Chapter 2: Bazaar of the Primeval Forest

Harry squirmed in bed as too many feet kept pouncing on him. The puppies, which were found to enjoy mischief more than anything else, have made it a habit to wake Harry, and only Harry, through a series of hops and somersaults. Hoping that the pups would leave, Harry placed the blanket over his head and laid on his sides. He groaned when Kairi, the red pup, went underneath the blanket to give Harry an exceptionably wet tongue on his face.

"Eeeeew. They love you, Harry," a familiar voice travelled from his door. "Good thing I woke up early to find them pawing at your door, or they'd have gone into mine."

"Do you want to join them?" Harry replied through the sheets. "I reckon enough space is left for you."

"Dream on, Harry."

'I would, if these two get off and let me continue that dream.' Harry smiled at that thought.

"What's that smirk for?" Ginny replied quizzically. "Get your arse off, we're going shopping today."

Harry alighted the Knight Bus after his friends. Awe-strucked, Harry gaped at the crowded Diagon Alley; it had never been this crowded before!

"Honestly, I doubt we can get out of this alive at the end of the day," Hermione grimaced.

The group traversed through the sea of people towards the familiar pearl-white building that still towered the other shops in Diagon Alley, all but one. The new enterprise standing right beside Gringotts fashioned a mystifying and imposing aura, much like that of the Forbidden Forest. In contrast to the too-formal tall and mundane walls of Gringotts, the building was not entirely a building; rather, a dense rainforest that seemed to be, as aptly described as possible, thriving. The area was bounded by a rather primitive sort of fence, which seemed to be made of planks of ancient wood of every kind, and it linked to the front gate with a large signboard, on which engraved:

Bazaar of the Primeval Forest

-- "Glory of Druid Fashion"

Production of the Black Forest Company, Since 1940

"Black Forest Company? Isn't that one of the Quidditch broom companies?" Harry asked, remembering he had read it somewhere in Quidditch Through The Ages.

Ron nodded. "Yeah, they made Tinderblasts and Swiftsticks. No one really uses them though; Cleansweeps are much better. I heard they manufactured another broom though!" Ron seemed rather excited at that thought and sped down the walkway into the bazaar, leaving Hermione rolling her eyes.

However, Ginny and Hermione's shopping instincts took over once they took in the sights of the amazing clothes department, or in Hermione's case, the mass of books neatly arranged over long oak shelves. Harry sighed at the ladies and went to look for Ron, 'who is most likely drooling at the brooms right now.' Harry thought.

Harry roamed, not really knowing his way around the building. Just then, a house elf tugged at the hems of Harry's jeans. "Lost, are you? Here," the little elf handed Harry a rolled up parchment and vanished at a snap of his, or Harry thought was a he, fingers.

Unrolling the parchment, he recognised the floor plan of the building and a particular blob of ink labelled 'You Are Here'. He made his way towards the Quidditch Accessory department and undoubtedly saw Ron oogling at a rather chic broomstick on the display counter. He gave a chuckle and walked over to pat Ron on the shoulders.

"Whoa, look at that, mate," Ron spoke with utter worship for the broom.

Turning his attention towards the glass case, Harry drooled a bit.

SHADOW -- Broom for the Revolutionary

Shadow harnesses the epitome in both speed and stealth capabilities. The broom sports the best acceleration capability in the current line of broomsticks; a mere 10 seconds from 0 to 180 mph! Furthermore, the sleek mahogany handle comes with a Wind Shield Charm, exclusive to the Shadow line of brooms, that improves aerodynamics and stealth. Also, improved durability that comes with the charm enables flight of up to 450 mph, impossible on other brooms due to the resistance faced at high speeds. Purchase now and join the personal garage for your Shadow broomstick.

Colours available in Ebony and Dark Mahogany.

Shadows come in three styles: Speedster, Stamina and Extreme

Note: Speak with the house elves for more information.

"Hey, lads, fancy the broom?" A house elf asked with a polite smile. "My name's Ollimer, personal house elf of Mr. Ellerby. Call me Ollie."

"Harry Potter, nice to meet you," Harry shoke the elf's hand. "Who's Mr. Ellerby?"

"Proprietor of the joint," Ollie grinned. "Master and Mr.Spudmore own the Black Forest Company. Wait a minute, did you say you're Harry Potter? Oh gosh-"

"Hush," Harry placed a hand over Ollie's mouth. "Don't want to make a scene here, do you?"

"Sorry, I've just ... heard so much from stories of other house elves in Hogwarts. Dobby kept telling me how nice a person you are to house elves, Mr. Potter." Ollie said, almost with tears in his large eyes. "Now, interested in the Shadow?"

"You bet!" Ron exclaimed, his nose still plastered to the display case.

"Yeah, I was hoping you'd tell us how much it costs," Harry said.

Ollie pondered a bit. "Tell you what lads, I'll give you two a free ride on the Shadow, to see whether you like it or not." Ollie turned and grinned at Harry, "To show thanks for sticking up for us house elves."

The boys stared incredulously at Ollie.

Hermione skimmed through the shelves with great interest; she had not seen a place with so many books she had not read yet other than Hogwart's library. Picking at a rather thick tome, Hermione settled down on the floor and began to bury herself into Kitsune: Myths or Legends? without attention to the world. Ginny on the other hand rushed in and out the fitting rooms of various dresses -- she squealed loudly at a new outfit that she liked and grabbed it. 'I wonder if Harry would like this,' muttered Ginny softly in front of the mirror, examining herself in a black halter dress.

As Hermione read, she constantly threw irritated looks at the increasing commotion in the hallway before returning to the book. "Oh how is a girl supposed to read with this noise!" Hermione tugged the book under her arm and called for Ginny to check out what the fuss was about.

As they headed up the winding stairs, Ginny and Hermione distinctly heard excited voices above them.

"Did you hear? Harry Potter's testing out the Shadow..." A wizard said in hush tones.

"Oh my god! Harry Potter and Ron Weasley? We must see them!" A witch said, followed by a fit of giggles from her friends.

The girls exchanged puzzled looks and wondered what the boys are up to. As they reached the top, they found themselves on an open deck amongst treetops. They had thought they had mistaken Ron's blazing red hair zooming past them until he landed beside them in a soft swish, clutching to a glossy red broomstick, an undoubtedly satisfied grin spread across his face. He continued to point towards the distant tree, where an ebony streak spiralled down a tall tree. "Harry..." Ginny whispered, trying to believe her sights.

Harry had asked Ollie whether the charm blocked out the wind but he just grinned. He liked flying generally because he liked the feel of wind in his hair and if the charm blocked it out, then he would not buy it. Instead, as Harry kicked off the ground, he definitely felt the wind, it almost knocked him out as he had literally rocketed off the deck. "I can't believe this thing's actually better than the Firebolt!" Harry shouted as he flew over an alcove. He was flying so fast, everything was just a green blur. Except, he did not fail to recognise the fiery red dot below him. He swooped down, graceful yet swift, and swung his legs over the broom to land on the deck to find a gaping Ginny.