A/N: Hey my minions! Here is the next chapter! Hope you enjoy! I've had this part written for over a year!
Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to Harry Potter. J.K. Rowling and Warner Brothers reserve those rights.
~rAndOM sQuIRrel~
When we last left our beloved characters: "If you're available this afternoon, Hermione, we could all go together for school supplies..."
~rAndOM sQuIRrel~
Hermione and Ginny laughed as Ron stooped in the fireplace, as he was almost hunched over so comically, that his neck pressed against the bricks, his chin against his chest. Ron turned slightly red at the giggling before calling out, "Flourish and Blott's!"
"Okay you next, Hermione," Mrs. Weasley directed. Hermione stood where Ron had only moments ago and soon disappeared in the green flames as well. Ginny followed and then Harry.
When they arrived Ron helped each up off the floor, they stood around for a little, observing their surroundings as they waited for Molly and Arthur to follow.
"What's taking them so long?" voiced Ron.
"Probably taking the opportunity to discuss something while we're not in the house," Ginny said.
"I hope their not plotting to make me go back to school. Mum has been dropping hints here and there and everywhere," Ron groaned.
"She hasn't said anything to me," said Harry.
"That's because you're technically not her kid. And she'd never nag 'the Chosen One'," said Ron.
"I'm fine with her nagging you," said Ginny to Ron, "It gets her off my back. As long as she's occupied with you I'm not noticed at all."
Ron rolled his eyes, and the four sat silent for a while. Slowly, all eight eyes fell upon the same three posters.
Ginny stiffened. "Why… are those… still… here," she growled, quietly. The shop owner came over to welcome them, unaware of what was to come.
"Hello, how are you folks doing tod-," he began.
"Why the bloody hell are those still up?" Ginny yelled, pointing to the three posters showing the faces of her brother, boyfriend, and best friend.
"I- well- we've been trying- sticking charm you know-," he stuttered.
"Well then why haven't you made a bloody attempt to cover it? You wouldn't be here if it weren't for them! They risk everything for you and this is how you repay them? You're letting those psychotic bastards keep control over everyone, by keeping those damn posters up!" Ginny hollered.
"Ginevra Weasley!" they heard Mrs. Weasley behind them. "Language! I could hear you yelling three grates down!" The store owner seemed to have shrunk from Ginny's yelling. "Now you apologize to this poor man, for your insensitive behavior!"
"My insensitive behavior? He's the one who still has the 'Undesirable' posters up!" The two argued for a moment before Ginny stalked off. "You'd think people would hold more respect for those who save their arses!"
"So," said Ron to Hermione, quietly, "I'm guessing keeping mine is out of the question." She smirked before following after Ginny. The storekeeper quickly floated a bookshelf to place in front of the three posters.
Harry and Ron wandered silently before Harry called for Ron.
"What?" Ron asked as he came closer.
"I found something for Hermione's birthday," Harry replied.
"Really?"
"Yeah, she's interested in law, so look at this book- 'Extraordinary Trials in History'. I saw it once in Dumbledore's office."
At the same moment they both seemed to realize that both could not give Hermione the book. Ron and Harry slowly looked at each other sizing the other up and challenging the other to make a move towards the book first.
"Only one of us can get it for her," said Harry.
"Yep," Ron agreed.
"We should decide civilly, who gives it to her."
"Uh-huh."
Without warning, Harry lunged for the book, but Ron was prepared. He blocked Harry's attempt with a sweep of his arm, reaching behind Harry to grab for it, at the same time. Harry in turn grabbed his best mate's arm and the two were tangled together, struggling to get to the book first.
"What are you two doing?" The boys immediately stopped fighting, arms still intertwined, and looked in the direction of Hermione's voice.
"Nothing you need know about," Ron said gruffly, as he tried to keep his grip on the book Harry was trying to twist free if his grasp. Hermione and Ginny turned, books in hand, rolling their eyes. The boys broke apart, once they were out of sight. "I'm going out with her," said Ron, "I should get it for her."
"No, you should get something better than a book for her birthday," Harry said, hands in his pockets. Ron surrendered with a sigh and handed Harry the book. Harry gave him a weak smile, picking up a few quills on the way to the pay counter.
Ron shuffled his feet, thinking. What if I get her another cat? Crookshanks might like a friend... unless they don't get along... Or what if they do? Ron shuddered as images of miniature ginger cats attacking him in exaggerated numbers popped into his head. No. Definitely not a cat... A plant? No, herbology is Neville's thing. What do girls like? But Hermione isn't really a girl. Well, she is, but she's definitely not Lavender. He shivered at the thought of 'Lav-Lav'. He began banging his head against the bookshelf in frustration.
A book, fell from the top shelf and hit Ron on the head. He yelped as he fell under the surprise and weight of the large book. He clumsily stood after gaining his bearings once more, picked up the book and examined the open page.
Protective jewelry, he read. Didn't think of that one. Hmmm...
Among protective jewelry, the most popular is those labeled as 'Cave Inimicum's, Ron read. Designed long before the dark days of You-Know-Who, these are more reliable and safer than those sold by non-credible vendors. Depending upon the variety, the necklace can warn the wearer of approaching enemies, heal minor injuries, and even shield from harmful spells. The jewelry goes through much preparation, including soaking in a Fire-protection potion (protecting the wearer from ordinary fire) and four consistent hours of repeatedly incorporating the Salvio Hexia Spell (deflecting minor jinxes) and of course the Cave Inimicum Charm. Licensed jewelers must have their protective jewelry all certified before placing them on their shelves for sale.
"Hey, Harry! Come look at this! It's perfect!" He called.
"What's perfect?" Hermione's voice said from behind him. Ron quickly closed the book and hid it behind his back as he turned to face her. Beside her were eight books piled precariously on top of each other. She frowned at him, "What are you hiding?"
Ron, thinking quickly, reached for his wand and non-verbally levitated the book so that it floated behind his back. He carefully placed his wand in his back pocket, so as not to cause suspicion. "Nothing," he replied, casually.
She narrowed her eyes, "What's behind your back?"
He innocently showed his hands, revealing that they contained nothing. Though not fully convinced, she gave up the interrogation.
"I found the Standard Book of Spells- Year 7, Theories of Transubstantial Transfiguration, Common Magical Ailments and Afflictions, A Compendium of Common Curses and Their Counteractions, Law and Literature, and Magical Moral Perspective. Oh, and of course Flesh- Eating Trees of the World."
"And you bought all of these?" Ron asked.
"Of course, I need them all for school. Well, all except the two law books. Those are for recreational purposes. Oh! Do you remember this book?" She asked, holding up Moste Potente Potions.
Ron smiled as he pictured them brewing polyjuice in the girls bathroom. "How could I forget,' He chuckled. "You ready?"
"I think so."
"Let's go find Ginny and Harry," He said, picking up the books. He grunted and his face contorted, an odd combination of frown and smile, while trying to lift them.
"Oh Ronald you don't have to carry them," Hermione began. "I can-."
"No, no. Let me. They've got to weigh (60 pounds/ 30 kilograms)."
Hermione smiled at him as he made his way to the door. "Alright, if you insist. Harry said we could find them in Quality Quidditch Supplies." As they exited, Hermione saw a large navy book with silver lettering, floating on the spot they had just left. The title read "The Wizard's Guide to Witches".
They inched through the crowd to the shop just down the street. Hermione opened the door for Ron, who grunted his thanks. Glancing around the pile in his arms, Ron spotted Harry and Ginny standing near a rack of brooms. As he and Hermione neared, Harry and Ginny stopped to watch Ron struggle over, snickering and whispering to each other. Ron put the books down as carefully as possible, before straightening up.
Ginny smiled at him, "I guess chivalry isn't dead."
"No," Ron said. "But if I keep this up, I will be."
"Well, I could have taken care of it myself," Hermione said.
"Maybe, but I highly doubt it. And besides it's my job to take care of you," Ron replied coolly, putting his hands in his pockets.
"First Ronald," she said angrily, "I can take care of myself quite well."
"That's not what I meant," Ron began.
"In addition, wasn't you who once stated 'Are you a witch or not?'."
"Well," Ron said sheepishly.
Hermione sighed before pulling her wand out. Ron quickly backed up, expecting to be hexed. She rolled her eyes at him before saying, "Reducio." The books shrunk and she piled them into her bag.
Ron sighed and turned to his sister and mate. "What are you two doing?"
Harry nodded to a glass case containing a beautifully handcrafted racing broom. "Looking at the newest broom on the market, The Phoenix Flame."
"Wicked," Ron breathed as he examined the broomstick.
The dark wooden handle was polished so that it shone brilliantly and the grain of the wood was beautifully pronounced. The twigs were fashioned to the broom with a silver-blue cord and arranged neatly to form a comet like shape ending in a shapely point. A silver metal, with the same blue hue, branched from the cord to form stirrups that encased the toes of the rider. A strip of dark brown leather was there to hold the rider's foot in 's eyes followed back up the curved body of the broom, to the end where the wood curved down slightly. On it 'Phoenix Flame' gleamed in the same silver-blue coloring, imprinted into the dark wood.
"I was thinking of buying one, seeing as I lost my Firebolt. What do you think?" Harry asked.
"Definitely," Ron said, "As long as I get to ride it after you."
"Too late," Ginny said. "I already called it."
"Alright," he sighed, "I can go third."
Harry smiled, "Okay, lets go order one." He began walking towards the counter before Ron called after him, "Wait for me!" trying to get one last look.
Posters of Quidditch Players from around Europe watched them as they walked to the counter. Gwenog Jones, Merwyn Finwick, Wilda Griffiths all looked down on them with smiles, while Gregory Cotton and Dougal McBride glared at each other. Ron stopped when he saw the poster of Viktor Krum.
The muscled Bulgarian wore a frown and red Quidditch robes. A black broom rested on his shoulder, and his arms crossed, a short black wand in one of his tan hands. Red lipstick was littered all over the poster. The poster-Krum smiled smugly down at Ron as though in mocking. Ron drew his wand and advanced toward the poster, thinking of ways to deface Krum.
"Ron are you coming?" Harry called. Ron sighed, then glared at the poster, and turned away. Ron saw a nice pair of leather quidditch gloves on his way to join Harry and grabbed a pair for Ginny's birthday. He went to the counter, checking to see if Ginny was there first, and asked the manager to get them monogrammed with Ginny's initials. Ron walked over to where Harry was standing once the the gloves had been purchased and gift wrapped.
"They have them in and gold and silver plate, and then two goblin metals that I can't pronounce the name of," Harry said.
"Well after our experience with Griphook, I'm not keen with tangling myself with anything goblin made," Ron replied.
"Same here," Harry said turning to look at the catalogue. "Hmm, well look at them yourself." He turned the catalogue so Ron could see the different styles. "And look who's advertising the Phoenix Flame." Riding each of the brooms was Oliver Wood smiling back at them. Ron smiled.
"I'm glad to see he's doing well after the war,' Hermione said behind them.
Ginny stood next to her. "Me too."
"I was talking to Angelina the other day," Ron said, "And she told me that both his parents were killed. Poor bloke."
"When did you talk to Angelina?" Ginny asked.
"Oh, she comes into the shop all the time to help out," Ron said.
Ginny raised her eyebrows. "What?" Ron asked.
"Nothing," Ginny said innocently, "Just a hunch."
"I'll never understand girls," Ron said, shaking his head.
"Maybe you just need a guide," Hermione hinted at the book he had hid in Flourish and Blott's.
"Well, yeah. I guess that would help," Ron said with slight confusion.
"Would you like to order?" asked the manager with a thick Serbian accent.
"Give us another moment," Harry answered.
"Certainly," the man responded with a nod.
"What do you think, Ron? I personally like the silver one," Harry said.
"The gold looks fancy and nice, but I think the silver shines better," Ron answered.
"Alright," Harry said, "What about you two?" he asked Ginny and Hermione.
"I'm in agreement with Ron. The silver looks better," Ginny replied. Harry then turned for Hermione's opinion.
Hermione hesitated a moment, before answering, "Me too."
"Good enough for me," Harry said. He replaced the catalogue and rang the bell for that man to return.
He quickly reappeared. "How can I help you?" he asked.
"I'd like to order a silver plated Phoenix Flame," Harry said.
"Well, we have only one left in stock.." He said with a smile, "And luckily for you, it's silver-plated."
"Brilliant," Harry said.
"Would you like your name engraved on it?" he asked, "It insures that if it is stolen it still returns when summoned, even though anti-summoning charms have been placed on it."
"Sounds excellent," Harry said, "How much extra is it?"
"Only a galleon more."
"Alright," Harry said with a nod.
"Your total comes to 89 galleons and 3 sickles," he said, before going into the back room to retrieve the purchase.
Harry pulled out the coins from his pouch and slid them across the counter to the man, who quickly counted them. He pulled out his wand, and all four teens reached for theirs with rapid speed. A surprised and worried look crossed the man's face.
"Sorry," Harry apologized, "Force of habit." They all lowered their wands and the man asked shakily for Harry's name.
"Why?" Harry asked cautiously.
"For the engraving," he answered, tapping his wand on the broom handle.
"Oh, right," Harry said, hesitantly. "Harry James Potter."
The only reaction that the wizard expressed was a slight twitch at the corners of his mouth. He calmly carved the name in silver, before studying his handiwork, then passed it over to Harry.
"I'll carry it," Ron said. Harry smiled and passed it over to Ron.
The manager flicked his wand and a receipt came out the tip of his wand. He handed it to Harry, who said 'thanks' with a nod.
They began towards the exit of the shop when Ron paused. "Harry, look at this." Harry leaned over to examine the engraved name. Next to his name was a thin, silver lightning bolt. Harry looked back over his shoulder to the counter, but the man was no longer there.
"Come on. Let's go visit George," Harry said, wrapping his arm around Ginny's waist. Ron swung the broom up on his shoulder while his other hand found its way into Hermione's.
"You know I don't help you because your a girl," Ron said to Hermione. "I-."
"I know," Hermione said. "I overreact sometimes. I know you do it because you care, or are trying to show affection."
"Yeah," Ron said. "You know everything," he said with a grin.
As they were about to exit, a tall wizard in a dark green cloak, swept briskly past them. A dark scowl covered his face and he paid the two couples no attention. His piercing eye color matched the shade of his cloak. A scar began at his right eyebrow, just below his dark curly hair, continuing across his face to his upper lip. A similar looking scar crossed his right hand, as though he had tried to block to oncoming attack.
Harry felt a sense of vague familiarity, but couldn't place where he'd seen the man. Before he could hear what he was saying to the manager, they exited the shop.
~rAndOM sQuIRrel~
A/N: Dun dun dun! And the fun and anxiety begins!