The Diary From 1977

Summer of 1996

The Dursley household was not the brunette's ideal way of spending summer break. Instead of traveling to the muggle world after fifth year ended, he stayed with the Weasley family. Surely his aunt and uncle wouldn't mind--not like they cared much about him when he was at home, anyway. Today dated August 31st. Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Fred, George, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley all floo'd down to Diagon Alley. They were going for a couple of reasons: to shop for new robes, school / quidditch supplies, but most importantly to watch the twins open up Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. Thanks to Harry's Triwizard Tournament winnings, the shop became a magical reality.

As soon as the twins cut the ribbon in front of the shop, crowds upon crowds of children rushed through the glass doors. Harry had to chuckle; not even Fred and George's own family got to walk in first. Upon entering, he was starstruck. Numerous floors were filled with a plethora of contraptions that he never knew existed. He was happy - extremely - that the winnings had been put to good use. His eyes casted upwards as Ron and his brothers were negotiating prices.

"How much for this?" Ron asked, holding up a box of Fainting Fancies.

"Five gallons." The twins replied simultaneously.

A frown etched upon Ron's face. "But I'm your brother."

Fred and George glanced at each other and shrugged. "Ten gallons." Then, the two turned away to check up on lingering customers.

Ron walked down the steps and shook his head in disdain, meeting up with his two brunette-headed best friends. "Mental, those two, I'm telling ya." He scratched his right arm. "Are you guys ready to go shopping elsewhere?"

Hermione nodded. "Quite. I couldn't even look at love potions without being made fun of." She playfully rolled her eyes and chuckled.

"I don't see why you would need a love potion, Hermione. You already got your looks and cleverness." Ron said absentmindedly, blurting his thoughts aloud.

The brunette girl's face tinted a light pink color. Harry cleared his throat as awkward silence ensued. "Ollivanders! That's where we should go next. I'd like to see how that old bloke is doing." He commented, already heading out the exit.

As the trio stopped in front of Ollivander's wand shop, each face held a shocked and distraught expression. The store was desolate of everything: the wands and the man behind the wands. Harry's footsteps creaked along the wooden floor, and soon the sound was followed by another two pairs of footsteps.

"This place must've been broken into and robbed." Harry stated aloud, running his fingers along the dusty bookshelves.

"My dad told me that the Ministry was working on opening an investigation on this place." Ron added to his comment, gaze bouncing around the empty building.

Hermione looked out a broken window. The glass had been shattered; all that was left was a wooden frame. "It's a bit odd to think that this was the only shop destroyed that night, don't you think?" She then said, "I wouldn't doubt that this was the work of You-Know-W--"

"Ronald! Harry! Hermione!" Mrs. Weasley shouted from the entrance. "Quit dilly-dallying, this is a crime scene and should be properly viewed as one." Her usual peppy voice turned into a scowl. "You should know better too, young man." She narrowed her brown eyes at Ron. "Come, we are leaving now."

The ginger boy hung his head in embarrassment. He hated being scolded by his mother in front of people--especially after she sent that Howler in second year. The whole school practically heard it. He mumbled something incoherent and stalked off, the other two brunettes silently following close behind.