Chapter 19

Disclaimer: Harry Potter etc still belongs to JK Rowling, plot still belongs to me.

Author's Note: Again, I have no idea what's going to happen in this chapter.

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It was the next Hogsmeade weekend, a week and five days after the misunderstanding in the Gryffindor common room, and Harry was still managing to keep Draco secret from Ron and Hermione. Overall, the days since their conversation had been quite uneventful. Natalie McDonald's Puffskein was still missing, and all of the Gryffindors were on high alert for anything small and fluffy.

The most interesting thing that happened was that Euan Abercrombie's broomstick suffered a rather unfortunate accident. In the middle of a Quidditch training session, Euan had fallen off of the broom, which had, seemingly of its own accord, headed straight for the lake and gone in handle first. This did not greatly affect the team's chances in their next match, as Euan's best friend had a good broom and was prepared to lend it to him until he got a new one.

And so it was that the third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh years found themselves queuing up in the grounds to be signed out to Hogsmeade. The weather this particular Saturday was quite warm; it was nearing the end of September and still quite pleasant.

Harry, Ron and Hermione had plans for the day; these being to shop, walk around and get totally slammed at Gaude again in the evening.

"So, where to first?" Harry asked the other two as they arrived in the village.

"Zonko's." Ron replied promptly. "I need more Dungbombs."

Hermione sighed in exasperation. "Those are such a waste of money, Ron!"

Ron grinned. "I don't care, they have their uses, right Harry?"

"Yep," Harry answered. "They do have their uses, Hermione. Sorry, but they really do."

Hermione still looked mutinous, an expression she carried stubbornly for the whole time they were in Zonko's Joke Shop. Shortly after they left, however, her mood suddenly lifted.

"Where now?" She asked cheerfully.

Ron shot a confused look at Harry, who gave a tiny shrug by way of response.

They paused for a moment to consider their next port of call, but were quickly distracted by a crowd of people standing around Flying High, the Quidditch supplies shop. They managed to penetrate the crowd and see what everyone was staring at. Harry almost gasped when he saw the subject of their admiration.

In the window was the most beautiful broom Harry had ever seen. He eagerly read the sign:

THE ICESHAFT

The incredible successor to the Firebolt, the Iceshaft can achieve 0-200 miles an hour in ten seconds, balanced by a new, improved Braking Charm. The hand-carved maple handle incorporates a state-of-the-art Cushion Charm, along with the best anti-jinx protection afforded by any broom. The tail is made up of oak twigs and achieves aerodynamic perfection at any speed. Price on request.

Harry almost fainted. He quickly pulled Ron and Hermione aside.

"It's a sign! It's an omen!"

"Harry," Hermione said in a 'have you gone completely out of your mind' tone, "what the hell are you talking about?"

"There was this kipper in my dream a couple of weeks ago, and it told me I needed to get a new broom!" Harry explained, knowing full well that he was not making any sense. He did at least remember to omit the fact that the kipper had morphed into Draco Malfoy when it had told him about getting a new broom.

"Harry," Ron chipped in, "that broom's going to cost a fortune! Are you sure you want to spend that much?"

Harry sighed. "Come on." He led the others into the shop and went up to the counter. "How much are you charging for the Iceshaft?"

The shop assistant quoted a figure that shocked Harry and Hermione, and almost made Ron faint.

"Unless you can do a part exchange?" The assistant offered.

Harry was torn. He knew that if he did a part exchange for his Firebolt, then the broom would be affordable. On the other hand, Sirius had given him that broom…

"If I traded in a Firebolt… it's about three years old, in great condition…"

This time the price was much more within his reach.

"Thanks, I'll think about it." Harry told the shop assistant, and the three of them left the shop. "Do you guys want to go over to the Three Broomsticks? I could use a drink."

They headed towards the Three Broomsticks. On the way, they saw a slightly hunched figure walking quickly in the opposite direction. They paused to watch as the person entered the grubby looking tavern, the Hog's Head.

"Hang on," Harry said sharply, turning to Ron and Hermione. "Wasn't that Professor Lupin?"

"It was," Hermione agreed.

At that moment, another figure hurried past and entered the Hog's Head.

Ron swore. "That was Dumbledore! I saw his beard sticking out of his cloak, and who else round here is that tall and thin?"

They all looked at the door of the Hog's Head in confusion. What were Lupin and Dumbledore doing going in there?

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Author's Note: I promise on my gerbil's life that the next chapter will be longer. Seriously. Hope you like it.

A/N 2: God, I wrote this ages ago, my gerbil is no longer alive, so that's irrelevant. But yeah.