Diagon Alley was the same as Harry ever remembered, with a few additions. Herbert Headshear's Hair Salon was thriving, alongside Mrs. Mockett's Miscellaneous Merchandise. The sun was shining and the Wizarding world was out in force. Ron had told him that Ginny was staying with Mrs. Weasley and the twins in the Leaky Cauldron. Harry wondered if they had made plans for the Triwizard winnings yet, or if they had told their mother…He gulped.
Ron nudged him urgently. Harry dragged his eyes away from the window of Quality Quidditch Supplies (The new Mad Dash Five) and look to where Ron was – none too subtly – pointing. Lucius Malfoy had managed to find a shady corner in the sun drenched street and was talking to a small, decidedly dodgy-dealing type man with small eyes and very little hair. They seemed to want to be as quiet as possible and the small man was looking around furtively. Suddenly Lucius seemed to realize he was being watched and straightened up, finishing his conversation. Harry and Ron immediately dashed into Florean Fortesque's Ice-Cream parlour and gazed through the window. Mr. Malfoy strode off and turned a corner into Knockturn Alley, followed by his little accomplice.
The two boys stumbled back into the bright street and glanced at each other. Both opened their mouths to speak but were interrupted by a shout. 'Harry, Ron!' Hermione was racing towards them, her arms spread wide. She hugged each of them in turn and then stood back to view their embarrassed faces. 'How are you both?' she asked.
'We're good' mumbled Ron. Harry, who had recovered more quickly, was impatient to tell Hermione what they had just witnessed. He recounted the incident and was slightly put out at her reaction.
'Is that it?' she exclaimed disappointedly. 'Harry, we know Lucius is up to his neck in all things dodgy around here' she sighed exasperatedly 'and you looked so excited!'
Ron had regained the power of speech and interrupted 'this was different Hermione, he looked more up-himself than usual, the little man looked familiar to me (Here Harry glanced at Ron, he hadn't let on, not that he'd had time) and he turned into Knockturn Alley. He only ever goes there to that awful shop with the oily haired man. So it is different!' he finished triumphantly.
Hermione rolled her eyes at Harry but he barely noticed. He was remembering his brief encounter with the Witches and Wizards of Knockturn Alley three years ago. He recalled every detail and thought hard. 'I wonder if he would be buying or selling' he mused to himself.
Hermione didn't hear but went on talking. 'and have you seen the equipment lists for Durmstrang?'...
(A/N I hope this wasn't as slow-moving as the other three chapters, I tried to buck it up abit. Anyone else get that thing where you start a story really detailed and then rush the end? I'll try not to do that.
Anyhoo, check out the acronym for my broom)
