Chapter Four: Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes
Harry woke up with a start at the middle of the night. His heart was racing and he was gazing into the darkness. He could hear Ron's slow shallow breaths from across the room. He was asleep. Harry licked his lips. He was thirsty, so he got up from the bed, grabbed his glasses from the night table and opened the door. He looked back and Ron stirred but he went on sleeping. Harry walked down the corridor. It was too much to deal with. Not only do I have to worry about Death Eaters, I have to deal with Dementors, teachers, stupid classmates, not to mention all the homework and tests, and oh, yes, Voldemort! Harry was glad that he was going back to Hogwarts, it was his home but he knew that this year was not going to be any easier than the ones before. He passed by the kitchen without noticing and backtracked. Harry was about to go inside when he heard voices speaking in hush tones and stopped to listen from outside.
"Dumbledore will be here tomorrow," said Mrs. Weasley.
"Really? Cool!" Tonks exclaimed.
Mrs. Weasley shushed her and her face turned a deep shade of pink.
"He's going to bring the O.W.L. results and the Hogwarts letters."
Harry moved on. He didn't want to go inside the kitchen. Mrs. Weasley will start asking him questions. He didn't feel like having any conversation. What he had heard made him happy yet nervous. He was going to get his Hogwarts letter, which was good, but then the results of the O.W.L. Exams made him queasy. Then again, he'll see Dumbledore and will be able to apologize for behaving so badly at the end of last term. He didn't know exactly why he felt he had to apologize because at the moment it seemed like the appropriate way to act but guilt was gnawing at him. Harry shrugged it off. Hopefully Dumbledore will stay long enough for him to have a chance. Harry went up to his room and made his way onto his bed. He threw the covers over him and closed his eyes. Harry drifted off to sleep.
Harry woke up early the next morning. He stared at the vast white ceiling for minutes before finally getting out of the warm covers. Harry sat on the edge of his bed and his head started to droop but a sudden clang from metal hitting the floor snapped his head back causing his neck to crack. Harry rubbed his neck as he clumsily searched for his glasses. He put them on and got ready to go downstairs. Today Dumbledore will be here, I'll apologize and everything will be like it used to, he thought slapping himself on the head, trying to get the nuisance that he had for hair to stay down. Deep down Harry knew that there was nothing he, or anyone else for that matter, could do to make things they way they were. "It's always better living through denial. That's what I say," he said to the messy haired be-spectacled boy staring back at him from the circular mirror on the wall. Harry walked out of his room and started walking down the hallway. Kreacher happened to be walking towards him. He looked up and stopped when he saw Harry but then started walking towards Harry's direction again.
"There he is. He's evil, oh yes, he will kill poor old Kreacher if he got the chance," muttered the elf.
Harry scowled. He waited for Kreacher to pass next to him. Kreacher looked at him fearfully and Harry hissed. Kreacher yelped and scurried off. Harry smiled and sighed. Nice way to start off the day, he thought and chuckled while he walked down the stairs leading towards the first floor. Harry reached the bottom of the steps and turned right, passing various portraits that were doodled on. These doodles were courtesy of Cat who in a fit of boredom had begun to draw on them warts, sharp teeth and horns oblivious to the protests (many of which were quite obscene) of the victims. The smell of bacon, sausage and toast began to reach Harry as well as the noisy chatter of his fellow housemates. He walked into the kitchen and grinned.
"Good morning," said Harry.
"Morning," said everyone.
Harry was in shock to see Cat and Hermione in the same room together without causing havoc, not to mention on the same table. Harry sat between Ron and Hermione. Cat was in front of him, stabbing her bacon mercilessly with a small scowl at an attempt to pick it up. She finally succeeded and smiled victoriously before placing the strip of meat in her mouth. Ginny was eating busily next to Hermione. Puberty had woken up an appetite in her with such force that Harry was starting to worry where all the food will go to in such a small body. Ginny, however, didn't seem to care or notice and ate happily. Fred and George, also engrossed in their food, sat next to Ron. The twins had started to let their hair grow long at an attempt to seem more business-like. This was causing Mrs. Weasley much grief.
"It's enough to have to one hairy son in the family, (she was referring to Bill, who wore his long hair in a pony tail and had a fang as an earring) now these two? People will start to think I raised cavemen instead of young men." Mrs. Weasley had told Harry when he had pointed out that something was different in Fred and George.
Mrs. Weasley handed a plate to Harry that was stacked with four sausages, six strips of bacon and four slices of toast. He opened his mouth to protest about the amount of food but Mrs. Weasley shut him up just as quickly by shoving a spoonful of eggs in his mouth. Harry chewed on his eggs and had a look around in the kitchen. On the far left corner Mrs. Weasley was washing the pans and pots and muttering under her breath. She probably was complaining about Kreacher.
"What use is a house-elf if it doesn't even clean the dishes unless you give him a direct order!" Mrs. Weasley had complained to Catherina.
Cat just shrugged and blamed it on Hermione and her stupid spew.
"It's S.P.E.W. not spew!" Had yelled Hermione and started arguing about how house-elves deserved the same rights as everyone else because "…after all they are living beings also."
Catherina had rolled her eyes and said: "You can't call that a living being seeing as it can't even wipe its own…" Cat didn't get to finish her sentence because at that moment Ron had started switching from the color red to blue from laughing so much that Mrs. Weasley had to slap him and Cat both over the head.
"You get that for being such a pain," had said Mrs. Weasley to Cat as she pointed her index finger at her.
He looked back towards the table and saw Cat pushing the empty plate away from her. Cat picked up the glass of orange juice that was next to her now empty plate and took a sip. Catherina grimaced and reached across the table. She switched her glass of orange juice with Ron's pumpkin one just as Ron bent down to pick up the fork that he had elbowed from Fred's hand.
"Ron, you moron," said Fred snatching the fork from Ron's grasp.
"Sorry," said Ron.
Fred waved his apology away and stabbed a piece of sausage with the same fork and placed it on his mouth.
"That was disgusting Fred," said Ron. "It fell on the floor and you didn't even wipe it before putting it in your mouth. There are germs on that floor you know."
Hermione beamed at Ron. He was finally learning some manners.
"Yes, and there's also germs and bacteria in your mouth, besides it was totally in the rules for him to do that," said Catherina.
"Rules?"
"Yeah. If an eating utensil or a piece of food falls on the floor it is edible if you pick it up before it maintains contact with the ground or soiled surface for more than five seconds. If it only maintained contact for a period of five seconds or less it is completely edible unless it contains some strange liquid or gooey substance. Everything else can be brushed off before placing it in the mouth."
The Twins nodded and looked at Catherina with a gaze that Harry could only describe as one of admiration.
"By the way, Mrs. Weasley, where's Lupin?"
"He'll be down soon, dear," answered Mrs. Weasley.
Ginny stared at Mrs. Weasley from behind her third glass of orange juice.
"And Moody?"
Fred and George were stopped in the middle of playing a piece of music they called "Alone With My Breakfast" by the Kitchen Utensil Orchestra, using only their forks, knives and spoons, which they had begun to play on Ginny's request, by Mrs. Weasley who snatched them away and placed them on the kitchen sink.
"He's on guard duty."
Hermione slapped Ron's hand away as he tried to steal her last strip of bacon. She quickly placed it in her mouth before showing Ron her teeth.
"What about Tonks?"
Ron elbowed Harry on the ribs and pointed at the remaining sausage and bacon on Harry's plate. Harry nodded and Ron quickly took Harry's plate and put it on top of his own empty plate. No sooner had he done that that Mrs. Weasley took both plates and placed them on the kitchen counter next to the sink.
"Down at the Ministry," said Mrs. Weasley without missing a beat and scraped the excess food off the plates and into the food disposal.
"Good," said Cat.
She finished off the glass of pumpkin juice that once belonged to Ron.
"What is Lupin doing?" Hermione asked suspiciously.
"I suppose he's getting dressed," said Cat picking at the non-existent dirt under her bitten-nails.
"You suppose?"
Cat stared at Hermione.
"I don't know. I'm not psychic."
"What is Moody doing again?" Ron asked.
Cat leaned on the table with her elbows and looked Ron in the eyes.
"He's on guard duty. As in, guarding, just in case you didn't understand."
"What is he guarding?" Ginny ventured to ask.
Cat, still leaning on the table, quickly whipped her head to the left. Her hair that was neatly gathered in a ponytail swung in the opposite direction. She shot Ginny a nasty look.
"None of your business, Ginny."
Harry scratched his back curiously.
"What is Tonks doing at the Ministry?" Harry asked,
Catherina propped her head on her right hand and pretended sweet innocence.
"When you become an Auror, that is if you get there, you'll know," she paused. "But for now, concentrate on other things like breathing and thinking at the same time."
Mrs. Weasley tried to hide a chuckle. Cat pushed her chair out and got up. She stacked the remaining plates on the table on top of each other and juggled them on her left hand and grabbed two empty glasses, each with two fingers of her right hand. Black put these on the sink. Mrs. Weasley jumped on them like a lion on an antelope and began to scrub furiously.
"At what time should Dumbledore be here?" Cat asked.
Mrs. Weasley looked up briefly at the clock then back down at the dirty dishes.
"Well, he should be here…" She stopped because a huge smile had spread across Cat's face.
"Dumbledore!"
Cat ran towards him and embraced him. All faces were now turned towards the two figures hugging each other in the middle of the kitchen.
"…Already," finished Mrs. Weasley.
She smiled at Dumbledore and wiped her hands on her apron. Mrs. Weasley greeted the Headmaster and offered him something to eat or drink but he refused.
"Well, little one, I brought the…well, I believe you're not little any more," said Dumbledore frowning.
Catherina shook her head, almost sadly.
"I brought the letters."
Dumbledore smiled and turned to the eager faces sitting around the table.
"Hello boys."
The Twins quickly got on their feet and each took turns on shaking Dumbledore's hand rather vigorously.
"Dumbledore!" Fred Shouted and shook Dumbledore's hand again.
George nodded and smiled.
"You should come visit our shop."
Mrs. Weasley frowned at Fred and crossed her arms. She shook her head and muttered something that sounded to Harry like: "This all Arthur's fault and that stupid flying car for getting them all interested in enchanting things that weren't meant to be enchanted."
Dumbledore smiled.
"Why not? As soon as I have time, I'll stop by and give you a visit."
Dumbledore drew his wand and conjured a red velvet armchair and sat down.
"Here you go Miss Weasley," he said.
Ginny pushed past Ron and took the letter. She stepped aside and opened her letter.
"Mr. Weasley."
Ron reached out and grabbed both envelopes with a shaky hand. He placed his hand behind him and grasped it by the wrist with the other one to still the shaking. Harry thought he looked like he was about to chew on his already chewed and half-digested breakfast.
"Miss Granger."
Hermione nudged Ron so he could pass her the envelopes. Ron took the letters from Dumbledore and handed them to Hermione who twitched with excitement. Ron frowned at her. She blushed and started to fan herself with the envelopes.
"Harry."
Harry reached out and took his but did not open them. He let his arms hang limply at his sides. Dumbledore got up and the armchair disappeared. He let out a tired sigh and walked towards Cat. Professor Dumbledore placed a hand on Catherina's shoulder.
"You have grown to be a lot like your mother."
He handed her the letter and Cat gently brushed Dumbledore's hand off her shoulder. He patted her head. Like a puppy, thought Harry. Black looked like she was about to bite the Professor but Dumbledore had started to head towards the exit which also was the entrance of the kitchen. He turned around to face them once more.
"I'll be going now. I have things to take care of, I'm afraid. Although I much rather stay here," said Dumbledore.
"Good-bye," said everyone and with this Dumbledore walked out of the kitchen.
No one spoke until they heard the front door slam shut. Harry flinched expecting for the screams that were bound to come from Sirius Mums portrait but nothing happened. Everyone opened his or her letters. He hadn't been able to apologize. I guess I'll have to do it at school, he thought. You know you won't, said the voice inside his head. He ordered it to shut up and opened his first letter.
Dear Mr. H. Potter,
Here are your O.W.L. results. Congratulations on a job well done.
Sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Potions: Outstanding
Charms: Outstanding
Transfiguration: OutstandingDefense Against the Dark Arts: Outstanding
Astronomy: Poor
Care of Magical Creatures: Outstanding
Divination: Dreadful
History of Magic: Acceptable
Herbology: Exceeds Expectations
Harry eyes widened.
"I got an Outstanding in Potions?"
He blinked and read the letter again.
"You got an O in Potions?" Ron asked.
Harry shrugged. He had a feeling Ron hadn't done so well in Potions by the way he raised his eyebrows when he asked.
"I think so. What did you get?"
"An A," said Ron sadly.
Hermione looked at Harry for comfort but then sighed and patted Ron on the shoulder.
"Oh…well, that's pretty good Ron," she said, trying to cheer him up. "What else did you get?" Hermione coaxed.
Ron rubbed his neck and read the letter again before folding it. He stuffed it in the right back pocket of his faded blue jeans.
"I got Outstanding in Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Care of Magical Creatures and…ation," said Ron, or at least what Harry had understood.
He had whispered the last word so softly that only the last two syllables were understandable.
"Care of Magical Creatures and what?" Hermione asked frowning.
Ron fidgeted and moaned. Then he looked Hermione in the face.
"Divination! Okay?"
"5 O's?" Mrs. Weasley squealed, pressing the palms of her hands against her cheeks.
"Oh, Ron! That's fantastic!"
Mrs. Exclaimed. She grabbed Ron in a tight hug.
"What about you dear?" She asked Harry.
Harry smiled at Ron apologetically and dug his hands in the front pockets of his khaki pants.
"I got O's in Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Charms and Care of Magical Creatures," said Harry.
"Congratulations, dear," declared Mrs. Weasley.
She reached for Harry with one arm still keeping Ron close with the other one and hugged them both.
"These are my boys. I won't even ask you Hermione, child. I know you got all O's."
Hermione smiled and jumped up and down a little.
"12," she said beaming. "I'm going upstairs to write to Mum and Dad. Can I borrow Hedwig, Harry?"
Harry managed to escape from Mrs. Weasley's deadly grasp and left Ron to mercy. He chuckled a little as Mrs. Weasley buried Ron with kisses all the while ignoring Ron's complaints.
"Sure," said Harry.
Hermione continued smiling. It was as if she couldn't manage to make another expression.
"Thanks," she said.
Hermione ran up the stairs. The Twins stole Ron from Mrs. Weasley and squeezed his shoulders.
"Alright Ronnie Boy!" The twins shouted.
Ron blushed. Harry opened his letter while Fred and George mocked Ron.
"What's next Ron?" Fred asked.
George smiled and elbowed Fred.
"He'll probably be named Head Boy," said George.
Harry looked up briefly to see Ron blush furiously followed by a quick swear word and an even quicker slap to the head from Mrs. Weasley. Harry looked back down at his letter.
Dear Mr. Potter,
We are honored to have you for another school year. Here are the materials that you are going to need for your sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry:
Charms Around The World by Cronelia Huggle, Volume 1.
The Dangerous Dark Arts and How to Protect Yourself by Hailey Comet.
Transfiguration and its Secrets by Miness Gold.
Magical Creatures and How to Care for Them: Collector's Edition by Rictus Havoc
We hope to see you at School this year.
Sincerely,
Professor Minerva McGonagall
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
"I guess it's time to go to Diagon Alley then," said Mrs. Weasley.
Cat nodded and covered her mouth while she yawned. Harry yawned too. He always thought yawning was contagious.
"We can't leave until Moody gets here," Cat said.
Cat reminded them that although the Headquarters was hidden and it was protected by magic: "You could never be too cautious, especially now that Voldemort is back."
Everyone winced at the mention of the dark wizard's name.
"Very well, but you can get ready," Mrs. Weasley said.
The Twins cheered.
"Alright! Now you can see our store!" Fred and George shouted and Disapparated.
Mrs. Weasley quickly turned to the remaining children and looked at them sternly.
"Not one of you is buying from that store," ordered Mrs. Weasley pointing her index finger at their chests.
"Understood?"
The kids bobbed their heads up and down.
"Yes ma'am," they said, including Cat.
Ginny looked at herself and tugged at her pajamas.
"I'm going upstairs to change," said Ginny.
Ginny ran up the stairs quickly.
"Well, I'm going to go and change too," said Cat folding her arms in front of her chest.
She headed for the stairs. Ron and Harry went behind her. Cat was walking up the steps dragging her fingers on the wooden rail. She suddenly stopped and turned around towards Harry and Ron. Harry looked at Cat, then at Ron and finally back at Cat.
"What?" Harry asked.
Cat lifted an eyebrow and leaned back a little.
"Nothing," she said and kept walking up the stairs with Harry and Ron behind her.
She turned left. Ron started to turn to the right but Harry pulled him by the arm.
"Harry, what are you doing? Our room is this way," said Ron pointing with his thumb to the hallway behind him.
"I know that but Cat's and Lupin's are that way," said Harry.
Cat reached the door of her room.
"So?"
Catherina turned the knob walked in and closed the door behind her. Harry heard the clicking sound of the door being locked from the inside.
"Just…come on."
They walked past Cat's room slowly. Light was seeping from the bottom of her bedroom door.
"Okay. Where are we going?" Ron asked.
Harry waited for them to be a little more far away from Cat's room then turned to Ron.
"To Lupin's room."
Ron frowned and scratched his head.
"For what?"
"Did you honestly believe a word of what Cat said over breakfast?"
Ron dug his hands into the front pockets of his jeans.
"Well, not all of it but…" Ron sighed. "Fine, let's go."
They stopped in front of Lupin's room. Harry knocked but there was no answer. He knocked again.
"Lupin?" Ron called out. "He's not here. Let's go," said Ron.
Harry reached for the doorknob and turned it. The room was dark and musty. Ron and Harry entered the room and carefully closed the door behind them. Ron hit the light switch. The lights flickered before they finally turned on completely. There was dust everywhere and the corners of the room were filled with spider webs. Then Harry noticed why the room smelled funny. There were no windows.
"I don't think this is Lupin's room, Harry," whispered Ron.
Harry swallowed and took a step forward lifting a cloud of dust from the floor. He looked behind him and saw that they had left footprints.
"Me neither," whispered Harry back.
"Why are we whispering?" Ron asked.
Harry shrugged. He walked towards the cherry wood night table.
"Don't touch anything, Ron."
Harry opened the drawers and found nothing but dust and the occasional moth.
"The room is kind of small isn't it? It doesn't have any windows either."
Ron sneezed and wiped his nose with the sleeve of his shirt. Harry looked at him disgusted. Ron defended himself by saying that he was going to change anyways.
"So the room is small and it has no windows; what's your point Harry?"
"It's too small to be an ordinary room. I mean, all the other rooms are considerably larger than this one and have at least two windows. They are all the same size also but this one is different. Why? There must be more to it than just this."
Ron shook his head looking a lot like Hermione.
"What are you trying to say Harry? That there is in the rooms some sort of "secret passageway"?" Ron said using two fingers of each hand as quotation marks.
Harry turned around and smiled.
"Exactly."
The door swung open. The boys quickly whipped around towards the door. Standing at the door with a look of surprise was Catherina Black. The look disappeared just as suddenly as it had appeared.
"What are you doing here?" Cat asked marching up towards Harry and Ron, leaving smaller foot prints next to Ron and Harry larger ones on the floor.
"What are you doing here?" Harry asked.
He had to admit that sounded like a cool comeback even though he had responded more out of reflex than anything else. Cat frowned and crossed her arms in front of her chest. Ron rocked back and forth on the balls of his feet nervously then suddenly stopped when Catherina glared at him menacingly.
"Get out," ordered Cat through clenched teeth.
"Um…good idea," said Ron and started to head for the door. "Harry!"
Ron gestured to Harry to follow him and get out ad they were instructed.
"I said," Cat repeated calmly. "Get out!" She then shouted.
Ron and Harry hurried out of the room. Cat slammed the door after she got out. Harry and Ron cornered against the wall.
"Don't ever go into that room again. Do you understand?"
The boys stared at Cat speechless.
"Am I understood!"
Harry and Ron nodded in agreement.
"Go to your rooms."
The boys didn't move.
"Scram!"
They ran. Ron and Harry ran into their room and closed the door behind them. Ron leaned against the wall, panting. He then put his hand on his knees.
"I told you," said Harry. "We have to get back in that room and this time, with Hermione."
Ron's eyes opened so wide Harry was afraid they might pop out, sprout little legs and run away in horror.
"But Cat said…" Ron protested.
Harry patted his chest, still trying to breathe easily.
"As long as she doesn't find out we're fine, Ron."
Ron pushed aside Harry's maroon bed covers and sat down.
"I have a bad feeling about this. Why get Hermione involved?"
Harry rolled his eyes and threw himself on Ron's bed.
"Because Hermione can help us look for the secrets in that room," he said staring at the white ceiling.
"If there are any, Harry."
"There is, I can feel it," he said still staring at the ceiling.
There was a knock on the bedroom door. Ron immediately jumped up from the bed and looked at Harry.
"Don't open it Harry. It's probably Cat. She's come to strangle us," whimpered Ron.
Harry sat up and swallowed hard. He then sighed and patted Ron on the shoulder.
"Harry? Ron?" A voice asked from the other side of the door.
Ron sighed and he let himself sink back on Harry's bed.
"It's just Hermione, Ron."
Harry opened the door. Hermione walked in.
"Where were you guys? In fact, you know what? I don't want to know. Come on, we're leaving to Diagon Alley," said Hermione.
Ron told Hermione and Harry to wait outside while he changed his shirt. Ron walked out and joined Hermione and Harry who were waiting patiently outside the door. The trio walked out of the room and headed to the living room. On the way down, the boys told Hermione what happened.
"It is kind of suspicious," said Hermione walking down the badly lit stairs.
Harry tripped and almost fell and broke his neck but he managed to save himself by grabbing Ron by the neck.
"Just don't tell Cat anything," warned Harry once he managed to steady himself.
Ron rubbed his neck and glared at Harry for the fifth times since they left "The Room".
"Okay," said Hermione.
"You guys ready?" Cat asked.
The trio let out a yelp. Cat raised one eyebrow. Hermione quickly composed herself and elbowed Ron on the ribs.
"Weirdoes," she said and walked towards the fireplace.
George and Fred were standing in front of the fireplace.
"Hey," said George.
The trio waved.
"You're traveling through Floo powder," announced Fred.
George handed Cat the pot of Floo powder. Catherina took a handful of Floo powder and said: "Diagon Alley!" She let the powder fall. Within seconds green flames devoured her.
"You're next Harry," said Fred.
Harry took some Floo powder from the pot and walked into the fireplace. He repeated Cat's words and let the fist of powder drop. The green flames licked at his pants. Suddenly they engulfed him. Harry found himself face first against the ground. Harry got up and took his glasses off to wipe the dust off from them. He put the glasses back on. Diagon Alley was crowded and noisy. Harry smiled and looked up to the store in front of him. There was a huge flashing sign in orange and green:
"Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes"
#93
"Welcome to Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes Where the Hearts of True Pranksters Roam!" Fred exclaimed.
George appeared to stand next to Fred. He beamed at Harry.
"Family, friends and Gryffindor students get a 25 discount. Oh and Fred, we need to come up with a better catch phrase," said George.
Harry smiled. The Twins pushed him inside. Fred and George were wearing blue Dragon skin suits and boots. Harry looked around him and his jaw dropped. There were perhaps more than a dozen of aisles, each filled with Fred' and George's inventions. Canary Creams, Extendable Ears, all of their Skiving Snack boxes and much more filled the aisles and buckets decorating the place. Little brooms zoomed around Harry. Quidditch themed Confetti magically fell non-stop form the ceiling, disappearing once it reached the floor. Harry put out his hand and on it fell a tiny snitch. It seemed to melt away into Harry's hand.
"What do you think Harry?" George asked.
"It's wonderful," said Harry in awe.
"You better hurry to Gringotts before Mum calls the ministry and says you were kidnapped by You-Know-Who," said Fred.
"Here," said George handing Harry a package.
It was a small brown box. The box barely weighed anything. Harry shook it but didn't get a clue from it.
"What is it?" Harry asked.
"It's our newest invention," said Fred. "Don't open it until you're at Hogwarts." Harry agreed and walked out of Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes. Harry stepped onto Diagon Alley. Wizards and witches packed the alley. Apparently, Voldemort's return had not spooked the Wizarding World into hiding. Harry made his way towards Gringotts bank. He passed by the colorful stores and tents. Soon he saw Mrs. Weasley, Ginny, Ron, Hermione and Cat. They were all waiting for him at the top of the stairs.
"There you are," said Mrs. Weasley. "Are you alright?"
Harry nodded.
"Well, let's go."
They all walked to the large front desk. Cat went towards the Goblin first. She tugged at the bottom of her black turtleneck sweater and smoothed the wrinkles of her light blue jeans.
"Good Morning," she said with a smile.
The Goblin didn't reply. He peered at her from behind his spectacles. Cat cleared her throat and stood up straight.
"My name is Catherina Black and I would like to make a withdrawal," she said.
The Goblin pushed back his spectacles and leaned closer towards Catherina. He was so close to Cat's face that Harry expected their noses to clash but Cat didn't even flinch.
"I wasn't aware that there were any Blacks left," said the Goblin staring at Black's eyes.
"Now you are. Could you please lead me to my vault?"
"If you have the key…"
Cat dug into the right front pocket of her jeans and pulled out a small golden key. She held it up and smiled.
"Of course," she said.
The Goblin nodded and took of his spectacles. He climbed down and stood next to Cat.
"Very well," he said.
He signaled for them to follow him. The Goblin led them to another Goblin who was in charge of driving the carts. The Weasleys got in one cart that would them to their vault. Hermione also got a cart for herself, however, Harry and Cat had to share a cart because there were no other available carts as the Goblin clearly pointed out to Harry when he protested. They first stopped at Harry's vault. Harry got off and walked to his vault where the Goblin asked for the key and opened it for him. He at least did not need to feel embarrassed and didn't have to try to cover the money with his body. He put more than enough coins in his bag and returned to the cart. Next stop was Cat's vault.
"Vault 913," announced the Goblin driving the cart.
Cat got off with the Goblin. He opened the vault. Harry's mouth dropped open. The Black family was truly a wealthy family. Cat's vault not only contained a large amount of money but other priceless objects. Harry even thought he caught a glimpse of an invisibility cloak but when he blinked and looked again it was no longer there. There were also many artifacts. Harry thought that they might interest Fred and George. There was one artifact that, to Harry, looked like a spoon and a fork all together. There were also mirrors, lots of them.
"Okay, let's go," said Cat.
She was carrying something that was neatly wrapped with brown paper and tied with string. He looked down at her hips and saw that one of the front pockets was bulging with coins. He looked up at her and raised his eyebrows.
"I forgot to bring a pouch."
The cart drove them back to the entrance of the bank. There, Harry and Cat met up with Hermione, Ron, Ginny and Mrs. Weasley. They all left Gringotts bank together. Harry stepped out into Diagon Alley. It was bustling with activity. They headed to Flourish and Blotts to get their schoolbooks. Mrs. Weasley asked Cat for the money and the list of books she needed because she might as well get all the books together. Cat dug into her pocket and pulled out a Galleon gave it to Mrs. Weasley and told her to keep the change. Cat wondered around the store. She passed by a tower of books careful not to knock it down. Catherina eyed the books of the shelf and ran her finger down the index of one. She pulled it out.
"Animagus: The Secret Identity," Cat read out loud.
She opened the book and started walking around with her nose inside the book. Shadow covered her. Catherina looked up to a pair of blue eyes. It was a boy. He had a pointed nose. It reminded Cat of the Greek statues she saw when she had to make a stop at Greece. The boy also had slick, blond hair, which was combed back.
"Hullo," he said. "My name is Malfoy, Draco Malfoy."
Draco stretched out his hand. Cat shook his hand while she juggled the book and brown package with her other hand.
"And you are?"
Cat opened her mouth to say something but the words didn't pass her throat.
"Hey Cat! There you are," said Ron from behind her.
Cat turned around to see Harry, Ron and Hermione.
"What's such a pretty thing like you doing with scum like that?" Draco asked nodding towards the trio.
"Come on, Cat," said Harry. "We're leaving."
Cat looked at Harry then back at Malfoy. She looked at Ron and at Hermione and raised an eyebrow.
"What's the hurry, Potter?"
Harry glared at Draco and took a step towards Catherina.
"I don't have time for you, Malfoy. Maybe another time," said Harry and dragged Cat out of the store by the arm.
Ron and Hermione followed reluctantly. Harry stopped and looked Cat in the eye.
"That guy is trouble, Cat. Stay away from him," warned Harry.
Cat scowled and pulled her arm from his grasp. She dropped the brown package.
"Fine, you didn't have to drag me out as if I was a child," she said. "I'm not a little girl."
"Obviously," said Ron with a smirk on his face.
Harry stared at him and shook his head in irritation.
"Ron, please," said Harry. "Cat, I'm serious."
Catherina sighed heavily. She tucked a strand of her black hair behind her right ear. Black looked at the floor and stuck her thumbs on the back pockets of her jeans before looking up at Harry.
"Of course you are but I can take care of myself," said Cat and bent down to pick up her package.
Mrs. Weasley headed towards them carrying various textbooks with her.
"Children," she called out. "Cat, here are your books."
Cat juggled the books in her arms almost dropping a couple of them. Harry and Ron took a step towards her to help her but she pulled away and frowned at them.
"Can we get the cauldron next and afterwards I would like to get a pet of some sort," she asked Mrs. Weasley.
Mrs. Weasley nodded and put her hand on Ginny's shoulder.
"Sure," Mrs. Weasley said.
Cat and Mrs. Weasley went ahead with Ginny to buy the cauldron. Ron, Hermione and Harry hanged behind. Hermione opened her mouth to say something.
"Don't even say it, Hermione," snarled Harry between his teeth.
Hermione closed her mouth, offended. She scoffed and crossed her arms. Ron looked down at Hermione's face and smiled. He then looked at Harry and nudged him.
"She's just saying it to get on your nerves, Harry," said Ron.
Harry shrugged.
"I hope so."
They stopped in front of the cauldron shop. Harry stood by the stack of bronze cauldrons. Next to that stack were larger cauldrons made out of pewter. Cat went in.
"Well, do you have everything you need?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
The trio nodded.
"Good. As soon as Cat is done we can leave."
Hermione frowned. In that instant Catherina walked out of the shop carrying a cauldron. Harry noticed that she had placed the books inside it.
"Something wrong, Hermione?" Cat asked.
"No," Hermione answered.
She opened her mouth then closed it.
"Never mind," she said.
Black blinked. She put the cauldron next to Ron and tucked two lose strands of her raven colored hair behind her ears.
"I'll be right back," she said and walked into the store next door.
Harry's stomach growled. It was about noon and he was starving. Harry was wishing Cat would just hurry and finish. His mouth started to water when he thought about the pork chops sizzling on the frying pan, creamy mashed potatoes smothered in butter.
"Harry? Hello?" Ron said waving his hand in front of Harry's face.
Harry pushed Ron's hand away. Cat had come out carrying a case. Inside it was a black cat with green eyes. Harry sighed. He was hoping it wasn't as moody as Crookshanks, Hermione's cat.
"Come on, we're going home."
Harry raised his arms in mock celebration.
"Finally," he groaned.
