So it's been a few days since the last post. I'm sorry, but at least it's a bit long. Eight pages when I was finished. I think that's about as long as they'll get, no longer I hope. I believe it's best to get little bits of information at a quicker pace, rather than one big chap every now and then.
This isn't anything phenomenal though. We just get to meet some of the guests from America again, and we get to see a little more into their personalities. School will be starting in about a week, so it's time to shop for books!
Chapter Eight
Several Weeks later, Grimauld Place was bustling with a group of five children and two adults ready to go to Diagon Alley. They were scurrying this way and that, getting dressed in their school robes, eating their breakfasts, washing up. For there being so many people, it was a well organized sort of panic.
Seven doses of Floo Powder later, they all were in the busy streets of Diagon Alley. There weren't any cars in Diagon, or even bicycles. It was just a large shopping district for witches and wizards. Stores stood cramped together as people pushed and shoved to get into them all. This is where they all would be buying their books for their fifth and sixth years at Hogwartz.
They had to visit a couple bookstores to find the various texts they would need. They eventually attained all they needed, from Potions books to Dark Arts and Magical Creatures and Beasts books. "Will you be needing any other books then?" asked Molly Weasley.
"Nah," said Harry.
"We've got them all," said Ginny.
"Holy- Hey! Jason! Anita!" yelled Leo. Two kids turned around a few feet away to Leo's call. It was two of their friends, students that were guests with Ravenclaw, Harry recalled.
"Oh, hey Leo," they replied. "Neat place, isn't it?" They walked up to the group of the Weasleys. "Diagon Alley is so cool," said Jason.
"Yeah," said Blake. "It's amazing all the stuff they've fit in here."
"Getting your books?" asked Anita.
"Yeah," said Leo. "Came with Harry and Ron and his family. Weasleys, this is Anita and Jason, you two, this is the Weasley family."
"We've heard about you guys," said Jason. "Big family then?"
"Oh yes," said Molly. "This is only half of it."
"And you're Harry Potter?" asked Anita with a smile.
"Err, yeah, you've heard of me?" asked Harry tentatively.
"Oh of course," said Anita. "How've things been with Cho lately?"
"You're with Cho then," said Harry, smiling to himself. "Well, I'm not sure whether I should be worried or not. She hasn't… said anything bad about me, has she?"
"No," said Anita, laughing. "No, she thinks very highly of you, even though you guys aren't a couple anymore. She doesn't feel bad about that relationship at all."
"Whew," said Harry. "I thought there'd be a bit of resentment left in there after last year. We ended on less than speaking terms you might say."
"Well, we've both heard loads about you," said Jason. "We had heard that you were a bit famous, but from what it sounds like, you're a natural freakin' hero man!"
"You could say that," said Ginny, answering for him as Harry was blushing shyly.
"I, err, didn't ask for any of it," said Harry finally. "It just all happened. I didn't really do anything great or stupendous."
"Not from what I've heard," said Jason. "You've encountered this Voldemort jerk off too many times to count." Some people in the busy area around them were visibly offended at Jason's loud speaking and use of the Dark Lord's name. "And you've prevailed every time, haven't you?"
"Hey! LEO!" shouted a girl behind them a ways. It was Marissa, jumping up and down, waving her arms excitedly. She obviously spotted the taller Leo with ease, and she began running through the many wizards, witches, and children around them.
She came up to them, panting, and threw her arms around Leo in a tight hug, almost throwing him to the ground. "Err- Hello there Marissa. How ya been doing?"
"Awful," said Marissa, whispering so someone obviously couldn't hear her. She jerked her head backwards as a boy with a pointed nose, cold eyes, and slick, blonde hair approached, followed by what was evidently his mother, a short woman with long, greasy blonde hair as well, and narrow, slitted eyes.
Understanding swept immediately over Harry, Ron, and the rest of the Weasleys as Draco Malfoy walked closer with his mom. He evidently didn't see the company that he was about to be in, because he was completely shocked to see a team of Harry, Ron, and Ginny with their wands pointed directly at his face as he looked up.
The look of shock and fear was quickly masked by indifference as he took in the sight before him. Leo and Blake shifted uneasily behind them. Something was evidently wrong between these students, something very wrong indeed.
"Potter," grumbled Draco, like it were a curse. "I was hoping I wouldn't have to deal with you and your filth today."
"I wouldn't want to deal with me today either," said Harry coolly. "If I were you, Malfoy, I wouldn't want to deal with me any day." Malfoy scoffed, but decided not to try and press his luck, seeing as how he was staring down the business end of three wands.
"Shove off Malfoy," commanded Ron. "We were having a good time."
"We don't want our day ruined," added Ginny.
"You are Harry Potter?" asked the short blonde woman behind her son. Harry looked at her properly for the first time. She looked very severe, like McGonagal on one of her bad days. He briefly wondered if the woman ever looked any less harsh. Harry nodded with a smirk. Though she was a woman, and he didn't like to pick on womem or think of them rudely, she was a Malfoy, and therefore, evil.
"So you're essentially the one responsible for my husband being locked up," she continued with a glare of pure hatred.
"Ah yes," said Harry, lowering his wand slightly. "How's Lucius doing now anyways?"
"Careful Harry," said Arthur Weasley. He looked to the Malfoy family. "You better watch your place you two," he continued. "You both are being watched everywhere you go."
Malfoy looked up at their company. Leo was standing with Marissa and Blake, and just behind them, Anita and Jason. "You've been stuck with these two then?" he asked them, jerking his head at Harry and Ron. "Well Marissa, you'll soon find out from all of them the difference between good wizarding families and bad."
He looked at the Weasleys. "Not all pure-blood families are evidently worthy of being able to do magic." He was of course, describing the Weasleys.
"I think you're right for a change," said Ginny quickly. "Some wizarding families, thoug pure-blood, aren't worthy of anything at all." She had effectively used Malfoy's words to insult himself, throwing him off of his ride of confidence. He paled and turned, spitting at their feet. Mrs. Malfoy followed wordlessly.
"Oh boy," said Harry, turning and putting his wand away. The others did likewise. He talked to Marissa. "Please don't judge wizards in England based on what you've learned from the Malfoys. They ate not a reflection of what we all are."
"I hoped not," said Marissa. "The last few weeks have been the worst! They are terrible, filthy, rude, and arrogant shit heads is what they are! Mr and Mrs Weasley choked on the curse words used by the girl, shocked by her choice of language. "All they've talked about is how they're the best and everyone else isn't worthy of them. I asked where Dracos' father was one day, and the family exploded. They threw me out of the house for a while. It was awful. Dumbledore showed up and made them take me back in. Otherwise, I'd still be on the street."
"They didn't!" said Leo angrily. He turned to Harry and Ron.
You told me they were horrible, but I had no idea!"
"They're Death Eaters dude," said Ron. "They're as evil as they come."
"I don't want to go back with them," said Marissa, tightly grabbing onto the sleeve of Leo's robes. "It was dreadful. And then they talked about-
Her head turned towards Harry briefly, and he again understood immediately. "Me?" asked Harry. "Yeah, whatever they say, don't believe it."
"He's right," said Leo. "Trust me. Harry and Ron here are awesome. I hope all wizards around here are like them." Ginny cleared her throat loudly, again reminding Harry how much she sounded like a particular, fat, toad-like witch from last year. "OH! And Ginny's a great witch too! These guys are very awesome. I wish you could come with us instead of them."
"Me too," said Marissa, her face depressed. "If I have to stay with them all year, I'm heading back to the United States." She addressed everyone else. "I'm sorry, but this just isn't fun anymore."
"Well," said Mr. Weasley. "I may be able to make a request on your behalf. I have a bit of an influence with the ministry of magic, and I daresay Dumbledore and I are close enough. We may be able to invite you over to stay with us."
"Really?" asked Marissa, her face brightening instantly. "I'd be ever so greatful if you could. That'd be so cool! I'd get to learn about proper wizards and stuff, instead of slime like that boy."
"Awesome!" said Leo. "It would be so great to have you over!"
"How's the other one in Slytherin doing?" asked Anita. She looked around, as if expecting to see Susie pop up somewhere. She didn't, however, and they could only speculate as to what she'd been doing all summer.
"Well, I'm going to leave right away and see if I can't catch Dumbledore before the night is done," said Arthur. "If I can talk to him right away and get some things in order, you'll be set to come to our place this very night." Marissa looked so happy she was going to faint.
"Cool," said Harry. He silently wondered how many students could fit in Grimauld place. There were four bedrooms of course, one used by Mr and Mrs Weasley, one by the twins, one by Ginny, and one by Ron and Harry. She's obviously end up with Ginny. "What say you all o some ice cream or something? I'm starved myself for some treats."
"All right," said Ginny. Ron agreed too, as did Leo and Blake.
"You guys want to come along as well?" asked Ron to Anita, Jason, and Marissa. "We might catch up with more of your friends."
"Excellent," said Anita. Everyone else nodded their consent, and they headed for the nearest sweet shop they could find.
"I know where we are," said Ron after a few moments. "We're very near Fred and Georges' shop. They're right around the corner."
As they turned, sure enough, they found the small apartment that the tow boys were renting for their business. They weren't kidding when they said before that business was booming either, thought Harry. Indeed, more people were there than the ice cream parlor next door. There were all kinds of kids running in and out. Harry led them in, and as the bell rang to signal their entrance, Fred and George simultaneously shouted their welcome.
"Oy! It's Harry and Ron!" shouted Fred.
"And a bunch more kids," added George. "What a group! You guys interested in the group discount?"
"What's this place?" asked Anita, turning about and looking at all the boxes and bags of things.
"This is Fred and George," said Leo, introducing the owners of Weasley Wizard Wheezes to his three friends. "They're as you can tell, the Weasley twins. This is their joke shop."
"Pleased to meet you all," said the twins at once, extending their hands over the counter. "Listen," continued Fred. "We'd love to have a nice chat with you guys."
"But business is busy," said George. "We've got our priorities to tend to."
"So we'll catch up with you later," continued Fred. "If you'd like to purchase anything of course, please fell free to help yourselves to our friend discount. Any Hogwarts student gets ten percent off, while Harry and immediate family get twenty, along with any other close friends of Harry."
"I daresay you all can have the twenty percent," said George.
"But just this once," added his twin. "As a friendly gesture towards our overseas patrons."
"Wow," said Anita, looking at something on a shelf. "Puking Pastils? They actually make you barf?"
"Oh yeah," said Fred. "They're designed to make you ill instantly when you digest one half of the candy."
"Then, once this illness has given you admittance from, say, chores or class, eat the other half to be instantly cured," said George.
"No way," said Jason, looking at more of the candies.
"Fireworks too?" asked Marissa, picking up a rocket. "It says here they're virtually invincible to magic designed to get rid of them."
Fred and George beamed. "One of our greatest invention," they said proudly. "Should you ever set one off, do not attempt to vanish them or stun them. The students of Hogwarts can tell you all about our products some other time, but we're really swamped."
"Gotta get back to work. Sorry."
They left the shop with a few sets of fireworks in their arms, pleased that they had purchased something so interesting. Even though Mrs. Weasley didn't like their items much, she was beginning to accept them and how they were having such a good time doing it. It took a while, but once she was convinced no one was being harmed, and that it was earning honest money, she allowed it with a turned head.
Remembering they had set out for ice cream, they got the sweets that they desired so much and left feeling greatly fulfilled. "That was delicious," said Anita, licking her lips.
"Yummy," said Marissa. "Thanks for buying Harry."
"It was no problem," said Harry, smiling. He was honestly glad he was able to spend his own money on others for a change. Though he was rich, he hardly needed it for himself much. He just hoped no one though him arrogant or showing off by offering to take the tab.
Something very large advanced on them from behind. No one saw what it was rightly, until they noticed that it was eclipsing the sun, forming a hulking shadow over them. "'Arry! Ron! Good ter see you two!"
They all turned, expecting to see a monster of some sort, the source of the booming voice. Harry and the Weasleys of course recognized the voice instantly as that of Hagrid's, and they were beaming with excitement. The other wizard children were visibly intimidated though.
"Hey Hagrid!" said Harry, hugging the giant as best as he could. "How ya' been?"
"Oh, fine," said Hagrid. Most of his wounds from the previous year had healed and completely gone away by now, though some were still subtly present. Evidently, Grawp was no longer beating his older half-brother senseless, or he had disappeared after the Centaur incident as something as such.
"You look loads better," said Ron.
"Thank yeh Ronal'," said Hagrid. "My it's so good to see yeh all 'gain. An' you lot mus' be the new studen's from… Amarica?"
"America," said Leo with a laugh. He evidently understood Hagrid had an accent that couldn't be helped, and didn't take any offense at the mispronunciation of his country. "I'm Leo. This is Blake, Jason, Marissa, and Anita. Gerald, Susie, and Krista aren't here at the time."
"I's good to meet yeh," said Hagrid, shaking their hands roughly. "I couldn' wai' to see the new studen's. Dumbledore, bless 'im, such a bright wizard, the brightest ever, though' it'd be great. I couldn't agree more with 'im."
"Yeah," said Harry. "They've been here about a month."
"So what have you got in store for us this year?" asked Ginny. "Anything good?"
"You know it," said Hagrid. "'Specially for meh NEWT level students. Got a great surprise for yeh. You'll luv it." Hagrid smiled widely, and Harry and Ron returned the smile uneasily.
Never wanting to insult their friend, they often just let it pass when the subject came up, but they positively feared Hagrid's idea of fun creatures. His idea of fun usually meant severe danger and risk to others. They always stuck with him though, telling him he was a great teacher, even when anyone else would've run for their lives.
There was a gentle cough from around Hagrid, and the giant almost jumped. "Ooh! Sorry, Sir! Got a li'l caught up there."
"No worries Hagrid," said the voice of Dumbledore as Hagrid stepped aside to allow the old wizard to be seen. "Greetings all of you. I haven't had the chance to meet most of you personally, and thought it wise to use now as a good chance. I can't say again how thankful I am that you all decided to come and stay with us. It is an honor, of course, to be in your company."
Dumbledore politely bowed, and the students blushed, embarrassed. "I have just finished speaking with Mr. Arthur Weasley," said Dumbledore. The students, all of them, especially Marissa, tensed visibly, awaiting Dumbledore's words on the matter. Surely, thought Harry, Dumbledore would know it wasn't worth it to make poor Marissa stay with the Malfoy's. No. He wasn't cruel.
"It's up to Marissa," said Dumbledore, smiling widely and looking down on her. "If she would so wish to join another family for the remainder of the holidays and even stay in another house, given the circumstances, I will allow it.
"Sold," said Marissa. "I want to stay with-err, Ron and Harry and Gryffindor."
"Alright then," said Dumbledore, clapping his hands together once joyously. "You may stay there. I will arrange for your things to arrive at 12 Grimauld Place this evening." Dumbledore turned towards Harry Potter.
"Take care, Harry," he said with a wink, and he walked off into the alley. Harry could've sworn he saw him disappear into Weasley's Wizard Wheezes.
End Chapter Eight.
Yes. Long. Another one's on the way though. Check my favorites list, by the way, fro two exceptionally awesome Harry Potter story. "The Dream Come Ture", and "The Maw" areboth very well written, most likely better than my own. Read them and give them some reviews. They deserve them. Kudos to those writers.
