My apologies to everyone... It's been way too long since I published a chapter. The truth is, I have been extremely busy at work, and I barely get any time to write. Also, I have been suffering from a few health issues. But all those things don't matter anymore. I'm back now, and I sincerely hope I get to write a lot more than I have been able to.
I'm back with Chapter 20 of this wonderful story. Hope you guys like it! :)

After Ron and Harry came back from Gringotts, Hermione introduced her parents to them. Ron was extremely awkward with her parents, for he had never really had a conversation with muggles before. Harry however did much better. They talked for a few minutes before Arthur Weasley caught up to them.

"Molly, look, they're exchanging muggle money," said Arthur as he approached the Granger family. "Hello, I am Arthur Weasley, I am Ron's father," he greeted as he shook hands with them. Seeing how Arthur was excited to talk to muggles, the trio decided to leave them to talk and left to explore Diagon Alley. Hermione was curious about Arthur Weasley, so, while the trio got delicious butterscotch and chocolate ice-creams, she quizzed Ron about him.

"He has always been like that," said Ron as he licked his ice cream. "Dad loves muggle things, he always talks about how muggles have managed to live and survive without magic."

"Yeah, he even asked so many questions about my muggle life," added Harry.

"It's quite rare in this world," said Hermione. "I have rarely seen anyone so interested in muggles. Most of the wizards throughout centuries have been exactly the opposite to muggles."

"Talking of Ron's father, you should see Ron's house," said Harry to Hermione. Ron's face went red with embarrassment.

"It's not that great," said Ron.

"Why Harry?" asked Hermione. Harry explained his first thoughts on that house. How he was blown away by all the things that were done by magic.

As they walked their way through Diagon alley, they came across the latest edition of the Nimbus broomstick, the Nimbus 2001. Harry and Ron spent a few minutes admiring the broomstick, but they were soon dragged out of the store by Hermione.

The golden trio very rarely had the opportunity to spend quality time together in their first year without it involving detective work that they never had to do in the first place. And hence, this felt like a nice change of pace for Harry. Whether it was because of Hermione's presence wasn't something he was worried about. Ron had a similar feeling at that moment. Having grown up along with so many siblings, it always felt a bit crowded in the house, with one person or the other being nosy. But once Harry arrived, things seemed to have gotten infinitely better.

And finally, it was time to go back to Flourish and Blotts where they were going to get their books for the year. The golden trio made their way to the book shop, and to their surprise and dismay, the shop seemed to be crowded, way more than usual.

"I wonder what's going on here," said Ron.

"Maybe there are many people like us here to get their books for the year," replied Harry.

"Could be," replied Ron. But as soon as he said that, the trio came across a big banner outside the shop which said,

GILDEROY LOCKHART

will be signing copies of his autobiography

MAGICAL ME

today 12:30 P.M. to 4:30 P.M.

"You're joking," gasped Hermione.

"What happened?" asked Harry as he saw the visibly giddy Hermione, which was extremely unlike her.

"Gilderoy Lockhart is here, we can actually meet him," replied Hermione excitedly.

"Who's he anyway?" asked a bored Ron.

"He's such a legend, he has written so many books. I am surprised we don't have some of his books for our classes," replied Hermione. Ron and Harry glanced at each other, amused by the sight. Seeing Hermione this excited was a rare sight.

"Wow, we should definitely meet him then," replied Harry politely.

They made their way inside the shop, slowly, having to move through a crowd.

"We're never going to find Mum and Dad," sighed Ron.

And soon enough they heard the scream of Mrs Weasley, "RON! RON! We're here," came the voice of Mrs Weasley. They had to move in a different direction now, and after a few minutes of pushing and struggling, a few "Excuse Me" along the way, the trio reached where Mrs Weasley was standing along with Mr Weasley, Ginny, Fred and George.

"There's a big crowd in here today," said Mrs Weasley.

"Yeah, we can see that," retorted Ron.

"Some popular wizard is signing books today, Jilbroy Lockeart," added Harry.

"Gilderoy Lockhart, dear," corrected a half-blushing Mrs Weasley. Ron and Harry couldn't believe what they were witnessing, and they caught Fred and George hiding a giggle too. They had barely completed buying their books when suddenly they heard a shriek,

"Harry Potter… It's so good to see you, dear," said an elderly woman. And in no time the attention of the crowd gathered at Flourish and Blotts turned towards Harry.

"Oh No," sighed Harry silently.

"Good Luck mate," whispered Ron in his ear.

They could hear whispers from all around.

Harry barely managed to get some words out of his mouth, "Hello… Hope you're doing well, have a nice day," he said, with half a smile, looking at the elderly woman. But his words were drowned by another.

"Harry Potter," came the voice. Soon they could see the sparkling Gilderoy Lockhart dashing towards them, through the crowd. Lockhart pulled Harry towards him and dragged him to the front.

"Nice big smile, Harry," he said and the next second a short man standing in the front took a picture of Harry standing uncomfortably beside Gilderoy Lockhart.

Lockhart let go of Harry but put an arm around his shoulder and started speaking, "Ladies and gentlemen," he said loudly, waving for quiet. "What an extraordinary moment this is! When young Mr Potter walked into Flourish and Blotts this morning, he only wanted to buy my Autobiography, MAGICAL ME, which I shall be happy to present to him now, free of charge," he gave a pause for the applause from the crowd to die down. "He had no idea however that he'll also be receiving my entire collection of works. Anything for the boy who lived, eh?" he finished with a laugh. The crowd gave loud applause, while Harry stood there embarrassed. He had no intention of taking the gift that was being given to him. But he found it even more difficult to reject it in front of so many people. Also, he was starting to dislike this Lockhart guy. He finally managed to make his way out of the limelight, to the edge of the room, where Ginny was standing with her new cauldron. He was soon followed by Hermione and Ron.

"What a lovely guy!" said Hermione gleaming.

"Lovely guy? Did you see the look on Harry's face?" retorted Ron.

"Yeah, Hermione… I'm not the biggest fan of what just happened… I don't know… I am sure he did all those wonderful things, but he seems a lot like an attention-seeking publicity stuntman," added Harry. He saw the change in the expression on Hermione's face and was about to get prepared for an onslaught when he heard a voice from behind.

"Bet you loved that, didn't you, Potter?" came the voice of Draco Malfoy. "Famous Harry Potter, can't even go to a bookshop without making the front page," he added, sneering.

"Leave him alone, he didn't want all that!" said Ginny. It was the first time she had spoken in front of Harry. She was glaring at Malfoy.

"I didn't know you had a girlfriend, Potter," said Malfoy and Ginny went scarlet.

"Shut up, Malfoy," raged Ron.

"Weasley, empty-handed as usual, why am I not surprised?" responded Malfoy and laughed hysterically. Ron made a leap towards Malfoy but was controlled by Harry and Hermione.

"He isn't worth it, let's go," whispered Harry.

"Yeah, you better run," added Draco but stopped mid-sentence as he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Now, that's no way to speak to a celebrity, Draco," said Lucius Malfoy, Draco's father. He was standing beside his son along with another wizard who was giving a dirty look towards them. The amount of ruckus created by the children had also attracted the attention of Mr and Mrs Weasley, who made their way towards the group. War of words reached its peak thereafter as Arthur Weasley and Lucius Malfoy traded blows, at the end of which the war of words turned to a fistfight. The group that surrounded them desperately pulled the pair away from each other. But the deed was done, and a seed was sown that would bloom into a terrifying flower by the end of the year for the Weasleys.

Lucius Malfoy dragged his son away from the scene while the man with him followed behind him, looking back over his shoulders multiple times in the process.

"How dare that blood traitor lay his hands on you?" asked that man in his usual deep voice.

"It doesn't matter… He and his family will pay. We just have to sit tight and watch," replied Lucius. Draco, who was high on adrenaline himself looked up at his father's face curious what he meant by that statement.

"And who was that with that Potter boy?" asked the man.

"That was his mudblood girlfriend, Hermione Granger," replied Draco instantly.

"You don't get to speak like that, especially when she outscored you in every subject," retorted Lucius, annoyed. Draco fell silent after that.

"I meant the boy beside Potter," interjected the man.

"He was just another one of the Weasley boys," replied Lucius.

"Like father, like son, I suppose, eh?" he replied while Lucius nodded ignorantly.

Thoughts?
PS - Chapter 21 will be published later this week.