Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, or any of the related names and titles, with the exception of Miss Maddy Black.

A/N: So here we are, the next chapter. I've been trying to keep this one updated as quick as possible, but I like to go through a cycle of updating each of my stories at a time, and sometimes it takes me longer to update the others than expected. But, this update was certainly much quicker than the last one, and the next should be rather quick as well. I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 18: Journey Back To Diagon Alley

They filed for divorce secretly, so the media didn't jump all over it and start making horrid rumors. Charles agreed to let Maddy stay in the house, while she looked for a job and got back on her feet. She did not want his money and did not accept his charity, but she did, however, stay in the house.

Charles was off again on Ministry business, this time to India. Maddy was starting to become very confused about the random countries he was called to. There was almost nothing in common with any of them. Perhaps they were places Death Eaters were still rumored to have congregated. She would never know.

Maddy was left by herself, this time feeling even more alone. There was no longer that hope of someone coming home to her. There was only her and the empty halls. Even the hired help seemed to be keeping their distance from the girl.

She didn't hear from Harry. He seemed to have disappeared out of her life for a second time. She feared that this time it would be for good, but tried to look on the bright side of things for a change.

Though, the bright side proved difficult to find.

Ron had called to talk to her. She was so pleased to hear his voice again clearly, and not panicking. They talked for a long time about the years that had gone by. Maddy was curious to hear about his mission, but he claimed that he didn't want to talk about it. She didn't blame him.

Even Tonks and Lupin had stopped by. She told them of her divorce, and they looked upset about it, but understood once she explained, for the most part, what had happened. They had stayed for dinner, and then had to leave. It seemed like no one could stay for long, and when they left, she seemed lonelier than when they arrived.

One afternoon, Maddy made a decision. She was going to go into Diagon Alley for the first time in ages. She didn't own any robes anymore, so she stood in front of the mirror trying to transfigure some of her bathrobes into witch's day robes. The results were pathetic, but all things considered, the best she could manage.

She left early in the morning, wearing shabby looking deep purple robes, just enough to get her through the day. It would be a long walk to The Leaky Cauldron, and she cursed at herself for wearing high heels.

For a while, she almost thought she forgot where it was, but the looming café stood out next to the brick buildings beside it. Carefully, she pushed open the door and prayed that no one there would recognize her.

Tom, the wizened old bartender, nodded his bald head in her direction as she passed through. She nodded in return, slightly surprised that the old man was still alive, his toothless grin wider than ever. Just beyond the bar, she spotted the door that led to the small 'yard' and the hidden entrance to Diagon Alley.

Racking her memory, Maddy tapped a brick above the trashcan three times with her wand. She stepped back as a growing doorway started to appear. When the bricks had stopped moving, Maddy looked around the crowded street.

Everything was as she remembered it. Owls hooting, people bustling around, children gaping at the newest addition to the Quidditch supplies selection. Yes, everything in this place was magical.

Not daring to miss a thing, Maddy walked slowly, and looked around. Of course, not everything was the same. A few shops had either moved, or went out of business. Some shops were boarded up for other reasons. Maddy shuddered as she remembered hearing about Mr. Ollivander, the old wand maker, and Florean Fortescue, the ice cream parlor guy, disappearing from their own shops, with no notice.

Maddy walked further down the street and saw a great mob of teenagers filing into a store. Maddy shook her head and knew that it was none other than Fred and George's joke shop. Not being able to resist, Maddy entered the familiar store and looked around.

They had come up with many more candies and pranks than Maddy had remembered, but they still had the same old ones she knew and loved. A great barrel of Ton-Tongue Toffee sat by the doorway. Maddy could hear the giggling of little girls, and knew that Fred and George's WonderWitch section was thriving.

Feeling like a teenager again, Maddy strolled over to the fluffy pink part of the store, and looked around.

"Oh, aren't they cute…" A young blonde girl exclaimed, "Look, Michelle…"

Maddy watched a little girl with brown hair hurry over to the shelf the other girl was looking at. They continued to make 'aaaaww'ing noises as they watched something in a cage. When she moved closer, she recognized them as Pygmy Puffs.

"What are they?" Michelle asked.

"They're Pygmy Puffs…" Maddy said immediately, before she could stop herself.

The two little girls stood up straight and stared at her. They hadn't expected to get an answer.

"They're miniature Puffskeins…adorable little things, aren't they?"

The little girls nodded, nervously and turned back to the cage. They giggled and then raced off to find their mother. Maddy scooted down in front of the cage and looked in on them. There was a bright purple one continuously rolling around the cage that reminded her of Arnold, Ginny's old Pygmy Puff. But, the sudden thought of Ginny made Maddy fume.

"Never too old for a Pygmy Puff…" A familiar voice said from behind her.

She turned around quickly and came face to face with George Weasley. She knew it was George, cause of the badge on his chest, though she had always been quite skilled when it came to telling the two boys apart. He smiled widely and opened the cage. He picked up a furry green one and handed it to Maddy. The little hairs tickled her fingers.

"Green is your favorite color, right?" he said, knowingly, "'Cause I'm pretty sure you always said your favorite color was green…unless it was someone else and I am much mistaken…but…"

Maddy shook her head, "No, George…you're right. Green is my favorite color…"

George threw his arms above his head triumphantly, "What did I tell ya? I always remember…"

Maddy giggled. Fred and George could always make her laugh, even when she was having one of her lowest of low days.

"All joking aside…" he said, in a serious tone that didn't suit him at all, "What…I don't get a hug or anything?"

Maddy, fully aware of the Pygmy Puff still in her hand, threw her arms around her cousin. He hugged her tightly and then let her go, in fear of hurting the little creature. He gestured to it.

"You can name it Harry…"

Maddy scoffed, "I'll buy a rat and name it Harry…and then kill it…"

George frowned, "Now, that's not very nice…"

"Neither is he…" she said with a little smile.

"You don't mean that…"

"Sometimes…sometimes…" she looked around the store. "Wow…it looks like you're doing good here…business looks great…"

George looked around, "It's hard to believe this all started as a couple of pranks we used to sell at school…"

Maddy nodded, "Yep…it's hard to believe it…"

They were interrupted by an older woman, who looked confused, "Excuse me, Mr. Weasley…my grandson is looking for the Instant Darkness Powder…can you show me where it is?"

George nodded, "Sure…just a sec." He turned back to Maddy, "Well…just keep looking around, and call us if you need anything. Oh and the Pygmy Puff…is on us." He winked and walked away with the lady.

Maddy didn't want to stay very long. Being back in the store made her a bit nostalgic. She started toward the front door, when she heard Verity yell from the back room.

"Fred! George! Don't you think it's time you hired some new help? It's getting a bit crazy back here!"

Maddy chuckled. She remembered when Verity first started working there. She would be afraid to call them anything other than "Mr. Weasley" and "Mr. Weasley". She had been a wild, but timid young thing, especially when she was around Fred. Maddy had always been convinced of something going on between the two of them.

Suddenly, what Verity had just said, sunk in.

"FRED!" She called out, making her way toward the check out counter where twin number two stood. "Fred!"

Fred looked up from his transaction and smiled. "Maddy! I never thought I'd see you in here again…"

Maddy smiled, "Yeah well…" She shook her head. She was getting off track. "Listen, do you need more help around here?"

Fred was struggling with the purchases of three teenagers. "No…" he said sarcastically, "We're doing just fine…"

"'Cause I just got a divorce…and I'm trying to get back on my feet…do you think I could work here?" She spoke very fast as her eyes widened pleadingly.

Fred nearly dropped all the parcels, a smile growing across his face, "Would you?"

Maddy nodded vigorously.

He handed the teenagers their items, and turned to Maddy. "Mad…you are an angel! Oh my God! Thank you so much! How soon can you start?"

Maddy beamed, "As soon as you'll let me!"

Fred nodded, looking over the purchases of a small girl. "How does Monday sound?"

"Monday sounds wonderful! Thank you Fred! Thank you so much!"

And with that, Maddy's view of Fred was blocked by a new wave of customers. She practically bounced out of the store on the balls of her feet with the green Pygmy Puff still clutched in her hands.

New robes were in order, Maddy decided. Hurrying toward Gringotts bank, Maddy forgot that she needed her key. Placing Forge, as she had decided to name her Pygmy Puff (in honor of Fred and George), on her shoulder, she scrounged through her pockets, looking for it.

Deciding that she had merely forgotten it, she snapped her fingers. The key appeared in her outstretched hand. She was most gifted at Summoning Charms.

The trip to her vault, which held more money than she had expected, was uneventful and the visit to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions was even more so. She bought several fashionable robes with intricate designs on them. She left the shop feeling happier than ever.

As she walked down the street, going back toward The Leaky Cauldron, with Forge still on her shoulder, she noticed a vase full of a rare kind of flower outside the Apothecary. She stopped to smell them. (They smelled of elderberries.)

"Maddy?" A girl's voice came from the doorway.

Looking up, Maddy saw a tall woman in black and gold robes, staring at her. Without a beat, Maddy recognized her as Parvati Patil, the girl who accompanied Harry to the Yule Ball.

"Parvati!" She said, stepping up to meet her.

The two girls embraced and looked each other over. They hadn't changed much since Hogwarts.

"Look at you…" Maddy said, excitedly, "Do you work here?"

Parvati nodded, "Unfortunately…. How about you? How have you been? Merlin's Beard, it's been ages…"

"I'm doing good…now at least. I just got hired by Fred and George. I'm trying to get back on my feet. I just got divorced…" Maddy explained.

Parvati frowned, "Oh…I'm sorry. Was it…were you…Harry?"

Maddy shook her head, "No…Harry married Ginny Weasley…"

"Ah…" Parvati said slowly, "Yes, I thought I had heard something about that. I mean, they were dating in school…everyone was jealous…"

"Yes…" Maddy said, a tone of sarcasm crept into her voice, "A tragedy for all girls everywhere…"

Parvati smirked a little, "Oh, but you were upset yourself, I remember. You wouldn't even speak to him afterwards. Then there was that incident with the mermaids. I remember the row you two had about that one…." She laughed to herself, "Good times…"

Maddy smiled guiltily, "Yeah, I suppose so…"

Parvati looked up and down the street, "You know…I thought I heard recently that Harry's marriage isn't going all that well either. Accusing him of having an affair or something…"

Maddy froze. Even the wizarding world had heard about that?

"I dunno what it was, but a lot of people were talking about it. I wouldn't think Harry would ever do such a thing, but he is male…" Parvati sighed deeply.

Maddy laughed nervously, "Yes…that must come into consideration…"

"I mean, if he did, there's no excuse for it…" Parvati shook her head. "The pain Ginny must be going through. It's not fair to her at all. Whoever that girl is, if there is one, she should be ashamed…"

Maddy frowned. She was ashamed, but not because she had caused Ginny pain. She was ashamed that she let her heart run away with her again. She let herself get lost in his arms. She gave in to him.

"Maddy…" Parvati peered into her face looking concerned at her sudden blank expression. "Maddy are you okay? You look odd…"

Maddy broke out of her reverie, "Huh? What? Oh…it's nothing…I just best be off…I have a lot to do back home, that's all. It's been great seeing you again!"

"It's been great seeing you, too! Don't be afraid to stop by sometime!"

And Maddy disappeared into the crowd. She wanted to go home. She had had her fun for the day and was ready to go home and relax. Her only wish was that the house weren't so empty.

A/N: Okay, so there are going to be about…I don't know. Three or four more chapters. Okay, maybe three. Two major and an epilogue. I thank all of you who have stuck with this story and the rest of the Maddy series. You will see Maddy a final time in the true sequel to "I Dated 'The Chosen One'" as soon as that one is finished. (This one isn't considered the true sequel, for I've decided to change some of the events a bit between the two stories, and I like the other idea for a sequel a little better.) Once again, thank you and in the meantime, please review! Ciao!