The Witch and The Hunters

CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX

Page count: 8

"What is this place?" Sam whispered, eyes huge as he turned in a slow circle, trying to take in the flashing shop signs, the animated window displays, the floating bags, and the laughing children sprinting past—with their purchases trailing obediently behind them.

Dean wasn't much better. His brows were up, his mouth was slightly open, and he kept muttering, "What the hell," under his breath.

"This," Hermione said, smiling fondly as she stepped forward, "is Diagon Alley. Our shopping mall."

"It's amazing," Sam murmured.

"No," she corrected softly, "it's magical."

She started walking, Sam falling in beside her while Dean wrapped an arm over her shoulders like he was afraid the place might steal her. Hermione pointed as they moved down the cobblestone street:

"Potions. Sports. Candy. Books. Ice cream. Broomsticks. Owls and familiars. Stationery. Second-hand goods. Newspapers Office. The bank. Joke shop. Clothing. Another newspaper. Beauty products. Pub. Publishers. And that—" she pointed again "—is the disgustingly expensive boutique I avoid unless absolutely necessary."

Sam's head swivelled like an owl. "It's just like a regular town, only—"

"Magical?" Hermione snorted. "Told you, Sam. We're not aliens. We're human. We just... glow a little."

Dean raised a brow. "Sweetheart, you do more than glow."

She ignored him, continuing, "And if you think this is impressive, wait until you see Hogwarts on Monday."

Sam blinked. "It's Thursday."

"I know. That gives you four days to stop gawking, so you don't look like an idiot during my lecture."

She strolled off, leaving a stunned Sam and a smirking Dean to scramble after her.

~000~000~000~

"And the bank is run by Goblins?"

"Yes."

"And the ice cream parlour has over five hundred flavours, and some of them glow?"

"Yes."

"And you can walk into a shop and walk out with an owl like it's a loaf of bread?"

"Yes."

"And you have a sport where people fly hundreds of feet in the air on broomsticks, and it's basically dodgeball, basketball, and baseball mashed together?"

"Yes."

Sam rubbed his temples. "My head hurts."

Hermione chuckled. "It's only going to get worse. We have less than an hour before we're due at the Burrow, so let's look around while we can."

Dean paused, reading a bright orange sign. "Weasley's Wizard Wheezes."

A giant rabbit exploded out of a hat on the sign, and Dean let out a low whistle. "Now that is badass."

Hermione rolled her eyes affectionately. "My brother George owns it. He's got another in Hogsmeade and is looking at expanding to France. Business is booming. Just—do not take anything he hands to you."

She grabbed both of their hands and dragged them inside.

The shop was chaos. Beautiful, ridiculous chaos. Bursts of coloured smoke, chattering enchanted objects, a cannon firing overhead that made Hermione duck on instinct.