The Witch and The Hunters

CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX

Page count: 6

"What is this place?" Sam whispered in awe, his eyes wide and darting about trying to take everything in and Dean was in a similar state, seeing the flashing signs, the magical window displays, the patrons shopping and children running about and laughing, with shopping bags floating behind their owners.

"This is Diagon Alley, our shopping mall."

"It's amazing."

"No, it's magical," Hermione said, looking around with a fond smile on her face. She started walking down the alley, and they followed her, Sam beside her and Dean with his arm around her shoulders. "Potions, sports, candy, books, ice-cream, broomsticks, owls, familiars and pets, quills, second hand items, newspaper, bank, jokes and pranks, clothing, a second newspaper, beauty products, pub, publishers and an expensive clothing shop." She pointed out each one as she spoke.

"It's just like a regular town, only..."

"Magical?" Hermione chuckled. "Told you, Sam. We live just as you do; we have the same needs and wants, the same feelings and emotions. We're human, only we're born with magic. And you think that is amazing, wait until you see Hogwarts which we're visiting on Monday."

"It's Thursday today."

"I know, so we better get you used to things such as this so you don't look like an idiot when I'm giving my lecture."

She walked off, leaving a gawking Sam and a chuckling Dean, before they caught up to her.

~000~000~000~

"And the bank is run by goblins?"

"Yes,"

"And the ice-cream parlour has over five hundred flavours to choose from and some glow in the dark, but it's edible?"

"Yes,"

"And you can just walk into the store and walk out with an owl, without anyone giving you a second glance?"

"Yes,"

"And you have a sport in which takes place hundreds of feet in the air, with the use of brooms and it's basically dogeball, basketball and baseball rolled into one."

"Yes,"

"My head hurts," he frowned, rubbing at his temples and she chuckled at him.

"Well, it's only going to get worse. We have less than an hour before we're due at The Burrow, and we'll take that time to have a look around this place."

"Weasley's Wizard Wheezes," Dean read the sign aloud, and he appeared impressed by the giant rabbit being pulled out of the hat.

"My brother, George, is the owner of this place. He's got one in Hogsmeade, a Wizarding village near Hogwarts, and he's looking at properties in France. He's doing well for himself, especially since he lost his twin brother, Fred, in the war. But his wife and children help him to manage. If we see him, don't take anything he gives you."

She took their hands and dragged them through the door, and despite it almost being closing time, the shop floor was crowded beyond belief. As usual the displays were loud with both sound and colour, products were being tested and the shelves were almost empty being so close to the end of the day, and Hermione ducked when the canon went off and the cannon ball soared over their heads.

"This is the best one yet," Dean commented and she rolled her eyes at him.

"Thanks, Mate, you'll never find a place like this anywhere else in the world."

Hermione spun around so fast she almost fell over her own feet.

"George," she said happily.

He chuckled at her, bending down to pull her into a hug, lifting her off her feet and spinning her in circles. She laughed at him loudly.