Author's Note: Well…hello again readers. It has been quite a long time…and I am glad to be back in writing mode. I must say that there has been quite a lull in all things Harry Potter…until recently. And so, with the recent release of Half Blood Prince (which was such an awesome book!) and the upcoming release of movie number 4; I have regained my thirst for writing fanfiction. And so, without further adieu…here's chapter twenty-eight of MuggleCollege. peace and love, surfngurl
Chapter Twenty-Eight
it's still Friday, December 17th
"So where are we headed to now, Draco?" Hermione asked, enjoying the feel of Draco's hand in her own.
"Well, Hermione, since you and Becca are going to need a few things on this vacation, Ron and I are obviously going to need some money. And the only place we're going to get that is Gringotts Wizarding Bank."
"Oh, of course; why didn't I think of that? A wizarding bank."
And the four of them continued down the road of Diagon Alley until they came upon a large white marble building near the end of the road.
"Stay close to us girls; it's easy to get lost in this place. Not to mention the goblins that run this place; they can be a bit temperamental," Ron informed Hermione and Becca.
"The what!" both girls exclaimed at the same time; their mouths dropping open in astonishment. "You mean, there are real goblins in this place?" Becca added, moving a bit closer to Ron.
"Yes, Becca, real goblins; but it's not like they are going to attack you. Just stay close to me and you'll be fine," Ron said with a slight tinge of red on his face with the thought of holding Becca so close.
So as the two couples walking into the building, Hermione was clinging to Draco's arm and Becca to Ron's. Though the goblins were small, they were quite intimidating with those harsh scowls on their faces.
When they approached the front desk, Ron stepped forward and spoke, "Ron Weasley and Draco Malfoy here to make a withdrawal." And before the goblin could ask for the keys, Ron quickly pulled two keys from his pocket and placed them on the goblin's desk.
"Very well…just a moment please," and the goblin turned and walked away.
And not even a minute later, another goblin had joined them and was guiding them towards a door near the back. When they walked through the door, the girls couldn't help but wonder where exactly they were. It looked more like a loading area for a roller coaster than your normal bank vault. Draco and Ron knew by the looks in their girlfriends' faces that they were a bit frightened. So they each squeezed their girlfriends' arms to reassure them that everything was fine. The four of them pilled into the cart that the goblin had gotten in and off they went.
By the time they reached Ron's vault, both Draco and Ron were deaf…along with each of them having a broken arm. Hermione and Becca both screamed almost the entire ride down to the vaults. Along with screaming, they clung to Draco and Ron's arms…squeezing as hard as they could. The goblin looked quite annoyed with the girls, but assisted Ron to his vault none-the-less. Ron grabbed Becca's hand as he left the cart and dragged her along with him into the vault; leaving Draco and Hermione alone for the moment.
"Draco, I really appreciate all that you and Ron are doing for me and Becca. You guys didn't have to go through all this work to give us a nice holiday, but you did. And now you're buying me things that are just way too nice and way too expensive…"
"Now Hermione, just stop right there; believe it or not but you do deserve nice things and that's what I intend to shower you with on this holiday."
And with that said, Hermione laid her head on Draco's shoulder and they waited in silence until Ron and Becca returned along with the goblin and Ron's bag of galleons. There was no time for the girls to prepare themselves for the ride once again when the cart sped down the tracks towards Malfoy's vault. The cart stopped in front of a vault that was nearly three times the size of Ron's vault. This time Draco pulled Hermione along with him into the vault, leaving Ron and Becca some peace for a moment.
Becca turned to Ron and noticed his face was a bit red and he was looking down a bit solemnly. "Ron, what is it? What's the matter?"
"S'nothin," he mumbled.
Becca grasped his chin in her hand and forced him to look her in the eye. "It can't be nothing, or else you wouldn't look so sad."
"It's just that I want to be able to treat you like a princess on this holiday…but my funds aren't nearly as magnificent as Malfoy's…"
"Ron, this isn't about money or who can buy the most extravagant things. I just want to hang out with you and learn more about your life at Hogwarts. And maybe catch some snogging time in a broom closet," she added with a wink; causing Ron's face to turn redder than his hair.
"Awe...you are just so cute when you do that. Did you know that your face matches your hair?"
"M'not cute," he whispered.
"Well, you are to me," Becca whispered back and then linked her arms around him and leaned against his shoulder.
About that time, Draco and Hermione came walking back to the cart with the goblin following close behind and Draco carrying a bulging bag of galleons. And once again the cart sped off back towards the entrance of Gringotts. The group left the bank and headed back out into the streets of Diagon Alley. But before they could get too far, Hermione's stomach grumbled.
"Sorry, seems as though I'm getting a bit hungry. What are we gonna do for dinner?" she asked.
Ron was the one to speak up, "I thought we could head to my home. My mother would love the company and my little sister Ginny would too. In fact, let's head to my twin brothers' joke shop and floo from there to the Burrow." Here Ron turned to Hermione and Becca, and seeing their confused faces, he tried to explain about the floo network. "The floo network is set up through fireplaces, and all one has to do is grab a handful of special floo powder, throw it in to the fireplace, and shout the name of their destination. In this case, we would be shouting 'The Burrow'."
Both girls nodded as they continued their walk down Diagon Alley.
Ron proceeded to talk a bit about the Burrow, "…oh Ginny will love having a few more girls in the house. The only other female in the house is mum, and Ginny gets tired of being picked on by all the boys in the house…"
But Hermione noticed Draco looking a bit apprehensive and she slowed their pace down so that she could get a moment to speak with him. "Draco, what's wrong?"
"I'm not exactly sure if I'll be welcome at the Burrow. I haven't always been the nicest person to the Weasley family…"
"Well now is the time to show them how you've changed. I never knew you during your days as an, as you say 'arrogant, conceited, git'; but I know you now and I think you'll be fine. Just be the polite, charming young man that I know you as and everything will be fine. I promise. Besides, it sounds as if Mrs. Weasley is a very generous person and not the kind who would turn anyone away from her home."
"Alright, I'll try; but only for your sake and because you believe in me. Now let's catch back up with Ron and Becca before they notice we're missing."
Of course Ron and Becca did not notice the missing pair, they were too caught up in their discussion of Ron's family and home life. All too soon they arrived in front of a store with the name Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes plastered all over the front window. The group walked inside with Ron leading the way; and not a moment after entering, a loud boisterous yell was heard.
"Look Forge, it's Ronnekins! And he brought friends…hopefully with money."
"Ah but Gred, I don't believe we've met these friends. Ronnekins must be keeping secrets from his dear brothers." Ron turned a bit pink at the nick name; but Fred and George continued on just the same.
"I can see why he would keep secrets, Forge."
"Yes Gred, he must not want his more handsome twin brothers to steal away that young woman on his arm." And with that comment, Ron's face turned even redder and Becca clung tighter to Ron's arm, clearly a bit disarmed at what she was hearing.
"Would you two shut it for a moment and let me say something? We just came here to borrow your floo as well as grab you two idiots to come home for dinner. And I would appreciate it if you two would quit intimidating my girlfriend," he said, gesturing to Becca who was still attached firmly at his side. "And that's her friend Hermione," and at that he pointed towards Hermione who was standing close to Draco and holding on to his hand. "And of course you both know Draco Malfoy. They're all coming over to stay the night at the Burrow. I figure mum would enjoy the guests and Ginny would enjoy having a few other girls in the household. So, with that said; can we use your floo to get to the Burrow?"
"Of course, dear brother, all you had to do was ask," the twins replied together.
And soon the entire group was in the back room, standing in front of the fireplace, getting ready to floo to the Burrow. Ron stepped up first. "I'll go first so you girls will see how it's done. And be sure to properly pronounce 'The Burrow' when you step into the fireplace, else you might end up at someone else's home or who knows where." And with that said, he grabbed some floo powder, yelled "The Burrow!" and disappeared in a bright green flame. Both girls gasped at seeing the flame, and Draco reassured them. "Girls, it's alright. You don't actually go up in flames. It doesn't hurt. I promise you. I'm going to let Becca go ahead and then Hermione, and then I'll be right behind you. Ron should already be at the Burrow waiting for you to come through. So, go ahead and don't be scared."
Becca cautiously stepped up to the fireplace, repeating Ron's actions and Hermione followed right behind. Draco breathed one last sigh before heading into the unknown, still a bit unsure of his first stay at the Burrow.
Okay guys, you know what to do…read and review! surfngurl