DISCLAIMER: The tallest oak tree on the planet could grow till it reached the sun and I would still not own Harry Potter.
STORY: PRE-HBP! FORGET EVERYTHING YOU READ IN THAT BOOK! EVERYTHING!
Big Thank You's to Ashley who goes back and fixes all these chapters for me because I'm too lazy to check them myself.
Chapter 6:
"Let's go to the Quidditch shop."
"No, we should get our books first at Flourish & Blotts."
"How about we go to Gringots first for some money," Harry suggested loudly stopping the incessant bickering that had been taking place ever since they had left the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black.
"Good idea Harry," Remus spoke at once, rubbing his temples.
"Then we can go collect all the necessary items before we go lingering about," Tonks said, sending a reassuring smile to the werewolf and squeezing his hand in her own.
"Sounds fine to me," Harry agreed, looking at Ron and Hermione who were both determinedly not looking at each other with scowls on their faces.
They rode the rest of the way to Diagon Alley in silence. Harry had this odd and nagging feeling of being watched. He dismissed the thought, though, and concentrated on what he would need to buy today for his last and final year at Hogwarts.
They arrived at the entrance to The Leakey Cauldron and Remus quickly ushered them through the pub and to the entrance of Diagon Alley. The lycan withdrew his wand and tapped the bricks which quickly sprang apart to reveal the hidden magical community.
"Come on, let's go get Hermione's money exchanged and then we can go and purchase whatever you will need," Remus said, steering them through the crowded streets where people milled about gazing into the decorated storefront windows.
They reached the massive white building and entered. Harry gazed around at the large crowds filling the bank. He was now especially glad that Bill had previously withdrawn some money from his vault.
It took them about twenty minutes to get Hermione's money exchanged and back out into the busy street. They maneuvered through the people until they came to an old looking building with 'Flourish & Blotts' written across the storefront window.
"Okay," Remus said, "get in, get what you need, and get out. Don't linger, we have to be moving on."
Harry walked down the long aisles of books, his eyes searching for the books he would need for his 7th year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He plucked a book off the shelf that he would need for Defense Against the Dark Arts and paused.
There, on the top most shelf, sat an aging book, the cover worn. He stretched up and caught hold of the book, bringing it down. Ancient Magic: A Study of the Dark.
Harry stared at the book in his hands. Maybe this book could answer some of his unspoken questions. It might even help him understand.
Glancing around to see if anyone was near, Harry slipped the old book in with his other purchases. He didn't want to face anyone's questions at to why he was buying the book because in all honesty, he wasn't sure if he knew why himself.
He went to the front and paid for his books. Again, he got the weird feeling of being watched. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end and he glanced around nervously. Was he being watched?
The clerk handed Harry his book and smiled at him, glancing up at the familiar scar hidden by messy black hair. Harry quickly turned and sought out Remus, finding him by Tonks near the door.
"All done Harry?" Remus asked, casting a look at the bag in Harry's hand.
Harry shifted the bag to his other hand nervously as he looked up at his former professor. Did he know? "Yes." He reminded himself to keep a straight face.
"Ron's finished as well," Tonks informed him. "He's over there badgering Hermione and Ginny to finish up."
"He said something like 'food' when he left," Remus smiled. "I think it's almost lunch time."
"If Ron says it is, it is. His stomach never lies," Harry joked. Tonks and Remus laughed along with him and Harry could of sworn he heard another throaty chuckle beside with though no one was there.
"What's so funny?" Ron asked as he joined them.
"Nothing Ron," Harry answered.
"Where's Hermione and Ginny?" Remus asked.
"Oh, they said if I didn't leave them alone they would hex me till mum couldn't recognize me," he said darkly. Everyone laughed.
When they finally finished in Flourish & Blotts they made their way to the Leaky Cauldron to grab a quick bite to eat to satisfy Ron. Then they headed to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. Harry and Ron had grown considerably and both needed new robes.
Harry was the first to enter and stopped at the sight that met his eyes. "You," he whispered hoarsely as he stared at the figure that had been tormenting his thoughts.
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"Have you ever seen anything as spectacular as this?" Kamaria asked in awe as they stood in the entrance way of Diagon Alley.
"It is amazing," Sauda agreed, looking around eagerly.
"Where to first?" Crabbe or Goyle asked, Kamaria wasn't sure which, they both looked like overgrown gorillas to her.
Kamaria gazed around eagerly, looking at the storefront windows.
"What is ice cream?" she asked looking at a store called 'Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor.' Many people sat at the outside tables, laughing and eating with each other.
"It is a dessert," one of the overgrown idiots answered, looking like he would very much like some of this 'ice cream.' "It's delicious," he declared.
"Shall we try some?" Kamaria asked Sauda.
"If you wish too, my lady," the other woman answered.
Kamaria smiled in unambiguous delight. "Let's. I want to try a sundae."
They walked over to the Ice Cream Parlor and bought two sundaes and two banana splits. They sat down at a small table that was separated from everyone else.
"This is luscious," Kamaria exclaimed after she took the first bite.
"I agree," Sauda said, "it's wonderful."
They finished off their ice cream and made their way down the street. They passed a small shop called 'Magical Menagerie' where little owls and rats stared out at them.
"I believe I would like a pet," Kamaria mumbled, coming to a stop in front of the door.
"A pet!" Sauda cried, her eyes wide. "They make messes, my lady…."
"So do humans," Kamaria interrupted.
"The Dark Lord might not approve…."
"Nonsense," Kamaria said, looking closer at the animals and smiling. "He told me to get whatever I wanted and I want a pet."
She strode through the front door, not waiting for them to follow her. They reluctantly followed a moment later though they hung around the door.
Kamaria walked down the aisles, examining the animals that were showing off in hopes that she would pick them to take home with her. The rats danced in their cages and the owls flapped their wings, the cats purred and the dogs barked.
"May I help you?" a mid-twenty wizard asked, smiling pleasantly at her as he appeared.
"I'm looking for a pet," Kamaria told him.
"Did you have anything in particular in mind."
"No," Kamaria shook her head.
"Well, what was the last pet you owned?"
"That would have to be Calik, my tiger."
"A tiger?" the man gulped.
"Yes, a tiger."
"So," the man said slowly, eyeing her curiously, "you like exotic animals then?"
Kamaria merely shrugged. "What do you have?"
The man looked around. "Follow me," he said quietly, gesturing towards the backroom. 'We just got her in today."
"Her?" Kamaria inquired.
"A panther cub, quite lovely actually."
Kamaria smiled. She had always wanted a panther but they had been elusive. "How old is she, do you know?"
"It appears that she is only eight weeks old at the least."
He stopped in front of a small box with holes drilled into it. Something was purring inside of it. The man pried the lid off of the box slowly and carefully.
"Oh my," Kamaria gasped, "she is lovely. I'll take her."
"Are you sure?"
Kamaria bent over and picked up the small panther cub which immediately purred in content. "I'm positive."
"Do you have any place to keep her till you get home?"
Kamaria withdrew a side bag from under her cloak and gingerly placed the cub inside. "This should do for Cameo now until I can get something bigger."
"Cameo?"
"That is what I shall call her. How much?"
Kamaria bought some food and toys for Cameo and then left with Sauda and the two idiots following closely behind. They made their way to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions.
"There is a better shop called Twifitt and Tattings just on down….," one of the goons began, casting a contemptuous glance at the store in front of them.
"Nonsense! This store will do just fine," Kamaria declared in a haughty voice.
"The Dark Lord only wants the best for you…"
"Those robes look perfectly fine to me. Besides, I will only wear them when it becomes to cold to wear my own, much more preferable clothing."
"My queen…"
"Why are you still arguing with me?" Kamaria snapped, her temper rising. She glared at the two men in front of her.
"It's just that….," one man stuttered, "..well, they allow anyone to shop here and…."
"And why shouldn't they?" Kamaria asked, her eyes flashing dangerously as her anger spiraled upward. "They are trying to make money after all."
"My queen…"
Kamaria waved an impatient hand in the air, cutting off his protests. "I am not going to argue with you. You were only asked to accompany me today, not try to dictate me. So far, the only thing you agreed on with me today concerned food. Now, I am going to go in here and buy me some clothes and robes no matter what you say. Is that clear?"
The two men looked down at their feet and mumbled a soft, "Yes, my lady."
"Are you two coming in or is it beneath you?"
"We will go in," one of them said quietly, holding open the door for her to enter which she did.
"Hello my dear," a pleasant looking witch said as she entered the main room from the back, "I am Madam Malkin."
"Hello, my name is Kamaria. I am here to buy some new robes."
"Hogwarts?"
"No, I'm afraid I do not attend school. I need some everyday robes though nothing to drab."
"What colors, my dear?"
"What colors do you have?" Kamaria asked eagerly.
Madam Malkin opened her mouth to answer but before she could the door opened again. Kamaria turned and looked upon the group entering the shop.
The boy in the lead stopped as soon as he opened the door and gaped openly at her. He had untidy raven hair and emerald green eyes hidden behind a pair of spectacles. He was handsome, Kamaria thought, and about her age.
She briefly registered Crabbe and Goyle drawing their wands before two red beams of light shot past the boy, hitting her two body guards square in the chest. She was preparing to attack when invisible arms came out of nowhere and grabbed her, pinning her arms tightly to her side.
Kamaria struggled against her invisible captor. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a witch with pink hair grab Sauda.
"My lady!" Sauda cried out to her, her eyes wide.
Kamaria struggled that much harder. She had to get to Sauda, she had to save them both. Crabbe and Goyle were lying on the floor unconscious and Madam Malkin was crouched in the corner with two young witches about her age too.
"Stop struggling girl," a rough voice whispered into her ear. "We're not going to hurt you."
Kamaria growled and kicked out at the man. She smiled in satisfaction when she heard a curse and felt the arms release their hold on her.
She only enjoyed her freedom for a moment, however, when she heard a man say "Stupify!" The last thing she remember was the beam of red light before everything went black.
Moody and Kingsley appeared out of no where, Moody rubbing his shin where Kamaria had kicked him. They gazed down at the girl on the floor.
"Did she get you Alastor?" Kingsley asked.
"She's tough, I'll give her that," the ex-auror said.
"You killed her!" Sauda cried.
"No, we didn't kill her," Remus told the frantic woman in Tonks' grasp gently. "We are doing your lady more help by taking her away than harm."
"Is that who I think it is?" Harry asked, advancing on the group.
"Yes, Harry, it is. You and Ron go check on Hermione and Ginny and see how they are doing with Madam Malkin," Remus instructed.
"What are you going to do with her?" Harry asked, refusing to move.
Remus sighed. "We are going to take her where Voldemort can't get to her. Now run along you two so we can get you lot out of here."
When Harry was gone, Remus turned to Moody and Kingsley. "Just take her to Headquarters along with the other woman. I'll deal with these two."
Moody and Kingsley nodded. Kingsley bent down and picked up Kamaria while Moody removed Sauda from Tonks' grasp. They disapparated with a resounding 'crack.'
Remus sighed and looked down at Crabbe and Goyle Sr.'s. What to do? he mused as he moved closer to their unconscious forms.
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!AMAYA!