A/N: Special thanks to M. Anne for giving me a title for the new potions school book 

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Clandestine

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Chapter Three: An Unexpected Occurrence

The next day, everyone was awake bright and early, excited to the day that awaited them. After a rushed breakfast, Mrs. Weasley, Ginny, Ron, Harry and Hermione made their way to the fireplace. Harry, who had taken his apparition test just a few days before Hermione arrived at the Burrow, would be apparating to the Leaky Cauldron with Ron and Hermione, where they would meet Mrs. Weasley and Ginny, as Ginny had not yet learned to apparate. After waving goodbye to Ginny and Mrs. Weasley, the trio apparated to the Leaky Cauldron, where they were greeted by Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks.

"Wotcher, Harry."

"Hello Harry, Ron, Hermione," said Lupin, nodding hello to each of them. "Dumbledore asked us to accompany you through Diagon Alley. Hagrid was going to do it but something came up."

"Is everything okay?" Harry said, expecting the worst.

"Oh, he is perfectly fine. He said something about hostile flobberworms and that he wouldn't be able to meet you guys," Lupin replied. For once, Lupin did not unhealthy. Even his robes were less patched.

Laughing, the group went over to a fireplace, where they were joined by Ginny and Mrs. Weasley.

"Ready then? We'd best be going. There's a lot to do and I still have dinner to prepare. A few members of the Order are visiting tonight and I want supper prepared before they arrive," said Mrs. Weasley, who ushered the group to the back of the leaky Cauldron and tapped the bricks to open the entryway to Diagon Alley.

The streets of Diagon Alley were busy as usual, but not as many people were shopping alone. Everyone was shopping in groups of no less than three people because since the attack at the Ministry by Voldemort and his followers, everyone feared another attack. Since the attack two years before, Voldemort and his Death Eaters had laid low, but no one was sure how long it would last and feared that when they attacked, it would be disastrous. The group made their way to Madam Malkin's, where all of the children bought new robes because they had all grown at least a foot over the summer. After they were fitted for robes, they made their way to Flourish and Blott's, and bought their new school books, including the Standard Book of Spells: Grade 7 (and grade 6 for Ginny), and Mind Boggling Potions of the 16th Century. Although they had only been at Diagon Alley for an hour, and had only visited two stores, everyone was growing tired of walking, so Tonks suggested that they go to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour. After everyone ordered their ice cream (Hermione got cherry tart, Ron got onion, Harry got honey, and Ginny got grapefruit), they made their way to the brightly coloured tables that sat beneath striped awnings. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny sat at one table while the adults sat at a table next to theirs.

"Ugh, Ron, that ice cream smells repulsive!"

"Ginny is right Ron, I don't know how you expect me to kiss you after eating that," Hermione said while moving away from Ron, who was moving towards her to give her a kiss with ice cream on his lips. Everyone laughed and talked while enjoying their odd-flavoured ice cream.

"So Ginny, did you get your O.W.L. results yet?"

"Yeah, they came last week. I didn't do as well as you Hermione, but I didn't do too badly. I got an A in History of Magic, an E in Ancient Runes, Astronomy, Potions and Care of Magical Creatures, and an O in Defence Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration and Charms. Oh, and an E in Herbology as well," Ginny said, looking slightly embarrassed.

"Wow, that's really brilliant Ginny! Your parents must have been so proud! And Harry told me that you had been made a prefect as well."

"Well, if she keeps at this rate, she is going to turn out just like Percy," said Ron, whose ears had gone red.

"Shut up, Ronald. You're just jealous that I scored better than you on the O.W.L.s."

"I am not!"

"Yes you are!"

"No I'm no –"

Before Ron could finish what he was about to say, a scream came from the direction of Gringotts, which was only two buildings away from the ice cream parlour.

"Everyone, hurry! You all need to get back to the Burrow right away! Go back to the Leaky Cauldron and Floo back. I know you three can apparate but Ginny can't, and she shouldn't be alone," Lupin said before running off towards the direction of the scream with Tonks.

"Im going to see what I can do! Stay together! No matter what!" said Mrs. Weasley, who then ran off into the same direction as Tonks and Lupin.

Staring after Mrs Weasley, the trio and Ginny could see smoke rising over Gringotts, as well as a group of people in black robes and matching masks.

"Dumbledore warned me that Death Eaters may attack here. We need to get you guys out of here. I'll take you all to the Leaky Cauldron and come back to fight," said Harry, whose main concern was to get his friends to safety.

"No! Harry you must come with us. Let's go!"

Ginny pulled Harry by the arm to the Leaky Cauldron, Ron and Hermione walking quickly behind them. Diagon Alley had turned chaotic. Everywhere they turned, they saw people running and screaming. More and more people were pouring out of the shops and into the streets, running to find somewhere safe. Hermione, who had gotten a few heads behind the others, struggled to keep up because there were so many people around. She kept running, but panicked when she realised that her friends were no where in sight. She decided it best to continue towards the leaky Cauldron, as they would probably wait for her there, but was knocked backwards. Everyone who had been going towards the Leaky Cauldron had stopped going forward, and was suddenly backing up; away from something Hermione could not see. Standing on her tip-toes, she saw that more Death Eaters were approaching from this direction. It was turning into an ambush. Gasping in shock, Hermione turned and entered the nearest store, which was Flourish and Blott's, locking the door behind her. She tried to apparate back to the Burrow, but she was in such a panicked state that she could not accomplish the three D's of apparating. She knew her destination and she had determination, but her deliberation was missing. She had to find somewhere to hide and fast. She was looking for a hidden spot among the many bookshelves when she heard the door to the shop open.

"I saw you come in here little girl. Come out, come out, wherever you are. I found you!"

Hermione had tried to hide herself behind the register, but her hiding spot was not good enough to keep her hidden from the Death Eater.

"Stupefy!" Hermione shouted, but her opponent quickly blocked her spell.

"Silly little girl. You should know better than to voice your spells aloud. Now, why don't you come with me and we can take you to the Dark Lord, hmm?"

"Never. I wouldn't go over to his side if it was a matter of life or death."

"Now, now. I wasn't going to hurt you, but seeing as how unwilling you are, I just might have to tempt you to come willingly. Crucio!"

Hermione fell to the floor. She had never experienced such pain and it just seemed to go on for an eternity until she finally blacked out.

A/N: Malfoy comes into the story in the next chapter! I should have it up by tomorrow. Review!