Drarry & The Goblet of Fire: 4th year Re-write

Chapter 10 ~ Mayhem At The Ministry

The week that follows the incident is hectic, with Mr. Weasley gone before Harry wakes and only back for dinner before going off again.

"Why is he so busy? He works in the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Department, right?" Harry asks. Mr. Weasley is about as close as he'll ever come to having a father again, and he misses the man's jovial presence.

"Dunno," Ron shrugs, "Maybe because the campground was owned by muggles or something."

"Ugh! Did you see what The Daily Prophet published?! That Skeeter Woman is mad!" Hermione groans as she stomps into the kitchen, waving about the Prophet's latest publication angrily.

"What?" Ron asks, hurriedly swallowing his bite of muffin.

With clear annoyance, Hermione reads it.

"Ministry blunders... culprits not apprehended... lax security... Dark wizards running unchecked... national disgrace..."

-

Ron fumes, a distinct redness coloring his cheeks at the mention of his father. Harry can imagine steam jutting out of his ears.

"Oh, now enough of that nonsense. We all know what truly happened, and it's over and done now and I've got to get you all ready to go to school."

The three jump at Mrs. Weasly's sudden appearance. She frowns at the "news"paper over their shoulders. Her voice is a little tight. She's more worried than she lets on.

'Something like this . . . it doesn't bode well . . . this is how it all started last time. No, no Molly you can't be worried, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is gone. Yes. Gone. We're all safe. I've just got to focus on shopping now, can't be getting ahead of myself.'

"Come on. Gossip is for people who don't have anything more important to do. We're going to Diagon Alley."

The three nod, discarding the scandal sheet into the fireplace where it belongs.

As Hermione disappears into the green flames, leaving him alone in the Weasly's dining room, it crosses his mind to say "Knockturn Alley."

"No, don't be stupid." He tells the quiet house, "He's probably in Diagon Alley like everyone else if he's even there at all."

With no more hesitation, he grabs his letter, steps into the fireplace, grabs a handful of the chalky powder, and declares "Diagon Alley" making sure to actually enunciate this time.

-

He steps out in The Leaky Cauldron, slipping as carefully as he can to the brick wall and tapping out the brick code, from the rubbish bin, three up and two across​​. Luckily for Harry, the alley is so busy that hardly anyone notices him, which is actually something of a miracle because of his muggle-esque t-shirt, jumper, jeans, and trainers.

-

While Ron admires the Jokeshop window display, Harry makes his escape.

Ron won't look for him. The Weaslys trust Harry by now to catch up with them, after all Diagon Alley isn't huge and they do this every year (well aside from the wild ride that was last year with the Knight Bus). Gringotts, quills, robes, and other supplies all while Mrs Weasly buys the books.

Harry knows he should stay with his best friend, even if only to make sure he only gets what he needs, but he also knows this may be his only chance to see his friend before school, so off he goes, looking at his list.

'Dress robes? Are those like wizard suits? What do we need those for? Is there an etiquette class this year? I bet Malfoy knows all about dress robes.'