The Eternal Bond of Diagon Alley

by Logan3375

It's the summer before Harry's third year at Hogwarts. He's just escaped from the Dursleys and finds himself at Diagon Alley. His best friends are away on vacations so he assumes he'll just be spending a few pleasant weeks alone. But, on his first day he turns to see a familiar person with bushy brown hair.

Hello and welcome to my new fanfic, "The Eternal Bond of Diagon Alley." Enjoy this first chapter!

The streets of Diagon Alley bustled under the late afternoon sun, a tapestry of color and motion. Amidst the shoppers laden with bags of magical supplies, a young wizard found sanctuary from his tedious summer at the Dursleys.

Harry Potter had escaped not only from the Dursleys, but also from a massive black dog, on the wild Knight Bus. His journey was a dizzying blur through the streets of London before being dropped off in front of the Leaky Cauldron, his new home for the summer. Now, as he stepped onto the cobblestone pavement, a rush of exhilaration washed over him. The mere absence of the Dursleys was a breath of freedom.

He ambled through the alley, the familiarity of the surroundings mingling with anticipation for his upcoming third year at Hogwarts. Thoughts of reuniting with Ron and Hermione occupied his mind.

Like clockwork, a familiar voice called out behind him, "Harry!"

Harry thought he was dreaming. Maybe the Knight Bus really messed with his head because as he turned around, he saw his bushy brown haired best friend, Hermione Granger. She clutched a stack of books close to her chest, her eyes lit with excitement.

"Harry, I can't believe I've found you!" Hermione exclaimed as she halted before him.

Harry couldn't suppress a smile at her enthusiasm. "Hermione? I thought you were in France, what happened?"

With a deep breath, Hermione shared her tale in a rapid torrent. "Well, my parents are actually there right now, but my studies demanded my presence. I have so much to catch up on this summer, you see."

Harry couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. Hermione choosing books over a summer in France was unexpected. "That's dedication. How many classes are you taking to miss out on France for homework?"

A faint blush colored Hermione's cheeks. "All of them… or at least all the ones offered to third years. There's so much to learn, and I can't afford to fall behind."

Harry admired her dedication, though he found it slightly perplexing. "Blimey Hermione. Well, if you ever need assistance with your studies, just let me know. I may not be as brilliant as you, but I'll do my best."

Gratitude filled Hermione's eyes. "Thank you, Harry. Speaking of where we're supposed to be, shouldn't you be locked up at Privet Drive right now? How'd you manage to get out of that?"

Harry began to tell her all about his eventful summer that was blown up by his Aunt Marge, literally. They found somewhere to sit outside and continued to chat. Laughter punctuated their discussion, and there was an unspoken connection between them that hung in the air.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over Diagon Alley, Harry and Hermione grabbed dinner at the Leaky Cauldron. Hermione was also staying there while her parents were in France. They bid each other farewell as they went up to their respective rooms, promising to meet again the next day as long as they could do some studying.

Watching Hermione's departing form, Harry's smile lingered. First he got to escape the Dursleys and spend the next few weeks in Diagon Alley, but now he would also be with Hermione the whole time.

Weeks rolled by, and Harry and Hermione's meetings in Diagon Alley became constant. They explored every shop, tasted every flavor of Florean Fortescue's ice-cream, and of course spent multiple hours a day studying. Harry wasn't much of a studier. But, with just Hermione and no Ron to distract him, it wasn't too bad. With each encounter their friendship deepened, and an intangible connection between them quietly strengthened.

One sunny afternoon, they found themselves in Flourish and Blotts, surrounded by towering shelves of books. Hermione selected a dusty tome and turned to Harry, her eyes alight with excitement.

"Harry, you must read this book on advanced charms. It's truly fascinating!"

Harry chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Hermione, I think I'll leave advanced charms to you. I tend to learn as I go."

Hermione playfully sighed, her fingers tracing patterns on the book's cover. "Sometimes, I wonder how you manage at Hogwarts without a mountain of books."

Harry shrugged, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Well, I do have a secret weapon."

Hermione raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "Oh? And what might that be?"

Harry leaned in, his voice a conspiratorial whisper. "I have the best study partner in the whole school. You."

Their faces drew close, and Harry felt the warmth of Hermione's breath against his cheek. He couldn't help but notice her eyes flickering to his lips before meeting his gaze again.

Hermione's cheeks turned a shade of pink, and she cleared her throat, breaking the intimate moment. "Well, I suppose I can't argue with that."

They both chuckled, but Harry couldn't stop thinking about how it felt to be so close to Hermione.

As their summer in Diagon Alley neared its end, Harry and Hermione decided to grab some breakfast at the Leaky Cauldron on their last full day before school started. The pub held fond memories of their early adventures.

Harry met Hermione in front of her room and upon heading downstairs, they were greeted by the familiar jingle of bells as Tom, the barman, acknowledged their presence. Settling at a corner table, they relished their final moments of summer.

Conversation flowed as they discussed their excitement for the upcoming school year and the anticipation of reuniting with Ron and the rest of the Weasleys. Hermione looked forward to showcasing her improved spellwork, while Harry couldn't wait for a new Quidditch season.

Suddenly, the door to the Leaky Cauldron swung open with a cheerful jingle, and an army of familiar redheads entered the pub. Ron, with his shock of red hair, led the way. Fred and George followed, and Percy brought up the rear. Ginny, the youngest Weasley, completed the group.

Ron's eyes widened as he spotted Harry and Hermione. A grin broke across his face as he waved them over. "Harry! Hermione! What are you two doing here?"

Harry and Hermione greeted the Weasleys warmly before moving to join their table. Ginny, however, couldn't hide a trace of jealousy as she watched Hermione closely.

Harry, unaware of Ginny's jealous gaze, felt a surge of joy at the sight of his friends. He hadn't expected their arrival and was delighted by the reunion. "It's so great to see all of you. We were just talking about how excited we are for the new school year."

Fred and George, the mischievous twins, exchanged knowing glances and smirks. Percy, ever the serious one, nodded in agreement. Ginny, torn between excitement at seeing Harry and her lingering jealousy, maintained a polite demeanor.

Suddenly, Harry realized a couple other Weasleys were missing. "Where are your guys' parents by the way?"

Fred and George burst out with some of the widest smiles Harry's ever seen them have. "Oh well, Dad discovered a muggle antique store on the way over," began Fred.

"So, now he's in there looking at everything and Mum is trying her very best to get him out," said George.

"But, knowing him, they probably won't get here until after the express takes off tomorrow," finished Ron.

From there, the group settled into lively conversation and the Leaky Cauldron reverberated with the warmth of friendship and the promise of new adventures. Harry and Hermione exchanged a quick glance, their summer of solitude in Diagon Alley now at its end.

Please write a review and let me know your thoughts on this first chapter! I don't have an exact upload schedule for future chapters so just stay tuned for more. Take care everybody!