The Golden Trip

Chapter 16

I arrive in Diagon Alley. It's hot out, so I'm sweating. I bring my hair up in a ponytail, and look around. I brought myself in front of Weasley Wizard Wheezes'. It's so colorful and vibrant, bringing DIagon Alley back to life. Crowds are pouring in. I pull up the sleeve on my right arm, and make my way inside. I squeeze past people, and start to go to the cashier. The line isn't big yet, as people just started to walk in. Verity was at the counter.

"Hi Hermione!" She said cheerfully, getting the cashier up to date.

"Hi." I said back, picking up a small box of Chocolate Frogs.

"Do you need anything?" She asks, raising an eyebrow. I put the box back and look up at her. She's in periwinkle robes that go well with her blond hair. She reminds me of Fleur a little bit.

"Well," I say. "Is Fred or George around here?" She nods and smiles.

"Yep! Fred is probably on the second floor, near the Peruvian Instant Dark. George is on this floor. Try checking out the WonderWitch products area." Verity pointed to the left of the shop. I nodded, finding it hard to smile, and left to find George. This shop had two floors, but the second one was almost a balcony. It was smaller, and was an overhang of the ground floor. They added more products, of course, along with candy. Before I went to the past, they asked me about Muggle tricks they might fit their shop.

I pass the boxing telescopes display, and come across a gaggle of witches. Their all hopping around, trying to look at the display. Some were holding Pgymy Puffs. One was eyeing a Patented Daydream Charm suspiciously. A brunette and a blond were giggling about love potions. Yuck. I looked around and saw George by the Makeup WonderWitch products. He was talking to a trio of girls about Everlasting Eyelashes and Ten-Second Pimple Vanisher.

"George," I called, trying to get closer to him. He didn't hear me. "George!" I called louder. He looked up and smiled. He then looked down at the girls.

"Sorry ladies, but I have some family issues I have to deal with. Feel free to get these, though. My baby sister loves them!" He left the girls behind, who's giggling got crazy. He motioned for me to follow him. We passed five aisles before we got to the back room. We walked in and locked us inside. A door in the back must have lead to the workroom or their flat. He looked at me, and sat down on the couch in the room.

"What's wrong?" He asked, crossing his arms. I bit my bottom lip and started to fidget.

"You remember, right?" I asked quietly. He raised an eyebrow, but nodded. "Okay, good." I started to pace. "It's just, well, it's Sirius. I feel like something important happened to him that I never found out about." George cocked his head but shrugged.

"We're fine Mione. Fred's alive. Sirius is alive."

"I know!" I suddenly exclaimed. I winced. "I know," I whispered. "But,being back in war, made me relive everything. And I fought Bellatrix! What does that me? I'm as strong as her now! What do I do?" I leaned against the wall. "I'm scared George." He closed his eyes for a moment, considering what I said.

"Go see Fred."

"What?" I asked, confused.

"Go see Fred." He stood up, and hugged me. "You're going to be okay." He then unlocked the door and led me out. He pointed upwards, smiled at me, and started to walk around the shop. I sighed and dutifully turned, walked over to the steps.

"Stupid, stupid, stupid." I muttered, reaching the second floor. I saw someone in magenta robes, and went over to them.

"Hermione!" Fred exclaimed, excusing himself from the group. He took my hand, and started to lead me to another door. A sign on it said 'Family Only." He brought me inside, and locked the door again. With a sigh, he sat down on the neon couch. He raised his hands as to say, 'What's up?' I started to pace again.

"Do you have Dreamless Sleep Potions? That you won't get addicted to?" I started to tug on the sleeve that was still pulled down. Fred was watching me.

"No," He started slowly. "I'm afraid we don't. What's under that sleeve?" I stopped walking and dropped my hands. I put up a shield non-verbally, so he couldn't come near me.

"Nothing. I promise," I hesitated. "Do you have any candies or something that don't make the Dreamless Sleep Potions addicting?" Again, he shook his head.

"Why do you need them anyway?" His voice was rough, but soft.

"Ah, no reason. No reason." I tugged on a lock of hair that fell out of the ponytail. He eyed me carefully. I'm out-tricking the trickster again. Right?

"You know, you're not that good at lying."

"What if I am?" I asked desperately. "What if I'm telling the truth?"

"You're not, Hermione." Fred said, running a hand through his hair. He stood up, and started to come closer to me. I didn't back up, as my shield wouldn't let him get in a five foot radius. He banged into then, and glared at me. "What is this?" He asked angrily.

"A shield." I said sweetly. He narrowed his eyes.

"Hermione. When will you tell me what happened?" I looked away from Fred.

"I, ah, don't know."

"Why?"

"I don't know, Fred-"

"HERMIONE! GET DOWN HERE!" Oh shoot. That's Sirius. Fred turns and unlocks the door, pulling it open.

"Up here, Sirius!" Fred calls. I widen my eyes. Stomping comes from steps, creaking with each stomp Sirius makes.

 Sirius enters the room, his hair all ruffled. He nods to Fred. "Hermione! Don't do that again!" Sirius walks closer. "We have to talk." He looks down at me, being taller than me, and Fred.

"Uh," I wave at him. "Bye!" I disapparate to his angry calls. 

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