𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐉𝐎𝐊𝐄𝐑 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐄𝐍, george weasley

005

FIVE

The morning was lively at the Burrow as everyone prepared for their trip to Diagon Alley. Victoria was thrilled—it had been months since she'd last roamed the magical shopping district. She had barely stepped out of the bathroom when Hermione handed her a stack of books, Ron searched for his wand, and Fred and George teased her about how much trouble she'd cause if the public spotted her.

"Ready for your adoring fans, Princess?" George smirked.

Victoria rolled her eyes, shoving a hat into her bag. "Let's just hope nobody notices. I just want a quiet day."

Fred snorted. "With you? Quiet? Yeah, right."

The group gathered in the kitchen as Arthur showed Harry how to use Floo powder for the first time.

"Now, Harry, it's simple," Arthur explained, holding out the jar of shimmering powder. "Just take a pinch, step into the fireplace, and say, 'Diagon Alley.' Clear?"

Harry nodded, but Victoria saw the nervous look on his face.

"Don't worry, Harry," she said kindly. "You'll be fine. Just speak clearly."

Fred added, "And don't forget to enunciate. None of that 'Diagonalley' nonsense."

Harry stepped into the fireplace, took a pinch of powder, and threw it down. "Diagonalley!"

"What did I just say?"

The flames turned green and roared up around him, but as he vanished, Victoria frowned.

"That didn't sound right," she said.

When Victoria arrived at the other end of the Floo network, she stumbled out of the fireplace into Flourish and Blotts. Dusting herself off, she saw Fred and George already joking with Ron and Hermione.

"Where's Harry?" she asked, looking around.

"He said something funny and ended up in Knockturn Alley," Ron said. "Dad's gone to get him."

Victoria's heart leapt. "Knockturn Alley? That's dangerous!"

"Relax, Princess," George said, nudging her shoulder. "He'll be fine. Dad's got it covered."

Moments later, Harry appeared, looking a bit shaken but unharmed, followed closely by Arthur.

"Knockturn Alley?" Hermione exclaimed.

"Not my fault," Harry muttered, and Victoria gave him a reassuring smile.

The group made their way into Flourish and Blotts, where the store was packed with witches and wizards eager to meet Gilderoy Lockhart, who was signing copies of his latest book.

"Oh no," Victoria groaned as they were pushed through the crowd.

"What?" Hermione asked.

"If I get recognized here, it'll turn into a circus," Victoria whispered.

Sure enough, as they reached the center of the store, someone gasped. "Princess Victoria!"

A hush fell over the crowd, and within seconds, people were murmuring and pointing at her.

"She'll make an excellent queen one day," an elderly witch said, smiling warmly.

"She'll unite our two worlds," another man added, bowing slightly.

Victoria froze, her cheeks flushing. "Unite our worlds?" she murmured to herself. It was something she had never thought about before.

George leaned over, whispering in her ear. "Told you. Adoring fans."

Victoria glared at him, but her lips twitched into a reluctant smile.

As they moved closer to the counter, the cheerful atmosphere soured when they spotted Draco Malfoy standing beside his father, Lucius.

"Famous Harry Potter," Draco sneered. "Can't even go into a bookshop without making the front page."

Victoria narrowed her eyes but said nothing.

"Leave it, Tori," Hermione whispered.

Lucius Malfoy stepped forward, his cold gaze sweeping over the group before settling on Victoria. "Princess Victoria," he said smoothly. "Such a delight to see someone of your... stature... associating with the likes of these."

""Oh, Lucius, I didn't realize you were so fond of understatement. But don't worry, I'm sure the company I keep is far more interesting than whatever you're up to in your gilded cage."," Victoria said evenly.

Lucius' eyes narrowed, but before he could reply, Gilderoy Lockhart spotted Harry and interrupted.

"Harry Potter!" Lockhart exclaimed, his teeth gleaming as he grabbed Harry and dragged him forward. "Ladies and gentlemen, what an honor! Not only do we have Harry Potter here today, but also Princess Victoria, the Future Queen of England!"

Victoria cringed as the crowd applauded, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.

"Just what I needed," Harry muttered.

"Smile and wave," George whispered, nudging her.

Lockhart beamed at the crowd. "To commemorate this wonderful occasion, a photo with our two young celebrities!"

The camera flash went off, and Victoria caught George smirking at her in the corner of her eye.

"You owe me," she muttered under her breath.

As the group left Flourish and Blotts, Molly was waiting outside, looking frazzled.

"Well, that was a spectacle," she said, ushering them all toward the next shop. "Victoria, dear, you handled yourself brilliantly. Though I must say, I'm not sure what the Prophet will make of 'uniting our worlds.'"

Victoria laughed nervously, still replaying those words in her mind. Could she really be a bridge between the magical and Muggle worlds?

"Don't think too hard about it," George said, falling into step beside her. "You're already doing enough just by being you."