Harry Potter and The Jade Dragon

Chapter 2 ~ The Magic of the Orient

On the last Thursday before school reopened, Harry found himself together with Ron and Hermione, weaving through the crowded streets of Diagon Alley. Their arms were filled with new spellbooks, and Ron was having a heated argument with Hermione.

Harry had had no trouble in getting down to London. The Dursleys had gone away on vacation, and had parked Harry with old Mrs Figg before they'd left. Mrs Figg did not voice any objection when Harry had requested he make a day trip down to London, and Harry was so relieved that for once he didn't even mind enduring the cabbage-smelling house or the endless photographs of cats he was forced to look at.

Ron had sent him a small packet of Floo Powder, via Pigwidgeon, and on the appointed day, Harry waited till Mrs Figg had left the house for her weekly visit to the pet shop (to replenish her supply of cat food), and then threw a handful of powder into the fireplace, and set off.

Ron was cross because Hermione wanted to look for a bookstore where she could buy some Chinese spellbooks.

"We're only going to be in China for two months, Hermione," Ron said impatiently. "It's not worth it, buying any books. Besides, all the spellbooks are probably written in Chinese. You can't possibly learn Chinese in one month – it's a horribly difficult language."

"There have to be some English translations," said Hermione firmly. "I've seen references to a few in some of the library books at Hogwarts."

"That's it – you can just borrow the books from the library, instead of buying them," said Ron, pouncing on this. "That'll make more sense. If you buy the books, you'll just end up using them for two months and then never touch them again."

"There aren't any Chinese books in the Hogwarts library," said Hermione. "I would know if there were."

Harry grinned at Ron.

"Don't forget, Ron, Hermione probably knows every book in the library by now," he said.

"She's nutters," grumbled Ron irritably. "The weather's sweltering today, and we could be sitting at Florean Fortescue's now, having ice cream. But no, she's got to go on this wild-goose chase. Look at all the books she's holding, she can't possibly carry any more."

Hermione, however, ignored this, and continued marching determinedly down the street, looking at the shops.

They were just passing Ollivander's when the door opened, and who should come out, but Professor Lupin and Jeanne. Lupin was looking amused, and Jeanne was holding a new wand, and looking absolutely thrilled. She caught sight of Harry, Ron and Hermione, and waved the wand at them in greeting, sending sparks shooting out of it.

"I've got my own wand, at last," she said gleefully.

Lupin smiled at them.

"I heard about the exchange programme," he said, his eyes twinkling, "Congratulations."

Ron was still glowering at Hermione, but Harry grinned and said, "thanks," while Hermione beamed at them.

"How did the wedding – " Harry began, but Hermione suddenly cut in eagerly, "Harry says you'll be coming with us to China, Jeanne. Is it true? But, surely you won't be attending classes with us?"

"It's not confirmed that I'm going, yet," said Jeanne, smiling, and then, noticing Lupin glancing at his watch, added, "I'll tell you about it when school starts. We have to rush off somewhere now."

"Just a second, Jeanne," called Hermione, as they were leaving, "Do you know of any place where I can have a look at some Chinese spellbooks?"

Ron, standing behind Hermione, gazed imploringly at Jeanne and shook his head vigorously, but Lupin was already replying, "there's a bookshop a few streets down, at the corner on the left. It's called 'The Magic of the Orient'".