it!" Hermione exclaimed with a giggle.
"I could mean it," he said. "I could beat Dean up."
"Maybe once you've played a little more Quidditch," Hermione teased.
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean!?" Ron exclaimed, and he reached over to punch Hermione playfully in the arm, but she had moved to quickly and his missed, causing her to giggle. He began to chase her down the street, the two of them laughing as they went along.
* * *
That night, Hermione fell asleep while thinking of Ron. She continued to think of him as she slept. Ron thought of Hermione and how she had looked in the moonlight on Diagon Alley. A small smile crept to his face just as he dozed off.
The three friends spent the rest of the summer together at the Burrow, except for Harry who spent a brief stint in number 12 Grimmauld Place. Remus Lupin was now living in the house, keeping it up for the other members of the Order of the Phoenix. He was still have problems with Kreacher, the old house elf who had snitched on them, only now they kept the creature more or less contained, as they didn't want to risk giving the vindictive little guy clothes to go free. They were afraid he might reveal their secrets, and that was something they didn't want. As it was, they were still searching for a new place to lay low, as they were afraid Lucius Malfoy might have more than enough information to find them.
Ron and Hermione stayed as cheerful as they could around Harry, and they tried to make him smile and join them in their activities. Sometimes Harry wanted to join in, but mostly he kept to himself. He wasn't always in Ron's room. Very often they found him in the living room, or sometimes sitting outside under a tree, but every time they found him alone he was sitting with a quiet expression on his face, deep in thought. They all knew what he was thinking about.
The arrival of Dean Thomas caused a change only in Ginny. All of sudden she started acting giddy and excited. She wanted everyone to go places together, but with Harry seemingly out of commission it was always Ron and Hermione who went along. Ginny mused to herself that it was as though they were on a double date, except Ron and Hermione were merely platonic and Ron kept throwing Dean looks whenever he would get to Ginny. Hermione thought Ron would practically have a heart attack when Dean took Ginny's hand as they walked down the street on their way to have some lunch.
"Ron, don't," Hermione said, and she pulled him back by his arm to create a little distance between the two pairs. "Ginny's a big girl now Ron. You're going to have to get used to that."
"It's just I don't trust Dean, that's all," said Ron, though Hermione.
"Since when?" Hermione asked. "You've know Dean Thomas for almost six years now, and you've never said a nasty word about him. Not even a complaint, as far as I know, and that's saying something coming from you."
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?" Ron said.
"It just means you need to have more faith in people," said Hermione. "Ginny can take care of herself. She's stronger than you think. You know that. How many people can be possessed by Voldemort-"
"DON'T SAY THAT!" Ron exclaimed. "He could be ANYWHERE!"
"Oh, Ron, just get used to it!" Hermione exclaimed. "Yes, he could be anywhere, and horrible things could be lurking just around the corner, but what kind of a life will you have if you live it in fear?!"
Ron was taken aback by Hermione's comment. She sounded so brave, yet her face gave her away. "You're really frightened by all of this, aren't you?" he asked.
Hermione sighed, "Well, it IS scary, Ron. I mean, with just a few little words, all the things I love could be lost. I mean, we came so close to death recently."
"Aww, don't worry Hermione," Ron said, and they started to walk. "I'll take care of you." He put his arm around her, and then instantly began to wonder why. "Me and Harry, of course."
"Yes. Yes, you always have," Hermione murmured.
* * *
Soon before school was scheduled to begin, the usual letters came in the mail. This time they were accompanied by official looking letters from the Wizarding Examination Authority. "Out O.W.L. scores!" Hermione exclaimed excitedly. "I was wondering when they'd come!" She eagerly teared into hers, while Harry and Ron were reluctant.
Though they could tell by the beaming smile on Hermione's face that she had gotten Outstanding O.W.L.'s in ALL her subjects, Ron tentatively asked, "How'd you do?"
Hermione flung her arms around Ron's neck and hugged him tight, surprising herself, Harry and especially Ron. "Oh, Ron, I got Outstanding in everything! Everything!"
"Uhhh. wow Hermione," said Ron. "I bet that's some kind of record or something." He wasn't sure what to do, except hug her back. However, this motion seemed to stir something in Hermione and she tensed and pulled away.
"Sorry 'bout that," she said. "I just got carried away, I guess."
"Oh," said Ron, only half listening. "It's. uh. it's okay."
"Well, come on, come on, open yours," said Hermione, and she stood and waited until Harry and Ron had opened their envelopes.
"All right!" exclaimed Harry, with the first genuine smile on his face since the end of the year. "I passed Potions!"
"Hey, me too!" Ron exclaimed. "Don't imagine Snape wants me back in his class though."
Hermione looked over his shoulder at his paper. "And you said you thought they asked for a lot to become a Healer. Ron, you've got really good grades here. I'm so proud of both of you."
Harry smiled, but Ron positively beamed, and felt his cheeks go flush. "Well, maybe a career as a Healer wouldn't be such a bad idea after all.."
Mrs. Weasley came into the room at the commotion and soon joined in the excitement of the three friends. She hugged Ron so hard he thought he would run out of air, and then she did the same to Harry and Hermione. "Oh, dears, I'm so proud of you all. Couldn't be prouder of Harry and Hermione if they were my own children!"
"Thank you so much, Mrs. Weasley," said Hermione. "And there's more to be proud about. Looks like Ginny's the new prefect." Hermione gestured toward Ginny, who was standing with her badge much the same way Ron had done when he was first made the prefect of Gryffindor.
"Oh, Ginny! Another prefect in the family! It's so wonderful!" Mrs. Weasley gushed. "And Fred and George doing so well with the joke shop. Granted I would have wanted them to finish at Hogwarts, but. oh, this calls for a celebration! Let's get your father and go to Diagon Alley for dinner. While we're there we can get your supplies for this year!"
"Sounds great mum," said Ginny and she left the room to tell Dean the plan.
* * *
That night, most of the Weasley family, along with Harry and Hermione were sitting in the Leaky Cauldron enjoying a wonderful meal. They had spent the day in Diagon Alley, and while they waited for Mr. Weasley to arrive for dinner they bought all their school supplies. Ron and Hermione noticed a change in Harry. He seemed happier in Diagon Alley as he bought his new school robes. Mrs. Weasley had been in a generous mood, and bought Ginny her very own owl to take back to school with her. She also bought Ron a broomstick servicing kit, much like the one Hermione had given to Harry for Christmas one year.
After dinner, Mr. Weasley decided that they should make a night of it in Diagon Alley and he rented rooms for everyone at the Leaky Cauldron. Harry seemed skeptical of allowing the Weasleys to spend so much money, but then he remembered Mr. Weasley's raise at work and was happier, though he still intended to try and pay them back a little bit. Now the family sat around the table quietly talking.
Ginny and Dean asked for permission to take an evening stroll in Diagon Alley, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley agreed to let them, as long as Ron tagged along. "You want to come Harry?" Ron asked.
"No thanks," Harry said, as usual. This time, Ron was expecting - and even hoping for - that answer.
"Hermione?" Ron asked.
Hermione agreed to go, and the four set off again. Ron noticed that Ginny kept throwing small smiles his and Hermione's way, and it confused him. He was in a calm mood that night, and didn't want to let anything bother him. He even let Ginny and Dean get quite far ahead of him without TOO much complaint. Besides, it gave him a chance to talk to Hermione alone.
He didn't know why, but he wanted to give her a gift in private. He would have felt funny in front of his entire family, as well as his other best friend. Still, he was determined that Hermione have something nice. It had been his idea to buy her something for doing so well on the demanding tests, and he was happy to have come up with something all by himself.
"Hermione, hold on a sec," Ron said, and he stopped her outside of Flourish and Blotts. She turned to him, and the moonlight caught in her hair, and it made Ron's stomach feel queasy.
'Must have eaten too much at dinner,' he thought to himself.
"What is it Ron?" Hermione asked when he didn't say anything right away.
"I have something for you," Ron said, and he pulled the small paper bag out of his pocket. "I didn't want to give it to you in front of everyone else. It's for. well, for just being the smartest girl I know, I guess."
"Ron, you didn't have to do that," said Hermione.
"Yes, I did," said Ron. "Think of it as an apology for all our silly fights. AND for breaking O.W.L. records!" He held the bag out to her and she took it and began to open it.
What Hermione found inside was a small, silver owl charm on a simple silver chain. "Oh, Ron, it's very nice," she said. "Thank you."
"It's because you passed so many O.W.L.'s. That's why it's an owl shape," Ron explained.
"I guessed that," she said, and Ron blushed. Hermione smiled at him and put the necklace on. "How does it look?"
"Nice," said Ron.
"Thank you," said Hermione again. They stood in silence, something that was becoming a common occurance for them. Hermione could feel Ron's eyes on her, and though she relished in the idea that her biggest wish might come true, she started to feel awkward, and decided to break the connection. "Where have Dean and Ginny gone off too?"
Ron was brought back to life at the mention of his sister and her boyfriend. "Yes, where are they?" Ron said. "If I find them snogging, then Dean Thomas better watch his back this year at school!"
"Ron, you don't mean that and you know it!" Hermione exclaimed with a giggle.
"I could mean it," he said. "I could beat Dean up."
"Maybe once you've played a little more Quidditch," Hermione teased.
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean!?" Ron exclaimed, and he reached over to punch Hermione playfully in the arm, but she had moved to quickly and his missed, causing her to giggle. He began to chase her down the street, the two of them laughing as they went along.
* * *
That night, Hermione fell asleep while thinking of Ron. She continued to think of him as she slept. Ron thought of Hermione and how she had looked in the moonlight on Diagon Alley. A small smile crept to his face just as he dozed off.