CHAPTER 8

Ron and Hermione walked into Diagon Alley with Tonks and Lupin. Tomorrow will be Harry's birthday, and everyone at Grimmauld Place all agreed to throw Harry his first birthday party. The two teenagers and their adult chaperones went to buy gifts for Harry.

"Alright you two, we'll meet you at Florean Fortesque's at four. Be careful," Said Tonks, leaving Ron and Hermione in front of Flourish and Blotts.

Ron and Hermione entered the store and watch Tonks and Lupin walk down the street, into the crowd.

"So, what are we doing at the bookstore," Ron asked looking around. "You're not seriously going to buy another book are you? You have enough don't you?"

Hermione didn't say a word, she kept walking through the store, distracted.

"I'm not carrying your trunk to the station if you're buying more books. That thing was heavy."

Hermione abruptly stopped, causing Ron to almost collide into her. She walked over to the shelves and started reading the titles. Ron looked around and noticed she led them into the Dark Arts section. Hermione was on her toes trying to reach a book on the top shelf. Ron smirked at Hermione. For him, he could easily reach the book, but he enjoyed watching her struggle.

"Ron," Hermione said, with her hands on her hips. "Are you going to help me or what?"

"Hermione, why are you getting a book in the Dark Arts section?"

"It's not for me. It's for Harry's birthday. Thought he might want a book about the Dark Arts history because of given-current circumstances."

"Right," Ron said, reaching over Hermione getting the book Hermione was reaching for.

He turned the book over. It was a pretty thick book, The Dark Arts, Evil versus Good.

"Do you think this is a good idea?" Ron asked, handing the book over. "It's his birthday, we should get something, something more cheerful."

"I think he would find it useful," Hermione said flipping through the book.

"Useful for what?" Ron asked, looking at the other titles on the shelves.

"Just useful," Hermione said, hinting to drop the topic.

And Ron did just that. He knew Hermione well enough that when she's talking like that, to not push the topic any further. Hermione always had a reason for everything. She may not share it with everyone at the time, but it makes sense in the end.

They went to the counter and purchased the book, then left to go to Quality Quidditch Supplies. Ron wanted to buy something from the Quidditch store. He figured being away from the pitch for so long during their fifth year, Harry would have missed the game.

Ron bought a small model of a Quidditch pitch. It comes with two sets of figurines of professional Quidditch players. The figures are bewitched to play on the field in real situations. The players also perform plays that they were famous for. Ron also bought a Quidditch strategy guidebook for himself.

"Let's go see Fred and George," Ron said as they left the store. "We have about half an hour and the ice cream parlor is just around the corner from the twin's store."

Hey walked into Weasley's Wheezes and it was busy with children and teenagers willing to buy the latest gag. Ron recognized many of the customers in there from Hogwarts.

"Ron," George said coming out from behind the counter. "What did we do to deserve suchan honor of you gracing us with your presence?"

"Tomorrow's Harry's birthday," Hermione said.

"We knew that," Fred said. "We created something new for Harry."

"What did you get him?" Ron asked eagerly.

"It's a surprise," George said.

"You'll just have to wait until tomorrow," Fred said.

"Give me a hint," Ron begged.

"Now, little brother, what fun would that be," George said putting his arms around Ron's shoulders.

"So, business is well," Hermione said, still looking around at the store.

"Yeah, you can say that," Fred said. "And it's all because of Harry. Which is why we feel we owe him something. Something that will mark the day of his birth."

"Excuse me, sir," said a little blond boy of about eight. "How does this work?"

"Ah, a demonstration," Fred said, signaling for George to come over and help him. "Sorry, you two, business calls. See you tomorrow night, yeah?"

Ron and Hermione nodded and continued to look around the store before they headed out. Ron looked over at his brothers, showing the little boy how the headless hat works. At this time, the rest of the children in the store gathered around the twins.

"Now, for our next demonstration…" Ron heard Fred say as the left the store. Ron and Hermione sat on a bench in front of Florean, waiting for Lupin and Tonks to return.

"Hello, Ronald," said a familiar dreamy voice.

Ron turned around and saw Luna standing behind him. Her long blond hair was put up in a bun that was held up by what looks like bones.

"Oh, hi, Luna," Ron said, standing up but looking at Hermione.

"Having a great summer so far?" Luna asked.

"Um, yeah, so far," Ron said. "How was your summer so far?

"It was great. Father and I finally got to go to Sweden to find Snorkacks. We found a lot of evidence, but we had to come back to England before we actually saw one. Father had to take care ofan urgent storyright away back home. He promised me we'll get to go back before the holiday is over. You should read the Quibbler next week. I'm not allowed to say what's in it, but I'm sure you'll see what is so urgent."

"Really," Hermione said doubtfully, no longer sitting down.

Luna looked surprised as if she didn't know Hermione was with Ron, but she quickly composed her self and got that dreamy look back into her eyes.

"Have you done anything exciting this summer," Luna asked, as if she never heard Hermione. "Have you been playing Quidditch lately? That was a reallywicked game against us. Brilliant save."

Ron smiled. He will never forget the game he had to win the cup. He was a hero for Gryffindor that night. And being reminded just then by Luna made him feel better. Luna's wierdness didn't seem to bother him so much just now. It was nice to have a fan, someone who appreciated him. Luna looked at Ron's bare arms.

"Ron," Luna gasped, holding his arms delicately. "Are these the same bruises from the Department of Mystery?"

Ron nodded, trying to put on a brave face.

"I didn't see it when I was in the hospital wing. Does it still hurt?"

"No," Ron said, not withdrawing his arms from Luna's hand. "Madam Pomfrey gave me some medicine to take home. It doesn't hurt, but the bruises won't go away. I don't know why."

"Oh, there was a remedy in the Quibbler a couple of issues ago," Luna said dreamily running her fingers across the bruises. "I wish I could remember it."

"Oh, look, Tonks and Lupin are here now," Hermione said dragging Ron away from Luna's hands.

"Okay. 'Bye, Luna," Ron said. Then focused his attention back to Hermione. "Where are they?"

Ron scanned the crowd in front of them and didn't see Lupin or Tonk anywhere. They must be here somewhere. Why would Hermione lie about something like that?

"Hermione," Ron said, stopping. "I don't see them at all. Where are we going?"

Hermione looked over Ron's shoulder to see Luna walking into the parlor.

"Oh, I thought I saw them," Hermione said. "She's a loony. And she reads the Quibbler as if it presented real facts."

"Well, it did had facts when Harry did the interview."

"Yes, well, that was an exception. And if you remember clearly, it was me who arranged it! But, honestly, how can one take anything from the Quibbler seriously. I can't believe she went on that holiday to find Snorkacks. They really don't exist Ron, you know that, don't you?"

"I know that, Hermione-"

"And she had her hands all over you!"

"What? She was just looking at my bruises."

"You seriously can't believe that. Did you see the way she was looking at you?"

"How was she looking at me, Hermione?"

"She was…She…Well, she was looking at you with dreamy eyes and everything."

"What's wrong with that? She thinks I'm a brilliant Quidditch player."

"Are you serious? Just because she compliments on your playing ability, you're going to look past how loony she is."

"Oh, what is this? Are you jealous, Hermione?"

Ron started laughing, and maybe that was the wrong thing to do, because Hermione walked away from Ron. Lupin and Tonks appeared with a couple of bags full of presents and party favors. Hermione walked over to them and conversed for a little bit. Ron joined them.

"Ready?" Lupin asked.

Ron nodded his head, and they walked out of Diagon Alley, back to the Order.

Ron and Hermione didn't talk much on the way back. Ron knew she was mad at him. For what, he wasn't quite sure yet. He just knew he did something wrong. There's no point in apologizing for something he didn't really know he did. When they got into the Order and dropped their newly purchased merchandise in their room, they still weren't talking.

Ron decided to let Hermione go. Tomorrow, she'll forget all about it.