School got cancelled today because of all the snow so I got some free time to write.
Hope you enjoy it!
You Shine Brighter Than Anyone
Chapter 2
Harry turned over irritably in bed and swatted at his alarm clock to shut it off. He only succeeded in knocking it off the bedside table and onto the floor with a loud thud and consequently was forced to leave the warm haven of his bed. Sighing, he placed his feet on the icy floor. Deep shivers rang through his body as he bent down, retrieved the alarm clock, and put it back in its proper place. When he glanced at the alarm clock he groaned, realizing that he only had half an hour to get ready before the Weasleys' would come by floo to collect him and his things and then go to Diagon Alley for some shopping.
Hedwig still asleep in her cage and for that Harry was thankful. Otherwise he'd have to take the time to feed her now and that meant loosing very precious time he needed to get himself together. He quickly took a shower, got dressed in an outfit similar to the one he wore to 'The Prism' last night, and began to drag his trunk and Hedwig's cage down the steps to the front of the fireplace. Looking at the clock mounted on the wall of the living room, Harry was relieved to see that he still had six minutes to spare. He opened Hedwig's cage and gently stroked her feathers.
"Come on girl, wake up. Ron's going to be here soon!" Harry continued to stroke her as she opened one eye and regarded him carefully. Soon enough she nipped his fingers affectionately and hopped down from the bar to the bottom of the cage. Harry placed her food in front of her and then shut the cage securely. Just at that moment, Ron appeared in a flash of green flames.
"Harry how'd your summer g-," He stopped mid-word and stared at Harry.
Harry stared back in confusion. "Ron, what's your problem?"
At this point Ron raised a hand to his lips and widened his eyes even more. It was then that Harry understood. "Oh, you mean my piercings! Merlin, Ron, you really scared me for a second!"
Ron continued staring but as more Weasleys started flooing in his gaze was torn away and he looked towards the fireplace. Out came Fred and George who immediately brought Harry into a brotherly hug.
"How are you Harry? Are you ready to do some shopping?" Fred said as he grinned a linked an arm through Harry's.
"I'm sure he is my dear brother. Mum's waiting for us at the Leaky Cauldron so it's best if we get a move on!" George linked his arm through Harry's remaining one and started pulling him towards the fireplace. When he noticed Harry look back behind him he finally saw Ron. Giving him a chastising look, which Harry had thought was impossible for the whimsical twin, he called back to Ron.
"Come on, Ron! What's keeping you?"
"You guys...don't notice anything different?" Ron asked as his face paled considerably.
Both twins looked from Ron and to Harry and then looked back at Ron before shaking their heads. "Nope, now let's get going!" Ron brought a hand to his lips once more before following the three in front of him into the fire place and saying, "The Leaky Cauldron!"
Eventually all four boys stood in the bottom floor of the Leaky Cauldron and soon enough Harry was being fussed over by a delighted Mrs. Weasley.
"Harry, dear, how you're your summer? Did your horrid Aunt and Uncle treat you alright? Why didn't you come to visit?" Before Harry could answer her questions she interjected. "You're so thin! Come, come. Before we get your supplies for this year we'll get you something to eat."
"No, really Mrs. Weasley, it's okay. I'll just go get my books now and you can all wait for Hermione to get here." Harry said with a reassuring smile. There were some things that he needed to get that he wouldn't be finding at any of the usual stores. Giving him a wary look, Mrs. Weasley clasped her hands in front of her ample belly.
"Are you sure, dear? I'm sure Fred could wait for Hermione here while we shop." She said with a nervous look.
He waved his hands in a nonchalant fashion before walking out the door. "Trust me, I'll be fine! See you in an hour!" With this being said he walked out the door. After throwing a quick glance back at the weathered building he picked up his pace and headed for an alley seven stores down.
When he reached it he looked behind him for a final time before stepping into what seemed to be complete darkness. After a few moments, though, his eyes adjusted and he was able to take in the familiar sight of the alley. No more than 5 feet across, the alley was packed with cardboard boxes and sinister looking men. Putting on a mask of indifference, Harry sauntered over to a man dressed in a blood red robe with a hood pulled over the majority of his face.
"Taylor?" Harry asked quietly although he knew who the man was. The man nodded his head once and stuck his hand out. Harry looked grudgingly at the dirt stained hand before reaching into his pockets and giving him two hundred dollars of muggle money. After counting the money twice, Taylor gave Harry an ounce and a half of weed and 7 ecstasy pills.
Harry pocketed his 'school supplies' and headed back to the Leaky Cauldron. By the time he got there Hermione had arrived and was engaged in a conversation with Ginny. When she saw him she jumped up from her seat and captured him in a warm hug. Draping an arm around his shoulder she flashed him a grin that only a dentists daughter could have.
"And here I thought you had bailed on us! What took you so long?" She asked.
Harry smiled at her but his eyes held an underlying warning. "I had to go get my school supplies, Hermione."
As realization dawned on her, her eyes widened. "Oh, school supplies! I'd forgotten all about those. Did you have any trouble getting them?"
Before Harry could answer Ginny joined the pair. "Of course not, Hermione! It's Harry we're talking about. Do you really think the people at Flourish and Blotts would give him any trouble?"
Hermione and Harry shared a secret smile before answering. "You're right, Ginny. What was I thinking?" Hermione said with a grin on her face.
"Alright kids, it's time to get going! Harry dear, could you make sure Ron doesn't forget anything? You know how he gets." Mrs. Weasley said as she began heading out the door.
Ron's face flushed tomato red. "Mom, I'm not a baby! I can look after myself. Right Har?"
Harry nodded his head and waiting until Ron followed his mom out the door before grabbing Ron's wand and two of his school books off the table. Hermione laughed at Ron's forgetfulness as she and Harry left the Leaky Cauldron and caught up with the rest of the group. This year was already turning out to be fun indeed.
Reviews are appreciated as always!
Much love.
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