Author: Magiquill9
Chapter 6: A Trip to Diagon AlleyShips: Harry and Ginny, Hermione and Ron, Bill and Fleur, and Lupin and Tonks.
Chapter Synopsis: Harry and the gang head to Diagon Alley and learn a few important things on the trip. Then, Harry mounts a haphazard rescue mission.
Story Summary: HBP raised as many questions as it answered. How can Harry find a horcrux? How can he destroy the horcruxes? Everything was laid out, and we were about to jump off the cliff. Here's where the cliffhanger ends and the adventure begins. Join Harry and friends as they struggle to lead the wizarding world out of despair, fight the good fight, and put an end to the evil that is Tom Riddle.
Disclaimer: Well guys, I'm back, thanks for the reviews, I'd appreciate it immensely if more of you all did review, because if you've written a story, you know how it feels when someone reviews. You feel like your story is important, and that someone actually took the time to read it. So here's for more reviews. I'm glad to see you all are still with me. Sorry this chapter is short, but I had to keep it that way. The next chapter should be fairly long though so that will make up for it. So for now, please enjoy chapter 6, A Trip to Diagon Alley.
"Harry! We're gonna be late." Hermione's voice rang in Harry's ears.
"I'm up, I'm up," he grumbled. He heard Ron muttering something about spiders and pink bunnies. Harry chunked a pillow at him. Ron sat straight up and promptly fell off his bed, landing on the floor with a laugh.
"Finally," Hermione sighed.
"Remind me why we're going to Diagon Alley again and not sleeping in like normal people do on the holidays Hermione," Ron said.
"Because, we need to get our supplies, just in case we do go back to Hogwarts, and besides, it would do good to get out of the house. If nothing else, we can go to the twins' shop. That should be fun. And it would be a nice break from everything we've been doing. You and Harry already got your apparition licenses right?"
"Yeah," said Harry. He remembered how he and Ron had gone two days after the wedding, which was actually yesterday, and gotten their licenses. It had been an interesting experience to say the least.
"Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley," the bored witch at the counter had called.
"Yes, were here," they had responded.
"Test site number one. First, we will need for you to go in that room, and apparate from one side to the other. Next, you will apparate to Diagon Alley, and finally, from Diagon Alley, apparate back here, and that is the test. Good luck." So Harry and Ron had headed into the room, both successfully apparating to the other side of the room, then to Diagon Alley. They apparated right on top of each other though, which was pretty funny after they had finished the test. A man was there who gave them a slip of paper, and they had apparated back, thus completing the little test. They were then able to apparate from the ministry back to the Burrow. And so ended their apparition exam. And Harry's memory.
"Knut for your thoughts Harry?" Hermione said.
"Huh?" responded Harry intelligently.
"You kind of dozed off."
"Oh I was remembering when we took the test."
"Oh alright then. Well Harry, Ron, are we ready to go to Diagon Alley?"
"Yes Mum," chorused Ron and Harry, and they silently laughed until Hermione's glare changed into one of exasperation.
"Let's go then."
"Hey wait for me!" cried Ginny.
"Ginny? You're coming with us?"
"Yeah, Mum said I could go, so I am. Take me Harry."
"As much as I would like to take you right here, right now, Ginny, I don't think it's a very good time. How about when we get back from Diagon Alley?" Harry asked sincerely, and then burst out laughing along with Ginny because they could no longer keep their straight faces after seeing Ron's reaction.
"You may be my best mate Harry, but sometimes…" Ron trailed off. Hermione kissed him for 'his sweetness' and the four of them apparated to Diagon Alley, Ginny grasping Harry's arm, and snuggling into his side a little too much for Ron's comfort, but nonetheless they arrived safely at Diagon Alley.
Once they had arrived, they looked around and noticed the streets were deserted. Harry walked along, staring at the boarded up shops. Fortescue's ice cream parlor was still closed. Harry passed by the table he always used to sit at and smiled sadly. They also past by Ollivander's, the closed up shop, and Harry noticed the wand that had always sat on the faded cushion had a card next to it. Harry looked up close and read it.
Here lies the wand of Rowena Ravenclaw, Willow, phoenix tail-feather, bendy, and around 7 inches. Disappeared after her death, but later found and returned, it has since been passed down through the generations and it now resides in the possession of Oscar Ollivander, her heir.
"So Ollivander is the heir of Ravenclaw huh? Wow. Well we seem to know all the heirs now. Looks like Voldemort, the Slytherin heir, knocked off the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw heirs. Wonder who the Gryffindor heir is," mused Harry aloud.
"Wait a minute," Harry said. He stopped and slowly pulled out the wand he had rescued from Godric's Hollow.
"You don't think…" Harry stopped and re-read the card, and then looked at the wand in his hand, which vibrated weakly in Harry's hand.
"Hermione?" Harry began weakly.
"I think that's what Voldemort was going to use Harry, I don't think that's your mother's wand. When people die, their wands are snapped and buried with them, except under special circumstances. The card says it disappeared when she died. So that's why it's still intact. I think that covers your something of Gryffindor's or Ravenclaw's, Harry."
"But he didn't did he? He didn't make one. How are we supposed to know if we found one anyway?"
"I think we need to talk to Dumbledore," said Ron, speaking for the first time. Ginny stood next to him, a confused look glued to her face. Harry wondered again if she should tell her the truth.
"Ginny, I'll explain it all to you later. I promise." He received a peck on the cheek in return and they linked up their hands on their way to the Flourish and Blotts.
"Harry?"
"Yeah Hermione?"
"How about after this we apparate to Hogsmeade and head to Hogwarts to talk to Dumbledore?"
"Yeah, sounds good to me. Gin?"
"May as well."
Once they four friends made it to Flourish and Blotts, Hermione handed them their school list. As it turned out, Hogwarts would be reopening, and McGonagall would be the temporary headmistress. Hermione thought they should still get their books to be prepared to pass their N.E.W.T.S. (Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests) later on. So Ron and Harry had reluctantly agreed. Ginny would still be attending, at least until she found out they weren't. Harry was nervous about the fight that would cause.
"Ok, let's see," began Hermione as they entered the bookstore. She pulled out her list and began walking through the aisles, dragging Ginny behind her. Harry went with Ron to the Quidditch section, but could still hear Hermione muttering about their books.
"The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 7 by Miranda Goshawk check, Advanced Transfiguration by Emeric Switch check, and The Dark Arts and How to Defeat Them by Alexis Star check. Three of each… Ok. Ginny, you got your books already?" Ginny must have nodded because Hermione announced they were finished. Harry went back to the front with Ron and paid for his books using his moneybag from Gringotts that Bill had given him for his birthday.
"Hey guys, I need to stop in at Gringotts. They were going to show me the Potter vault and other stuff. Care to join me?" Harry asked as they exited the bookshop.
"Sounds like fun to me," said Ginny, staring at Harry lovingly.
"Then we're off to see the goblin…" Hermione said in a singsong voice. Harry knew it was from Wizard of Oz and smiled. They trooped through Diagon Alley and made it to Gringotts. Harry stepped inside and went up to the nearest goblin.
"Hi, I'm Harry Potter. Ragnok sent me a letter saying I now had access to my family vault. I was wondering if you could help me out…" Harry trailed off. That goblin gave what seemed to pass for a smile, but looked more like a grimace to Harry and motioned him to follow with one crooked finger. Harry took Ginny's hand and the four of them followed the goblin. He led them to an office and Harry saw that he was in the head goblin's office Ragnok. He had heard Bill speak of him before.
"Hello Mr. Potter. I am Ragnok. It is a pleasure to meet you."
"Likewise," Harry responded and shook the proffered hand. He then took a seat, and everyone followed his action.
"To business. You are aware, are you not, that when you became of age on July 31st, you came into possession of the Potter family vault?"
"Yes sir."
"Good, then that is settled. Would you like to go down and see it?"
"Yes, that would be great."
"I can send someone with you. Is there anyone in particular you would like to go with you?"
"Just call Griphook."
"You know a goblin's name?"
"Yes, he was the first goblin I met."
"Interesting," Ragnok muttered. "Very well, if your friends could leave the room for a moment, I would like to speak with you in private.
Harry looked at his friends, who nodded and walked out, closing the door behind them. Harry sat up in his chair and looked at Ragnok expectantly.
"Goblins are normally neutral in wars in the wizarding world. We take care of the money. That is our job. It is of no importance to us what happens in the wizarding world, as long as there are still wizards and witches in it who do business with us. Gringotts is a business Mr. Potter. He-who-must-not-be-named has been rather foolish as of late. He has tried to break into Gringotts once, and succeeded. We goblins are a proud people. We do not enjoy being made to look like fools. Therefore, we are against he-who-must-not-be-named and his cause. You are, I have heard, the one who will be fighting to defeat him. I would like you to know that we are here and offering you the hand of friendship. I want you to always remember who helped you in your time of need." Ragnok extended his hand to Harry once more.
Harry was finding it extremely hard, no impossible, to fill Dumbledore's shoes. Everyone was expecting him to be this great leader and to be able to lead the side of the light to victory over the dark. But they didn't understand. This wasn't a fairy tale that always had happy endings. The people who fought for the good side didn't win simply because they were good. This was real life, people fought for something they believed in, and died for it, in the hope that they would be victorious, but not really knowing what would happen. Harry just hoped he was able to live up to everyone's standards, especially Dumbledore's. Harry shook Ragnok's hand politely and thanked him for his support, then walked out, catching up with his friends on the cart that took them to the Potter vault.
The car took them over twists, turns, an underground lake, past a couple dragons, and finally it came to a halt. Griphook walked out and traced his finger down the middle of the vault like he had to get the sorcerer's stone for Hagrid 6 years ago and opened the vault. He ushered the four of them inside and said he would wait outside for them to finish. Harry walked in and was blinded by the piles of gold he saw. There was just mounds of it. He immediately felt bad, knowing how Ron would feel, and knowing it would be in vain to try and cover it up, just tried to walk right by it. But he knew Ron would make a comment. Wait for it… wait for it… there.
"Wow mate, you must be richer than those muggles Bill Gates and Joanne Rowling put together."
"Who are they?" Harry asked.
"Famous people," Ron said with a shrug. They returned to staring at the vault's contents.
"Hey Harry, I think I found something you might like," Ginny called.
Harry crossed the vault and squatted next to her, to see the chest she was looking at. Harry opened it, and inside he found jewelry given to his mother. It was some really beautiful stuff. Harry saw a couple particularly nice ones and pulled it out for Ginny's birthday, August 11th, which was actually tomorrow, Harry realized with a shock. He needed to make sure he got her a good present. He pulled those out and then found something that looked exactly like the kind of present he wanted for her: a promise ring. He pocketed it when she wasn't looking and realized it was the perfect gift to give to Ginny. Harry's shoulders lightened considerably as that burden was taken off of him. He kept looking around and found a lot of mementos from his parents, mostly useless stuff that he wouldn't need, such as trunks with old schoolbooks, but he did find a diary that he grabbed.
"Harry, come take a look at this," Hermione called.
"Look, it's a camcorder. Your mum must have gotten it. We should look at what's on it later."
"Then grab it Hermione. Whatever you all find in her, it's yours to have if you would like it. Just show it to me first, and I'll more than likely let you have it. Besides, I'd end up leaving it here anyway so if you want it, you would put it to more use than I could." Harry watched for his friends' reactions. Hermione nodded thoughtfully, Ginny seemed ok with it, but he was worried about Ron's reaction. He looked at Harry, almost the same look as when Harry had kissed Ginny, and then nodded slightly.
Harry relaxed considerably. They walked through the vault, Harry occasionally being stopped and asked about one thing or another, and always saying 'yes you can take it.' Nothing had really jumped out at Harry, so he just wondered around aimlessly, looking in this box, or prodding that bag, but nothing seemed to say, come grab me, besides the promise ring. After awhile, Harry decided he would come back and check it out later. He did notice an invisibility cloak on the way out though and grabbed it, finally finding something worthwhile. They all headed back to the cart and back to fresh air, Griphook leading the way. They walked out of Gringotts, hand in hand, and took a deep breath of the fresh air.
"So where to now?" Ginny asked.
"How about the twins' shop?" suggested Ron.
"Sounds good to me, let's go," said Harry.
So the four of them headed to Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes to have some fun for a while.
"Welcome to WWW, your mischief making headquarters, whether you need a good prank, some revenge on a sibling, or just a good laugh, we are the store for you," announced a parrot that was stationed at the entrance to the shop. They all laughed and walked inside.
"Ah Fred, would you look at that? Our financial backer in the flesh. Harry, absolutely spiffing to see you." George ran over and shook Harry's hand fervently, while Ron, Ginny, and Hermione laughed at his antics. Fred ran over, elbowing George out of the way, and stooped into a bow that would have made a house elf proud.
"What can I get for you today sir? Butterbeer? Firewhiskey? Some fancy sort of drink that old blokes enjoy having? Or perhaps a Lemon Lite? George, have Verity fetch the Lemon Lite, on the rocks."
Verity came back with a bottle that they encouraged Harry to taste from. Discouraged by the fact that it was from the twins, Harry went ahead and took a sip anyway. It tasted pretty good. The more he drink, the lighter he felt. It was odd. He looked around and they were all laughing hysterically at him. Except, Harry couldn't hear them. It was like he had lost his ears. Suddenly, Harry fell flat onto the ground. He tried to get up, but couldn't. He looked around and noticed them all pointing and laughing. A minute later, after repeatedly failing to stand up, Harry did, and it was like someone turned up the volume on his ears.
"What happened?" Harry asked, frowning as he tried to understand what just passed.
"You turned into a lemon," Fred stated simply. George threw his chest out proudly.
"5 sickles each," added George.
"Now, to business. We hear that you all are doing things you shouldn't be doing. That the –ahem- adults wouldn't particularly enjoy finding out about." Harry stared at them, 'how did they know?' Ron's face shared a similar expression. Ginny was just confused, and Hermione, well, Hermione bit her lip impatiently. She seems to do that a lot, thought Harry.
"So, we have something for you, free samples, even for Ronniekins." Ron glared dangerously. Fred just shrugged it off.
"We call it, the minute maid. Automatically cleans up an entire room that was trashed from a prank, or something that goes far beyond heavy snogging as we believe you all have been doing," George ignored the indignant yells of 'hey' 'no we aren't' and continued, "so we thought this might come in handy. It cleans up in one minute. And honestly, I don't want to know what you are all up to. If it was Harry and Hermione, maybe, but I don't want any pictures in my head because of my little brother or sister. So take em, they're free of charge."
"Ummm… thanks I guess. Well we kind of need to leave so we'll be back some other time."
Waving to the twins, they apparated back to the Burrow. Hermione picked up some mail from the owl that had just popped in after them, paid it for her copy of the Daily Prophet, and they headed to Ron's room. Orange greeted them, along with the Chudley Cannons team waving from their posters. Harry threw himself on the bed with a plop, followed almost immediately by Ron's thump. Ginny jumped on Harry, and then Hermione screamed. Harry stood up, knocking Ginny on to the floor, but he apologized to her on his way to Hermione, Ron hot on his heels.
"What happened?"
"Look." Hermione handed them the newspaper, her hands trembling all the while. Harry reached out and held it for he, Ron, and Ginny to look at, and together they read the article.
Hogwarts No More
This morning, Death Eaters under you-know-who captured Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As it was during the holidays, not many staff members were there, but there seem to of been a few casualties nonetheless. We are unsure of who died and how many, but do know that several of the teachers are being held hostage. What you-know-who wants is uncertain, but it seems that there is a need for a hero in our world, as the murder of Albus Dumbledore has left us with only Rufus Scrimgeour to look to, and public opinion holds that he is not doing the job that the wizarding community wants done. We must wonder if Harry Potter, the Chosen One, will be able to succeed where everyone else has failed. Is he what you-know-who wants? No one knows for sure, but it has been rumored that Potter was with Albus Dumbledore the night of his murder. Is it possible that Dumbledore has taught the boy-who-lived what he needs to defeat the most terrible Dark Lord of our time? We certainly hope so. Good Luck Mr. Potter.
Harry swore, took a deep breath to calm himself, and then he swore some more.
"What about Dumbledore? How are we going to talk to his portrait now? And it looks like a lot of the order members are stuck in there too. What are we going to do now?" asked Ron, staring sideways at Harry. Harry looked furious, yet in his emerald eyes were blazing a determination they hadn't seen since, well ever. Harry rolled up his sleeve and pulled out his wand.
"Accio Invisibility Cloak, Accio Marauder's Map." Nothing flew into his hand.
"Looks like I have to work on my non-verbal incantations then huh?" Harry said. He said the spells out loud this time and both his trusty cloak and the map flew into his hands.
"Time to go on a rescue mission. Hermione, you and Ginny stay here. Ron and I are going to go, because three of us wouldn't fit under the cloak. Ron, let's go. Grab my arm, so we stay together. On three, one, two-"
"We'll meet you at Hogsmeade! But wait, you can't apparate or disapparate inside Hogwarts!" Harry nodded and said three as Hermione said where they would meet them. But Harry never heard her reminder about Hogwarts. He and Ron disappeared with a pop.
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