Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling is in full ownership of Harry Potter and all things related.

A/N: That sure was interesting.

Phoenix – "Hey Kev. What needs done today?"

Kev – "Uh…Where's Vincent?"

Phoenix – "He's on sick leave."

Kev – (Gulps nervously) "Well…in that case you need to stay here and," (Gulps again), "Inspire me."

Phoenix – "This is going to be fun!"

Kev – "Now to reply to the reviews."

Insanitys Plaything – Thanks for the compliments. I hope this is better. My first fic had a really long first chapter. I think you might have read it. Anyway I need to have reviews like that one to keep me going. If you really like this fic keep reviewing it and I'll keep posting it. If you have any questions read my bio. If you still have questions, email me.

Chapter Two: Back Alley Shuffle

Harry hated traveling by floo powder. He stepped out of the fireplace at the Leaky Cauldron so that the rest of the Weasleys could arrive. His elbows hurt and he had the aftertaste of soot in his mouth. Ron and Hermione were already waiting for him off to one side of the small pub. Harry listened to them chat as he watched the other Weasleys arrive. Ginny tumbled out of the fireplace and stood up rubbing her backside.

Arthur and Molly Weasley escorted them to their first stop, Gringotts. Once they had gotten their money they went about their shopping. Harry went with Ron and Hermione to Flourish and Blotts to get their schoolbooks. As they exited the shop Ron and Hermione began to argue again.

"Honestly Ron," Hermione said, "Why are you so concerned? Its not like I'm dating him."

"You wouldn't be able to tell with the way you act. What in the world could you two possibly have to talk about that you have to use six rolls of parchment?"

"I told you before and I'll tell you again Ron; we're just friends. Victor and I are just friends."

"Are you sure?" Harry thought he sensed a bit of worry in Ron's voice.

"I'm positive!" Hermione let out an exasperated sigh. "God Ron! You act like a jealous husband!"

Ron froze for a moment, just a moment. Hermione must not have seen it because she kept walking. But Harry had seen a bit of apprehension on Ron's face. He resumed his natural exuberance as quickly as possible and kept up with his friends.

Harry had realized that by keeping quiet and observing the world around him he noticed things that he had not before. For instance that Ron kept giving Hermione quick sidelong glances and he looked nervous just being around her anymore. Harry had suspected that Ron had feeling for her but now he was certain of it.

Harry had a thought. He needed to talk to the twins for a moment. So for the first time in days he spoke. "Hey you two." Harry startled himself. Was that really his voice? It had been so long since he had uttered more than two words at a time. "Why don't we check on Fred and George?"

By the looks on their faces he had startled them too. They quickly agreed to this and the three made their way to Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. Once they got there Harry immediately got lost. He went looking for either Fred or George, or both. He found the terrible twosome in the back of the shop conducting an "experiment".

This was to say that when Harry entered the back room something exploded. Despite being as depressed as he was Harry burst into a fit of laughter. Fred and George (Or was it George and Fred?) looked like something out of a muggle children's book. They had green fur, long ears, and incredibly pinched faces. Fred (Or was it George?) pulled out his wand and muttered "Finite Incantatum".

The fur began to shed and their faces and ears returned to normal. Harry calmed down as quickly as he could.

"Harry! What a pleasant surprise."

"What brings you to our humble shop." Harry had now returned to his solemn demeanor.

"I just thought you guys might like to know something important about your little brother."

"What has Ickle Ronnikins done this time?" Harry tried his best to keep a straight face.

"He's fallen in love." Fred and George burst into their own fit of laughter.

"C'mon Harry," George said between breaths, "What did he really do?"

"Yeah," Fred agreed, "Be serious."

"I am serious." The twins stopped laughing immediately and looked at him curiously.

"I see," said Fred.

"Who is it?" asked George.

"Hermione." The two devils in disguise grinned like the Cheshire cat and their faces had mischief written all over them.

Diagon Alley was a splendid place indeed. And he would have been enjoying it quite a bit more if he hadn't been stuck with one of the most unpleasant tour guides ever. He had to follow a man with greasy black hair, a hooked nose, and a face that made him look dangerous. This man was none other than the Hogwarts Potions Master.

Severus Snape led him towards another shop. He had already gotten a rather useless piece of wood called a wand. He didn't need a bit of wood to use magic. But for the sake of appearances he would keep it anyway. Under his arms he carried several books and other things. All of them were useless to him.

He was dressed in uncomfortable forest green robes. His shoes were hard and making his feet hurt. This realm was too complicated. There was way too much hatred in this world. Some wizards hated muggles. Some wizards hated muggle haters. Some wizards hated other wizards just because of their families. A lot of muggles hated anyone different from themselves.

He longed to return home. He wanted to be away from all of these buildings. So much hard stone and so many dull colors made him uncomfortable. He missed the fresh smell of his pine forest after a light spring rain. He missed the feel of soft earth trough his thin leather shoes. And he was going to punish his cousin appropriately when he returned. Because of that fool's carelessness he was stuck in a strange world.

He ran a hand through his blond hair. He pushed a few stray locks over his pointed ears and scratched his short pointed nose. He took a few deep breaths to calm down. He would just need to make the best of his time here. Maybe he could learn something about this world. Better yet he could teach them. He just hoped that he wouldn't have to spend too long here.

"Hurry up," snapped the Potions Professor, "We don't have all day you know." He picked up his pace to appease the man's impatience. "That's better."

Harry stepped into the fireplace with his handful of floo powder. He yelled "The Burrow" and threw his powder down. Once more he was sucked down through the magical pathway and he tumbled out of the fireplace of the Weasley country home. At least this time he had remembered to keep his elbows tucked in. He moved out of the way and began to brush the soot off of his clothes.

One by one the others stepped, rolled, and bounced out of the fireplace. Mr. Weasley went about his business and Mrs. Weasley bustled into the kitchen to start lunch. Hermione was brushing herself off when Ron came hurtling out of the fireplace. Unfortunately for her, Hermione was in his direct path. The two collided and went down.

Ron found himself lying on top of Hermione. A few moments were spent in uncomfortable silence and then. "Ron?"

"Yeah?"

"Could you please get off of me? I can't breath." Ron rolled off of her, his face beet red, and apologized.

"Sorry for that." They both stood up and the three entered the kitchen. Mrs. Weasley was just setting down a plate of tuna sandwiches and the teakettle was whistling.

"Here's lunch," she said with a smile.

Harry sat and took a sandwich as Mrs. Weasley poured three cups of tea for them. Harry had returned to being silent. The sandwiches were eaten in silence each person contemplating something.

As Harry finished off the last sandwich Fred's new owl Jester flew in the window and dropped a letter on Ron's head. The spotted owl pecked a treat from Mrs. Weasley before flying back out the window. Ron opened the letter and read it. He suddenly went beet red again. He stuffed the letter back in its envelope and ran from the room.

Hermione looked very confused as Harry just smiled.

"What's so amusing?"

Silence.

"Harry Potter. You tell me what that was all about this instant!"

Harry just continued to drink his tea with a smug smile on his face.

A/N: I hope everyone like that.

Phoenix – (Leaning over Kev's shoulder to see his work) "This is good!"

Kev – (Red in the face and trying not to stare at anything) "Thanks."

Phoenix – "Do you think you will get good reviews?"

Kev – "I hope so. Until later, Ciao!"