Always Together

18. Flourish And Blotts

I updated. I deserve a hug. For real. But virtual, cuz I know nearly no one on Watty in real life. So, send me a virtual hug. Boring chappie, though ... But what you think of "—" instead of "--"?

--- 

Chapter 18 | flourish and blotts

"Ah, you landed all right," said Fred, tapping on her head and stroking it. "Good girl. Is Harry coming now?"

"No— he stuttered. Must have landed somewhere else," said Caitlyn, walking some steps forward.

Mr Weasley came right after her. Then Ron, Percy, Ginny and finally Mrs Weasley. They all rushed and exited the shop where they were — Caitlyn didn't even have time to ask where they were. They couldn't lose time to find Harry. Mrs Weasley panicked. They went through the streets of Diagon Alley and after some good ten minuted searching, they saw Hagrid with Harry and, for everyone's surprise, Hermione Granger. They sprinted down the street to get Harry. Mrs Weasley and Ginny were left a little behind.

"Harry," Mr Weasley panted. "We hoped you'd only gone one grate too far." He mopped his glistening bald patch. "Molly's frantic — she's coming now —"

"Where did you come out?" Ron asked.

"Knockturn Alley," said Hagrid grimly.

"Excellent." said Fred and George together.

"We've never been allowed in," said Ron enviously.

"I should ruddy well think not," growled Hagrid.

"What's Knockturn Alley?" asked Caitlyn sympathetically.

"Ah, 'ello there, Caitlyn," greeted Hagrid politely.

Mrs Weasley now came galloping into view, her handbag swing ing wildly in one hand, Ginny just clinging onto the other.

"Oh, Harry — oh, my dear — you could have been any where —"

Gasping for breath she pulled a large clothes brush out of her bag and began sweeping off the soot Hagrid hadn't managed to beat away. Mr Weasley took Harry's glasses, gave them a tap of his wand, and returned them, good as new.

"Well, gotta be off," said Hagrid, who was having his hand wrung by Mrs Weasley. "See yer at Hogwarts!" And he strode away, head and shoulders taller than anyone else in the packed street.

"Guess who I saw in Borgin and Burkes?" Harry asked Ron, Hermione and Caitlyn as they climbed the Gringotts steps. "Malfoy and his father."

"Did Lucius Malfoy buy anything?" said Mr Weasley sharply behind them.

"No, he was selling," said Harry.

"So he's worried," said Mr Weasley with grim satisfaction. "Oh, I'd love to get Lucius Malfoy for something ..."

"You be careful, Arthur," said Mrs Weasley sharply as they were bowed into the bank by a goblin at the door. "That family's trouble. Don't go biting off more than you can chew —"

"So you don't think I'm a match for Lucius Malfoy?" said Mr Weasley indignantly, but he was distracted almost at once by the sight of Hermione's parents, who were standing nervously at the counter that ran all along the great marble hall, waiting for Hermione to introduce them. Then Mr Weasley began an enthusiastic conversation with them.

"But you're muggles!" said Mr Weasley delightedly. "We must have a drink! What's that you've got there? Oh, you're changing muggle money. Molly, look!" He pointed excitedly at the tenpound notes in Mr Granger's hand.

"Meet you back here," Ron said to Hermione as the Weasleys, Harry and Caitlyn were led off to their underground vaults by another Gringotts goblin. The vaults were reached by means of small, goblin-driven carts that sped along miniature train tracks through the bank's underground tunnels.