Harry gazed around Diagon Ally smiling as Mrs Weasley bustled along muttering about books and money, she turned and looked at the children. "Why don't you go get yourselves and ice-cream or something, I'm sure Ron and I can manage," Mrs Weasley said, enlisting the help of her son.
"Thanks mum" Ginny smiled and turned towards the direction of Fred and Georges joke shop.
Harry and Hermione followed her. "Something's coming" Harry said quietly once they had moved away from Mrs Weasley
Hermione looked at him, Ginny slowed down and quirked an eyebrow
"Lucius is preparing for something" Harry explained, "Something is coming"
Hermione nodded and looked at Ginny "I think Dumbledore knows something's brewing."
"It has for ages, ever since Harry started Hogwarts" Ginny said softly
Harry looked at her "How do you know?" He asked
"You are the boy who lived Harry. Ever since you started Hogwarts, ever since you became a Wizard, it's been brewing. The Final Battle"
"With Voldermort" Harry concluded in hushed tones.
"Now?" Hermione asked
"Soon." Harry replied, "He must be strong enough now"
Hermione glanced around the streets, Wizards rushing around, with the new sense of impending doom a day buying dung bombs and other jokes from the twins didn't seem quite as fun anymore.
"Good work Draco" Lucius beamed at his son
"I'm going to be in complete control at that school" Draco grinned at his father
"I'm glad that prat Dumbledoore had the sense to give the position to you and not Potter"
"It's a position of power father, something a noble, pureblood Malfoy deserves"
Lucius smiled at his son "Yes, pity the school doesn't see pureblood as important as the rest of us" Lucius scowled.
"It's a disgrace father" Draco felt like a parrot or something, but he knew doing what his father wanted was better, at least until he left for Hogwarts.
"Now Draco it's going to be an important year this year. I expect you'll do well on all your tests and such" Lucius smiled at his son "I'm expecting some very good marks from you"
"Of course father"
"Now I have some business to attend to" Lucius turned and left.
"Bye" Draco said to Lucius' retreating form
Hermione looked around at the assortments of jokes the Weasley twins stocked in their store.
"Oh lets get some of these" Ginny said to Harry, pointing out some small round shaped objects. Hermione sighed.
"You two, I don't want you causing trouble this year, I'm head girl and don't need you bothering me"
"Come on Hermione, I'm sure you'd enjoy and opportunity to punish me" Ginny gave her a suggestive wink. Harry sniggered. Hermione just scowled at the two of them "Just, don't get up to much mischief"
Harry smiled "Don't worry Hermione, it's just a little fun" his tone sombred a little "We all need it"
Hermione glanced around the shop again "We should probably go soon"
Harry and Ginny headed over to the counter to pay for their items. Hermione waited for them at the door when she noticed Lucius Malfoy hurrying down the street, she glanced at Harry and Ginny who were giggling with Fred at the till. Hermione slipped out of the shop and followed Lucius until he entered a rather non-descript door in a dingy side alley. Hermione frowned, wondering what on earth what sort of places were even around this area, she then quickly turned and headed back to the joke shop, she re-entered to find Harry and Ginny sill at the counter, Fred now cleaning up the remains of a slime bomb. Harry looked up and spotted Hermione and smiled sheepishly as he had Ginny walked over to meet her. As the trio left the shop Hermione filled them in as to what she saw.
"So Lucius is creeping around back allies, doesn't seem to out of character for the slime ball" Harry commented.
"Still, I wonder what's behind that door" Hermione said.
"Let's go find out then, which way is it?" Ginny piped up
"Don't be silly, it could be dangerous" Hermione scolded
"Then don't complain that you don't know" Ginny pointed out, poking out her tongue
"Hey don't poke that thing at me, unless you plan to you use it" Hermione retorted
"Oh I intend to use it" Ginny winked at her girlfriend who blushed furiously
"You two are so cute it's nauseating" Harry deadpanned as they wandered along.
"'Arry!" There came a cry, as Harry turned around her saw the large form of Hagrid moving through the crowd to meet them.
"Hello Hagrid" Harry greeted him
"You three here to get school supplies?" Hagrid asked
"Yes" Ginny replied
"You don't seem to be carrying much"
"Mrs Weasley is doing the shopping" Hermione informed him
"Not calling her mum yet 'Mione?" Hagrid laughed heartily at his own joke, "Come on, why don't we all go to the leaky cauldron and you can tell all about your summers." Hagrid led the three of them off to the tavern, ending all debates over following Lucius, and the use of tongues.