A/N: Sorry about Chapter 15 folks, didn't realize the section breaks were deleted. That's been fixed, I hope.
Chapter 17 – Past and Present Peril
Harry, Ron, and Ginny quietly followed Hermione out of the kitchen after hastily excusing themselves from Mrs. Weasley's watchful eyes. Hermione had earnestly explained that they were going to continue working in the library. The excuse was almost ruined when Mrs. Weasley questioned why Ron was so eager to help such a laborious task, but Hermione's quick thinking saved the day when she explained that she had offered to buy him a new Chudley Cannons poster as a reward.
So the foursome quickly escaped the kitchen and made their way to the library. Harry hadn't been there for a few days due to his intense training with Mr. Smith and was stunned by the progress that Hermione and the Weasley's had made.
"I can't believe it," he said in wonderment. "It looks so different in here, how'd you do it so quickly?"
"It was pretty easy," Hermione replied. "I knew the system I wanted to use, so I just pulled all the books off the shelf and started putting them away. It was just a matter of being methodical."
"And being able to use magic now certainly helped," Ron added with a grin. Hermione rolled her eyes and smiled at Ron. "I convinced her that using some spells would hasten the process, you know, some simple summoning and banishing spells. And then she goes and uses that wicked brain of hers and comes up with some even better spells."
Hermione smiled again and Harry noticed that her cheeks were a bright, rosy red. He was about to comment when Ginny beat him to it.
"Honestly, the two of you should get a room," she muttered, blushing as she realized what she was saying. "Let me make this quick, Harry. Hermione was worried about the impact of the basic Accio so she looked up a couple of different moving and transportation spells and discovered a softer spell, with less speed and less push. Then she found a spell that alphabetized and sorted the books based on the pattern she wanted, so long as she held the concept firmly in her mind."
"Wow, that's impressive," Harry agreed.
"But wait, my Miney wasn't done yet," Ron said proudly. "Then she found a spell that preserves the place for each book. So when you are done with one you just put it down on this table and it will then float back to where it belongs. That way the books won't get out of order ever again, and she'll be able to relax knowing everything is always going to be in its place."
"That's great," said Harry slowly. "I'm impressed, really. But I thought that we were going to read my Dad's journal? I really want to see that, and I want to learn how to become an Animagus."
"Me too," agreed Ginny. "So why don't you two shut down the mutual admiration society and let's get to work?"
Ron and Hermione blushingly agreed to get to the task at hand. Hermione pulled out the journal that she had picked up from her room on the way to the library. Silently handing it over to Harry, she motioned to Ron and Ginny to sit down, giving Harry a few minutes alone to leaf through the book.
It was a deceptively large book, there seemed to be more pages than the spine could hold. Assuming it was charmed to hold a larger content, Harry slowly flipped through the pages, trying to decipher which handwriting was his father's, and which belonged to Sirius. At first Harry thought it was odd that neither Wormtail nor Lupin had contributed to the book until he recalled that Pettigrew was a weak student at best, and his father and Sirius had kept their transformation studies secret from Lupin.
Sighing when he realized that there were no personal notes that would have given him more insight into his father's character, or enhance his memories of Sirius, Harry placed the book down on the table and sat down with his friends.
"So where do we start?" he asked Hermione, assuming, correctly, that she would have planned a strategy to pursue.
"Well, it's all internal magic, kind of like Occlumency. We will have to use a lot of the principles of transfiguration and apply those changes internally. It will be a lot of work, and a lot of practice, but this journal, and a few other books I've picked up will help us."
"Is it dangerous?" Ginny asked quietly. Harry turned to look at the pretty red headed witch. She didn't seem worried- she just wanted to get all the facts.
"Well, I guess there might be some dangers," Hermione admitted. "But if we take it very slowly, and practice a lot, we should be able to do it. I do think that we should tell some adult, so that we can get their help if needed."
"Remus will help us," Harry said confidently. "He'll know how important it is for us to have this skill, and he'll know we can do it. If Wormtail could do it any of us can. However, I draw the line at turning into a rat."
Hermione smiled at Harry and nodded her head in agreement. "That's one thing I'm still a little perplexed about. The journal and books seem to indicate that there is an inherent choice that our minds make for us. It isn't a conscious choice really, it's like it is part of our magic."
"Kind of like picking a wand?" asked Ron.
"Exactly!" Hermione exclaimed in delight. "That's a perfect analogy. There is just a certain fit for an animal to each of us and as we go through the process that will become more and more clear."
"So, where do we start?" Harry asked, eager to move the process forward.
XXX
After spending most of the day reading through the journal and various books that Hermione had included, Harry's mind was numb. They had paused for a brief lunch when Mrs. Weasley called them down for sandwiches, but it was finally getting close to time for dinner. A fact that was reinforced by the sounds coming from Ron's growling stomach.
This was ten times worse than a history lecture from Professor Binns Harry thought. Maybe a thousand. The level of detail in the journal was particularly incredible. He would never have suspected that Sirius, or what little he thought he knew of his father, would have been so painstakingly detailed. He comforted himself with the fact that the journal represented several years of work, and they were ultimately successful and both were able to transform at will.
The books were also detailed, if somewhat more vague than the journal. Most of it was theory, detailing the various aspects of the required transfiguration skills. Harry and the others were surprised to see numerous warnings about transfigurations gone bad and the difficulty in restoring a botched job. There were also vague warnings about the transfiguration becoming too complete, but these were not very clear and not every text had that warning.
"It doesn't make any sense," moaned Ron. "Why is learning how to be an Animagus so difficult? If McGonnagal can fix it when I don't completely turn a dog into a foot stool, why can't they fix a mistake here?"
"They can, Ron," sighed Hermione. "Sometimes. But this is more complicated. It's an internal transfiguration and it's a more complete change. We'll be changing the nature of our bodies. A mistake here is like a splinching. They can fix it, sometimes, but the fundamental nature of the spell is difficult to remedy completely.
"There's lots that we need to learn," she added in a serious voice. "And we'll need to do this carefully and slowly. The risks are pretty significant."
"But this is an advantage we need," Harry said quietly. "My Dad and Sirius did it so they could help Remus, but it also helped Sirius deal with the Dementors. If we are successful, maybe that will be an added edge for us."
"Plus, it's going to be wicked to sneak around the castle," added Ron, grinning.
"That too," Harry agreed with a smile.
Hermione and Ginny shook their heads and sighed in the same tone. "Boys," they muttered as the foursome headed down the stairs to the kitchen where another sumptuous meal was waiting for them.
XXX
Mrs. Weasley was waiting for them in the kitchen, the table set for dinner, but for a much smaller crowd.
"Mum, where is everyone," Ginny asked. "Why aren't more places set?"
Mrs. Weasley sighed and placed the last platter of food down on the table.
"Your father is still at the Ministry," she sighed. "He's still cleaning up after Fudge, which will take years I fear. The twins are at their shop preparing for back to school shoppers. Tonks is with Remus, of course. Alastor and Kingsley are on an assignment, and Bill is still at work. It's just us tonight. Again."
Sensing the resignation in Mrs. Weasley's voice, Harry and Hermione quietly started serving up the dishes of food while Ron and Ginny offered words of comfort to their mother. After a few moments the three Weasley's joined Harry and Hermione at the table, eyes glistening, but smiling. Dinner was a quiet affair, and short as everyone gathered was famished. As they stood to clear the table, Harry noticed that Mrs. Weasley was still somewhat melancholy.
"Mrs. Weasley, are you okay," he asked, concern in his voice.
"Well, I suppose I'm just being silly," Mrs. Weasley said with a forced laugh and shake of her head. "But I do think we all need to get out of this house for a change. Especially me. Harry, after your lesson with Mr. Smith tomorrow I think we need to go to Diagon Alley. I've arranged things with Alastor and Kingsley to provide security, and Arthur has already assigned more Aurors there permanently, so we should be reasonably safe."
The three teenagers smiled eagerly at the thought of heading to Diagon Alley. Harry hadn't been in some time and he really wanted to see Fred and George's shop. Plus there were always some supplies he needed for the upcoming year and of course the idea of a day of relative freedom was very inspiring.
"But Mrs. Weasley, we don't know our course schedule yet, so we won't know which books we'll need for the year," Hermione protested.
"Well, I know dear, but once the course schedule comes out, we're worried that they'd expect us to come then and try to lay out an ambush for Harry. Once the schedules arrive, I can just pop over and pick up the books and other supplies for you. But you should be able to buy whatever else you need outside of that without any difficulty."
Hermione was obviously disgruntled at the prospect of not being able to immediately review her books for the upcoming year. Ron attempted to mollify her by suggesting that they could spend some time in the bookshop, so long as she accompanied him to Quidditch Quality Supplies. An agreement reached, Hermione quickly started jotting notes of things she wanted to purchase while Ron and Ginny finished clearing the table and shot a few quick cleaning charms at the sink.
As the dishes washed themselves, Harry set up a chessboard and waited for Ron to sit down and demolish him, again. Mrs. Weasley was intent on teaching Ginny how to knit, and Ginny was good-naturedly putting up with the instruction, so the two of them wandered off to a sitting room to take up their knitting. As Hermione muttered quietly to herself going through her list, Ron sat down across from Harry and they started playing their game.
After three rounds of being completely dominated by Ron, Harry shook his head in defeat.
"I give up," Harry smiled. "You're getting better or I'm getting worse."
Ron grinned and nodded his head. "I like to think I'm getting better, you can't get much worse."
Harry gave Ron a flinty look. "Very funny. I think I'm about knackered, I'm heading upstairs. Your Mum said that Mr. Smith was going to come early so we can have a full day at Diagon Alley."
Ron cast a quick look at Hermione, his ears flushing pink.
"Erm, I think I may stay up for a bit, Harry. See you up there."
"Okay," Harry replied with a faint smile. As he walked out of the room he turned around with a wide grin. "Have a good snog," he said, chuckling when Hermione started blushing as well.
XXX
"Excellent Harry, excellent," Mr. Smith said as he picked himself up off the floor, again. "You are making excellent progress."
Harry beamed at the praise, but knew he had more work ahead of him. "Mr. Smith, will I be able to keep him from penetrating my mind altogether? We can't risk his learning the entire prophecy, which I know he wants."
"Harry, no shield will ever be strong enough to prevent that entirely. Everything has a weakness that can be overcome with enough time and effort. But we're building up your mental strength and stamina to delay him as long as possible. The trick is to have multiple layers of defense so that once a barrier is breached there's another obstacle up to give you time to respond. And when you return to school Albus will start teaching you how to deflect Voldemort's mind so that you can create a vision that you want him to see. Like he did to you last year."
"Good," Harry replied. "It will be good to stop that monster from invading my mind."
"Well, let's give it one more go before you head to Diagon Alley with the others," Mr. Smith said with a smile. "You've certainly earned a break today."
The two wizards stood a few feet apart, staring into each others eyes. With a quick flick of his wand, Mr. Smith shouted "Legilimens" and Harry felt Mr. Smith's mind pressing against his.
Harry's concentration was centered on the Snitch, his point of focus that allowed him to hold up his shield against the mental attack. As Harry concentrated and poured his mental energy into the shield, he noticed something different than usual. Off in the distance he saw a shining light that seemed to beckon to him. Intrigued, Harry pushed towards that light, and found himself rushing towards it.
Reaching the light, his mind still focusing on the Snitch, Harry pressed into the light. Like passing through the barrier at King's Cross, Harry found himself in an entirely different environment.
It was dusk on dreary day and he saw a horde of 20 wizards in deep red robes standing in a circle. The robes were so red that they were almost black. In the center of the circle a woman sprawled on the ground. She had been through several rounds of torture, Harry could tell. Her face was beaten so severely she was unrecognizable, her clothing was torn, and blood oozed out of various places all along her body. From the distance he couldn't tell if she was even breathing. The men were laughing cruelly, taunting her as they shot several quick curses and hexes at her. The limp body shook from each spell, but the woman was either in too much pain to react or she was already dead.
A powerful flash of lightening shattered the air, illuminating the landscape, and then Harry saw Professor Dumbledore standing about 50 yards away from the circle of wizards, hiding from their view. It was a much younger Dumbledore. He was at least 50 years younger than Harry was used to seeing him.
Dumbledore raised his wand and shot several spells towards the circle, taking down almost half the wizards in a quick blow. Several of the remaining wizards scrambled to face this new threat. Setting his shoulders, Dumbledore shot another powerful spell at the woman in the center, and a bright blue bubble formed around her. Turning his attention back to the wizards that were coming toward him, Dumbledore continued to shoot spells, dodging and diving around while avoiding attacks from his opponents.
As Dumbledore raised his wand to shoot at three wizards who decided to retreat, Harry saw a swift blurred form shooting towards Dumbledore. The impact would have been devastating to a normal wizard, but that description apparently never applied to Dumbledore. A resounding gong filled the air and the wizard that had attacked Dumbledore bounced off Harry's headmaster.
With a determined resolve Dumbledore shot several spells faster than Harry could see at the few wizards who remained standing. Caught up in his powerful spells, they all slumped to the ground, unconscious. With fire flashing in his eyes, Dumbledore turned towards the wizard who had tried to physically assault him.
"Jehan, it is over. Tell me where he is," Dumbledore said.
"Never you pathetic fool," Jehan Vorster spat. Blood was oozing out of his mouth and when he spat Harry could see a few teeth come out.
"Never is a long time, Jehan. Are you sure you can see to the end of it?"
"My Lord will be victorious over you foolish Muggle-lovers. They have no right to rule the world--it is our place to have dominion, not theirs."
Dumbledore looked at the evil wizard with sadness in his eyes. With a sigh Dumbledore reached down and took Vorster's wand and quickly snapped it in two.
"Jehan Vorster, you are accused of crimes against Muggles, crimes against the wizarding world, and not the least of them is mass murder. You are under arrest and will be tried by the Wizengamut. The ultimate Muggle penalty will most likely be applied and you will hang by your neck until you die. But you will be placed in Azkaban prison pending your trial. This Portkey will transport you to your cell."
As Dumbledore placed a Portkey in Vorster's hands, Jehan spat again at Dumbledore, trying to befoul his captor. Of course since the pathetic evil wizard was bound he failed miserably and ended up spitting on himself, blood dribbling down his chin.
Without a sound Jehan disappeared, whisked away to his prison. Dumbledore quickly placed Portkeys on the other wizards he had subdued and they all quickly disappeared, leaving him standing alone next to the shimmering globe and the woman's figure underneath it.
With a muttered spell and flick of his wand the blue shield disappeared and Dumbledore collapsed to his knees as he reached out to the woman. Gently checking on the woman great tears welled up in his eyes and a choked sob escaped from his lips as he clutched her body to his chest. Only then did he turn, seeming to look straight at Harry, shock in his eyes.
"Zeb?" he gasped. "Zebediah, are you all right? Can you hear me?" Dumbledore gently laid the body of the woman he was holding back on the ground and ran in Harry's direction. Stepping away from Dumbledore's path, Harry looked down and saw Mr. Smith, a 50-year-younger Mr. Smith, sitting in a prone position against a boulder. He too had been beaten savagely. One eye was almost swelled shut, blood trickled out of his mouth and from both ears, and his left arm hung limply at his side.
Recognition flickered across his eyes and he opened his mouth to speak. No sound came out at first, but Mr. Smith strained to make his voice heard. "Albus, she's dead, they- - the bastards killed her. We hoped you would come, but you were too late. She's, she's gone..."
With that his voice trailed off and he lost consciousness and Harry was suddenly encased in darkness. A soft sound floated over him and he recognized Mr. Smith's voice.
"I'm sorry Harry, but I need you to leave my mind now. I could expel you, but I'd prefer not to just now."
Harry nodded his head and concentrated. With a whooshing sensation he found himself back in his own mind looking across at Mr. Smith who was standing with great tears in his eyes.
"I-I'm sorry, sir," Harry spluttered. "I just saw a light and moved toward it. I didn't mean to intrude on your memories."
Mr. Smith wearily nodded his head and wiped his eyes with his robe. With a heavy sigh he summoned a chair to his side and wearily sat down.
"I know Harry, it wasn't your fault. I normally shield myself better than that, but it proves that you are learning and progressing. I'm sorry you had to see that."
"No, sir, please don't apologize," Harry protested. "It's my fault. I shouldn't have intruded."
Mr. Smith shook his head at Harry's words. "Nonsense. We're training you to overcome that foul bastard and it's good that you are learning how to do this. What you saw was an intensely personal memory, one that I live with every day of my life. It is no surprise that you were able to access it."
"You think about that every day?" Harry asked. "How do you live with that? It's been fifty years."
"She was my life," Mr. Smith said simply. "She was the center of my world and everything stopped that day. While I was recovering at St. Mungo's Dumbledore defeated Grindelwald and ended the war. When I was finally released I quit the world that had brought me so much pain."
Mr. Smith stood and started pacing around the room.
"I left my daughter and her husband with most of my money, taking just a little to get me by. I bought a little place and retired. It was a quiet life, a solitary life. I knew I'd never find a love like that again, and nothing was worthwhile without her there to share it with me. Then Voldemort started accumulating power. At first I wasn't aware of it. Living as a Muggle had its rewards, but eventually I saw enough of a pattern to be disturbed. I came close to offering my help to Albus, even decided to meet with him. I told him I wanted to talk on November first about 16 years ago.
"Of course I was the one who was late this time. You had destroyed Voldemort, or seemed to, at the cost of your parents' lives. The danger seemed to have passed, for the moment. But I knew Albus was concerned when he didn't place you with Remus or the Weasley's, or take you to Hogwarts with him. But I decided it wasn't my concern, and went back to my seclusion in the Muggle world.
"But something nagged at me for years, and I was worried. Why did Albus hide you? After a while I decided to take the Daily Prophet again. It was about the time of your third year at Hogwarts. When Sirius escaped, I thought Dumbledore was hiding you from him. It made sense, for all Albus knew, Sirius had turned against your parents and was out for your blood. But something didn't ring true about that story with me. You see, I know something about friendship and love, and the charges against Sirius didn't ring true somehow.
"With Cedric's death and then your incidents with the Ministry and Sirius' death, I knew Albus had made an error. You weren't as safe as he thought, and I knew you would be in pain. And I knew Albus would try and protect you too much by shielding you. He tries to protect everyone he loves. He carries the burdens of the world and thinks that no one else should have to share them.
"The two of you are much alike, young Harry. You would do well to remember that. Anyway, I learned where you lived and moved there to try to offer my aid. But when I met you the last thing you needed was to be approached by another old wizard trying to help. So a few memory charms later on some unsuspecting Muggles and I took over the operation of the park and we became friends.
With a sad smile Mr. Smith sat back down in his chair. "But you didn't ask about that, did you? Forgive the ramblings of an old man.
"I live with it every day, just like you live with your pain every day Harry. Tell me, how often do you see Cedric's face? Or your godfather's? Such pain never leaves you, but you cannot let it overwhelm you or define you. My wife and I had found the love of a lifetime and we were as one person. I will remember her every day for the rest of my life. Hopefully your pain over those two, and your parents, will lessen, but as you said at the Ministry, we must never forget the sacrifices that have been made."
Harry nodded numbly, overwhelmed by Mr. Smith's words. The kindly old wizard had lived for 50 years with an unbearable grief, and somehow managed to survive. If he could do it, Harry had no choice but to make the same effort. Despite the agony of losing his parents, losing Sirius, feeling the burden of Cedric's death, Harry had to carry on. And carry on he would.
"Harry, I think we are done for the day. You have your trip to Diagon Alley, and I would prefer to be alone with my memories. I'll see you in a few days."
"Okay, Mr. Smith. And thank you, for everything."
Mr. Smith stood and placed a gentle hand on Harry's shoulder. "You are most welcome. Just remember that you will never be alone, and that your friends and family care for you very deeply. While we are all counting on you, you may count on us as well."
Harry nodded his head as he left, heading downstairs to meet up with the Weasley's and Hermione.
XXX
As Harry stumbled out of the fireplace into the Leaky Cauldron, coughing through the smoke, he tripped over a brick and tumbled into Ginny. Fortunately she seemed to be waiting for that and had braced herself and didn't fall.
"Seriously Harry, when are you going to get the hang of traveling by Floo?" she asked, with a grin. "I don't know any wizard that has as many problems with that as you do."
"Ha ha." Harry replied without laughter. "I really hate traveling by Floo. I don't think I'll ever get the hang of it. I'd prefer flying."
"Or maybe Apparating?" asked Ron. "I can't wait until we can learn how to do that. Maybe I could ask Dad to let us do that early too?"
"You leave your father out of this, Ronald Weasley," demanded Mrs. Weasley. "That poor man has enough to worry about running the Ministry, he doesn't need you adding to his list of worries, or mine. You'll learn next year when it's permitted, just like everyone else your age."
"Yes, Mum," Ron said embarrassedly. "I'm sorry."
"That's okay dear," she replied, calming down. "We'll go to Gringott's first and then stop at Fred and George's."
The five of them waved to Tom on their way out. Harry could only assume his invisible protectors were close behind, and he thought he heard Moody's limping steps in the background.
As they entered Diagon Alley, Harry was stunned by the differences from his last visit. The massive crowds were gone, and the shops looked practically deserted. Aurors were patrolling with wands drawn and the shoppers that did brave the public locale went about their business quite hastily.
"How long has it been like this," Hermione asked quietly.
"Since the end of June," Mrs. Weasley replied. "People are afraid to be in public places for long, especially places where witches and wizards congregate. I think they are looking for safety in numbers, so most people come on the weekends."
"Don't they realize that's when Voldemort is most likely to attack?" asked Harry incredulously. "I mean, he doesn't want to kill a small group of people, he wants to strike terror and fear into the hearts of everyone. He's probably waiting for a weekend to attack."
"I know dear, but not everyone is as quick as you are. But that's neither here nor there. We're here to have some fun and get some needed supplies. Now, on to the bank."
Gringott's was as imposing as Harry remembered. The building was immense and a little foreboding as they entered. Security had obviously been increased here as well. Mrs. Weasley approached a goblin and explained their need to withdraw funds. The goblin snapped his fingers and a strange goblin approached the group.
"Take them to their vaults," the first goblin said graciously, with a bizarre smile at Harry and Mrs. Weasley.
Harry and the others followed the second goblin towards the carts and piled in. As the goblin prepared to move Harry wondered what happened to Griphook.
"Excuse me, do you know Griphook?" he asked.
"Yes sir, I do, he is my sister's husband's brother-in-law," the goblin answered. "Why do you ask?"
"He was the first goblin I ever met and being back here at Gringott's makes me wonder how he is doing."
"He is doing well, sir. But I'll admit that I am surprised that you remember him, most of your kind does not bother to make the distinction between us."
"Well, I remember him quite well. Next time you see him, please tell him I said hello."
"Harry dear," interrupted Mrs. Weasley. "We do need to get going if you don't mind."
"Oh, sorry. We're ready to go to their vault. Thanks."
With a polite nod the goblin let loose the cart and they started whisking through the tunnels. Up and down the maze of vaults they flew, speeding along on a dizzying path that no one could follow. Harry laughed with delight at the sensation of the wind flowing through his hair and the stomach-wrenching turns. Ron and Ginny were laughing as well, but Mrs. Weasley and Hermione were surprisingly quiet. Harry wasn't sure, due to the dim light, but he thought they both looked a little green.
They reached the Weasley vault first and Mrs. Weasley quickly scooped out several handfuls of Galleons.
"Whoa Mum, where'd all that gold come from?" Ron asked in awe as the cart started rolling again, heading towards Harry's vault.
"Most of it is from Sirius, his will," Mrs. Weasley replied quietly. "And of course your father is earning quite a bit more as Minister of Magic. But don't let it go to your head, either of you. We are not going to waste this money frivolously. We have many responsibilities and I won't have any of my children putting on airs now that we have some extra money."
"Mother, please," Ginny said, rolling her eyes. "Honestly, you and Dad did a pretty good job raising us. We're not all greedy ferrets like the Malfoys. It's just that we've never seen that much gold before."
Mrs. Weasley's eyes grew moist as she shook her head. "I'm sorry Ron, Ginny. I know better, and expect better of both of you. I don't know what has gotten into me lately."
"Well could it be the stress of the war," Ginny asked gently. "Or the fact that your husband is the Minister of Magic, or the that half of your children are in the Order and face death almost every day, or that Ron and I are part of Harry's life and so are major targets for Death Eaters, or the that you haven't been able to stay at the Burrow for almost two years, or a thousand other stresses that would bring any other woman to her knees. I think possibly we can forgive your occasional irrational outburst, Mum."
Ginny was probably going to say more to her mother but was cut off as she was swept into a massive hug from her mother.
"My little baby went and grew up on me, and I didn't notice until now."
"Enough Mum, we have a lot to do today. Don't get all mushy. C'mon, Harry needs some gold and then we have to get out of here."
Harry quietly motioned to the goblin and the cart started rolling faster. After several hair-raising turns, they arrived at Harry's vault. When it opened up even Harry was taken aback by the vaults contents.
"Whoa Harry, that's a lot of gold," Ron breathed. "Have you always had that much?"
"No," the goblin offered. "Mr. Potter has possession recently gained possession of the Black vaults as well as the Potter vaults. This is just his personal vault. We are in the process of adding security to one of his other vaults, so we had to move all of the contents from that vault here. This is just a portion of Mr. Potter's estate."
Harry's cheeks burned with embarrassment. He quickly gathered up two bagfuls of gold and turned back to the cart, avoiding eye contact with everyone. Harry nodded at the goblin and the cart whisked back around, taking the treacherous route back to the bank lobby.
As they left Gringott's Harry noticed that more people had arrived at Diagon Alley. It certainly wasn't crowded by previous standards, but it seemed somewhat less desolate, which cheered him up. Mrs. Weasley marched them all down the street to Fred and George's shop and quickly ushered them inside.
Harry's senses were being overwhelmed. There were a thousand things he wanted to look at, a million smells assaulting his nose, and too many noises for him to determine their sources. As the door shut behind him Fred and George tumbled out of their back room to greet their customers.
"Look Fred," smiled George. "It's customers."
"Nah, it's just family," Fred replied with a twinkle in his eyes. "It's not like they'll be allowed to buy anything here today. We're an unreliable duo, you know."
"Oh shut it you two," Mrs. Weasley replied with a roll of her eyes. "I've already told you how proud I am of you that your business is a success, don't try and lay a guilt trip on me."
The twins smiled cheekily at her and gave her a big hug of welcome. Harry and Ron were wandering through the store looking at the different products, trying to figure out which they wanted to buy for the beginning of the school year. After scooping up an armful of Weasley Whiz-Bangs and Canary Creams, Harry's eyes widened as he remembered the Quidditch game they tried out on his birthday.
"Fred, George, have you finished the Quidditch game yet? Is it for sale?" Harry asked eagerly.
Ron's head quickly snapped up and a determined look crossed his face. "That's right!" he exclaimed. "That will give us an enormous edge over Slytherin this year if we can practice against the best teams. C'mon, you have to let us have one."
"Well, I don't know," George said with a straight face.
"It isn't completed or tested and you know what Professor McGonnagal would say about that, don't you?" added Fred.
"She'd tell you to give Gryffindor whatever was necessary to help us continue our streak, Fred Weasley," Ginny said, joining in to the conversation with a fierce stare. "And she'd probably make you feel compelled to give it to us for free as a gift to the House."
"Well, erm, yeah," said George hastily, scared of his sister's glare. "We, um, were actually going to do that, weren't we Fred."
"No way," said Fred, oblivious to his brother's discomfort or his sister's stare. "We'll charge ickle Ronniekins just like anyone else. Why wouldn't we? Oww!"
Fred was rubbing his ribs after George had elbowed him.
"Don't you remember that we decided to make this a charitable donation to our old House? The Weasley Memorial Quidditch, erm, Practicer?" asked George with a glare and a nod in Ginny's direction.
"Oh, erm, yeah I guess, so," Fred responded. "When did we decide that?" he asked his brother under his breath.
"When Ginny showed up," George replied in a whisper. "I have no problem admitting that I'm afraid of her."
Relief flashed over Fred's face. "Good, I am too," he whispered back. "Now, how do we get ourselves out of this?"
"Ginny dear, of course we're going to do that," George said loudly, with an extravagant wave of his hands. "We were just teasing our little brother. It's already packaged and ready to go. Just give me a moment to get it from the back."
"No need, brother dear," Ginny said loftily, obviously seeing through his attempt at deception. "We don't have need of it until we get to school. Just ship it to us on the first morning we're there. That way it will actually be wrapped."
Fred and George smiled gratefully at each other that they were not going to get abused by their terror of a sister while Ginny winked at Harry and Ron. The two smiled back at her and continued putting items from the twins' shelves in their shopping cart. When it was filled with everything they both wanted, they brought it to the twins.
"How much do we owe?" Harry asked.
"We can't take your money, Harry," the twins protested in unison. "You're our partner after all."
"Nonsense," Harry replied. "If I take all of this without paying for it then I'm taking profit away from the store. Plus I've got more than enough gold with me, let me pay for it all. Just add up Ginny and Hermione's stuff too, and we'll call it even for your, erm, gift that Ginny conned you out of."
Nodding their heads in agreement, they scooped up all of Harry and Ron's items and put them in bags. A quick shrinking charm later and Harry placed the packages in one easy to carry bag. With a smile and a wave the foursome left. Mrs. Weasley was going to run a few of her own errands, and she said there was ample security following Harry so she felt comfortable giving the four of them some freedom.
As they walked around Diagon Alley, casually window shopping, occasionally dropping in to a store to look at something that caught their eyes, Harry found that he was enjoying himself quite immensely. It was a beautiful summer day, he was having an enjoyable afternoon with his three closest friends, and the troubles of the world seemed very far away for the moment.
"What do we have here," a familiar voice snarled. "Scar head, the mudblood, and two weasels. Out doing some charity work? Buying them some nice things so they'll still be your friend?"
Harry's back stiffened and his hand clenched around his wand. Turning around he saw Draco standing close to him, the normal arrogant sneer plastered on his face.
"Sod off Malfoy," Harry replied through clenched teeth. "Leave me alone before I do something that you'll regret."
"Like what, Potter? I'm not afraid of you."
"You should be," Hermione said calmly. "You should be very afraid Malfoy. Harry's already responsible for putting your father in prison, I don't think he'd hesitate to throw you in there as well."
"Yeah," added Ron. "And if I recall your father is scheduled to have his magic ripped out of him pretty soon, isn't he? When was that scheduled today or tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow Ron," Ginny said helpfully. "We have front row seats, remember? Our father, the one who is NOT a criminal, got us reserved seats. It's nice to have a father who is not in jail, you know."
"You'll pay for that you little-"Draco started to curse at the Weasley's but stopped midstream as Harry jabbed his wand right in the middle of Malfoy's eyes.
"Finish that sentence Malfoy and I'll blast you to Bermuda. Now get out of here before we all feel the need to bathe. You disgust me."
"You'll all pay, Potter. I'll make sure that you all pay."
With a flourish Draco swirled around and stomped away from the quartet. Harry watched to make sure that he kept walking away from them and relaxed when Malfoy turned the corner.
"Let's just forget about the ferret," he said with a forced smile. "I think we all need some ice cream. My treat!"
Ron's eyes bulged at that and he eagerly grabbed Hermione's hand, bodily dragging her to Fortescue's. Harry laughed at first then found himself being yanked on as Ginny pulled on his hand to follow.
"Ok, ok, I'm coming," he laughed at the eagerness of the Weasley siblings. He was surprised, however, when Ginny didn't drop his hand as she kept dragging him towards the ice cream shop.