Chapter 4
"Trip to Diagon Alley"
Harry suddenly appeared, along with Ron, Hermione and Lupin with his trunk in the middle of the freshly scrubbed kitchen. Harry was quite glad to be back at the Burrow but a nagging suspicion was stuck in his head.
"Why didn't we go to Grimmauld Place?" asked Harry, staring at Ron and Hermione.
"Err…. Dumbledore told us to stay at the Burrow for the last few days of summer until term starts. I don't know why but he has his reasons," said Hermione indignantly.
"Where is everyone?" said Harry, looking around.
"Oh.. Mum and Dad are at the ministry trying to sort out something, Percy's in his office as usual, Fred and George are at their store in Diagon Alley and Ginny is upstairs sleeping," said Ron casually and taking a bite of a red apple he spotted at the dining table.
"Oh…" muttered Harry, looking around.
"Tell you what, you should get some rest Harry. We'll talk in the morning," said Ron sleepily motioning Harry to go upstairs.
"Yeah. Good night…"
Next morning, Harry woke up with a start. Something was nipping his finger- hard. "Pigwidgeon!" cried Harry standing up abruptly.
"Oh… Good morning Harry… Our Hogwarts letters just arrived this morning. Hermione and Ginny were downstairs eating breakfast," said Ron, entering the room.
"Good morning too… What are we going to do today?" said Harry, dressing up.
"We're going to Diagon Alley to buy our stuff. Hermione said that we shouldn't travel by floo powder because she's afraid that the same thing will happen to you last second year. So today, we're traveling by muggle transportations," muttered Ron, apparently displeased at the thought.
"Well its okay with me." said Harry heading downstairs.
They finished their breakfast and after saying goodbye to Ginny, who said that she couldn't go because she has some stuff to do, walked to the nearest taxi waiting area. When they managed to hail a cab, they got in and told the muggle driver where they were going. When they got to their destination, they walked a few more blocks when Ron finally said, "Here we are. The Leaky Cauldron."
They entered the shabby pub and were greeted by Tom, the bartender. "Welcome Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley and Ms. Granger. Have you stopped by for a drink?" said Tom.
"Not today Tom. We're heading to Diagon Alley for our school supplies." said Harry.
"Okay then. Stop by anytime if you fancy to have a drink." said Tom, bowing low.
When they went in the back of the Leaky Cauldron, Harry tapped the brick three times and a passageway leading to Diagon Alley appeared. They went to Gringgots first and a goblin named Jack took them to their volts. When their moneybags were filled once again by Galleons, Sickles and Knuts, they went to Flourish and Blotts to buy their course books first.
"Good morning. What may I interest you today?" said the shopkeeper, ushering them in.
"Can we get a copy of Standard Book of Spells Year 6 and all the other books in our book list?" said Harry, showing the shopkeeper his list.
"Certainly." said the shopkeeper, going to the back of the store.
When they got their course books, they stopped by the Apothecary to buy some of their potion ingredients. They needed a skull of a spider and some unicorn tail.
They left the store staggering slightly because of the heavy books they were carrying. They stopped by Florean Fortescue's Ice cream shop and Harry ordered themselves three large chocolate ice creams with chopped walnuts on top.
"Thanks Harry. Its really hot." said Ron gratefully.
"Yeah thanks a lot, Harry," muttered Hermione distractedly.
"What's wrong with you, Hermione?" said Harry, looking at her.
"Oh its nothing." said Hermione.
They finished their ice cream and then they headed to buy some quills and parchments. Harry bought himself some extra quills that change colors as you write on. After that, Ron and Harry dragged Hermione to the Quality Quiddtich Supplies shop. A large crowd had gathered around a poster. Ron who was the tallest of the three read the sign:
Are you good in Quidditch? Do you want to be a famous quidditch player?
Sign up here and try out for the position of Ireland seeker. Ages 16-18 only.
"Wow! You should sign up Harry! I mean if you win this position, you could be really famous! Not that you need it anyway…" said Ron happily and asking the shopkeeper where to sign.
"Sign up here Mr. Potter." said the shopkeeper brandishing a piece of parchment at him.
Harry signed the parchment and gave it back to the shopkeeper. "When are the tryouts?" asked Harry.
"An owl will be sent to you. You will also be excused from school when you will try out." said the shopkeeper.
"Okay. That'll be good enough. Let's go Harry, Ron," said Hermione beckoning them outside.
