Disclaimer: Nope, none of it is mine.
**
"So" said Harry, as they walked down Diagon Alley "What was all that about?"
Hermione looked vaguely guilty. "Oh" she said. "My parents got hold of one of my wizarding newspapers. There's obviously a lot of articles about Voldemort and my parents got so concerned they tried to stop me coming back this term. I had to convince them that it was media exaggeration."
Harry couldn't wait any longer. "HERMIONE" he burst out "What IS happening with Voldemort?"
Abashed Hermione gave him a summary. "Well, no-one knows exactly. There are reports that he has set up in a castle-"
"Don't forget the twenty fire-breathing dragons that carry him about on a golden throne Hermione" added Mr Weasley, coming up behind them. "And the fact that Dumbledore has crossed over to his side…"
Harry gaped.
"…and that the end of the world is coming. Don't believe everything you read Hermione."
"Er, Mr Weasley" asked Harry "What is the truth then?"
"Harry the official Ministry of Magic position is that the 'safety of wizarding families is our top priority and any news concerning an alleged return to power of You Know Who will be shared immediately if we feel this safety is compromized'" recited Mr Weasley.
"Dad's sick of the Ministry's bureaucracy" added Ron coming up behind his father and grinning at his friends from under that familiar mop of red hair.
"Ron!" exclaimed Harry and Hermione together.
"Well your eyesight's still in excellent condition" he commented wryly. Catching Mr Weasley's look of indignation at being stopped mid-rant he added "Sorry for interrupting Dad."
Harry gave Ron a smile. Somehow, when Ron was around the threat of Voldemort seemed somehow lessened.
"Yes well" said Mr Weasley, slightly put out. "Unofficially Harry, and I tell you this because I think you deserve to be kept up to date, we don't know a whole lot. Some of the wizards suspected of being followers of You Know Who from last time have mysteriously disappeared but the Ministry won't accept the onset of a revived power. There have been increased instances of Muggle-baiting and the level of crime has raised but we have yet to see anything like what happened last time. The consensus seems to be that you've taught him caution Harry."
"I've…I've taught him?" echoed Harry bewildered.
"Well, not directly, but he's wary of making the same mistakes as last time. The Ministry's Chief of Archives has also gone missing. He was one of our most staunch allies last time - You Know Who killed a witch very dear to him - and I wonder whether research is on the cards."
"Research?" asked Hermione eagerly, pricking up her ears. "What kind of research?"
Ron shook his head and rolled his eyes at Harry. "I'm sure he needs a study-partner Hermione, maybe you'll bump into him in the library!"
"Well isn't it obvious?" asked Mr Weasley with a delicate look at Harry. "He needs to know why Harry couldn't be killed."
"He's not the only one." said Harry grimly.
Diagon Alley seemed somehow different. There was the same, if not more, frantic bustling and the shops seemed to be doing a roaring trade but somehow there was an edge, a tension in the air. Harry noticed that the wizards and witches walked a little quicker and looked behind more often. Many of the bookstores were sold out of "Defend your home: Charms for protection" and the complete range of "Self Defence Magic for dummies". Both of these titles had featured on their additional (recommended but not vital) reading list from Hogwarts. Hermione was most annoyed that her pre-term reading schedule would be interrupted by this inconvenience.
"It's like she thinks that You Know Who himself is stealing these books!" whispered Ron to Harry as they turned into another bookshop and Hermione's face grew even grimmer.
"What is he up to though?" pondered Harry. "I can't stand this waiting around. We know that he's out there." Looking down the alley Harry grew increasingly frustrated at the havoc Voldemort was already creating. "If I could only find him Ron then I-"
"You'd do what Potter?" came the odious noise of Draco's voice. "Perhaps you'd challenge the Dark Lord to a game of Quidditch. Seems that's all you're good for. Shame somebody else had to pay for your incompetence last time…"
Harry winced. The memory of Cedric's death was all too painfully real. "Shut your face Malfoy" he hissed through gritted teeth.
"You can't even play Quidditch Malfoy, what does that say about your skills?" sneered Ron, moving closer to Harry.
"You're calling him the Dark Lord?" asked Hermione. "Did you pick that title up from your father? Not gone missing yet has he? The Ministry's on the look-out for supporters you know Draco, you'd better watch what you say."
"I forgot your cheerleaders Potter. I wonder if their time will come before yours. Its bound to be soon for all of you. I hope it's slow. It'll probably be the Mudblood and her filthy Muggle parents first. I can't wait."
Harry and Ron surged forward in a rage but Hermione caught onto their shirts and held them back. "It's not worth it" she said, "He's not worth it" but Harry saw the sheen of tears in her eyes. Shaking her hand free, he lurched towards Malfoy but Mr Weasley, having caught sight of the exchange, intervened at the last minute.
"You boys aren't getting into any trouble are you" he said warningly. "Kids perhaps there's a better bookshop for you somewhere else". When Ron started to protest he held up a hand warningly. "Now."
Harry, Ron and Hermione withdrew reluctantly and walked away from the shop. "That Malfoy" said Ron, shaking his head, "I said he had no talent and yet clearly he is a natural in the field of hospitality. What a welcome!"
Harry sniggered, Hermione giggled and at once the tension was forgotten. Harry wished that Voldemort could be dismissed as easily.