The next few weeks passed, and both me and Harry quickly realized that life at the Burrow was polar opposite than life at the Dursley's.
For starters the Burrow was chaotic. Everywhere you went you could hear the sound of explosion's from Fred and George's room, or the ghoul howling at night and dropping pipes just when you thought things were calming down, the oddest part, however, was how the Weasley's treated us.
Mrs. Weasley constantly fed us, and kept insisting we take second, third, even fourth helpings. Mr. Weasley loved to sit down next to us at dinner and ask us question after question of the muggle world...
"Fascinating." He said excitedly as we told him how the telephone worked. "Ingenious, really, how many ways Muggles have found of getting along without magic."
However the strangest interactions I'd had at the Burrow had been Ginny...
When Harry wasn't around, she was one of the most talkative, friendly, and funny people I'd ever met. She followed me everywhere, asking me everything from Hogwarts, to our lives with the Dursley's, to what happened at the end of last year, of course I didn't tell her about you-know-who and Quirrell, but I did tell her how Harry, Ron, and Hermione became heroes and won Gryffindor the house cup.
However whenever Harry was around, she was a completely different person. She would go silent and become very accident prone, knocking things over multiple times, then running from the room, causing Harry to become confused and look at me like he'd done something, and I just shrugged...still I had a pretty good idea why she was so shy.
Still I would never actually vocalize my thoughts, the poor girl was already embarrassed enough.
Finally, about a week after me and Harry had arrived, me and Ginny made our way down to breakfast, and like usual we were the first ones up, and once again Mrs. Weasley refused to let me help her cook...
"You're not old enough dear." She told me with a warm smile. "Sit down."
I did as she asked, but still couldn't help the fact that I felt somewhat like a burden...if we were at the Dursley's I'd have had made every meal.
"You okay?" Ginny asked me as she noticed the frown on my face.
"Yeah." I replied looking up from the table. "Just thinking."
Before either of us could say anything else the sounding of tapping glass made us all perk up, and we all turned to see a owl with a thick stack of yellowish envelopes.
"I'll get it." I said, but before I could stand up Mrs. Weasley piled more sausage on my plate.
"Arthur will get it dear, you eat." She said, her voice giving no room for argument.
Mr. Weasley stood up, stretched, then walked over. He opened the window, and retrieved the letters. "Ah, your Hogwarts letters." He told me and Ginny handing us each a envelope. "Seems Dumbledore knows you and Harry are here."
"So exciting, my first letter!" Ginny said excitedly as she tore hers open, and I followed suit.
The sounds of footsteps made me turn away from my letter, and I smiled as Harry, and Ron entered the kitchen. Ginny instantly went from talkative and energetic, to shy and accident prone. She knocked her porridge bowl onto the floor, Ginny's cheeks turned bright red as she dove under the table to retrieve it. Harry either hadn't, or pretended he hadn't, noticed this and sat down as Mrs. Weasley handed him a piece of toast, and Harry noticed I was holding a letter.
"Letters from school, "Mr. Weasley explained, handing one each to Harry, and Ron. "Like I was telling Sarah, Dumbledore already knows you two are here, Harry — doesn't miss a trick, that man. You two've got them, too," he added, as Fred and George stumbled in, still in their pajamas.
I turned back to my letter and, along with everyone else, began to read. The first part was the same as last year, go to Platform 9 3/4 on September 1st, catch the train. I quickly read that part, then excitedly turned to the books section, which was way longer than last year.
SECOND-YEAR STUDENTS WILL REQUIRE:
The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 2 by Miranda Goshawk
Break with a Banshee by Gilderoy Lockhart
Gadding with Ghouls by Gilderoy Lockhart
Holidays with Hags by Gilderoy Lockhart
43 Travels with Trolls by Gilderoy Lockhart
Voyages with Vampires by Gilderoy Lockhart
Wanderings with Werewolves by Gilderoy Lockhart
Year with the Yeti by Gilderoy Lockhart
With every word I read I got more excited, we would be required to own Gilderoy Lockhart's textbooks...I hoped they all had his picture on the front.
"You've been told to get all Lockhart's books, too!" Fred asked us, Harry nodded, while the large grin on my face gave replied for me. "The new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher must be a fan — bet it's a witch." He continued, giving me a knowing look, though before he could say anything else, he caught his mum's eye, and buried his face in the marmalade.
"That lot won't come cheap," George added, glancing at his parents. "Lockhart's books are really expensive…"
"Well, we'll manage," Mrs. Weasley replied, though you could tell she was worried. "I expect we'll be able to pick up a lot of Ginny's things secondhand."
The feeling of guilt I'd had earlier at not helping with meals crept up...I mean they had been taking care of us the last week. I also knew that even if we offered, they wouldn't let us help...even if we wanted to.
"That's right, you're starting at Hogwarts this year." Harry said, looking at Ginny for confirmation.
Ginny, blushing heavily, replied with a nod as she accidently placed her elbow in the butter dish, which caused her to blush even more. Lucky for her, Percy's arrival made it so only me and Harry noticed.
"Morning, all," Percy said, he was already dressed in his school robes, and had his prefect badge already on. "Lovely day."
Percy sat down in the only chair left, but quickly jumped back up in surprise, and pulled out from beneath him what looked like a feather duster...except it was breathing.
"Errol!" Ron said excitedly, Percy handed him the old owl and I noticed a letter was under its wing. "Finally— he's got Hermione's answer. I wrote to her saying we were going to try and rescue you two from the Dursleys."
Ron carried the ancient owl to a perch, but when Errol fell off, Ron just sighed and laid him on the draining board instead, "Pathetic." he muttered, then opened Hermione's letter and began to read aloud.
`Dear Ron, and Harry and Sarah if they're there,
`I hope everything went all right and that Harry and Sarah are okay and that you didn't do anything illegal to get them out, Ron, because that would get Harry and Sarah into trouble, too. I've been really worried and if they all right, will you please let me know at once, but perhaps it would be better if you used a different owl because I think another delivery might finish your one off.
"I'm very busy with schoolwork, of course'—
"How can she be?" Ron interjected in horror. "We're on vacation! —
"I've been doing homework every night since I got here." I said casually, and Ron shrugged.
"Yeah, but you're a Ravenclaw, at least you're insanity is expected." Ron replied, Mrs. Weasley gave him a look. "Just kidding." He replied, then turned back to Hermione's letter.
'and we're going to London next Wednesday to buy my new books. Why don't we meet in Diagon Alley?
"Let me know what's happening as soon as you can. Love from Hermione.'"
"Well, that fits in nicely, we can go and get all your things then, too," Mrs. Weasley said, as she started to clear the table. "What're you all up to today?"
Harry, Ron, Fred, and George all planned to practice Quidditch in a small paddock that was surrounded by trees. They asked Percy if he wanted to attend, but he politely declined, then locked himself in his room. I decided to write Anthony and Lisa and ask to meet on Wednesday, then work on more homework.
I strode up to Ginny's room, then got out a piece of parchment, and started writing.
Dear Anthony
The Weasley's are planning to take us to Diagon Alley this coming Wednesday.(Have you seen the book list for Defense?!) I was hoping you, me, and Lisa could meet up. It's been far to long since I've seen either of you. Send you're reply soon.
Your friend.
Sarah.
I wrote a similar letter for Lisa, and sent Uric on his way, then got out my Transfiguration homework, and with a heavy sigh got to work. I heard Harry and the other's having fun outside, and was tempted to go outside and watch, but then shook my head...better to get it done now than later.
"What are you doing?" I jumped and looked at to see Ginny looking at me. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. "
"It's fine, and to answer your question, just some Transfiguration homework." I replied, and Ginny's regular, excitable, personality returned.
"That's the type where you turn something into something else, right?" She asked.
"In the most basic sense, yes."
"How hard is it? I've heard Professor McGonagall is strict? She's the head of Gryffindor right? Mum's always getting letters about the twins from her...sorry." She said, rubbing her arm. "I was asking to many questions again."
"It's fine." I reassured the girl with a smile. "I was just like you a year ago...to answer you're questions, very hard, very strict, yes." I answered in order, and the girl was beaming.
"I hope she doesn't judge me to much based off my brothers, I'm my own person and I hope she..."
And with that Ginny talked about how she hoped her first year of Hogwarts would go, leaving me to try and keep up.
After what seemed like an eternity, Wednesday arrived. Anthony and Lisa had both agreed to meet at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor, and both me and Lisa had agreed. When Mrs. Weasley got me and Ginny up early, I excitedly got up.
After a quick breakfast of bacon sandwiches, everyone gathered in the kitchen, and Mrs. grabbed a flowerpot off the mantel place. She looked inside and frowned.
"We're running low, Arthur," she said with a sigh. "We'll have to buy some more today… Ah well, guests, and ladies, first! After you, Sarah dear!"
Mrs. Weasley held out the flowerpot to me, everyone stared, while me and Harry just looked at each other confused.
"Huh?" I asked confused.
"W-what am we supposed to do?" Harry added, stammering.
"They've never traveled by Floo powder," Ron said suddenly. "Sorry I forgot."
"Never?" Mr. Weasley asked us with a frown. "But how did you get to Diagon Alley to buy your school things last year?"
"We went on the Underground —" Harry replied, and Mr. Weasley got an eager look on his face.
"Really?" He asked excitedly. "Were there escapators? How exactly —"
"Not now, Arthur," Mrs. Weasley said sternly before turning back to us. "Floo powder's a lot quicker, dears, but goodness me, if either of you have never used it before —"
"They'll be all right, Mum," Fred said, then turning to us. "Both of you watch us first."
Fred then took a handful of glittering powder out of the flowerpot, stepped up to the fireplace, then through the powder into the flames.
The flames turned emerald green, and rose taller than Fred. I nearly jumped when he stepped inside, but he seemed okay...
"Diagon Alley!" Fred shouted, and with a roar of the flames he vanished, leaving me and Harry wide eyed in amazement, yet also nervous.
"You must speak clearly, dears," Mrs. Weasley told us as George grabbed a handful of the glittering powder. "And be sure to get out at the right grate…"
"The right what?" Harry asked nervously as George disappeared into the flames.
"Well, there are an awful lot of wizard fires to choose from, you know, but as long as you've spoken clearly —"
"They'll be fine, Molly, don't fuss," Mr. Weasley assured her as he grabbed a handful of the glittering powder.
"But, dear, if they got lost, how would we ever explain to their aunt and uncle?"
"They wouldn't mind," Harry said in a sure voice. "Dudley would think it was a brilliant joke if I got lost up a chimney, don't worry about that —"
"Yeah, in fact I think they'd be disappointed if we weren't lost." I added, and for the slightest of seconds Mrs. Weasley frowned, then nodded.
"Well… all right… you go after Arthur," Mrs. Weasley told me. "Now, when you get into the fire, say where you're going." Mrs. Weasley told both of us.
"And keep your elbows tucked in," Ron added.
"And your eyes shut," Mrs. Weasley advised. "The soot —"
"Don't fidget," Ron said. "Or you might well fall out of the wrong fireplace —"
"But don't panic and get out too early; wait until you see Fred and George." Mrs. Weasley finally said, and with that me and Harry nervously glanced at each other.
Mrs. Weasley held out to me, and I took a deep breath and stepped up to the fire. I took one last breath, stepped into the flame, which felt like a warm breeze, then spoke.
"Diagon Alley!" I spoke as clearly as I could, and threw the powder into the fire.
I felt as if I were being sucked down a drain, and spinning very quickly, the noise was deafening, and the quick movement through different rooms made me feel wheezy. I was thankful when I finally stopped spinning, I almost fell over from nausea, and was relieved when I felt someone take my hand and help me stand.
"You alright Sarah?" I heard the voice of Mr. Weasley asked, I nodded and slowly walked out of the fireplace, and took in my surroundings.
We were in the leaky cauldron, and the Weasley's who had arrived were all standing around. Mr. Weasley, whom had been the person to take my hand earlier, slowly walked me to one of the tables and sat me down.
"Take a few deep breaths." He told me, I nodded, then watched as we all waited for the others.
"First time is always the worst." Fred explained. "Ron fell flat on his face, while Ginny started crying."
"Yeah." George interjected grinning. "And you nearly wet yourself."
"Did not." Fred said, frowning at his brother.
"Did too." George replied, winking at me, I smiled as I turned back to the Floo.
"It doesn't usually take this long." Fred told his father, clearly trying to change the subject.
"It's Harry's first time too, just give him a few more seconds." Mr. Weasley replied, but when the someone once again came out of the Floo it wasn't Harry, it was Ron.
"Blimey." He said, stretching as he stepped out of the Floo, he looked around, and a concerned look dawned on his face. "Where's Harry?" He asked.
"I thought he hadn't come through yet." Mr. Weasley replied, and Ron went from concerned, to shocked.
"He went in front of me." Ron said quickly, and Mr. Weasley went from confused, to concerned.
"Oh no." Mr Weasley replied, then turned to all of us that had come through. "I'll wait for your Mum and the others, tell them what's going on. You four start looking for Harry." He said, Fred, and George nodded, while I glanced at Ron confused and quickly followed them out of cauldron, and out into to Diagon Alley, which was bustling.
Everything looked the same as when I visited last year, the noticeable exception being the amount of...papers on the walls. They were scattered everywhere, and seemed to have a picture of someone, along with text...
"Come on Sarah." Fred said as led us into Amanuensis Quills. "Hello." He said eagerly approaching the counter, I noticed his walls also had papers on them, and the top said WANTED.
"Ah, here for Hogwarts?" The man behind the counters reply made me turn away from the wanted poster, and back to him.
"Yes...but not now." Fred replied quickly, causing the man to give us a confused look.
"Listen, one's come out from your Floo, have they?" George asked, and the man shook his head.
"Not that I'm aware..." He replied.
"Thank you, we'll be back." Ron replied, then
This went on for the next several minutes, going into shops, asking if anyone had come out of there Floo, them saying no, then us leaving. I was getting deathly worried, every shop owner had replied no, and we were getting closer to Gringotts...and Harry wasn't anywhere to be seen.
"Any luck?" Mr. Weasley asked as he and Percy caught up with us. We all shook out heads.
"He wasn't in Scribbulus. George replied, shaking his head. Mr. Weasley took a deep breath, clearly he was worried.
"Come on, maybe he decided to meet us at Gringotts." Mr. Weasley said, then began to lead us through the crowd.
"Where's mum? Ron asked.
"She's checking Twilfitt and Tattings." He replied.
We walked silently through the crowd towards Gringotts. With every step my worry got worse, and it must of shown on my face, because when Fred and George looked at me, they gave me a rare serious look.
"It'll be okay." Fred said, patting my shoulder.
"Yeah, we'll find him." George said, trying to sound confident, I nodded and smiled, but I knew it wasn't convincing.
"I sure hope so." I finally replied.
We walked through the crowd another couple long seconds, the closer we got the more my hopes sunk...
"Is that..." Mr. Weasley said suddenly, then turned to us. "I think I see him, come on."
With that Mr. Weasley began to sprint towards the Gringotts. We followed, and I held my breath in anticipation as we raced forward. Looking ahead I saw a tall figure at the steps of Gringotts...Hagrid?
We finally arrived at the steps of Gringotts, and I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding as Harry, Hermione, and Hagrid were standing there.
"Harry," Mr. Weasley said, panting, yet relived. "We hoped you'd only gone one grate too far…" He moved his hand through the remained of his hair. "Molly's frantic — she's coming now —"
"Harry." I said rushing up to him, he looked horrible. His glasses were broken, and he had soot all over him, I started to dust him off.
"I'm fine Sarah." Harry said, slightly embarrassed, I sighed.
"Don't do that again." I said worriedly, and he sighed.
"It wasn't my fault." Harry replied, though I wasn't convinced.
"Where did you come out?" Ron asked after I got all the soot off I could.
"Knockturn Alley," Hagrid replied grimly.
"Excellent!" Fred and George said at the exact same time, and Mr. Weasley gave them a disapproving look.
"Where?" I asked, and Hagrid turned to me.
"An offshoot o' Diagon alley, 's where all the dark folks like ter mingle." Hagrid replied, and I turned back to Harry, a worried expression on my face.
"You're fine?" I asked again, and he nodded.
"Yes, Hagrid found me before anything bad could happen." Harry replied, and I sighed.
"Good...why were you down there?" I asked Hagrid.
"I need some Flesh-Eatin' Slug Repellent, they're ruinin' the school cabbages. It wasn' me firs' choice " He explained, and I nodded.
"What was it like Harry." George asked, and once again Mr. Weasley gave a disapproving look.
"We've never been allowed in, "Ron explained enviously.
"I should ruddy well think not," Hagrid growled in reply.
Before anyone else could say anything, Mrs. Weasley sped up towards us. her handbag in one hand, and Ginny holding onto the other When she saw Harry, a look of relief came over her.
"Oh, Harry — oh, my dear — you could have been anywhere —"
Through her heavy breathing, she pulled a large clothes brush out of her bag, and got off whatever soot was left on Harry. Mr. Weasley then took Harry's glasses and made them good as new with a tap of his wand.
"Well, gotta be off," Hagrid said as Mrs. Weasley shook his hand gratefully.
"Knockturn Alley! If you hadn't found him, Hagrid!" She was saying.
"See yer at Hogwarts!" Hagrid said, finally pulling away from Mrs. Weasley, then walking away down the alley, his shoulder above everyone else's heads, we all turned and began walking up the stairs of Gringotts.
"Guess who I saw in Borgin and Burkes?" Harry asked me, Ron, and Hermione "Malfoy and his father."
"Did Lucius Malfoy buy anything?" Mr. Weasley asked sharply from behind us, and I realized that must be Draco's, dads name.
"No, he was selling —"Harry answered.
"So he's worried," Mr. Weasley replied, grim satisfaction lacing his words, and I quickly realized that the Slytherin, Gryffindor rivalry didn't end once you left school. "Oh, I'd love to get Lucius Malfoy for something…"
"You be careful, Arthur," Mrs. Weasley warned as we passed a pair of goblins who bowed to us as we entered Gringotts. "That family's trouble. Don't go biting off more than you can chew —"
"So you don't think I'm a match for Lucius Malfoy?" Mr. Weasley asked, indignantly filling his voice. But before either he, or Molly could say anything else, they noticed Hermione's parents. They were both standing nervously at the counter, and Mr. Weasley was immediately distracted.
"But you're Muggles!" said Mr. Weasley in pure excitement. "We must have a drink! What's that you've got there? Oh, you're changing Muggle money. Molly, look!" He pointed out the the ten-pound notes in Mr. Granger's hand.
Well, I know where Ginny's...energy comes from now.
"Meet you back here," Ron told Hermione as we were led to our vaults. We boarded the carts and soon enough we had arrived at the Weasley's vault, and when it opened it felt like a punch to the stomach. All the Weasley's had was a small pile of Sickles, and only a single Galleon. Mrs. Weasley scanned the entire vault, even the empty corner, before continuing on.
Me and Harry felt even worse when we arrived at our vault, which had a large pile of Galleons Sickles and Knuts. As quick as we could, me and Harry pile money into our bags, trying to block the view of our money the whole time.
After getting enough spending money, we all rode out and found ourselves on the marble steps of Gringotts.
"I'll meet up later, need a new quill." Percy muttered, and quickly strode off.
"And I think we see Lee." Fred added, as he and George grinned at each other started to walk off to see there friend.
"I need to get Ginny's robes." Mrs. Weasley. "They'll have to be second hand..." She told her daughter, slight guilty in her voice. Ginny just nodded, looking down at the street.
"I'll tend to Mr. and Mrs. Granger. Both of you must have a drink with me, I wish to discuss a muggle view of our wor..." Mr. Weasley said, leading the clearly nervous Grangers down the alley towards the Leaky Cauldron.
"We'll all meet at Flourish and Blotts in an hour to buy your schoolbooks," Mrs. Weasley said while the group was still in hearing range, then started heading off with Ginny. "And not one step down Knockturn Alley!" she shouted at Fred and George's backs.
"Well, I'm going to go see if Anthony and Lisa have arrived yet." I told Harry, Ron, and Hermione. "I promised to meet them at Florean."
"Actually, ice cream sound pretty good, mind if we tag along?" Harry asked, and I nodded.
"Sure."
The four of us made our way to Floreans, and I saw Anthony sitting at a table, reading a book, slowly eating a cup of ice cream. I smiled and walked over to him.
"Hey Anthony." I said, I held in a laugh as he jumped and almost knocked his ice cream over. "Sorry."
"Merlin Sarah, don't just appear like that." He replied, marking his place and closing his book. Harry, Ron, and Hermione walked up behind me, and when Anthony saw him he frowned.
"What happened to you?" Anthony asked.
"They're first time through the Floo." Ron answered for him, and Anthony nodded.
"Ah, always a adventure the first time."
Harry walked up to the window, before ordering he turned to us. "What's good?" He asked Ron, and Anthony.
"Strawberry-and-peanut-butter." Ron answered, Harry nodded.
"Anyone else want one?" He asked, Me, Hermione, and Ron nodded, while Anthony, motioning to his still cold ice cream, declined.
After Harry, Ron, and Hermione got there ice cream, while I sat down across from Anthony, and slowing began to eat.
"So, you said hardly of my letters had gotten to you, that some house elf named Dobby was blocking them?" Anthony asked raising an eyebrow, I nodded.
"Yeah, I already told you most of it in my letters, the poor thing seemed convinced that Harry was in danger, and that he couldn't go back to Hogwarts."
Anthony stroked his chin thoughtfully and looked down at his ice cream. "Interesting..."
"Anyway, how's everyone been doing?" I asked, and Anthony smirked.
"Let me see...Michael and Terry are both planning to try out for the Quidditch team, Morag went on a trip to Africa with her mother, Padma and Mandy on the other hand, both had quite ordinary summers..."
"What about you?" I asked, and Anthony shrugged.
"Norway was fine. We visited my Uncle Rupert in Norway which was...interesting to say the least, I only got back a couple of weeks ago."
"What about Lisa? Have you heard from her?"
"Just yesterday, she's supposedly going to meet us here."
"Actually right now." We both turned to see the smiling face of Lisa, before I could say anything she ran up to me and engulfed me in a hug. "I-have-been-so-worried." She said, before sitting down. "You okay?"
"Yeah. I was worried for a moment there...but after Ron and his brothers got me and Harry away from the Dursley's, everything's been great." I replied, Lisa raised an eyebrow, but eventually nodded.
"Well, let's hope some random house elf doesn't block your letters in the future." She said, and I smirked.
"I sure hope so."
Lisa got herself some ice-cream, then the three of us began to walk down Diagon Alley.
"Where are your parents?" I asked as passed by Madam Malkin's.
"They dropped me off." Lisa answered, a slight bitter look on her face. "Both had work, and said they'd pick me up around six." I nodded then turned to Anthony.
"I Floo'd here myself." Anthony replied simply, I nodded while Lisa looked confused.
"You what?" She asked.
"Magical transport by fireplace." I explained as best I could. Lisa nodded, though still looked somewhat lost. "It's not fun." I assure her with a smile, then talked back to Anthony. "So they just let you come alone?"
"All the time, besides, not much that can get you in Diagon Alley." He assured us. I nodded, while Lisa crossed her arms in skepticism.
"Are you sure about that?" She asked, and Anthony nodded.
"I think so...should I not be?"
"Other than the abundance of wanted posters plastered everywhere, I guess it's safe." Lisa replied, and all of us turned to the many wanted sign's plastered everywhere.
"I forgot about these..."I said, remembering all I'd saw from a distance earlier. I strode up to one, wondering who could be so wanted, when I saw the nervous looking face of Quirinus Quirrell I froze, then started to read.
HAVE YOU SEEN THIS WIZARD?
Quirinus Quirrell, former Professor at Hogwarts School of Witcraft and Wizardry, is the Ministries top fugitive. Wanted for placing the students of Hogwarts in danger, and supposed use of the Dark Arts. The fugitive should be considered extremely dangerous. If seen please contact the Ministry at once.
Below the wall of text was a moving photograph of Quirrell, he had on his turban, and was nervously fidgeting with it, and looking around. Below the picture were warning's not to engage him, and the promise of a reward if your tip caught him.
"They still haven't caught him?" Lisa asked, looking at the picture of Quirrell with contempt. "Heck, they don't even mention that he was helping you-know-who."
"They don't want to cause a panic." Anthony explained, looking at me in worry. "My dad say's their been so sign of him anywhere, that he might have left Britain."
I was silent as I looked at the picture, remembering all the times I'd spoken to him last year, the times I'd defended him, the time I'd shared tea with him...and how he'd seemed to want to help with the Dursley's. My face contorted in anger as I remembered what he was, whom he was helping, and how he tried to hurt Harry.
I clinched my fist so hard they cracked, I then turned away and took a few breaths.
"You okay?" Lisa asked worriedly.
"I hope they catch him." I replied, then began to walk towards Flourish and Blotts. "I should be meeting up with the Weasley's, Harry, and Hermione to get our books, you two still need books right?" I asked, and both nodded.
"Yeah, all of Lockhart's." Anthony replied in clear annoyance, while Lisa nodded.
"Good." I replied smiling. "I for one, can't wait to get Lockhart's books." I told Anthony, who facepalmed.
"Not you too..." He said, as the three of us approached Flourish and Blotts, while Lisa looked back and forth between us confused.
"I mean...I saw his books on the list, but what's the deal with this Lockhart?" She asked.
"Lockhart is the definition of a overrated, pompous, celebrity." Anthony replied, as I glared at him.
"He's a hero who goes around the world, and heroically saves the day, everything in his books, he's done." I replied, and Anthony just sighed.
"First my mum, then my older cousin, and now you." He said, sighing, before turning to Lisa. "I am begging you, I don't care how handsome he is, don't fall for him."
"I mean, I've never seen what he looks like, but if he's handsome and a hero..." She replied smirking, and Anthony groaned.
"Merlin help me..."
We approached Flourish and Blotts, and, to our surprise, a line was formed out the door. We arrived just as Harry, Ron, and Hermione did. And noticed a large banner hanging from the upper windows.
GILDEROY LOCKHART
will be signing copies of his autobiography
MAGICAL ME
today 12:30P. 4:30P.M.
"We can actually meet him!" Hermione squealed in excitement. "I mean, he's written almost the whole booklist!"
"I know, and don't get me started on his writing style, the way he curves his S...exquisite." I added, and Hermione nodded in agreement.
"I know, or the way he smiles in his photogra..."
"We get it." Harry said suddenly. I noticed Ron and Anthony nodding in agreement, while Lockhart seemed to be growing with Lisa.
Me and Hermione both turned to Harry, frowning.
"Come on Harry, not everyday you get to meet a Hero." I said, Harry sighed, while Anthony and Ron looked at each other helplessly.
The crowd was mostly witches all looking to be Mrs. Weasley's age. At the door stood a tired looking wizard.
"Calmly, please, ladies… Don't push, there… mind the books, now…" He said in a almost defeated tone.
The six of us squeezed through the crowd and made our way into the shop. A long line made it's way all the way to the back of the shop, where it looked like where Lockhart was going to be signing his books. We all grabbed a copy of The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 2, Me, Anthony, and Lisa also got stacks off all Lockhart's book, Anthony groaning the whole time, we then sneaked up to where the Weasleys, and Mr. and Mrs. Granger had gathered.
"Oh, there you are, good," said Mrs. Weasley, who then noticed Anthony and Lisa. "Ah, you must be Sarah's friends." She said, they both nodded and shook hand with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and Granger.
"You're Jacobs boy?" Mr. Weasley asked Anthony.
"Yes sir." Anthony replied.
"Good man Jacob, though I hardly see him, always doing who knows what in the Department of Mystery's."
"Thank you sir, he speaks highly of you as well." Anthony replied,
"Good timing." Mrs. Weasley told us after we finished introductions. "We'll be able to see him in a minute…"
I waited with baited breath as Gilderoy Lockhart slowly came into view. He was sitting at a table, surrounded by pictures of himself, which were all winking and smiling to the crowd. The real Lockhart was just as handsome as his pictures, in fact more so. He wore light blue robes that matched his eyes, and a pointed hat at an angle that still showed his wavy hair.
It took all of my power not to squeal...
A short man, who seemed quite irritated, was working around Lockhart and taking pictures with a large, black, camera. Every time a photo was taken, there was a blinding flash, and a puff of purple smoke.
"Out of the way, there," he said in a rude voice as he stepped on Ron's foot, trying to get a better view. "This is for the Daily Prophet —"
"Big deal," Ron replied, reaching down and rubbing his foot, I noticed Anthony shake his head in agreement, while Lockhart heard Ron and looked up. He first saw Ron, then noticed Harry standing next to him.
He stared for a moment, before leaping to his feet in excitement.
"It can't be Harry Potter?" Lockhart asked, as the crowed parted and whispered in excitement. Before Harry could say anything, Lockhart dove forward, grabbed his arm, and pulled him to the front, and the crowd burst into applause...
As I watched Harry and Lockhart get their photo taken together, the excitement I had just experienced turned to jealously. Why did Harry, whom didn't even seem to like Lockhart, get to take pictures with him while I didn't? Why did Harry get such a special honor...
Because he was the boy who lived.
I watched, trying to hide the jealously on my face as the purple smoke, and blinding lights finally faded, and Lockhart threw his arm around Harry's shoulders, and held him tightly.
"Lucky." I muttered under my breath.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Lockhart said loudly, waving his hand and silencing the crowd. "What an extraordinary moment this is! The perfect moment for me to make a little announcement I've been sitting on for some time!"
Lockhart turned and picked up a copy of his autobiography, and held it towards Harry.
"When young Harry here stepped into Flourish and Blotts today, he only wanted to buy my autobiography — which I shall be happy to present him now, free of charge —" He handed Harry the book, giving him a massive smiled, as the crowd once again clapped. "He had no idea," He continued, shaking Harry enough so that his glasses slid down to the edge of his nose, "that he would shortly be getting much, much more than my book, Magical Me. He and his schoolmates will, in fact, be getting the real magical me. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I have great pleasure and pride in announcing that this September, I will be taking up the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!"
The crowd once again burst into applause, as Lockhart let Harry go and he walked over to us. The reactions were mixed, Hermione looked delighted, Lisa too, though she was trying to hide it, while Ron was double face palming, and Anthony was muttering under his breath. I was a mix of excitement that Lockhart would be teaching us, and still slightly jealous that I hadn't got to go take pictures with Lockhart...
Harry finally made his way back to us, and for the first time I noticed he didn't look honored, but embarrassed. And for the life of me I couldn't figure out how he didn't enjoy that? When he finally got back to our group, he turned to Ginny, whom was holding her new cauldron.
"You have these," Harry mumbled to her, and It was confirmed that, somehow, he hadn't enjoyed it...and suddenly I felt horrible for being jealous of him. Harry tipped the books into Ginny's cauldron, as she looked more red than ever. "I'll buy my own —"
"Bet you loved that, didn't you, Potter?" Me, Lisa, and Anthony all quickly looked at each other nervously, while Harry straightened, as he stood face to Face with Draco Malfoy, who was glaring at Harry with annoyance.
"Oh no." Anthony muttered under his breath, as the three of us backed against a nearby book case.
"Do they really have to do this in public?" I asked nervously, as they were now inches apart from each other.
"Famous Harry Potter," Draco continued. "Can't even go into a bookshop without making the front page."
"Come on guys lets not..."I tried in a voice barley above a whisper.
"Leave him alone, he didn't want all that!" Ginny said loudly, and I realized this was the first time she had even spoken in front of Harry, she was glaring daggers at Draco.
"She's a Gryffindor." Anthony whispered to me, and I nodded.
"All her family is."
"Potter, you've got yourself a girlfriend!" Draco replied slowly, and Ginny went bright red. Just then Ron and Hermione walked over, both carrying a stack of Lockhart's books.
"Oh, it's you," Ron, looking at Draco in clear dislike "Bet you're surprised to see Harry and Sarah here, eh?" He asked, and I remembered his and the twins theory on Dobby.
"Not as surprised as I am to see you in a shop, Weasley," Draco shot back. "I suppose your parents will go hungry for a month to pay for all those, of maybe Goldstein's doing some charity for the underprivileged." He added looking at Anthony with a smirk, who just rolled his eyes in response.
Ron went red, dropped his books into Ginny's cauldron, and started to walk towards Draco, only for Hermione and Harry to hold him back.
"Ron!" Mr. Weasley suddenly said, walking over with the twins. "What are you doing? It's too crowded in here, let's go outside."
"Well, well, well — Arthur Weasley." A new voice suddenly said, and behind Draco a man with long silver hair the same color as Draco's, holding a long cane, stepped forwards. He looked at Mr. Weasley with the same disdain that Draco had just looked at Ron, and Harry with.
"Lucius," Mr. Weasley replied, confirming this was indeed Draco's father. Beside me, Anthony, and Lisa both tried to look distracted. Lisa had turned and was pretending to look through the book shelf, while Anthony was looking down and examining the floor.
"Busy time at the Ministry, I hear," Mr. Malfoy replied. "All those raids… I hope they're paying you overtime?"
Mr. Malfoy then reached into Ginny's cauldron and pulled out a clearly used, and old copy of A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration.
"Obviously not," Mr. Malfoy replied after a dramatic pause. "Dear me, what's the use of being a disgrace to the name of wizard if they don't even pay you well for it?"
Mr. Weasley glared daggers sharper than Ron had ever shown Draco.
"We have a very different idea of what disgraces the name of wizard, Malfoy,"
"Clearly," Mr. Malfoy replied, subtly looking at Hermione's parents with clear disgust. "The company you keep, Weasley… and I thought your family could sink no lower."
Out of nowhere Ginny's cauldron went flying and Mr. Weasley dove at Mr. Malfoy, and drove him back towards me, Lisa and Anthony. We all scattered just in time before Mr. Malfoy's back hit the bookshelf, and books began falling. I tripped on a book that had fallen, and watched in horror as the two went at it.
"Get him, Dad!" I heard Fred, and George yell, and I noticed that Lisa and Anthony had slipped safely behind them,
"No, Arthur, no!" Mrs. Weasley yelled, running up to try and stop them and I noticed that heavy books were falling dangerously close to me...
"Gentlemen, please — please!" The assistant was begging, and that's when the thickest book's I'd ever seen came crashing down...right towards me.
I braced myself, looked down, and covered my head. But I felt nothing, and looked up to see someone had caught the book...
"Stand up Potter." Draco said, holding out a hand to help me up. I quickly took it as he helped me up.
"T...Thanks." I said, as he glared Mr. Weasley's back.
"Told you they're mental, can't even handle simple banter." Draco said simply, than walked back to where he had been standing...as I walked to where Anthony and Lisa where.
"Stupid Gryffindor, Slytherin Rivalry." I whispered so only they could hear me, they both nodded in horror.
"Break it up, there, gents, break it up —" The booming voice of Hagrid roared, as he walked through a sea of fallen books. Finally he reached the pair, and separated them. Mr. Weasley's lip was cut, while had been hit in the eye by a book.
Mr. Malfoy, whom through everything was still holding Ginny's book, thrust it at her, his eyes filled with malice.
"Here, girl — take your book — it's the best your father can give you —" He said, then pulling himself from Hagrid's grip, turned towards the exit and walked out Draco following close behind.
"Yeh should've ignored him, Arthur," Hagrid warned as helped Mr. Weasley to his feet, and straightened his robes. "Rotten ter the core, the whole family, everyone knows that — no Malfoy's worth listenin' ter — bad blood, that's what it is — come on now — let's get outta here."
I agreed with the first part, Mr. Weasley had attacked first. I understood the Mr. Malfoy had said some horrible things, but like Hagrid had said, he should have walked away. I didn't agree with that second part, nobody was evil because of there family, and despite Draco's snobbish attitude, he had just saved me from a concussion...though I realized no one had seen that.
Hagrid began to lead us out, the assistant looked like he wanted to stop us, but Hagrid's height made him think twice, and we all walked into the street silently. The Granger's were shaking, clearly frightened with what had just happened, while Mrs. Weasley was berating Mr. Weasley.
"A fine example to set for your children… brawling in public… what Gilderoy Lockhart must've thought —"
"He was pleased," Fred told everyone quietly. "Didn't you hear him as we were leaving? He was asking that bloke from the Daily Prophet if he'd be able to work the fight into his report — said it was all publicity —"
Personally, I doubted that Lockhart actually said something like that, that Fred must have misheard him, but I was to shaken with what had happened to respond, so stayed silent, and walked between Anthony and Lisa...
Anthony was muttering under his breath about how immature both Mr. Weasley, and Mr. Malfoy were, and that he was glad his parent's didn't act like that. Lisa was fidgeting with her fingers, saying in a low voice she hoped her mum was waiting to pick her up, and that she had lot's of muggle schoolwork to do.
We all quietly entered the Leakey Cauldron, where we separated. Mrs. Turpin was already there, and quickly took Lisa, saying something about how they were on a tight schedule. Anthony Floo'd home, while Mr. Weasley was trying to ask the Granger's how a bus stopped worked, but stopped when he saw Mrs. Weasley's glare.
I made Harry use the Floo first, and was relieved when I stepped through and he had made it back in one piece. When I entered Ginny's room, I got out the Lockhart book's that we had bought, and decided it was never to early to learn and opened the first page of Break with a Banshee, and started reading.
The last few weeks had not been kind to Quirinus Quirrell.
First he had failed to retrieve the Sorcerer's Stone, and had been forced to flee from the school that, for most of the last decade, he had been employed. He had found his master, who had led him to a run down shack in the middle of nowhere. The floor was rotting, the rain leaked through the ceiling and walls, and the bed was disgusting.
To make matters worse, he was now the most wanted man in Wizarding Britain. The few times he'd been to Diagon Alley with a hood over his head had confirmed that, with poster after poster of his nervous face plastered everywhere. Though they never mentioned his master's name, or the fact the he had served Lord Voldemort, there was no doubt that the Aurors were heavily searching for him.
Then today came, and the face of Gilderoy Lockhart with Harry Potter flooded the Daily Prophet Front page, and his discomfort turned into rage.
"That idiot is the Defense Professor!" He roared, and only stopped when his master ghostly presence appeared behind him.
"Who is the Defense Professor?" Lord Voldemort asked eagerly, clearly this was their first chance to do...anything since escaping from Hogwarts.
"Gilderoy Lockhart, my lord." Quirrell replied, showing his master the front page of the prophet. Lord Voldemort glared at the Potter boy, and then turned back to the smiling face of Lockhart.
"You know this Lockhart?" He lord asked, and Quirrell nodded.
"Yes my lord, he was my year mate, we shared the same dorm while at Hogwarts." Quirrell replied, the venom in his voice barley contained.
"And you hate this man?" Voldemort asked, and Quirrell nodded.
"Yes my lord."
"Why?"
"...he's the most obnoxious, full of himself...sorry my lord, my schoolboy rant is not worthy of you." He replied, and his master let out a dark laugh.
"I beg to differ Quirinus." His master finally replied, and Quirrell raised an eyebrow.
"What do you mean my lord?" He asked.
"Why, I think we should pay your old dormmate a visit, to wish him...well this coming year, maybe even encourage him." Lord Voldemort said, a wicked smiled appearing in his ghostlike form.
"What do you require my lord?" Quirrell asked bowing.
"You know where this, Lockhart, lives?"
"Yes my lord?" Quirrell replied respectfully.
"Take me to him." Lord Voldemort commanded, and Quirrell stood up and began walking to the door, his master presence following closely behind.