Chapter Seven: Diagon Alley
"Get your stuff boy, we're leaving in five minutes whether you're ready or not," Vernon Dursley growled through Harry's bedroom door.
"Alright, alright, I'm coming!" grumbled Harry to himself as he shoved the last of his things into his trunk. He checked his different hiding places in the room, ending with the loose board in under his bed, for anything he might have missed while packing. Finding nothing, he took Hedwig out of her cage, and brought her to the window.
"You should probably go to Hogwarts by yourself Hedwig," he said to the white owl, stroking her head and neck. "It'll probably be more comfortable than being in a cage for the day, and then with Hermes and Errol for the rest of the week. Just go and stay in the owlery. So I'll see you at Hogwarts, alright?"
She nipped his fingers affectionately, as if in understanding, before preening her feathers once more and flying out of the window.
Harry watched until she was out of sight, and then placed her cage on top of his full trunk. Grunting, he dragged the trunk out of the room and through the hallway. He somehow managed to get the trunk down the stairs and out the front door. He left it by the trunk of the car, where his uncle would load it while mumbling to himself about Harry being an inconvenience in their lives.
Going back into the house and into the kitchen, he sat down at his usual place and managed to grab a piece of toast before Petunia started clearing the table.
Five minutes later, Vernon was yelling at everyone to get into the car, and they were on their way to the Leaky Cauldron.
The ride was spent fawning over Dudley or in silence, with the occasional insult thrown Harry's way. Only once did anyone dare to speak to him, and that was when Vernon had said that he didn't expect to see Harry again till the next summer holidays.
Harry was more than happy not to go back to Privet Drive and was thrilled that Dumbledore had actually agreed to let Harry spend the last week of summer holidays at the Burrow.
He was so excited to be seeing Hermione and Ron that he didn't notice where they were until Vernon practically threw his trunk onto the sidewalk. He quickly scrambled out of the car, said hasty goodbyes to his aunt, uncle and cousin, and made his way into the Leaky Cauldron.
Once inside, he greeted Tom, the landlord of the Inn. He left his trunk and things in a room that Tom had shown him to. Realizing that he was a bit early, he lazily made his way through the inn and passed under the arch into Diagon Alley.
Even after four years of passing through into Diagon Alley, it still awed him that such an amazing wizarding world existed. He passed shop after shop, just wandering through the streets until he realized that it was getting close to 12:30. He turned around and made his way to the steps of Gringotts, where he sat down to wait for Hermione and Ron.
::It's good to be back:: he thought happily, feeling at peace for the first time all summer.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Hermione was sitting Indian style in the middle of her bed, her wand lying next to her. Across from her bed, on her desk, was a stack of books, which she was staring at intently. She tried summoning one of the books, but to no avail.
She tried again, still nothing. Again, zilch. Aggravated, she heaved a sigh and leaned back onto the headboard of the bed.
::Apparently, wand-less magic is harder than I thought,:: she said to herself.
Taking a lock of thick deep brown hair in her fingers, she sat twirling it, deep in thought.
::Witches and Wizards use wands to help channel their magic, for without wands, many people wouldn't be able to control their magic. But if the wands are just used to help channel the magic, why can't something else be used? And if I don't want to use an actual object, why can't I use my hand, or my finger?::
With that thought, Hermione looked determinately at the top book on the stack on her desk. She tried picturing exactly how she would summon something using a wand. She pointed her hand face up at the books on her desk, and taking a deep breath, spoke loudly and clearly, "Accio Textbook."
The textbook started to shake a bit before sliding slightly towards the edge of the desk before coming to a stop.
"Yes! I made it move!" Hermione spoke out loud triumphantly. "Of course it only moved a couple of centimeters, but still. My powers aren't even unbound yet. Wicked!"
Smiling to herself, she took another deep breath and tried again. This time, she visualized her magic flowing through her arm and into her hand and to the book, bringing it towards her. Once again, she spoke loudly and clearly.
The book lifted into the air and was halfway across the room before falling to the floor.
Hermione let out a whoop of laughter, punching the air with her fist. With a huge grin on her face, she repeated the spell and was able to summon the book from the floor to her outstretched hand. Determined, she practiced with the pile of books until she was successfully able to summon each one successfully.
Deeply satisfied with what she had accomplished, and feeling slightly drained from pushing her powers, she made her way downstairs for breakfast where her mother and father were sitting have a cup of coffee with her uncle.
"You look awfully cheerful this morning," her mother said with a smile as she placed a kiss on Hermione's forehead.
"Just happy, I guess," she answered with a mischievous grin. "Uncle Sev, since this is your last day here, why don't you come to Diagon Ally with us? I mean, not with us, but we'll be there together, and maybe we can 'accidentally' meet somewhere. Please come?" she pleaded, pulling a sad puppy-dog face for Severus, who laughed along with her parents.
"Oh alright! Stop with the face! I'll come, I'll come. Since you're meeting your fellow Gryffindors at 12:30, how about at 2 o'clock we 'accidentally' meet in Flourish and Blotts?"
"Sounds great! Ooh, I'm starved!" Hermione announced. With a small grin, she then held out her hand and summoned the salt shaker for her eggs.
Severus sputtered on his cup of milk and her parents both emitted exclamations before beaming at their daughter.
"Alexial, that's fantastic!" her father proclaimed. Her mother and uncle readily agreed.
"Is that what those thumps were from upstairs?" asked her mother with a grin.
Hermione giggled and answered, "Yea, sorry about that. It took a while before I could get the hang of it, and my textbooks kept falling to the floor."
Severus laughed and stated in amusement, "The only witch I know who starts off wand-less magic by summoning textbooks. Congratulations on accomplishing it, though. Not many witches or wizards twice your age could accomplish this, with or without their powers bound. And you taught yourself. I have a feeling you're going to be surprising us all this year." He finished, still smiling.
Hermione flushed red at the compliment that still felt slightly odd coming from Severus Snape's mouth. Having postponed actually eating long enough, she concentrated on her breakfast while her parents and Severus talked.
After the breakfast table was cleared and everything cleaned up, Mikhail and Isabel performed the Glamourie spell on Hermione, and got ready to leave.
As Hermione headed towards the front door, Mikhail stopped her.
"Alexial, why don't we Floo there? I know we've never told you, but we've been connected to the network since moving here, in case of emergencies. But now that you know everything you do, why inconvenience ourselves with the extra drive?"
"Sounds fine. There's always so much traffic anyway. But wont people get suspicious if all of a sudden we can Floo when for four years we couldn't?" she asked.
"You could always say that because of the threat of Voldemort, you had it connected to the network over the summer as an extra precaution," offered Severus.
"Good answer," Hermione said with a smile. "Let's go then. I can't wait to see Harry and Ron!"
"Heaven forbid you should be separated from your precious Gryffindors," he joked, following Hermione into the living room where Isabel was lighting the fireplace.
As soon as it was lit, the three adults cast their Glamourie spells so that they were once more Michael, Elizabeth and evil-looking Snape.
Hermione grabbed a handful of Floo powder from a vase on the mantelpiece that she had never noticed before. She threw the powder into the fireplace, yelled, "The Leaky Cauldron," and stepped into the fireplace, the three adults following her.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Mom!! Come on, we're going to be late!!" shouted Ron Weasley fifteen minutes before he was supposed to meet Harry and Hermione in front of Gringotts.
"Ginny, Fred, George, come on!!" he shouted again impatiently.
"Ron, calm down. We're coming for Merlin's sake!" Ginny shouted back from the top of the stairs.
Five minutes later, Mrs. Weasley and the four Hogwarts attendees were standing in front of the fireplace, preparing to Floo to the Leaky Cauldron.
Ron was freaking out, pacing impatiently while waiting for the fireplace to clear at the Leaky Cauldron. Apparently, several people were trying to get to Diagon Alley, because the fireplace wasn't ready for them to travel for another five minutes.
"Finally!" exclaimed Ron after the five Weasleys were standing in front of the entrance to Diagon Alley. "Mom, I'm gonna go run and catch up with Hermione and Harry, ok? I'll get my books and potions ingredients with them, and then meet you later?"
"Sounds fine dear. Ginny can go with you, since she needs most of the same things anyway. Say hello to Harry and Hermione for me. How about we meet at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor at, say, 2:30? That way we can all go back to the Burrow together, and I'll be able to see Harry and Hermione before you all go back to Hogwarts. Now, no going into Knockturn Alley, especially you two, Fred and George," stated Mrs. Weasley, shaking a finger and Fred and George.
The two stared back at her looking innocent and hurt that she would accuse them of going into such a place. Before she could say anything else, they ran off to find Lee Jordan and their other friends.
"Alright, bye mum. See you at 2:30," said Ginny.
"Bye, dears. Have fun," she said to her two youngest children.
With that, Ron and Ginny sprinted off towards Gringotts.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Lucius, don't," Narcissa said in a somewhat desperate voice.
Angrily, he whirled around to face his wife. He snarled out, "How dare you interfere with matters for our lord! Are you not loyal to the Master? Do you not want to see our son take his position in our ranks?"
"Of course I do! But think about it, Lucius. Don't be careless! I'm taking the boy to Diagon Alley in less than five minutes. That would give us absolutely no time to heal him of whatever injuries he might sustain. The place will be swarming with his classmates and their parents, not to mention Aurors! Don't you think they might become suspicious if Draco appeared with bruises everywhere? And then tomorrow we are going to my mother's for the week. You know how carefully she checks him. If she finds anything out of place, how do you think she will react? It will be more useful to us if you leave him be for today. Wait for another time, one where the risks don't outweigh the rewards," Narcissa pleaded.
::Please let him buy this…please!:: thought Narcissa desperately. ::Less than one day! We only need these last few minutes! Please let him believe me!::
Lucius slowly loosened his grip on his son's arm, and then flung him roughly away from him and into the waiting arms of Narcissa.
"Wise decision, my love," breathed Narcissa in relief. "I wouldn't want anything to happen to you so soon after the Master has come back. It would be devastating to us all," she continued, fawning over her husband in an effort to release some of his anger.
"It would, wouldn't it? I suppose you are right. I was being careless. Thank you, Narcissa. Now, take him. I don't want to see him until you get back from your mother's," Lucius said with a dismissive wave of his hand. With that he turned and strode arrogantly out of the room.
Narcissa pulled Draco into the closest room from where they were standing in the main hallway. Once inside, she shut the door firmly and placed a silencing spell on the room. Once that was secure, she rushed to Draco and drew him into a bone-crushing hug.
"Thank God! You won't be seeing him anymore! I promise you that. Now, let's get to Diagon Alley before he changes his mind." Narcissa quickly straightened her robes and her hair before going to the fireplace in the room, and throwing in Floo powder.
"I'll go first, Dragon. I think it would be safer if we went to the Leaky Cauldron instead of somewhere in Knockturn Alley."
"Alright," Draco said rather reluctantly, still shaken at the thought of the beating he had almost received. He waited for his mother to step into the fireplace and disappear, then threw a handful of Floo powder in himself. He yelled "The Leaky Cauldron," and stepped into the green flames.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Harry!!"
At the sound of his name being called, Harry jumped to his feet and saw Hermione running up the steps towards him. He met her halfway and pulled her into a hug, with a huge smile on his face.
"Hermione, it's great to see you!" he exclaimed as they drew apart.
"I've missed you Harry! We hardly wrote this summer. How've you been?" Hermione asked him eagerly, noticing the changes in him. He was a couple of inches taller and much thinner than before. She noticed that he had dark circles under his eyes and he looked tired, and sad. When he smiled, though, his face seemed to light up, and he didn't seem as tired.
"I've been alright I guess. The summer's been really boring. Just h-"
He was interrupted when someone yelled, "Oi, Hermione! Harry!"
They both whirled around to see Ron running up the steps to meet them, Ginny trying to keep up with her over-excited brother.
"Hey Ron," Harry and Hermione said simultaneously. They looked at each other and grinned.
When Ron reached them, he gave Hermione a quick hug and clapped Harry on the back a couple of times.
"Great to see you, 'Mione! You too, Harry. How've you been mates?" he asked, somewhat breathless from the sprint from the Leaky Cauldron.
"Hey guys," an out-of-breath Ginny managed to get out before collapsing onto the steps.
"How's your summer been?" asked Ron, following his sister's lead and sitting down to catch his breath.
"It was alright. Not as bad as last summer, that's for sure," Harry replied.
"Mine was fantastic!" Hermione exclaimed. "I learned so much!" she finished with a grin.
Everyone laughed, then Harry asked Ginny and Ron, "And what about yours? What did you guys do?"
"We got to visit Charlie in Romania for two weeks. That was really cool," answered Ginny.
"Yea, we got to see some dragons. Which reminds me, Norbert is huge! We got to see him, don't let me forget to tell Hagrid," he said with a smile.
"We won't. I'm sure he'd be thrilled to hear it," Hermione said with a smile.
"Hey Hermione, where are your parents? Didn't they come with you?" asked Ginny. "I wanted to meet them."
"Oh, they're here. They knew that I wanted to see you guys, so they're going to be wandering around Diagon Alley by themselves. I'm meeting them in Flourish and Blotts at 2:00. You can meet them then if you want to."
"Do you think that's safe Hermione?" asked Ginny.
"Don't worry Gin. My parents aren't as helpless as they may seem. They can take care of themselves," Hermione answered with a smile.
"Alright then, if you're sure. Oh hey, I forgot to tell you. Dumbledore agreed to let me spend the last week of the holidays with you guys. I don't have to go back to the Dursleys, and I'll come with you to the station next week," he said to Ginny and Ron.
"Hey, that's great!" said Ron.
"Yea, I'm just glad I don't have to go back there. What time are you meeting your mom anyway?"
"Um, mum said that we should all meet at 2:30 at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor for ice cream. So your parents can come with us and meet mum, Hermione," Ginny said.
"Great. Shall we go then? We do have a lot of stuff to get, and a lot of window shopping to do," said Harry, happy to be in the company of his friends once more.
"Sure. Let's go," agreed Ron.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
An Hour Later
"Are you guys done looking yet?" Hermione asked exasperatedly. "You've been looking at that broom for almost ten minutes. Are either of you going to get it?"
"Unfortunately, no. But can't was just look around the shop for a little longer? Come on 'Mione, please?" begged Ron.
"Oh come on, Ron. We've been in here for almost twenty minutes. It's not our fault you and Harry have been drooling over the broom for the last ten. Time to go to the Magical Menagerie. We all need stuff. Come on, lets go," Ginny said.
"Fine, fine, we're coming," grumbled Ron.
The four Gryffindors left the Quidditch shop and made their way to the Magical Menagerie.
"Hey Ginny, what do you mean we all need stuff. Are you getting an owl?" asked Harry
"I hope so. If I have enough money. If not, maybe a kitten or something. I did some work around the house the summer, and babysat a little for the Muggles that live in the village by the Burrow. I've been saving all of it so that I can get a familiar," she replied happily.
"That's great, Gin. Hope you find something that you love like I did," said Hermione, thinking of Crookshanks.
"Yea, and if it's a cat, please let it not be anything like the devil that Hermione has," pleaded Ron.
Everyone laughed as they entered the store, a bell ringing as the door closed behind them.
The first thing that hit them was the smell and the noise. From the cages that lined the walls came squawking, rustling, hissing, squeaking, hooting, quaking, barking, and other unidentifiable noises.
As Harry, Ron and Hermione made their way over to the witch behind the counter, Ginny started wandering around the shop.
"How can I help you all?" asked the witch.
Harry and Ron quickly bought food and supplies for Hedwig and Pig, and then Hermione bought some magical toys for Crookshanks before the three went to find Ginny.
They found her staring dreamily at a box of small kittens.
"Aw, they're so cute, Gin," exclaimed Hermione, stooping to pet the little balls of fur in the box.
"Uh oh, Harry. That'll make two cats. Pig'll be harassed to within an inch of his life!" complained Ron as the rest laughed.
"Which one are you looking at Gin?" asked Harry, peering over the edge of the box. He noticed that there were kittens of every color in the box.
"I can't decide! They're all so cute!" Ginny gushed. "But I think I like either the light brown one with the black nose over there, or the black one with the white paws. What do you guys think?"
"It's a common Muggle stereotype that all witches have black cats, you know," said Hermione with an amused look on her face.
"Is it really?" asked Ginny. "Well then, I guess I can't let Muggles down now, can I? I guess I'm taking the black one," she said with a grin, scooping the kitten into her arms and marching to the counter. After paying for the kitten, she had enough money left to purchase a couple of toys and a small purple collar that would expand as the kitten grew.
Harry and Hermione decided to pay for a cage and some food for her new pet, claiming that it would be part of their Christmas presents to her.
Finished, the happy group made their way to Flourish and Blotts.
"What are you going to name him, Gin?" asked Ron.
"What makes you think it's a him, Ron? As a matter of fact, it's a girl, and I was thinking of naming her Rory. What do you think, Hermione?"
"I think it's a great name. And she's a beautiful kitten," Hermione answered, stroking Rory's back as they made their way to the bookstore.
"Thanks 'Mione. So what books do you guys need?" asked Ginny, cheerfully playing with her new pet.
Hermione unrolled her Hogwarts letter, reading over the booklist.
"We all need The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 5) by Miranda Goshawk, except you, Ginny, you need Grade 4. Then we all need A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot, Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling, A More Advanced Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch, Another One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Sport, and More Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger. Your lists have what books you need for Divination, and mine has the books for Arithmancy, Muggle Studies and Ancient Runes. That's odd," she finished looking in confusion at her booklist.
"What is?" asked Harry.
"Well, we don't have any book listed here for either Care of Magical Creatures or Defense Against the Dark Arts," she said.
"Maybe Hagrid's been too busy with everything, and just decided to use the books we already have. And does anyone even know who our new Defense teacher is?" asked Harry.
"Nope. Not that I know of," said Ron.
By this time they had made their way into the bookstore and split up to get the books they needed. By the time everyone had the books they needed it was quarter after two, and Hermione was looking around the store and checking her watch every couple of minutes.
"Hermione, what's wrong? Are you waiting for someone?" asked Ron curiously? "I mean, you keep checking your watch and looking around and stuff. Who are you waiting for?"
"Ron, I told you that I was meeting my parents here at 2:00. They're a little late, and I just hope they didn't get lost somewhere."
"Actually, Miss Granger, they did," came a silky voice from behind them. As Harry, Ron and Ginny spun around, Hermione hid a smile and looked up at her uncle.
"Professor Snape, didn't except to see you here," she said sweetly.
"Miss Granger, this is a bookstore. I believe these two adults belong to you, do they not?" he asked with a smirk.
Hermione looked behind him and sure enough her parents were standing there doing a very good impression of looking like lost children. She had to stifle a giggle as she turned back to Severus and said, "Thank you, Professor, for bringing them here. I appreciate it."
"Of course, Miss Granger. We couldn't have our precious Gryffindor Prefect's parents go missing now, could we? Now, if you excuse me, I do have more important things to take care of than spending time with the infamous trio."
Before passing the group he winked quickly to Hermione, then strode away, robes billowing behind him.
Hermione smiled and rushed to her parents. "Mum, dad, where did you guys go? How did Professor Snape find you?"
"We were walking through some street and he came up to us and asked if we knew where we were. When we said no, he asked us who we were and where we were going. We told him and he brought us here. Not a very friendly man, but nice none-the-less," he mother answered with a smile. "Oh hello Harry, Ron, how are you two?"
"Hello Mrs. Granger, Mr. Granger. We're good, thanks," answered Harry.
"Oh, mum, dad, this is Ginny. I've told you about her before. She's Ron's sister," Hermione said, introducing her parents to the redhead.
"We've heard a lot about you Ginny. Nice to finally meet you," Michael said pleasantly.
"Same here Mr. and Mrs. Granger. Nice to meet you to," Ginny replied.
"So 'Mione, is it true? You're the Gryffindor Prefect?" asked Ron.
Her smile disappearing slightly, Hermione shook her head and answered, "No, I didn't get anything saying that I'm a prefect. I don't think they made me one this year. I was kind of surprised, you know?"
"Oh, 'Mione, I'm sure they just made a mistake. I mean, come on, you're the top student in the entire year! I'm sure you're the Prefect." Harry said.
"And that ugly git had to go and rub it in your face. How like him, slimy git," Ron grumbled angrily.
Over his shoulder, Hermione could see her mother and father laughing silently and had to try very hard not to break down giggling.
"It's alright you guys. I guess we'll just find out later anyway, right?" she said, signaling the end of the conversation.
"Hey guys, we should probably head to the ice cream parlor. We don't really want to keep mum waiting," interrupted Ginny.
"Oh, mum, dad? Mrs. Weasley invited us all to ice cream. Why don't you guys come and you can meet her," Hermione said.
"Ron's mother? Of course, dear, just lead the way," Elizabeth answered, and the group headed out towards the ice cream parlor.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Mr. Malfoy, Mrs. Malfoy, how nice to see you."
Draco and Narcissa turned to see Severus Snape sitting at a table right next to the fireplace they had just stepped out of.
"Severus, nice to see you as well," Narcissa said, holding out her hand, which he kissed gracefully.
"Professor Snape, I'm surprised to see you here. You don't usually spend time in the Leaky Cauldron, do you?" Draco asked his Head of House curiously.
Severus let go of Narcissa's hand and looked at Draco. "Not usually, no, but these are quite unusual times, are they not Mr. Malfoy?"
"Please don't call me that, sir. I would prefer Draco," Draco stated quietly.
Severus looked intently at Draco for a number of minutes before glancing at Narcissa. She nodded quickly at Severus, a small smile playing on her lips.
"Well, well Draco. Congratulations," he said, also with a small smile.
Draco looked curiously between his mother and his Head of House, extremely confused as to what was going on. "Sir? Congratulations on what?"
"Ah, but that, Draco, you will have to figure out on your own. I have a feeling this is going to be a very interesting year, don't you think so Narcissa?" he asked mysteriously, a smirk where the smile was just seconds before.
"I have to agree Severus. It will most definitely prove to be anything but boring."