Chapter 5: Diagon Alley
Ron and Hermione, having met up at the Leaky Cauldron an hour earlier, had already taken their belongings up to the respective rooms they'd be staying in over the weekend, and giddily made their way through the secret brick wall entrance into Diagon Alley, heading towards the Three Broomsticks.
They found a table and ordered two butterbeers, keeping their eyes peeled for any sign of Harry.
"I can't believe we're actually here on our own!" squealed Hermione excitedly as she sipped on her butterbeer. Her eyes stayed glued to the door, and everytime it opened she stiffened reflexively; an aura of pure excitement radiating from her until the moment passed and she relaxed, a little disappointed.
"Yeah well we are seventeen," said Ron, eyeing her in amusement, "It's not like we haven't done this for six years in a row now…"
"I know," said Hermione, her butterbeer almost slipping out of her grasp and clunking on the table rather clumsily. "Oops, uh…All the same it's strange. I'm still surprised Mum and Dad allowed me to come on my own…"
"With Harry and I here to protect you? What objections could they possibly have?" joked Ron as he drained the last of his butterbeer in one loud gulp.
"Right, sure." Hermione answered him absently, keeping her gaze trained at the door. Once again it clanged open, and once again she stiffened with excitement, only to be disappointed again. "So have you picked your subjects yet?"
Ron leaned back in his chair with a smirk. She was obviously trying to make small talk to distract herself, but as he knew, she probably wouldn't really be paying attention to any answers she got in return.
"Yep…taking Divination again. It was between that and Arithmancy… Don't think I could handle that."
"Uh huh…of course."
"Guess I'll be trying out for Quidditch this year; Fred and George gone and all…leaves two spaces you know. You should try out!"
"Mm hmm…uh, what?" Hermione finally caught some of the conversation. "No Ron, of course not! You know I don't like to fly…" she trailed off again and looked longingly at the silent door. "Where can he be?"
Ron smiled to himself. He'd really lost her now, so he decided to have some fun. "Think it'll be fun this year though 'Mione…I think Ginny wants to try out as a bludger…"
"Oh…she'll do well…"
"Yeah, always did want to beat a sibling without getting in trouble for it."
Hermione nodded, chin in hand. "Uh huh, of course…"
Ron rolled his eyes and smirked. She was really gone. "Made a big decision over the summer too…I'm thinking about getting castrated…Harry should too. Just way too much temptation out there, you know?"
"A…Absolutely, I agree…good idea."
Ron, barely controlling the fit of laughter welling up in his throat, sat ram-rod still and stared at Hermione, waiting for the realization of what he had just said to hit her.
Hermione sat still, eyes glued to the door waiting for more conversation to come. When it didn't she frowned and looked up at Ron, whose face was beet red from stifling himself. His laughter, coming out in snorts, made Hermione quickly think back to what he'd just said. Finally a dawning look of disbelief replaced the complacency.
"C…Castrated!? Ronald Weasley, you idiotic little twit!" Hermione couldn't help but laugh as Ron burst out laughing, banging his fist on the table and eliciting stares from other customers. Hermione scowled and pinched him playfully.
"OW, Hermione! Dammit…"
"Oh did that hurt ickle Ronniekins?" Hermione snickered at the little boy look on his face. "Sorry. I know I wasn't paying attention…It's…it's just…"
Ron settled back and smirked once again. "No explanations 'Mione…You're transparent as glass."
Hermione feigned a hurt expression and answered softly. "Am I?"
Ron, while hating when Hermione cried, hated it just as much when she looked hurt. It was the same with Ginny, which was why he was such a complete pushover at times. His smirk softened. "No more than he is."
The door clanged again and both looked up. "Speak of the bloody devil…" grinned Ron.
Harry walked in; his hands shoved deeply into his pockets and began immediately scanning the bar.
"Oy!" Ron yelled, waving to him. "Stupid git! Yeah you, over here!"
Harry's eyes fell on them and he immediately lit up, a brilliant smile spreading across his face as he began to approach. Hermione instantly felt lightheaded. He'd gotten even taller over the summer. His skin was a warm olive, probably from all the work the Dursley's had made him do on the yard. His hair just brushed the neck of his white button-down shirt and fell in an unruly fashion across his forehead, the famous scar just barely hidden beneath. Behind the thin, round glasses, his large eyes, green as a summer meadow, clear as emeralds, held a warm glow in them as soon as he'd spotted them, in particular her, as if he'd just come home after a long journey. His body had filled out even more, even evident in the loose faded jeans he wore, and his easy stride spoke volumes about how much he'd grown up; his manner confident and self-assured. He shot a warm look Hermione's way that made her insides instantly melt to warm pudding.
Harry met Ron first with a boyish hug and laughed. "Filthy prat…good to see you…Grown more then, haven't you?"
"You too," grinned Ron, clapping him on the back, "But you'll never catch up to me…Everything settled at the Cauldron then?"
"All set…" Harry replied, and then sent an intense, almost shy gaze Hermione's way. Somewhere in-between her heart and her stomach Hermione felt a breath-taking rush of giddiness…god, how she'd missed him.
Ron rolled his eyes and smirked. "Go on, get it over with. Snog 'er senseless."
Harry grinned at Ron, and then with two long strides made it to Hermione and swept her up in his arms, grinning and closing his eyes, letting his forehead rest on hers.
Hermione laughed out loud and placed her arms around his shoulders closing her eyes as well. She loved the way his long absent arms felt around her. He held her tighter about the waist hugging her to him, and Hermione breathed in his scent. He smelled like summer…uniquely Harry. Warm breezes with the faint scent of honeysuckle, the lingering musk of rain, freshly mown grass…
"I missed you."
That husky baritone voice… Those three words, breathed out almost in reverence were the only ones Harry had given her yet in the form of a greeting, but the passion behind them and the implied other thoughts and words were enough. Hermione felt herself spiraling back down the deep well of longing she always found herself falling into with Harry. It was a voluntary plunge.
His lips found hers, and the instant they touched the spark that ignited fanned into flame. Very soon, both were kissing so passionately that they forgot where they were.
With wide eyes, Ron finally cleared his throat rather loudly. People were starting to stare…
"Oy there mate," he said, tapping Harry lightly on the shoulder, "Save that for later, will you?"
In response, Harry's lips finally left Hermione's and he slid her back down to the floor. As Hermione felt her body sliding down Harry's, the shudder that ensued nearly took both of their breaths away. Harry gave her a wickedly lopsided grin that didn't help matters either. Ron scratched his head in embarrassment and Harry turned towards him with a sheepish look on his face.
"Sorry mate…Needed that you know…"
With a wizened look, Ron cleared his throat again as the three finally sat at their table and ordered more butterbeer. He decided then to take the wide-open opportunity to embarrass Hermione.
"Well 'Mione, maybe that castration might not be such a bad idea after all…"
"RON!" Hermione blushed shades of red not yet known to mankind as Harry turned a confused gaze from she to Ron.
"Castr…What the hell…!?"
Ron snickered at Hermione as she buried her face in her hands letting her hair fall around her like a veil. He slumped back in his seat comfortably and grinned. "Never mind…"
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The three, with the ever present prodding of Hermione, found their way to Gringotts for Harry, and then to each necessary shop and made a day of shopping for school items, each elaborating on how odd it was that this would be their last year at Hogwarts. Along the way, they discussed the unicorn issue, all three agreeing that Voldemort was the most likely culprit of the killings. But, as Ron pointed out, at least he didn't have his body back, and since Dumbledore and all the teachers now knew that he needed Harry for the potion he had used last time to re-gain it, he would be even more protected than ever. Harry rather thought that he didn't want the extra protection, he had quite enough and certainly didn't want to be fussed over more than he already was, which brought about a round of disapproval from Hermione. At that, they decided to leave the subject alone for the time and focus on just having a great weekend, completely free of responsibility.
Over large bowls of ice cream at Madam Fortescue's, they discussed their futures and what they planned to do after school.
"Dad's got an internship planned for me at the Ministry, though not in 'Misuse of Muggle Artifacts' thank Merlin!" exclaimed Ron as he took another large bite of his chocolate chunk sundae, "Too boring for me. I think I'd like to work in Muggle Affairs…you know, concealment spells, memory charms and the like…"
"That'd be interesting. You're certainly sneaky enough to pull it off," began Hermione with a smirk, but then her face fell. "If Mum and Dad have their way I'll be headed to a Muggle college…Not what I want to do though."
"What's that then?" asked Harry.
Hermione looked embarrassed and unsure of herself, something that was unusual for her. "Well I'm…I'm seriously thinking about becoming an Auror, maybe working through the Ministry…who knows?" She looked down and wrung her hands a bit.
Harry smiled a genuine smile and grabbed her hand, running a thumb over her knuckles affectionately. "'Mione, don't be embarrassed…I think you'd make an excellent Auror."
"Really?" Hermione blushed a bit and looked up at him, "I'm…I wasn't sure what you'd think…Ron?"
"Yeah, straight on," replied Ron around a mouthful of ice cream, "You or Harry…both do well. Whaddabout you then?" he turned his gaze on Harry.
Harry looked down, a little nervously and clasped his hands together. What could he tell them? The two things he wanted were hardly compatible, yet he and Dumbledore had discussed at length what his options could be.
Dumbledore was privy to information about several underground organizations whose main focus was fighting the dark forces. Harry had almost laughed at the old wizard but something had told him not to discount it. If he was honest with himself, wasn't that what he'd been doing his whole life? But now he'd gotten decently good at it, and honestly, it was the most appealing. Something that he could do in his parents' memory, in honor of their sacrifice. But the other thing, so close to his heart, was the one thing that over-shadowed all else.
"Harry?" Hermione grabbed his hand and gazed at him quizzically, mirroring Ron's look.
He started slowly. "Well I…I'm…Dumbledore's convinced I'd do well joining some organization against the Dark Arts," at this, Hermione immediately blanched, "but I'm not sure h…well, how my second, I guess, 'desire' would work with that."
Hermione noticed that he ended rather quietly and though shaken by the thought that he may choose to fight evil day in and day out as a profession, wanted to know more. "Harry? What about the second thing?"
Harry looked down again, not quite knowing how to form it well into words. It might sound silly to someone who had grown up differently that he, who had the perks of a loving mother and father relationship, who felt secure in themselves and in the love of others, but for him it had been different…he'd always been alone…
"Harry?"
Hermione's soft, encouraging voice prodded him on. "I…I want a family."
When Harry finally looked up, he saw neither the ridicule nor the confusion he might've expected. Both Hermione and Ron looked at him as if he'd just told them he loved Quidditch. To them, the most natural thing in the world had just escaped his lips…because they knew him.
"Harry…" Once again Hermione breathed his name. He loved it when she said his name…so warmly, like the heat from a fireplace after coming in from the bitter cold, like a long embrace at the end of the day, like a shelter from the storm… "Wanting a family is nothing to be ashamed of." She held his hand and gazed at him with more love than he thought possible. "I want the same thing. Eventually, doesn't everyone?"
"She's right mate," said Ron, clapping Harry on the arm, "Though truth be told, you already have a family; a huge red-headed one at that. An eccentric father, a rather frightening mother," Harry smiled at this, "five brothers, two of whom are absolute gits, and one who's devastatingly handsome," Hermione grinned, "and one adoring little sister…What more could you ask for?"
Harry smiled. "Thanks for that, Ron."
Hermione grinned wickedly. "You know Ron, now that you mention it, George has become quite handsome over the past two years. No wonder Angelina's still dating him!"
Ron scowled at her. "Sod off, you."
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After spending the rest of the day generally gadding about and making a planned trip to Japes and Gambol to check on the twins prospects, ("We've got it for sure!" an excited Fred had told them, bumping into them just after his and George's meeting) the three friends made their way slowly back towards the Leaky Cauldron, stopping to talk to fellow seventh years they met along the way.
Quite a few had actually been allowed to come to Diagon Alley by themselves, though not all were staying through the weekend. Most were to meet back up at King's Cross Station that Monday.
The trio met up with a particularly downtrodden Neville Longbottom, who was being led around by the proverbial nose by his overbearing Grandmother. She was an old woman by now, but still a very formidable one at that.
"Neville!" cried Hermione jovially, waving to the short reddish-brown haired boy as he and his grandmother were stopped, chatting with one of her illustrious 'social circle' friends.
Longbottom's face lit up when he saw Harry, Ron and Hermione, and seeing an opportunity for a bit of escape, told, rather than asked his grandmother that he would be over talking to some friends and to nip him up when she was through. The grandmother gave the three an appraising once-over, and finally consented, although Neville was already on his way over.
"Thank Merlin for you three," he breathed out and then smiled easily, a lot easier than he used to.
Ron looked him over with amusement. "All right then? You're Gran being harsh again?"
"Not harsh," said Neville with a wry look, "just overbearing, as usual. She's been afraid to let me much out of her sight after what happened to you last year." Neville looked pointedly to Hermione who sighed and dropped her gaze. She preferred not to think about the horror she had endured so recently, with Voldemort and his lackey, Starven, or rather Kavan, as his true identity was now known.
Harry caught this and took her hand reassuringly. "We sort of prefer not to think about it Nev…if you don't mind."
"Oh, of course! Sorry…" Neville gave Hermione an apologetic gaze and she instantly shot him a look of friendly forgiveness.
"No worries," she said kindly, "So! Are you all prepared for classes? Quite a load…"
"It is," said Ron rather heavily and then added, "Though I'm sure 'Mione here'll have us studying for the N.E.W.T.s as soon as we step through the doors…" He pinched her cheek playfully, with a toothy grin and she swatted at him with a scowl, eliciting laughter from Harry and Neville.
"Yeah well, it's not the N.E.W.T.s that scare me as much as the new Advanced DADA class! I sure hope McGonnagol doesn't see fit to send me to that! Although I rather doubt it," Neville mused thoughtfully.
"The new WHAT!?"
"How's that!?"
"The WHO!?" Harry, Ron and Hermione were instantly beset by anxious confusion.
"Oh right…" said Neville rather unaffectedly, "Guess you three don't know 'bout that."
Ron immediately looked like he was ready to spontaneously combust, such was the look of complete shock on his face.
"Neville…kindly explain yourself, you git," said a slack-jawed Harry.
Neville chuckled uneasily. "Sorry mates…Gran has the inside word on almost everything. She's been so worried about something else happening because of last year (sorry Hermione), she owled Dumbledore and demanded that he send her a list of all classes and activities on the roster. Since this class is for a select few, it wasn't in our letters. Oh!…Got the inside info on the school dances this year too…prefects…head girl and boy…" At this, Neville grinned cheshire-like.
Hermione looked positively sick. "Wh…why couldn't we know about this?! I'm not in the least prepared!? What about our books for the class!? I could've had them read by now!"
"No need for books apparently…" began Neville.
"There's ALWAYS a need for books!" replied Hermione hotly. Harry sighed loudly and took her hand in mock reassurance. She scowled at him.
Ron shook his head quickly. "Nevermind the rest of that, mate…What'd you mean 'select few'?"
"Well the heads of the houses will choose who takes it…"
"Neville!" Longbottom's grandmother had dismissed her friend with a cordial air-kiss and was now ready to leave. "Let's go pumpkin! Still have to make it to Flourish and Blotts…They'll be closing in ten minutes!"
Neville sighed like a deflating balloon. "Damn! Have to see if for yourselves, I guess…Coming Gran!"
Instantly Ron quirked an eyebrow, a wicked grin smothering his face, and spoke up in a silly old high-pitched voice. "Oh yes my little summer squash…don't let's forget your school thingies…" He threw an arm around Neville's shoulders and pinched his cheek.
Neville shrugged him off huffily. "Sod off, carrots…I've seen you and your mum…" Neville affected an obnoxiously loud feminine voice. "Now Ronnie, did you pack fresh undies? You know how forgetful you are! And mind you eat your veggies! No pigging on desserts!"
Ron's eyes widened big as serving platters and he punched Neville roughly in the shoulder. Harry and Hermione clung to each other, guffawing helplessly.
"YES! That was bang on Neville!" snorted Harry as he grabbed his stomach and threw up his head, giving a sharp loud howl of laughter. "HA! Oh Merlin…"
Ron mustered up the harshest scowl he could and swung at Harry, but he dodged easily. "Shut up, Harry!"
"Neville! Let's go sweetums!" his grandmother gestured in annoyance.
"Sweetums?" snorted Hermione.
"Not you too!" grinned Neville as he backed towards his grandmother, "They've had a bad influence on you!"
"Too right Nev," called Harry after him, "We'll see you on the train!"
Neville nodded and dutifully followed his grandmother at a fast pace down the street.
"He's changed a lot hasn't he?" said Hermione as she, with Harry and Ron on either side, walked arm in arm with them back towards the Leaky Cauldron.
"He has…" mused Harry, "Guess we all have."
"Right grown up, we are…" said Ron, raising an eyebrow and grinning sarcastically.
"Uh…some of us more than others," said Harry with a blank expression. He reached an arm around Hermione and slapped Ron across the back of his head.
Instantly, Ron sent a punch Harry's way but missed again and scowled accordingly.
"Don't sweat it Harry…you'll catch up some day," grinned Ron as he reached across Hermione and gave the back of Harry's head a hard return smack.
"Is that right?" grinned Harry swatting Ron's cheek and connecting with a loud pop.
"Well, maybe not…" Ron grinned back as he stepped back from Hermione and grabbed Harry in a headlock, grinding his knuckles into his head.
Harry laughed and elbowed him and both began taunting and punching each other, laughing out loud and drawing a few amused glances from passers by.
Hermione folded her arms across her chest and smiled affectionately. Harry had thrown Ron in the dirt and both were now completely covered with grime, still grappling and neither caring a bit.
"You two sound like hyenas," she grinned and then added airily, "You look like 'em too…down there rolling around like a couple of manky twits."
Instantly, both Harry and Ron stopped and looked at her, chests heaving, grins gone. Both stood and began to approach her. Harry had his hands out, fingers claw-like, a blank expression on his face. Ron smiled evilly.
"Oh n…DON'T!" Hermione screamed and began running, Harry and Ron close behind, all three laughing like young children.
When they finally caught her, Ron held her arms while Harry tickled her until she begged and cried for mercy.
It had been a good day.
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