Ok, I still own nothing.......(except Fiona, she is mine)
Please review if you have a chance! Please....
And special thanks to my betas, Lyds and dreamermarie!!
Chapter 5: The End of Summer
"How are your occlumency lessons?" Hermione asked Harry as they waited for Ron to find his wand- he seemed to have lost it somewhere in his old school books.
"Er- they're ok," Harry said. "Much better than they were with Snape, anyways."
"Aha! I found it!" Ron called from under the bed. Harry breathed a sigh of relief- at least now he wouldn't have to talk about Occlumency with Hermione. He didn't want to admit that the lessons were even harder than with Snape- although this time Harry felt as if he were improving.
'Because Dumbledore actually wants me to succeed' Harry thought.
"I think we should start heading downstairs," Harry said, furthering his effort to dissuade Hermione from asking more questions about Occlumency.
"I can't believe they're letting us go to Diagon Alley- I'm so excited! I can't wait to look through all the books- Mum and Dad gave me some extra money for my birthday," Hermione rambled. Harry let out a sigh of relief, now he wouldn't have to talk about Occlumency.
"Well personally, I can't wait to see Weasley's Wizard Wheezes," Ron said.
"Fred and George never took you to their shop?" Hermione asked.
"It's not Fred and George- it's Mum. Who knows if we'll even be able to go-"
"Don't be ridiculous Ron, of course we have to go there- where else would we be leaving our packages?"
"Come on, Ron! Mum's in a snit already because you're late!" Ginny said, poking her head around the door. She glared at Ron before slamming the door behind her.
"Well, let's go before mum gets really upset. Harry are you all right? You're looking rather pale," Ron said looking in Harry's direction as he opened the door.
"Fine, just a little tired is all," Harry answered. "Come on, let's go. And Hermione, if you say anything about the Potions work-"
"I wasn't going to say anything- even if I think you should have finished all the assignments with the old books," Hermione said before walking out the door. Ron eyed Harry suspiciously but walked out the door anyway.
Less than half an hour later saw them inside the flat that Fred and George shared. It looked like the typical bachelor pad- albeit a pricey one.
"Don't sit on those!" Fred called out to Ron, who looked as if he was about to slide comfortably onto one of the sofas.
"They're genuine dragon hide!" George added.
"However, if the Ladies are tired," Fred began, trying to act posh as he eyed Fiona. Fiona and Hermione sat awkwardly next to each other on one of the several loveseats that were strewn about the spacious room.
"That doesn't mean you Gin- you can stand with Ron," George said, looking up from a stack of forms that were on the 'kitchen' table. Everyone knew that Fred and George's kitchen was just for show as they still ate meals prepared by Mrs. Weasley. Suddenly, Mrs. Weasley climbed out of the fireplace.
"Morning Mum," Fred said. "Where is everyone else?" Tonks, Moody, and Lupin were still not there yet.
"On their way- now you five listen to me-"Mrs. Weasley started, looking at Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Fiona. She was obviously ignoring Fred and George.
"Stick to the main shops- don't go wandering about and Knockturn Alley is strictly forbidden- is that clear? Don't bother Fred and George all day either- they're extremely busy in their shop. Ron- I'm counting on you to get your books alone. Ginny we have most of yours- except your Defense Against the Dark Arts- but don't worry I'll pick that one up for you. Have fun, Tonks and I will be walking around just to make sure everything is ok and watch out for Fiona- she doesn't know her way around like the rest of you. One more thing- your list here says that you need dress robes again this year. Ron- stop making those faces it won't be that bad. I know you've grown out of your old one-"
"Mum, please. Whatever we need them for- I'm not going," Ron said with a look of utmost loathing on his face.
"Of course you're going, Ron. Imagine, mum's little Ronnie not going? Simply absurd!" Fred said, grinning. Mrs. Weasley gave him a glaring look. "Of course you are going Ron, because George and I are going to pay for robes for you and Ginny. Consider them early birthday presents," he added hastily.
"Yes, yes. Just go to Madam Malkin's. We already informed her and she'll be adding them to our account," George said, not even bothering to look up from his papers.
"Account? You have an account? How extremely ridiculous! How many times do I have to tell you not to squander all your money away! Fred, you sit down right here and George, stop with those absurd papers-"Mrs. Weasley scolded.
"We'll be going then- see you later mum. Yes we know, we'll be back by four o'clock sharp," Ron said hurriedly as he and Ginny pulled Harry, Hermione, and Fiona down a flight of stairs. They walked out a door and into the back room of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes.
"Mum and the twins are always in a row about money," Ron said.
"I don't understand why- it's their money," Ginny said. "And besides, they offered to buy our dress robes- no more second hand shops for me! They're awful generous you know." Ron just rolled his eyes at her, but didn't complain. He ruined his pair of second hand robes two years before by trying to charm the lace off the cuffs. It worked- if you didn't count the frayed edges, which Ron didn't. He briefly remembered the dress robes that Fred and George had given him and then he remembered that Fred had stolen them back several weeks ago. Every time Ron brought them up, Fred started talking about something totally different and George simply started talking about the shop. Ron assumed he would never see them again.
"Look at this place," Harry said, in awe. It was the most marvelous storeroom he had ever seen. Ron looked around.
Large boxes took up a whole corner and there were rows and rows of what appeared to be- well, things. There was no other way to describe the creations that lay across tables or were scattered about the floor. Opposite the boxes stood a row of cauldrons. The wall behind each cauldron was scorched different colors from various explosions. Up along the ceiling, there were several doodads that were just flying around; occasionally one would dive to about eye level. A licorice stick hit Ron in the back of the head.
"Ow! That hurt!" He cried out.
"Let's get to the front of the shop before something else flies at us," Hermione advised. She was cautiously looking at a gobstone that was flying extremely close to a simmering cauldron. "How do we get out of here?"
"There's a door," Fiona pointed out.
"Alright, let's go. How come no one's in the store?" Hermione said, as she walked through.
"Not open yet," Ginny assumed, shrugging.
If Harry thought the storage room was astonishing, then there were no words to describe the store itself. Everything about it was bright and all around hung various products- there were signs everywhere that told what products were and where they were located. There was even a list of people who wanted to be testers of new practical jokes. Ron secretly thought them to be mad. A large picture of Fred and George was on the very center of the back wall.
"A bit vain aren't they?" Ron asked, laughing as he saw the picture. True to real life, the twins were- well being the twins. "I think the picture of themselves shows off more than they do!" Harry and Ron hooted with laughter as the Fred in the picture fed George a candy and watched as George turned into a giant yellow canary.
"Ok then, Hermione and I will take Fiona to get all her new things while you two waste time," Ginny said, taking charge as everyone else was staring wide-eyed at the store. Apparently, she was the only one who had already been there. "Meet us at Florean Fortecue's Ice Cream Parlor by two o'clock!" And with that, she was out the door. Hermione and Fiona followed while Ron and Harry stared in awe.
"Who does she think she is?" Ron said.
"Come on, Ron we've got a lot of stuff to buy. I have to stop at Gringotts, you?" Harry said, walking out the door.
Fiona looked a little nervous as she handed her key to the goblin behind the desk at Gringotts.
"Come on- it's lots of fun to ride through the vaults!" Ginny said, eagerly following the goblin's lead. Hermione looked a little skeptical and Fiona, trusting Hermione's judgment much more than Ginny's, looked extremely nervous.
When they got to the cart, Hermione sat down, trying to position herself so she couldn't see out the top of the cart. Ginny squealed in delight as the cart went faster and deeper into some unknown cave. Fiona tried to memorize where they were going but after three lefts, a right, two lefts, and a loop she had no idea where she was. It felt like eons to Fiona before they finally stopped. Ginny was her usual chipper self but Hermione appeared a little green. Fiona, although not as bad off as Hermione- wasn't feeling too great after the ride to her vault
The goblin opened the door to Fiona's vault and she peered in. A look of shock came across her face as she saw piles and piles of gold, silver, and bronze coins. She quickly scooped out some money and signaled to the goblin that she was ready to go.
"Hermione- are you alright?" Ginny asked, staring down at the sitting Hermione.
"Just a little motion sickness is all- I'll be fine when we leave," Hermione said and with that, the cart started moving again.
When they were back at the bank, Hermione stumbled out of the cart. Ginny and Fiona looked at her and each took one arm to make sure she had her balance.
"You sure you're alright?" Fiona asked, looking at the brief look of terror on Hermione's face.
"I'm fine- glad I don't have to do that every time I need a bit of gold!" Hermione said, trying to laugh off her weakness. She turned to Fiona. "We should probably get you a wand first. Ollivander's is up the street- best place there is."
When the got to the store, it seemed as if Mr. Ollivander had been waiting for them.
"This is Fiona. She is going to be a sixth year student this year," Hermione said to Mr. Ollivander.
"Ah, yes- Fiona. I've been expecting you for quite some time," He started. Something about him made Fiona a little uneasy, as if he could read her mind. "Well, now let's see. Hold out your wand arm please."
Fiona lifted her right arm obediently and a tape measure instantly began taking measurements. It measured how long her arm was, around her wrist, the length of her pinkie finger. She didn't even notice it had continued taking measurements, instead she watched as Mr. Ollivander walked up and down the rows of wands. Ginny giggled as the tape measure finished measuring the circumference of Fiona's head and then began measuring the length of her nose. Mr. Ollivander muttered something and the tape measurer crumpled to the floor.
"Try this one," he said, walking towards her. "Maple and Dragon-heart string. Nine and a half inches. Rather whippy. Give it a little wave."
Before Fiona could even think about moving her arm, he had snatched it back.
"No, no that won't do. Here try this- Yew and Phoenix feather; twelve inches." This time he let her hold if for several seconds before he grabbed it back.
"Hmm, not to worry dear- Willow and Unicorn hair; eight inches."
He went through several more wands in this fashion, growing more and more excited as he went. He was destined to find her wand, even if it killed him. Fiona blushed as each wand was put back in the box. He had created a large pile with the discarded wands and the stack almost touched the ceiling.
"Hmm, just perhaps- yes I think this may work. Willow and Unicorn hair; ten inches." Fiona took the wand once more, not knowing what to expect. She felt immediate warmth in her fingertips and her face lit up. She lightly swished the wand and reddish gold sparks came cascading out.
"Wonderful!" Mr. Ollivander said, obviously pleased with himself. Fiona paid him the seven galleons for the wand and hurriedly walked out of the shop with Hermione leading the way.
"Ok, this way to Madam Malkin's," Hermione said. She led Fiona to the robe shop but stopped before they went inside. "I forgot to send something through the owl post, mind waiting here for me while I go send it quickly?"
"Sure, just make sure you don't get into trouble," Ginny warned. She waited until Hermione walked away before she turned to Fiona and said, "I was supposed to meet Dean here a little while ago- would it be alright if I went to meet him. I'll only be gone a couple minutes."
"Sure," Fiona said, nervously walking into the shop. She looked around- she could only see one other person in the store- a blonde boy. His hair was slicked back and he had an extremely bored expression on his face. He appeared to be around Fiona's age.
"Need help, dear? New Hogwarts robes I presume?" A witch who Fiona presumed was Madame Malkin asked her. She took Fiona by the arm and pulled her to the back of the room.
"Yes and I need a winter coat with-"
"Silver fastenings? And a new dress robe, eh? You're a bit old for a first year, don't you think?"
The blonde boy perked up at this. He was blatantly listening to their conversation and didn't seem to care if Fiona noticed or not.
"Yes, but actually I'm a sixth year. Just a new student is all."
"Hogwart's doesn't just let new students in," the boy said lazily. Fiona shrugged as Madam Malkin began pinning her robes.
"Go on now, pick out your dress robes while I fix you up a set of these." Fiona stepped off the stool she had been standing on.
"Name's Malfoy. Draco Malfoy."
"Fiona," she told him, not understanding his sudden interest in her. His eyes followed her throughout the room. Hermione and Ginny burst in at the same time.
"Sorry to leave you-"Hermione started.
"Did you find anything yet?" Ginny asked. They both stopped when they saw Draco. The two did their best to ignore him but they couldn't help shooting dirty looks at him from over the racks.
"He say anything to you?" Hermione asked, as she compared two different shades of Indigo.
"Just his name," Fiona answered. The girls quickly picked out their dress robes and left the store.
"How weird! He didn't even say anything, he just watched us," Ginny marveled.
"Not us," Hermione said casting a sideways glance at Fiona. "Something about that wasn't quite right. Let's go to the Apothecary next."
"Ick- that store smells," Ginny said wrinkling her nose.
"Fiona needs all her potions supplies and I have to stock up on my own," Hermione told her. "Let's just get it out of the way." They hurried through the Apothecary as fast as possible. Outside they saw Ron and Harry who both looked skeptical about going in.
"Let's get our books next- we can stock them in Fiona's cauldron until we've dropped them off at the flat," Ginny suggested. Hermione and Ginny pushed Fiona in the direction of the Flourish and Blotts.
The girls stayed in the bookstore for some time. Hermione couldn't decide which N.E.W.T. prep books she wanted and refused to listen to Ginny or Fiona when they told her the exams weren't for another year. She ended up buying both along with the rest of her schoolbooks. Fiona ended up buying an extra book too. She picked a book whose main focus was using a crystal ball. Hermione snorted when she saw the cover.
"A bit impractical, don't you think?"
"If you don't know what you're doing," Fiona said, waiting to see if Hermione understood her insinuation.
"I understand perfectly well- they're expensive pieces of rubbish!" Hermione bellowed before stalking away. Fiona just watched her go as she finished paying for her things.
"Ginny- wait. I got you something," Fiona said.
"What?" Ginny asked unable to hide the smile on her face.
"I got you a Quick-Quotes Quill."
"Really? That will help so much in History of Magic. Thanks a ton," Ginny said astonished, while looking at the quill.
"I thought you wanted to drop all this off?" Hermione asked when they got outside and began walking down the street. "Fred and George live over there." She added, steering them in the right direction.
"Need anything else?" Ginny asked as they walked out of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. At the moment, an extremely hefty witch whose son had bought a large amount of canary creams was hollering at Fred and the girls thought it better to leave the store quickly than get in the middle of the argument.
"I was thinking of getting an owl. What do you think?" Fiona asked.
"They are really useful," Ginny said, secretly hoping Fiona would get an owl she could use so she wouldn't have to worry about Ron finding anymore notes from Dean.
"Well, Eeylops Owl Emporium is over there we can go there before-"
"We head to Quality Quidditch Supplies!" Ginny exclaimed. Hermione glared at her. "Oh, alright. No Quality Quidditch Supplies today- it is getting late." She added, failing to hide her disappointment.
Fiona glanced at her watch- it was almost quarter to two! The girls quickly walked into the owl shop and in no time, Fiona had a new owl named Sayuri. Then they ventured over to Florean Fortescue's where Harry and Ron had already saved them seats and apparently ordered them ice cream, as there were three already melting sundaes on the table.
"You're late," Ron said with a smug look on his face. Hermione rolled her eyes.
Everyone ate their ice cream as Harry and Ron talked about all the new things they saw in Quality Quidditch Supplies.
"Why do you look so glum Harry?" Fiona asked.
"Harry's got a lifetime ban from Quidditch," Ron said smirking.
"It isn't funny!" Harry shouted.
"Of course isn't- it's just everyone knows that it's going to be lifted. Umbridge had no right giving it to you in the first place," Ron said hastily, hoping Harry wouldn't start shouting in the middle of Diagon Alley.
"Oooh, I do wish someone gave that Umbridge a nice dose of Veritaserum!" Ginny whined.
"She was the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor last year," Hermione told Fiona.
"Why-"Fiona started to ask but didn't get to finish.
"If it isn't Harry Potter," a cold voice sneered behind him.
"What do you want?" Harry said, immediately standing up. The rest of the table stood up and got behind him. Fiona stood up and followed Ginny, turning to see whom they were all glaring at. Draco Malfoy stood opposite Harry. Behind him stood Crabbe and Goyle, who were sneering at Harry.
"A new student? I should have known it would be another Mudblood- lover. Dumbledore has got to be stopped."
"Right, Malfoy- like you could ever-"
"Shut it, Weasley! I'd watch my back if I were you- your kind aren't tolerated in Diagon Alley anymore." He drew out his wand and held it high over his head. "Unfortunately for you, if you play by the rules you never get ahead. A-"
"I wouldn't do that if I were you, boy." Moody appeared almost out of nowhere. He glared at the trio before him. A look of shock and panic appeared on Draco's face. He hit Crabbe and Goyle on the shoulder and they immediately turned around and walked in the opposite direction without another word.
"Alright, get movin'. Back to Fred and George's on the double!" Moody growled, his eye checking to make sure each person was safe. As they walked back towards Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, Moody's magical eye was spinning so fast in his head that Harry doubted he could actually see anything that was going on.
"I don't think we'll be going back to Diagon Alley for a while," Harry said, glumly.
"Me either. What do you think Draco was up to?" Ron asked.
"He apparently sided with the death-eaters. Wouldn't be surprised if the dark mark was glowing on his arm as we speak," Harry replied.
"He's still scared of Moody, though. Gosh this Potions is dull!" Ron complained, glaring at his potions essay and secretly wishing there was a spell to make it finish itself.
"Shh! I've had to reread this paragraph twice since you started talking," Hermione snapped.
"Hermione I don't think we'll be covering page eight hundred and seventy five for sometime," Harry said.
"You can never be too ahead in Potions work!"
"Yes Hermione, yes you can," Ron retorted. "Well, I think that's about all I can make up for this essay. What do you think? One and a half rolls of parchment good enough?"
"Our letter says two, Ron."
"Yes Hermione, I see that, but I can't help thinking that since it has such a lovely beginning and conclusion that maybe- just maybe- it will make up for being about two paragraphs short." He smirked at her, causing her to scowl in her book.
"You two have got to learn to take your school work seriously! You ask for my help then talk about rubbish and interrupt my reading-"
"Malfoy being a death-eater is not rubbish, Hermione," Harry said harshly.
"Maybe not, but talking about Quidditch and the couches in the twins' apartment is not exactly scholarly, now is it?"
"But we admit they were awful nice couches. I mean come on, that dragon hide was just amazing!" Ron said, but his smile faded when he saw the look on Hermione's face. "Alright, alright. We'll try harder. You are such a killjoy sometimes, you know that?" Hermione just looked at him.
"Say Harry, where's Fiona?" Hermione asked.
"Dunno. You know how she is- she makes herself scarce. Why?"
"Just wondering. The most peculiar thing happened while we were in Madam Malkin's. Draco was there- but he didn't say anything at all. He just stared- with malice of course, but still. He wasn't even looking at Ginny or me- he followed Fiona's every move. I don't get it."
"That is strange. Why would she be so important to Malfoy?" Harry asked.
"Probably the same reason she's so important to Dumbledore," Ron muttered.
"And Voldemort! I bet she was the reason that Diso was attacked," Harry thought aloud. Ron flinched at Voldemort's name; Hermione didn't even notice it.
"But why? It makes no sense- she's not very special," Ron said.
"How do you know Ron?" Hermione asked accusingly.
"Oh, come off it! We'll just have to pay extra attention. I'll write George and see if he'll send some more of those card things."
"There's not another meeting until after we leave for school, though. And I already asked Dumbledore about her and he wouldn't tell me," Harry said.
"Do you think maybe Fiona knows?" Hermione inquired.
"Doubt it- besides you'd have to get her to talk to you before you could find out. When do we leave for school anyhow?" Ron asked.
"Why do you always get so sidetracked Ron? We leave in a few days. I think she's just shy though. Imagine how you would feel if you suddenly found yourself in a different country without any family or friends," Hermione said reasonably.
"We're her friends!" Ron protested.
"-But what if she doesn't get put in Gryffindor when we get to Hogwart's? Think about it Ron- besides we've been friends since our first year and she just got here- she must feel dreadfully out of place! I don't think she trusts us too much either," Hermione answered.
"Did mum just call us down to dinner?" Ron asked. Hermione just shook her head before she closing her book and walking out of the room. "What? What did I do now? Honestly, I don't think I will ever understand her!" Harry just laughed.
"Come on, Ron. Let's go get some dinner. I think I've about had it with this essay, too. Mind you- mine's a lot closer to two scrolls than yours."
That's all for today...I hope that you liked my chapter. If you did, please review....
Please review if you have a chance! Please....
And special thanks to my betas, Lyds and dreamermarie!!
Chapter 5: The End of Summer
"How are your occlumency lessons?" Hermione asked Harry as they waited for Ron to find his wand- he seemed to have lost it somewhere in his old school books.
"Er- they're ok," Harry said. "Much better than they were with Snape, anyways."
"Aha! I found it!" Ron called from under the bed. Harry breathed a sigh of relief- at least now he wouldn't have to talk about Occlumency with Hermione. He didn't want to admit that the lessons were even harder than with Snape- although this time Harry felt as if he were improving.
'Because Dumbledore actually wants me to succeed' Harry thought.
"I think we should start heading downstairs," Harry said, furthering his effort to dissuade Hermione from asking more questions about Occlumency.
"I can't believe they're letting us go to Diagon Alley- I'm so excited! I can't wait to look through all the books- Mum and Dad gave me some extra money for my birthday," Hermione rambled. Harry let out a sigh of relief, now he wouldn't have to talk about Occlumency.
"Well personally, I can't wait to see Weasley's Wizard Wheezes," Ron said.
"Fred and George never took you to their shop?" Hermione asked.
"It's not Fred and George- it's Mum. Who knows if we'll even be able to go-"
"Don't be ridiculous Ron, of course we have to go there- where else would we be leaving our packages?"
"Come on, Ron! Mum's in a snit already because you're late!" Ginny said, poking her head around the door. She glared at Ron before slamming the door behind her.
"Well, let's go before mum gets really upset. Harry are you all right? You're looking rather pale," Ron said looking in Harry's direction as he opened the door.
"Fine, just a little tired is all," Harry answered. "Come on, let's go. And Hermione, if you say anything about the Potions work-"
"I wasn't going to say anything- even if I think you should have finished all the assignments with the old books," Hermione said before walking out the door. Ron eyed Harry suspiciously but walked out the door anyway.
Less than half an hour later saw them inside the flat that Fred and George shared. It looked like the typical bachelor pad- albeit a pricey one.
"Don't sit on those!" Fred called out to Ron, who looked as if he was about to slide comfortably onto one of the sofas.
"They're genuine dragon hide!" George added.
"However, if the Ladies are tired," Fred began, trying to act posh as he eyed Fiona. Fiona and Hermione sat awkwardly next to each other on one of the several loveseats that were strewn about the spacious room.
"That doesn't mean you Gin- you can stand with Ron," George said, looking up from a stack of forms that were on the 'kitchen' table. Everyone knew that Fred and George's kitchen was just for show as they still ate meals prepared by Mrs. Weasley. Suddenly, Mrs. Weasley climbed out of the fireplace.
"Morning Mum," Fred said. "Where is everyone else?" Tonks, Moody, and Lupin were still not there yet.
"On their way- now you five listen to me-"Mrs. Weasley started, looking at Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Fiona. She was obviously ignoring Fred and George.
"Stick to the main shops- don't go wandering about and Knockturn Alley is strictly forbidden- is that clear? Don't bother Fred and George all day either- they're extremely busy in their shop. Ron- I'm counting on you to get your books alone. Ginny we have most of yours- except your Defense Against the Dark Arts- but don't worry I'll pick that one up for you. Have fun, Tonks and I will be walking around just to make sure everything is ok and watch out for Fiona- she doesn't know her way around like the rest of you. One more thing- your list here says that you need dress robes again this year. Ron- stop making those faces it won't be that bad. I know you've grown out of your old one-"
"Mum, please. Whatever we need them for- I'm not going," Ron said with a look of utmost loathing on his face.
"Of course you're going, Ron. Imagine, mum's little Ronnie not going? Simply absurd!" Fred said, grinning. Mrs. Weasley gave him a glaring look. "Of course you are going Ron, because George and I are going to pay for robes for you and Ginny. Consider them early birthday presents," he added hastily.
"Yes, yes. Just go to Madam Malkin's. We already informed her and she'll be adding them to our account," George said, not even bothering to look up from his papers.
"Account? You have an account? How extremely ridiculous! How many times do I have to tell you not to squander all your money away! Fred, you sit down right here and George, stop with those absurd papers-"Mrs. Weasley scolded.
"We'll be going then- see you later mum. Yes we know, we'll be back by four o'clock sharp," Ron said hurriedly as he and Ginny pulled Harry, Hermione, and Fiona down a flight of stairs. They walked out a door and into the back room of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes.
"Mum and the twins are always in a row about money," Ron said.
"I don't understand why- it's their money," Ginny said. "And besides, they offered to buy our dress robes- no more second hand shops for me! They're awful generous you know." Ron just rolled his eyes at her, but didn't complain. He ruined his pair of second hand robes two years before by trying to charm the lace off the cuffs. It worked- if you didn't count the frayed edges, which Ron didn't. He briefly remembered the dress robes that Fred and George had given him and then he remembered that Fred had stolen them back several weeks ago. Every time Ron brought them up, Fred started talking about something totally different and George simply started talking about the shop. Ron assumed he would never see them again.
"Look at this place," Harry said, in awe. It was the most marvelous storeroom he had ever seen. Ron looked around.
Large boxes took up a whole corner and there were rows and rows of what appeared to be- well, things. There was no other way to describe the creations that lay across tables or were scattered about the floor. Opposite the boxes stood a row of cauldrons. The wall behind each cauldron was scorched different colors from various explosions. Up along the ceiling, there were several doodads that were just flying around; occasionally one would dive to about eye level. A licorice stick hit Ron in the back of the head.
"Ow! That hurt!" He cried out.
"Let's get to the front of the shop before something else flies at us," Hermione advised. She was cautiously looking at a gobstone that was flying extremely close to a simmering cauldron. "How do we get out of here?"
"There's a door," Fiona pointed out.
"Alright, let's go. How come no one's in the store?" Hermione said, as she walked through.
"Not open yet," Ginny assumed, shrugging.
If Harry thought the storage room was astonishing, then there were no words to describe the store itself. Everything about it was bright and all around hung various products- there were signs everywhere that told what products were and where they were located. There was even a list of people who wanted to be testers of new practical jokes. Ron secretly thought them to be mad. A large picture of Fred and George was on the very center of the back wall.
"A bit vain aren't they?" Ron asked, laughing as he saw the picture. True to real life, the twins were- well being the twins. "I think the picture of themselves shows off more than they do!" Harry and Ron hooted with laughter as the Fred in the picture fed George a candy and watched as George turned into a giant yellow canary.
"Ok then, Hermione and I will take Fiona to get all her new things while you two waste time," Ginny said, taking charge as everyone else was staring wide-eyed at the store. Apparently, she was the only one who had already been there. "Meet us at Florean Fortecue's Ice Cream Parlor by two o'clock!" And with that, she was out the door. Hermione and Fiona followed while Ron and Harry stared in awe.
"Who does she think she is?" Ron said.
"Come on, Ron we've got a lot of stuff to buy. I have to stop at Gringotts, you?" Harry said, walking out the door.
Fiona looked a little nervous as she handed her key to the goblin behind the desk at Gringotts.
"Come on- it's lots of fun to ride through the vaults!" Ginny said, eagerly following the goblin's lead. Hermione looked a little skeptical and Fiona, trusting Hermione's judgment much more than Ginny's, looked extremely nervous.
When they got to the cart, Hermione sat down, trying to position herself so she couldn't see out the top of the cart. Ginny squealed in delight as the cart went faster and deeper into some unknown cave. Fiona tried to memorize where they were going but after three lefts, a right, two lefts, and a loop she had no idea where she was. It felt like eons to Fiona before they finally stopped. Ginny was her usual chipper self but Hermione appeared a little green. Fiona, although not as bad off as Hermione- wasn't feeling too great after the ride to her vault
The goblin opened the door to Fiona's vault and she peered in. A look of shock came across her face as she saw piles and piles of gold, silver, and bronze coins. She quickly scooped out some money and signaled to the goblin that she was ready to go.
"Hermione- are you alright?" Ginny asked, staring down at the sitting Hermione.
"Just a little motion sickness is all- I'll be fine when we leave," Hermione said and with that, the cart started moving again.
When they were back at the bank, Hermione stumbled out of the cart. Ginny and Fiona looked at her and each took one arm to make sure she had her balance.
"You sure you're alright?" Fiona asked, looking at the brief look of terror on Hermione's face.
"I'm fine- glad I don't have to do that every time I need a bit of gold!" Hermione said, trying to laugh off her weakness. She turned to Fiona. "We should probably get you a wand first. Ollivander's is up the street- best place there is."
When the got to the store, it seemed as if Mr. Ollivander had been waiting for them.
"This is Fiona. She is going to be a sixth year student this year," Hermione said to Mr. Ollivander.
"Ah, yes- Fiona. I've been expecting you for quite some time," He started. Something about him made Fiona a little uneasy, as if he could read her mind. "Well, now let's see. Hold out your wand arm please."
Fiona lifted her right arm obediently and a tape measure instantly began taking measurements. It measured how long her arm was, around her wrist, the length of her pinkie finger. She didn't even notice it had continued taking measurements, instead she watched as Mr. Ollivander walked up and down the rows of wands. Ginny giggled as the tape measure finished measuring the circumference of Fiona's head and then began measuring the length of her nose. Mr. Ollivander muttered something and the tape measurer crumpled to the floor.
"Try this one," he said, walking towards her. "Maple and Dragon-heart string. Nine and a half inches. Rather whippy. Give it a little wave."
Before Fiona could even think about moving her arm, he had snatched it back.
"No, no that won't do. Here try this- Yew and Phoenix feather; twelve inches." This time he let her hold if for several seconds before he grabbed it back.
"Hmm, not to worry dear- Willow and Unicorn hair; eight inches."
He went through several more wands in this fashion, growing more and more excited as he went. He was destined to find her wand, even if it killed him. Fiona blushed as each wand was put back in the box. He had created a large pile with the discarded wands and the stack almost touched the ceiling.
"Hmm, just perhaps- yes I think this may work. Willow and Unicorn hair; ten inches." Fiona took the wand once more, not knowing what to expect. She felt immediate warmth in her fingertips and her face lit up. She lightly swished the wand and reddish gold sparks came cascading out.
"Wonderful!" Mr. Ollivander said, obviously pleased with himself. Fiona paid him the seven galleons for the wand and hurriedly walked out of the shop with Hermione leading the way.
"Ok, this way to Madam Malkin's," Hermione said. She led Fiona to the robe shop but stopped before they went inside. "I forgot to send something through the owl post, mind waiting here for me while I go send it quickly?"
"Sure, just make sure you don't get into trouble," Ginny warned. She waited until Hermione walked away before she turned to Fiona and said, "I was supposed to meet Dean here a little while ago- would it be alright if I went to meet him. I'll only be gone a couple minutes."
"Sure," Fiona said, nervously walking into the shop. She looked around- she could only see one other person in the store- a blonde boy. His hair was slicked back and he had an extremely bored expression on his face. He appeared to be around Fiona's age.
"Need help, dear? New Hogwarts robes I presume?" A witch who Fiona presumed was Madame Malkin asked her. She took Fiona by the arm and pulled her to the back of the room.
"Yes and I need a winter coat with-"
"Silver fastenings? And a new dress robe, eh? You're a bit old for a first year, don't you think?"
The blonde boy perked up at this. He was blatantly listening to their conversation and didn't seem to care if Fiona noticed or not.
"Yes, but actually I'm a sixth year. Just a new student is all."
"Hogwart's doesn't just let new students in," the boy said lazily. Fiona shrugged as Madam Malkin began pinning her robes.
"Go on now, pick out your dress robes while I fix you up a set of these." Fiona stepped off the stool she had been standing on.
"Name's Malfoy. Draco Malfoy."
"Fiona," she told him, not understanding his sudden interest in her. His eyes followed her throughout the room. Hermione and Ginny burst in at the same time.
"Sorry to leave you-"Hermione started.
"Did you find anything yet?" Ginny asked. They both stopped when they saw Draco. The two did their best to ignore him but they couldn't help shooting dirty looks at him from over the racks.
"He say anything to you?" Hermione asked, as she compared two different shades of Indigo.
"Just his name," Fiona answered. The girls quickly picked out their dress robes and left the store.
"How weird! He didn't even say anything, he just watched us," Ginny marveled.
"Not us," Hermione said casting a sideways glance at Fiona. "Something about that wasn't quite right. Let's go to the Apothecary next."
"Ick- that store smells," Ginny said wrinkling her nose.
"Fiona needs all her potions supplies and I have to stock up on my own," Hermione told her. "Let's just get it out of the way." They hurried through the Apothecary as fast as possible. Outside they saw Ron and Harry who both looked skeptical about going in.
"Let's get our books next- we can stock them in Fiona's cauldron until we've dropped them off at the flat," Ginny suggested. Hermione and Ginny pushed Fiona in the direction of the Flourish and Blotts.
The girls stayed in the bookstore for some time. Hermione couldn't decide which N.E.W.T. prep books she wanted and refused to listen to Ginny or Fiona when they told her the exams weren't for another year. She ended up buying both along with the rest of her schoolbooks. Fiona ended up buying an extra book too. She picked a book whose main focus was using a crystal ball. Hermione snorted when she saw the cover.
"A bit impractical, don't you think?"
"If you don't know what you're doing," Fiona said, waiting to see if Hermione understood her insinuation.
"I understand perfectly well- they're expensive pieces of rubbish!" Hermione bellowed before stalking away. Fiona just watched her go as she finished paying for her things.
"Ginny- wait. I got you something," Fiona said.
"What?" Ginny asked unable to hide the smile on her face.
"I got you a Quick-Quotes Quill."
"Really? That will help so much in History of Magic. Thanks a ton," Ginny said astonished, while looking at the quill.
"I thought you wanted to drop all this off?" Hermione asked when they got outside and began walking down the street. "Fred and George live over there." She added, steering them in the right direction.
"Need anything else?" Ginny asked as they walked out of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. At the moment, an extremely hefty witch whose son had bought a large amount of canary creams was hollering at Fred and the girls thought it better to leave the store quickly than get in the middle of the argument.
"I was thinking of getting an owl. What do you think?" Fiona asked.
"They are really useful," Ginny said, secretly hoping Fiona would get an owl she could use so she wouldn't have to worry about Ron finding anymore notes from Dean.
"Well, Eeylops Owl Emporium is over there we can go there before-"
"We head to Quality Quidditch Supplies!" Ginny exclaimed. Hermione glared at her. "Oh, alright. No Quality Quidditch Supplies today- it is getting late." She added, failing to hide her disappointment.
Fiona glanced at her watch- it was almost quarter to two! The girls quickly walked into the owl shop and in no time, Fiona had a new owl named Sayuri. Then they ventured over to Florean Fortescue's where Harry and Ron had already saved them seats and apparently ordered them ice cream, as there were three already melting sundaes on the table.
"You're late," Ron said with a smug look on his face. Hermione rolled her eyes.
Everyone ate their ice cream as Harry and Ron talked about all the new things they saw in Quality Quidditch Supplies.
"Why do you look so glum Harry?" Fiona asked.
"Harry's got a lifetime ban from Quidditch," Ron said smirking.
"It isn't funny!" Harry shouted.
"Of course isn't- it's just everyone knows that it's going to be lifted. Umbridge had no right giving it to you in the first place," Ron said hastily, hoping Harry wouldn't start shouting in the middle of Diagon Alley.
"Oooh, I do wish someone gave that Umbridge a nice dose of Veritaserum!" Ginny whined.
"She was the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor last year," Hermione told Fiona.
"Why-"Fiona started to ask but didn't get to finish.
"If it isn't Harry Potter," a cold voice sneered behind him.
"What do you want?" Harry said, immediately standing up. The rest of the table stood up and got behind him. Fiona stood up and followed Ginny, turning to see whom they were all glaring at. Draco Malfoy stood opposite Harry. Behind him stood Crabbe and Goyle, who were sneering at Harry.
"A new student? I should have known it would be another Mudblood- lover. Dumbledore has got to be stopped."
"Right, Malfoy- like you could ever-"
"Shut it, Weasley! I'd watch my back if I were you- your kind aren't tolerated in Diagon Alley anymore." He drew out his wand and held it high over his head. "Unfortunately for you, if you play by the rules you never get ahead. A-"
"I wouldn't do that if I were you, boy." Moody appeared almost out of nowhere. He glared at the trio before him. A look of shock and panic appeared on Draco's face. He hit Crabbe and Goyle on the shoulder and they immediately turned around and walked in the opposite direction without another word.
"Alright, get movin'. Back to Fred and George's on the double!" Moody growled, his eye checking to make sure each person was safe. As they walked back towards Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, Moody's magical eye was spinning so fast in his head that Harry doubted he could actually see anything that was going on.
"I don't think we'll be going back to Diagon Alley for a while," Harry said, glumly.
"Me either. What do you think Draco was up to?" Ron asked.
"He apparently sided with the death-eaters. Wouldn't be surprised if the dark mark was glowing on his arm as we speak," Harry replied.
"He's still scared of Moody, though. Gosh this Potions is dull!" Ron complained, glaring at his potions essay and secretly wishing there was a spell to make it finish itself.
"Shh! I've had to reread this paragraph twice since you started talking," Hermione snapped.
"Hermione I don't think we'll be covering page eight hundred and seventy five for sometime," Harry said.
"You can never be too ahead in Potions work!"
"Yes Hermione, yes you can," Ron retorted. "Well, I think that's about all I can make up for this essay. What do you think? One and a half rolls of parchment good enough?"
"Our letter says two, Ron."
"Yes Hermione, I see that, but I can't help thinking that since it has such a lovely beginning and conclusion that maybe- just maybe- it will make up for being about two paragraphs short." He smirked at her, causing her to scowl in her book.
"You two have got to learn to take your school work seriously! You ask for my help then talk about rubbish and interrupt my reading-"
"Malfoy being a death-eater is not rubbish, Hermione," Harry said harshly.
"Maybe not, but talking about Quidditch and the couches in the twins' apartment is not exactly scholarly, now is it?"
"But we admit they were awful nice couches. I mean come on, that dragon hide was just amazing!" Ron said, but his smile faded when he saw the look on Hermione's face. "Alright, alright. We'll try harder. You are such a killjoy sometimes, you know that?" Hermione just looked at him.
"Say Harry, where's Fiona?" Hermione asked.
"Dunno. You know how she is- she makes herself scarce. Why?"
"Just wondering. The most peculiar thing happened while we were in Madam Malkin's. Draco was there- but he didn't say anything at all. He just stared- with malice of course, but still. He wasn't even looking at Ginny or me- he followed Fiona's every move. I don't get it."
"That is strange. Why would she be so important to Malfoy?" Harry asked.
"Probably the same reason she's so important to Dumbledore," Ron muttered.
"And Voldemort! I bet she was the reason that Diso was attacked," Harry thought aloud. Ron flinched at Voldemort's name; Hermione didn't even notice it.
"But why? It makes no sense- she's not very special," Ron said.
"How do you know Ron?" Hermione asked accusingly.
"Oh, come off it! We'll just have to pay extra attention. I'll write George and see if he'll send some more of those card things."
"There's not another meeting until after we leave for school, though. And I already asked Dumbledore about her and he wouldn't tell me," Harry said.
"Do you think maybe Fiona knows?" Hermione inquired.
"Doubt it- besides you'd have to get her to talk to you before you could find out. When do we leave for school anyhow?" Ron asked.
"Why do you always get so sidetracked Ron? We leave in a few days. I think she's just shy though. Imagine how you would feel if you suddenly found yourself in a different country without any family or friends," Hermione said reasonably.
"We're her friends!" Ron protested.
"-But what if she doesn't get put in Gryffindor when we get to Hogwart's? Think about it Ron- besides we've been friends since our first year and she just got here- she must feel dreadfully out of place! I don't think she trusts us too much either," Hermione answered.
"Did mum just call us down to dinner?" Ron asked. Hermione just shook her head before she closing her book and walking out of the room. "What? What did I do now? Honestly, I don't think I will ever understand her!" Harry just laughed.
"Come on, Ron. Let's go get some dinner. I think I've about had it with this essay, too. Mind you- mine's a lot closer to two scrolls than yours."
That's all for today...I hope that you liked my chapter. If you did, please review....