Chapter Three - Diagon Alley
They took the floo from the Burrow to the Leaky Cauldron. After they stepped out
of the fireplace, Mrs. Weasley took Ron and Ginny with her to pick up the few
things she needed. Harry and Hermione were going to meet them at Weasley's
Wizarding Wheezes in an hour. They took a table at Florean Fortescue's; the
owner of which provided the both of them, over Harry's objections, with
chocolate sundaes on the house.
They slurped on their sundaes for a moment, neither of them looking at each
other. "Well, " said Harry, not sure how to even begin this conversation.
"Hermione, I..."
"Harry, " she interrupted him, "I realize how sudden this is. And maybe you
don't even love me..." Her voice broke at that statement, and she blinked at the
water welling in her eyes. She looked down at the table.
"Hermione, " he said, exasperated, "I do love you. I really, really do.
I'm...I'm just not good at these things, you should know that."
"You do?" she said quietly.
Frustrated, he nervously ran his hand through his hair, then grabbed her hand
and held it. "Hermione, look at me." She looked up from the table, and he could
see the uncertainty and fear in her eyes. "I. Love. You." he said.
Her next words stunned him for a moment. "But why?"
Women! He thought distractedly. "Hermione, how could I not love you? You're
beautiful. You're smart. Not to mention you saved my life, and confessed how
much you love me. What more could I want?"
"Harry, I'm not beautiful. My hair is absolutely horrible, and I'm rather plain
looking," she replied. "And I thought being a know-it-all annoyed the heck out
of you."
"It bothers Ron. Not me. And you are beautiful, Hermione; you're the prettiest
girl I know."
"Prettier than Cho Chang?" she inquired archly.
He groaned, wondering when that was going to come up. "Loads prettier,
Hermione."
"Plus, she plays Quidditch, while I won't even get on a broom." She said with a
snort.
"Yeah, why is that?" he asked.
"Don't change the subject, Harry," she said acerbically.
He shook his head in frustration and then stared at her. "'Mione, what ever Cho
and I had, if it was anything, is over and done with now. I love you." He
sighed, "Cho just wanted to be with me because I reminded her of Cedric."
"You sound disappointed, " she said snidely.
He groaned in absolute frustration, wondering where this conversation had gone
so totally wrong. All he had wanted to do was reassure her that he loved her as
much as she loved him, and instead they'd gone completely off the tracks.
"Hermione! I'm not disappointed! I love you! How many times do I have to say
it?" he shouted, ignoring the startled looks from the other patrons in the shop.
"Well, okay then," she said with a smile.
Harry pounded his head against the table in frustration.
"So Harry," she said, looking up from her sundae, "You want to tell me what's
had you so upset? Other than Sirius, that is?"
He looked up at her, "Not particularly. When I want to talk about it, I will."
"Come on, Harry," she said, "Things are always better when you share them."
"I said I didn't want to talk about it, Hermione." he said quietly. "It's my
business, and my business only."
She looked at him with a completely hurt expression, and then got up and ran out
of the shop.
"Ron's going to kill me," he said miserably to the melted remains of his sundae.
-*~*~*~*~*-
It was as he was walking down Diagon Alley towards the twin's store that he
noticed the jewelry store. It was tucked back in a corner, near Gringotts, and
he wondered why he had never seen it before. On a whim, he went inside. Maybe
some jewelry would say what he didn't seem able to say with his mouth.
The proprietor was standing behind a glass counter that contained some of the
most beautiful jewelry Harry had ever seen. "Welcome to Taliesin's, Mr. Potter,
" he said.
Harry was so used to being recognized that he didn't even think to ask how the
man knew who he was.
"Looking for something for someone special?"
"Yes," said Harry, studying the rings in the case.
"A friend, or someone closer than that?"
"I'm betrothed to her, " he answered absently, entranced by the brilliant shades
of color in the case.
"A betrothal bond, in someone your age? How remarkable, and unusual. In any
case, those rings aren't the ones you want to be looking at then. Those are
friendship rings."
He turned to a cabinet behind the counter and brought out a ring tray covered in
black velvet, which he set on the counter. "Now these are bonding rings, or as
Muggles would refer to them, engagement rings. All of these also have matching
wedding sets."
He paused. "Do you love the lady in question?"
Harry thought about that for a moment. He knew he had told Hermione that he
loved her, and he felt something--something he wasn't sure of. He thought over
the last day or so, her laughter and her tears, her frantic pleas for him not to
die. Somehow he had heard her, unconscious or not. He thought about how he'd
felt when she opened the door to Arabella Figg's house and he'd seen her
standing there, eyes frantic with alarm, with concern for him. And he thought
about how she had been there; refused to leave his side even, throughout the
entire horrible experience, and he realized that he never wanted her to leave
his side again.
"Yes, " he whispered, "more than I can say." As soon as those words had passed
his lips, one of the rings began to glow. Curious, he looked closer at it, and
realized it was perfect.
The band was white gold, with a large, 2-carat diamond mounted in the center. On
the right side of the diamond were mounted a half carat sapphire, and below it,
a half-carat agate. On the left side, were mounted a half-carat ruby above a
half-carat carnelian. Each of the stones was giving off a glow reminiscent of
their color, but the diamond outshone them all.
"What are the other stones," asked Harry.
"Ahh, the sapphire and agate, the two stones on the right, are the birthstones
for September. They protect the wearer from harm and ensure clear thinking," was
the answer.
"September? That's her birth month, " said Harry.
"Is it?" asked the proprietor with a twinkle in his eye. "The other two stones
are a ruby and a carnelian. They are the birthstones for July. The ruby opens
the wearer's heart to love, and wards off misfortune and ill health. It also
reconciles lover's quarrels. Mounted on a bonding ring, they also represent
passion and the promise of the giver's heart. The carnelian also ensures clear
thinking, and also brings luck, protection, and comfort. That's quite a powerful
ring you have there."
The proprietor laughed. "Actually, Mr. Potter, all of my rings in the store are
charmed so that the buyer will always find what he is looking for. Plus, Albus
mentioned that you might be coming in."
"You know Professor Dumbledore?" asked Harry.
"Albus and I are old friends--very old friends."
"Umm, so how much is it?" asked Harry.
The man smiled. "For you, Mr. Potter, there's no charge, for it, or the matching
wedding set. In this, I am paying off an old debt to your father, and to Albus."
He picked the ring up and placed it in a ring box, and placed the simple white
gold wedding bands in another box. He put both boxes in a bag, and handed it to
Harry.
"Good luck with your beloved, Mr. Potter."
"Umm, thank you, sir. Are you sure I can't pay you something for this?"
"No, Mr. Potter. Just mention to Albus the next time you see him that Taliesin
sends his regards."
"The Taliesin?" asked Harry.
He laughed. "Oh no, Mr. Potter, I'm not that old. Now go on, your friends are
waiting for you."
Harry turned and left the shop, letting the door close behind him. He turned
around to give the strange store one more look, and instead found himself
staring at a bare stone wall. He blinked in confusion for a moment, and then,
walked off towards the Weasley's store.
-*~*~*~*~*-
As he neared the store, he could see Ron standing outside with his arms folded
and a glower on his face.
Harry swallowed, but then continued resolutely on his way. As soon as Ron saw
him, his face darkened and he headed towards Harry. "What did you say to her?"
he hissed, drawing back his fist. "She's in there crying all over mum, and it's
all because of you."
"Ron, I really don't know what I said to her to upset her like that. I really
don't! I love her, I don't want to hurt her," said Harry exasperatedly. "She
brought up Cho in Florean's and it all went downhill from there."
"Well, why didn't you come after her, then?" asked Ron, his fist unclenching.
Harry held up the ring box he'd had clenched in his hand. "I needed to buy
something for her, first."
"Whoa, mate. Where'd you get that?" asked Ron, the anger in his face changing to
admiration.
"Weirdest little jewelry store I've ever seen. It was called Taliesin's,"
answered Harry. "It disappeared after I was done shopping there."
Ron's face turned slightly pale. "You got that at Taliesin's?" he asked in awe.
"Yeah, why?"
"They say he only sells to special clients by appointment only. He's got some of
the best jewelry in the wizarding world."
"He did mention that Dumbledore had told him that I might be dropping by."
"He knows Dumbledore?" asked Ron, amazement still written on his face.
"Does that really surprise you?" asked Harry. "Dumbledore seems to know
everybody."
"No kidding, " replied Ron. "So, how much did it cost you?"
"That was just it. He gave it to me, along with the matching wedding bands. Said
he was paying off a debt to my father and Dumbledore."
Ron's jaw dropped open. "Mate, you have got all of the luck."
Harry smiled at Ron, "Hang around with me long enough and some just might rub
off on you."
Mrs. Weasley came out the front door of the shop and shouted, "Harry James
Potter! You get in here and apologize to your girlfriend this instant!"
"Yes, ma'am, " he replied. He saw Ron head over to his mother and whisper in her
ear, undoubtedly telling her about the ring, as her face lit up and she smiled
at Harry.
"Well, go on, get in there, and give it to her. But make sure you apologize to
her first."
Harry threw his hands up in the air, and groaned "for what?" He opened the front
door and went in the shop.
The first person he encountered was Fred, or was it George. He'd always had
trouble telling the twins apart. "Hey Harry! So you and Hermione finally
admitted it? It's about time. Now get over there, and make her stop crying."
There was no one else in the store, and Harry must have looked puzzled because
Fred or George told him, "We cleared everybody out. It's a family emergency."
Harry heard the door open behind him, and he looked and saw Molly and Ron
entering the store.
Harry nodded to the twin, and headed over to where quiet sobbing told him
Hermione was sitting. She was huddled in a chair by the fireplace, her hands
over her face, and her shoulders shaking. Ginny was sitting next to her and she
looked up at Harry with an angry look on her face. "Fix it, " was all she said
as she got up and went to join her mother, the twins, and Ron, who were all
standing in the back by the door.
Feeling somewhat chastened, although for what he still didn't know, he placed a
hand on her shoulder and said quietly, "Hey, Hermione."
"Go away, I don't want to see you anymore," came the shaky reply.
He started to feel both scared and angry. Scared that she was telling the truth
about not wanting to see him anymore, and angry that she was being so
uncommunicative about what had upset her.
"'Mione, I truly do not know what I said to make you so upset. The last thing in
the world I want to do is hurt you. I love you." She still hadn't looked up at
him, but at least she hadn't told him to go away.
He reached into the pocket of his robes and pulled out the bonding ring box.
"Here, sweetheart, I got you something."
At that, she slowly looked up at him, and then at the ring box in his hand. Her
mouth opened and she quickly covered it with her hand as she gave little gasp of
astonishment.
"What is that, Harry?" she asked.
He got down on one knee in front of her, and he swore her eyes got even wider.
Harry was vaguely aware of the twins watching quietly in the background, and he
knew he was going to pay for this when he least expected it.
"Well, love," he said, "apparently I'm not too good with saying what my heart
feels, so I thought this might say it better." He placed the ring box in her
hand.
She opened the box with trembling hands and gasped at the sight of the ring. "Oh
my," she said with wonder in her voice. Harry took the box from her, and removed
the ring. He closed the box and shoved it back in his pocket. Taking the ring in
one hand, he reached out for her right hand.
She drew the hand back and said, "wrong hand, Harry." He heard the twins muffled
laughter in the background, and Mrs. Weasley's muffled "hush" and knew he'd be
hearing that phrase for the rest of his life. He looked up at her and noticed
the hidden laughter in her eyes. Two can play at that game, he thought.
Reaching out, he took her left hand, took a deep breath, and said rapidly, "Will
you marry me, Hermione Jane Granger? It doesn't have to be today, or next week,
or even next year, but will you marry me?" and placed the ring on her ring
finger.
The room was suddenly so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Oh please, thought
Harry, please say yes. Don't make a fool out of me in front of all of these
people. Please say yes!
Hermione gave a little gasp of astonishment, and then she grabbed Harry in a
headlock as she plastered her lips to his. After a instant of stunned
realization, he kissed back. They came up for air a moment or two later, and
Harry was suddenly aware that the two of them were surrounded by excited
Weasleys. He looked into Hermione's eyes and said, "I take it that was a yes?"
She laughed, hugged him tightly for a moment, and then turned to Ginny and Mrs.
Weasley to show them the ring.
Fred, George, and Ron were suddenly crowded around him. "Wrong hand, Harry?"
said one of the twins in a high-pitched voice.
"Knock it off, Fred, " said Ron. "You looked like you were about to faint there
for a minute, mate, " he said to Harry.
Harry frowned, and said, "You know, I still don't know what she was mad about."
"Harry, " said Ron with a curious look, "You just asked her to marry you, and
she said yes. I'm not sure that's really a concern anymore."
"But..." mumbled Harry. He suddenly got quiet. "She said yes, didn't she?"
"Yes, mate, that she did," replied Ron. He had to grab Harry a moment later and
help him land in a chair as he turned white and his legs gave out from under him.
"What's the matter, Harry?" asked Ron with concern.
"Nothing, " gasped Harry. He looked up at Ron as a huge smile broke over Harry's
face. "She said yes!" he said. He said it again, just to hear it. "She said yes!"
Ron groaned. "Don't go all nutters on me, mate."
Mrs. Weasley came over from where Hermione had been showing off her ring.
"Harry, dear, " she said with a smile, "Congratulations. And I must say, you
certainly have good taste in jewelry. Ron says that you got it at Taliesin's of
all places."
"Thanks, Mrs. Weasley," answered Harry.
Ginny came over next, "Well, I say you did a darn good job of fixing it, Harry,"
she said laughing.
-*~*~*~*~*-
It was about four o'clock in the afternoon by the time they had all packed into
Fred and George's bright banana yellow 1961 Ford Consul Classic 315.
"That is, without a doubt, the ugliest car on the planet," was Ron's comment
when he first saw it.
"That's why we like it," said the twins.
Ron rode up front with Fred and Ginny, while Hermione, Harry, and Mrs. Weasley
sat in the back. George was staying behind to keep the shop open. "Hate to lose
the business, " he said.
They made the trip to Hermione's house rather quickly, since they didn't have to
stop like the bus did. Harry and Hermione held hands the entire way, but didn't
say anything to each other, content merely to enjoy each other's company, while
Harry looked out at parts of London he hadn't seen before.
Ron and Fred apparently decided to respect the engaged couple's unspoken request
for privacy, and instead wound up in a quiet argument over which team would win
the Quidditch World Cup this year, while Ginny and her mother talked quietly.
They pulled up in the driveway, and it suddenly crashed down on Harry that he
was meeting his fiancé's parents, and not under the best of circumstances.
"They're going to hate me, " he moaned quietly.
"They will not, " returned Hermione fiercely.
"'Mione, I almost got you killed, " he said, "They are not going to like me."
"We'll see about that, " was her only answer, and she dragged him up the
sidewalk to the front door. She opened the door, and walked inside, making sure
that Harry was still behind her. The Weasley's had elected to stay with the car
for the moment.
"Mum, I'm home!" she said.
"Hermione!" Elizabeth Granger came running out of the kitchen and engulfed her
daughter in a hug. "I was so worried about you."
"I'm okay, mum, really I am. Harry was hurt a lot worse."
Elizabeth Granger noticed Harry standing inside the doorway, nervously fidgeting
with his hair.
"Harry, is it?" she inquired, with a friendly smile.
"Yes, ma'am, " Harry said nervously.
"Well, you can't have been hurt too badly if you're well enough to be keeping my
daughter company today," she said.
"Actually, mum, " said Hermione, "that's one of the things that we need to tell
you about. But first, where's daddy?"
"He's still at the office, dear. He should be home soon, in time for dinner. Are
you staying for dinner, Harry?"
"Umm, " he said, looking at Hermione.
She sighed, "Mum, Mrs. Weasley, Ron, Ginny, and Fred are out in the car. Can we
bring them in? Explaining all of this is going to take some time, and I'd rather
we were all comfortable when we did it."
"Certainly, dear," answered her mother. Hermione opened the front door and went
outside for a moment, leaving Harry standing in the front hall with her mother.
"Harry, " she said warmly, "I saw yesterday how you pushed her out of the way
when that man was shooting at you. Thank you so much for saving my baby girl. I
don't know what I would have done if I had lost her." She walked over to him and
gave him a gentle hug. "Thank you."
"But it also looked like that bullet hit you, Harry," she said, drawing back and
looking at him.
"It did, " he said, quietly. "Magic is a wonderful thing, and so is your
daughter."
She frowned, "You mean that magic can heal you that quickly?"
"Sometimes, " he said, returning her frown.
The front door swung open and Hermione entered, followed by the Weasley's.
Hermione frowned as she took in the scene with Harry and her mother.
"Harry, what's wrong?" asked Hermione.
"Nothing, Hermione. She just was thanking me for saving you yesterday."
"Why were you frowning?"
"No reason, love," he said, and then turned bright red as he realized what he'd
said.