Harry and I walk the short distance to Diagon Alley and discuss favourite foods. I begin to understand Hermione and Ron's teasing comments as Harry is definitely passionate about his work, and we're soon discussing different culinary movements and favourite foods. On arriving at the Leaky Cauldron Harry receives several stares and curious glances. He simply waves in greeting to Tom the barman, and heads out the back. As we walk down Diagon Alley the glances and whispers continue. I overhear several witches and wizards. "Is it really?", "Harry Potter! Wow! He really has the scar!" Harry takes it all in his stride and I remember that he has dealt with this kind of attention since his introduction to the Wizarding world at age eleven. He follows my gaze and now notices two teenage witches following us rather unsubtly. He smothers a chuckle.
HP: Not these two again…they've somehow caught onto my routine. They're here most Friday's. They're rather sweet, harmless, but it can get a bit tiring.
LB: Do people often follow you?
HP: Not too often. Though right after the war ended it was much worse. I couldn't go shopping without getting mobbed. I had to break out the transfiguration disguises for a few months but it got better. People do approach me though. I went through a phase of being irritated by it, but they're such nice people, and I was once rude to a couple who wanted my autograph, I regretted it immediately, not only because of the look Hermione gave me. I tracked the couple down and apologised…It can be difficult, as some people ask questions I'd really rather not answer, they want to know about the war, and it brings back incredibly painful memories, the loss of so many I was close to, and even those I didn't know, it's hard to deal with. These two following us are sort of my unofficial fan club I think, Ron teases me mercilessly about them, but I've got my own ammunition to tease him with, he was a little gang of Quidditch groupies who follow him from time to time, one even broke into the stadium and hid in his locker - gave him a fright when he opened it to get his robes and found her in there! (Harry laughs and winks at me)
LB: You called them your `unofficial fan club', do you know that there is actually a Harry Potter Fan Club?
HP: (looks horrified) Really? Oh Ron's never going to let me hear the end of this. I suppose I should write to them if there is…
We enter Flourish and Blotts and Harry begins to browse through the shelves. I'm flipping through a copy of a magazine when Harry's two fans approach me.
Girl1: Hi
LB: Hi
Girl2: Are you Harry's girlfriend?
LB: No, I'm a friend. I'm writing an article about Harry for Witch Weekly.
1: Really?
2: When will it be out?
LB: Wednesday. Why is it you follow Harry around?
1: Oh, we just really like him.
2: He talks to us sometimes!
LB: Really?
1: Yes he's so nice, and Hermione's really nice to us when she's with him
2: And he's gorgeous! (They giggle, and then blush, I turn and see Harry approaching explaining the blushing. Harry greets the two girls by name, and they beam at him.)
1: Where's Hermione today?
HP: She's working; she's nearly finished the next book. I'll tell her hello from you.
2: What's the interview about Harry?
HP: Ah, well Lavender here is following me around for the day and just asking me whatever she wants. That's about all I know. We'd better get going though; we've got a few more things to pick up.
Harry smiles at them and we head to the desk to pay for his purchases, his fans watch him with smiles. He chats to Mr. Blithe and collects Hermione's book and we stop and pick up a few more items, only becoming distracted when Harry stares like a kid in Honeydukes at a new racing broom being displayed in the window of Quality Quidditch Supplies. I laugh.
HP: What?
LB: Why don't you just buy the broom?
HP: Oh. I don't need a new broom, I only play Quidditch with friends now, and I have a few brooms at home. (He smiles guiltily)
LB: How many brooms are a few?
HP: Um, well I refuse to throw them out so I've got about seven…and I still have the pieces of my first broom, the Nimbus 2000 that was destroyed by the Whomping Willow…it's sentimental attachment. (He smiles sheepishly) Hermione just raised an eyebrow at me last time I came home with a new broom.
LB: She looks after you then?
HP: She makes fun of me more like! (He laughs) She teases me about not needing a new broom as I can still beat Victor on my old Firebolt. She does look after me though.
LB: You can beat Victor Krum riding a broom you've had since you were a teenager?
HP: Well Vicky's getting older now! (Harry laughs teasingly) No, Victor's a great Seeker, but we were all having a friendly game last year and I caught the Snitch before him riding my Firebolt as my latest broom was being repaired.
LB: Who else was playing in the game?
HP: Oh I can't remember exactly who was around that day, but Ron obviously, Megan, Fred and George, Charlie, Angelina, Katie, Ginny, Draco, a few more of the Wasps, Victor, Gabrielle…it was a big Weasley family game, and half the Wasps were around, we usually play a few times a month, just friendly games.
LB: It sounds like a Quidditch fans fantasy league…have you considered going back and playing Quidditch professionally, I know a lot of people expected you to after the talent you displayed during school games.
HP: There have been several offers, and I have considered several of them, but I love my job, and in my free time I still do some work for the Ministry. If I could find a balance between three jobs maybe I would play, but for now I'm happy playing friendly games. I have signed up for a big charity match though.
LB: You're playing? I heard St. Mungo's was in the planning stages of a Charity Tournament but I hadn't heard any details yet.
HP: Well Neville approached me about it, and asked if I'd sponsor the event as I work closely with some of the St. Mungo's charity foundations and it seemed like a good idea. I don't know all the details but I'm sure that most of the players from our friendly games will be involved as well as current Quidditch players, and a few retired players. It should be a fun reunion.
Harry tears himself away from the shop window and we head back to the Leaky Cauldron and back into Muggle London. Food shopping with Harry turns out to be quite an experience, most wizards simply get food magically delivered to their homes, but Harry wanders happily around the Muggle store without a list and picks out seemingly random items, whatever takes his fancy. Two hours later we are back at his home and Harry leads me into an enormous kitchen. He begins unpacking the numerous shopping bags into large, very organised cupboards and an enormous Muggle refrigerator. Packages fly around the room magically stowing themselves away. We chat as he works.