Author's Disclaimer: This story is a work of fiction based on the Harry Potter series by JK Rowling. No infringement of any copyright is intended and no profit is being made.

Chapter 7

A trip to Diagon Alley

There was a buzz at the burrow the next morning. A trip to Diagon Alley was considered a special treat and everybody had showered, dressed up and eaten breakfast by half past eight.

Hermione and Ginny were on the sofa discussing the latest fashions in Witch Weekly. Ron was describing the controversial Firebolt 2 to Harry while Harry kept stealing glances at Hermione. They had not spoken since his stupid outburst and he wanted to apologize but couldn't find the words.

Tonks and Mundungus Fletcher arrived at ten. Molly Weasley was extremely unhappy to see Mundungus.

"I'm not letting him take Harry to Diagon Alley. He'll most probably slink into Knockturn Alley the first chance he gets. I don't trust him one bit." yelled Molly.

"But that was just a simple misunderstanding. I'll be careful this time....." mumbled Mundungus looking at Tonks for help.

"Mrs.Weasley. I promise I'll personally accompany Harry to all the shops. Don't worry, Prof.Dumbledore personally assigned Dung to this mission." said Tonks.

The mention of Dumbledore seemed to convince Molly Weasley. She was still very unhappy but reluctantly let them leave the Burrow via the fireplace.

They flooed to the Leaky Cauldron and quickly made their way to Diagon Alley before anybody had the chance to recognize Harry.

"Okay. Which shops do you need to go to?" asked Tonks.

"Well...I need to go to Gringotts to get some money first. Then Madam Malkins, Flourish and Blotts...." replied Harry.

"and we have to go see the new Firebolt at Quality Quidditch Supplies." added Ron.

"and the twins will have a fit if we don't make a stop at their shop." chimed in Ginny.

"Hey! I have am meeting with you-know-who in the afternoon. How about this? You split up into pairs. Pick the stores you have to see and we'll meet at half past twelve at Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes." suggested Tonks.

"Well...I have to go to Gringott's and they need my measurements at Madam Malkins. So...." said Harry.

"Then I can go with Hermione to Flourish and Blott's and Quality Quidditch Supplies." said Ron.

Hermione didn't seem too happy with this arrangement but nodded her consent.

"Harry, What did you want at the bookstore? I can pick it up for you." asked Hermione.

"Any books on strengthening spells and something on Dark magic. I'll pay you for them later." said Harry silently overjoyed that Hermione had spoken to him.

"Well...go on then. I'll go with Harry. Dung...make sure you stay with the kids." said Tonks.

Tonks, Ginny and Harry made their way to Gringott's Wizarding Bank. Tonks spoke to the security guard inside and waved Harry on.

After presenting his key to the Goblin, Harry made his way towards the vaults. He was surprised to see Ginny falling back.

"What's wrong Ginny? Aren't you coming?" asked Harry.

"I didn't know if you wanted me to see your vault." said Ginny staring at her feet.

"Come on. I don't mind. You're practically family." said Harry.

If he had looked behind he would have noticed a big frown on Ginny's face.

Harry entered his vault and started putting galleons in his bag. He heard a loud gasp from behind him.

"Omigod ! If your fan club in Hogwarts knew you were so rich you'd be one, two and three on the most wanted list." gushed Ginny.

"Wait. What? I have a fan club at Hogwarts. Since when? and Why?" said Harry.

"Err...ummm....You weren't supposed to know about it."

"Only someone crazy would join a fan club for me..." said Harry.

Ginny seemed offended. "Well then Lavender, Parvati, Padma, Hannah, Susan, Luna, Colin, Milicent, me,...must all be crazy"

"Hold on. Milicent Bulstrode from Slytherin? You have to be joking."

"I think she joined just to make Malfoy jealous. You see he was dating her and he liked to rub...."

"Please. Please stop. I don't want to know any more. I just hope someday I can find someone who loves me for who I am and not what I am." said Harry.

Ginny did not say a word as they left Gringott's and made their way to Madam Malkin's.

Harry came to a sudden stop outside a flower shop. There was a huge sign above it proclaiming it to be Mrs.Blossoms Magical Flowers.

"Tonks. I need to buy something in here. It'll just be five minutes." said Harry.

"Make it quick." said Tonks.

Ginny took a look at the window display that had caught Harry's attention. It was a beautiful crystal vase holding the most amazing collection of roses that she had ever seen. She joined Harry in the store.

"Excuse me. I was interested in the flowers in the window." said Harry to the lady behind the counter.

"You have an excellent eye, my boy. Those are never-wilt roses brought in from South America and the vase is a one of a kind from Italy. This is the only piece in all of England."

"I'd like to buy them please." said Harry.

"Oh my! Your lady friend is very lucky." said the florist looking at Ginny.

"Ummm...she's not....I mean she is my friend but she's not who the flowers are for."

"Who are they for?" asked Ginny.

"Your mum. She has been so nice to me and I wanted to do something nice for her." replied Harry.

Ginny gave him a quick hug and looked away.

"What a nice gesture. The cost is ninety galleons. But for you I'll make it seventy galleons. It's not everyday you meet a gentleman."

"Errr...Thanks..." blushed Harry.

The florist gave him a bag with the vase and a special bag for the flowers. They joined Tonks and moved towards the clothing store.

They were surprised to see a grumpy Hermione and Ron outside Madam Malkin's Robes for all Occasions.

"What are you two doing here?" asked Ginny.

"It's his fault...." started Hermione.

"No. It's all her fault..." said Ron.

"It's very simple really. They couldn't decide where to go first. I got tired of the bickering and brought them here." said Dung.

Harry and Ginny tried to hide their grins. Both Ron and Hermione glared at them.

They entered the store and were joined by a female sales associate, Wendy. Harry explained what he needed and she led him to the back of the store.

"Do you guys need anything?" he asked before leaving.

"No. My mom buys all my clothes." said Ron.

He suddenly realized what he had just said.

"I mean…I shop with her and she pays…I buy my own underwear…really….Stop laughing…."

Harry was still grinning as Wendy helped him pick out a bunch of clothes and showed him the changing rooms. He was trying on his third shirt when the dressing room door was thrown open.

"Harry. You won't believe what Tonks just did....." said Ron.

Hermione and Ginny had followed Ron to try and stop him from doing exactly what he had just done. They got there just in time to see Harry topless, wearing boxers, trying desperately to reach his wand. The girls did not move and just stood there with their mouths wide open.

Ron closed the door with a sly smile "I think someone needs a tan."

Harry hung out with Tonks on the way to Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes.

The twins shop was located at the end of Diagon Alley. It had two stories and was painted a vivid orange. There was a crowd at the entrance and an even larger throng inside the store. There seemed to be wizards of all ages. Harry and his friends pushed their way to the counter.

Lee Jordan, Fred and George were helping the customers. The twins noticed Harry and their siblings and rushed out to meet them. They hugged Ginny and a reluctant Ron and thumped Harry on his back.

Then they noticed Mundungus Fletcher trying unsuccessfully to blend in with the crowd.

"Oi! Dung. You're late. The stuff was supposed to be here yesterday." said George.

"Err. I'll meet you later to discuss the situation." mumbled Dung.

"Make sure you do or we'll have to take our business elsewhere." said Fred.

"Harry, pick whatever you want from the store. It's all free for our benefactor and partner." said George.

"Thanks mate but I'd rather pay. You are running a business after all." said Harry.

"Don't bother. As you can see we're doing very well. How about some itching lollies? Or a smelling toffee...."

"Err…Let me have a look around." said Harry.

"So I can get stuff for free also, right?" said Ron.

"Sorry Ronnienkins. We promised mum that we would not let you or Ginny have anything from our store as long as you stayed at the burrow."

"But…that's so not fair. Harry gets to take stuff. And he's staying at the burrow. And I'm family." whined Ron.

"If you had been paying attention Ron you would have heard us say 'as long as you stayed at the burrow'. Just send us a list of the stuff that you want when you get to school and we'll get you whatever you need." said George.

An excited Ron and Ginny scoured the store while Hermione looked at the shelves with a frown on her face. Harry was sure she was imagining the destruction that the latest products would cause at Hogwarts. She took her job as prefect seriously. Sometimes too seriously.

"Hem. Hem."

Everybody jumped and turned to find the source of the dreaded sound.

"Just wanted to get your attention. We have to leave now Harry." said Tonks.

They said their goodbyes to the twins and promised to visit again.

"Can we stop for a snack? My stomach is starting to grumble." moaned Ron.

"Well….We should have enough time for some ice-cream at Florean's." replied Tonks.

They all selected their favorite ice-creams at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor. Hermione tried to get a sugar-free, fat-free cone but gave up when the manager said he didn't know how to get the sugar out of the ice-cream.

A jet-black owl swooped down and dropped a letter in front of Tonks.

"I have to see someone urgently. I'll be away for twenty minutes. Dung stay with them. Don't wander off." said Tonks in a serious tone and apparated out of the store.

"Ah Harry. I have to talk to Fred and George Weasley on an important business matter. Stay here and I'll be back before Tonks." said Mundungus.

"But you're supposed to stay here with us…." said Hermione.

"It's fine, Hermione. We're all safe in Diagon Alley. Make sure you come back before Tonks." said Harry.

Mundungus Fletcher quietly slipped out of the store.

"But Harry……" continued Hermione.

"I wanted to make a trip to Flourish and Blott's. And I know you wanted to go there too. So come on. We don't have much time." said Harry.

Hermione couldn't decide whether to listen to Tonks or visit her favorite store. In the end she nodded her head and they made their way to Flourish and Blott's.

Harry was carrying bags with his new clothes and asked Ginny to carry the vase and the flowers.

They were just a few feet from the bookstore when four hooded figures suddenly appeared in front of them.

"Deatheaters!" yelled Harry dropping his bags and pulling the wand from his robe.

He quickly appraised the situation. Ron and Hermione had their wands out and were ready but Ginny had hesitated. She was still holding the crystal vase in her hands.

"Stupefy." He yelled at the Deatheater nearest to him and watched him fall to the ground.

He heard Ron and Hermione follow his lead and do the same. The fourth Deatheater pointed his wand towards the defenseless Ginny and muttered a curse under his breath.

Harry's reflexes kicked in and he jumped in front of Ginny. The curse hit him solidly in the chest. The last thing he remembered before slipping into blackness was somebody screaming his name.

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Sorry for the long hiatus. New job New girlfriend College No time. With the holidays and a lighter workload next semester I hope to keep a better update schedule.

TooSweet4Words – Really sorry that I didn't update sooner.