apples and scented candles • h.potter ✓

• eight •

Harry stood at the entrance of Diagon Alley, clutching Teddy's hand lightly. He bounced up and down on his feet, looking positively happy as he did not have to wear his hat. His hair went through a myriad of colours, and despite it being a normal occurrence for him, Harry couldn't help but be amazed.

It was the weekend, and as decided beforehand, he was supposed to hang out somewhere with Corben. It hadn't taken long to decide where to, for when he said that he had never visited Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, Harry decided that that was where they would go.

Initially, he hadn't planned on bringing Teddy with him but Corben had insisted. It seemed as though the two had grown a mutual bond, for Teddy kept asking when he would arrive.

"Just a few minutes, Ted," Harry answered with a smile.

And he did, soon.

All those times when Harry would see him at the Ministry, he would usually wear simple, dark coloured attires. And thus, he found himself staring at him in amusement as Corben skipped happily towards them, clad in deep purple robes over a patterned shirt, denim pants and white converses. An emerald scarf was snaked around his neck.

Upon reaching them, he grinned broadly and a dimple showed on his left cheek. "Good to see you alive, Just Harry."

Teddy wrenched his hand away from Harry's grip and stretched out towards Corben, who picked him up in his arms. Harry rolled his eyes, smiling. "Of course I'm alive. I'm Harry Potter."

The day before, sometime during the evening, the Aurors had gone out to investigate a supposed crime scene. Harry was with one of his coworkers, immersed in a discussion, when he had begun to feel dizzy. He could hear the conversations fading into a blur, his surroundings spinning, and suddenly he was on the floor, Ron splashing water over his face.

He wished he could take a week off, but being who he was, he hardly ever found it easy to do anything he desired. The Daily Prophet has already published a scathing article about him, the writer being a young soul presumably idolising the infamous Rita Skeeter, for the piece mostly consisted of claims that Harry's old habits of passing out and his scar hurting, have returned.

Therefore, he was more than relieved when the weekend arrived with a rush of wind and snow, and he took a great deal of time dressing up, willing himself to enjoy the simple activities he partook in. He had flooed to the Tonks household and picked up Teddy, and from there he went to Diagon Alley.

The place was unusually empty, but then Harry reminded himself that he had only ever been there just before the beginning of each school term, when all students and parents would gather to buy their school supplies. Now, in mid December, only a very few people were seen milling around – the shops remained relatively deserted.

They soon came upon the Weasley's Wizard Wheezes which stood over them in all its glory. It was huge, vibrant and full of life, and unlike the rest of the shops, it was filled to the brim with with people. A bell twinkled above them as they opened the door, and Harry noticed with amusement that the majority of the shoppers were adults, the rest of them being kids who only just ran around without a second glance at the products on display.

Teddy wriggled out of Harry's hold and sprinted away, disappearing amidst the crowd. Corben looked uncertainly at him. "Shouldn't we keep an eye on him?"

"He's been here too many times," he smiled. "He'll be fine. Come on, I'll give you a tour."

They hung their cloaks at the doorway, received their tokens that would buzz angrily if someone else tried to take their belongings, and stepped in. Corben drifted off to one corner, seemingly attracted by a horde of toffees that sparkled joyfully. Having been to the shop more than enough times, Harry followed him instead of wandering off on his own.