Yay! Chapter 4! I hope everyone reading this has had a happy holiday season and a very happy New Year! Now I want to address a comment that someone had left me about how much money that Harry had. He had gained this much money because of interest over time with the money itself and investments. If it seems a little much I can change if people want me to, but, I'm leaving it at this amount for the future expenses done throughout the story. I don't really want him going broke. So, now that I've addressed that, onto Chapter 4!
Chapter 4:
When Harry and a very happy Ginny stepped outside, Harry felt as if the whole world was open to him. Not only did he have new-found riches, but a beautiful girlfriend and extended family to love.
"So, where do you want to go first?" Harry asked smiling hand in hand with Ginny.
"Well, how about we get some new clothes and robes first. Then maybe we can get some lunch. After that, you can pick." She was very excited to get on the move, and certainly wasn't worried about spending all of her boyfriends money. She led the way as they walked past shops that were just starting to reopen after the war.
"Oh, let's go in here Harry." She pulled him into a newer looking boutique. As they walked down the aisles Ginny let go of his hand to look at all of the colorful clothes. Silky fabrics, velvety fabrics, see through blues. Harry just trotted along, wondering how Ginny would look in everything.
"How about this?" Ginny held up a deep green soft knit sweater.
"Well that certainly looks like something I'm going to like cuddling you in." Harry responded with a smile. She put it over her arm and continued looking. They went through aisles of soft and vibrant colors, stopping every once in a while to decide on something. As they got to the underwear section, Harry started to blush and turned away.
"What's wrong?" Ginny noticed Harry lagging behind a few steps behind, his eyes looking at the floor.
"Well I kinda feel like I'm in a forbidden area, ya'know? I mean, its a little embarrassing. Ginny laughed at him and his innocence, grabbed his hand and pulled him through anyway. As they finished up last decision they walked to the front to pay.
"You. You're Harry Potter aren't you?" The cashier seemed astounded to be in his precense.
"Yeah I am." Harry, Ginny and the cashier made small talk as they bought and payed for everything.
"Have a nice day you two!" She said as they left. They walked down a few more streets and stopped in front of Madam Malkins. They walked in and were greeted instantly.
"Here, Sit down there and I'll be with you in a moment. Just finishing up." Harry and Ginny sat in the chairs they were directed to.
"So, where do you want to get lunch after this?"
"Hmm, I'm in the mood for ice cream sundaes, so can we go to Florean's?" Ginny already knew Harry was going to agree with anything she said, but she asked to see if he had any ideas.
"Sure. We just need some dress robes and a pair of cloaks, so we can head there right after." After they got fitted and bought their items, they went to Florean's, got some sundaes, and sat outside in the warm spring air.
"It's nice out today." Harry said, making small talk. Ginny nodded and ate. "You want to see if they came out with any brooms in the last few months?" She asked, and Harry hurriedly nodded and said yes, clearly very excited. They finished up their ice cream and almost ran to Quality Quidditch Supplies. They walked inside and saw their dream broom on a model.
"Wow. The Blaze 100." Harry and Ginny marveled with a group of kids also looking at the broom.
"It can reach up to 300 miles per hour, can make the sharpest of the turns, and outraces any opponent to the snitch." Ginny read of the plaque in front of them. "Made by the same maker of the Firebolt." She and Harry looked over the broom for another two minutes before Harry lead her over to the store manager.
"Excuse me, but we were wondering the price of the broom over there." Harry asked
"The Blaze 100? Just got a shipment in. They're 2500 Galleons. It may seem expensive but they are pretty good brooms. Heard that the England Qudditch team is using 'em this year." Harry looked over to Ginny.
"I wonder if Ron would like one as well?" Ginny's jaw dropped.
"You're gonna buy one?" She asked.
"Three actually." This time it was the manager who's jaw dropped. "Uh well um. I'll get them out of the back and ring you up right away." As he hurried away excitedly, Ginny was still trying to figure out what to say. When the manager came back, Harry paid and they waited for him to wrap up their brooms.
"Thank you sir. Please have a pleasant day." The manager said, clearly happy with the huge sale he had made. As Harry and Ginny walked out with the brooms, the kids who had been looking at the model were in awe as they walked by.
"I think that was enough shopping for one day." Ginny said. She had really wanted to go home and try out here new broom. Harry agreed as they apparated to the Burrow. As they walked inside they got inside, they saw Ron, Hermione and Mrs. Weasley sitting at the table enjoying a late lunch.
"Hello you two. I hope your appointments went well. Nothing wrong dear, right?" Mrs. Weasley had jumped up and started fixing them lunch.
"No nothings wrong. The appointments went well, and me and Ginny also went shopping."
"Whad'ya guys get?" Ron asked mid-bite, staring at the three broom shaped packages.
"Oh well, Harry got me clothes, we both got some dress robes and such, and we also got some new brooms." Ginny answered, seeing her brothers excitement right away.
"What brooms did you get? New Firebolts?" Ron asked. "We got some new Blaze 100. We got you one also." Harry answered. Ron immediately jumped up and hugged both of them.
"Can I open it now? We gotta go check them out!" Ron said, ecstatic. "Could you let them eat first? They only just got in." Hermione said, smiling and amused at him. Ron's smile faltered, but continued as he sat down. "Sorry. I got a little caught up with that." He continued eating as they sat down and told of their day. After they finished and put their stuff upstairs, Ron, Harry, and Ginny unwrapped their brooms. After marveling for a moment, they raced outside to test them out.
"WOOOO!" Harry raced across the yard, dipping low, and almost crashing into a tree. After they played around for a few hours, the family had started arriving home, so they finished for the night and went inside to get ready for dinner.
As everyone sat down, Harry looked around at his extended family. He saw Percy, who had clearly been trying to patch things up with his family for the past few days; George, who still looked depressed and empty; Bill and Fleur, who had come over, looking cheerful, but also sad. He smiled, knowing that things were still bad now, but he knew they were going to get better.
"So Harry, did Kingsley say anything about Hogwarts?" Mr. Weasley asked. Harry had left out the details of his meeting with Kingsley when he had gotten to the Burrow.
"Yes. He said that the school was under major construction now, but should be open in September for student to go back."
"You're going back, right Harry?" Hermione asked. "Yes. I already discussed with him that I want to finish school before anything else." "Yay Harry. You'll be going back with us. This year is already going to be better from the rest." Ron had turned away and looked at his plate.
"Ron, you're going back also, aren't you?" She asked, worried. "Uh yeah, about that. I'm not going back." Everyone stopped talking and turned their heads. "You're not going back? You have to! You have to finish you education!" Mrs. Weasley was going red and looked very scary.
"I-I haven't decided yet. But right now, it's a no." After another five minutes of trying to convince him, they gave up and continued with dinner. When cleanup was done, they went into the sitting room making small talk until it was time for bed and everyone started to leave. After a while, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny were the only ones left.
"Yes, I beat you again Hermione. That's 7 to 1 for me."
"Okay Ronald, but it's getting late. I think we should go up to bed."
"But we could play one more round." Hermione started to pull him up, him clearly not getting the point. After she got him upstairs, Harry and Ginny were again alone.
"Have I said I love you today?" She asked.
"I don't think so." He said smiling.
"Well in that case, I love you." And with that, she gave him one of those brain mushing kisses that he loved.