Harry and Ginny: A Love Story
Chapter 24: Birthday Shopping in Diagon Alley
The Twins hustled Harry away, not wanting to stay under the scrutiny of Aunt Minnie any longer than necessary, plus there was the fact that Ginny had that look in her eye that said she just might be tempted to use her favourite spell, the dreaded Bat-Bogy Hex.
Both had been on the receiving end on a couple of occasions and neither wanted to repeat that ordeal. They really wished that Bill hadn't taught it to her before he left for Egypt, but there was no changing that now, all they could do was try to stay in their sister's good graces.
Harry was rather happy to be able to get away from Ginny for a little while, he figured this was as good a time as any to buy her birthday present. "Hey guys, do you mind if we do a little shopping, I'd like to get Ginny's birthday present without her knowing."
"Did you have anything in mind?" George asked.
"I'd really like to get her something nice, something special, but I'm not sure exactly what," Harry said thoughtfully.
"Hummm, how about some sort of jewellery?" Fred offered.
"Yeah, since you two just Bonded, it might be nice to give her a token of your undying love," George said, teasing Harry a little.
Harry blushed, but actually thought that George had given him a great suggestion. "Were can I get something like that?" he asked lowly.
"We know just the place, come on," said Fred, grabbing Harry's arm and leading him off.
George took ahold of Harry's other arm, "Trust us, Harry, you'll love this place."
Harry was a little uncertain, knowing the Twin's, he wondered just how legitimate the place they were taking him was. To his surprise, they proceeded to a nice little jewellery store on a small side street. The faded sign above the door read "Wallenda's Fine Jewellery" in gold letters with "Bought and Sold" underneath in smaller red letters.
As they entered the store, an old-fashioned bell hanging at the door chimed out. A dapper elderly wizard came out of the back, his face breaking into a smile as he saw Fred and George.
Harry was quite certain that he saw Fred give an almost imperceptible shake of his head and the man casually turned his attention to Harry. "May I help you?" he asked, quite genially.
"I'm looking for a special present for my, ah betrothed," Harry said hesitantly.
"Ah, a Betrothal Gift," the man said with a smile, "must be some special young lady if you are betrothed so young."
"Well, she is certainly very special," Harry said softly, blushing slightly.
"Then you need to get her something just a special," the Jeweller said. "Pardon me, I have been remiss, my name is Karl," he added. "Now, let's see, it's probably too early for a ring, so my suggestion would be some type of necklace."
Harry agreed with Karl, a necklace of some type would be perfect. He nodded and said, "I think that would be perfect for what I had in mind."
Karl led Harry over to a display case that was filled with a myriad of necklaces, and at first nothing caught his eye. They were all fine pieces, but nothing screamed that it was what he was looking for.
When Karl noticed the look on Harry's face, he smiled and said "A man of discriminating taste, I see." He reached underneath and pulled out a tray with more necklaces on it and immediately Harry's eyes were drawn to a certain piece, or pieces to be more accurate.
There was a pair of necklaces, that together formed a full heart, one was on a chain that was obviously for a woman and the other just as obviously for a man. Unbelievably, the man's was set with a stunning Ruby and the woman's with an equally stunning Emerald.
"May I see those," Harry said, pointing to the pair.
Karl smiled at him as he took the pair of necklaces from the tray and placed them on a velvet cushion. Harry picked up each in turn, looking them over carefully. Engraved on the obverse was "Heart of My Heart, without you I am not whole, together we can conquer anything. Love," and there was a blank space. As Harry handled them he felt a small electric type current, a humming or some type of vibration, very lowly, but it was there none the less.
"I'll take these," he said, resolutely.
"A very fine choice, and a very unusual pair they are. They came from an estate up in Scotland, quite ancient in manufacture. Then there is the fact that they appear to be unused, as there are no names engraved upon them. A very curious fact, wouldn't you agree?" Karl said as he looked at Harry.
Harry could only nod, his thoughts focused on getting the necklaces, "Could I get them engraved?" he asked.
"Certainly, I'll just need the names and I can have done for you in a moment."
"Harry, for the Emerald and Ginevra, for the Ruby," Harry said softly, not wanting the Twins, who were looking around nearby, to overhear.
"I'll be right back," Karl said.
He went into the back with the necklaces and returned in a few minutes, handing them to Harry so he could inspect them. If Harry hadn't seen them before, he would have thought that the names had been engraved at the same time as the rest. "They look wonderful," he said to Karl.
"They're also said to posses a special charm, that will whisk the wearer of one to the other no matter where they might be. It is supposed to work through any type of blocking spell or ward, the wearer only having to grasp his or hers in their hand and wish to be with the wearer of the other, though I never verified that. They needed to be personalized and given as a token of love for the spell to work," Karl said, pointedly.
Harry wasn't sure if that would be necessary with his and Ginny's Bond, but the fact it was supposed to work through any type of guarding spell or ward comforted him.
Harry paid for the necklaces and he and the Twins headed back out to the main part of Diagon Alley. The more he thought about it, the more he wondered if the necklaces shouldn't be a special gift for their Bonding and not for Ginny's birthday. He knew she loved flying and he decided that he'd go look at brooms and see if he couldn't find one that Ginny would like.
"Hey guys, what do you say we head over to Quality Quidditch?" Harry said with a smile.
Since both Fred and George loved Quidditch, they had no objections and they started down the street towards the Quidditch shop. There was the usual crowd gathered at the window, staring longingly at the newest broom on the market that was prominently displayed in the window.
A huge sign hung above the broom saying "The Firebolt, the fastest broom on the planet."
Harry smiled and he just knew he had to get one for Ginny. She never had a broom of her own before, using either Bill's or Charlie's old brooms, unless she could sneak Percy's or one of the Twins' out of the shed when no one was looking.
Fred and George could see the bright look in Harry's eyes and knew what was coming. Shaking their heads at one another, they smiled and helped Harry make his way through the crowd.
A very harassed looking clerk was behind the counter, she was having a hard time serving the paying customers because of all the gawkers that filled the shop to overflowing.
Harry waited patiently for his turn in line, the Twins having gone off to look at the latest in Beaters gear. Finely it was Harry's turn, "How much for the Firebolt?" he asked.
The clerk eyed him menacingly, "Did you wait in line just to bother me with a question about the damn Firebolt?" she said, a bit tensely.
"No," Harry replied, not backing down, "I'm interested in buying one but I wish to know the price first."
The clerks looked changed from menacing to one of appraisal, "Are you sure you can afford one?" she asked, but much more neutrally.
"I assure you it is not a problem when it comes to Galleons," Harry replied, looking around for the store manager.
The clerk seemed to sense Harry's mood and intent, "Well then I can see no difficulty then," she said, apologetically, "the Firebolt is only 500 Galleons, but since you are the first to buy one there is a 15 percent discount."
"Do I need to pay in cash or can some other arrangement be made?" Harry inquired.
"Well if you have your Gringott's key, we can have the number recorded and the funds will transfer automatically," the clerk said hopefully, selling a Firebolt would earn her a rather large commission.
Harry smiled as he pulled his key from his pocket and handed it to the clerk. She impressed it on the sales receipt and after a moment when it flashed green, she smiled back.
"All done, I'll be right back with your new broom," the clerk said, as she headed towards the back.
"Can you wrap it some way?" Harry inquired.
"Of course, would you like it shrunk to surprise the recipient?"
"That would be wonderful," said Harry, grinning.
The clerk was gone for several minutes and when she returned she had a rather modest bag in her hand. "All you need to do is tap the broom twice with a wand and it will resize itself," she explained.
Harry walked away from the counter and went looking for the Twins. He was behind a display when he heard the familiar drawl of the student he most hated in all of Hogwarts.
"Father, I'm happy that you're going to supply the team with new Firebolts, there's no way we'll lose this year," said Draco Malfoy.
"Hush Draco, learn to keep your mouth shut in public," he heard a man retort harshly.
Harry peeked around the edge of the display and looked to where he had heard the voices coming from. Standing there with his back to him was none other than Draco Malfoy with a man who could only be his father, their hair was almost identical in colour and style.
The clerk came over and said, "May I help you sir?"
"I'd like to see the manager," he said, disdainfully, obviously not wanting to deal with a lowly clerk.
"One moment," the clerk said, frowning as she turned away.
In moments a large rather portly man came out from the back, "Ah, Mr. Malfoy, how good to see you," he said, offering his hand.
Lucius Malfoy looked at the man's hand as if he were being offered some noxious substance, but after a moment, he quickly shook the man's hand but let go almost immediately.
"What can I do for you?" the manager asked.
"I understand that you have seven Firebolts in stock, I wish to buy them," Lucius stated.
The manager frowned, "I'm sorry, we no longer have seven of them in stock," he said apologetically.
Lucius looked like he had swallowed some vile tasting potion, "What's that you say? I explicitly asked the other day by owl if you had them and I received a reply stating that you did," he said, indignantly.
"At that time we did, but you made no reference to buying them, left no deposit. I afraid in the mean time one has been sold. Do you wish to purchase the other six?" the manager asked, his face taking on a look of annoyance.
"I need seven," Lucius replied. "When will you be getting any more?"
"I'm sorry, because it is a new broom and there is a broom twig shortage due to a blight in Norway, we will not be receiving any more till Christmas," the manager replied.
"That won't do," Lucius said, disgustingly, "that won't do at all. Isn't there some way to get a seventh Firebolt?"
"No, I'm sorry," the manager said, not sounding sorry at all. "The factory was quite clear that with having to fill the orders for the Professional Teams, no more will be available till Christmas."
Draco interrupted, "Couldn't you get the Keeper a Nimbus or Cleansweep?"
Lucius eyed Draco malevolently, "No!," he stated emphatically, "The deal was seven Firebolts. Now stay quiet Draco! Isn't there anything you can do," Lucius said, turning back to the manager and rattling his money pouch.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Malfoy, I don't care how many Galleons you offer, there just isn't another Firebolt available," the manager said, quite offended.
With an indignant huff, Lucius turned away, grabbing Draco by the shoulder forcibly and marched off saying, "Looks like there will be no Quidditch for you this year, Draco. If you would have beaten Potter and Gryffindor, you would have retained your position on the team. "
Harry couldn't help but smile, by buying Ginny the broom he had inadvertently foiled the Malfoy's plan to buy Draco's way back onto the Slytherin Quidditch team.
"Well done, Harry," he heard right behind him, causing him to jump a little.
"Yeah," agreed George, "It must have been fate that you were able to thwart Lucius Malfoy's plan to buy Draco's way onto the team again this year."
Though he hadn't planned it, Harry couldn't have been more pleased than if her had. "Come on you two," he said, with a grin, "time we got back to meet Aunt Minnie."
The Twins clapped him on his back and with one on each side, they exited the Quidditch store and headed back towards their rendezvous with the others.
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Ginny headed off with Molly and Minerva, while Hermione and Ron, headed to Flourish & Blotts, Hermione wanting to see if she could find any books that had information on Bondings.
Ginny was still in a quandary, not having any idea of what to buy Harry for his birthday. She now had ample funds since Harry had given her the Fifty Galleons, and all she needed now was something special to spend them on.
They were passing several new shops and one caught Ginny's eye, "Cadwell's Magical Photographs and Portraits, but what had caught her eye was a sign announcing a new Pensieve Process.
The two older witches looked on slightly amused at Ginny as she stared at the store. "Would you like to go in and look around?" Molly asked.
Ginny's eyes lit up, "Yes, I think that sounds wonderful," she replied.
The proprietor was busy with a customer as they entered, but he smiled genially and said, Please look around, I'll be with you in a few moments," before he turned back to the woman he was waiting on.
Ginny wandered the shop looking at all sorts of different frames and portrait styles. She found one that really caught her attention. It was a double frame, hinged in the middle and one one side it had a picture of a young couple that must have just gotten married, and on the other side was one just of they bride.
Next to it was a duplicate frame but with much less formal pictures, but it gave Ginny an idea. She continued to look around till the woman left and the man went up to Molly and Minerva and said, "How may I help you?"
Molly smiled and pointed at Ginny, saying, "I believe you need to talk to my daughter."
The man smiled and came over to Ginny, "Well young lady, how may I be of service?"
"I'd like to get something like this," she said, pointing at the double frame. "I'd like one of just me one the one side and I was hoping to persuade my mother or my aunt to supply the image for the other side by using the Pensieve method. Could you tell me how much that would cost?"
The man smiled, "With me taking your photograph and using an image from one the ladies, it would come to 25 Galleons," he said pleasantly.
"Splendid," Ginny said, "though I didn't come dressed to get photographed."
"That isn't a problem, I have a number of different dresses and formal robes that you can choose from for your photograph."
Ginny smiled brightly, "Brilliant," she said, happily. She then went over to where Molly and Minerva were looking at some of the work on display and asked, "Do either of you have a good memory of Harry and me together?"
Molly smiled at her daughter, "I think I have one or two that you'll like."
"Wonderful," said the proprietor, "By the way, my name is Jonathan. Why don't you come this way and we'll get the memory photograph out of the way first."
He led them to a small room off to the one side at the back of the shop, inside was a rather large complicated looking machine, that had a Pensieve at one end. "Do you know how to extract the memories or do you wish me to do it?" he ask.
Molly looked thoughtful for a moment and said, "Why don't you do it, that way I can concentrate harder on the memories."
"Okay, let me know when you're ready," he replied.
Molly concentrated very hard on two of her best memories of pair together, and when she had them firmly placed in her mind, she nodded.
Jonathan took his wand, placing it a Molly temple and extracted a long smoky, silvery strand. He placed it gently in the Pensieve, he then gave the Pensieve a tap with his wand and an image floated out of the bowl.
The first was of Harry and Ginny sitting in the parlour, laughing and giggling at something. Ginny watched it for a moment, and though nice, it wasn't what she really had in mind. She shook her head, "are there any more?" she asked.
When Molly nodded, Jonathan tapped the Pensieve with his wand and the image sank back down, only to be replaced with another image. Ginny smiled at what she saw, it was of her and Harry walking toward the Burrow from the direction of the garden. They were hand in hand, exchanging shy smiles and low, soft words.
Ginny remembered the incident clearly, she and Harry had spent some time together and were just having a wonderful time talking and being with one another. They were heading back to the Burrow for lunch and it was such a nice, warm, wonderful moment that they had shared.
"This one," she whispered.
Jonathan said, "I agree, it's a very special moment, you two look so good together, almost as if you were years older and falling in love." He then tapped the Pensieve again but also the machine, which began to whirl and hum.
"Right, that takes care of that, now on to the photograph of you." He led them back out and to another room which was set up as a photography studio. Along the wall to the right of the door were several racks holding a myriad of different suits, robes and dresses.
"Have a gander at the garments and see if there is anything you like, there is a changing room just over there," he said pointing at a couple of doors on the side wall. "Don't worry too much about fit, we can change that in a jiffy."
Molly and Minerva watched in interest as Ginny went down the rack, looking at several different dresses, before she pulled one out. It was a beautiful white dress, just made for a young girl like herself. It's neckline was modest and edged in lace, that trailed down across the bodice, the skirt part was pleated with a medium wide pleat and the bottom was edged in the same lace as the neckline. The dress fell to mid calf and looked simple fabulous to Ginny.
Smiling at her mother and Minerva, she went to the changing room and tried it on. Surprisingly it fit very well, just slightly loose at the waist. Ginny was ecstatic about how she looked in the mirror.
She stepped out of the dressing room and everyone's eyes turned toward her. For a moment she was worried because no one said anything, but then Minerva said, "Ginny, you look simply beautiful in that dress."
"Yes," agreed Molly, her eyes bright with her eyes watering at how wonderful her daughter looked.
Jonathan smiled, "Do you wish to sit for a formal picture or something a bit more casual?"
"Casual," Ginny replied.
In the area in front of the camera, Jonathan conjured a meadow, abloom with small beautiful flowers, the wall transformed into the meadow fading off into a forest in the background of dark pine trees that would make Ginny stand out in front of them.
Molly went and pulled her wand, conjuring a wreath of flowers in Ginny's hair, they where of white and yellow, standing out in her flaming red tresses.
"Fabulous," breathed Jonathan, "simply fabulous."
Ginny stepped into the meadow, feeling the grass with her bare feet, if she hadn't know she was in a studio, she would have been sure it was the real thing."
Jonathan quickly took several photographs of Ginny, as she moved around in the meadow as Molly and Minerva watched, smiles on their faces at how pure and innocent Ginny looked.
It took about a half hour before Jonathan was satisfied that he had plenty of shots for Ginny to choose from. Ginny was elated, she just knew that she'd find the perfect shot for the picture frame for Harry's gift. She went and changed while Jonathan quickly set about printing out the proofs for her to look at.
Ginny took one last look at herself in the mirror of the dressing room, before she changed back into her own clothes. She vowed to herself to find a dress similar so that she could let Harry see her in it for real.
When she emerged, she, Molly and Minerva when back out front where they found a beaming Jonathan waiting for them. He spread out the proofs on the counter for them to see.
Molly thought that any one of them would be suitable, but there was one that stood out from all the rest. It was a simple one of Ginny looking straight at the camera as if she was walking towards it. She had such a beautiful look on her face and an almost ethereal glow about her that just shouted her beauty and innocence. All of them agreed that it was the obvious choice.
In no time Jonathan had both photographs mounted in the frame and the three women looked at it and smiled. They all knew that Harry would love the pictures and the loving thought that went into the gift.
"Thank you," Ginny said, "you surpassed my expectations with this," as she pointed at the framed photographs.
"It was my pleasure, but it was all you my dear, I simply recorded what was there," he replied with a smile.
Ginny smiled shyly and blushed at the compliment. She paid for her purchase and with one last thank you they departed, Jonathan imploring them to come back any time.
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As Harry and the Twins were making their way back, Harry could feel how excited and pleased Ginny was. Whatever she was doing, it was obviously going well.
Harry considered their link for a few moments and was actually glad that he could feel her emotions and talk to her, but not share their thoughts, he didn't think he could have stood not having any privacy at all. How would he have been able to keep her presents secret?
They were just starting to ascend the stairs when they saw the others congregating at the top. Ron looked happy and he was carrying a couple of packages, one from Honeydukes and one from Quality Quidditch Supply.
Hermione also looked quite pleased too, she was carrying a bag from Flourish & Blotts, so she must have found a book she was looking for.
As Harry looked at Ginny, she looked positively radiant. Whatever she had been doing must have really turned out well. The emotions flowing off of her were almost overwhelming, such was her elation.
Ginny was feeling almost the exact same thing from Harry, he was exceedingly pleased with what he had accomplished too. She wondered briefly what he had been up to and thought that maybe he had been birthday shopping like she had. Her birthday being less than two weeks after his.
It really didn't matter to her, she was just happy about her gift and whatever was making Harry happy only contributed to the emotional high she was feeling.
Once they were all back together, the parties mixed and set out once again, Harry and Ginny went with Minerva, though the rest decided to head back to the Burrow.
Ron was tired already of walking around and Hermione had harped on him not to spend all his money at once and on frivolous things. Hermione was eager to get back so she could start reading her book and see if she could garner any more information on bonds.
Harry was sure the Twins had made a stop at Zonko's before meeting up with him, Ginny and Aunt Minnie, so they wanted to get back and secret their stuff away before it could be discovered and confiscated.
Molly wanted to get back to start lunch and make sure the twins didn't level the place by being unsupervised. She knew all too well the trouble they could get into if left alone.
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Minerva took Harry and Ginny to a couple of places, she had wanted to treat Harry with some nice gifts so that he could have some nice things to call his own. They had already gotten him new clothing that actually fit him and he had been so happy about it, that she wanted to further show him what a normal boy growing up could expect.
It was while walking along that Minerva notice Harry squinting at times as if he was having a hard time reading certain advertisements and the smaller print. "Harry are you having a hard time reading some of the words on the signs?" she asked him, keeping her tone upbeat.
Ginny immediately felt his mood change, but she felt it wasn't as dark and embarrassed as it had been in the past.
Almost apologetically Harry replied, "Just a little Aunt Minnie, really it's not to bad."
Minerva got an almost disgusted look on her face and Ginny felt Harry cringing mentally. She squeezed his hand in support and sent "Harry, she only wants what's best for you. She's not angry, really. You just have to learn that she and my parents want to know about these things because they are easily fixed."
"I know you're right Ginny, it's just that I can't seem to help myself. I'm sorry to be such a bother," Harry replied.
Minerva could see Harry and Ginny staring at one another and she knew that Ginny had to be talking to him, and she just hoped it was to convince him that needing new glasses wasn't a crime or major inconvenience and certainly not something to be worried over what the cost was going to be.
"I'm sorry, Aunt Minnie," Harry said, "I know I shouldn't worry about things like this but it's hard after all the time I spent with my Aunt and Uncle."
"I know, Harry," she said with a smile, "We will all just have to be patient till you get past this. I shouldn't over react either, and I want to apologize to you for doing so."
Ginny actually snickered some and they all shared a quiet laugh, "Okay, now that we got that over with, lets see about getting you some new glasses," Minerva said with a smile.
She led them down the street to Ogelby's Outstanding Ocular Paraphernalia and went inside. The gentleman behind the counter had a very owlish look about him, further enhanced by the large round glasses that he wore that magnified his eyes to several times their normal size.
"How may I help you?" he asked, staring at the three of them intently.
"My nephew her needs to have his eyes examined and have new glasses made," Minerva said, taking charge quickly.
The owlish man smiled, "Well we can certainly fix him up in a jiffy. The name is Clyde B. Ogelsby, at your service."
Both Harry and Ginny were trying very hard to stifle their laughter. The man's actions seemed very owlish too, with him bobbing his head in a very good imitation of what Hedwig and other owls when they were spoken to.
He had Harry enter the back room, with Ginny and Minerva following behind. Ginny was quite curious how someone was fitted for glasses as she had never seen it done before. Even Harry was curious how the exam would differ from a muggle one.
The instrument that he placed in front of Harry's face was very similar to the one used by muggle Ophthalmologists but instead of the man flipping and turning various lenses, Clyde just told Harry to keep his eyes on the chart on the far wall, before tapping to machine with his wand.
Harry heard it click and whirl for several moments as different lenses seemed to flash before his eyes, and before he could even move or cry out in surprise, the machine stopped and Harry could read the chart quite clearly, far better than he had ever been able to before.
Clyde was bobbing around, humming and making odd hooting like noises, or so it seemed to Harry and Ginny, as he read off certain numbers from the machine.
He deftly swung it out of the way and said, "Well, that's that, back out front now."
They made their way out to the store front, where Harry looked a what seemed like a hundred pair of glasses and in the end he picked out new frames that were nearly identical to his old ones.
The plus side was when Clyde produced the lenses he put unbreakable and unscratchable charms on them, something that Harry thought would be a godsend. He couldn't remember the number of times he had broken his glasses before, though on further thought, most of them had been because of some type of involvement, associated with his cousin chasing him or beating him up.
It took a-+ very short time indeed for Harry's new glasses to be ready and as a bonus Minerva bought an extra pair just in case the first got misplaced of damaged, though that would really take some doing now with the charms that were placed on them.
It was as they were leaving that Harry's stomach growl out loudly, causing Ginny to laugh at him, Minerva to smile and Harry to feel extremely embarrassed. It was decided to head back to the Burrow for today and that they would go shopping some other day.
Harry couldn't believe how much better he could see, everything seemed that much clearer and brighter and he spent most of the time walking back to the Leaky Cauldron staring in wonder at the things he hadn't noticed before.
It was a very happy group that returned to the Burrow, just in time for lunch. Molly greeted them all with huge bone crushing hugs and was glad they were back in time for lunch. Harry and Ginny both hurried up to their rooms to put away the gifts they had bought, before hurrying back down to join the others at the table to enjoy the fine meal Molly had prepared.
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A/N: Ah, gift buying, and new stuff, love between Harry and Ginny with the bonus of thwarting Malfoy, what more could you ask for?
Don't answer that, It'll just mean more work of me. Oh well, if you insist, but remember, I guarantee nothing! Does anyone know who was the real Karl Wallenda was?
As always please review.