Chapter 3 – Diagon Alley

"Kara, Kara over here!"

Kara heard somebody calling her name as she stepped out of Madam Malking's Robes for All Occasions, holding a fresh new set of Hogwarts school robes. Last year's robes were getting tight and had been damaged beyond repair during their "adventure" at the Ministry of Magic.

"Kara!" Ginny Weasley pushed through the crowd towards her. Kara's face brightened.

"Oh! Ginny, it's you! It's great to see you; it feels like it's been such a long time." She hugged Ginny tightly, "How is everyone?"

"Everybody's fine. Com'on they're all waiting."

Kara and Ginny made their way down the street. They finally stopped in front of a shop. Before Kara could ask where they were, Ginny was pulling her inside. Kara caught a glimpse of the banner hanging over the door. It read: number 93, Diagon Alley – Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes. Kara's mouth fell open, she had forgotten all about the twin's new joke shop. Ginny and Kara had a hard time pushing their way through to the back of the shop. It was packed with Hogwarts students.

"Wow. George and Fred have some pretty good business going on here."

Ginny didn't answer; she was pulling Kara through a door at the back of the shop. There was a cozy room, with many comfy sofas and a warm cracking fire in the fireplace to Kara's right. Everyone was there, sitting around and talking about different things. But as Ginny walked into the room with Kara everyone's attention was drawn to the door. George jumped to his feet and strode over to Kara, closely followed by Harry, Ron, Hermione and Mrs. Weasley.

"Kara. It's so good to see you again!" they all said, smiling warmly.

"It's good to see all of you again, too!" she said happily.

After many more greetings and hugs, everyone sat back down and started talking about the summer vacation and the excitement of going back to Hogwarts in a few days.

Mrs. Weasley turned to Kara and Ginny.

"So. You two have OWLs this year don't you?"

Kara and Ginny both grumbled something under their breath, which sounded much like, "Not the OWL speech again."

"Now girls. You know this is your OWL year, and I expect good marks from the two of you,"

Everyone stopped talking to listen to Mrs. Weasley's speech. Ron gave Ginny and Kara, the we-had-to-go-through-the-same-thing expression.

"Mom, we know! You gave the exact same lecture to Ron, George and Fred, Bill and Charlie. We know."

Ginny interrupted her mother exasperatedly. Mrs. Weasley looked surprised.

"Alright. Since you've heard me say the same thing to the others I'll spare you."

Soon, everyone had resumed talking. George moved closer to Kara.

"Kara," he whispered in her ear. She jumped, and turned to look at him. "Can I talk to you... alone?"

"Okay."

Kara said uncertainly. George looked around the small room. Everyone seemed occupied enough. He took her hand and led her across the room to a narrow staircase. She followed him down the stairs to a larger room piled with boxes. She looked at him curiously. Turning to face her, he followed her gaze.

"Storage room." He muttered.

"Oh." Kara said, feeling kind of foolish for not realising it earlier. She could feel the heat beginning to rise in her cheeks.

"Um... Kara..."

"Yeah?" she asked trying to keep her voice as calm as possible.

"Well, I know your birthday is in a few weeks, and I want to give it to you in person and since you'll be at school and all..." he trailed off. Kara smiled shyly.

"Well...Happy Birthday." He said holding out a small blue and silver box tied with a black ribbon.