BREAK INS AND WEAK LINKS

Diagon Alley was practically empty. Dumbledore's death had apparently shaken up the entire wizarding world. Quite a few of the shops were closed and the ones open were nearly empty.

"Blimey," said Ron amazed, "This is unbelievable. Diagon Alley was never like this!"

"We should go quickly," said Lupin. "We are too conspicuous, the five of us."

"It's not like it would help with a crowd around," Harry pointed out. " Not with Death Eaters. Not if they mean to get me. Still, you are right. No point staying longer than needed."

They headed over to Gringotts and drew money out of the vaults. It was completely different from what Bill had stated the previous year about the long queues and the rush. The probing was still there though and Ron did come out groaning after arguing too much with a goblin and getting poked by the probe in all the wrong places.

They walked over to Flourish and Blotts and bought a few books on defensive spells. Hermione insisted on buying a few books on potions in spite of Harry and Ron's groans.

"They're necessary if you want to be able to fight like an Auror. Potions is not all that bad really. You two just don't pay enough attention."

"Hey! Are Fred and George open today?" asked Harry, more to ward off the 'I keep telling you' speech than anything else.

"No, they're helping mom with the wedding arrangements." replied Ron cheerfully. "They're in a sour mood really. Mom's been making them work their asses off. Good thing you called. I got off easy."

They passed by Ollivander's on their way back. The shop was still shut. There had been no sign of him since last year. It was the same with Florean Fortescue.

"Ollivander I can understand, but why Florean?" asked a puzzled Ron. "He was just an ice-cream vendor. What does Voldemort want with him?"

"Florean's great grand uncle was a headmaster of Hogwarts. Maybe that's got something to do with his disappearance," answered Hermione to Harry and Ron's astonishment. "It's in Hogwarts: a History. Wish you guys would read it sometime."

"Why should we? We have a talking version with us all the time," said Ron which earned him a kick in the shins.

"Now that you mention it, I remember seeing his portrait in Dumbledore's office, behind his desk, a fat man with a red nose. Do you think Florean knew anything valuable?" asked Harry.

"Fortescue was before Voldemort's time Harry," Lupin replied. "It's unlikely he knew anything. Either the disappearance was a chance coincidence or Voldemort has some motive we can't figure out."

Tonks had been quite silent all the while. But as they were passing by Ollivander's she suddenly stopped. "I heard something inside," she whispered. "Let me go in and see."

"It's too dangerous," protested Lupin. "The kids are in our care Tonks. We can't risk anything. I'll send a message to the Ministry."

"But it'll be too late. They may leave by the time help arrives. If we don't go in now, we may never be able to figure out what they are looking for?" cried Harry.

"He's right," said Tonks. Lupin knew they were right. He sent the message and the five of them took out their wands and got ready to fight. "You kids stay behind us."

Tonks unlocked the door and cautiously opened it. But the old door creaked and revealed them. Tonks immediately kicked in the door pointing her wand at a hunched hooded figure behind the table and shouting "Impedimenta". The others ran in after her. Harry saw another Death Eater at the corner and aimed his wand. "Stupefy," he shouted but his spell was blocked and another came flying at him. He moved just in time to feel it go past his ear. Lupin and Tonks were engaged in battle with two others and Ron and Hermione were fending off another. Harry shot a petrificus spell at his opponent which was once again blocked. In the heated battle which ensued he heard Ron cry out behind him and Hermione squeal but didn't have time to turn around. The death eaters were now grouped behind the desk and Tonks and Lupin were fending off repeated spells from them. Harry suddenly heard loud cracking sound outside the shop. He hoped it was the aurors and not more Death Eaters. He heard a thud behind him as as he turned around, the death eaters had vanished. Moments later ministry officials came in. Ron was hurt but not too seriously. He was able to get up and go outside. Tonks was unconscious and Lupin was carrying her out in his arms.

He wanted to follow them but an open register on the desk caught his attention. The death eater has been browsing the entries when they came in. It contained all the details of wands which Ollivander had sold over the years. He scanned the open page and was not exactly surprised to find his name. The entry read

"Harry Potter ; holly and phoenix feather core ; eleven inches."

It didn't mention anything about Fawkes. So Voldemort was, for some reason still worried about the priori incantatum. He was not yet above fear. He wondered what had happened to Fawkes after the funeral. He looked about the store. The whole place was in shambles. They had searched every book in every shelf for something.

"Let's go Harry," he heard Hermione say. "The others are waiting outside. Tonks is fine. They've taken her to St.Mungo's. She should be out in a couple of days."

"Ya, let's go. How's Ron?" Herry enquired.

"He's fine. Just a bit dazed. Come on. The aurors want to seal this place up."

Lupin and Ron were waiting outside. After answering some questions posed by the aurors, they apparated back to Privet Drive.