Emma Potter; Going to War

60: Borgin, Weaslys and Malfoys

I  remained within the confines of the Burrow's garden over the next few weeks. He spent most of his daysplaying  Quidditch in the Weasleys' orchard (he, me andHermione against Ron and Ginny; Hermione was dreadful andGinny good, so they were reasonably well matched, I, as Harry kept exclaiming in surprise, was decent. I kept quiet that I had spent last year's night riding a broom with Draco)and my evenings eating generous helpings of everything Mrs. Weasley put in frontof me.

 It would have been a happy, peaceful holiday had it not been forthe stories of disappearances, odd accidents, even of deaths nowappearing almost daily in the Prophet. Sometimes Bill and Mr.Weasley brought home news before it even reached the paper. 

ToMrs. Weasley's displeasure, Harry and my sixteenth birthday celebrationswere marred by grisly tidings brought to the party by RemusLupin, who was looking gaunt and grim, his brown hair streakedliberally with gray, his clothes more ragged and patched than ever.

 "There have been another couple of dementor attacks," he announced, as Mrs. Weasley passed him a large slice of birthdaycake. "And they've found Igor Karkaroff's body in a shack upnorth. The Dark Mark had been set over it — well, frankly, I'msurprised he stayed alive for even a year after deserting the DeathEaters; Sirius's brother, Regulus, only managed a few days as far asI can remember." 

"Yes, well," said Mrs. Weasley, frowning, "perhaps we shouldtalk about something diff —"

 "Did you hear about Florean Fortescue, Remus?" asked Bill,who was being plied with wine by Fleur. "The man who ran —"

 "— the ice-cream place in Diagon Alley?" I interrupted,with an unpleasant, hollow sensation in the pit of my stomach. "Heused to give us free ice creams. What's happened to him?" 

"Dragged off, by the look of his place." 

"Why?" asked Ron, while Mrs. Weasley pointedly glared at Bill. 

"Who knows? He must've upset them somehow. He was a goodman, Florean."

 "Talking of Diagon Alley," said Mr. Weasley, "looks like Ollivander's gone too." 

"The wandmaker?" said Ginny, looking startled.

 "That's the one. Shop's empty. No sign of a struggle. No oneknows whether he left voluntarily or was kidnapped."

 "But wands — what'll people do for wands?"

 "They'll make do with other makers," said Lupin. "But Ollivander was the best, and if the other side have got him it's not so goodfor us." 

The day after this rather gloomy birthday tea, our letters andbooklists arrived from Hogwarts. Harry's included a surprise: Hehad been made Quidditch Captain.

"That gives you equal status with prefects!" cried Hermionehappily, as I hugged him. "You can use our special bathroom now and everything!" 

"Wow, I remember when Charlie wore one of these," said Ron,examining the badge with glee. "Harry, this is so cool, you're myCaptain — if you let me back on the team, I suppose, ha ha. . . ." 

"Well, I don't suppose we can put off a trip to Diagon Alleymuch longer now you've got these," sighed Mrs. Weasley, lookingdown Ron's booklist. "We'll go on Saturday as long as your fatherdoesn't have to go into work again. I'm not going there withouthim." 

"Mum, d'you honestly think You-Know-Who's going to be hiding behind a bookshelf in Flourish and Blotts?" sniggered Ron. 

"Fortescue and Ollivander went on holiday, did they?" said Mrs.Weasley, firing up at once. "If you think security's a laughing matter you can stay behind and I'll get your things myself —"