On Your Mark
By Arlo
Chapter 14- Diagon Alley, Again
The Weasley family went to Diagon Alley on the Monday before term started. There was a plethora of redheads in the entry hall as they readied to leave. Bill was quietly discussing something with Remus in the sitting room, both with very serious expressions on their faces. Shortly after the rest of his family left to walk to the tube station, Bill flooed out of Grimmauld place. Harry had an ominous feeling, like there was something important that he was forgetting. He breathed a sigh of relief when they all returned safely several hours later laden with many more packages than usual.
Ron confessed to Harry that Bill had insisted on buying them all new robes while on his break from Gringotts. Charlie had taken both Ron and Ginny into Quality Quidditch supplies and bought new equipment for them, which they proudly showed off.
Mr. Weasley had picked up extra books on various subjects for the students to share. They would definitely need to enlarge their trunks before packing!
Neville and Luna went to the marketplace on Wednesday, with Kingsley, Tonks and Hestia. They told of meeting up with about twenty different members of the D.A. in various stores, and apparently had a great time. It was the first time Neville had ever been to the Alley without his grandmother or uncle and he had made the most of it, picking up extra herbology books, some Weasley Wizard Wheezes and an entire case of chocolate frogs.
On Thursday, it was Harry and Hermione's turn. Tonks left early to pick up Mark and Jake Evans, and Remus and Kingsley would be escorting the students. Mad Eye was also planning on taking the trip and had already left on a scouting mission before the teenagers came down to breakfast.
Harry dressed in some of his more fashionable new clothes. Hermione helped him hide his scar with makeup he had asked her to bring, and she styled his hair so that it would fall over his forehead just enough to be certain his most distinguishing feature was well hidden. Finally, he put in his brown contacts and they made their way to the dining room. Ginny gasped when she saw him at the doorway, Kingsley stared and Remus laughed. "Who are you?" the werewolf queried, even though he knew perfectly well who he was.
"Excellent disguise, Harry! You'd pass that part of the auror exam with an Outstanding for sure!" Kingsley told him proudly.
"Your hair is getting way too long, Harry," Mrs. Weasley put in, "I can cut it for you when you get back."
"Er, thanks Mrs. Weasley, but I kinda like it this length." Harry told her a little apprehensively.
They were all certain that Harry would not be recognized once they passed through the bricks and entered the wizard shopping district. He had told Mark and Jake that he would be in disguise and to call him "Jay". The girls had joked that he should pretend to be Hermione's French boyfriend and made him try a fake French accent. But, Harry didn't think they would need to carry the ruse that far, much to Luna and Ginny's disappointment.
They met up with Tonks and the Evanses at the Leaky Cauldron. Tonks was looking so much like Gloria that Harry did a double take before she gave herself away by tripping over a barstool. As the group made their way out back, Harry could tell that Mark wished he had about eight more eyes. He was turning his head in every direction as they made their way up the street. Mark was goggling at the shops and the things outside them much the way Harry had on his first trip to Diagon Alley (and his trip to the mall!) They passed the cauldron shop, the apothecary and the owl emporium. Jake was looking every bit as fascinated as his son, but could hide it much better. Harry couldn't help but stop in front of the Quidditch shop and explain the items in the window to his young friend. They made their way past the robe shop and to the bank, where Hermione needed to change money and Remus made another withdrawal for both himself and Harry. The Goblins seemed surlier than ever and there were very large security guards holding even larger clubs stationed around the bank.
"I'm glad we already made that money exchange arrangement, Harry, I don't think I'd want to deal with those characters," Jake whispered.
Harry and Hermione both needed to have special gold braiding put on their robes, designating them SPAs and Mark needed his own new Hogwarts uniform, so they headed to Madam Malkins next. Harry paid for Mark's robes and they left, Hermione was already outside talking to the Patil twins, who both gave Harry curiously flirtatious glances. Harry couldn't resist, especially after a poke in the ribs by Tonks, "introduce yourself, Jay!" Tonks prodded softly
"Hi, I'm Jay," he said in the fake accent they had made him affect. "Vous must go to 'Ogwarts ez?" He quietly put his arm around Hermione who gave him a strangely affectionate look.
"Jay, these are my friends, Parvati and Padma. Parvati is one of my roommates and Padma is in Ravenclaw," Hermione introduced.
Harry smiled and winked at them, which produced a giggle from the twins. "It vas nice to meet vous. We must go get my cuzzin a vand!" He dragged Hermione back down the block toward Ollivanders. "I have to admit that was fun!" he grinned.
Remus and Hermione went to pick up everyone's potions supplies, while Kingsley waited and watched the street. Harry and Tonks brought Mark and his father to the wand shop. Mr. Ollivander was as creepy looking as ever, as Tonks closed and locked the door and put up the 'closed' sign. She whispered something to the proprietor who answered back, and then she went to check the back of the store.
"Moody's already there," she told Harry when she returned. "Professor Dumbledore sent us, sir," she said to Ollivander.
Harry handed the man his wand, as Dumbledore had requested. He wanted to be sure it was still in good working order, and mentioning the Headmaster's name would alert the wand master to the fact that Mark needed the very best fitted wand, no matter the cost. Ollivander looked over Harry's wand and then stared at the young man, finally nodding in understanding.
"Yes, this wand does very great things, indeed," he said, handing it back to its owner.
Mark could no longer hold in his excitement and was bouncing around the shop as Mr. Ollivander tried to measure him. Finally ordering the measuring tape to stop, he handed Mark a wand, and then grabbed it right back again. This happened again and again with the wand master proclaimed the boy as tricky a customer as his cousin. This remark that caused Jake to look at the man in disbelief, as no one had mentioned a relationship between the two. At last, an enlightened gleam came into the old man's eyes and he went to the back of the shop and produced a highly polished reddish brown wand. Mark's eyes lit up as he took it, sparks flew from the tip in a myriad of colors and Mr. Ollivander pronounced it a perfect fit, although curious, very curious.
"Er, Mr. Ollivander," Harry asked, "what's curious this time?"
"Well, Mr. Potter, you see the phoenix that gave a feather to your wand recently gave up several others that I have made up for his master. And, this wand," he said pointing to Mark's, "this wand was one of them. Yes, red oak and phoenix feather, 11 inches. Definitely curious. Please make sure the Headmaster is aware," he said to the auror.
"Of course," Tonks assured him. Harry paid for purchase and instructed Mark to never tell anyone about the core of his new wand.
They ended their trip in the bookstore where Hermione and Remus had already made several selections each and both were still shopping. Harry picked up a few O.W.L. review books for his class and helped Mark find the books on his list. Harry also bought him copies of 'Quidditch through the Ages' and 'Hogwart's: A History', figuring he could borrow the latter without caving in to Hermione. Even Jake picked out several books on magic for Muggles with Lupin's help, and they headed to the ice cream shop for a treat before they went home.
The day had gone very smoothly, Mark had gotten everything he needed and Harry had not been recognized, except by Mr. Ollivander, but Remus assured him that didn't count, as the man had an odd sixth sense about people. They were just finishing up their sundaes when they heard screaming and saw people running from the direction of the bank. Remus quickly produced an emergency portkey and he, Harry, Hermione, Jake and Mark landed in the entryway of number 12 Grimmauld Place seconds later. Kingsley and Tonks stayed behind to assist where necessary.
Jake was completely flustered by the sudden change of scenery, but Mark thought it was awesome. Harry and Hermione were just plain worried about what had happened.. Fortunately, they didn't have to wait long to find out. Tonks returned about ten minutes later with the news that there had been a robbery attempt at Gringotts. Death Eaters had stormed the bank by apparating into the alley behind it and fighting their way into a back entrance. The Goblins had quickly put down the intruders and refused Ministry assistance in handling the attack. They were all a bit shaken by having been so close to a battle scene. Having learned about Goblin Wars in History of Magic, Harry was certainly glad that they were no where near the bank at the time. He could feel Tom's anger at the botched takeover attempt by his minions, and he couldn't help but wonder if Voldemort had known that he was in Diagon Alley today.
Remus and Tonks escorted Jake and Mark back to Charing Cross Road to head back home to Little Whinging. Harry hoped that the man hadn't changed his mind about allowing Mark to attend Hogwarts, now that the war had started in earnest.
