Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters.

Chapter Thirteen

Changes in Hogsmeade

Harry left Gringott's on a clear, sunny Saturday morning heading to one of the newest shops in Diagon Alley, Orly Oswald's Occullara, the place to go for fashionable magical eye pieces. Once in the shop, he browsed the displays of monocles, spinning eyeballs, nez optics and real cat eye glasses. "Can I help you, Harry?" Orly, the shopkeeper, asked pleasantly.

"Excuse me, do I know you?" Harry replied.

"No, sir, but I certainly know of you. No offense intended. It's just that you've become as known for your specs as much as your scar, son. I'd be pleased to provide you with your next pair," explained Oswald.

"No, I don't think so," Harry started to say.

"Really, I meant no offense or to be overly familiar, young man," Orly apologetically explained.

Harry continued with what he'd intended to say. "No, no, it's just that I was looking to get rid of them entirely. They get in the way."

"Ah, I should think so," said Orly "with all of the adventures you get into."

"Yes, exactly," Harry replied. In actuality, Harry was more concerned with looking hot for George than the nuisance his glasses presented. "What can you do for me?"

"There are actually a couple of simple solutions. First, we can measure and secure a pair of Muggle contact lenses for you. It's not very usual, but we have contacts in the non-magical realm. A wonderful place, actually, called 'Lenscrafters'. Takes a day or so. Second, we could concoct a simple occulus repairing potion. Works like the "Occulus Repairo" charm does on spectacles, but on your eyeballs. Which would work better for you, Harry?"

"I'm game to try the potion, if it's not too disgusting. Believe me, I've tasted some pretty nasty potions," Harry shared, thinking of his Polyjuice Potion escapade from second year.

"Right, right Mr. Potter. We'll set you up right away. Let me just jot down the color of your eyes, your height and weight, and the current prescription from your glasses. I'll get it brewing straight away and send it to Hogwarts, by special post owl, as soon as it's ready. Just drink it down directly before bedtime, and you'll wake up with perfect vision."

"Sounds great!" Harry provided all of the essentials to Mr. Oswald, paid him 20 Galleons, and left the shop, optimistic about his new look.

He headed down the block to meet up with Ron at Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. "Look, Harry! I'm the first customer to buy the Super Safety Bling-neto."

"The Super what?" asked Harry.

"Fred and George are giving me the family discount," Ron said.

"Besides, we don't know if it'll work," Fred and George laughed in unison.

"But what does it actually DO?" persisted Harry. "It just looks like an ugly Muggle rapper necklace."

"Ah, Harry, you're breaking our hearts," Fred said.

"Yeah, we think everyone will want on," added George.

"Are you going to tell me what this thing does?" Harry asked in an exasperated tone.

"Settle down, Harry, settle down," Ron said. "I was just getting to that. First, I send this big shiny necklace to Percy with a note of congratulations on his promotion at work. This giant pendant will have the capitol letters 'A.S.S.' set in cubic zirconia in the middle, surrounded along the rim by the words 'Assistant to Special Someones'. The pendant itself will be charmed with a Roaring Ricochet curse. Second, I set up a number of detonation charms along the perimeter of the garden at The Burrow, creating what Muggles call an Invisible Fence. When Percy comes within range of the detonation charms, he'll be blown backwards while the necklace sings, 'Big Head Percy really blows. At work, at home it surely shows. Someone more disliked, no one knows.' I just have to make sure I can be home when he sets it off."

"Yeah, and we have to make sure he doesn't apparate, either," added George.

To which Fred chimed in, "we'll think of something; I'm sure. Ginny can probably help there."

"Excellent work, Fred, George. I'm glad to see my investment in this place has not been unwarranted. I only hope I can be a witness as well. How much is this prank setting you back, Ron?" Harry asked.

"Only 30 Galleons," Ron shared.

"30 Galleons, Ron? That's more than my new eye repairing potion! How can you afford that?" Harry couldn't hide his incredulity.

"No problem, Harry. I'm putting it on my credit card."

"YOU Ron Weasley, have a credit card? You DO know that you have to pay it off, don't you?"

"Sure, Harry, but over time. I can buy all the stuff I want, and can pay for it when I get out of Hogwarts and have a real job. You know, not all of us are made of money, Harry," as Ron attempted to guilt Harry. Apparently, it worked, because Harry said no more about their financial arrangements.

"Hey, let's go check out our competition for the allowances of our Hogwarts patrons," Fred and George suggested as a way of changing the subject.

"You've got competition already guys?" Harry asked.

"Not for jokes," said Fred.

"For their meager spending money," said George. He went on to explain, "Malfoy and Finnigan have opened a shop called 'Defense Against the Dark Farts, the Ultimate Candy Ass Store'. It sells all kinds of counter curses, spells, potions and instruments to help wussy people- like themselves I might add- combat people who come up against them."

"It's really targeted at wimps who don't have the sense or gumption to handle themselves in a squeeze," added Fred.

"How does that affect you?" questioned Harry.

"The problem is, Harry, that our market research shows that the same goofballs who enjoy buying our wares tend to be little candy asses who need help fighting their own battles."

"And the question is, where will they spend the Galleons Mummy and Daddy are sending them at school, here or there?" George added.

"Well, let's go!" urged Ron. "You better put that credit card away, Ron," suggested Harry with a smile.