LXXIII. DIAGONALLY
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❝Some things just make sense,
And even after all this time❞
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THEIR HOGWARTS LETTER AND BOOKLIST arrived swiftly after Harry's birthday, and what made the moment exciting was the news that arrived with the letters: Harry had been made Quidditch Captain for the Gryffindor Quidditch team, much to Lucia's merriness.
It wasn't all that surprising since he was made Seeker during his first year and was also deemed to be the youngest Quidditch player in a century. Nonetheless, it was still exciting to know that Harry was given half of the privileges the prefects receives.
"You can use our special bathroom now and everything!" Hermione cried happily.
"Wow, I remember when Charlie wore one of these," said Ron, examining the badge with glee. "Harry, this is so cool, you're my Captain — if you let me back on the team, I suppose, ha ha..."
Lucia peered over Ron's shoulder and furrowed her eyes. "I feel sad now," she declared.
"Aww," Ron slung his arm over her shoulder. "Why the frown?"
"Because I'm the only one that doesn't have any special school titles..." she huffed. "GINNY!"
"Present," Ginny rose her head from the book she was reading as she entered the sitting room.
Lucia made her way to the fifteen-year-old, resting her hands on her shoulders. "Did you become a prefect?"
"Nope," Ginny snorted. "Fred and George's tainted me too much,"
"Perfect!" Lucia cheered. "Stupid titles don't mean anything!"
"Says the one that was just sulking seconds ago because she didn't get to be anything," Harry smirked.
"Bugger off, Potter," scoffed Ginny, giving him a not-so-friendly hand gesture.
Lucia smiled weakly at this, before she turned back to the younger girl. "Are you perhaps going to try for Quidditch Captain when we leave school?"
Ginny stared at the batch in Harry's hand. "I mean, sure I guess." She shrugged, "But I reckon it'll be much more satisfying if I simply snatch that title from Harry,"
"Annoying worm," Harry spat.
"Idiotic Maggot," she retorted back, hugging Lucia's waist mockingly, much to Harry's displeasure.
"Well, I don't suppose we can put off a trip to Diagon Alley much longer now you've got these," sighed Mrs. Weasley, before the feud between her daughter and Harry were to go much more violent. "We'll go on Saturday as long as your father doesn't have to go into work again. I'm not going there without him."
"Mum, d'you honestly think You-Know-Who's going to be hiding behind a bookshelf in Flourish and Blotts?" sniggered Ron.
"Fortescue and Ollivander went on holiday, did they?" said Mrs. Weasley, firing up at once. "If you think security's a laughing matter you can stay behind and I'll get your things myself -"
"No, I wanna come, I want to see Fred and George's shop!" said Ron hastily.
"Then you just buck up your ideas, young man, before I decide you're too immature to come with us!" said Mrs. Weasley angrily, snatching up her clock, all nine hands of which were still pointing at "mortal peril," and balancing it on top of a pile of just-laundered towels. "And that goes for returning to Hogwarts as well!"
All stared at the scene that had just unfolded; shock painted their faces. They watched as the Weasley matriarch hoisted the laundry basket and the teetering clock into her arms, storming off.
"Blimey...you can't even make a joke round here anymore..."
"Well, she's scared and rightfully so," said Lucia, understanding where Mrs. Weasley was getting at. "Didn't we all got hurt last year fighting Death Eaters? I couldn't exactly forget the day I di — the day I almost died."
All of them winced but went unnoticed by Lucia as she absentmindedly played with the hair that was covering her scar. Harry pursed his lips together, of course he couldn't forget that night. The night where everything in his world was turned upside down. It still haunted him till this day, and the only time that he was not reminded of the horrid scene was the time she fell asleep in his room.
"She's just worried," Lucia turned away, avoiding their eyes. "Leave her be,"
Ron was careful not to be flippant about Voldemort over the next few days. Saturday dawned without any more outbursts from Mrs. Weasley, though she seemed very tense at breakfast. Bill, who would be staying at home with Fleur (much to Hermione and Ginny's pleasure), passed a full money bag across the table to Harry and Lucia.
"Where's mine?" demanded Ron at once, his eyes wide.
"That's already theirs, idiot," said Bill. "I got it out of both your vaults because it's taking about five hours for the public to get to their gold at the moment, the goblins have tightened security so much. Two days ago Arkie Philpott had a Probity Probe stuck up his... Well, trust me, this way's easier."
"Thank you," said Lucia graciously, weighing the money bag in her hand.
"Yeah, Thanks, Bill," said Harry, pocketing his gold.
"'E is always so thoughtful," purred Fleur adoringly, stroking Bill's nose. Ginny mimed vomiting into her cereal behind Fleur. Harry choked over his cornflakes, and Ron thumped him on the back. Lucia pressed her lips together, amused by the reactions all around the table
"Never," Ginny pointed her finger at Lucia and Harry, "Never ever do that. Understood?"
"Nope," he said.
"We'll do whatever we want," said Lucia defiantly.
Ginny shook her head. "I'm trying to tell myself that I won't vomit of it were you and Harry, but I can't. I'm sorry. But Harry's too much of a brother now and that's disgusting."
"I'm somewhat flattered that you think of me as your brother," said Harry, partially sarcastic.
"Shove off," Ginny rolled her eyes at him. "That is my oldest brother doing those disgusting thing right there —"
"Since you are already disgusted by Harry and I, what 'bout Ron?"
"Bloody hell, Lucia" commented Ron. "Did you really have to bring me into this?"
"Imagining it already makes me want to vomit my breakfast out and let the gnomes eat it," scoffed Ginny. "But who would want to be with Ron? No girl would be in their right mind to want to be with him,"
"I dunno... Ron's pretty good looking," said Lucia, causing Ron straightened himself as a wide grin made its way to his lips. Harry choked out his breakfast once again, coughing profusely. "Oh, of course, he's not my type, but if I didn't have a type already, he would've swept me off my feet. He's charismatic enough and thanks to your family genes, he's fit."
Ginny's face twisted in disgust. "Refrain yourself from saying that again. I already feel my breakfast coming out of my mouth."
"Am I fit?" Ron asked Harry and Hermione with a grin.
Hermione sputtered in her words, blushing madly. "I — you — uh —"
"You are absolutely smashing, mate," said Harry, kind of agreeing with the wise words of Lucia. He raised his cup of tea to him, "cheers,"
"Cheers!" Ron followed, while Lucia sipped her tea.
Ginny shook her head. "Disgusting."
The weather was gloomy, and the skies were clouded as they gone out of the Burrow. One of the special Ministry cars — Lucia never ridden in before — was waiting for them at the front yard when they emerged out of the house, pulling on their cloaks; Lucia was sad that she couldn't wear her Muggle clothes, but she completely understood that it was for safety purposes, for whoever looks or dressed like a Muggle would most likely get attack. Nonetheless, she was able to bring along her purse with her to put her money bag in.
"I still can't believe the Ministry give away these..." trailed Lucia, admiring the posh inside of the car. "I love magic sometimes..."
"Good that you like it," said Harry as he peered inside as well. "Ron and I don't exactly have the best memories with Wizarding cars," he grimaced.
"Oh yeah!" Lucia peeked her head out in revelation. "It was the talk of the school at that time; you both almost got expelled for stealing a magical car and almost exposed our world to the muggles in second year, didn't you?"
"We did not steal," said Ron, offended. "It was the only thing we could've done at that time! Our choices were little!"
"Uh-huh," Lucia rolled her eyes.
"But in all seriousness, that time was not fun," Harry shuddered, much to her amusement. "Not fun..."
Everyone got out of the crooked house and entered the car one by one. Lucia was astonished that, unlike last year's travel to St. Mungo's, the car wasn't all that cramp as she had dreaded it to be. It was all roomy and comfortable since the car was wide and luxurious, compared to the usual muggle cars she was normally in.
"It's good Dad can get us these again," said Ron appreciatively, stretching luxuriously as the car moved smoothly away from the Burrow, Bill, and Fleur waving from the kitchen window.
"Don't get used to it, it's only because of Harry," said Mr. Weasley over his shoulder. He and Mrs. Weasley were in front with the Ministry driver; the front passenger seat had obligingly stretched into what resembled a two-seater sofa. "He's been given top-grade security status. And we'll be joining up with additional security at the Leaky Cauldron too."
A thought popped into Lucia's mind all the sudden.
"Harry," called Lucia as she comprehended Mr. Weasley's words.
Harry hummed, turning to her.
"The way Mr. Weasley's putting it, it's like you're actually an important person." She said blankly. Ginny and Ron were tempted to stifle out laughter at the girl's words; Harry blinked, surprised. "Do you think I'll get arrested if I were to punch you out of the blue in front of them?"
They all furrowed at her question.
"Do you want to punch him?" asked Hermione from in between Ron and Ginny.
Harry snapped his head with his eyes widened, does she?
"Well, of course not," Harry sighed in relief. "I think."
"What d'you mean, you 'think'?" he asked incredulously at once.
"It depends really," Lucia shrugged her shoulder, her eyes boring blankly in his. "If you break my heart seriously, then maybe I have to? Who knows..."
"Er — well — I don't think they will arrest you..." said Mr. Weasley skeptically as his daughter was howling in silent laughter. "They would know if you were a friend of Harry's or a foe, but please refrain yourself from punching him."
"Hmm, sure," said Lucia airily.
Mr. Weasley could merely let out a defeated sigh. It was useless to bother.
Harry grabbed her hands, interlacing their fingers together, causing Lucia to turn to him. She smiled softly, before looking back to the front. He swore that she had just threatened to punch him a moment ago, but here she was all fine and dandy as a dandelion again...
"I'll make sure that'll never happens," said Harry quietly.
"I know," said Lucia softly. "I was just joking. Probably."
Harry breathed out a soft, yet quiet laugh. Of course.
"Here you are, then," said the driver, a surprisingly short while later, speaking for the first time as he slowed in Charing Cross Road and stopped outside the Leaky Cauldron. "I'm to wait for you, any idea how long you'll be?"
"A couple of hours, I expect," said Mr. Weasley. "Ah, good, he's here!"
Harry peered through the window and broke into a smile. Noticing this, Lucia imitated Harry and hoped it wasn't the sight of a battalion of Aurors — it wasn't. There were no Aurors, rather it was Hagrid waiting for them in front of the inn. He was beaming, possibly because he saw Harry's face through the window and was oblivious of the startle stares of passing Muggles.
"Harry!" he boomed, sweeping Harry into a bone-crushing hug the moment Harry had stepped out of the car. "Buckbeak — Witherwings, I mean — yeh should see him, Harry, he's so happy ter be back in the open air —"
"Glad he's pleased," said Harry, grinning as he massaged his ribs. "We didn't know 'security' meant you!" he said, helping Lucia's cloak to get out of the car and Ron following out after her before he swung the car door shut behind them.
"I know, jus' like old times, innit? See, the Ministry wanted ter send a bunch o' Aurors, but Dumbledore said I'd do," said Hagrid proudly, throwing out his chest and tucking his thumbs into his pockets. "Let's get goin' then — after yeh, Molly, Arthur —"
As they entered the Leaky Cauldron, it had been the first time Lucia seen it so empty in all her years of having to go through this route to Diagon Alley. It was honestly devastating. Only Tom the landlord, wizened and toothless, remained of the old crowd. He looked up hopefully as they entered, but before he could speak, Hagrid said importantly, "Jus' passin' through today, Tom, sure yeh understand, Hogwarts business, yeh know."
Lucia watched pitifully as Tom nodded gloomily, returning to wiping glasses; Lucia, Harry, Hermione, Hagrid, and the Weasleys walked through the bar and out into the familiar chilly little courtyard at the back where the dustbins stood. Hagrid raised his pink umbrella and rapped a certain brick in the wall, which opened at once to form an archway onto a winding cobbled street. They stepped through the entrance and paused, looking around.
Diagon Alley had changed. The colorful, glittering window displays of spellbooks, potion ingredients, and cauldrons were lost to view, hidden behind the large Ministry of Magic posters that had been pasted over them. Most of these somber purple posters carried blown-up versions of the security advice on the Ministry pamphlets that had been sent out over the summer, but others bore moving black-and-white photographs of Death Eaters known to be on the loose. Bellatrix Lestrange was sneering from the front of the nearest apothecary. A few windows were boarded up, including those of Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor. On the other hand, several shabby-looking stalls had sprung up along the street. The nearest one, which had been erected outside Flourish and Blotts, under a striped, stained awning, had a cardboard sign pinned to its front:
AMULETS
Effective Against Werewolves, Dementors, and Inferi
Harry pulled Lucia closer to him as they walked down the pavements of the streets. A scruffy-looking little wizard was rattling armfuls of silver symbols on chains at passersby.
"One for your little girl, madam?" he called at Mrs. Weasley as they passed, leering at Ginny. "Protect her pretty neck?"
"If I were on duty..." said Mr. Weasley, glaring angrily at the amulet seller.
"Yes, but don't go arresting anyone now, dear, we're in a hurry," said Mrs. Weasley, nervously consulting a list. "I think we'd better do Madam Malkin's first, Hermione wants new dress robes, and Ron's showing much too much ankle in his school robes, and you must need new ones too, you said you needed a new winter cloak, Lucia? and Harry, you've grown so much — come on, everyone —"
"Molly, it doesn't make sense for all of us to go to Madam Malkin's," said Mr. Weasley. "Why don't those four go with Hagrid, and we can go to Flourish and Blotts and get everyone's schoolbooks?"
"I don't know," said Mrs. Weasley anxiously, "Hagrid, do you think —?"
"Don' fret, they'll be fine with me, Molly," said Hagrid soothingly, waving an airy hand the size of a dustbin lid. Mrs. Weasley did not look entirely convinced, but allowed the separation, scurrying off toward Flourish and Blotts with her husband and Ginny while Harry, Ron, Hermione, Lucia, and Hagrid set off for Madam Malkin's.
On their way to Madam Malkin's, Lucia was quite distracted by everything around them. She noticed quickly of the anxious expression of many that had passed by them. Nobody was stopping to talk anymore; the shoppers stayed together in their own tightly knit groups, moving intently about their business. Nobody seemed to be shopping alone.
"Migh' be a bit of a squeeze in there with all of us," said Hagrid, stopping outside Madam Malkin's and bending down to peer through the window. "I'll stand guard outside, all right?"
Hermione pushed Lucia in gently as Harry and Ron went into the shop first as an unnecessary precaution. They were tightly close to one another; Lucia, who had unlocked her arms from and Harry was now locking around Hermione protectively, looking around the shop with a ginger expression. It appeared to be empty, until the door swung shut behind them and a series of familiar voices began issuing from behind a rack of dress robes in spangled of green and blue.
"...not a child, in case you haven't noticed, Mother. I am perfectly capable of doing my shopping alone."
There was a clucking noise and a voice Lucia recognized as that of Madam Malkin, the owner, said, "Now, dear, your mother's quite right, none of us is supposed to go wandering around on our own anymore, it's nothing to do with being a child —"
"Watch where you're sticking that pin, will you!"
A teenage boy with a pale, pointed face and white-blond hair appeared from behind the rack, wearing a handsome set of dark green robes that glittered with pins around the hem and the edges of the sleeves. He strode to the mirror and examined himself; it was a few moments before he noticed Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Lucia reflected over his shoulder. His light grey eyes narrowed.
"If you're wondering what the smell is, Mother, a Mudblood just walked in," said Draco Malfoy.
Lucia pursed her lips. Oh, straight into it, I guess...
"I don't think there's any need for language like that!" said Madam Malkin, scurrying out from behind the clothes rack holding a tape measure and a wand. "And I don't want wands drawn in my shop either!" she added hastily, for a glance toward the door had shown her Harry and Ron both standing there with their wands out and pointing at Malfoy. Hermione whispered, "No, don't, honestly, it's not worth it..."
"Yeah, like you'd dare do magic out of school," sneered Malfoy. "Who blacked your eye, Granger? I want to send them flowers."
"That's quite enough!" said Madam Malkin sharply, looking over her shoulder for support. "Madam — please —"
Narcissa Malfoy strolled out from behind the clothes rack.
"Put those away," she said coldly to Harry and Ron. "If you attack my son again, I shall ensure that it is the last thing you ever do."
"Really?" said Harry, taking a step forward and gazing into the smoothly arrogant face that, for all its pallor, still resembled her sister's. He was as tall as she was now. "Going to get a few Death Eater pals to do us in, are you?"
Madam Malkin squealed and clutched at her heart.
"Really, you shouldn't accuse — dangerous thing to say — wands away, please!"
Lucia bit her lip, "We'll be out in a jiffy," she tried assuring Madam Malkin, who was clearly distressed by the accusation. She tugged his cloak, "Harry —"
But Harry didn't lower his wand. Narcissa Malfoy smiled unpleasantly.
"I see that being Dumbledore's favorite has given you a false sense of security, Harry Potter. But Dumbledore won't always be there to protect you."
Harry looked mockingly all around the shop. "Wow... look at that... he's not here now! So why not have a go? They might be able to find you a double cell in Azkaban with your loser of a husband!"
Malfoy made an angry movement toward Harry but stumbled over his overlong robe. Ron laughed loudly.
"Don't you dare talk to my mother like that, Potter!" Malfoy snarled.
"It's all right, Draco," said Narcissa, restraining him with her thin white fingers upon his shoulder. "I expect Potter will be reunited with dear Sirius before I am reunited with Lucius."
Harry raised his wand higher.
"Harry, no!" warned Hermione, grabbing his arm, and attempting to push it down by his side. "Think... You mustn't... You'll be in such trouble..."
"I mean... One hex can suffice..." said Lucia slowly.
"No hex!" Hermione implored.
"Listen to Mudblood Granger if you don't want to drop dead like you did before this, DiFiore," sneered Malfoy.
Harry's jaw tensed immediately as the memory of that fateful day occurred in his mind. He, at once along with Ron, raised his wand at Malfoy.
Although Lucia flinched at the mere thought of that day, she, however, digress as well as she pushed their wand down. She eyed Malfoy, "And I think you diss me better without the disgrace you're currently upholding. My, did being a son of a convict pushed you lower into the dirt than you already are?"
Malfoy inched forward to daunt her. "Think you're funny, do you?" he said through gritted teeth.
It was a rather tough task for Lucia as she tried to mak sure neither Harry nor Ron raise their wand again. She smiled at Malfoy. "If the shoe fits,"
Madam Malkin dithered for a moment on the spot, then seemed to decide to act as though nothing was happening in the hope that it wouldn't. She bent toward Malfoy, who was still glaring at the lot of them.
"I think this left sleeve could come up a little bit more, dear, let me just —"
"Ouch!" bellowed Malfoy, slapping her hand away. "Watch where you're putting your pins, woman! Mother — I don't think I want these anymore —"
He pulled the robes over his head and threw them onto the floor at Madam Malkin's feet.
"You're right, Draco," said Narcissa, with a contemptuous glance at Hermione, "now I know the kind of scum that shops here... We'll do better at Twilfitt and Tatting's."
And with that, the pair of them strode out of the shop, Malfoy taking care to bang as hard as he could into Ron on the way out.
"Well, really!" said Madam Malkin, snatching up the fallen robes and moving the tip of her wand over them like a vacuum cleaner, so that it removed all the dust.
Lucia winced. "We're sorry for that," she said. "We didn't mean for that to happen..."
"It's fine, dear," Madam Malkin sighed. "Now, what may I help you four with?"
She was distracted all through the fitting of Ron's and Harry's new robes, tried to sell Hermione wizard's dress robes instead of witch's, and tried to sell Lucia a Slytherin robe instead of a Gryffindor — hell, she wasn't even trying to find school robes in the first place. When she finally bowed them out of the shop it was with an air of being glad to see the back of them.
"Got ev'rything?" asked Hagrid brightly when they reappeared at his side.
"Just about," said Harry. "Did you see the Malfoys?"
"Yeah," said Hagrid, unconcerned. "Bu' they wouldn' dare make trouble in the middle o' Diagon Alley, Harry. Don' worry abou' them."
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Lucia exchanged looks, but before they could disabuse Hagrid of this comfortable notion, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and Ginny appeared, all clutching heavy packages of books.
"Everyone all right?" said Mrs. Weasley. "Got your robes? Right then, we can pop in at the Apothecary and Eeylops on the way to Fred and George's — stick close, now..."
Once they reached the Apothecary, Lucia wasted no time in beelining her way inside with Ginny and Hermione following her; Harry and Ron went to Eeylops Owls Emporium since the two weren't taking potions anymore.
To say the ebony-haired girl bought a lot would be an understatement. Usually, she would be more careful with her money when shopping, but sometimes she couldn't care less. When she appeared out of the shop, the group's eyes popped as she was struggling with holding packages and packages of potion ingredients in her arms, towering over her height.
"What in the world did you buy?" Harry asked immediately. He may splurge from time to time, but never was it to this extent. He peered over her shoulder and inside the shop he saw the shopkeeper looked as though Christmas had come by early.
"Everything in the shop," said Lucia breathlessly, trying her best to keep up with her balance.
"Lucia!"
She sheepishly smild, "Kidding," she assured. "I just brought a couple of ingredients. No biggy."
"No biggy? No biggy? This is a biggy, Lucia!" Hermione said reproachfully.
"Relax," said Lucia beamingly. "I didn't waste all my money. Just a bit."
"Well," Mrs. Weasley sighed, a hand over her heart. "That's a start. It's that or nothing at all,"
"See, Mrs. Weasley gets it," said Lucia.
"I think you may have a problem," said Ron.
Lucia rolled her eyes, but deep down she knew: She did have a problem. That's why she rarely got to Hogsmeade.
"Here," Mr. Weasley waved his wand, and the dozens of packages was quick to transfigured into miniature packages that could fit in the pocket of her robes. "That's better?"
"Really better, thank you," said Lucia, slightly abashed.
Harry shook his head. "We have to do something with this problem of yours," he said.
"You have no right to say that to me, Mr-I-tried-to-buy-a-golden-cauldron-before." Lucia scoffed as she tightened her bow.
"That was back in first year!"
"History had been made!"
Harry made no further efforts to retort, accepting instant defeat, much to Lucia's surprise, for Harry would retort constant merciless comments toward the other part, however he didn't do that to her. Then again, all the retorts he made back at her was usually mild compared to when he commented back at Ron or Hermione...
Lucia shook her head and focused along the street ahead. They were in search Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, the joke shop run by Fred and George.
"We really haven't got too long," Mrs. Weasley said. "So we'll just have a quick look around and then back to the car. We must be close, that's number ninety-two... ninety-four..."
"Whoa," said Ron, stopping in his tracks.
They stopped in motion at the sight before them. Woah indeed. Compared to the grim streets, Fred and George's window was like a firework display. Several passersby were even stealing glances at the windows as a few were stunned and had taken a halt. The left-hand window was dazzlingly full of an assortment of goods that revolved, popped, flashed, bounced, and shrieked. The right-hand window was covered with a gigantic poster, purple like those of the Ministry, but emblazoned with flashing yellow letters:
WHY ARE YOU WORRYING ABOUT YOU-KNOW-WHO?
YOU SHOULD BE WORRYING ABOUT U-NO-POO —THE CONSTIPATION SENSATION THAT'S GRIPPING THE NATION!
While Lucia and the rest were left awestruck, Harry stifled a laugh before a weak sort of moan could be heard from Mrs. Weasley, who gazed at the poster, dumbfounded. Her lips moved silently, mouthing the name "U-No-Poo."
"They'll be murdered in their beds!" she whispered.
"No, they won't!" said Ron, who, like Harry, was laughing. "This is brilliant!"
Lucia soon found herself breaking away from her daze thoughts as she was pulled into the shop by Harry, who led the group in with Ron. When they entered, she was simply mesmerised.
It was a much contrast to the surroundings outside of the store; it was packed by customers that even getting to a shelf was a challenge. Lucia gaped, the place was bright and radiated so much positive energy that it was overwhelming to say the least. There were several of the twin's invention being displayed everywhere around the shop.
She quickly squeezed herself beside Hermione near the counter; the bushy-haired girl was reading the information on the back of a box with handsome youth and a swooning girl who were standing on the deck of a pirate ship.
"'Patented Daydream Charms...'" Lucia read.
"'One simple incantation and you will enter a top-quality, highly realistic, thirty-minute daydream, easy to fit into the average school lesson and virtually undetectable (side effects include vacant expression and minor drooling). Not for sale to under-sixteens.' You know," said Hermione, looking up at Harry and Lucia, "that really is extraordinary magic!
"For that, Hermione," said a voice behind them, "you can have one for free."
Fred stood before them, beaming. He wore a set of magenta robes that clashed with his hair.
"How are you, Harry?" They shook hands. "Looking good still, Little Flower. Got the man too, we see? Nicely done," George added with wiggled eyebrows when he noticed the pair's arms interlocked George raised a fist to her, wanting a fist-bump. "How 'bout it, eh?"
While Harry was pink in the cheeks, Lucia was amused and happily returned the fist-bump.
"Always knew it'll happen!" said Fred, grinning. He then moved to Hermione, "And what's happened to your eye, Hermione?"
"Your punching telescope," she said ruefully.
"Oh blimey, I forgot about those," said Fred. "Here —"
Fred stuck his hand into the pocket, however as they waited for a product to be pulled out of his pockets, he was apparently having trouble finding it. He pats around his robes for it before glancing at his twin brother, "Er... Georgie?"
George hummed. "What?"
"Do you have it?"
"Have — of course not, you're the one who always have it!" said George.
"You don't have it?" Hermione shrieked, fear overwhelming her of the scenario that she could never get this off her.
"No, no," Fred said quickly. "We have it. It's just somewhere..."
"Here?" They all turned, and Eridani — Erin graced herself in their presence.
Lucia turned her attention to the twins and saw George giving his brother a smirk, as Fred smiled fondly at the new arrival; Erin had changed over the course of the summer. Her pale blonde hair was shortened quite a bit and was put up into a loose braid, her bangs were pinned to the side. Her icy-grey eyes had melted tremendously unlike before and it showed the warmth she possessed. Her smile seemed much more genuine than the ones back in Hogwarts.
"You were looking for this, I assume?" she said, holding out a small tub in front of them. She then turned to Hermione, "I presume you will be the one using this?"
Hermione nodded frantically. "Yes..." she took the tub and unscrewed it gingerly to reveal a thick yellow paste.
"Just dab it on, that bruise'll be gone within the hour," Erin advised serenely. "Fred and George had to find a decent bruise remover. They're testing most of their products on themselves, you see."
Hermione looked nervous. "It is safe, isn't it?" she asked.
"'Course it is," said Fred bracingly.
"How've you been holding up, Erin?" Harry asked her.
Erin turned to him with a soft smile. "Well, I've been better for someone whose boyfriend's mum doesn't exactly her,"
"She'll accept you," frowned Fred. "Me and Georgie will make sure of it!"
"I really could not care less what she thinks of me, but I want her to accept me because I don't want to be the wall that'll end up tensing the relationship you have with your mother, Fred," said Erin sighingly, before she turned to the other three, "Mrs. Weasley doesn't like me, and I'm sure that she's a nice woman, but the glares she got instore for me whenever I come over with the twins really doesn't sit right with me,"
"So, what, you're like in the same situation as Fleur?" asked Lucia.
"Somewhat. The difference is that Fleur had a good background and that she's getting married, while I am from a family that belittles the Weasleys and I'm also a Slytherin," Erin rolled her eyes, "No offence, but I don't know how Fleur does it," She looked down to her hands, "I tried my best with Mrs. Weasley, but really doesn't like me..."
"That's because Fleur's in her own world with, 'Ze Wedding muz be perfectz!' and whatnot," said Hermione distractedly.
"That's mean," told Lucia frowningly. "But I'm sure she'll warm up to you,"
"All I care is for her to accept my Fred's relationship with me as a sign of respect. I don't care if she warms up to me," said Erin. "Even Mr. Weasley is okay with us..."
"Mum's always been the one that's hard to please," said George. "But we're working hard on that, don't you worry,"
"Yeah, don't worry about it right now, love," said Fred assuringly.
Erin shook her head smilingly. "I'll try my best," she said. "But you know, because I'm an adult now, I was able to get access to my father's family vault — surprisingly — and used some of the money to open up a bakery. I even have this employee! Her name is Juniper, but... "
"But unfortunately, her dream of having customers had to stop," chimed Fred.
Erin nodded sadly. "After what happened to Ollivander and Fortescue, it's too risky for me to be alone these days. Especially being a disowned, blood-traitor daughter of a Death Eater who aso have a lunatic of an aunt."
"And luckily, we hired her."
"You hired her?" Harry quirked a brow.
"Yeah, aside from being Freddie's occasional bedmate, Erin is also one of the cashiers," said George nonchalantly.
Both Lucia and Hermione's cheeks were blazing hot, though Harry didn't get the joke.
"I'm sorry, but bedmate...?"
"Shut up, Georgie," hissed Fred, nudging George's ribs harshly. The blonde giggled in a tone that was much lighter, as if a weight had been relieved from her shoulders.
"It's exciting working here, but I still come around the bakery to see how Juniper's doing. Luckily, nothing has happened yet and hopefully, it stays that way," told Erin.
Erin was happy, Lucia could tell. But deep down, she knew that she was scared for her family. Even if they were terrible people in general, they were still her family and Lucia knew the feeling all too well; even with them being horrible people, the memories they shared was still irreplaceable.
Erin was happy, but she was not content until her family was safe. Until everyone was safe.
"Well, now that we've finished the greeting," Fred turned to Harry with a knowing grin, "Come on, we'll give you a tour around the place, yeah?"
With one last smile from Harry, Lucia watched as he followed Fred and George toward the back of the shop, leaving Erin with Lucia and Hermione, who was dabbing her black eye with the paste that was given to her.
"Guys!" The three turned and glanced around the shop before their eyes rested on Ginny Weasley, who was waving them to come to her.
The three made their way to the youngest Weasley as they stood in front of a shelf with several love potions and charms being displayed.
"What's this?" Ginny asked penny, taking one of the products in her hand. "Love charms?"
"I'll be honest, I've never been this side of the shop... Verity is the one that mostly handle with stuff around here..." said Erin rather weakly. "But I believe those are Patented Daydream Charms, for who knows what."
Lucia, Hermione, and Ginny studied the Patented Daydream Charms intently, not noticing the arrival of Fred behind them. Erin eyed the said Weasley in question.
"What is this rubbish?" she demanded.
"Oh, you haven't seen nothing yet since you lot haven't found our special WonderWitch products," said Fred, "Follow me, ladies..."
Near the window was an array of violently pink products around which a cluster of excited girls was giggling enthusiastically. Lucia, Hermione, and Ginny hung back, looking wary.
"There you go," said Fred proudly. "Best range of love potions you'll find anywhere."
"You two!" shrieked Erin.
"This is why Verity is the best one for the job when it come about the love potions," stated George.
Ginny raised an eyebrow skeptically. "Do they even work?" she asked.
"And if they work, how long does it even last?" asked Lucia, mirroring Ginny's skeptical expression.
"Certainly, they work, and for up to twenty-four hours at a time depending on the weight of the boy in question —"
"— and the attractiveness of the girl," said George, reappearing suddenly at their side.
"That's a bit shallow," mumbled Lucia.
"But we're not selling them to our sister," George added suddenly, becoming suddenly stern, "not when she's already got about five boys on the go from what we've —"
"Whatever you've heard from Ron is a big fat lie," said Ginny calmly, leaning forward to take a small pink pot off the shelf. "What's this?"
"Guaranteed ten-second pimple vanisher," said Fred. "Excellent on everything from boils to blackheads."
"Nice," said Lucia, rather tempted to buy it if it weren't for the gaze Ginny, Hermione, and Erin gave her. She cleared her throat. "Er — anyway, this is like a line of products that's mostly aimedt toward feminine people...?"
"Precisely," said Fred before he and George turned back to Ginny sternly. "But don't change the subject. Are you or are you not currently going out with a boy called Dean Thomas?"
Erin rolled her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest. "Leave the poor girl alone,"
"Thank you, Erin and yes, I am," said Ginny confidently, "And last time I looked, he was definitely one boy, not five. What are those?"
She was pointing at several round balls of fluff in shades of pink and purple, all rolling around the bottom of a cage and emitting high-pitched squeaks. Lucia's eyes softened and squealed, "How adorable..."
"Pygmy Puffs," said George. "Miniature puffskeins, we can't breed them fast enough. So, what about Michael Corner?"
"I dumped him, he was a bad loser," said Ginny, putting a finger through the bars of the cage and watching the Pygmy Puffs crowd around it. "They're really cute!"
"They're fairly cuddly, yes," conceded Fred. "But you're moving through boyfriends a bit fast, aren't you?"
Ginny turned to look at him, her hands on her hips. There was such a Mrs. Weasley-ish glare on her face that Fred did not recoil. Erin, too, was not impressed by Fred and George's behaviour. Mostly Fred's.
"She's nor young or too old to have partners of her choice," said Erin. "She can have anyone she wants, and you are in no place to judge her for that, toerag!"
"I think we at least have the right to know each time our little sister changes boyfriends,"
"Don't make her out to be some scarlet woman, Fred Weasley," Erin pointed her finger at his chest threateningly. "No woman or girls during whatever age they are likes to be implied as a scarlet woman. So back — off."
"Not cool, guys..." said Lucia quietly. The word 'scarlet woman' and 'harlot' quite hit her close to home, especially because of her well-known reputation back home...
"Also, it's none of your business. And I'll thank you," Ginny added angrily to Ron, who had just appeared at George's elbow, laden with merchandise, "not to tell tales about me to these two!"
"That's three Galleons, nine Sickles, and a Knut," said Fred, examining the many boxes in Ron's arms. "Cough up."
"I'm your brother!"
Fred and George looked at one another, then they gazed at their younger brother; "Ten Galleons!"
Gaping, Ron exclaimed, "But I haven't got ten Galleons!"
"You'd better put it back then, and mind you put it on the right shelves."
Ron dropped several boxes, swore, and made a rude hand gesture at Fred that was unfortunately spotted by Mrs. Weasley, who had chosen that moment to appear.
"If I see you do that again I'll jinx your fingers together," she said sharply, before realising the presence of another. "Oh, Erin, how... are you?" Mrs. Weasley's tone was... strain, despite her smile.
Erin pursed her lips and dropped the glare in an instance. She attempted a stiff smile, but was good enough to seem as if she was the sweetest person that ever graced the earth, "I've been better,"
There was a strong tension in the atmosphere between them.
"Nothing out of the ordinary has happen, has it?" Mrs. Weasley asked, which could quickly be translated as: You're not being sneaky under my watch.
"Oh, thankfully, none has happened," said Erin in an undertone that said: You thought you did something, didn't you? As if.
Mrs. Weasley faltered lightly, before she quickly upholded a smile."The boys aren't giving you a hard time, are they?" she asked in a wary tone, yet it was laced with words that, to Erin, was: Try and insult my sons, and you'll bet believe that I won't be kind.
"No, no, they are such sweethearts." Erin laughed, and Mrs. Weasley let out a laugh as wel.
It was rather a patronising laugh toward one another.
The others were ill in the stomach as they watched the friendly confrontation before them, and it was easy to say that they could practically see the cloud forming a big grey one with lightning emitting from it. It was suffocating.
Lucia saw from the corner of her eyes as Fred and George could simply watch as the whole thing happen, as if they were scared to not only cross their mother, but as well as Erin herself when she was in this state. Lucia glanced at Hermione, who had the exppression of wariness, while Ginny looked distracted.
As if the Olympians had heard their prayers, Ginny tugged on Mrs. Weasley's cloak, interfering with the conflict. "Mum, can I have a Pygmy Puff?" she said at once.
"A what?" said Mrs. Weasley warily.
"Look, they're so sweet..."
Lucia tore her eyes away back to the little moving fluffs of balls and pouted. They are adorable...
"You look like you're about to adopt one of those Pygmy Puff thingy," Lucia jumped at the suddenness of Harry's presence before she slackened her shoulders in relief.
"Merlin's green toes, Harry!" Lucia huffed, a hand over her chest. "Were you trying to give me a heart attack?!"
Harry let out a laugh. "Sorry," he said, making her glare at him. "But seriously though, you're not actually thinking of getting one, are you?"
"What if I am...?" Lucia tested.
"I don't think Bao Bao would appreciate the betrayal," Harry teased. "Especially after what your Patronus was, Bao Bao's been through enough betrayal from you."
Lucia scoffed. "You say that as if I can control what my Patronus is!"
"Of course not, but I'm here to remind you that he's just a 'baby'," Harry mocked with a grin.
"I'm sure he would like a sibling or two," said Lucia dismissively.
"I dunno..." Harry feigned innocence as his mind went back to the many times Bao Bao had hissed at him for even sitting beside Lucia. "He's pretty territorial,"
"Are you sure you're not just saying that because that'll mean I'll be using all of my free time spending it with both the Pygmy Puff and Bao Bao," she quirked a brow.
"That, and the fact that I know for sure he wouldn't last a day," said Harry smugly. "With Ginny currently glaring at me and Bao Bao using every chance he gets to scratch me, I would say a small, dumb Pygmy Puff wouldn't last a day before he's shreded alive,"
"Bao Bao loves you," Lucia twinkled.
Harry scoffed. "Well, he does a pretty funny way of showing it."
"Bao Bao's like Crookshanks in a way; the bloody cat acts so menacingly with Ron, but deep down he enjoys his human's partner company. Trust me, Bao Bao enjoys sleeping in your arms." Lucia said with a smile that somewhat made Harry instantly flutter as he eyed her. "He trusts you so much that he's able to sleep with you, that's saying something."
Harry's eyes softened at her. "I'll... I'll take your word for it."
From Fred's side, Erin observed the two teenagers attentively as her heart fluttered gently. If you were to ask the Erin from years ago, she would have never thought that Harry Potter would ever be kind, and much less a lovesick puppy, but her she was seeing that happened. She guessed it goes to show that sometimes; the narrative of her parents was simply wrong in more ways that one. It was also endearing to watch him fall in love with someone like Lucia, who had grown into such a lovely young woman.
It felt as though she didn't need to worry about them much anymore.
"Here," Erin gestured Ginny and Mrs. Weasley over to the Pygmy Puffs, "We'll show you the varieties of them."
As they went off, Lucia, Hermione, Harry, and Ron momentarily had an unimpeded view out of the window. Lucia's eyes squinted to get a perfect vision of Draco Malfoy, who was hurrying up the street alone. As he passed Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, he glanced over his shoulder. Seconds later, he moved beyond the scope of the window, and they lost sight of him.
"Suspicious..." said Lucia, having a gut feeling that wherever Malfoy was heading to was not somewhere where nice people would roam around.
"Wonder where his mummy is?" said Harry, frowning.
"Given her the slip by the looks of it," said Ron.
"Why, though?" said Hermione.
Harry said nothing as he began a few scenarios in his head. He glanced around. Mrs. Weasley, Ginny, and Erin were bending over the Pygmy Puffs. Mr. Weasley was delightedly examining a pack of Muggle marked playing cards. Fred and George were both helping customers. On the other side of the glass, Hagrid was standing with his back to them, looking up and down the street.
"Get under here, quick," said Harry abruptly, pulling his Invisibility Cloak out of his bag.
"What the — Harry, where d'you supposed we're going to?" Lucia asked, genuinely curious.
"We're following Malfoy," said Harry.
"Oh — I don't know, Harry," said Hermione, looking uncertainly toward Mrs. Weasley.
"Come on!" said Ron.
Lucia pursed her lips. "You better buy me something from the shop after this, Harry,"
"I'll buy you anything, just hurry!" said Harry hastily.
Lucia and Hermione shared anxious glances before they, too, ducked under the Cloak with harry and Ron and like that, all four of them vanished from the sights of others.