"Oy! Harry! Hermione! Over here!"
Harry and Hermione were walking down Diagon Alley when they heard Fred yell this to them. They immediately turned around to see him running toward them.
"How are you guys?" beamed Fred.
"We're fine. How are you and George doing with Weasley's Wizard Wheezes?" asked Hermione.
Harry was lost in this conversation for a second until he remembered that the twins had set up premises in Diagon Alley. Harry then remembered the swamp and the fireworks and such that they had pulled off last year at Hogwarts before zooming off like madmen on their broomsticks. Everyone, even Hermione who was always so good-natured when it came to school issues, had to admit that it was one of the best things that had happened all year. Apparently, that was how the twins had planned it.
"So," said Harry," What have you guys been up to?"
"Not much. But I can tell you that business is still booming," he indicates the dragon skin jacket that he was still wearing; the same one that he was wearing when he greeted them at King's Cross station. Harry wondered how much they cost, not that he was interested in buying one. Fred then turned around to show an improvement that had been made since he'd last seen the jackets. On the back was a logo that sported the store name and a funny illustration showing a person running away from one of the dragon sparkler Whizbangs on an endless loop. The guy didn't look too happy about his unsolvable predicament.
"So, why don't you two come on in and have a look at our shop. We're expecting Ron, Ginny, and Mum to stop by later to check things out and then go do their school shopping." Fred said all of this with a wide grin on his face and then disappeared with a crack.
Harry and Hermione were rather ruffled by this random departure, but continued up the street in the direction from which they saw Fred come until they were standing right in front of what looked like a very awesome store. The windows were covered in light displays that showed all different gags at work. One showed a man puking his guts out like there was no tomorrow and then he lifted his hand to his mouth and stopped almost immediately. Harry had a strong feeling that this was a demonstration of the twins' Skivving Snackboxes.
The two of them walked in together filled with excitement and slight anxiety about what they were to find inside the walls of this small store. Once inside Fred greeted them once again,
"Sorry about that, you two. I just love seeing the looks on peoples' faces when they first walk through the doors.
Fred was indeed right about the looks on their faces. Both of their mouths were hanging open and they just couldn't stop themselves from staring. All around them was colors, blinking lights, and gizmos that you knew could only be imagined by the sick and demented minds that were those of Fred and George Weasley. Some things were very sharp and sinister looking, while there were also cute teddy bears that started to scream bloody murder whenever a customer got within six inches of them.
George came up from the cellar behind the counter and when he saw the two of them he began grinning just as widely as his brother had only a couple of moments ago.
"Hey you two, what's going on? Came to check out our success?"
"Well, we were here to get school supplies, but Fred just sort of found us. It's cool though. I really like this place," said Harry. He couldn't stop looking around at everything. There were things whirring and things that were spinning so fast, and still others that would sputter uncontrollably from time to time. Then there was also the assortment of all kinds of sweets that had different effects on your body. They were all labeled with names like, "Levitator," or," Snake Eyes," or possibly, "Ton- Tongue Toffee".
"Yeah," said George," We're doing pretty well for ourselves these days...We're hoping to eventually put up some sort of competition for Zonko's. They are the absolute masters of the joke shop industry as of now, but me and Fred are working to change that."
"Well, you're doing a pretty good job already," said Harry.
"Oh!" cried Fred, "That reminds me..." He goes in the back room for a minute and comes back out with a box full of what looked suspiciously like Skivving Snackboxes. Fred forced them into Harry's arms and said, "Here, Harry, we really owe you so we're giving you this free box with our compliments. Without you, we'd be nowhere."
Harry smiled at the two of them and gratefully took the sweets. He wasn't sure if he wanted to use them or not yet, but he would keep them all the same. The four of them chatted for a while longer, occasionally Fred or George would have to leave to help someone behind the counter or explain what a particular thing did. Then Harry and Hermione left the shop and began searching others for their supplies.
They got all of their books, quills, parchment, ink, and whatever else might be needed for their year at school. They were sitting and enjoying two ice cream sundaes when they finally heard the familiar voice of Ron. They turned around happily to see him running up the street toward them.
"So, I've found you two! How are you?" inquired Ron.
"Oh, we're fine. We just finished our shopping and are getting some ice cream. Come! Join us!" said Harry.
Ron obliged to Harry's order and sat down at the table with them. After a questioning look from Hermione, Ron said,
"What? Do I have a bogey hanging or something?"
"No," said Hermione, trying to suppress a giggle," I was just wondering where the rest of your family is."
"Oh! They're fine. They're off getting supplies and stuff. I told my Mum that I was going to look for you two. She knows that we're around here somewhere."
"That's good," said Harry. "So, have you seen Fred and George's shop yet?"
"Yes. We just visited them. They told us that you guys were around so I just left looking for you about five minutes ago."
After that the three of them started talking about what they'd done over the summer. Neither Harry nor Hermione mentioned the fact that they were going out. They weren't sure how Ron would take it. They silently decided that they would tell him another time. What they did tell Ron was about the letter that Harry had received from a mysterious killer. When they saw the look of shock on Ron's face they quickly assured him that it was nothing to worry himself about.
"But what if the killer was only planning to write once? Didn't he even give Harry a time-frame of how long he had to live?"
"Yes," said Harry," But the fact remains that he has a gap of five months to kill me. Not very exact, is he?"
"No," said Ron," But what if it is real? What if there really is a killer out to get you?"
"Ron, look, who out there could be more dangerous than Voldemort? Honestly I'm not that fearful. And would you stop flinching at the sound of his bloody name?!?"
"S-sorry Harry. It's just that I don't like it. I also don't like the fact that there are now two known people who want you dead, besides You- Know...V-v-voldemort's death eaters." Ron then sighed deeply. It was the first time that Harry had heard Ron say Voldemort's name aloud.
"Thank you," said Harry. "Now, let's get off of this subject, shall we?"
"Yes," said Hermione," But, do you still have the letter?"
"I'm pretty sure I do. Why? Would you like to see it?" asked Harry, slightly confused, but knew that deep down Hermione must have reason for what she wanted.
"If you would be so kind, yes, I would like to see it," said Hermione.
Harry told her that she could see it first thing when they got back to her house; he had left it in the trunk. At that statement Ron went a little pink. Hermione quickly said when she noticed,
"Don't worry Ron. We're all going to see each other again in less than a week."
At that Ron quickly recovered and ordered some ice cream for himself. They sat there and ate their sundaes contentedly and then got up to wander through Diagon Alley. They went window shopping for a couple of hours until it was time to part for one last week until school started.
When Harry and Hermione arrived back at her house Hermione wasted no time in getting Harry to her room for that letter. Harry kept inquiring what she meant to do, but she wouldn't say; not even when Harry poked her in her sides where he had found that she was ticklish. She only pushed away his hands and said,
"The faster we get there, the faster you'll know."
Once in her room Harry dug up the now crumpled letter from his trunk and handed it over to Hermione. She read through it quickly and then gasped.
"What?" asked Harry, slightly panicked.
"Harry, I think that I recognize this handwriting. Give me the letter that got you back on the Quidditch team."
Harry wasted no time. He had not thrown out that letter either in case he needed proof that he was allowed to play. He handed it to Hermione and a moment after she unfolded the paper she nearly fainted. Harry caught her in his arms and asked,
"What is it Hermione?"
But he didn't need to ask: the handwriting on the letter from the killer and that of Dumbledore's was exactly the same. Harry nearly fainted, too. His Headmaster was out to get him.
Harry and Hermione were walking down Diagon Alley when they heard Fred yell this to them. They immediately turned around to see him running toward them.
"How are you guys?" beamed Fred.
"We're fine. How are you and George doing with Weasley's Wizard Wheezes?" asked Hermione.
Harry was lost in this conversation for a second until he remembered that the twins had set up premises in Diagon Alley. Harry then remembered the swamp and the fireworks and such that they had pulled off last year at Hogwarts before zooming off like madmen on their broomsticks. Everyone, even Hermione who was always so good-natured when it came to school issues, had to admit that it was one of the best things that had happened all year. Apparently, that was how the twins had planned it.
"So," said Harry," What have you guys been up to?"
"Not much. But I can tell you that business is still booming," he indicates the dragon skin jacket that he was still wearing; the same one that he was wearing when he greeted them at King's Cross station. Harry wondered how much they cost, not that he was interested in buying one. Fred then turned around to show an improvement that had been made since he'd last seen the jackets. On the back was a logo that sported the store name and a funny illustration showing a person running away from one of the dragon sparkler Whizbangs on an endless loop. The guy didn't look too happy about his unsolvable predicament.
"So, why don't you two come on in and have a look at our shop. We're expecting Ron, Ginny, and Mum to stop by later to check things out and then go do their school shopping." Fred said all of this with a wide grin on his face and then disappeared with a crack.
Harry and Hermione were rather ruffled by this random departure, but continued up the street in the direction from which they saw Fred come until they were standing right in front of what looked like a very awesome store. The windows were covered in light displays that showed all different gags at work. One showed a man puking his guts out like there was no tomorrow and then he lifted his hand to his mouth and stopped almost immediately. Harry had a strong feeling that this was a demonstration of the twins' Skivving Snackboxes.
The two of them walked in together filled with excitement and slight anxiety about what they were to find inside the walls of this small store. Once inside Fred greeted them once again,
"Sorry about that, you two. I just love seeing the looks on peoples' faces when they first walk through the doors.
Fred was indeed right about the looks on their faces. Both of their mouths were hanging open and they just couldn't stop themselves from staring. All around them was colors, blinking lights, and gizmos that you knew could only be imagined by the sick and demented minds that were those of Fred and George Weasley. Some things were very sharp and sinister looking, while there were also cute teddy bears that started to scream bloody murder whenever a customer got within six inches of them.
George came up from the cellar behind the counter and when he saw the two of them he began grinning just as widely as his brother had only a couple of moments ago.
"Hey you two, what's going on? Came to check out our success?"
"Well, we were here to get school supplies, but Fred just sort of found us. It's cool though. I really like this place," said Harry. He couldn't stop looking around at everything. There were things whirring and things that were spinning so fast, and still others that would sputter uncontrollably from time to time. Then there was also the assortment of all kinds of sweets that had different effects on your body. They were all labeled with names like, "Levitator," or," Snake Eyes," or possibly, "Ton- Tongue Toffee".
"Yeah," said George," We're doing pretty well for ourselves these days...We're hoping to eventually put up some sort of competition for Zonko's. They are the absolute masters of the joke shop industry as of now, but me and Fred are working to change that."
"Well, you're doing a pretty good job already," said Harry.
"Oh!" cried Fred, "That reminds me..." He goes in the back room for a minute and comes back out with a box full of what looked suspiciously like Skivving Snackboxes. Fred forced them into Harry's arms and said, "Here, Harry, we really owe you so we're giving you this free box with our compliments. Without you, we'd be nowhere."
Harry smiled at the two of them and gratefully took the sweets. He wasn't sure if he wanted to use them or not yet, but he would keep them all the same. The four of them chatted for a while longer, occasionally Fred or George would have to leave to help someone behind the counter or explain what a particular thing did. Then Harry and Hermione left the shop and began searching others for their supplies.
They got all of their books, quills, parchment, ink, and whatever else might be needed for their year at school. They were sitting and enjoying two ice cream sundaes when they finally heard the familiar voice of Ron. They turned around happily to see him running up the street toward them.
"So, I've found you two! How are you?" inquired Ron.
"Oh, we're fine. We just finished our shopping and are getting some ice cream. Come! Join us!" said Harry.
Ron obliged to Harry's order and sat down at the table with them. After a questioning look from Hermione, Ron said,
"What? Do I have a bogey hanging or something?"
"No," said Hermione, trying to suppress a giggle," I was just wondering where the rest of your family is."
"Oh! They're fine. They're off getting supplies and stuff. I told my Mum that I was going to look for you two. She knows that we're around here somewhere."
"That's good," said Harry. "So, have you seen Fred and George's shop yet?"
"Yes. We just visited them. They told us that you guys were around so I just left looking for you about five minutes ago."
After that the three of them started talking about what they'd done over the summer. Neither Harry nor Hermione mentioned the fact that they were going out. They weren't sure how Ron would take it. They silently decided that they would tell him another time. What they did tell Ron was about the letter that Harry had received from a mysterious killer. When they saw the look of shock on Ron's face they quickly assured him that it was nothing to worry himself about.
"But what if the killer was only planning to write once? Didn't he even give Harry a time-frame of how long he had to live?"
"Yes," said Harry," But the fact remains that he has a gap of five months to kill me. Not very exact, is he?"
"No," said Ron," But what if it is real? What if there really is a killer out to get you?"
"Ron, look, who out there could be more dangerous than Voldemort? Honestly I'm not that fearful. And would you stop flinching at the sound of his bloody name?!?"
"S-sorry Harry. It's just that I don't like it. I also don't like the fact that there are now two known people who want you dead, besides You- Know...V-v-voldemort's death eaters." Ron then sighed deeply. It was the first time that Harry had heard Ron say Voldemort's name aloud.
"Thank you," said Harry. "Now, let's get off of this subject, shall we?"
"Yes," said Hermione," But, do you still have the letter?"
"I'm pretty sure I do. Why? Would you like to see it?" asked Harry, slightly confused, but knew that deep down Hermione must have reason for what she wanted.
"If you would be so kind, yes, I would like to see it," said Hermione.
Harry told her that she could see it first thing when they got back to her house; he had left it in the trunk. At that statement Ron went a little pink. Hermione quickly said when she noticed,
"Don't worry Ron. We're all going to see each other again in less than a week."
At that Ron quickly recovered and ordered some ice cream for himself. They sat there and ate their sundaes contentedly and then got up to wander through Diagon Alley. They went window shopping for a couple of hours until it was time to part for one last week until school started.
When Harry and Hermione arrived back at her house Hermione wasted no time in getting Harry to her room for that letter. Harry kept inquiring what she meant to do, but she wouldn't say; not even when Harry poked her in her sides where he had found that she was ticklish. She only pushed away his hands and said,
"The faster we get there, the faster you'll know."
Once in her room Harry dug up the now crumpled letter from his trunk and handed it over to Hermione. She read through it quickly and then gasped.
"What?" asked Harry, slightly panicked.
"Harry, I think that I recognize this handwriting. Give me the letter that got you back on the Quidditch team."
Harry wasted no time. He had not thrown out that letter either in case he needed proof that he was allowed to play. He handed it to Hermione and a moment after she unfolded the paper she nearly fainted. Harry caught her in his arms and asked,
"What is it Hermione?"
But he didn't need to ask: the handwriting on the letter from the killer and that of Dumbledore's was exactly the same. Harry nearly fainted, too. His Headmaster was out to get him.