Chapter 15: A Visit To Diagon Alley

Ron woke up to Hugo bouncing on his bed. "Wake up, Ron! We are going to Diagon Alley to today to get Hermione a wand!"

"You're chipper this morning," groaned Ron as he tried to wrestle himself from sleep.

"Are you kidding? They are witches, Ron! WITCHES! It's like I've had to lie to my family this whole time. And now I don't have to lie any more. And on top of that? We are going to Diagon Alley! Chocolate frogs. Licorice wands. Racing brooms. Stuff I don't even know I want yet. Get up!" And with that Hugo bounced out of the room and down the hallway. Ron could hear him jumping from the middle of the stairs as he lay back briefly on the pillow.

"Witches," Ron smiled. "You're right again, Hugo," he muttered to himself. "It's going to be a great day."

After breakfast, strong tea and a shower, Ron felt much more awake and ready to face the day. Hermione had said she and Rose would come over mid-morning and they would all floo to Diagon Alley from their house. Hugo had been looking out the front window for the two of them as early as 8 that morning.

"You are going to wear yourself out before we even get there at this pace," Ron said. "It's going to be at least another two hours before we go, buddy. Sorry. Most of the stores don't even open until 10."

"I think today is slower than Christmas morning," declared Hugo in a very melodramatic tone.

"Sorry, buddy."

"Hmm," said Hugo as he flopped upside down over the back of the sofa. "What are we going to do first?"

"Well what do you want to do first?"

"Maybe Hermione's wand first?"

"I like that idea."

"But PLEASE let us go to Honeydukes before we go to Flourish and Blotts. You KNOW Hermione will be in there for hours. You can't possibly expect Rose and I to wait patiently by all of those books before Honeydukes, can you?"

Ron chuckled. "Hugo, you are definitely a man after my own heart. I think Honeydukes before books sounds fair. But, Rose might want to spend some time at the bookstore too. She loves reading – maybe not quite as much as her mum, but she does love books."

"Ok. I am making us a whole plan for the day," declared Hugo as he marched off to find his craft supplies. Ron checked in on him every so often, but Hugo was drawing a whole map of Diagon Alley and labeling all of the places they would go. Ron was quite entertained that Hugo had labeled the order that they would go to everything as well: Ollivanders, Honeydukes, Flourish and Blotts, Leaky Cauldron, and WWW. Then on the side he labeled other places to go if they had time, including "broom shop," "bird store" and "other cool places."

Ron took in the masterpiece with great appreciation. He would never have done something so creative as a kid. He wondered if being an only child forced more creativity. Luna had been an only child too, and he thought she would thoroughly enjoy Hugo. But he was just as curious to hear Hugo's take on Luna someday. And then he started laughing as he thought about how Hermione might react to Luna. He was pulled from his vision of Hermione trying to find a nargle as the doorbell rang, which caused Hugo to bolt to let them in screaming, "THEY'RE HERE!"

Hermione was smiling at Hugo's enthusiasm as she came into the kitchen. "Was Hugo up as early as Rose was this morning?"

"Oh yes," assured Ron. "He said it was slower than waiting for Christmas I believe."

"Well, I might not have been awake unaided quite so early," confessed Hermione, "but I am pretty excited about today. And a little nervous too. I just have no sense of what to expect."

"I could tell you, but it is kind of one of those things you just have to experience for yourself. But I think you're going to have a lot of fun today."

"Hope so. We are all kind of need of a fun day out, don't you think?"

"Definitely."

"So is there a plan?"

"Well, according to Hugo there is. He created a map and an agenda for the entire day." Hermione was giggling as Ron called Hugo in to present the overview of the day. Hugo was thrilled to be in charge, and also thrilled to be able to show Hermione and Rose this world he had never been able to share with them before.

Hermione sat on the windowsill of the candy store watching Hugo and Rose flit from aisle to aisle. Overwhelmed by the smells of sugar and chocolate, she decided to rest a bit while the kids decided which packages of sweets they should get. She had glanced at some of the wild products on the shelves, but felt she needed a few minutes to process everything from their day's adventure so far.

They had started the day at an ancient looking shop that seemed to have more dust and boxes than anything else. At first glance the boxes looked like stacks of shoe boxes, but when she realized each held a magic wand she was rather blown away. When they had walked in, a man about her age had been behind the counter. But, when he had recognized Ron, he made a big fuss about fetching an older man to help him instead. Hermione had given Ron a confused look, but Ron simply said that he had helped this senior Mr. Ollivander many years ago and ever since then the older man had been exceedingly kind to him.

She soon found herself with an elderly wizard trying wand after wand. Finally, they had found a match and it had been just as Ron had described when she held it in her hand. She had suddenly felt this power, which she assumed was her magic, flow through her. Not only had actual sparks come out of the wand, but she suddenly felt this sense of peace and happiness she wasn't used to. It was brilliant. This older Mr. Ollivander said that her wand had been made of vine wood and had a dragon heartstring core. She, of course, had no idea what to make of that. But, the old wizard said it was a very rare combination. He intimated that she must feel extremes of all emotions, which she thought was probably accurate, as well as be incredibly strong to keep them balanced – which she wasn't as sure about. He also suggested that she was strong and adaptable but fierce as well when fighting for a cause she believed in. Hermione shied to the description at first, but the more she thought about it decided it was probably an accurate description, or at least some of the folks she had met in court would think so. She made a mental note to ask Ron about his wand later and what it was supposed to symbolize, and she became terribly curious as to what Rose's wand would reflect about her in a few months' time.

Just walking down this magical street was slightly overwhelming. Up until today, the idea of magic had been mostly theoretical aside from a few things the professor and Ron had made float across the kitchen. But now she was surrounded by undeniable magic on all sides. She found her rational brain still struggling to process it all. She was equally amazed at how well Rose was taking it all in. Each bizarre thing after another that they saw seemed to be perfectly normal to Rose. I guess this is why they don't usually tell middle aged women they are witches, mused Hermione. But, she was delighted to see Hugo look so happy. She hadn't seen his face free of worry since his parents died. But even before that, she couldn't remember him looking as thrilled as he did today explaining everything to Rose and Hermione.

Ron watched Hermione from across Honeydukes. He was impressed at how well she was adapting to everything. For someone who liked their life very orderly and structured, one's first trip to Diagon Alley had to be rather overwhelming. For a moment Ron allowed himself to really look at her, and he was overcome with how gorgeous she was. It wasn't that she was dressed up, as she was much more casual that her normal work clothes. But, there was something about her that just captivated him. Sitting on the window bench of the sweet shop, the light was hitting her hair at just the right angle to have brown and gold and auburn light reflect back from her curls. She had tried to pull them into a pony tail, but several ringlets had escaped framing her face in this golden aura. Her skin was radiant as well, but somehow it was the sparkle in her eyes that kept drawing him back in. That, and the fact that she clearly had no idea how beautiful she was. It was one of the things he found so attractive. She didn't fuss with make-up, lots of jewelry or fancy outfits. She was her kind, smart, caring self, and he thought she was stunning.

He finally walked over to sit next to her.

"Hi," she smiled at him as he sat down next to her.

"I was just coming to see how you are holding up in your first full immersion experience of magical culture."

"Well, you were right. You could have tried to explain it all, and it wouldn't have made a bit of difference. It is definitely something you have to experience for yourself."

"Very true."

"I can't remember the last time I have seen Hugo and Rose so happy."

"Me either. Hugo definitely hasn't looked this good since the accident."

"Rose too. She seems to be able to absorb all of this easier than I can."

"Well – she is ten. And, well – you aren't."

"Thanks a lot," Hermione scoffed.

"Oh come on, everything is easier when you are ten. And right now she is literally a kid in a candy shop."

"Touché. I figure they will run around in here for a while so I would sit while I can. I am not sure why I am so tired now – Rose didn't wake me up that early."

"It's your magic," Ron said matter-of-factly. "You had to work through all of those wands to find the right match, and then you probably felt your magic flowing thru you like you never have before. You are bound to feel a little tired. It is sort of like building up a new muscle – you have to work at it and build your stamina. But you will get there quickly."

"Wow. I hadn't thought of it like that. Does make sense when you put it that way."

"Yes – well – according to Hugo's grand scheme this is your resting time anyway as the next stop is the bookshop. He insisted on candy first as he was sure you would want to be in there for hours."

Hermione laughed. "That boy does have me pegged. I am not sure I am up for hours today. But now that I know where it is I can come back anytime."

"Take your time and enjoy it. After the bookshop Hugo says we are having lunch and then popping round to my brother's joke shop. If you think this place is an assault on the senses then just wait. His store is insane. It's loud in every way possible from the whizzing and blaring of his products to the orange walls."

Chuckling Hermione said, "I can't wait for that stop."

Hugo had been right. Hermione was enamored with Flourish and Blotts. She quickly got lost in the aisles, trailing her fingers over the spines of all the books on subjects she had never even heard of before. To a lover of books like herself it was something attune to discovering the lost library of Alexandria. She wasn't sure where to start, so she just begin drifting from section to section, savoring the anticipation of all of the things she would learn. She allowed herself to select a number of books off the shelf to start with, but soon found that she had more than she could carry. Before she knew it, Ron was at her side and off-loading her books into a levitating shopping basket.

"I figured you would end up finding a few you couldn't live without," he chuckled.

"Thanks. Have you seen the kids?"

"Hugo is bored and sitting in the corner eating candy. And Rose is devouring the books on magical creatures in the back corner while eating candy."

"Hmm. Guess Hugo and I just switched places from the candy store, huh?"

"It's all good. Do you want me to keep your book pile over in the corner while you keep shopping?"

"Oh, I won't be too much longer. I can't possibly read all of these anytime soon. Maybe I will wander over and see which ones Rose can't live without, and then we'll go get that lunch Hugo wants."

Some twenty books later, the four of them carried their purchases out of the book store and headed over to the Leaky Cauldron for lunch. Hermione enjoyed lunch at this magical pub, but she couldn't help but notice that people stopped and stared at them. She couldn't quite figure out why. Was it that she and Rose looked that out of place somehow? She wasn't sure. Before she had a chance to ask Ron about, an old friend of Ron's had come up to say hello. Hermione enjoyed meeting Neville and was somehow relieved to learn he was a professor at the school. Knowing people like him would be looking out for Rose gave her a lot of comfort.

Following lunch, Hugo practically dragged them down Diagon Alley to WWW. Hermione thought Ron's description of it being loud in every possible way was remarkably accurate. She immediately picked out Ron's brother who came up and greeted them all warmly.

"Hugo!" screamed George. "Hey buddy, it's about time my twat of a brother brought you in. We have to get you all stocked up so you can torture Ron at home, right?"

Hugo started giggling and Ron groaned. "And this is exactly why I put that off."

"And you must be Hermione and Rose," George said. "So great to meet you both. Come on Rose, let's see if we can't find some fine products to ease your mum into the wonderful world of magical pranksters." With that, he was off with the kids.

"Come on," said Ron, "I'll give you the 2 knut tour." He led Hermione through the shop showing off the different areas and then around to the break room in the back where the products were tested and developed.

"You really know your way around here," observed Hermione.

"Well, yeah. I helped George re-open the store after Fred died. He was in a really bad place having lost Fred, but I couldn't stand to watch this shop that had been both of their dreams just disintegrate. So, I worked here for a while before becoming an auror. I am not the salesman or the natural jokester George is, but I was pretty good at the business side which surprised everyone – most of all me. Even after I became an auror I still helped George out a lot. I'll work during their busy seasons at Christmas and then during back to school time. Living in the flat upstairs it was easy to pop down and lend a hand for an hour or so when they needed it.

"How on earth did you live above all this noise?"

"Silencing charms. And, well – the commotion dies down at night."

"Do you miss it?"

"What, working in the shop?"

"No, not the shop - the flat. Do you miss having your own place?"

"Um, no. Not really. I guess I miss feeling settled. Somedays I still feel like I live at Hugo's house or I'm kipping on Fi's sofa. Eventually I will feel like it's my house too, I guess. But not sure when that might be."

"It's ok to make it your place too, you know."

"I know. But, it's too soon, don't you think? For both Hugo and I it is too soon. I'll eventually do it gradually I suppose. Maybe first make the guest room actually my room. Maybe I'll bring some pictures over from the flat or something."

"Can I see your flat?"

"Oh. Uh, sure I suppose. It's nothing special. Just an over the shop bachelor pad – I wasn't much on decorating."

"I'm sure it's lovely. Please?"

"Alright, come on – it's just up these stairs here." With that Ron led her up the stairs as he motioned to George to keep an eye on the kids while they went to the flat.

"It's much quieter up here," she observed as he opened the door. They walked into a clean but sparse living room. It had a comfortable sofa, the wireless and some bookshelves covered with more pictures and mementos than books.

"I haven't been back here much since everything happened."

"You should bring some pictures or something back with you. Or if you don't want to carry them, then floo back later and get them. You need some of your own personality in your home, Ron. I think it would help you feel like it's your home too."

"You don't think Hugo would be upset?"

"No. Especially if you start small. Don't move things out of the house, just add for now. Bring some of your pictures or other things that mean something to you. Even when I lived in tents in refugee camps I pinned up some photographs or postcards above my bunk to make it feel like my own space."

"Huh. That's a good idea. Maybe when the kids are done downstairs we can just floo home from here, and I'll grab a few things to put up in the guest room I've been using. It can be a start."

"Definitely. We can pull a box together now while your brother helps them plot our future downfall."

"Yeah – uh, sorry about that," Ron cringed.

"No worries. How can I help?"

"Well," Ron said considering the question. "Let's see. There should be an empty suitcase in that closet there. If you grab that, then we can put some of these pictures and things in there."

Ron turned to the bookshelf and started looking at the different things he had displayed there trying to decide what to bring with him. Soon Hermione had opened the empty suitcase up, placed it on the couch and was standing next to him looking at the photographs.

"When is this from?" she asked pointing to a moving image.

"Ahh. That was a great day. It was at a quidditch match about 15 years ago. Ginny was playing professionally then, and her team was playing the Chudley Cannons, which is who I have always cheered for. We'd made a bet that if the Cannons won she would have to wear a Cannons' jersey for a week. My victory was very sweet. Of course, I think that is probably the last game that the Cannons won. But, when you are a Cannons fan you are in it for the long haul. Anyway, I think George took this shot of me forcing the Cannons' jersey on her while Harry just laughed. I definitely need to bring that one with."

"What's this one? Is that Fiona?"

"Yes – this was at a big party we had for work one year. I am not even sure she was married to Dennis yet when this was taken. I'll take that one too. Oh, and this one – this is of my whole family when we went to visit my brother in Egypt one summer. I think it's the last picture we have of all of us together."

"You were a cute kid," she laughed.

"Peaked young," he joked. "Let's see, what else. Oh, I want the Cannons jersey from the other room. You look through this junk and see if anything catches your eye. Be right back."

Taking it as an invitation to snoop, Hermione pulled a few books off the shelf to see what he had. There were mainly just books on quidditch and chess as well as what appeared to be old text books. She opened a shoe box that she was rummaging through when he came back in the room.

"This is my favorite thing ever. It is Cannons jersey with signatures from their players from the last twenty years. I can put this up as well."

"What's this stuff?" Hermione asked as she pulled out what looked like Olympic medals from the shoe box.

"Oh, I don't need that," Ron said, his tone suddenly becoming flat. "I didn't even realize it was here. My mum must have brought it at some point."

"Order of Merlin First Class," Hermione read. "Sounds fancy. Is it an award?"

"Um, yeah. It was," said Ron uncomfortably. "Remember when I said I hadn't told you all of my stories yet? I guess that is just one of the stories we haven't gotten to. The short version is that Harry and I helped bring down a really bad guy about twenty years ago. Well – really Harry brought him down, and I helped Harry. Anyway, people made kind of a big deal about it. So, we each got one of those medals. But, really, what do you do with a medal? I had just given it to my mum because I didn't know what else to do with it. But I guess she thought I should have it and brought it back here. I definitely don't need to bring that."

Sensing Ron didn't want to keep talking about this, she changed subjects. "I saw some books on chess. Do you play?"

"Ooh! You're brilliant. I need to get my chess set." He then rummaged through a cupboard in the living room and pulled out a beautifully carved box.

"So, that's a yes, then?"

"I love chess," Ron admitted. "I started playing when I was younger than Hugo. Do you play?"

"Well, I can play a little, but my dad is the one who really enjoys it. He and Rose play some."

"Brilliant! I can introduce them both to wizard chess then."

"Is it different than regular chess?"

"The rules are the same, but the pieces just go where you tell them, and well – they destroy each other. It's wicked. We'll have to play later," he said putting the chess set into the suitcase.

"Sounds barbaric," she noted.

"Oh, it is," he grinned.

He gathered a few more sentimental things into the suitcase, as well as another pair of shoes and some extra clothes from his room before they headed down to collect the kids from George.

"Alright you two," George said to Rose and Hugo with a wink. "Remember what we talked about?"

The two kids nodded and grinned.

"Should I be scared?" asked Hermione.

"As long as we don't eat anything they try to give us we should be ok," assured Ron.

"You keep telling yourself that Ron," laughed George. "And we need to see all four of you out at The Burrow one of these Sundays. Mum'll go off the deep end if she doesn't get to see you soon as part of the weekly madness."

"One of these days, George, I promise. There has just been a lot going on these past few weeks. But we'll get there."

"What's The Burrow?" asked Rose.

"That's where I grew up – this funny looking crooked house out in the countryside of Devon. And every Sunday Mum makes a family dinner for everyone. But since I have so many brothers and sisters, and they are all married with multiple kids each, a family dinner to my mum is a simple supper for at least 20 people."

"Every week? She cooks for 20 people every week?" gawked Hermione.

"Usually more," chimed in George. "It's utter madness, but she loves it. And, frankly, we all do too. You should come. It would be great for Hugo and Rose to play with all of the cousins. They could always use two more on the quidditch pitch."

"One step at a time, George," Ron said. "We'll get there. Today was probably enough adventure for one weekend, but maybe in the next few weeks."