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Author: Zelthian Story: The Gryffindor Four Rating: Young Teens Setting: Pre-HBP Status: Completed Reviews: 5 Words: 31,336
Chapter 6 - Shopping Harry had thought some things would change now that the secret was out and he and Ron were together with the girls of their dreams. How wrong he was. No sooner had they cleared the table than the girls were upstairs, giggling louder than ever. Harry and Ron shot each other looks and then rolled their eyes in unison. Harry overheard Mrs. Weasley talking in the Floo fire. "...to do some clothes shopping, and I thought it might be a good idea to... you know..." "Sure thing, Molly," Mr. Weasley's voice said. "I'll alert the others and get someone over there straight away. What do they need new clothes for, anyway? School just let out." "I'll tell you later, honey. We need to go. See you tonight." Harry and Ron walked into the common room. "Why is dad sending someone, Mum?" "For Harry, dear. With You-Know-Who on the loose, we still need to be careful." Harry noticed them both look at him reassuringly. Harry nodded. In his bliss, he had forgotten that he had to be escorted practically everywhere. And that meant on the date too. Harry imagined himself sharing a Butterbeer with Ginny, sitting at table, trying to be romantic, with one of the Order staring over them. Harry hoped it was Tonks; she seemed the type to give them some room. Harry was pulled from his thoughts by the girls, who came downstairs looking just like they did when they went up. Harry was sure they went up solely to talk about him and Ron. "Right, everyone ready?" Mrs. Weasley asked. They all nodded. Harry had butterflies in his stomach again, but they eased when Ginny took his hand. One by one they took their powder and Flooed to Diagon Alley. Harry was glad Professor Dumbledore had secured a secret Floo fire in the all Wizarding section of London. It not only kept people from discovering the Order's headquarters, but it would make a convenient escape route, should it be necessary. Once they all had arrived, they rounded the corner and walked out onto the main street, right beside Gringotts. "So who's meeting us here, Mrs. Weasley?" Harry said as he looked around the alley. "I am, Harry." They turned to see Mr. Weasley walking towards them from the Leaky Cauldron. "The Ministry let me come down. Something about working too hard...." They all laughed at that. "I'll need to visit Gringotts, so Harry, you're with me. We'll catch up with you at the store," Mr. Weasley said. Ginny blew Harry a kiss as they walked away, Ron and Hermione hand-in-hand. Harry turned around to see Mr. Weasley looking at him somewhat sternly. Harry blinked. "Why do I get the impression that I have missed something, Mr. Potter?" Mr. Weasley never called him Mr. Potter. "Well, uh, sir, um... It's just that... well..." With one raised eyebrow, Ginny's father continued, "My daughter fancies you, Harry. I sincerely hope you aren't playing with her emotions, young man." Harry had never seen Mr. Weasley like this. He should have known he'd be protective of Ginny, considering how bad her brothers were. "Oh no, sir! Of course not! Ginny and I talked today, and, well, I discovered I had feelings for her recently, and we talked, and she said she still liked me, and, well... now we're boyfriend and girlfriend," Harry blurted, then added quickly, "Uh, if that's ok with you, sir!" Mr. Weasley chuckled. "Ok, ok, Harry, calm down, I just wanted to make sure you were serious. Come on, we'd better hurry. The first thing you need to know about women, Harry, is never keep a lady waiting." Harry and Mr. Weasley walked into Gringotts and went up to the counter. Mr. Weasley talked to the Goblin on duty, who summoned another Goblin to take them down to the vaults. The stopped at the Weasley vault first. Harry didn't look inside; he knew they weren't the most well-off of wizards, but even knowing that, he thought looking in would be at least a breach of etiquette. They then proceeded down to Harry's vault. Harry thought for a moment about how much he should take. He remembered buying his dress robes for the ball, nodded, and started counting out some coins. An idea came into his mind as he did this, and he continued until he was satisfied. Soon he and Mr. Weasley were walking to the store to join the others. Mr. Weasley looked much like Harry remembered Hagrid looking after they had visited Gringotts together. "All right there, Mr. Weasley?" "Hate those bloody carts. They always make me sick." The green in Mr. Weasleys face was fading slowly. "Mr. Weasley, can I ask you a favor?" "Sure Harry, what is it?" "Well, I was wondering if it would be ok if I bought Ron, Hermione, and Ginny their robes today." "That's awfully nice of you, Harry," Mr. Weasley said. "But what am I going to do with the gold I got from Gringotts? I do NOT want to go back down on the carts." To Harry's surprise, he had an idea right away. "Well, you could buy Mrs. Weasley something nice..." Mr. Weasley face split into a large grin. "You do learn fast, don't you, Harry?" They laughed as they entered the store. Harry could see Mrs. Weasley and the girls in the girls section, looking at robes. Ginny saw him, smiled and waved. Harry waved back. "About time. Bored off my head here Harry." Ron was sitting by the door, looking miserable. "Why so glum, mate?" Harry said. "Because Harry, Hermione is going to look so nice tonight, and I'll be in... well, you've seen what I had to wear to the Yule Ball." Ron looked at his dad, then down to his lap, suddenly very ashamed. Harry sent Mr. Weasley an apologetic glance, who was looking at Ron somberly. Harry found himself wishing, once again, that he had a father like Mr. Weasley. "Now, you don't think I'd send my son off to a special occasion like this without the proper attire, do you?" Mr. Weasley motioned to one of the employees, and older witch carrying a bunch of tailoring stuff. "Could you take my son and Harry here to try on some robes?" Ron perked up immediately. "Are you serious Dad?" "I'd be delighted to, sir. Come this way, young sirs," the tailor said, leading Ron and Harry away. Mr. Weasley winked at Harry; Harry tossed Mr. Weasley his coin bag and shot him a thumbs-up. After what seem like an hour, Harry and Ron were looking at themselves in the mirror, dressed in their new robes. They weren't fancy like the robes they wore at the ball, but both looked right smart in them. Harry imagined Muggles would call them "dress causal". "Blimey, Harry, you look fantastic. For a guy, I mean. You look just like one of those wizards in the gossip papers I see mum reading at the newsstand." "Have you looked at yourself, mate?" said Harry as he gestured to the mirror. "Hermione's gonna faint!" "I look okay, then?" Harry nodded enthusiastically. He and Ron had decided they wanted to look great for their girlfriends. They agreed that they deserved it for making the girls so happy. The guys went to get a Butterbeer while the girls finished up. Mr. Weasley took care of the payment ahead of time with the merchant before they left. "Something you two should know by now; women always take longer to shop for clothes than men. Just accept it now, and life will be happier for you." Harry and Ron sat at a table outside the Leaky Cauldron, watching the people walking around. It wasn't too busy, probably since school had just recently let out. Harry was noticing how content Ron was. This made Harry feel good. "You know Harry, life is pretty good. Isn't it," Ron said with a smile. "Yeah, Ron. It really is." "Oh? And why is that, scarhead?" a scowling voice said from behind him. Harry didn't have to turn around to know who it was. Ron took Harry's lead and didn't look. "Bugger off, Malfoy." Harry said tersely. "Language, Potter. After all, this is a public establishment. I'm surprised you weasel lot even dare to come out in public. Lesser wizards dress themselves more properly than you." Ron's ears started to turn a new shade of red. To his credit, Ron kept his cool. "You're right, Malfoy. I can't think of a better example than you." Harry couldn't help it. He laughed out loud. Ron joined him. "What's in the bag, Potter? Getting ready for your funeral?" Harry froze. Sirius's death hit him like a ton of bricks. He didn't want to let on to Malfoy that anything is wrong. Keep your cool, Potter... "Actually, Malfoy, these are in preparation for a special celebration. We figure it's just a matter of time now before Voldemort is caught. We don't want to be without the proper attire for the victory party." "You just wait, Potter. You'll get yours. I'll be there to gloat when you do. I swear, one of these days..." "Everything all right here, boys?" Mr. Weasley had returned from talking to a chum of his inside the Leaky Cauldron. He had impeccable timing. Harry thought it would be disappointing to have a wizard's duel when he had a date that night. Never keep the ladies waiting, right? "See you around, Potty, Weasel..." "Unpleasant chap, that Malfoy. Must run in the family," Mr. Weasley commented. "Malfoy? Don't tell me he's running about," Hermione said, arriving with Ginny and Mrs. Weasley. Harry sighed. "He stopped by to say hello, but decided not to stick around," Harry said. "Well, we're all done. Guess we should head back to the house then. Hermione and I need to get ready." Ginny said. "Get ready?" Ron said, in shock. "It's only two in the afternoon!" "Well, yeah. So? We need some time." Harry and Ron eyed each other. Harry shrugged; Ron shook his head. The girls held out their hands as Ron and Harry stood and collected their bags. Ron looked a bit hesitant to take Hermione's hand and looked nervously at his dad. Harry saw Mr. Weasley wink at Ron. At that moment, Mrs. Weasley came up and gave Mr. Weasley a peck on the cheek. As Harry watched them start down towards Gringotts, hand in hand, Harry noticed Mrs. Weasley was carrying a bag of her own. Reassured, Ron took Hermione's hand, giving it a chivalrous kiss. Hermione returned the kiss to Ron's cheek and the two of them followed after Ron's parents. "They're really cute together, aren't they?" Ginny whispered into Harry's ear as she squeezed his hand. Oddly, the sensation gave Harry butterflies. Harry looked into Ginny's eyes. "Not as cute as you." Ginny wrinkled her nose. Harry gave her a quick peck on the lips. "Merlin's beard, would you two give it a rest? Get a move on!" Ron called from down the street. Harry and Ginny giggled and took off down the street.
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