Chapter 6:

Diagon Alley

The morning after the party Harry and Ginny both slept late. By the time that they had gotten up, the Post owl had dropped off their Hogwart's letters. It had also brought Ginny's O.W.L. scores. They had been late getting them out this year due to a mistake at the Ministry. With the disorder that Voldemort was causing this was no great surprise to anyone. Harry smiled at Ginny, "You might as well open them and see how you did."

Hermione was reading her letter with an almost frantic fascination. Finally, she jumped up and did a little dance holding a badge. Harry looked at Ginny and the two of them laughed. Ginny said, "I assume this means that you are Head Girl, Hermione."

Hermione nodded vigorously which sent her bushy hair flying all over the place, "Yes, I did it. I have wanted to be Head Girl since I first came to Hogwarts."

Ron snorted, "We know."

Harry looked back to Ginny impatiently, "Well, come on , let's see what you got."

Hermione joined Harry in his wheedling, "Yeah, Ginny, come on, open it up."

Ginny finally just tore the envelope apart and looked at her scores. She gasped softly in surprise and then laid the sheet down on the table for Harry and Hermione to look at.

O.W.L. scores for Virginia Molly Weasley

Astronomy E

Defense Against the Dark Arts O

Ancient Runes E

Care of Magical Creatures O

Potions A

Herbology E

Charms O+

Transfiguration E

History of Magic A

Divination A

Harry looked over the scores in awe, "Wow, Ginny, you did great."

Ginny shrugged, "I would have liked to do better in Potions and History of Magic, but I guess that I did my best."

Hermione was the first to inquire, "So, Ginny, what subjects are you going to take into N.E.W.T. level?"

Ginny replied, "I want to be a Rune Translator, so I have to take History of Magic, Charms, Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Ancient Runes."

Harry smiled, "Cool. As a Rune Translator, you would work with Charm Breakers like Bill wouldn't you?"

Ginny nodded, "If you get involved with fieldwork, then yes. Some of them just sit behind desks and wait for the Charm Breakers to bring the runes to them. That would be boring to me, though. I want to get out there and see how things are."

Hermione nodded, "That sounds like it would be an interesting career."

Harry turned to Hermione, "You know, I don't believe that I have ever asked you what you wanted to do, Hermione? We all know that you could do just about whatever you wanted, but you haven't told us what that is."

Hermione smiled, "Well, I have never really been sure what I wanted to do, so I took a mix of subjects to N.E.W.T. level that would leave me a lot of options. I don't really think that I would want to be an Auror, but to work as an Unspeakable might be interesting. I've also thought about going into Experimental Charms. I believe I have told you before that I had thought about taking S.P.E.W. to the next level."

Ron interrupted, "Oh God, not that spew stuff again. I thought that you had forgotten about it since you hadn't mentioned it in awhile."

Hermione responded hotly, "It is not spew, Ron. The house elves deserve fair wages just like anyone else."

Harry stopped her, "Do they?"

Hermione turned to look at Harry in hurt amazement, "What do you mean? Of course they deserve to be paid. How could you even say something like that?"

Harry nodded, "So, you believe that house elves have done something so horrible that they deserve to be insulted and degraded?"

Hermione gasped, "No, of course not. They deserve to be treated with respect and dignity."

"Which is how most house elves are treated. Dobby likes to be paid and have his freedom because he was mistreated. If he had been my house elf from the beginning, do you think that he would want to be free?" continued Harry.

Hermione spluttered considering that she could think of no appropriate response. Harry took this time to slit open his Hogwart's letter, and begin reading it. Ron merely sat and gaped in amazement. He had never seen anyone leave Hermione with nothing to say before. Harry continued reading amidst the silence that surrounded him. He smiled and said, "Well, isn't that a surprise."

Ginny asked him, "What's a surprise?"

Harry fished around in his envelope and pulled out the Head Boy badge. He held it out for the others to see. "I'm the new Head Boy."

Hermione was the first to respond, "You're not a Prefect, though."

Harry shook his head, "You don't have to be. My Dad wasn't a Prefect, but he was Head Boy."

Ron clapped Harry on the shoulder, "Well, mate, it looks like you are following in the footsteps of the Potters."

Harry smiled, "Since I am the last one, I suppose that I didn't have much of a choice."

Ginny leaned over and kissed him on the lips. Ron gagged, "I could have done without that mental picture this early in the morning, Gin."

Ginny looked up at him, "Then, turn your head." Then, she kissed Harry again. Ron just walked out of the room. Hermione quickly followed him.

Molly walked into the kitchen a moment later. She smiled at Harry and Ginny, who abruptly broke apart as they realized that Molly was in the room. Harry grinned sheepishly as Ginny flushed scarlet. "So, I see that the two of you found your Hogwart's letters."

Ginny smiled, "Yes, we did. Harry got some good news out of his."

Molly turned to look inquiringly at Harry. Harry snorted, "I don't know if I would call it good news or not, but I'm the new Head Boy."

Molly squealed in delight and grabbed Harry in a hug, "Harry , I'm so happy. That makes three Head Boys in the family."

Harry grinned at Ginny over Molly's shoulder. Ginny smiled back at the implication behind Molly's words. It was obvious to both of them that Molly thought of Harry as her own son. Molly finally ended the hug and stepped back. Well, since all of you have your Hogwart's letters, then we should go to Diagon Alley tomorrow."

Harry nodded, "I think that is a good idea. I have to go anyway. My Apparation test is tomorrow. I want to go out into Muggle London to do some shopping for Muggle clothing, too."

Molly agreed, "I guess that will be alright. Now, Virginia, I want to see your O.W.L. scores." She extended her hand. Ginny picked up the sheet off the table and handed it to her mother. Molly smiled as she looked at the scores, "You did very well, Ginny. I'm so proud of you." Molly enveloped Ginny into one of the famous Weasley hugs. Harry smirked at her over Molly's shoulder as if to say it's your turn.

Ginny broke out of the hug and said, "Mum, I think that I am going to go upstairs." She walked out of the kitchen while giving Harry a meaningful look. Harry smiled at Molly and then quickly followed Ginny out of the room.

Molly sighed as they left, "Young love."

The next day all four of the teenagers ate breakfast early and then got ready to go into Diagon Alley. Before they stepped into the Floo, Ron said, "I just hope that we can have some fun today. I don't want a repeat of last year."

Everyone laughed and then grabbed a pinch of Floo Powder before stepping into the fireplace. They came out the other end into the Leaky Cauldron. The first stop was obviously Gringotts. Ginny rode down to Harry's vault with him. She gasped when she saw the mound of money that was stacked in the vault. "Harry, I didn't realize that you had so much Muggle money."

Harry snorted, "This isn't even the tip of the iceberg, so to speak. I just had a very small amount of my Muggle fortune transferred into this vault for convenience. I don't want to have to deal with Muggle bankers every time that I need some pounds. I have actually been considering having my entire Muggle fortune converted into wizard gold, but then I figured that would be stupid."

Ginny continued to stare around her in awe, "It's just hard to imagine what anyone would do with this much money."

Harry laughed, "Well, you need to start imagining. Remember, all of this will be yours as well in a couple of years."

Ginny shook her head, "This will never truly be mine. I don't think that I will ever get used to having this kind of wealth."

Harry replied, "Yes, you will. I'm already beginning to get used to it myself."

Ginny looked at him from the corner of her eye, "We'll see."

Harry just grinned as he proceeded to rake some Galleons and Sickles into his bag. Then, he picked a stack of one-hundred pound notes. He looked over at Ginny, "I think that this should be plenty for what we want to do today."

"What do you want to do today?"

"I'm going shopping for some Muggle clothes. I'm tired of not having anything to wear other than Dudley's hand-me-downs. I want clothes that actually fit me for a change." replied Harry.

Ginny looked at the stack of money, "Well, I don't know how much clothes cost in the Muggle world, but I think that should be plenty for you to get some clothes."

Harry paused in thought, "You're right. It might take more than this. I plan on getting you some clothes too."

"Oh no, you're not." responded Ginny hotly.

"Who is going to stop me?" asked Harry mildly.

"I will. I won't wear any clothes that you buy for me." stated Ginny firmly.

Harry laughed, "That's fine with me. I'm not going to be buying the clothes. You are. So I don't suppose that we have any problems then."

"What do you mean I'm buying them?" asked Ginny suspiciously.

Harry placed a second stack of Muggle money in Ginny's hands. "This is what I mean. This money is yours. You can do with it as you please." Harry turned and walked out of the vault. He looked back over his shoulder and held out his hand, "Are you coming?"

Ginny looked back and forth between the stack of money and Harry. Finally, she stuffed the money into a pocket of her robes and strode over to Harry. She pulled back one of her hands and slapped him resoundingly across the cheek. Then, she grabbed him and planted a kiss on his lips.

Harry looked at her as if she had lost her mind, "What was that for?"

Ginny smiled, "I slapped you for being a pain. Then, I kissed you for being the kindest, sweetest man on Earth."

Harry shook his head in bemusement, "I don't think that I will ever completely understand women." Harry continued to shake his head through the entire journey back up to the surface. The group spent about half the day in Diagon Alley getting their things. During the course of the day they stopped at the Ministry for Harry to take his Apparation test. He passed with flying colors and received his license to Apparate. They left their books and supplies in Fred and George's shop.

Fred and George asked, "So, what are you lot up to now?"

Harry chuckled, "We're going into Muggle London to shop for clothes. Do you want to come?"

Fred and George both nodded enthusiastically, "Sure. We can close up shop for the rest of the day."

Harry fell into step with them as they left the store, "So, how are you coming on the things that I asked for at the last meeting?"

Fred and George both grinned at each other. Fred said, "I think that you are going to be pleased."

George nodded, "I think so, too. We will have several prototypes of items at the next meeting."

Harry grinned and nodded, "Good. Once I have approved the prototypes, I will probably need the items mass produced quickly. In most situations, there are going to be a great deal more of the bad guys than us. We're going to need those things to even the odds."

Fred snorted, "Harry, you even the odds all by yourself."

Harry shook his head, "Not if Voldemort is present. If he's around, I will have to devote my attention to keeping him from killing everyone. I won't be able to fight all the others. That will be the Order's job."

Fred and George nodded, "We understand, Harry."

Harry chuckled, "That's enough serious talk. We are going to enjoy the rest of the day." The group stepped out the front entrance of the Leaky Cauldron onto the Muggle street.

Harry led the group towards Oxford Street. They went into several clothing places. Harry tried on various shirts and slacks. He waited for Ginny's approval before buying anything. After Harry was done, it was time for Ginny to begin modeling clothes. She picked out some nice dresses, and some pullover and skirt combinations. Once they were finished, Harry and Ginny were both wearing new clothes out of the shops.

Ginny grabbed Harry in a kiss right on the street. Several passers-bye gawked at them for the overt display of affection. The rest of the group laughed at them as they broke apart. Harry asked, "What was that for?"

"For a perfect day." answered Ginny.

Harry grinned, "The day isn't over yet."

Ron asked, "What is that supposed to mean?"

"I think that since we have been shopping all day that we deserve a nice dinner in a restaurant as a treat." said Harry.

Hermione asked, "So, are we going to go back and eat at the Leaky Cauldron or something?"

Harry shook his head, "No, I was thinking that we should try some upscale Muggle dining. So, I have reservations at a restaurant near here." Harry glanced at his watch, "We need to hurry. The reservation is in forty minutes."

Molly protested, "We're not dressed for this."

Harry grinned, "Step into the alley." They all complied, and Harry waved his hand at them. Everyone's clothing was transfigured into fancy Muggle clothes. "That takes care of the clothes problem."

Molly continued to protest, "We can't go without Arthur, Bill, and Charlie. I think that we should just go back to headquarters."

Harry chuckled, "Not a problem. Arthur, Bill, and Charlie already know about it. They are going to meet us at the restaurant."

Ginny looked at Harry in amazement, "You set this all up."

Harry nodded, "But of course. I knew that I wanted to take my family out to dinner before we went back to school. This was going to be my best opportunity."

Molly sighed, "I guess we might as well go. We're going to be late if we don't hurry."

Harry smiled in triumph, "I knew that you would see it my way. Let's go." Harry led the way towards the restaurant. When they got there they found the three older Weasleys waiting for them in the entrance room. Harry greeted them, "I'm glad that you found the place."

Arthur grinned, "We had just a little bit of trouble finding it, but we got here."

Charlie clapped Bill on the back, "Bill is the one that figured out how to get here. Dad and I would have been wandering around forever."

Everyone else laughed. The Hostess came up to them. "May I help you?"

Harry looked over at her, "Yes, I have a reservation for Lord Gryffindor."

The woman's eyes widened in surprise as she recognized Harry from the press coverage of his presentation party. "Right this way, My Lord. We have the back room ready for you."

Harry, Hermione, and the Weasleys followed the Hostess to their table. Harry pulled out the chair for Ginny, while Arthur pulled out a chair for Molly. Hermione looked pointedly at Ron, who quickly took the hint and copied Arthur and Harry. He pulled out a chair for Hermione. Hermione smiled and then took her seat. Once the three ladies were seated, the men took their seats and very quickly the waitress came up to take their orders. There was a lot of friendly banter over the meal. The evening passed quickly, and when they were finished with the meal, all of them returned to Grimmauld Place.

A/N: I had to post early because I am going to be out of touch all day Sunday and Monday, so Tuesday's post may be a little later in the day than normal. I'll try my best to have it up by around three, but no promises.

Solar: Thanks for the review.

Sillypaulie: Was it? I tried. Thanks for the review.

Kemporer: I liked that touch myself. Thanks for the review.

HermioneGreen: I did the best I could. Thanks for the review.

HP-wannabe69: No, the clue about where in the past he is going is buried, but it will be obvious in hindsight. Thanks for the review.

Phred doesn't like you: It will be thirty chapters just like the first one. Thanks for the review.

Lucugirl07: You might not say that later, but then again you might enjoy where it goes. We'll see. Thanks for the review.

HappySnakesRule: This one shouldn't take that long to wade through. Thanks for the review.

Captuniv: I will take a small bow at your praise. Thanks for the review.

Immortalwizardelf-fan: Malfoy will never learn. Thanks for the review.

The One: He's supposed to be. It's mostly just an act, though. Thanks for the review.

Maria: Yes, they were just wearing normal dress clothing. I meant to answer your question about What If Harry Had said last chapter, but I forgot. I am working on the stuff for Chamber of Secrets in my spare time around Spirit of Time, so don't expect another chapter until next week sometime. Thanks for the review.

Jbfritz: I will continue to give you the chapters as fast as I can. Thanks for the review.

Tahwoo89: In case you have missed the memo in the author's notes, I post on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. Thanks for the review.

Twohp: Neville will be an Animagus, but Harry isn't going to be the one to teach him. That is all I'm going to say about that. Thanks for the review.

RLupin1003: Irregular posting is one of the things that irks me about some of the other author's. I understand that there are a lot of things that can slow you down, but its still possible to meet a schedule. Thanks for the review.

Harryp123: I think things are more interesting once they get back to school. Thanks for the review.

Toomuchanime: I'll post them as quickly as possible. Thanks for the review.

Cobalt45: Never fear. It's like the calm before the storm. There is going to be plenty of action before much longer. Thanks for the review.

Plasterwork: I enjoyed the hug, and I'm glad that you have gotten caught up. Hopefully, you'll enjoy the rest of the book as much as you have the beginning. As far as the Longbottoms are concerned, they would have been completely aware of the passage of time, because if you will note in Order of the Phoenix, Alice obviously knew Neville as her son because of the candy wrapper. It would have made sense to see Harry as a young man to them, for they knew him to be the same age as Neville. Thanks for the review.

Athena kitty: Dobby, yes. Winky, no. Not likely. Harry. Not a chance. Thanks for the review.

BlindFaeri: I checked my notes, and that doesn't come out until Chapter Nine. So, about a week. Thanks for the review.

ExpectoPatronum0: I've got to disappoint you there. No more Dursley's. I'm through with them and so is Harry. Thanks for the review.

Dragonstorm316: Look at it from the standpoint that the Potters most likely have been funding the wars against various Dark Lords over the years. I'm afraid to say that you have a long wait on the demise of a certain ferret. It's near the end. Thanks for the review.

Darak: I don't know how things are in Britain, but in America it is nothing for wealthy people to drop over a thousand dollars on a dress, and the British pound isn't worth that much more than a dollar. Thanks for the review.

Bizodge: I'm glad to be rid of them myself. Thanks for the review.

Kaosstar: there are some shorter chapters coming, but there will be some more long ones as well. Thanks for the review.

Goddess of war and wisdom: Finicky? I've never heard a computer referred to that way. Thanks for the review.

UncleD87: Always feel free to mention anything that you think is off. Thanks for the review.

Volleypickle16: I appreciate that. Thanks for the review.

Hunta: I took his wardrobe from Merlin in The Sword and the Stone, Disney version. Thanks for the review.

KramerTrombone07: I'm glad you enjoyed Year of Discovery. I hope you like this as well as the first. Thanks for the review.