Diagon Alley
Author: Hagrid
Date: 11-19-01 00:01
"You alright, Hagrid?" asked Tom, the barman of the Leaky Cauldron.
"Yer might gimmie a large pick-me up Tom, 'specially after what I just bin through" replied Hagrid looking pale...."An before yer asks me...I bin in a Muggle shop......alone an' by meself."
Several conversations ground to a halt as several other people tried to listen in on this little tidbit from Hagrid. Hagrid looked round at the silence but nobody in their right mind wanted trouble with him and so the silence smiled and shrugged its shoulders and the several conversations resumed..........quietly though.
"What was yer doin' in a Muggle shop, Hagrid?" asked a rather shocked Tom, putting a large (non Muggle) scotch whiskey on the bar.
"Well," continued Hagrid..."As yer know I am now both a student an' a teacher at Hogwarts this year."
Tom nodded.
"Well I thought I might sorta liven me classes up with some 'ome brewing" beamed Hagrid.
The several quiet conversations got even quieter.........
"Fancy that," uttered Tom...."I never knew they taught THAT sort of brewing."
Hagrid tried to look innocent...."Officially they don't," he whispered...
"But the kids gotta learn these things sometime."
Tom nodded his agreement...as did several of the conversations...and the silence.
Running Late
Author: Ron Weasley
Date: 11-19-01 01:21
Ron trudged behind his parents and his little sister Ginny as she rambled on and on about buying new quills. Mrs. Weasley looked back at her son suspiciously. It was odd that he didn't ask to run off with Bill, Charlie, George, and Fred. She frowned. Ron just hasn't been himself today.
Mrs. Weasley suddenly stopped, "Ron, aren't you supposed to be meeting Harry and Hermione at the ice cream parlor?"
Ron smiled weakly, "Yeah."
"Well, you better get going, you're late already."
Ron turned back towards Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor, kicking loose pebbles along the way. It wasn't that Ron didn't want to see Hermione or Harry, but he decided to be a little late. They'd have enough catching up to do without him. Ron was sure Hermione would want to tell Harry all about her summer in Germany, not to mention Krum's visit, and he really didn't want to hear about it. Ever since Ron received Hermione's letter by owl post, he'd been dreading today. And that came weeks ago! Ron needn't of saved the letter–he had it memorized:
Dear Ron, I'm having a wonderful
time in Germany! And you'll never guess who came to see me. Krum! He brought
me this beautiful necklace made with blue Albanian crystal! Then he got me
a box seat to watch the Quidditch match between Albania and Germany, and of
course, Albania won. The game was great! I wish you were there, you would
have loved it! Can't wait to see you in Diagon Alley!
Best Wishes,
Hermione
After the letter, Ron spent the rest of the summer moping around the house. He had been planning something really special for Hermione's birthday in September, but nothing he could give her would be able to compete with Krum's stupid blue Albanian whatever. Krum had ruined it! It made Ron so angry that he even ripped up Krum's autographed picture. Which, of course, he immediately regretted.
Ron continued to wander aimlessly until he found himself standing in front of the ice cream parlor. "Here goes," Ron sighed. He stepped in expecting to see his friends chatting away, but he instead he saw just Hermione sitting alone, with her face buried in her hands and three empty sundae bowls on the table.
"Hermione?"
"Ron!" Hermione twirled around and gave Ron an unexpected and rather affectionate hug. But her tone changed immediately, "Where have you been? I've been waiting for almost an hour!"
"I was just...well I...I was just late. I'm sorry." Ron looked around the shop to avoid Hermione's scaulding glare. "I thought Harry would be here."
Hermione shook her head, "He's not. This isn't like him."
But Ron wasn't paying attention. His eyes went straight to the sparking crystal necklace around Hermione's neck. Defeated, Ron took a seat next to her and ordered a sundae.
Silence.
Finally, Hermione spoke up. "Ron, when is the last time you heard from Harry?"
Distress at
the Bookstore
Author: Fred Weasley
Date: 11-19-01 03:49
"Can you believe that git?" Fred asked, jutting his thumb backwards at Malfoy as he walked with his brothers back to Flourish and Blotts.
George replied, "'E'll get 'is someday." He held open the door when they got to the bookstore. "After you, ladies!" He grinned wide as Charlie and Bill walked inside, batting their eye lashes at him. "Why thank you, you handsome man!" Charlie said in a high voice.
George laughed and followed Fred inside. "You know, Fred. If you want to woo that girl, you're gonna 'ave to learn some manners and the like. You know, 'olding open doors, pulling out chairs..."
Fred whirled around and folded his arms. "What girl? Wooing? Look 'ere, George. Fred Weasley doesn't woo girls." He turned abruptly and walked over to his parents, who were helping Ginny carry her stack of fourth year textbooks.
George smirked and followed, "Whatever you say, Fred. Whatever you say."
Fred ignored George and turned to his mother. "'Ey, Mum. Need any 'elp with Ginny's books?"
Mrs. Weasley smiled and shook her head. "No, dear. I've got them. Go ahead and get your own textbooks."
"Roight-o Mum." Fred and George walked over to the counter and waited for the manager to get to them. He was leaning over the counter talking to an elderly woman about the weather. The man glanced quickly at the boys when they approached, but then resumed his conversation with the woman.
"Oh, please!" Fred exclaimed, rolling his eyes. "We're trying to get some service 'ere! 'Ow are we supposed to get our books in time for the start of the new term, if you two waffle on 'bout the bleedin' weather!"
The old woman's eyes grew big and the manager scowled. "You ought to get some manners, young man."
"See, what did I tell ya?" George said, elbowing Fred in the back. "Get some manners, young man!"
Pondering
Harry's Whereabouts
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 11-19-01 05:43
Ron tilted his head to the side, pondering Hermione's question for a moment. "I sent him a letter by owl for his birthday," he finally said. "That would have been July 31st," he continued. "He sent a reply the next day."
"So, it's been several weeks then." Hermione frowned and checked the time. "Where could he be?"
Ron shrugged and placed a hand on her arm, reassuringly. "I'm certain he's fine. He probably just got a little held up by something."
"Or by someone!" Hermione said with a hint of concern in her voice.
"Hermione, you don't believe...No. I won't even think that. Harry's fine and I'm positive he's on his way here to meet us." Ron patted her arm gently, then realizing what he was doing, jerked back his hand.
"I hope you're right, Ron." Hermione said quietly. Her eyes suddenly lit up when she saw Harry enter the parlor.
"Harry!" Hermione squealed and leapt off the stool, throwing herself into Harry's arms.
Re: Pondering
Harry's Whereabouts
Author: H Potter
Date: 11-19-01
"Finally!" Harry said as he approached Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor in Diagon Alley. As he limped toward the entrance he could see his best friends, Ron and Hermione inside looking really worried about him. This cheered him up a bit. As soon as he came in Hermione said, "Harry!" Hermione squealed and leapt off the stool, throwing herself into Harry's arms. "Easy Hermione! I'm hurt, Bloody Dudley and his new larger Smeltings Stick! He pelted me all summer! And the reason I'm late is because my aunt and uncle had to buy some games and gifts for stupid ickle Dudykins! Had to send Hedwig to Sirius! No more owls in the car" Harry said, shaking his head, Anyway how was your German holiday Herm-own-ninny?" Harry was the only one who laughed,"What's with you two? Ron? You are so quiet. So unlike you! What happened? Did the Chudley Cannons lose again?" Still no one laughed. "Alright, what's goin' on?"
Last Minute
School Supplies
Author: Cho Chang
Date: 11-19-01 19:29
Broom in a case and a moneybag on her wrist, Cho looks around, deciding food would hit the spot at the moment. She gets an ice cream cone and drops off her broom to be tuned, thinking about maybe getting a new one.
Books under her arm and broom case back in her hand, she looks down the row of shops, mentally checking things off in her mind, broom, books, food...how could she forget? Potions. She collects the potions and checks her money, she hadn't spent that much this year because she didn't need new robes. She decides to put her things in her room at the Leaky Cauldron so her hands were free to look over a new broom.
She returns to the Alley and makes a beeline to Quality Quidditch Supplies. She looks over the newly released brooms, completely star struck. She counted the money she had left for this year's school supplies, not enough for the newest. Not too displeased, she looks for a more affordable broom, finding the perfect Nimbus Two Thousand and One just what she needed and she still had some pocket money for Hogsmeade during the year. New broom in hand, she returns to the Leaky Cauldron.
A Message...
Author: Sirius Black
Date: 11-19-01 22:45
A rather large, brightly coloured bird circles high above Diagon Alley... Searching...
Suddenly it eyes its target, its great wings fold in tight to its body and it plummets ground-ward. With every moment the creature gains speed and closes in on the boy it seeks. Talons, long and sharp as knives, unfold as it reaches out at the unsuspecting boy... closer... closer...
*BAM* Just as it was to reach its target, the boy entered a shop and closed the glass doors in its proverbial face. A shower of feathers of all different colours fill the air in front of Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor as the bird wobbles dazed and confused outside the now closed doors.
Slowly, eyes blurred it starts to make its way hopping down the lane as if lost. Around its neck on a chain is a golden box, inscribed with the message, "State your name!"
The Golden
Box
Author: Ron Weasley
Date: 11-20-01 02:17
Harry looked at his friends, "I said what's going on?" But neither of them were listening. Hermione was staring at Ron, who in turn, was staring out the window, perplexed.
"What in bloody hell was that?" Ron jumped up from his seat and headed for the door.
Well, that's a nice hello! thought Harry as Ron pushed by him. Hermione and Harry followed Ron outside onto the street only to see him pick up a very dazed and brightly colored bird.
"Where did that come from?" asked Hermione.
Ron shook his head, "I don't know. But it looked like it was heading right for Harry." Ron turned back to his best friend. "It probably would have knocked you out if the door hadn't slammed into it."
Harry looked down at the bird and noticed the golden box hanging from its neck. "Hey guys, look at this. 'State your name!' Seems harmless enough. Harry Pot–"
"What are you doing!" exclaimed Hermione. "Ron and I were just worrying about you being abducted or worse by You-Know-Who, and you're going to state your name to some box hanging from the neck of a bird that nearly knocked you silly?! You have no idea who that's from. Don't be an idiot!"
Harry grinned. It was nice having his friends worrying about him. "But look at the bird, it's probably–"
"She's right," Ron interjected, suddenly realizing what he had to do. "It's too dangerous and you're too important. Let me try it." Holding up the box Ron took a deep breath, "Harry Po–"
Hermione cut in sharply, "Don't be silly, Ron, it's magic. I think it's going to know you're not Harry!"
Harry rolled his eyes, "Listen–"
Ron sighed. "I was only trying to help." Although secretly Ron had wanted to impress Hermione with his show of courage. "At least let me find out what it wants."
"But–"
And once again, Ron held up the box and took a deep breath, "RON WEASLEY!"
Response
Author: Sirius Black
Date: 11-20-01 02:27
A red diaphanous glow wafts up from the golden box and forms into a mouth with a smile.
The mouth moves and a shimmering voice says, "Hello Ron... Where's Harry?"
Forgotten
Book
Author: Cho Chang
Date: 11-20-01 03:09
She returns to Diagon Alley happily, glad she'd forgotten something. Skirting the little confusion in the middle, she enters the bookstore, waving to Fred and George.
"What have you two been up to all summer? Been practicing Quidditch?" She smiles sweetly, asking the keeper for the book she'd forgotten while staying near Fred and George.
Diagon Alley
Author: Sykra Sawyer
Date: 11-20-01 03:46
Sighing, Sykra steps into Diagon Alley. Glad to be away from home, but yet wishing she weren't here.
After stopping at Gringotts, she goes to Flourish & Blotts to get books.
Protecting
Harry from the Golden Box
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 11-20-01 03:51
Hermione gasped and pulled Harry behind her, trying to hide him from the luminousity the golden box was emitting. "Ron...don't you tell that horrid mouth a thing!" She hissed, holding Harry back.
"Hermione! Stop it!" Harry exclaimed, squirming from her grasp.
Hermione frowned, her lip quivering a little. "Har–" She cut herself off before completing his name for fear that the You-Know-Who was listening. "We don't want anything terrible to happen to you," she finally said.
Harry smiled, grateful to have friends like these, "Look–"
"She's right, you know," Ron said to Harry, while staring suspiciously at the smiling mouth. "We couldn't forgive ourselves if something happened to you. Now," he began, returning his full attention to the box. "Who are you and what do want?"
Too Many Flavors
Author: Samantha Thatcher
Date: 11-20-01 04:22
"Excuse me? What flavors d'ave?" Sam couldn't resist Florean Fortescue Ice Cream Parlor.
The man recited a long list of flavors as fast as he could. Samantha wrinkled her brows in confusion.
"So what'll it be, Lass?" He asked grinning.
"Uhh..." She blinked. "H-how about watermelon?"
"Jus' plain ol' watermelon, eh? You're sure?"
Sam nodded her head quickly. "Yea, m'sure."
The parlor man shrugged and left.
With a sigh, Sam slumped down in the chair, put her elbow on the counter top resting her chin in her palm and drummed her fingers against her cheek. "HARRY!" She heard someone yell. Glancing over Sam saw a girl and two boys.
" 'Ere ya go, Lass!" Sam turned back to the man.
"Oh thank y'much." She said.
He merely nodded and went to help another customer. For a while Sam sat thinking about what she would take with her to school. But she was interrupted when the parlor man came back.
"So you an 'ogwarts student?" He asked
"Uh huh." She swallowed her ice cream. "First time 'ere."
"Not a first year, are ya?"
"Naw, seventh year. I just moved here from Scotland." Sam replied.
"Ahh...That explains the accent!"
Samantha grinned. "Ya, I guess."
The man chuckled. "My name's Florean Fortescue."
They shook hands. "Samantha Thatcher."
"Well nice ta meet ya, Samantha! You got all your stuff for school?"
"I think so...Got me books an' robes," She counted her fingers. "Oh drat! I forgot me Dark Arts books...Bugger!"
Florean looked confused. "A....'laptop'?"
Sam nodded as she took a bite of some ice cream. "It's a Muggle thing. They call it a "computer". They use it to store stuff in." She pointed her spoon at the man. "An' I'm not talkin' about books an' cloths an' the like! I'm talkin' about files an' writin'. Also have games an' the web."
"They store spider webs in there?"
Samantha laughed and nearly choked on her ice cream. "No! The 'internet'. They call it the 'web' because there's...Oh never mind! It's too complicated to explain."
Florean shook his head. "Them Muggles. Always tryin' to find an easy way ta ever'thing."
Laughing Sam replied, "You should talk! Yer a wizard, magic is a lot simpilar than a computer any day!"
Florean smiled. "Oh! Would ya lookit the time! FREE SUNDAES FER EVERYONE!" He bellowed.
"Free sundaes, eh?" Sam asked.
The man grinned. "Yup! Every 'half an hour! Want one?"
Sam shook her head. "No, thank yeh. I best be headin'. Still need to get those books I forgot, before I forget again." She smiled. "A pleasure meetin' ya, Florean!"
"No...The pleasures all mine, Lass. Take care! And have a fun one at 'ogwarts!"
"I sure will." And Sam waved as she left.
If a disembodied mouth could look puzzled, this one certainly did, "I am not a who," it responded, "I am a what."
It stopped and what looked like a tongue lolling around inside its mouth did exactly that and lolled around inside its mouth. Finally it responded, "I want nothing... but, I have a task to perform and that is to deliver a message." It paused here for dramatic affect, but before Hermione could pipe in it resumed. "A message for Harry Potter."
