𝐎𝐃𝐃 𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐎𝐔𝐓 harry potter.

2: Diagonally

MRS WEASLEY roused her children very early that Wednesday, with a bacon sandwich for each. Hurriedly scamping around, making sure that the list of books and supplies to purchase was complete. She instructed Harry on how to use the Floo Powder, who muttered a very nervous "Di-- Diagon Alley!" in mumbled tones that left the Weasley family half concerned and half curious.

"Harry," Mr. Weasley panted. "We hoped you'd only gone one grate too far. . ." He moped his glistening bald patch. "Molly's frantic-- she's coming now."

"Where'd you come out?" Ron asked.

"Knockturn Alley," said Hagrid grimly.

"Brilliant!" said Fred and George together.

Mrs Weasley now came galloping into view, her handbag swinging wildly in one hand, Ginny clinging just onto the other next to Ally. "Oh, Harry- oh, my dear- you could have been anywhere-"

She began sweeping off the soot Hagrid hadn't managed to beat away with her large clothes brush. Mrs Weasley took Harry's glasses, gave them a tap of his wand and returned them, good as new.

They headed for Gringotts right after the chaos of Harry's misdirection. The Weasleys tried to ignore the ugly feeling as they stared at their vault, with one gold Galleon and several silver Sickles. Soon, they had to separate as the older siblings set off course in Diagon Alley. Ron, Harry, and Hermione stuck together while the twins: Ally and Ginny clung onto their mum to buy second-hand robes.

There were only selected robes that fit Ginny and Ally without having them to trip on it. Ginny, being considerably smaller, had to have the smaller robes, while Ally's robe reached her toes. "Don't worry, dear, you'll grow into it," said their mum with her endearing smile.

Ginny was the twin who got her own wand, as Ally inherited Bill's old wand from when he was in Hogwarts. It was carefully tucked away by her mum for years until it was her turn to attend Hogwarts. It wasn't the plan, really. It just so happened that one faithful sunny day when Bill visited home, Ally stole Bill's wand and tried to charm a regular broomstick to levitate. It worked-- so Bill promised to bequeath the wand to the youngest Weasley.

Finally, Ally got something new: shoes and a cauldron. Both of them had new shoes, considerably the cheapest there is, it was still new. The thrill of having something shiny for once brightened her spirits that day. Shopping at Diagon Alley always had been fun when she was simply trailing along her brothers, now that she's the subject of her family's lack of fortune, it gave her a constant sinking feeling in the stomach as her mother's expression faltered once she sees the price.

They all grouped back at Flourish and Blotts where the twins tried their best to squeeze through the crowd of witches about their mother's age. She kept patting her hair and running her palm on her clothes.

Gilderoy Lockhart came slowly into view, seated at a table surrounded by large pictures of his own face, all winking and flashing dazzlingly white teeth at the crowd. The real Lockhart was wearing robes of forget-me-not blue which exactly match his eyes; his pointed wizard's hart was set a jaunty angle on his wavy hair.

Lockhart looked up. He saw Ron- and then he saw Harry. He stared. Then he leapt to his feet and positively shouted, "It can't be Harry Potter?"

Harry Potter made it front page of the Daily Prophet that day. He also received Lockhart's collection of books all signed and free of charge. Lockhart seized the opportunity to announce that he was taking post of Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts, which greatly satisfied Mrs Weasley.

Harry staggered slightly under the weight, he managed to make his way out of the limelight to the edge of the room, where the twins were standing next to their new cauldron.