Disclaimer: All rights to Harry Potter belong to Warner Bros.
Author notes: Thank you to everyone who has supported the story by reading, reviewing, favouriting and following it so far and also to those who have put me on their author following or favourite list. The support of you all is much appreciated.
A special thanks to the following people who are the latest to have supported by favouriting, following and reviewing the story; Monster King, Scrappy8, Gman310508, coolgirl674, tanyakannon, satzhenya, Grimlock987, emmettlover 1 and Avlynn Rose.
Harry Potter-Weasley Chapter Eighteen:
The first of August had been a very fun day for Harry, Ron and Ginny. Ginny's best friend Luna had just come back from holiday.
Luna Lovegood, Ginny's best friend, was an only child and a witch who lived just over the hill from the Burrow. She had been off with her father searching for the elusive Crumple-Horned Snorkack, a creature which Mr Lovegood was convinced lived somewhere in the South of France up in the mountains.
Luna had arrived, handed Harry his birthday present, wished him a belated Happy Birthday and then proceeded to fill them all in on the trip with her father.
The rest of the day had been spent playing with Ginny and Luna or with Harry and Ron playing on their own.
Nothing had suggested that anything even remotely strange would take place that evening and yet, as Harry brushed his teeth that night, said goodnight to his parents who wished him and Ron a goodnight and went off downstairs and then he slipped into bed, he had a feeling that something odd was about to happen.
Harry woke up with a start in the darkness of the bedroom that he shared with Ron. He frowned and glanced at the illuminated face of the blue magical alarm clock that his parents had given him two years ago for his birthday. The time said 03:00 am. He wondered what could have possibly woken him up at three in the morning.
He looked over at Ron, whose snores filled the room. He snorted a laugh but discarded that as a reason for waking up suddenly. He had shared a bedroom with Ron for eleven years now and was perfectly used to his brothers loud snoring.
Casting about for another reason for his waking up, Harry glanced around in the darkness of the room and only just stifled a scream at the sight of a pair of bright yellow eyes gazing at him from by the door.
With shaking hands, Harry switched on his bedside lamp. His mouth fell open in shock, for staring back at him was a house elf with large bat-like ears and prominent yellow eyes the size of tennis balls. He noted that the elf was wearing nothing other than a rather shabby and dirty looking pillow case for clothing.
Harry was momentarily lost for words. After all, it wasn't an everyday occurrence, having a house elf pop into ones bedroom and stand there looking very nervous and conflicted. "Err...hello, can I help you?", Harry asked eventually, not sure what else to say "my name's Harry, that is I'm Harry Potter-Weasley".
"Oh yes Mr Potter-Weasley, I is knowing of your name sir, my master and the little master is speaking often of you, they is not being big fans of yours Mr Potter-Weasley", the elves' eyes widened and he smacked himself hard in the forehead hissing "bad Dobby! Bad elf!".
"Please calm down", Harry urged a quiet but urgent tone. "You'll wake everyone up!".
"I is sorry Harry Potter-Weasley", the house elf apologised.
Harry nodded. "That's alright. So, is that your name then, Dobby?".
Dobby smiled and then cried "oh the great Harry Potter-Weasley addresses Dobby by his first name! I is not being worthy!".
"Of course you are", Harry declared more quietly "anyone deserves to have their first name used no matter who they are".
"so gracious is Harry Potter-Weasley, more than Dobby even knew!", Dobby exclaimed, leaving Harry feeling embarrassed.
Harry cleared his throat. "Not that I'm not happy to meet you Dobby but...why are you here?".
Dobby twisted the top ends of his pillow case and seemed to be both concerned and unsure. Eventually, Dobby replied "it is...it is difficult sir, Dobby wonders where to begin".
"Well why don't you sit down and we can discuss it", Harry offered.
Harry's eyes widened in alarm as Dobby's eyes teared up and he walked over to Harry's bed. "Never before has a wizard or witch offered Dobby to sit down with them".
"Well you can't have met many nice witches or wizards then", Harry replied with a sympathetic smile.
Dobby shook his head and replied with a nervous laugh "no, I haven't". His eyes then widened in horror. He seized Harry's bedside lamp and attempted to hit himself with it.
Harry had heard from his father about the disgusting way house elves were treated by certain witches and wizards. It had never sat right with him, the idea of lording it over other magical beings. He grabbed Dobby's hands and told him "no Dobby, please don't punish yourself, you've done nothing wrong!".
"But I have done wrong Harry Potter-Weasley Sir, Dobby nearly spoke ill of the family he serves Sir", Dobby told him.
Harry sighed. "That rule is a disgusting rule. No one should have the right to punish another being just for speaking their mind. Please don't punish yourself Dobby, for me".
Dobby gulped and nodded. "Who the bloody hell is that!", a voice exclaimed.
Harry froze at the sound of Ron's voice and turned to face him. His brother was sitting up bed, hair tousled from sleep but looking fully alert and stunned at sight of a house elf in their bedroom. "Err...Ron, this is Dobby. Dobby this is my brother Ron, I share a room with him".
Dobby bowed low to Ron and said "it is a pleasure to meet you Mr Ron Weasley Sir".
Ron looked uncomfortable at this full title and replied "just call me Ron, Dobby". He glanced at Harry, his eyebrows raised, and he demanded "you still haven't explained why a house elf is in our bedroom".
Harry shrugged and shook his head. He told Ron "to be honest I don't know why myself yet. Dobby was just about to explain before you interrupted us".
"Oi! I have a right!...", Ron lowered his voice to a reasonable level and continued "I have a right to know why a house elf is in our bedroom".
Harry rolled his eyes and turned to face Dobby. "Sorry about him Dobby, he's usually nice but can be a prat at times".
"Oi!", Ron objected. Harry ignored him and asked Dobby "so, why are you here?". He frowned "you're not one of the Potter family elves are you? I've not visited any of the properties my birth father owned and that passed to me so I've not met any Potter elves yet".
Dobby shook his head. "I is not having the pleasure of meeting any of the elves who work for the most ancient and noble House of Potter".
Harry's frowned deepened. "Then what other reason could you have for being here?".
Ron interrupted. "Wait a minute, I've seen you before! You work for Lucius Malfoy!". He then spoke to Harry "Harry you can't trust him, he's one of the Malfoy family elves, I saw him once in Diagon Alley, trailing around after Lucius Malfoy carrying a bunch of packages!".
Harry looked at Dobby, fixing him with a wary expression. "Is this true Dobby, do you work for Lucius Malfoy?".
Dobby's eyes widened and a great strain showed upon his face. he twisted the pillow case in both hands and then said "I is not saying I do and then again I is not saying that I don't Harry Potter-Weasley".
Harry nodded. "So you do then, I've heard of the house elf bond with their family. You can't say any names". He scratched his head and continued to give Dobby a wary look. "Well you'd better explain why you're here and fast".
Dobby gulped and informed him. "There is a plot Harry Potter-Weasley. A plot to make most awful things happen at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. You must not go back to Hogwarts this year!".
Harry looked at Dobby as if he was completely mad. "Not go back to Hogwarts? In case you didn't know Dobby, I need to complete at least five years of schooling and pass my OWL's in order to not have my wand snapped, nothing could stop me going back".
"But it is not safe!", Dobby said hotly. He jumped up and down sounding distressed. "There are those who are plotting to unleash something awful...something terrible at Hogwarts. You will be safest here at home, you must not go back!".
Harry got angry. "Well I am going back Dobby. It's one of my two homes and an amazing place. I don't know what kind of game the Malfoy's are trying to play with me but I'm not biting", he told Dobby severely "you go back to Draco or Lucius Malfoy or whichever Malfoy is trying to stop me going back to Hogwarts and tell them that I'm onto their little scheme to mess with my life and they can sod off!".
Harry made a grab for Dobby but the little house elf evaded him and sad sadly "I will do what I must to keep you safe Harry Potter-Weasley".
Dobby disappeared with a loud "pop!" before Harry could say or do anything and he stared in anger and confusion at the spot on which the house elf had been standing.
Harry looked over at Ron and asked "what sort of game do you think that git Malfoy is playing now?".
Ron also looked angry but shook his head. "Don't know", he replied "but whatever it is, you're not going to listen to that mad house elf...right?".
Harry snorted. "Of course I'm not. As for Malfoy, I'm going to get him back with a prank for this nonsense".
Ron rubbed his hands in glee. "We should consult Fred and George", he said "given that they're pranking masters".
Harry nodded. "We'll speak to Fred and George the first chance we get, I just know that they'll be willing to help".
As Harry and Ron both said goodnight and switched off their bedside lamps, Harry lay back against his pillows wondering just what Malfoy's game was. He actually felt sorry for Dobby and scowled at Malfoy using a house elf in one of his messed up games.
A week after the three am visit of Dobby the house elf, Harry and Ron were waiting with excitement for the arrival of Seamus' mum, Gina. She was coming to pick them up as they were going for a sleepover at Seamus' house. "I can't wait to see Neville, Seamus and Dean again", Ron said.
Harry nodded. "It'll be great. A whole weekend over Seamus' house. It'll be great to spend some time with them all. I know we've had letters from Seamus and Dean but Neville is the only one who we've seen so far since the others have been so busy".
The fireplace flared up and out stepped a woman jet black hair and the same build as their mother. "Hello there", she said in soft and warm tone, her accent was one that Harry recognised as Irish, though he didn't know where in Ireland she was from. "I'm Gina Finnegan".
"Hello Gina, I'm Molly Weasley", Molly introduced in an equally warm tone. "I think we saw you collecting Seamus on Platform 9 & 3 Quarters in June, alongside another woman who looked to be Dean's mother".
"That's right", Gina nodded and smiled. "I'm sorry we didn't have a chance to speak. Both myself and Dean's mother were in a hurry unfortunately, she needing to go to the dentist and myself dealing with a minor crisis at home".
Molly smiled. "That's quite alright, I understand how chaotic life can be, my children see to that".
Gina laughed. "I know what you mean, I love my son but he is a handful at times", she looked at Harry and Ron and smiled "hello, you must be Harold and Ronald. How would you prefer to be addressed, Harold and Ronald or a shorter form?"
"Please call me Harry", Harry said with a grin "I can't stand Harold, makes me sound like an old man".
"Like Harry said, please use my shorter name of Ron", Ron requested with a grin of his own.
Gina smiled. "Harry and Ron it is, it's lovely to meet you both at last, my Seamus has told me all about you both".
Molly kissed Harry and Ron on the forehead. "Right, now are you sure you both have everything you need for the next two days?".
Harry and Ron both nodded. "We've double checked mum, we've got everything".
Molly hugged them both. "Alright then, you two be good for the Finnegan's, remember to follow their household rules", she smiled "and enjoy yourselves, I'll pick you up from the Finnegan house on Sunday afternoon, if you need anything then make sure to floo call and I'll bring it on over".
"I'm sure we'll be fine Molly", Gina said with a smile. She turned to Harry and Ron "come on then Ron, Harry, Seamus, Dean and Neville are all waiting for you".
Harry and Ron picked up their backpacks and stepped into the fireplace. Having been told the address of the Finnegan house they flooed over, followed close behind by Mrs Finnegan.
As Harry stepped out of the fireplace alongside Ron, they were mobbed by Dean, Seamus and Neville. "I can't believe you guys made it, this weekend is going to be awesome!", Seamus shouted.
"Hi guys", Neville greeted them with a smile "good to see you both, what have you been up to for the past week?", he asked.
"Oh not much. We pulled a prank on Fred and George two days ago by putting itching powder in their pants", Ron told them all.
"They got us back though", Harry added "they managed to enchant our food to move about whenever we tried to eat. Mum was annoyed with all of us, but as no real harm was done she only gave us a warning for a change".
"You two won't believe what we've all off to see", Dean told them "Mr Finnegan is taking us all to see Batman Returns tomorrow morning and then we're going ten pin bowling!"
Harry and Ron grinned. "I've always wanted to see a film!", Harry exclaimed. Ron nodded in agreement "I can't wait to see it, I have a few Batman comics that I bought from village shop, Batman rules!".
"Eh, Batman is alright but Superman is way better", Seamus disagreed "he's got all those powers like super strength, Batman just has his gimmicks".
"Yeah, plus Superman is from Krypton, a whole other planet", Dean agreed with Seamus.
"But that's why Batman is better", Harry cut in "he's human so he's more relatable, almost like any one of us could become Batman".
They four of them argued good naturedly until Mrs Finnegan intervened. "You had better show Harry and Ron upstairs Seamus, you too Dean", she said and informed Harry and Ron "the four of you will be sleeping in Seamus' room. "Are you alright with using sleeping bags?"
"Sleeping bags are fine with us, that's what we have in our backpacks", Harry told her. Mrs Finnegan smiled "well off you go then boys, we're having pizza for dinner and then you can all choose a film to watch, I'll see you all down here in two hours alright?"
"Come on guys, lets get your stuff stowed upstairs and then we play some video games", Seamus said and led the way upstairs.
"What are gideo fames?", Ron asked, getting the words jumbled up.
"I forgot to tell you guys and it's video games Ron, not gideo fames", Dean said as they walked upstairs "but video games are these really cool things muggles have where you play on a thing called a games console attached to a television. There's lots of different genres of games like fighting, sports and even fantasy games, it's brilliant!"
Harry and Ron exchanged grins. They liked the sound of video games!
The next two hours, once Harry and Ron had stowed their gear, was spent playing various video games on the console Seamus' dad Patrick had bought for his tenth Birthday.
They had just come downstairs to eat their pizza when the front door slammed shut and a man called out in a thick accent, that Harry recognised as being Southern Irish of some kind, "I'm home Gina love, are Seamus' friends here yet?"
"We're all in the dining room Patrick darling", Gina replied.
A man entered wearing a suit and tie. He was stocky but rather tall with dark hair. He took off his suit jacket and hung it on a chair, kissed his wife rather passionately, took off his tie and ruffled Seamus' hair "been having a good day Seam'?" he asked with a grin.
"The best Da, me, Harry, Ron, Dean and Neville have been playing video games", Seamus replied.
Seamus' dad grinned. "Have ya now, who won?"
Seamus pointed to Ron "we all did well but Ron was the best, especially at games that need strategy, it's no wonder he's great at chess".
Seamus' dad laughed and looked at Seamus' friends. "Pleased to meet you, Ron, Harry, Neville and nice to see you again Dean". He looked over at the table and rubbed his hands in glee "ah pizza, my favourite, just what I need after a hard day working in that bank", he added "it's knackering work I tell ya".
After a fun meal of pizza with ice cream for dessert, Seamus, Harry, Ron, Neville and Dean sat down in front of the telly to watch what Harry was told was a VHS tape. "So a VHS recorder is like a home film system?", he asked.
"That's right", Seamus confirmed "it's awesome since you can watch a film over and over in the comfort of your own home".
"That's wicked!", Ron exclaimed "wish we had something like that at the Burrow".
"Someone should come up with a magical video camera", Neville put in "think how brilliant it would be to make magical films". Everyone else declared this to be a brilliant idea.
Later that night as Harry, Ron, Seamus, Neville and Dean sat talking and drinking hot chocolate Harry said "Ghostbusters was really fun. I can't wait for us to watch the second film tomorrow evening".
"I thought Slimer was really funny", Neville agreed.
"The bits about the gatekeeper and the keymaster were the most entertaining for me", Ron interjected and soon they were all quoting lines from the film and falling about laughing at the funniest moments.
"Bedtime boys, it's half past ten, time for lights out", Mrs Finnegan said as she poked her head around the door. "Do you have everything you need darlings?"
Harry and the others declared that they did and she smiled and said "sweet dreams then".
As Harry snuggled down in his sleeping bag and watched the fairy lights changing colours on the wall he smiled, thinking to himself what a fantastic time he'd had so far at the sleepover and there was still another day and a half left!
The twelfth of August rolled around and with it the trip to Diagon Alley to buy school supplies and school clothes.
Harry was the first downstairs, after his mum and dad. He greeted his dad with a grin and a "good morning dad", to which Arthur replied "morning Son", with a smile and ruffled Harry's hair causing Harry to protest "Dad!" and Arthur to laugh.
Harry greeted his mum with a hug. She kissed his forehead affectionately and said "sit down Harry dear, breakfast will be ready soon".
"Are you sure you don't want any help Mum?", Harry asked Molly "you know I'm more than willing to do the toast".
Molly smiled at her youngest son and replied "I know you are Harry love, you're a good boy, but no I have it all covered".
Harry shrugged and sat down. He was joined a few moments later by a fully dressed Percy. "Morning Perce", he greeted his older brother with a grin.
Percy rolled his eyes at Harry's jovial attitude. "Morning Harry", he replied, greeted their parents and then promptly buried his face in a book on wizarding politics. Having got a good look at the cover, Harry shook his head. He enjoyed reading as much as the next person but didn't understand why Percy found politics so interesting.
Fred and George were the next to appear, announcing their arrival by loudly greeting Percy with "morning, Perfect Percy!".
"Sod off", Percy muttered.
"Boys!", Molly reprimanded her sons sharply. They settled down quickly after that.
Ginny appear hot on the heels of the Twins and greeted her parents happily with hugs before leaping into a chair next to Harry. "Morning Gin Gin", he greeted her with a grin, able to tell her excitement before she had said anything.
"Morning Harry", Ginny greeted him back with a wide grin.
The last to appear, a full fifteen minutes after everyone else, was Ron. Harry raised an eyebrow and smirked in amusement as Ron shuffled in, still in his pyjamas, yawning and scratching his head. "Morning Ron", he said to his brother as Ron flopped down to his right.
"Morning? It's still practically night time", Ron grumbled sleepily.
Harry snorted a laugh. His brother was definitely not morning person and never had been.
"You had better get changed as soon as we've finished breakfast Ron dear", Molly said as she passed out plates of everyones preferred Breakfast to them.
"Oh but Mum...", Ron protested.
"Oh but Mum, nothing young man!", Molly replied "your father only has this morning to accompany us to Diagon Alley for the school shopping and that's only because Mr Diggory has agreed to help Perkins out until this afternoon, we don't have time to waste, so you get upstairs and changed as soon as you've finished eating", she fixed her son with a steely glared and hands on hips. "Am I clear?", she demanded.
Ron sighed, knowing it was pointless to argue. "Yes Mum", he replied and then set to eating his breakfast.
The table was soon full of conversation as Molly and Arthur chatted about how best to divide themselves and the children up for collecting the school supplies and Fred and George were busy talking about pranks and what they were going to do in the upcoming school year.
Percy continued to read his book in between mouthfuls of cereal, oblivious to the conversations going on around him and Ron was engrossed in eating his breakfast of eggs, bacon and sausages.
"Todays the big day Sis", Harry said to Ginny with a grin in between bites of toast. "You finally get your first wand".
Ginny grinned happily. "I can hardly wait!", she exclaimed and added "so many spells to learn, It's going to be great learning how to do them rather than just read about them".
Harry snorted. "Just so long as you don't hex anyone", he said "you know what you're like when you get riled up".
Ginny smirked. "I won't hex anyone, promise", she declared innocently, causing Harry to almost choke on his orange juice before she then finished "unless they deserve it".
With breakfast finished, Ron duly went upstairs and changed while their Parents, the Twins, Percy, Harry and Ginny waited, somewhat impatiently, for him to return so that they could depart for the Leaky Cauldron.
At last, the Weasleys were off to Diagon Alley. Arthur went first, followed by Percy. The Twins went next and Ron just after them.
Harry was next to step into the fireplace. He took up the floo powder and said clearly "Diagon Alley" and disappeared in a puff of green flames. The last thing he saw before vanishing was an eager looking Ginny waiting for her turn.
Harry tumbled out of the fireplace and right into someone. "Get off you idiot!". It was Ron that he had knocked over as he came out and into the main area of the pub.
"Need a little help...", said Fred.
"Ickle Harrikins?", George finished.
Fred and George helped Harry up and dusted him off. Harry was so grateful for the help that he didn't even scowl at them or protest the sickeningly sweet nickname they had given him so many years before.
Harry looked around and, seeing that their father and Percy were over chatting to Tom, he said to the Twins "hey Fred, George, me and Ron are planning to get back at Draco Malfoy when we return to Hogwarts, I'll tell you both why when we're back home, but are you in?"
Fred and George exchanged wicked grins. "What do you think Gred?", George asked.
Fred gave the idea mock consideration. "Oh I don't know Forge, it could be rather risky, we might get expelled".
Harry rolled his eyes and shook his head at their antics. Eventually, the Twins nodded their heads and said as one "we're in!". Harry grinned and replied "excellent, we'll sort the details out later", he had no chance to say more as their mother stepped out of the fireplace.
Molly looked behind her in surprise and frowned. Her frowned soon disappeared and was replaced with relief however as a coughing Ginny stepped out moments later and turned to scowl at the fireplace, muttering "I hate floo travel".
Molly now clapped her hands and said "right then, me and your father have talked and decided that the best thing to do is for us to stay together while we get your clothes sorted out and then split up when we reach Flourish and Blotts. He will take you boys to get your books and Ginevra's books while myself and Ginny go to Ollivanders for her wand. We will then meet up to purchase Potions supplies and other assorted school supplies such as new quills and ink".
"Can I go to Eeyelops to get some treats for Hedwig, Mum?", Harry asked hopefully.
Molly smiled. "Of course you can Harry", she turned to Ron "and you can pick up some treats for Scabbers as well Ron". Ron nodded with a smile.
The first part of the shopping, for robes and other school clothes, went quickly and without incident and soon Harry, Ron, Fred and George, were outside Quality Quidditch Supplies gazing longingly at the various broomsticks and other Quidditch items on display in the window. Percy huffed in irritation while Arthur chuckled "come now boys, no time for that. We have to get your books from Flourish and Blotts".
With a sigh of disappointment, Harry, Ron and the Twins followed their father and Percy up the street towards Flourish and Blotts.
"Harry!". Harry looked through the crowds of shoppers and grinned at the sight of two familiar faces. Hermione and Neville were standing outside of Flourish and Blott's.
As Harry and his family approached, he saw that Hermione and Neville had adults with them. Two women and a man. He recognised them from the end of the first school year. The man was tall and thin with a short dark hair and wearing glasses with square lenses while the woman next to him with shorter with blonde hair tied back with a hairband and dressed in a white blouse and matching white skirt. They both looked rather ill at ease standing behind Hermione, gazing around at the wizards and witches walking past or queuing up. He couldn't blame them, it must be very awkward for muggles to be surrounded by such, to them, strange sights and sounds and not able to tell their friends or family about it all.
The woman standing behind Neville was around about the same height as Harry's mum. She was wearing a dark green dress and perched on top of her head was a rather large hat with feathers in it. "Ah Arthur, Molly, I was hoping we would see you both today", she indicated to Neville "and young Neville here was hoping to meet up with his new friends".
"We're pleased to see you too Augusta", Molly greeted her with a kiss on the cheek. Harry knew that they had become rather friendly with his mother since June. "We've just finished getting the clothing, Potions and assorted school supplies for Neville and Hermione here, we accompanied Hermione and her parents to Diagon Alley, so we just to collect their school books.
Molly nodded. "Arthur and I have taken the children to get their clothing but we still have the rest of the shopping to do. "Ginny and I are off to buy her wand while Arthur and the boys get the school books before we get the rest of the supplies".
"Well I daresay Arthur, the Grangers and I can take care of the boys alongside Neville and Hermione for the time being", Augusta smiled at Ginny "I remember when my mother took me to get my first wand, it's a wonderful experience".
Ginny smiled back at her. "I can't wait to get a wand and start learning Mrs Longbottom", she replied.
"That's the spirit Dear", Augusta replied warmly.
Molly and Ginny headed up the street towards Ollivanders while Harry and the rest of the group went into Flourish and Blotts. He glanced about and frowned in confusion as to why the crowd of people was so dense. He grimaced as he saw a poster on the wall bearing the words "the Famous Gilderoy Lockhart Book signing here today". He elbowed Ron and gestured at the poster.
Ron groaned on seeing the poster. "Oh bugger it!". They both knew that their mum had a crush on him and believed that he really was a great wizard so it was lucky that their dad was here instead. They knew their dad thought Lockhart was a prat, a sentiment they thoroughly agreed with.
"I'm going to hide at the back and hope Lockhart doesn't notice me", he whispered to Ron and Neville who both nodded.
"It's too crowded in here", Arthur told Harry and the others "you stay here with Mr and Mrs Granger and myself and Augusta will get your books", he offered. Hermione and Neville gratefully handed over their booklists as did Harry and his siblings.
Harry watched on in disinterest as Lockhart rambled on. One thing did cause him gape in disbelief however. "Yes folks that's right, your five times winner of Witch Weekly's most charming smile award and member of the Dark Arts Defence League, has been named as teacher for the lower years in Defence Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Professor Albus Dumbledore approached me and I have graciously accepted for what greater honour can there be than to pass on ones knowledge and ability to the wizards and witches of the future?".
Loud applause followed Lockharts announcement while Harry, Ron, Neville, Fred, George and even Percy rolled their eyes or scowled. Only Hermione looked happy at this announcement. "Oh that's brilliant!", she exclaimed "just think of what he can teach us!".
Ron snorted derisively. "Oh come on Hermione, he's clearly a fraud. No one would do all those things and then boast about it, true heroes never boast".
Hermione glared at Ron. "You're just jealout because you've not done anything that impressive!", she shouted.
Harry and the others sighed while Hermione's parents gave both of them disapproving looks.
"Out of the way!", someone barged into Harry causing him to fall against the Twins. "This is for the Daily Prophet!".
"Big deal", Ron grumbled and then pointed out "you nearly hurt my brother you prat!".
"Come back here you git!", the Twins called out. The photographer ignored them however.
"It can't be!", the shout made Harry groan. The incident with the photographer must have drawn Lockharts attention, for he was pushing through the crowd. "Harry Potter!". A hand grabbed Harry's arm as Lockhart tried to pull him through the crowd and up to area where he was conducting his book signing.
"Get off me!", Harry tried to wrench his arm free as Ron, Fred and George also intervened, shouting at Lockhart. Neville scowled at Lockhart as well.
Percy, meanwhile, did something very surprising. He strode up to Lockhart, tapped him on the shoulder and said "if you don't unhand my brother this instant Mr Lockhart I shall be forced to punch you, right in the jaw, now back away or else!".
Everyone stared at Percy in amazement, including Lockhart. The man seemed stunned. Harry was too for Percy didn't stand up for him very often.
"Now then, what is going on here...take your hands off of my son!". Arthur pulled Harry away from Lockhart and glared at the man. Percy too continued to glare.
Lockhart gulped and backed away. "I meant no harm, I merely intended to give young Harry a bit of the spotlight", he was suddenly pompous again as he declared "he is after all nearly as famous as me".
"Nearly as famous!", Ron shouted in outrage.
"I think you had better return to your book signing, Mr Lockhart", Arthur said coldly and added "and if I hear you have been trying to force my son into the spotlight again you will be hearing from our socilictor".
They walked away and were almost at the exit to the shop when a sneering voice stopped them in their tracks. "Bet you loved that didn't you Potter". Draco Malfoy was standing by some bookshelves looking down his nose distainfully at him. "Always trying to get attention aren't you, you showoff".
Harry raised an eyebrow. "First of all Malfoy, my last name is Potter-Weasley, not just Potter and secondly I actually hate attention, which is something you would know if you'd bothered paying attention last year".
"I reckon Ickle Malfoy's jealous Gred", said George.
"I reckon so Forge", Fred concurred. "He knows Harry has more talent in his little finger than he has in his whole body".
"Shut up, you bunch a losers!", Malfoy retorted.
"Now now, Draco that is not how we speak to people...even if they are beneath us". Harry glared as Lucius Malfoy appeared beside his son and looked distainfully at them, even more so than Draco had. "Arthur", Mr Malfoy greeted Harry's father formally.
"Lucius", Arthur replied frostily.
Mr Malfoy looked at each of the Weasleys in turn and tutted. He examined the books Arthur was holding and tutted again "what is the use of being a disgrace to the name of wizard kind if they don't even pay you well for it?", he sneered.
"I think we both have different ideas of what disgraces the name of wizard kind, Malfoy", Arthur replied, losing his frosty cordiality.
"Perhaps you and that wife of yours should stop having children, as you seem unable to properly look after them", Mr Malfoy smiled, the sort of smile you would see on a shark "I would happily look after them and teach them how to be proper wizards and witches...". Suddenly the books Arthur was holding went flying as he lunged at Mr Malfoy.
The two men brawled across the shop entrance, exchanging punches and kicks while Harry, his siblings and Neville all shouted encouragement. They would have carried on were it not for a voice calling out "break it up now gents, break it up!" and two large hands pulling them apart and up.
Mr Malfoy wrenched himself free from Hagrids grasp and used his wand to clean himself off. He then picked up the books Arthur had been holding and thrust them at him. "You're nothing but a common thug, Weasley", he scowled as he stormed past and called out "come Draco!".
Arthur handed out the books to his children, keeping Ginny's to give to her once she and Molly returned, while Augusta handed out the ones she was holding to Hermione and Neville.
No one noticed Percy pick up a black leatherbound book and frown at it in confusion before deciding that it must be a new diary of some sort that his father had purchased for him. He placed it amongst his other books and followed everyone else outside.
"You shouldn't have brawled with Lucius Malfoy", Hagrid chided Arthur once they were all outside. "He's a dangerous man to cross is Lucius. He never forgets and he never forgives".
Arthur scowled. "That man should be in Azkaban and everyone knows it".
"Why, what did Mr Malfoy do Dad?", Harry and the others asked curiously.
Arthur cleared his throat and replied evasively "never you mind that, it's not for young ears to hear".
Later that day once they had returned from Diagon Alley, Harry called the Twins and Ginny up to his and Ron's room.
Everyone gathered around, either on Harry's bed or on the floor as he spoke. "That git Malfoy, or his father, sent a house elf named Dobby here just over a week ago to try and convince me not to return to Hogwarts".
"He told Harry some nonsense about a plot to cause terrible things to happen at Hogwarts but he refused to say what, no doubt Malfoy was hoping to frighten Harry", Ron told them.
"Instead I'm just really annoyed and eager to get even with that git", Harry declared and asked them "are you all willing to help?"
Fred and George grinned and instantly nodded. "We're in Harry", they said together.
"I'm in too", Ginny replied with a grin of her own. "It's nice to be included in a prank at last".
Harry grinned at her and then at the Twins. He had already asked Ron earlier and his brother had jumped at the chance to get even with Malfoy.
"We'll have to give it some thought of how to get Malfoy back though, we want it to be good", Ron said.
The rest of the summer went by quickly With Harry, Ron and Ginny mainly spending time with Neville, Hermione and Luna or with each other as they spent time playing Quidditch, cycling and on a hundred other activities.
At last, the first of September arrived. Unlike last year however, as Harry got into the car for the long drive up to London and Kings Cross Station, he couldn't shake the feeling that something odd was about to happen.