This Time Around
Chapter 3
Re-acquaintance
"Mr. Potter, you need to talk about it."
"No I don't!" He said rather agitated in the beige colored therapy room.
"Mr. Weasley, please tell Mr. Potter that he needs to talk about it."
"Harry, you need to talk about it." Ron said offhandedly.
Harry slammed his hands on the desk and stood up. "No, I don't think I need to talk about it."
"Harry –"
"Ron, no! All I did was kill Voldemort. That's it! The prophecy was filled, that's it, no more! Ron, let's go."
"Harry, you need to talk about it. I know when I told you about the muggles, you didn't like that too much. Just talk."
Harry turned his head towards Ron. "Ron – I don't think I need to talk. Now . . . let's . . . go!" Ron didn't move a muscle. "Ron –"
"Well, I see then, this, er, session is over." The lady behind the desk said, busying herself with putting away papers.
"See! Ron! Let's go."
As Ron and Harry stormed out of the hospital, Harry noticed a newspaper being read by some wizard on the street. He could just see the first page of the Daily Prophet. On it, he saw the picture of an about 22 year – old girl with brown hair, showing off her book collection. She looked vaguely familiar to Harry. He quickly read the title – Arithmency Writer at Flourish and Blotts. Ron not paying attention to anything, did not notice the paper, solemnly saying, "You should've talked Harry."
"Shut up Ron . . . hey, I didn't happen to blow anything up in Diagon Alley, did I?"
Ron looked up from his feet, kicking a loose rock. "No, I don't think so. See Harry, Diagon Alley is connected to Hogwarts, and well, like that muggle shield they have on Hogwarts, they had another shield put on to block out the war. Hogsmead and Diagon Alley were all part of that shield."
"Really?" Harry pondered. "Say Ron, let's go to Flourish and Blotts --- "
"Flourish and Blotts? Harry! Are you feeling ok? You've been knocked out for bloody five months, and here you are wanting to go to a bookstore. Why not someplace wicked cool like Zonko's or Weasley Wizard Weases? At least we could do something fun, like the good old days."
"I know that Ron. But I heard there's some Arithmancy writer that is going to be there. And I thought we'd go and check it out or something."
"The last time we went to one of those was for Gilderoy Lockhart's mess. And what a joy that was." Ron noticeably rolled his eyes.
"Ron, that was for your mother. Besides, she's a new writer, and I have a feeling I know her from somewhere."
"How do you do that? You've been fighting a war for the past five years, then knocked out cold for five months!"
Harry put is hands up in surrender, "I don't know Ron! I just know her from somewhere okay?!"
"Okay, gees!"
They continued walking, and Ron found a new rock to kick down the sidewalk.
After a half an hour, they found themselves in London. The boys found a green door and went in. Inside, was a pub, where everyone greeted Harry with a cheery, humble, "Welcome back, Mr. Potter."
They weaved their way through another door to see a familiar brick wall. Ron took out his wand and tapped the certain bricks. That moment, the bricks opened up to the bustling noise of Diagon Alley.
"Miss Granger! Miss Granger, over here!"
The young girl looked up from her signing and smiled, to receive a blinding flash caused by a light bulb of a camera.
"Miss Granger!" she turned her head to see a rather young man holding a notebook and pen. On his cap read, "The Daily Prophet". Realizing he had gotten her attention, he asked, "How does it feel to have three best selling book on Arithmancy? And then land on the number one book needed on the Hogwarts Books Needed list?"
"I feel very grateful for it. It's amazing how well it's going. I hope to make Arithmancy one of every child's favorite courses held at Hogwarts."
"Miss Granger, Miss Granger!"
All throughout the day, her name was called, ether by a news reporter or someone wanting an autograph in their newly bought book; whether it is for Arithmancy for Life – Year 1 or Arithmancy: Life Further – Year 2, Miss Granger always signed a book with a smile plastered on her face, and the words, "Good luck with Arithmancy, and enjoy!"
When three o'clock rolled around, the crowd lessened and lessened. For the first time that day, she could see through the window. She saw two boys, around her age having a full-blown argument.
One had jet, black hair, and the other bright red. She focused on them, then saw the black haired boy lock eyes with her.
"Ron! Damn it! We're going in there!"
"Why the bloody 'ell would we go into a bookstore? Why not the broom shop, or anything besides books!"
"Bloody hell – Ron – I've been gone for five months, maybe, just maybe, there's some news in there that interests me! Or, I would like to see that Arithmancy writer!"
"Arithmancy, shlimancy! We're not in Hogwarts anymore, we – don't – need it!"
"Oh for crying out loud!" Harry relieved a big sigh and looked in the window of Flourish and Blotts, and locked eyes with the girl he saw on the Daily Prophet.
Miss Granger noticed that the red haired boy looked very familiar, and made her feel very uncomfortable, so she quickly started to pack the books around her, trying to make herself look busy, when she heard the bell above the door ring.
Ron snapped his fingers in front of Harry's face. "Alright Harry! If you want to go in so badly, we'll go in. Gees! You don't need to stare in the window for me to get the point."
Harry blinked a couple of times getting out of his trance. The two men headed into the big wooden door.
Harry noticed the girl in the back, packing away her books. He left Ron to mosey around the store. He squeezed his way through the less dense crowd. He then slapped his hands on the table, leaned over and looked into the writer's face.
"Harry? Is that you?"
Harry smiled and lifted his black bangs to reveal the scar on his forehead.
"Oh my god! It is you!" She dropped the books she was packing back on the desk.
Harry picked one of them up and inspected the review page. "So you're known as 'Miss Hermione Granger' now? 'Famous writer of three Arithmancy books.' 'Best yet!' Looks like the critics adore you!" Harry placed the book down on the desk.
"Harry? Would you like one? For free? You can give it to Ginny if you don't want it. I know she was interested in it while she was at Hogwarts."
Hermione grabbed a free book, signed it and wrote her signature message with a little something added. "That's to keep in touch." As she handed the book to Harry, he slipped her a piece of paper.
"Thanks Hermione. I'll tell Ginny you said hi.
"Thanks Harry. So long."
Harry mingled his way back through the crowd and found Ron actually reading a book about Transfiguration. When Ron noticed Harry, he put it away.
"Oh, no Harry!" he said with disgust. "Did you get a bloody book from that Arithmancy writer?"
"Yes Ron, I did."
"Can we leave now?"
"Whatever."
They left the shop making the bell above the door jingle.