Chapter 3
The Parcel
The secret nature of Harry's philanthropic relationship with the said Weasley Brothers of the package was by now widely known - at least to Hermione and Ron. Ron was usually up to take a look at the contents of the package but not before mumbling that his successful brothers never took the time to send HIM a package - all the while knowing full well that he wouldn't particularly like their "charity" himself.
As Hermione unfurled herself from her chair, sending Crookshanks hopping off in a huff, Harry knelt by one of the low wooden tables littering the room and proceeded to shake the contents of the package out for a look see.
Out came a whole variety of whatnots. Harry was glad to see that the package not only included some of WB's most popular items but a selection of favorites from Honeydukes. Peppermint Toads, Cockroach Clusters, Jelly Slugs and Fizzing Whizbees were all readily identifiable. Before he could survey the lot, Hermione was already sorting a various items into neat little piles.
Gesturing toward the candies, Hermione exclaimed "I dare say this will make a lovely donation towards the society's Christmas project." Gracing Harry will an overly bright smile, she continued, "The elves do so love sweets."
He saw where this was going quickly and knowing Hermione for the incessant harpy she was, he accepted his defeat with nary of whimper. "OK, Hermione, I'll give you the great lot of the candy but it's a no on the Christmas Poppers and, and…." He quickly scanned the table for something else to claim - he didn't want to let her take too much ground after all. If she got too ambitious, Lord only knew what she would ask for next - a kidney perhaps?
"This bag of sweets" he declared, gesturing toward a nondescript bag partially hidden under a box of Canary Creams.
Recognizing her success, Hermione choose to be magnanimous and agreed as she hastily swept her bounty into her school bag least Harry change his mind.
The old oak table looked quite different after Hurricane Hermione came through - a few trick potions, some Christmas Poppers, a Tin of Canary Creams and his hard won bag of candy balls. Figuring to make the best of his plight, he reached for the bag and emptied the contents out into an empty bowl that someone - probably Ron - had left on the table.
He eyed the little candy balls with more than a little disappointment. Given the candy in the parcel, he had no doubt that what he was looking at were some of those simple candy sours that were kept behind the counter in large bins to be doled out to children as penny candy. From the look of it there were a good number of the bright red and pink balls. Since his treat had greatly reduced in size, he took his time selecting a one.
Hermione, assuming she was still in on the candy sampling, reached in blindly and took a red sour. Figuring it was as good as any, Harry took a red one for himself as well. He swirled the candy around in his mouth while he watched Hermione eagerly scribble in her SPEW notebook - no doubt taking an accurate accounting of her take for the evening.
Looking up from her scribbles, she managed to speak through her glee, "They're quite good don't you think?"
He nodded in response. They were quite good and he had already put another red candy in his mouth the join the first.
TBC