Chapter 3
Diagon Alley
"So either Dumbledore is alive, or he is psychic," Harry said. He, Ron and Hermione were sitting at a table in Sirius' house. Harry had explained Dumbledore's letter and the reasons why he wanted to return to Hogwarts.
"Dumbledore has always been wise, and I wouldn't put it past him to be able to know what you would do when he died." Hermione said, "I think that his letter just proves that he was just extremely insightful. And maybe the reason you got it so late was because he gave specific instructions not to give it to you until now."
"But Dumbledore didn't know he was going to die, and why would he choose now to send that letter to you? I think he's come back to life" Ron said.
"Oh, come on, be realistic Ron," Hermione said, "Coming back from the dead; who could possibly do that?"
"Voldemort did," Harry said. Ron cringed at the mention of the dark lord's name.
"Must you say that name?" Ron asked. Harry ignored him; he was to busy thinking.
"But, I doubt Dumbledore made any Horcruxes like Voldemort did," he said. Ron and Hermione agreed with him.
"I think you are making a big deal out of nothing," Hermione said.
"Maybe," Harry said, "But the only way to find out is to return to Hogwarts, and besides Hermione I know you don't want to miss any school."
"Well if we are going to Hogwarts we have to get our supplies," Hermione said.
"But we didn't get our list's remember?" Ron said, but of course Hermione was prepared.
"I have them right here," she said patting her pocket.
"How did you get them?" Harry asked taking his from Hermione and looking over the items listed.
"Well when you said we were going to Hogwarts I immediately went ahead and sent an owl asking for them to send the lists for us. You're right I don't want to miss any school."
"Oh, okay, but we will have to wait for morning to get the supplies," Harry said noticing for the first time how late it was. He had spent the whole day explaining everything to Ron and Hermione.
"Okay" Ron said with a yawn.
"We'll go first thing in the morning," Hermione agreed.
Harry couldn't sleep that night. He tried turning in every different position but nothing worked. He looked jealously at Hermione in the bed next to him and Ron on the sofa. They were both sleeping soundly, their chests rising and setting slowly, as if they didn't have a care in the world.
Harry's head was filled with questions. Was Dumbledore alive? If Dumbledore was alive where was he now? And who was this person he was supposed to meet?
Harry thought about these questions until he fell into a fitful sleep.
The next morning Harry woke up to the sound Hermione's voice, "Harry, Harry, wake up, we have to go now" she said.
"Just five more minutes" Harry said sleepily.
"No, now" Hermione said ripping off his covers, obviously excited about going back to school.
"Fine" he said, "Just let me get changed."
Five minutes later Harry was dressed and downstairs.
"Where are we going?" he asked.
"Diagon Alley of course" Hermione said.
"Okay" Harry said, "How are we going to get there?"
"Well since you can't apparate yet I guess we will use Floo Powder" Hermione replied, "You first Harry."
Harry took a handful of the powder and stepped into the fireplace.
"Diagon Alley" he said and threw the powder down. There was a burst of flames and he was gone.
Harry suddenly found himself in Diagon Alley. In a few seconds Ron and Hermione both appeared next to him. The dusted themselves off and walked out on to the street.
"Okay, let's go" Hermione said.
"First we need to stop at Gringot's" Harry said holding out a few Knuts, "I'm running a little dry." So off they headed in the direction of the bank.
"Okay we've got our books, now we need to get our robes fitted" Hermione said after she, Ron, and Harry had found all of the books on their lists.
They walked into a shop to get their robes fitted. Harry was first; he put his robe on so the woman in the shop could fit it properly.
While Harry was standing waiting for the woman to finish he glanced out the front of the shop. Harry gasped because outside the shop was maybe the prettiest girl he had ever seen. She was even prettier than Fleur. She was looking in the windows of shops. She had gorgeous blue eyes with light, radiant skin. Her red hair was long, smooth, and silky and it swayed when she walked.
"Wow" Harry said. At that moment she looked up into the shop and saw Harry. For a second their eyes met. Then the woman who was fitting Harry's robes stuck him with a pin by accident and Harry looked away from the girl.
When Harry looked back she was gone. The woman finished with all of their robes and they left. When they returned to Sirius' house it was late and they were tired, especially Harry so they fell right to sleep.
That night no questions were racing through Harry's head. Instead images of the girl he had seen that day filled his mind.