Chapter 3
The twins remained within the confines of the Burrow's garden over the next few weeks. They spent most of their days playing two-a-side Quidditch in the Weasleys' orchard (the twins against Ron and Ginny; Ron was alright but Ginny was good) and their evenings eating triple helpings of everything Mrs. Weasley put in front of them. There were breaks, of course, where the twins and Ron went to their room and Harry just watched as James and Ron worked out with the muggle and magical weights.
It would have been a happy, peaceful holiday had it not been for the stories of disappearances, odd accidents, even of deaths now appearing almost daily in the Prophet. Sometimes Bill and Mr. Weasley brought home news before it even reached the paper. To Mrs. Weasley's displeasure, the twins' sixteenth birthday celebrations were marred by grisly tidings brought to the party by Remus Lupin, who was looking gaunt and grim, his brown hair streaked liberally with gray, his clothes more ragged and patched than ever.
"There have been another couple of dementor attacks," he announced as Mrs. Weasley passed him a large slice of birthday cake. "And they've found Igor Karkaroff's body in a shack up north. The Dark Mark had been set over it—well, frankly, I'm surprised he stayed alive for even a year after deserting the Death Eaters. Sirius's brother, Regulus, only managed a few days as far as I can remember."
"Who was Karkaroff again?" Harry asked looking to his brother.
"Umm he was the headmaster of Krum's school," James said. "The one who threw daggers with his eyes at us all the time. … It didn't help that Krum danced with you during the Yule Ball now does it?"
"It was nice," Harry blushed, although there was some resentment in his tone.
"Just remember who saved you in that lake," James whispered as Bill began talking.
"Did you hear about Florean Fortescue, Remus?" Bill asked, who was being plied with wine by Fleur. "The man who ran—"
"—the ice-cream place in Diagon Alley?" Harry interrupted, with an unpleasant, hollow sensation in the pit of his stomach. "He used to give me and James free ice creams. What happened to him?"
"Dragged off, by the look of his place."
"Why?" Ron asked, while Mrs. Weasley pointedly glared at Bill.
"Who knows? He must've upset them somehow. He was a good man, Florean."
"Talking of Diagon Alley," Mr. Weasley said, "looks like Ollivander's gone too."
"The wandmaker?" Ginny said, looking startled.
Harry and James looked at each other shocked. Harry leaned into James and whispered "Do you think that our place could be—"
"No, it's impossible," James said with a worried expression. "Nobody but the members know about the place."
"But still…" Harry frowned, "Nothing is safe, nowadays right? What if the Death Eaters got one of the members and forced the information out of them, even by accident?"
"Harry," James sighed. "You need to stop worrying, the place is safe, believe me. You know how wards are protecting the place."
"I know but I can't stop worrying," Harry said. He looked at James's eyes and said, "What if we can't go there anymore? What if the Death Eaters decide to use it? An instant passageway from Diagon Alley to Hogsmeade!"
"Harry now you're overthinking," James said, though form the flick of his eyes Harry knew that James was worried too.
"What are you two talking about?" Ron's voice interrupted them. The twins turned to Ron who was sitting next to Harry.
"Oh umm…" Harry said, his eyes moving from James to Ron as a light blush developed on his cheeks.
James looked down at Harry and to Ron and gave a small smirk. "A place in Diagon Alley… and Hogsmeade. Very secretive."
"It is?" Ron asked.
"Yeah," James said. He looked at his brother for a moment than said, "Yeah very secretive, sometimes there's masks and everything but… we can get you in, if you want that is."
Ron's face beamed up with glee. "Yeah! Why not?"
"Awesome," James said. "Next time we're at Diagon Alley Harry and I will show you exactly where it is. Isn't that right Harry?"
"James, it's in Knock— "
"Don't worry about it Harry," James said putting a shoulder around Harry's shoulders. "I'm sure Ron'll be a perfect fit for our place."
Harry looked between the two muscled teens and just nodded before returning to his birthday cake.
"So, what's it called?" Ron asked grinning.
"You'll see," James said with a knowing smirk looking down at Harry. "It's a very nice place."
Harry, his mouth still full of cake, just nodded. "Lots of people like us," James said. "You might even see familiar faces… if they're not wearing masks of course."
"Masks?" Ron asked, his face scrunching slightly.
"You'll see," James said.
The day after this rather gloomy birthday tea, their letters and booklists arrived from Hogwarts. James' included a surprise: He had been made Quidditch Captain.
"That gives you equal status with prefects!" Hermione cried happily. "You can use our special bathroom now and everything!"
"Wow, I remember when Charlie wore one of these," Ron said, examining the badge with glee. "James, this is so cool, you're my Captain—if you let me back on the team, I suppose, ha ha. …"
"Well, I don't suppose we can put off a trip to Diagon Alley much longer now you've got these," Mrs. Weasley sighed, looking down Ron's booklist. "We'll go on Saturday as long as your father doesn't have to go into work again. I'm not going there without him."
"Mum, d'you honestly think You-Know-Who's going to be hiding behind a bookshelf in Flourish and Blotts?" Ron sniggered.
"Fortescue and Ollivander went on holiday, did they?" Mrs. Weasley said, firing up at once. "If you think security's a laughing matter you can stay behind and I'll get your things myself—"
"No, I wanna come, I want to see Fred and George's shop!" Ron said hastily.
"Then you just buck up your ideas, young man, before I decide you're too immature to come with us!" Mrs. Weasley said angrily, snatching up her clock, all nine hands of which were still pointing at "mortal peril," and balancing it on top of a pile of just-laundered towels. "And that goes for returning to Hogwarts as well!"
Ron turned to stare incredulously at James and Harry as his mother hoisted the laundry basket and the teetering clock into her arms and stormed out of the room.
"Blimey… you can't even make a joke round her anymore. …"
Harry just shrugged and snatched James's captain badge. Grinning at him he said cheekily, "Should I be calling you 'Captain' now?"
"If you're tired of 'Sir,' 'Master,' or your superior," James laughed. "Although if you don't want to be my Seeker…"
"As if you'll find anyone better than me," Harry bit back. "Come on, I know you want to prepare our clothes for Saturday."
"Of course," James smirked. He looked at Ron and said, "Make sure to wear dark clothing under your cloak, alright… and don't look too Muggle-ish."
Ron looked at the twins confused. Harry just shook his head and said, "Don't worry about it, he's just being prudish."
James just gave a snort huff and ruffled Harry's hair roughly. "Come on then, help your 'Captain' with your clothes."
Saturday dawned without any more outbursts from Mrs. Weasley, though she seemed very tense at breakfast. Bill, who would be staying at home with Fleur (much to Hermione and Ginny's pleasure), passed a full money back across the table to James.
"Where's mine?" Ron demanded at once, his eyes wide.
"That's already James', idiot," Bill said. "I got it out of your vault for you, boys, because it's taking about five hours for the public to get to their gold at the moment, the goblins have tightened security so much."
"Thanks Bill," James said passing the bag to Harry. Harry took out his wand and tapped the bag, which immediately split into two smaller bags of money which the twins pocketed.
"'E is always so thoughtful," Fleur purred adoringly, stroking Bill's nose. Ginny mimed vomiting into her cereal behind Fleur.
IT was an overcast, murky day. One of the special Ministry of Magic cars, in which Harry and James had ridden once before, was awaiting them in the front yard when they emerged from the house, pulling on their cloaks. James brought his bag, which had the Invisibility Cloak inside.
"Its good Dad can get us these again," Ron said appreciatively, stretching luxuriously as the car moved smoothly away from the Burrow, Bill and Fleur waving from the kitchen window. He, Harry, James, Hermione, and Ginny were all sitting in roomy comfort in the wide backseat.
"Don't get used to it, it's only because of James and Harry," Mr. Weasley said over his shoulder. He and Mrs. Weasley were in front with the Ministry driver. "They've been given top-grade security status. And we'll be joining up with additional security at the Leaky Cauldron too."
Harry said nothing' he didn't much fancy doing his shopping while surrounded by a battalion of Aurors. Though he knew that none of them stood a chance of stopping him and James from going to their place. Speaking of which, Harry stretched his body out a little as he looked down at the clothes James had him wear. They were all very tight, Harry felt like his shirt was practically a second skin as it hugged his form, and his pants… Harry didn't want to begin thinking of what he was wearing underneath his pants for fearing he would start blushing madly.
"Why do I let you dress me?" Harry muttered angrily elbowing James lightly.
James just laughed and shrugged, he was wearing a matching shirt and jeans that were both form-fitting. "Just because," he smiled.
"Nobody there will be wearing stuff like this," Harry whispered. "Besides, look at Ron! We're making him nervous!"
The twins looked at Ron, who was wearing normal clothing and kept glancing at the twins' clothes before looking at his own. "Don't worry about him, besides our robes cover most of it," James shrugged. "Relax Harry. The first thing I'm doing is getting you a butterbeer."
Harry said nothing but slumped back into his seats, pulling his robes over his clothes to make sure that they were completely hidden.
"Here you are then," the driver said, a surprisingly short while later, speaking for the first time as he slowed in Charing Cross Road and stopped outside the Leaky Cauldron. "I'm to wait for you, any idea how long you'll be?"
"A couple of hours, I expect," Mr. Weasley said. "Ah, good, he's here!"
Harry imitated Mr. Weasley and peered through the window; his heart leapt. There were no Aurors waiting outside the inn, but instead the gigantic, black-bearded form of Rubeus Hagrid wearing a long beaverskin coat, beaming at the sight of Harry's face and oblivious to the startled stares of passing Muggles.
"Harry!" he boomed, sweeping Harry and James into a bone-crushing hug the moment the twins had stepped out of the car. "Buckbeak—Witherwings, I mean—yeh should see him, boys, he's so happy ter be back in the open air—"
"Glad he's pleased," James said, grinning as he massaged his ribs. "We didn't mean 'security' meant you!"
"I know, jus' like old times, innit? See, the Ministry wanted ter send a bunch o' Aurors, but Dumbledore said I'd do," Hagrid said proudly, throwing out his chest and tucking his thumbs into his pockets. "Let's get goin' then—after yeh, Molly, Arthur—"
The Leaky Cauldron was, for the first time, completely empty. Only Tom the landlord, wizened and toothless, remained of the old crowd. He looked up hopefully as they entered, but before he could speak, Hagrid said importantly, "Jus' passin' through today, Tom, sure yeh understand, Hogwarts business, yeh know."
Tom nodded gloomily and returned to wiping glasses. James and Harry looked at each other frowning a little. An empty Leaky Cauldron couldn't be a good sign.
Diagon Alley had changed. The colorful, glittering window displays of spellbooks, potion ingredients, and cauldrons were lost to view, hidden behind the large Ministry of Magic posters that had been pasted over them. Most of these somber purple posters carried blown-up versions of the security advice on the Ministry pamphlets that had been sent out over the summer, but others bore moving black-and-white photographs of Death Eaters known to be on the loose. A few windows were boarded up, including those of Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor. On the other hand, a number of shabby-looking stalls had sprung up along the street. The nearest one, which had been erected outside Flourish and Blotts, under a striped, stained awning, had a cardboard sign pinned to its front:
AMULETS
Effective Against Werewolves, Dementors, and Inferi
"James… you sure that it'll be open?" Harry whispered to his twin.
"I admit this can be a bad sign but still… the place's hidden," James whispered back as they passed a seedy-looking wizard. "And it's in Knockturn Alley! You think the Death Eaters would be going around destroying Knockturn Alley?"
"I don't know, maybe," Harry said looking around. "Do you think we'll have time?"
"Of course, Harry, stop worrying…" James said.
The group decided to split in half, James, Harry, Ron, and Hermione going with Hagrid to Madam Malkin's while Ginny head with her parents to Flourish and Blotts. Harry noticed that many of the people who passed them had the same harried, anxious looks as Mrs. Weasley, and that nobody was stopping to talk anymore; the shoppers stayed together in their own tightly knit groups, moving intently about their business. Nobody seemed to be shopping alone.
Ron looked at James and Harry and whispered, "Is that thing still on?"
"Of course, it is," James smiled. "Don't worry Ron, the wait will be well worth it. Hell, you might even think of becoming a member like Harry and I." James flashed Ron a smile as he wrapped an arm around Harry's shoulder.
The four teens entered the little shop together with Hagrid standing guard outside. It appeared, at first glance, to be empty, but no sooner had the door swung shut behind them than they heard a familiar voice issuing from behind a rack of dress robes in spangled green and blue.
"… not a child, in case you haven't noticed, Mother. I am perfectly capable of doing my shopping alone.' Can you believe her? Honestly."
There was a chuckling noise and a voice Harry recognized as that of Madam Malkin, the owner, said, "Now, dear, your mother's quite right, none of us is supposed to go wandering around on our own anymore, it's nothing to do with being a child—
"—Ow! Watch where you're sticking that pin, will you!"
A teenage boy with a pale, aristocratic face and platinum-blond hair appeared from behind the rack, wearing a handsome set of dark green robes that glittered with pins around the hem and the edges of the sleeves. He strode to the mirror and examined himself; it was a few moments before he noticed Harry, James, Ron, and Hermione reflected over his shoulder. His silver eyes narrowed.
"Oh, the Potter twins are here," He sneered. "Here I thought you two would be stuffed in a prison somewhere to keep from harm."
"Honestly Malfoy is that really necessary?" a voice said from behind the racks. A tall teen with chocolate-colored skin walked through the racks wearing a similar set of dark green robes. He had broad shoulders, very short black hair, and a dangerous glint in his eye that was strangely familiar to Harry. When he saw the Potters, he stopped for a moment before saying "Potters. Weasley."
"Zabini," James said.
The three stared at each other for a while, Harry's eyes glancing back and forth from James to Zabini as a tense silence fell upon them. Why does his eyes look so familiar?
"Well," Malfoy sneered breaking the silence, "are you going to do something or just stand there all day?"
Zabini's eyes just glanced back at Malfoy for just a second before looking at James and Harry. "Potters… we'll see you at school," he said tensely.
"Of course," James said. Harry felt his brother's hand grab his lower arm tightly and was pulled closer to his side as Zabini turned to Madam Malkin and handed her a small bag of gold.
"For our robes," he said. Turning to Malfoy he said, "Draco, we're leaving." He pulled out a wand and flicked it; their dress robes flew off of their bodies and neatly folded themselves as the pins and needles shot out of Malfoy's robes and into a tin nearby.
Malfoy just stared at Zabini for a moment before huffing. "See you at school," he said rudely to James and Harry, making sure to knock his shoulder into Harry's as he left. "Let's go to Twilfitt and Tatting's, Blaise, they have a much better selection than this scum," he said as the two Slytherins left the shop.
James just glared at the door for a bit before turning to Madam Malkin.
"What just happened?" Ron asked looking around confused.
"I'm guessing James and Zabini had a glaring match," Hermione said, "and James won."
They both looked towards the twins who were busy whispering to each other. "What are they talking about?" Hermione asked.
"I don't know," Ron shrugged. "Fred and George talked to each other all the time like that. I've learned best not to question it."
Madam Malkin was distracted all through the fitting of Ron's and James's new robes, tried to sell Harry witch's robes instead of wizard's, and when she finally bowed them out of the shop it was with an air of being glad to see the back of them.
"Got ev'rything?" Hagrid asked brightly when they reappeared.
"Just about yeah," Harry said.
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and Ginny appeared, all clutching heavy packages of books.
"Everyone all right?" Mrs. Weasley said. "Got your robes? Right then, we can pop into the Apothecary and Eeylops on the way to Fred and George's—stick close, now. …"
Neither Harry nor Ron brought any ingredients at the Apothecary, seeing that they did not get the 'Outstanding' required to continue Potions, but both brought large boxes of owl nuts for Hedwig and Pigwidgeon at Eeylops Owl Emporium. James looked at his and Harry's bags filled with owl treats and smirked "Hedwig must love her daddies."
"Considering we're feeding her two helpings every day?" Harry asked sharing a smile. Mrs. Weasley lead the way further down the street in search of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, the joke shop run by Fred and George.
"Whoa," Ron said, stopping in his tracks.
Set against the dull, poster-muffled shop fronts around them, Fred and George's windows hit the eye like a firework display. Casual passerby were looking back over their shoulders at the windows, and a few rather stunned-looking people had actually come to a halt, transfixed. The left-hand window was dazzlingly full of an assortment of goods that revolved, popped, flashed, bounced, and shrieked; Harry's eyes began to water just looking at it. The right-hand window was covered with a gigantic poster, purple like those of the Ministry, but emblazoned with flashing yellow letters:
WHY ARE YOU WORRYING ABOUT
YOU-KNOW-WHO?
YOU SHOULD BE WORRYING ABOUT
U-NO-POO –
THE CONSTIPATION SENSATION
THAT'S GRIPPING THE NATION!
Harry and James started to laugh. They heard a weak sort of moan beside him and looked around to see Mrs. Weasley gazing, dumbfounded, at the poster. Her lips moved silently, mouthing the name "U-No-Poo."
"They'll be murdered in their beds!" she whispered.
"No they won't!" Ron said. "This is brilliant!"
James and Harry led the way into the shop, James dragging his brother after him. It was packed with customers: Harry could not get near the shelves. He stared around, looking up at the boxes piled to the ceiling: Here were the Skiving Snackboxes that the Weasley twins had perfected during their last, unfinished year of Hogwarts; Harry noticed that the Nosebleed Nougat was most popular, with only one battered box left on the shelf. There were bins full of trick wands, and boxes of quills, which came in Self-Inking, Spell-Checking, and Smart-Answer varieties. A space cleared in the crowd, and James pulled Harry towards the counter, where a gaggle of delighted ten year olds was watching a tiny wooden man slowly ascending the steps to a real set of gallows, both perched on a box that read: REUSABLE HANGMAN—SPELL IT OR HE'LL SWING!
"Well! If it isn't the twins," a voice beamed from behind them. Harry and James turned to see Fred standing before them, wearing a set of magenta robes that clashed magnificently with his flaming hair. "How are you doing boys?"
"Alright Fred," James smiled. "Will we be seeing you and George later at the place?"
"Of course, of course!" Fred smiled. "George and I go there every day. I mean, where else will the hottest twin couple go?"
"Anywhere that Harry and I go, right Harry?" James said pulling Harry to his side.
Harry just blushed and nodded. Fred laughed and said, "Please James, you and Harry are still only on chaste kisses, whereas George and I have done everything twins can do to show their love for each other." Harry glanced at his brother, his face reddening even deeper. "We're bringing Ron!" he blurted out, wanting to end this discussion.
Fred looked at Harry for a moment before chuckling, "Then he'll just watch his sexy brothers make out in our corner."
"The place isn't supposed to be lewd," Harry argued. "It's just a pub."
"A very special pub, with a special name," Fred said wagging his eyebrows. "But we'll talk more about it later, to save Harry's innocence." Harry glared at Fred but thanked him. "Come on, I'll give you guys a tour."
The twins followed Fred toward the back of the shop, where he saw a stand of card and rope tricks.
"Muggle magic tricks!" Fred said happily, pointing them out. "For freaks like Dad, you know, who love Muggle stuff. It's not a big earner, but we do fairly steady income, they're great novelties. …Oh, here's George. …"
Fred's twin shook James's and Harry's hands energetically before turning to Fred kissing him deeply. "Giving them the tour? Come through the back, boys, that's where we're making the real money."
George pushed back a curtain beside the Muggle tricks and Harry saw a darker, less crowded room. The packaging on the products lining these shelves was more subdued. "We've just developed this more serious line," Fred said. "Funny how it happened…"
"You wouldn't believe how many people, even people in the Ministry, can't do a decent Shield Charm," George said. "'Course they didn't have two visually appealing twins to teach them." He winked.
"That's right. …Well, we thought Shield Hats were a bit of a laugh, you know, challenge your friend to a duel while wearing it and watch his face when the jinxes just bounce off. But the Ministry brought five hundred of all its support staff! And we're still getting massive orders!"
"So we've expanded into a range of Shield Cloaks, Shield Gloves …"
"…I mean, they're pointless against the Unforgivable Curses, but for minor to moderate hexes or jinxes they work."
"Look at this! Instant Darkness Powder, we're important it from Peru. Handy if you want a quick getaway," Fred said.
Harry went to the nearest box and opened it pulling out a pair of gloves. Taking his wand, he poked and prodded the pair of gloves and turned to the twins. "This is brilliant guys! Seriously the wandwork… the charms… just brilliant!"
"Look at that Fred, he complimented us," George said.
"I think he deserves a thank you, George," Fred smiled. The twins went up to Harry and pulled him from the floor, crushing him between their bodies as they both kissed his cheek comically. "He smells like strawberries, George?" Fred asked.
"I think apples," George said.
"Then kiss him again!" James called out with a huge smile on his face as he tried his best to keep from laughing.
The twins did so before letting Harry drop to the floor. James walked up laughing and pulled Harry to his side. Harry gave him a glare before looking at the twins. "But umm seriously… good job guys," he said.
"Thanks," George said. A young witch with short blonde hair poked her head around the curtain; Harry saw that she too was wearing magenta staff robes. "There's a customer out here looking for a joke cauldron, Mr. Weasley and Mr. Weasley," she said.
Harry found it very odd to hear Fred and George called "Mr. Weasley," but they took it in their stride.
"Right, you are, Verity, I'm coming," George said promptly. "Will we see you at the place?" he asked James and Harry.
"Of course you will," Fred said. "And they're bringing little Ron along as well!"
"He's not little anymore," George chuckled. "But can't wait to hear his reaction! Take whatever you want boys, no charge!"
"Yeah, you two gave us our start-up loan, we haven't forgotten," Fred said sternly. "Take whatever you like, and just remember to tell people where you got it, if they ask."
George swept off through the curtain to help with the customers, and Fred led James and Harry back into the main part of the shop to find Hermione and Ginny poring over the Patented Daydream Charms. "Haven't you girls found our special WonderWitch products yet?" Fred asked. "Follow me, ladies…"
James held Harry's arm and smiled at him. "Let's go!" he whispered.
Harry nodded and looked around for Ron, who was eyeing several boxes. He pointed Ron out to James and they made their way to him. "Ron," James said. "Follow us for the best place of your life."
"We're going? We're actually going?" Ron said with excitement.
"Absolutely, now come on!" James said pulling out the Invisibility Cloak. Harry was crammed between the two muscled bodies as James threw the cloak over the three of them. Nobody noticed them vanish; they were all too interested in Fred and George's products. Harry, Ron, and James squeezed their way out of the door as quickly as they could. "Just follow us," James murmured as he and Harry began walking their way towards Knockturn Alley, turning left into it. They stopped at the entrance of it as Ron's feet stopped moving.
"James? You know where you're going right?" Ron whispered.
"Of course I do," James said. "The place is in Knockturn Alley. …Didn't we tell you?"
"No," Ron said.
"You're not afraid are you, Ron?" Harry asked innocently turning to face him.
"N-No it's just…"
"Then let's go! I owe my brother a butterbeer," James said. The street looked completely deserted. They peered into windows as they passed, but none of the shops seemed to have any customers at all. Harry supposed it was a bit of a giveaway in these dangerous and suspicious times to buy Dark artifacts—or at least, to be seen buying them. But the shops' desertions only made Harry worry even more. "James…"
"It'll be full, don't worry," James said. They stopped abruptly in front of an old small house that was crammed between two large shops just like Harry was crammed between the muscled bodies of Ron and James. James smiled at the two and pulled off the Invisibility Cloak.
"James!" Ron panicked.
"Relax Ron, nothing's going to happen," James smiled. He took out his wand and tapped the door three times. With a shutter, the door slid across to revealing a fat goblin wearing a business suit and slick-black hair. "Well, if it ain't the Potter twins. Come in, come in," he said in a terrible American accent..
"Thanks Gurlock," Harry said walking past the doorman. James did as well and Ron hesitated before attempting to get in only to be stopped by the goblin.
"Hold it. Whos' are you?" the goblin said eyeing Ron.
"Ron Weasley, he's with us," James said.
"Another Weasley!" the goblin exclaimed. "What's that now four? Fine. Get in, quick now idiot, let's go!"
Ron ran into the small house, the wooden door closing behind him. They were in a very small room with only a desk that had a ledger and a candle lit on it. "You doing masks or no masks today?" Gurlock asked returning to his seat.
"No masks," James said. The goblin wrote something on the ledger and looked at Ron. "Name."
"W-what?"
"Your name idiot," Gurlock said. "You need to finish your membership sheet before going in. Members only, capise?"
"Ignore his accent, he only does it to scare new comers," James said.
Ron just nodded and looked at the Goblin. "Ron Weasley," he said nervously.
The goblin wrote it down and proceeded to ask Ron several questions about his birth, age, wand length, and home. When he was done, the goblin snapped his fingers and a small piece of parchment floated towards Ron showing all of the information that Ron told the goblin, as well as a picture of Ron. "Keep that on you for your first week, don't lose it, and don't worry if it starts to glow red. It does that."
Ron took the piece of paper, his hands shaking as he did so and looked at the goblin who just looked down at his ledger.
"Thanks Gurlock," James said motioning for Ron to stuff the piece of paper into his pocket. The goblin just grunted and knocked on the wall behind him twice. The wall slid down revealing a larger corridor that was furnished lavishly with warm colors. At the end of the corridor was a pair of twin oak doors that Harry and James opened.
The room was easily larger than The Three Broomsticks. Tables and booths took up most of the space, and most of them were already packed with wizards and witches. There was a calmer, more relaxed atmosphere compared to the atmosphere outside in Diagon Alley and Knockturn Alley. Ron looked around amazed at all the people walking around, figuring out that many of them were from outside of England. The walls were stone with enchanted windows that showed the weather outside, in this case cloudy, and torches gave the pub a warm, dark feeling as the witches and wizards moved around from table to table. On closer inspection Ron saw that some of the people were wearing silver masks with holes for the mouth and eyes while others walked around like him, James, and Harry, maskless. Harry turned and smiled when he saw Ron's stunned expression. "Welcome to Devilish Intentions," Harry smiled.
Ron looked around, seeing the spacious tables and the crowds all talking in a jovial manner. There were students their age as well as witches and Wizards well into adulthood. "It's wonderful… how is this a secret?" he asked Harry and James, who just grinned.
"They keep on a need-to-know basics," James said. "This place is a neutral place where witches and wizards from all over the world can just relax. The masks are for those who want, or require, extra secrecy. And then there are those who think they look hot in it." He added with a smirk. "How about you and Harry go find a table, and I'll get the butterbeers? I'm sure we have time for at least one round," James said.
"Alright," Harry said. He looked at Ron and motioned him to follow as the two walked deeper into the pub, Ron's eyes always wondering about. "How many people are in here, Harry?" he asked.
"I don't know… a lot, I guess," Harry shrugged. "This place is very popular though only a few handful know about it."
"Handful? Harry! There's more people here than Gryffindor and Ravenclaw House put together!" Ron gasped. Harry chuckled and looked around. "There's an empty table there," he said pointing to a table that six wizards just vacated. "Come on!"
They made their way to the table and sat down. Ron was still looking around and asked, "How did you guys find this place?"
"Ohh well… Krum showed it to me first, then I showed James," Harry said waving his hand. "Look! It's Seamus!"
Ron turned to see Seamus Finnigan walked towards them smiling broadly. "Harry! Good to see you mate," Seamus said. He looked at Ron and his eyes went wide for a second. "Ron! So you finally got here, didn't you? Isn't this place great?"
"It's something," Ron said, still in shock at the place. "How did you—"
"James can't keep a secret," Seamus smirked. "When Dean and I noticed that these two were heading somewhere in Hogsmeade every time we just had to know."
"So is that it? I'm the only one who doesn't know about it?" Ron asked jealously, getting suddenly angry.
"No! That's not true," Harry said. "A lot of people don't know about this place. Neville doesn't, and neither does Hermione or Ginny or any of the other Gryffindors."
"I see…" Ron said. Seamus just looked between the two of them and said, "I'm with some other friends so I'll see you guys at Hogwarts."
"Alright Seamus, bye," Harry said.
"Bye," Ron said.
Harry turned to his friend and frowned. "Ron, what's the matter?"
"Nothing's the matter. It's just Seamus knows more about my best friends than I do," Ron grumbled.
"Ron, seriously, we were planning on bringing you here," Harry said. "It's just that last year everything with Umbridge and all that other stuff… we got a bit sidetracked."
We did?" James asked as he walked towards them with three bottles of butterbeer. "Sidetracked with what?"
"Bringing me here," Ron said.
"Oh… yeah," James said. "Sorry Ron that we took so long." James frowned. "We wanted to bring you during the final Hogsmeade visit but…"
"I know, Umbridge," Ron sighed. He took his butterbeer and said, "I guess better late than never, right?"
"Exactly!" James smiled. He looked at Harry and said, "I've met a friend by the bar, and wouldn't you know he has a new guy as well."
"Really? Who is it?" Harry asked.
"Ze," James said.
"Ze's here?" Harry said smiling. He saw Ron's confusion and said, "Ze's a friend of ours who goes here. He tells us he's also a Hogwarts student but won't tell us who he is."
"He keeps making us guess, he thinks its funny," James said. "Ahh! Here's Ze!"
Ron turned to see two boys their age walk towards them. They both had the silver masks on, though through the masks he could see brown and silver eyes. From their robes Ron could see that Ze had chocolate-colored skin while the other boy was pale.
"Ze!" James smiled hugging the boy. "How are you?"
"I'm doing very well James," the boy said as he turned to hug Harry. "I'm just here to help my friend relax. He's having a hard time." Ze pointed to his friend who glared at him.
"I told you not to tell anyone that," he hissed through his mask.
"This is a place of neutrality, Dee," Ze said smiling. "So why don't you just sit across Harry and relax?"
The pale boy just glared at Ze before following. He sat across of Harry who smiled and offered his hand. "I'm guessing we're going to have to guess your name too?" he chuckled.
"Yeah, I guess," Dee grumbled.
"So are you in our year?" Harry asked.
"Yeah, we are," Dee said. "Honestly Pot—Harry, how can you not know that?"
Harry blushed and said, "It would help if I could see your face."
"Well that's not going to happen today," Dee said crossing his arms. Harry laughed, which surprised him.
"So how many O.W.L.s did you get?" Harry asked.
"Nine," the boy said with pride. "You?"
"Seven, but there were Three 'Outstandings,'" Harry said.
"Ha, I've gotten five 'Outstandings' Potter," Dee said.
"Oh really? What subjects?" Harry asked.
The boy's eyes glinted as if he was smirking and said, "Transfiguration, Potions, Charms, Ancient Runes, and Herbology. You?"
Harry shared the smirk and said, "Transfiguration, Charms, and Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"What Potter, no Potions?" Dee asked with the same swagger.
"No, wrong Potter Dee, but I've got an Exceeds Expectations," Harry said, matching Dee's swagger.
"Not good enough then," Dee said shaking his head. "Shame, here I was thinking of beating you in Potions again. Like always."
"Ha!" Harry barked. "James and I are unstoppable in Potions, right?" Harry turned to James only to see that he and Ron were deep in conversation with Ze.
"No help for you Potter, shame," Dee sighed before taking a sip from his butterbeer.
Harry shrugged and said, "Well at least I don't need to take Ancient Runes, I'm already top of the class in Transfiguration and Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"Don't need Ancient Runes? And why is that Harry?" Dee asked, leaning into the table.
Harry leaned in as well and said, "Simple, because I can turn notebooks into a pensieve."
That shocked Dee as he leaned back. "You what?"
"Yeah," Harry said confidently. "I can turn notebooks into pensieves. I have six of them already, all filled with my memories starting from first year up to now. Of course, I've only gotten the idea in second year… and didn't do the first one successfully till the middle of fourth year… but now I've just about mastered it."
"Potter," Dee said seriously. "Crafting a pensieve is only a powerful wizard can do, and that is only for a regular pensieve. But to turn a notebook into one… that's unheard of!"
"I know, which is why I'm proud of my work," Harry said. "You cannot believe how many spells I need to cast and runes I need to make."
"You need to show this to someone," Dee said.
Harry shook his head immediately. "No, no I won't. … I only show my diaries to James. Besides… only four people know about them, and they're all sitting at this table."
"But still Potter, if you can master making a pensieve at fourteen… just think of the possibilities, not profit but magic wise! You can try and create new spells you've never thought of, master spells thought out of your limit … fix things that everyone thinks are beyond broken. …The possibilities are endless Harry," Dee said passionately.
Harry looked at him and bit his bottom lip. "Maybe… I don't know…"
"Just think about it, okay?" Dee said. He looked to Ze then back to Harry. "Honestly I never thought I would be doing this, Potter. … I must be a loon. That or the damn atmosphere is affecting me."
"Well you're just calming down," Harry said. "Didn't Ze say that you need to do that?"
Dee was silent for a moment before nodding. "I guess you're right. But I'll get by it," he shrugged. "Nothing that I can handle, Potter," he said, his confidence returning to him.
Harry smiled and said, "Well I hope that whatever it is that's stressing you out, you'll get by it."
Dee just looked at Harry before scoffing. He looked around for a while then back to Harry. "You wouldn't say that if you knew who I am."
"I think I would," Harry said. "I'm nice to nearly everyone. And those whom I'm not, well they deserve it."
I see," Dee said, his eyes narrowing slightly. His eyes confused Harry as he looked at Dee's masked face. His eyes were silver-greyish and, for whatever reason, sparked something in Harry's mind but he didn't know what.
"Well… if I can say something," Harry said. "I found that my journals help me focus. They declutter my mind when I need them to. So… why don't I make you a journal? That might help."
"You would do that for a stranger like me?" Dee asked crossing his arms again.
"Why not? You're nice, and I'm starting to like you so yeah," Harry shrugged. "I need to make another one anyway."
"That's… thank you Potter, I would love one," Dee said. Harry smiled and finished his butterbeer. "Then I'll make you a journal and give it to you the first chance I've got."
"Blimey is that the time?" James said looking at his watch. "We have to go! Ze it's great catching up with you."
"Anytime James, and it's been a pleasure meeting you Ron," Ze smiled.
"Yeah… pleasure," Ron said, still breath-taken by the pub. Ze and the twins hugged goodbye and the twins led Ron back to the entrance they used in the back of the pub. "So how was your first experience, Ron?" James asked.
"I liked it," Ron said. "It's incredible… you say there's an entrance in Hogsmeade?"
"Yeah we'll show you that on our first trip," Harry smiled. He looked at James and said, "Before we head back, I need to buy a couple of journals."
"Alright," James said. They returned to the tiny room with the goblin and James pulled out the Invisibility Cloak. "See ya Gurlock," James said throwing the Invisibility Cloak onto himself, Harry, and Ron.
The door opened and they walked out of the tiny house. "Ron, we just need to make one more stop at a store here," Harry said. "I swear this will only take a second."
"Harry… when did you guys…"
"We'll explain later," James said smiling. "But don't worry, we're still as Light as they come."
Harry nodded and they walked swiftly down the street back towards Diagon Alley. But before they made it to the small stone staircase that lead up to Diagon Alley, Harry made them stop in front of a bookstore called The Spiny Serpent. Harry ducked out from under the Invisibility Cloak and walked inside. The small store had several bookcases filled with textbooks and tomes of Dark Arts that lined against the walls. In the middle was a large open-top glass tank with snakes and serpents of various sizes slithering about hissing at the customers (mostly rude things). Harry ignore all of that and instead went to a table where several identical red leather-bound journals laid. Harry picked up two journals and walked past the snake tank as a surprisingly small cobra hissed an offensive joke at Harry. Harry just glared at the cobra, his eyes growing cold as he walked up to the tank and bent down in front of it.
"I can understand you," He hissed sharply at the snakes. The snake froze in fear and remained quiet as Harry completed his transaction and walked out the store, giving the snake one final smile.
Returning under the Invisibility Cloak, Harry gave a small smile at Ron and said, "I'm so sorry, but when we get back we'll explain everything."
A/N: Long chapter but hey the boys are hiding something… I wonder what that is. But at least Ron likes the new pub, that's always nice.
Littlesprout: thank you!
Atlantis51: Don't worry, Harry and Tom won't have a crush on Voldemort. No, no, they're too much in love with each other for that. As for James stealing Harry's food… he doesn't do it all the time.
AnnaMerteuil: The pairing will begin when it begins! And yes the twins are in a… close brotherly relationship meaning that they kiss each other's cheeks and foreheads a lot. Why that happens will be explained!
Himekitsune24: I don't have a clear schedule. I try to do a chapter a week but when I'm off, like now, I can pump out a chapter every three days or so. And I'm glad you love the twincest lol more to come! And don't worry about your English, nobody can master it.
Jokul Frosti: Well I never stopped writing, you know, I have like an entire story that I'm about to complete! And James is a kinky bastard, but he tries his best to keep his brother's innocence… we'll see more of that later. And of course Draco will add when he finds out, the boy has kinks of his own. As for Ron… honestly I've just figured out lol
Alex Frost: I'm loving that you're loving everything! I hope this chapter doesn't disappoint!