Disclaimer: No money is being made or received for this work in her playground of characters.
Chapter 16 -- Diagon Alley and Wonderful Surprises
August 15th, finally brought the letters from Hogwarts. Without surprise, Hermione was made Head Girl. Ginny had been made a Prefect. Ron was to continue his Prefect duties as well and was also made co-captain of the Quiddich team with Harry. Hermione wrote a short note and sent it to Dumbledore. Her answer was not received until much later in the day.
They planned a trip into Diagon Alley, as Harry still had not been to Gringott's to see the vaults which were now back in his name. Mr. Obee stopped by to notify the Weasley's that upon Harry's return to health, the estates and monies had magically transferred back to Harry.
The trip to Diagon Alley was well coordinated and would take place the last day of August. Molly and Arthur, hesitant to leave, after everything that had happened, still agreed to pick up Rowan's children at Heathrow that afternoon. It was an effort for the two Americans to experience the whole Hogwart's express experience. The only thing Madison and Mason would not experience was the shopping at Diagon Alley. Ron and Mason were about the same height and would get everything for him. Ginny and Madison were about the same size as well, so she had agreed to get everything for Madison. Molly and Arthur would need to leave the teenagers in Diagon Alley with the guard and the older Weasley sons, Bill and Charlie; but planned to meet everyone for dinner as they left the estate. Tonks, Shackelbolt, Mad-eye, and Remus would be their guard.
The large group entered the bank. Harry took his key to Griphook and asked to speak with the manager. They walked into a small area of silence, and Harry outlined his plan. He was then handed a special money purse that would hold 1,000 galleons, pre-filled, while only feeling the weight of ten galleons. After receiving his money purse, Harry asked the Goblin if money could be taken out of his vaults and be put into the Weasley's.
Griphook smiled slyly at him and asked, "Why do they not just use the other vault?" Harry stuck his head out of the silent area and beckoned Arthur to join them. Griphook produced a letter which was sealed and could be only opened by the direct descendant of William Weasley. None had ever asked to see it, so the goblins did not mention it before. Arthur's mouth opened wide as he read that there was indeed an old family vault that he, alone, could open.
They all went with Griphook to the vault as indicated within the letter. Arthur swallowed hard as they reached the special vault section. Harry felt that this must be the oldest part of Gringott's labyrinth. They watched as the door which had been sealed for at least 800 years slowly opened. Inside were treasures that could not be imagined or defined. Mr. Weasley looked to Harry. Harry smiled a triumphant smile, raising his hands and stating "I had nothing to do with it."
Harry and Griphook left the Weasley's to gather what they would need for the day and made their way two vaults down. The Black and Potter family vaults were much like the Weasley's but larger. Harry, already with a full money purse, was a bit overwhelmed when he took a quick peek inside the two vaults, and returned to the Weasley's who were now back in the car waiting for them. Harry leaned into Ginny, catching a quick kiss behind her parents' distraction. Smiling, he thought to himself, could this day get any better?
Once in the main bank again, Harry left the Weasley's for a moment and approached the goblin behind the desk. His long fingers curled around a quill, paused when Harry approached. "Err… I would like to get a 'Muggle' credit card. So I can go shopping and not worry about it. Is that possible?"
The goblin eyed him wearily. "Are you aware that anything you 'charge' will be taken out of your vaults?" He nodded yes, "And do you agree to allow Gringott's to take that money out of your vault?" Harry nodded again, then the goblin broke into a smile, and handed Harry a VISA charge card, his name across the bottom; his picture on the front. Smiling, Harry thanked him again. "You are most welcome young Master Potter"
Upon returning to the bright sunlight of the early August morning, the first order of business was school things, followed, hopefully by a trip into Muggle London to purchase clothes that fit Harry's leaner frame. Ron had continued to grow as well and would need new clothing also. Hermione and Ginny decided that the boys needed them along to pick out what looked best. As everyone entered the first store, Harry and Mrs. Weasley stayed outside for a moment. She smiled at Harry when he mentioned new dress robes. Each purchase was forwarded to the Potter Estate so they were not going to have to carry them. He also pulled her into a hug that only she would understand, before she and Arthur left to go to the airport.
When the necessities had been purchased, they had ice cream. They were met by Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood. Their conversation was short lived, however, when they were met by Draco Malfoy. Nodding at the group, he quietly beckoned Harry to join him for a moment. Harry left the shop to talk. His friends watched carefully as he stepped into the sunlight. Draco wanted to see how Hermione was doing, after the disastrous last term in school; but he also seemed genuinely concerned about Harry's well being after his kidnapping. Harry assured him that all was well, and they would see each other on the train. Harry congratulated him on making Head Boy. There was a mutual truce drawn between them. When Draco saw his mother, however Draco put a decent amount of distance between his former enemy, hitched his usual sneer back on his face, and left Harry to purchase new robes. When Harry reentered the sweet shop, he declined to elaborate what the conversation had been about, other than to tell them that Draco had been made Head Boy. Neville and Luna bid them good-bye and left the quartet to finish their school shopping.
Since there was finally enough money to enjoy, they spent the afternoon picking out new school trunks, multi level and lock, with personalization of their initials; each had several sections to them; new dress robes, and school robes each being sure to get Mason and Madison's as well. The four teens continued with new shoes, haircuts and make-overs. There was even a moment when the group decided on new brooms for everyone. Ron was pleased when Hermione got one; although she got a slower one as she did not know how to fly. Ron waggled his eyebrows and promised to "…be willing to teach Hermione how to ride his broom anytime she wanted…", which earned him a slap on the arm. Harry, remembering Sirius' love of a thrill, ordered Madison and Mason the faster brooms as well.
Harry purchased the gold astronomy set he saw in his third year, a new Chess Sets, and put in an order for new Quiddich robes and pads for the entire team.
Harry slipped away with Ron and went to a small jewelry shop while Hermione and Ginny were getting their make-overs. Harry wanted something special for Ginny, having just declared his love for her a few weeks ago, wanted to shout it to the world. He found a charm bracelet which reminded him of the one his mother had. Then began picking out different charms for her. A lion's head, a castle, a phoenix, a shield, a pair of glasses, a locket with her initials on one side and his on the other, a lightening bolt, a thestral, and a wand. Each charm had a special protection spell put on it. He thought he was finished when one more caught his eye: A cauldron with steam coming out. The heavy silver charm yelled for him to take it. He asked the woman behind the case about it. She smiled. "I wondered if you would notice it. I couldn't tell you about it or suggest it as it takes the charm away." Harry looked into her eyes. "It will protect it's wearer from poisons. All of them."
Harry had her add it to the bracelet. It almost matched his that he wore. He realized that he still had not gone through the books that were shrunk.
Ron's gift for Hermione was similar to Harry's. The charms were different. A locket that, when opened, could hold anything, including a person, inside. A lion's head, a book bag, several books, a heart, a lightening bolt, and a gold cauldron. He had already chosen it before Harry, but was now glad he had.
The afternoon was filled with shops, spending more money than any of them had seen at once, and laughter. Harry's eyes were better and he felt stronger being in the warm English weather. They ventured into Muggle London and entered Harrods's. Here was where the real fun was for Harry. He purchased one of almost everything in his size. He knew that it would never all fit in his trunk, but did not care. He wanted clothes for every occasion. He even purchased a swimsuit and a Tuxedo, although he could not imagine what he would wear it to. Ginny, Ron, and Hermione bought many different items. Hermione's main purchases were bottles of goo for her hair. Ginny purchased shoes, skirts, and shirts. Until that day, she had owned two pair of jeans, but at the end of the day owned at least a dozen.
The group returned to the Leaky Cauldron, having shrunk their Muggle packages to a manageable size, to have dinner. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, accompanied by Mason and Madison Black, were met by Remus Lupin, Fred, George, Bill, and Charlie. Ron and Harry talked of the difference their new brooms would give their team. Harry kept staring at them, unable to talk to them without mentioning his godfather. Remus Lupin could not take his eyes from the two new-comers. A bit overwhelmed anyway, the brother and sister just tried to ignore the two men who kept staring.
In the midst of the laughter, Harry heard it first; the sounds coming from outside the building, somewhere near, many people were apparating. The group stood and each drew their wands, but when Harry's scar exploded in pain, he had no doubts who was coming in. Harry began pushing the red heads towards the fireplaces yelling - "GO HOME". Bill grabbed Madison, throwing her over his shoulder and ran into the fire. Charlie pulled Mason in the one next to it. Ron grabbed Hermione and Ginny running into the largest fireplace. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley went into two separate fireplaces, once cleared by Bill and Charlie. Green Flames erupting quickly to fill the Leaky Cauldron with an almost iridescent quality.
Remus attempted to pull Harry into the fireplace, but Harry turned around and threw him into the fire instead. He would follow only when he knew they were all gone from the pub. As he turned to throw the floo powder, his scar still sending white hot pain through his skull, people were screaming. He could hear the shrill voice ring out "POTTER YOU ARE MINE". Harry barely whispered "home" as the green flames engulfed him.
