Chapter 4 – Diagon Alley
Harry woke early the next day looking forward to going to Diagon Alley. Once fully awake he dressed quickly and went to the kitchen. Lupin and Tonks were already in the kitchen having breakfast.
"Wotcha Harry" Tonks said as she picked up a piece of toast.
"Morning" Harry replied happily.
"Oh, excellent Harry your up" Lupin said as way of greeting from the kitchen. "I was about to come and wake you. We want to get going soon. A lot to do today judging by the list Dumbledore gave me". Harry took a seat at the table and grabbed two pieces of toast from the stack that was sitting in the middle of the table. After finishing his breakfast Harry returned to his room and collected his new cloak. As Harry was fastening the clip Sherman slithered over to him and looked at Harry.
"What?" Harry asked Sherman checking his reflection in the mirror.
"Can I come?" Sherman replied impatiently.
"Um, I don't know" Harry looked down at his little snake assessing the risk. "I guess so but only if you are on your best behaviour and promise not to leave my pocket at any time!"
"As you request" Sherman replied and slithered onto the hand Harry held out to pick him up. Harry placed Sherman into his previous travelling pocket and proceeded back to the lounge room were Tonks and Lupin were waiting for him.
"Ready Harry?" Lupin asked while he wrapped his well wore cloak about his shoulders. Tonks, who seemed to have decided to be inconspicuous with short straight brown hair and a navy blue robe and thin black framed glasses, was already ready to go and was waiting by the door.
"Yes" Harry returned checking that the pockets of his cloak still contained Sherman and that he had remembered to place his wand in the correct pocket.
"Excellent. We will be taking the Knight Bus to Diagon Alley and you are to keep the hood of your cloak up at all times through the trip. We don't want anyone to recognise you. I am not sure I agree with Dumbledore allowing you to go with us but I guess he has his reasons. We will walk down the path away from the house and catch the bus from there. Any questions?"
"Nope. Let's go" Harry said excitedly.
The trio left the house and walked for what seemed like miles before Lupin decided that they were far enough away from the cottage. Lupin turned to Harry and told him to raise his hood before sticking his wand into the air. With a loud Bang the familiar purple triple-decker bus appeared out of now where. A number of trees had to jump out of the vehicles' way before it came to a sharp stop before them. A pimple faced young man emerged from the bus in a purple uniform. Before he could commence his usual greeting to travellers Tonks moved forward to mount the stair of the bus. Harry followed and Lupin brought up the rear.
"So is it just the two then?" Harry recognised the conductor Stan Shunpike from previous trips on the Knight bus. Harry was surprised when he realised that Stan had obviously not noticed him at all.
"Oh, yes, Diagon Alley" Tonks replied quickly passing Stan the correct change for two tickets. Stan directed the group to a set of chairs towards the rear of the bottom level then return to his spot beside the driver Ernie. With a loud Bang the bus returned to its previous location and was moving to an unknown passengers' destination. As the bus moved into motion the chairs slide across the floor and Harry, though previous experience held tightly to the arm rests to ensure that he wasn't thrown from his chair as he witnessed around him. The Bus had a number of stops before it reached their destination and Harry, as always, was happy to get off the Knight Bus when the small groups stop arrived.
"That is one of the worst ways to travel" Tonks complained straightening her robes as they dismounted the stairs from the bus in front of the Leaky Cauldron. They moved through the pub quickly and though Tom the barkeep waved hello to Lupin they did not stop. Once out in the alley way Tonks tapped her wand three times on the wall which immediately moved and created an archway into Diagon Alley. Harry couldn't help but smile as they moved down the street passing shops. He loved Diagon Alley. It felt like he was back were he belonged. Harry tried hard not to get distracted and walked quickly to keep pace with Tonks and Lupin who were moving through the crowd towards Gringotts Bank. As they moved down the street Harry noticed Fred and George Weasley's shop and desperately wanted to go in but didn't know if it would be possible. People to busy with their own shopping took no notice of Harry. This was rare when he was in the wizard world as his scare would give him away. He found it nice not to be the centre of attention. They moved quickly down the street and were soon climbing the stairs to the bank. The goblins opened the front double doors and they entered the bank and made their way to an available counter.
The goblin behind the counter looked down at them as they approached. "We are here to collect some funds from vault seven hundred and thirteen" Lupin smiled up at the goblin.
"The key?" Harry checked through his pockets until he found the one containing the key to his vault and passed it to the goblin for inspection. Once the goblin seemed satisfied that all was in order he called another goblin over to take the group down below to the vaults. A speedy cart ride later and Harry was in his personal vault taking the funds he required to purchase his school supplies. However Harry noticed something there that had not been there before. A letter and it was addressed to him.
"Oh, I had almost forgotten about that" Lupin said to himself as Harry picked it up to get a better look. It only said his name on the front. Nothing else was on the outside of the sealed letter. "Put it in you pocket and read it latter Harry. We don't have time right now. Lots to do" Lupin said quickly. Harry had the feeling Lupin knew what was in the letter and did not want Harry to read it yet. Harry did what he was told and once he had collected enough money to pay for his supplies they left the vault and returned to the cart for the quick ride back to the surface.
Once outside the bank Lupin pulled the list Dumbledore had given him the night before and checked it. "Right, I think we will start with the uniform then we will get the potions ingredients, then books and then any final odds and ends" Lupin said as he began moving to Madam Malkin's. They proceeded as Lupin said and as they moved from store to store Harry kept his eye out for a possible present for Hermione for her birthday. Harry however, did not see anything that was quiet right. As possible ideas entered his head he dismissed them just as quickly. Eventually all the supplies on the list had been purchased and Harry still did not have a present. Harry was about to give up when he noticed a store that he had not been into. The doors sign read 'Filton& Piltons Unique Antiques'. Harry decided that since he had looked in the other stores he might as well give them a try. Harry grabbed Lupin by the shoulder and began steering him towards the door. Tonks followed quickly realising that their direction had changed. All struggled slightly at the sudden change in direction as they were laden down with bags of school supplies. Harry entered the store first and Lupin and Tonks followed quickly both looking confused as to why they had been directed into this unexpected location.
"What's...?" Both Lupin and Tonks stuttered as they struggled through the door.
"I need to get something special for a present. I haven't seen anything in the other stores so I thought I would have a quick look in here. It won't take long". Harry said quietly from underneath his hood. As Lupin had requested, Harry had not lowered his hood for their entire shopping expedition.
"Oh, what are you looking for?" Tonks said excitedly.
"That's just it. I don't know" Harry replied as he moved down a short hallway. The hallway suddenly opened into an enormous room that was full to the brim with thousands of different types of antiques. The room contained furniture like lounges, seats, armchairs and tables to statues, grandfather clocks (some rattling) and suits of armour. Harry had a feeling that though many of the items looked quiet normal, that it might be unwise to get to close. This however, was difficult as the rows between the different objects were very thin and Harry was struggling to fit down them. Harry began moving towards the sale counter of the store and found the types of objects in the store changed as he got closer. Instead of furniture the items were replaced by ceramic, glass and metal plates, tea pots, serving trays, candelabras, vases, goblets (both smouldering and non-smouldering) and other house old objects as well as many magically items ranging from cauldrons, scales, telescopes and other objects that Harry could not name. Finally when he reached the counter he noticed that the counter was actually a display cabinet housing a wide range of jewellery like necklaces, rings, bracelets, precious stones and pocket watches. Harry had decided that furniture would not be appropriate, but he was seriously considering an antique telescope or scales, or something along that line, being practical and decorative. He moved towards the counter with the idea to find and ask the shop assistant for some help when an item in the cabinet caught his eye. It was a delicate necklace with a pendent. The thin silver chain had a pendent in the shape of an equilateral triangle encrusted with sapphires. No side would have been more then 3 centimetres in length and all the small sapphires' where cut into small triangles to form a larger triangle on a silver backing. A point of the triangle was attached to the chain. The triangle also had a small circle in the centre and it was also encrusted with sapphires. These sapphires where cut into small circles. It was not an item that would normally appeal to Harry, as he had never really liked jewellery but he seemed drawn to it. The item looked very old and to Harry's eyes it almost seemed to glow in the centre. Harry knew that this was the item he had been looking for. 'Its perfect' He thought 'Hermione will love it'. Harry did not know how he was so sure of this, but he had never been so sure about anything in his life. Harry noticed the sales attendant bending over behind the counter.
"Excuse me" Harry said to her back. The attendant jumped in surprise. She turned around quickly and seemed to ignore that he was there. "Excuse me" Harry said again when she was looking straight at him. The attendant looked startled for a moment and then quickly recovered.
"Anything I can help you with sir?" A witch enquired unsteadily. She was tall with dark hair and deep blue eyes. If Harry had to guess he would have said the woman was in her late thirties.
"Yes, this necklace" Harry said pointing at it. The witch moved closer though seemed a little nervous and Harry realised that she maybe a little unsettled by the fact that she could not see his face.
"Really? Most people over look that piece; I think it is quiet lovely. Is it for yourself?" the sales assistance enquired.
"No, it's a present for a friend" Harry replied.
"A female friend?" She asked with a small smile crossing her lips.
"Yes. But it's not like that" Harry added quickly realising that she was under the belief that he was buying for a girlfriend.
"Oh course not" She answered still continuing to smile. The witch opened the cabinet and removed the necklace passing it to Harry to allowing him to look at the item more closely. As she placed it in his out stretched hand Harry thought he saw it glow more brightly just for and instant but could not be sure. As it was an antique shop Harry decided that it might be prudent to get some information about the item before purchasing it. When Harry enquired to the items origins the attendant replied
"Unfortunately I can not give you any information about it. Barnaby Pilton, one of the descendents of the original owner, was an amateur inventor, though most of his inventions were useless. He had an accident during his more dangerous and last invention which resulted in a very large explosion that destroyed most of the shop and its inventory, including the records we kept on the stock. There were a number of items that survived the explosion, including the necklace. This all took place about 150 years ago now and therefore I am afraid I can not tell you anything about its original owners or exactly how old it is. I only know that it has an anti-loss charm on it to ensure that the chain will not fall off of the owner under any conditions and it has a tarnish prevention spells so that it doesn't need polishing".
"What was he inventing?" Harry asked curiously
"They never found out."
Harry was a little concerned about buy an object that he did not know very much about, but it was so beautiful and for some reason he knew it was just what he had been looking for.
"I'll take it!" Harry said passing the necklace back to the witch. The witch took the necklace and looked at the tag.
"It 25 galleons and it comes with a sister piece." The witch proceeded to look for the 'sister piece'. Harry did not know what was meant by sister piece until another necklace was placed in front of him on the counter. The new necklace was the same design as the sapphire necklace he had decided to buy except instead of a silver chain and backing it was bronze and instead of sapphire the precious stone was jade. The other difference Harry notice was that the triangle shape was attached to the chain at two sides of the triangle rather then just one.
"I don't need the second one" Harry stated looking at the second necklace with no enthusiasm.
"It's free with the first one and has the same anti-loss charm and tarnish prevention spell on it. Perhaps you can give it to someone else as a gift" The lady replied hearing the hesitation in his voice. Harry thought about it. 'Maybe I could give it to someone else' Harry though sceptically 'and if it doesn't cost anymore why worry about it'.
"Ok" Harry said reaching into one of his pockets to collect the money. He passed over the required galleon which the witch quickly deposited into a draw that open automatically as she approached. It reminded him vaguely of the till at the Hog's Head in Hogsmeade. The witch placed both necklaces in individual black velvet carry pouches and passed them to Harry.
"Thankyou for your help" Harry said as way of goodbye as he placed the pouches inside a pocket in his cloak, though the witch seemed to have quickly absorbed herself in a new task as if he had never been there. Harry carefully made his way back through the narrow corridor towards the exit and motioned to Lupin and Tonks (both had been wondering around the store fascinated by many of the objects while he was making his purchase) to leave.
"I must remember to return there for a closer look at goblets" Tonks said happily as they made their way out of the store. "I have never seen any quiet like them. Did you find what you were looking for?" Tonks directed her question at Harry.
"Oh, yes, I did" Harry replied not wanting to elaborate.
"Excellent" Lupin piped up "only one more stop to make". Harry could not image were else they needed to go. Surely they had been into every store along Diagon Alley with that last store. He did not want to complain but his school supplies were starting to get heavy. However, when Lupin directed him towards their next stop Harry could not have been more pleased. The sign above read 'Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes'. Harry smiled to himself as he walked through the door. He had wanted to visit the store all day but with Lupin constantly saying 'hurry up'and 'lots to do' Harry did not see any point asking to stop by the shop, especially since he had already made one detour. The store had shelves lining the walls on either side of him and display cases in the middle. Harry noted that he had at least one of every item in his trunk. Harry looked around the store until his eyes fell on the service counter and a mop of red hair. Though Harry knew all the Weasley children had red hair he also knew that this particular hair belonged to his best friend Ron. Harry's smile broadened, if that was possible, across his face as he moved towards the counter to speak to him.
"Hi Ron" Harry said as he reached the counter. Ron's head raised and he looked around to see who had said his name. Ron's eyes feel on Harry, though as he could not see Harry's face due to the cloak, Ron showed a look of confusion. Harry was positive that Ron knew someone was there he dismissed him as being the person who said his name. Harry decided to put Ron out of his misery. Harry quickly checked the store to ensure that Ron, Lupin, Tonks and himself were the only ones in the store before he lowered the hood. Ron was looking straight at Harry as he did this and the look on Ron's face changed instantly. A huge grin spread over Ron's face.
"Harry!" Ron yelled must to the distress of Lupin and Tonks who immediately moved forward telling Ron to lower his voice.
"Sorry mate" Ron apologised. "I wasn't expecting to see you until the express. The way Dad has been talking Dumbledore has you under lock and key. Dad doesn't even know were you are. I haven't been able to write to you in days. Pig keeps coming back with my letters".
"I have been staying with Lupin" Harry said quietly so only Ron could hear. "I like the store." Harry said at normal volume. "Fred and George have done a great job. Have you been working here all summer?"
"Yeh, it's been really good. Especially since I wanted an excuse to get out of the house and this was perfect."
"Oh, why do you want to be out of the house?" Harry replied puzzled. Harry had always considered the Weasley home to be one of the best places a person could stay.
"Percy's back!" Ron almost spat in contempt. "He was all apologies saying he was wrong and that he should have listened to Dad and Dumbledore. Mum, of course, accepted him back straight away, but the rest of us, well, let's just say even though Percy has admitted he was wrong, he is still Percy. As pompous as ever. I wished he had stayed in London and written his apology." Harry was not sure how to respond to this news as, though Harry had once liked Percy; Percy's treatment of him in the last twelve months had made Harry serious re-evaluate Percy. All in all Harry decided he would rather not see Percy and was glad for the first time not to be staying at the Weasley's.
"Is he still working for the Ministry?" Harry enquired.
"Oh yes" Ron replied with a huge grin spreading over his face. "No longer Fudge's assistant though. No he was sent back to being an assistant in the Department of International Magical Co-operation. He's not happy about it at all. Well, it's a demotion isn't it?" Ron seemed to be having trouble controlling himself from laughing.
"Has someone taken over from Mr Crouch yet?" Harry asked as Ron's grin seemed to be infectious and Harry was now also having trouble containing himself.
"Yes, Amos Diggory has taken over and seems to have even lest time for Percy then Crouch did. Percy, at least, is not enamoured of Diggory as he was with Crouch. Now all we hear is 'if I was doing it I would have done it differently to Amos'. Blah, blah, blah. Percy is as boring as ever." Ron finished.
"When did Percy come back?" Harry asked.
"About a week ago. It was real sudden actually. None of us were expecting it. Just arrived on the door step with all his things expecting all to be forgiven instantly. I don't think Dad was as happy to see him as mum was, but at least Dad talks to him. Percy talks at the rest of us but we have been ignoring him so far. After all the things he said about you, dad and Dumbledore last year, Bill, Charlie, Fred, George, Ginny and myself don't feel quiet as willing to forgive the stupid prat. He hasn't apologised to me or you yet so why should we forgive him." Ron answered.
"Is he a member of the Order?" Harry asked again lowering his voice so only Ron would hear.
"I don't think so. I think Dumbledore doesn't want to make it easy for him as he was one of Fudge's supporters for putting Dumbledore away. I think Dumbledore wants Percy to prove he can be trusted. But I don't know for sure. I know Fred and George are in as Dumbledore has assigned them a task. That's why they have me working the store at the moment." Ron replied in a conspiratorial voice.
"What are they doing?" Harry's interest had peeked. 'What would Dumbledore trust the Weasley twins with' Harry wondered.
"We'll show you" Fred and George's heads had popped out from behind a door just past the serving counter. "Come though Harry" they called and Harry moved towards them. Ron followed until Fred said "Ron, you have to watch the store".
Ron pointed and said 'Tonks and Lupin can" but as he scanned the store Tonks and Lupin were no were to be seen.
"There with us, now watch the store until we get back" George said to Ron while he ushered Harry through the door and closed it. Harry's last look back revealed that Ron was very disappointed about not being allowed to go with them. "How are you Harry?" George asked as the twins lead Harry down a narrow corridor that had a number of doors leading from it.
"Good" Harry replied curious as to where they were leading him. It did not take long for them to reach the wanted door, open it and lead Harry into a surprisingly large room. It was a workshop, Harry realised. There were about six large long tables with an assortment of items on them ranging from boxes to equipment to what appeared to be half finished projects. Tonks and Lupin were already seated in a corner at the end of one of the tables. Fred and George lead the way to the table and directed Harry to a seat beside Tonks.
"Have you had a good holiday Harry?" Fred asked, but before Harry could respond George presented the group with a cylindrical tube about ten centimetres in length and one and a half centimetres in diameter. "This is what we have been working on" Both Fred and George seemed very impressed by their tube as did Tonks and Lupin. Harry could not see what was so impressive about what looked like half a wide straw.
"Um, what is it?" Harry said as delicately as he could not wanting to offend the twins.
"Sorry Harry" George said "We should explain. At the end of the last school term, after we made our great escape" Fred grinned broadly "Dumbledore allowed us to join the Order."
"To our mothers' great displeasure" Fred chimed in. George continued "Dumbledore came to us and requested that we invent something to give the Order an edge during a battle. So we put our heads together and we came up with this." George indicated to the cylinder. Harry found this interesting but it did still did not explain what the tube was. Fred, seeing the confusion that was plain on Harry's face explained. "It's a portable projectile for these" Fred was holding two different coloured balls one was perfectly sized to fit into the tube the other was larger.
"What do these do?" Harry asked taking a blue ball from Fred's hand and examining it.
"Let me demonstrate" George said taking the ball out of Harry's hand and placing it into the tube. "Do you see Pig in the corner?" Fred asked pointing to the other side of the room. Harry had not noticed Pig until George pointed him out.
"Yes" Harry replied.
George lined up the tube aiming it in Pig's direction. George tapped the end of the tube and the ball flew out of the tube at tremendous speed across the room until it collided with Pig. Pig had been flying around in his usual excited state until the ball hit him. He stopped instantly and remained motionless in the air in the exact position he had been in when the ball hit him.
"Is he alright?" Harry asked getting up and moved across the room to examine Pig closer.
"He's fine" Fred replied following Harry to Pig.
"What did you do to him?" Harry was now standing underneath Pig and looking up at the motionless owl.
"Basically he is frozen" Fred replied standing next to Harry. "He will not move until I preform the counter spell."
"Cool" Harry said. Fred pulled his wand from out of his robes and aimed it at Pig.
"Retexere" Fred said. Pig immediately commenced flying around the room as if nothing had happened. "The idea is that you can cast spells with your wand with one hand and send a ball flying with the other. Dumbledore was concerned that in many of the battles that you and the members of the Order have been involved in, have found us out numbered by the Death Eaters. It's hoped that this can help even the numbers."
"Do they all freeze?" Harry asked as they made their way back to the table to rejoin the others.
"No, the pink one here" George held up a bright pink ball the same shape as the blue one but at least twice as big "is a stunner. You throw this one and when it lands it send out a stunning spell that will affect anything within a five foot radius of where it lands. It's not a powerful stun but will disorientate those affected for long enough for you to aim a stronger spell."
"How good does your aim have to be with the projectile tube?" Lupin asked. He had remained at the table examining the different items in detail.
"Not very" Fred replied. "The ball has a charm on it that will guide it to any living creature in the general direction you point it in."
"Excellent" Harry, Lupin and Tonks said together.
"We are working on a few others at the moment but they are not quiet ready yet." George said while Fred rummaged in a box with his back to them. Fred finally seemed to get what he had been looking for and turned back to face them. In his hand were fifteen tubes.
"These are the ones we have finished" Fred said as he passed them over to Lupin. Lupin placed thirteen into the pocket of his robes and passed one to Tonks and one to Harry. "Can you start distributing them to the members of the Order?" George meanwhile had commenced rummaging through the box next to the one Fred had just been in. Much as Fred had done George turned back to the group with his hands full of little blue and pink bags.
"These are the balls are ready" George said as he distributed them to Harry, Lupin and Tonks. Both Tonks and Harry took one of each bag and Lupin collected the rest and, with difficulty, placed them in his pocket. "Once the others are ready we will get them to you. You have ten of in each bag. When you need more let us know. Well that's all we have for now, shall we go back."
Harry placed them in the same pocket as the tube thinking to himself that they could come in handy. The group then commenced the walk out of the room back to the front of the shop. Fred and George led the way down the corridor and opened the door to the store. They went through first followed by Harry. Harry walked through the door and his vision was instantly blocked by a person who almost knocked him to the ground as their arms went around his arms to embrace him in a huge. Harry knew who it was immediately. The bushy brown hair was as familiar to Harry as his own hair told him it was Hermione. Harry attempted to huge her back but her position made it almost impossible.
"Harry, it is wonderful to see you. I never expected you would be here. Mum dropped me off a little while ago to get my school supplies and I just came in to say hi to Ron and he told me you were here. I have tried to send you a letter but it keeps coming back. Were have you been?" Hermione was still hugging Harry while she said this and Harry did attempt to respond but found it difficult enough to breath let alone talk. Hermione finally released him as Lupin and Tonks were now requesting that they stop blocking the door way.
"It's good to see you to Hermione" Harry replied when free. "I have been staying at Professor Lupin's" Harry said quietly "I think Dumbledore made it difficult for the owl post to find me because Ron said the same thing."
"We will let you catch up with your friends for a little while Harry, but don't take too long as we need to get moving" Lupin had finally managed to get through the door and was now addressing Harry. "Hello Hermione" Lupin and Tonks said smiling.
"Hello Professor Lupin, Tonks" Hermione smiled back at them. Lupin and Tonks made their way to the front of the store and began looking around as if browsing the shelves. Harry had the felling they were acting as look out while he spent some time with his friends. Ron moved over to join Harry and Hermione and they started talking like they had not been apart for the last month and a half.
"Have you decided what classes you are taking Harry? I received my letter from Professor McGonagall this morning to choose my subjects for the year did you?" Hermione asked Harry.
"Um, yes, I have" Harry lied. Dumbledore had already chosen the subjects Harry would be taking in the coming school year. Hermione looked at Harry with a curious expression. Harry had a feeling Hermione knew he wasn't being honest with her and Harry decided to try and direct the conversation away from him before Hermione could enquire further.
"Ron, I never found out your OWL results. How did you go?" Hermione gave Harry a look that told him she had more to say on Harry's subject choices but she let it drop for now and looked to Ron.
"Yes Ron how did you go? I asked but you never told me." Ron coughed uncomfortably.
"I got 6." Ron replied in a low voice looking down. Harry had they feeling that Ron was embarrassed about his results.
"That's great" Harry said with as much enthusiasm as he could in an attempt to raise Ron's spirits.
"Not compared to your 9 or Hermione's 12" Ron replied though he had raised his head to look at Harry.
"How did you know that I received 9?" Harry asked bewildered. Harry had not had a chance to tell Ron his results yet.
"Ginny told me!"
"How did Ginny know?" Harry asked even more confused. Hermione blushed.
"That was me. I told her." Hermione admitted. "I gave her my phone number at the end of last term and she called me just after your birthday. I was so excited about our results that I told her. Sorry Harry."
"How does Ginny know how to use a phone? And where was the phone?" Harry asked curiously. He knew the Weasley's didn't have one.
"Oh she went to visit Luna during the holidays and used the pay phone in the town near Luna's home. Ginny also does Muggle Studies. That's were she learnt to use the phone." Hermione said giving a meaningful look at Ron. Harry remembered Hermione telling Ron to take Muggle Studies before.
"And the muggle money for the phone?" Ron asked trying to steer Hermione's attention away from him.
"I gave it to her when I gave her my number. I knew she would have to use a pay phone so I gave her a few muggle coins." Hermione replied casually.
"So what did you decide to take this year Hermione? All the new subjects or did you limit yourself this time?" Harry asked trying hard to contain a snicker that threatened to surface. Last time they had had to choose subjects in third year, Hermione had taken every subject and had almost collapsed due to stress. Harry however, would not have put it past Hermione to do it again. Before Hermione could answer however, the door to the store opened. Harry immediately went for his hood to raise it but stop when he saw who it was walking in. It was Ginny, Luna and Neville. The trio immediately proceeded over to Harry, Hermione and Ron to join them. Greetings were passed around the extended group and Harry noted that when Ron received his from Luna his face soured sightly.
"What are you all doing here?" Harry questioned the new arrivals surprised to see them.
"I am buying my school supplies" Neville responded and Luna nodded and raised her hand slightly to indicate that she was doing the same.
"Your grandmother is not with you?" Hermione asked Neville politely. Harry had to admit that he was surprised Neville's grandmother was not there. Neville had a notoriously bad memory.
"Oh, she has given me a lot more freedom this summer. I arranged to me Luna and we meet up with Ginny. They have been helping me get everything I will need." Neville responded proudly with a huge grin spreading across his face.
"She gave me Neville book list just in case" Luna added lazily. Neville checks reddened briefly then gave a slight shrug of his shoulders.
"You're not getting supplies Ginny?" Harry asked.
"No I got mine ages ago. Since Fred and George have the shop and Ron also working here I have spent a lot of time at Diagon Alley this summer to get out of the house." Ginny made a slight face which Harry surmised was due to displeasure at having Percy back home. The group talked happily for a while and Harry wished it did not have to end. All too soon, however, Lupin was calling Harry telling him it was time to go. Harry said his good byes to everyone and promised to send Hedwig to Ron and Hermione to collect the letters they had been trying to send. As he left he placed his hood back over his head to conceal his identity on the journey back to Lupin's.