And so, with much coaxing from the girls, Harry and Ron drained their butterbeers and were back in the wondrous fairyland. They stopped by several girl shops, Hermione and Kelly's idea, of course, but it wasn't as bad as Harry thought. He and Ron had a blast trying to hide from Hermione and Kelly what they were getting them, or indeed that they'd gotten them anything at all. Ron just knew Hermione would like the new book. Of course, Harry doubted Hermione wouldn't like any book shoved under her nose. Kelly, however, didn't seem to be as bookish as Hermione, so he got her a jeweled necklace, with real diamonds and sapphires.
"Ooh, just one more store, Ron, just one more?" Hermione pleaded.
"That's what you said seven stores ago," Ron argued.
"Please?" Hermione begged.
"Harry, this is the last one. It's the last one, I promise!" Kelly said.
They did this four times before Harry and Ron abruptly said no before they even opened their mouths. "You may, however," Harry added, "pick where to go for dinner."
Harry and Ron crossed their fingers.
Kelly and Hermione lit up like light bulbs. "Hasty's Diner!" they said together.
Harry and Ron looked at each other, checking each other's look of fake bewilderment. "What?"
"Ooh, come on, it's this awesome little place! Don't tell me you've never been there?" Kelly asked, grabbing Harry's hand and pulling him toward the street Madam Pookyfoot's was on.
"Kelly, are you--?" Harry started, suddenly worried she was going to the place next to Hasty's Diner.
"Ron, you'll love it!" Hermione interrupted. Ron was having difficulty moving. He knew what had happened to Harry down this hardly-known street.
Harry shrugged and continued letting himself be pulled by Kelly. Ron looked horrified at Harry, then slowly looked at the falling snow and let Hermione pull him.
"…charming little place, wouldn't you think, Harry?" Kelly asked.
"Uh… what?" Harry asked. "Oh, oh, yeah…I…guess…."
Hasty's Diner was, unfortunately, right next to Madam Pertyfoot's, or whatever it was called. Harry glared at the place as Kelly dragged him inside to the restaurant next to it. He heard Ron's moans as Hermione dragged him in, and couldn't help but grin. Harry looked around at Hasty's Diner, and his mouth dropped.
This wasn't at all what he was expecting. He was expecting a small place like Madam Poofyfoot's, while Hasty's Diner was closer to the size of Three Broomsticks. It's warmth was felt from the moment of entry, so much so that Harry took off his gloves and coat. Glass, round tables were set everywhere with fancy chairs that could seat from two to eight, depending on the size of the table.
"How many?" a tall, brunette asked them. She a plump woman with her hair tied back in a bun, a welcoming smile on her face. She wore a simple outfit as a uniform--just a red shirt, jeans, and tennis shoes with an apron overtop labeled with the store's name.
"Ooh, Mrs. Hasty!" Hermione exclaimed.
"How lovely to see you again!" Kelly chimed in.
"Um… hi," Ron said, not quite sure what to say to the new acquaintance.
"Hello…." Harry said, unsure of what to say either, though trying to give her a meaningful glance.
"Oh! Hermione Granger! And…" She looked at Kelly, grinning. "Kelly Damen, isn't it? How lovely to see you again! And who are these two fine gentlemen?"
Ron blushed furiously and hid behind Hermione's bushy hair.
"That's Ron Weasley," Kelly said, pointing to the ball of red behind Hermione. She whispered to Mrs. Hasty, "He's a little sensitive."
Ron blushed even more, but put in a defiant, "I am not!"
"And this is Harry Potter," Hermione said, smiling at Harry.
"How lovely to meet you!" Mrs. Hasty said, smiling. Harry could tell she was using all her self-control not to look up at his scar, and he was grateful for it. "Mr. Weasley, Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, Miss Damen, this way please!"
They followed Mrs. Hasty to a four-person booth sitting against the wall near the back. It was a quaint little place, Harry thought to himself. It wasn't that bad at all. Not near as "lovey-dovey" as Madam Puggyfoot's.
"Now, what can I start you with?" Mrs. Hasty asked.
"Hmm…" Hermione wasn't even scanning the menu. "How about a Strawberry Valentino?"
"Excellent choice!" Mrs. Hasty said, jotting Hermione's order down. "Unfortunately, are star Valentino isn't here…."
"What?" Kelly asked. "Where's Kara?"
"I'm afraid she's sick. She's getting sick a lot these days. It makes we wonder if it's really sickness or boys she doesn't think I'll let her see…."
After jotting down Kelly's Banana Garsh, Ron's butterbeer (he wasn't in a daring mood for something new), and Harry's Chocolate Froth, Mrs. Hasty left them to get their drinks, leaving them free to talk.
"Who's Kara?" Harry asked.
"It's Mrs. Hasty's daughter, Kara Hasty. She's in a weird stage, month-lasting mood, or something. She can't stop talking about guys, last I heard. It's no wonder Mrs. Hasty is getting worried--she hasn't come to work in weeks!" Hermione explained.
"How do you know she hasn't come to work in weeks?" Ron asked suspiciously.
"Because she also works in one of the other stores we went into. The Perfect Gift For Her…" Hermione said dreamily.
Kelly raised her eyebrows at Hermione, then smiled the most fake smile Harry had ever seen and nodded. "Smile and nod… just smile and nod…."
Harry and Ron burst into fits of laughter.
"Well, I'm glad to see we're all having a good time!" Mrs. Hasty said, smiling as she handed out each of their drinks by memory. "Enjoy!"
Kelly took a sip of her Banana Garsh, smiling as Mrs. Hasty left. Her face suddenly went pale and alert.
"Kelly?" Harry asked. "What's--?"
But before he could finish, Kelly spit out her Banana Garsh.
"What? Does it taste bad?" Hermione asked.
"Veritaserum!" Kelly exclaimed. "Hermione, get Harry and Ron out of here NOW!"
CRASH! The glass in front of Hasty's Diner smashed open and two people in cloaks burst through. They were looking straight at the four of them.
"NOW!" Kelly screamed, grabbing Harry by the arm and dragging him away.
"Here!" Mrs. Hasty yelled, though it was barely audible through the rush of noise, pointing toward a back door.
"GO!" Kelly yelled, shoving Harry toward the back door.
A second crash and two more people in cloaks were entering through the back door.
"NOT THAT WAY!" Kelly screamed, snatching Harry away. "HIDE!"
Harry hid under a booth under a booth until Kelly's back was turned, then started to look for a nonexistent opening through the people desperately trying to leave. Harry kept an eye out as Kelly ran forward and did some of the fasted spell work he'd ever seen. She was fighting two of them at once. A deep red spell and one was down for good. A shining yellow and the other was down, too.
A scream. A familiar scream.
Harry looked around as fast as his neck would allow. Ron and Hermione, having been trying to sneak past the two Kelly weren't fighting, screamed as they were seen, grabbed, and ran off with. Kelly chased them, yelling at Harry to stay there. As one of the two cloaked people ran out the door, one of their hoods fell down--Lucius Malfoy. Harry's vision came back to him: "Malfoy and Dolohov have said they can handle the girls. Jugson has volunteered for the boy. I called the last."
Bellatrix Lestrange was here. And she was looking for him.
One of the two Kelly had struck down slowly sat up, then stood. Harry took out his wand, knowing exactly what was coming. He got out from under the booth as the crowd of people dispersed, the only opening that he could get through being the end. Harry knew the booth wouldn't hide him. The hood fell off the standing Death Eater--sure enough, it was Bellatrix Lestrange.
"You know, Potter," Bellatrix sneered, "you're really stupid. You had fair warning of what was coming, yet you still came to Hogsmeade. And all for a girl who's soon going to be dead… not to mention your other friends. Of course, you're going to die, too, unfortunately not by my hand…."
Harry shook his head, visuals of Bellatrix killing Sirius in his head. He hated this woman more than any other, and he would kill her for what she did.
"Stupefy!" Bellatrix screeched.
"Protego!" Harry said in the nick of time.
"Stupefy!" Bellatrix shouted again, dodging her own spell.
"Protego!" Harry repeated.
"Stupefy!" Bellatrix yelled after cursing the other spell away.
"Prote--" Harry started.
"Dark Lord, Banish Him!" Bellatrix pleaded.
Harry halted. Bellatrix could banish? A purple mist erupted from her hands, and before Harry could do a thing, it engulfed him.