As Strong As We Are United
Chapter 25 – Attack on Diagon Alley
A heavy snowstorm swept the Hogwarts grounds on the last weekend of November. Ron, Hermione, and their staff members awoke earlier than usual on Saturday morning. They had scheduled a shopping day for the students at Hogwarts. Several stores from Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley had agreed to send representatives to the school to sell their products. Students would be able to do their holiday shopping even though Hogsmeade weekends had been cancelled.
The six teens walked down to the first floor of the castle together. Food vendors from the Three Broomsticks, Madame Puddifoot's, and Florian Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor would be set up around the Great Hall. The other vendors would be set up at booths throughout the entrance hall, corridors, and classrooms on the first floor. The sale would begin immediately after breakfast.
"I'm glad to see that all the booths are set up properly," noted Hermione.
"What time do we expect the vendors to start arriving?" Dawn asked.
"Any minute," replied Ron, as the door opened and the first vendor arrived.
"Never fear; Weasley Wizard Wheezes is here," called Fred jovially, as he, George, and Anya heaved several boxes through the doors.
"You better give us a prime location, Ronniekins," called George.
"First come, first serve," replied Shannon.
"And since you are here first, you can set up anywhere you want other than the Great Hall," added Harry. "That's only for food vendors."
"We sell food items," explained Anya.
Hermione snorted. "He means food items that won't turn the eater into a giant canary."
The twins appeared ready to argue, but Ron stepped in. "The vendors in the Great Hall are those whose products people want to sit to eat or drink. Even Honeydukes is out here, because you don't by a piece of candy to sit and talk over."
Anya had given up listening to the conversation. She walked around the entrance hall, deep in thought. "We'll take the booth just outside the door to the Great Hall. That will be the most heavily trafficked area."
Fred and George smiled broadly. "That's our business manager," noted George with pride.
"She really had raised our profits," added Fred. Anya smiles smugly.
"So, if all three of you are here, who's looking after the shop?" asked Ron skeptically. For every product that Fred and George sold, there was one less sale on which Ron could make a commission as the Hogwarts WWW representative.
"Lee agreed to watch the shop," explained Anya. "We decided that Fred and George do their best work of promoting their products together. I'm here to make sure they don't go giving anything away."
As the twins and Anya began setting up their booth, several other vendors arrived. The six teens spread out to direct the new arrivals, which became increasingly difficult as students began to arrive as well.
Finally, Ron stood up on top of the stairs and yelled. "Oy, everyone should go directly to the Great Hall for breakfast. When you have finished eating, everything out here will be set up and you can start shopping." He waited a minute, but none of the students moved. "Anyone who does not go directly to the Great Hall will lose five points." That seemed to do it, as there was suddenly a mad rush into the Great Hall.
As Ron descended the last step, Hermione walked behind him and whispered. "You really are sexy, when you get authoritative." Ron blushed deeply and hurried off to direct the newest arrivals.
"Whatever you keep doing to that boy, would you please stop," Harry commented as he too hurried off to direct the new arrivals. Hermione giggled. She could not help it, especially knowing that Shannon often made comments that caused Harry to blush.
Dawn and Shannon approached Hermione. "The guys have everything under control," explained Dawn. "Draco suggested that we grab a quick breakfast and then take over for them." Hermione agreed, and the three girls headed into the Great Hall.
After breakfast, the teens all went their separate ways to do their holiday shopping. Shannon quickly found a booth of weaponry. "You have to be seventeen or older or a fifth year or above Slayer to purchase any of these," the old wizard told her. "The headmaster provided me with a list; so, don't try to lie about who you are.
Shannon smiled. "My name is Shannon Crawford. I'm seventeen and a seventh year Slayer," she informed the wizard. He quickly checked his list, before smiling in return and showing her several of his best items.
"Looks like you had the same idea as us," came a voice from behind her. Shannon turned to find Buffy and Faith, standing behind her.
"We figured that all of you kids were seriously needing some high quality weapons," added Faith. "Of course, now we have to wait for you to finish; so, you don't see what we're buying."
"Well, for a change, I'm not planning on getting either of you weapons; so, it doesn't matter if you see what I buy," replied Shannon. She chose crossbows for Dawn and Ron, something every watcher needs, paid, and wandered off to do more shopping for the others.
Buffy and Faith spent nearly an hour with the wizard at the weapons display. The weaponry was of the highest quality, and the Slayers decided to order several items instead of just purchasing what was available on site. The wizard was thrilled at the prospect of such a large order.
As they were leaving, Buffy turned back to the wizard. "Do you have a business card or something?" she asked. "I think the Watchers Council would be thrilled with the quality of your weapons. They could become a pretty big customer." The old wizard quickly wrote down the information for his shop and handed it to Buffy.
"Figures, he's located in Nocturn Alley," Buffy whispered to Faith, as they walked away.
Faith shrugged. "Who cares. He had some really good stuff."
Draco was looking through several books, trying to decide on something for Hermione, when Ron came racing up behind him. "I've been looking all over for you," Ron said.
"Why?" asked Draco. He and Ron had become close, but it was more common for the group to send Dawn to find him.
"Remember last year, when you helped Harry pick out something for Shannon?" Ron asked. Draco nodded. "Well, I need some help finding something for Hermione."
"What were you thinking of?" asked Draco, still perusing the book titles.
"Not a book," replied Ron. Draco rolled his eyes. "I originally wanted to get her a real engagement ring," Ron continued, lowering his voice so no one could overhear the conversation. Draco looked surprised. Ron ignored the look. "But, we talked about it, and she says that she's happy with the promise ring and that if we are going to get married, I shouldn't be wasting money on a ring."
"So, do you have any other ideas then?" Draco asked.
Ron nodded. "You've seen the sapphire ring I got her. I was thinking of a necklace or something to match it, but . . ."
"But you know nothing about jewelry and don't want to get ripped off," finished Draco. Ron nodded. "Just let me pay for these two books, and we can go look at jewelry. I need to get something else for Dawn anyway, besides just a book." Draco quickly paid for his purchase: a book for Hermione entitled Secrets of the Unspeakables and an illustrated children's book for Dawn entitled Quest for the Key. "It's that story from when I was a kid," explained Draco, shoving the books into a bag.
Draco and Ron then visited three different booths that sold jewelry. Draco bought Dawn a bracelet that warns its wearer if a family member is in danger. Ron could not decide on what to purchase.
"Are you set on jewelry?" Draco asked.
"Not really," replied Ron. "Why? Do you have a better idea?"
"Do you really want to give her something to symbolize an engagement?" Draco asked.
"I already told you that she doesn't want me to waste money on another ring," replied Ron.
"An engagement ring is a Muggle tradition that wizards have adopted over the years. I was thinking about something from the Wizarding tradition," Draco explained. Ron looked confused, not having attended a wizarding wedding since he was very young.
Draco explained further. "In a traditional Wizarding wedding the wizard and witch have their hands bound together. I've heard of it done a few different ways. In my family, a golden cord is used, but I have heard of the binding being done with a white silk scarf as well. The point is that neither is very expensive, but the meaning behind it is what you're after."
Ron looked like he wanted to hug Draco, which caused Draco to take a giant step backwards. Instead Ron patted Draco on the back and told the blonde Slytherin that he was a genius. Both boys agreed that Ron should talk to Charlie about what was traditional in the Weasley family and what Charlie and Buffy planned to do for their ceremony.
As Ron left to search for Charlie, Pansy practically accosted Draco. "I need your help," she begged.
"With what?" asked Draco apprehensively.
Pansy blushed scarlet and mumbled, "I've been dating Ernie MacMillan."
Draco tried hard not to laugh. He had assumed this after the Halloween Ball, but since he was not supposed to be able to recognize students through his mask, he decided it would be best not to mention that he already knew. Instead he put on his best look of surprise. "Really? Since when?"
"It's been about two months now, since right after the lock-in," replied Pansy.
"So, what's the problem? Are the Slytherins giving you attitude about it?" Draco asked.
Pansy shook her head. "Morag teases me a little, but Blaise says she's happy for me, and Millicent is actually dating some Muggles; so, she has no right to say anything. I haven't mentioned it to any of the boys in our year though." Pansy took a deep breath. "The problem is that I don't know what to get him for Christmas, and since you're a bloke I figured that you could help me."
"Well, since you haven't been dating that long, why don't you get him a book. It isn't too personal, but you can write him a personalized message in the front cover. What does he like?"
"He's a bloke. I don't know," Pansy whined.
"Quidditch it is then," replied Draco, leading Pansy to the Flourish and Blotts booth. "You can write something about looking forward to seeing some games with him."
Draco left Pansy, looking at Quidditch books. Dawn approached him and snaked her arm around his waist. "Should I be worried?" she asked, glancing toward Pansy.
Draco laughed. "She wanted help picking out something for Ernie," he replied. "So have you got most of your shopping done?" he asked.
Dawn shook her head. "I'm done with you though; so, I was wondering if you wanted to do the rest of our shopping together."
Draco nodded. "I only finished you and Hermione. I've spent the rest of my time helping other people pick out gifts."
"Ever thought about being a personal shopper?" Dawn asked.
"A what?" Dawn giggled. As she and Draco shopped, she explained to him the concept of a personal shopper. Though he had to admit that it was something he would be good at, it was also something that he would rather not consider. He had his plans – to become a curse-breaker for Gringotts.
By lunchtime most students had filed into the Great Hall with several packages. Madame Rosmerta was doing a booming business with her butterbeer, which nearly everyone was purchasing to drink with his or her regular lunch.
As usual, Dawn, Shannon, and Hermione sat together. Ginny joined them as well, noting that Neville was having a rather secretive conversation with Ron, Seamus, and Dean. "He's probably discussing your Christmas present," Hermione assured the younger girl.
"You're probably right," Ginny conceded. "So, have you all finished your shopping?"
"Nearly," replied Shannon, her mouth full of stew.
Hermione grimaced. "You're as bad as Ron, you know that?" she questioned Shannon.
"Slayers expend a lot of energy. We need lots of food to make up for it," replied Shannon, ladling out another helping of stew.
"Yes, but that doesn't mean you have to show all of us what you're eating," Dawn explained. "It's gross." Shannon shrugged at her best friend, as she continued eating ravenously.
Ginny brought the subject back to shopping, "So who haven't you purchased presents for yet?"
"I just have some of the adults left," explained Dawn. "Draco and I agreed that he would get something for his mother from both of us, and I would get something for Giles. But I have no idea what to get the man. He likes books, but who knows what he already has, and as head Watcher he has access to any weapons he needs."
"I got an idea," said Shannon. Hermione gave the Slayer a dirty look; so, Shannon made a point of swallowing before she continued. "Why don't you get him a guitar book of wizarding music? I don't think he usually plays anything but muggle music."
"That's brilliant," replied Dawn happily. "What did you get him?" she asked.
"Gift certificates to Flourish and Blotts," replied Shannon and Hermione. Shannon started to laugh. In an undertone she added, "I heard Spike ordering him a 'Kiss the Head Watcher' mug."
"What is it with Spike and giving Giles mugs anyway?" Hermione asked curiously.
Dawn laughed as well. "At one point Spike was sort of staying with Giles. The two of them got in a big argument, when Spike used his 'Kiss the Librarian' mug to drink blood out of and then the mug got broken."
The girls finished up their lunch. "We really should get back to shopping," Hermione suggested.
"Are we good to do it together?" asked Shannon. All four girls agreed, having finished shopping for each other during the morning.
During the middle of the afternoon, a disheveled and nervous looking Lee Jordan came running through the entrance hall. "I need to speak to Dumbledore," he gasped. Professor McGonagall quickly led Lee up to the headmaster's office.
"What was that all about?" wondered Harry, who was hanging around the WWW booth.
"Lee is supposed to be watching the shop. What is he doing here?" asked Anya, sounding very annoyed.
"If he went to speak to Dumbledore, it must be Order business," said Fred in an undertone.
"This can't be good," added George.
"Well, what are we waiting for?" asked Harry. He and the Weasley twins shared a look and then took off running.
"I'll just stay here with the money," called Anya. She turned toward a nearby student. "Are you going to buy something?" she demanded.
Draco had wandered over to the girls, while they shopped. They were all startled to see Harry and the Weasleys running past. "This can't be good," noted Shannon, as she sprinted after them.
"They're probably heading to Dumbledore's office," Hermione thought aloud. She turned to Dawn, Draco, and Ginny. "Can you find Ron and meet us there?" The three students nodded, as Hermione ran after the others.
"We should probably find the Scoobies too," Dawn suggested. Draco only nodded, as he began to worry about what could have happened now.
Professor Dumbledore looked up from his desk as Professor McGonagall and Lee Jordan rushed into the office. "Minerva, Mr. Jordan, what has happened?"
Lee, not having had an opportunity to catch his breath, wheezed, "Death Eaters attacked Diagon Alley. It's horrible. . . bodies everywhere. . . some Order members are helping. . . Lupin sent me to get word to you."
"We knew that Voldemort would eventually attack in the open. I had only hoped that it wouldn't be this soon," replied the headmaster.
"Voldemort's attacked?" asked Harry. No one had noticed he and the Weasley twins enter the office.
"It appears so," replied Dumbledore, rising from his desk. "I must attend to this immediately. Mr. Jordan, please stay here. No one is to give any information to the students or vendors until I return. I don't want to cause a panic. It would be best if we at least know the names of the dead and wounded; so, we can notify their families first."
The headmaster looked back to Harry, noticing that Shannon and Hermione had joined the group at the door. "You may pass word on only to Order members, which for now includes the Scoobies and you nine students who have been training." Professor Dumbledore walked over to Faux the phoenix and grasped his tail. With a blaze of fire, they were both gone.
"Does that mean that we're finally members of the Order?" Hermione asked.
"Sounded that way," replied Harry.
"I'm surprised that he mentioned the Order in front of all of us," added Shannon, glancing at Lee.
"Lee joined up, when we did," explained Fred. "So now what?"
Hermione took charge. "Now, we go back downstairs and act like nothing has happened. We should also spread the news to the rest of the Scoobies, but make sure that you aren't in a position to be overheard."
Being overheard was not a problem, as the Scoobies and students quickly arrived in the headmaster's office. Lee again explained what had happened and Dumbledore's wishes. The faculty and students agreed to go back to the first floor until there was more news. A feeling of dread had settled over the rest of the afternoon, making their holiday shopping far from enjoyable.
Nearly an hour elapsed before the headmaster returned to Hogwarts. When he arrived, he called everyone, faculty, students, and vendors, into the Great Hall. "I have some very upsetting news to share with you. The Death Eaters have attacked Diagon Alley. The ministry is asking that those of you who are visiting with us today return to your homes. The following students, as well as the heads of house and Head Boy and Girl, will please follow me." Dumbledore read a list of ten names. "Everyone else, please return to your common rooms. The house-elves will provide your dinner there in about an hour."
"I hate this," Hermione whispered to her friends, as she rose to follow Ron to the small room off the Great Hall.
"I know that Ron and Hermione are there to comfort the students who lost family, but I hate thinking that they have to keep reliving the night we lost our parents," Ginny said softly, before finding Neville and heading back to the Gryffindor common room.
Dawn and Shannon found Draco and Harry. The four teens quietly walked back to the Scooby common room, unconcerned with whether anyone thought they were on friendly terms or not. When they entered the common room, they found most of the resident Scoobies, as well as Fred, George, Anya, and Lee. "I'm just glad you got out, Lee," George was saying.
"I'm glad that you all happened to be here today," added Charlie. "I don't think I could have taken losing another brother."
"Someone should tell Percy that you're all safe," suggested Buffy. Fred and George gave her nasty looks, but Charlie agreed and left to send an owl to the remaining Weasley brother.
Everyone sat in silence. "Where are Spike and Cat?" wondered Wesley.
"I don't know about Cat, but Spike went back to our rooms so he could have a smoke before coming up here," Genevieve replied. The group again sank back into silence.
Cat had been horrified at the news. She didn't feel like she was going to faint again. 'Must have been a fluke,' she thought. But, she did know what she needed. When she saw Spike walking back to his rooms, she followed him.
"What can I do for you, Professor?" Spike asked. After working together during the summer, he had decided that she needed a nickname like everyone else. He finally started calling her 'Professor' because of her chosen profession.
"Can I bum a smoke?" Cat asked.
Spike looked surprised, but after leading her into his rooms, he handed her one of his cigarettes. "Didn't know you smoked," he commented.
"I did in college. Quit years ago. Only one other time I went back to it," she replied, lighting the cigarette and taking a deep drag.
"When was that?" Spike asked curiously.
Cat's features tightened. "9-11," she replied. "Realizing any of us could die at any moment, made me wonder why I had given up something I enjoyed." She took another deep drag.
Spike and Cat sat in silence, as they smoked. After she put out her cigarette, she turned to Spike. "You know, the wizarding world thinks that it is so different than the Muggle world. Attacking Diagon Alley was no different than 9-11. It was an act of terrorism, nothing more." Spike nodded. "I do understand military attacks. I understand my father attacking the Order, attacking those of us who stand against him. I will never understand the taking of truly innocent lives just to make a statement. People should be safe going to work or going about their shopping."
Spike offered Cat another cigarette. She shook her head. "I just needed the one. I don't want to wind up having to go through the hell of quitting yet again. Besides, we should probably get upstairs before everyone wonders where we disappeared to."
In the days that followed the attack on Diagon Alley, the mood of the castle remained somber. Though only a few students had lost family members, everyone felt their pain. For the first time, the Death Eaters had not targeted specific people. Instead they had gone out to cause maximum damage.
The mood of the prefects' meeting that week was similar to the dark mood that had permeated the castle. Hermione was shocked, when Padma Patil spoke up. "Is it just me, or is it starting to feel like every time we try to have some kind of fun event, it ends with students losing family?" she asked darkly.
"I'm sure it's just coincidence," Hermione assured her.
"Voldemort," most of the prefects gasped, "isn't stupid enough to plan his attacks to coincide with our events," noted Harry. Ron, however, was beginning to wonder whether or not this was true. It seemed like just the kind of psychological warfare that Voldemort would use.
"Maybe we should put the Yule Ball on hold," suggested Ernie MacMillan.
"No," replied Hermione. "We can't let Voldemort," several more gasps were heard, "prevent us from living our lives."
"We could tell the students that it's cancelled and then at the last minute reinstate it," suggested Ron.
"I like that idea," agreed Draco.
"I think that we should be doing more as prefects than just planning fun events," stated Anthony Goldstein. There was a murmur of agreement. "I think that it's time for Potter to reinstate Dumbledore's Army."
"But we don't have a reason to be sneaking around like in fifth year," commented Hannah Abbott.
"So, we do it officially," replied Anthony. "We allow everyone who wants to participate from fourth year and up."
"We'd need permission to reform," Hermione reminded everyone.
"With He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named back, there is no reason that Dumbledore would not want us trained in defense," Ernie assured everyone.
"I could see if Professor Rayne would be willing to supervise us," Harry interjected. He had truly enjoyed teaching defense. It would again help him feel like he was doing more than hiding in the castle and focusing on his own training.
"Why don't we hold off on our January activity and introduce the club then," suggested Ginny. "We can do the scavenger hunt sometime in the spring."
"We could have a dueling demonstration to kick off the club," suggested Draco. There were several sniggers, as those in sixth and seventh year thought back to Lockhart's dueling club. "We'll have people who actually know what they are doing this time," Draco qualified.
"We could also get some of the Slayers to do some weapons demonstrations," suggested Shannon. Everyone agreed with this.
After the meeting, Harry went to Dumbledore's office. As he approached the door, it opened of its own accord. "Come in, Harry," the headmaster called. "What can do for you this afternoon?"
"The prefects had a good idea at their meeting today. I was wondering if I could speak with you about permission to reform Dumbledore's Army," replied Harry, wondering what the headmaster's reaction would be.
"Was this your idea?" Dumbledore asked.
"No, sir. Several prefects used to be members. It was their idea."
"If you are going to do this, it will have to follow the official school guidelines for a club, which means that you cannot be selective in membership and that you must have a faculty advisor."
Harry smiled. "We were thinking that it should be open to all students fourth year and above. I was hoping to ask Genevieve if she would be the advisor. If she can't do it, I'm sure I can convince one of the Scoobies," Harry explained.
"I'm sure you can," replied Dumbledore. Harry and Dumbledore continued to speak at length about having a dueling demonstration ("I would suggest Professors Flitwick and Snape.") and a weapons demonstration ("Best ask Professors Rayne and Sanguine.").
Author's Note: The binding of hands tradition is something that I have read in several fanfic stories. I am not sure where the idea originated – in fanfiction or as part of a culture that I am not familiar with. If a fanfic writer originally came up with the idea then I have to say it is pure genius, and if someone lets me know whose idea it is, I will happily give that person the credit.