Chapter X -Not Quite
The bell of Madam Malkin's shop tingled as yet another customer entered. The stout woman bustled off, promising to return shortly. Ron let his arms drop to his sides and sat down on the small podium he had been standing on, being fitted for his new dress robes. Mrs. Weasley busied herself at the short rack where several other robes Ron had tried hung.
"Hmmmm... The first one had a nice neck, but I didn't like the colour...This one was perfect...though on second thoughts, it didn't hang right...No Ronald, I think the best one was this."
She held up a maroon robe with bright orange embroidery at the ends of the sleeves. Ron grunted without looking up. He honestly couldn't care less about new dress robes. His mind was less agreeably occupied.
Before she could chastise Ron for not having any interest in his clothes, Madam Malkin arrived back in the small back room used for fittings, with a pleasant smile on her face.
"Sorry about that, I'm very busy, there seem to be a lot of Hallowe'en parties this year, though I suppose there is every reason to celebrate. Now, have you decided on your robes, or would you prefer to look at some more?"
While Mrs. Weasley paid for the dress robes, Ron took a turn about the shop. Behind set of shelves he could hear a familiar voice talking to Madam Malkin's assistant.
"No, the other one. Yes, I think it matches."
"How about these ones?"
"They're perfect!"
Ron walked around the shelves and saw Angelina Johnson, wearing dress robes of deep purple which were full of pins, examining a pair of silver earrings.
"Angelina!" She looked up, surprised. Ron expected her to smile, but her expression seemed flustered.
"Ron, I- I- wasn't- What are you doing here?" She sounded flustered too. Ron was confused.
"Oh, I was just buying new dress robes. Bill's having a Hallowe'en party," At the mention of the party, Angelina suddenly went red. "So,er, I guess you're buying dress robes too," Ron said.
"Yeah, I-I for a- a Hallowe'en party too." She replied, with some difficulty. Ron was, by now, utterly bewildered. He had never known Angelina to act so nervously. She was usually so head-strong and confident.
"Really? It must be pretty formal if you need dress robes, Bill's is at Fleur's parents' castle," Ron made a face that clearly showed he thought it was all nonsense.
"I kn-I mean, wow, that should be a great party then!"
Ron shrugged.
"I guess...Better go now, mum's calling! See you in two weeks for Quidditch practice!" As he left, he could here Angelina breath a sigh of relief. Brow furrowed, Ron exited the shop behind Mrs. Weasley. Something strange was happening, but what, he could not tell.
"Now, how about we stop for a break before we go home?" Mrs. Weasley suggested. They made their way to The Leaky Cauldron and ordered a pumpkin juice and a butterbeer.
"Was that Angelina you were talking to?" she asked as she settled into her seat.
"Yeah, she-" Ron stopped. He had more important matters to discuss with his mother. "Mum, look, I need to talk to you about something. You see, well, I've been thinking and I think I should move out of the house."
"Ronald Weasley! There is no need for you to talk about such silly things! Why, you wouldn't last a week on your own, you can't cook or clean or-"
"Harry's offered to have Kreacher help out until he can teach me and-"
"Nonsense! You can't be having a house - elf as your personal slave, he's Harry's!"
"But mum-"
"No buts Ronald Weasley, I've had enough of this talk! I'll expect a gnome-free garden by tomorrow morning!" And with that, she stormed over to the fireplace. A pinch of Floo powder and an angry 'the Burrow' later, she was gone.
Ron did not return to the Burrow immediately, he did not want to run into is mother again so soon. Instead, he made his way to Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. He had not seen George since Quidditch practice two days ago, their last before Hallowe'en. He was pleasantly surprised to find him in far higher spirits than before.
"Ron! You didn't tell me you were coming! Come upstairs."
George led the way up to the apartment upstairs. They emerged in a small sitting room, complete with a roaring fire, a wireless, a red couch with gold prints and two matching armchairs. A grandfather clock stood in a corner and a large portrait of a lady with a beard and moustache drawn on in black marker hung over the fireplace. Though he had been in this room a million times, Ron still chuckled at the picture.
"So what's up?" George came out from the kitchen, with two mugs in his hands.
Ron accepted his mug, and told George about his conversation with Mrs. Weasley.
"Rotten luck, mate," George could only sigh and sympathise with his brother. She would hardly listen to him. "So anyway, what were you doing in Diagon Alley in the first place?"
"Mum forced me to come a try on new dress robes for Bill and Fleur's thing," Ron rolled his eyes. "Oh did I mention, I saw Angelina in Madam Malkin's, she said she was getting dress robes for a Hallowe'en party, strange, I mean, how many formal Hallowe'en parties can there be?"
But George didn't seem to be listening. Ron, not having noticed this, continued.
"She, she seemed a bit flustered, you know, when I mentioned Bill and Fleur's party. I dunno, you know her better than me..." He trailed off, looking at George expectantly.
"What?!" George exclaimed, breaking out of his daze. "Oh, oh yeah, er don't know about that..." Ron couldn't help but notice that George was acting oddly too. He thought for a moment...no, no it couldn't be that...he shook the idea from his head.
