Chapter 25: Bookstore Brawls and Backhanded Gifts
"Let's see here. Chew toys? Check. Mystical Forest Fertilizer? Check. Bribe for the House Elves? Check. That just leaves a new set of trousers. That dog's going to eat me out of every Galleon." Hagrid said under his breath, checking over an extensive list. "That just leaves the elvensies herbs and spices McGonagall wanted."
Putting the list back in his pocket, he began to make him down into the winding and dark crevices of Knockturn Alley. The black-clad and pale residents of the cramped quarters made way for him. Even with their fierce reputation for larceny and misdeeds, they were not going to mess with someone on the stature of him. He soon stopped midway down one of the long staircases that made up most of the alley, shops to one side and a great sheer stone wall on the other. Soon he heard a ruckus coming further down the alley. Looking over, to his shock and horror, he saw Harry Potter surrounded by the black-clad ruffians that lived in this sorry part of town.
"Harry?!" Hagrid asked; his voice boomed through the alley like a thunderhead.
"Hagrid!?" Harry asked, his voice brimming with relief.
"What do you think you're doing down here? Come on!" Hagrid boomed, motioning to the boy to come over.
Harry soon rushed up to the half-giant before Hagrid looked at the stunned crowd. "Alright, off you muppets pop!" He boomed, and they all soon slunk into the shadows.
"Hagrid, what are you doing here?" Harry asked in confusion.
"I'm shopping. What in blazing Hippogryph's are you doing here?" Hagrid asked exasperatedly.
"Where even is 'here,' anyway?" Harry asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Knockturn Alley. If Dumbledore finds out you're skulking about here, he's gonna feed someone to the kraken." Hagrid sternly said, now looming over the boy.
"The what now?" Harry asked in disbelief.
"Knockturn Alley. The greatest hive of Wizardry scummery in England." Hagrid explained.
"Actually, I was asking about the kraken but good to know…" Harry said in confusion.
"Oh, Horace? Oh, that little thing doesn't mean any harm. He's semi-domesticated." Hagrid explained.
"... Questions: Why do we have a semi-domesticated kraken in the Black Lake? Why did you name it Horace? And why am I only just finding out about this?" Harry replied in sheer disbelief.
"In order. One, ask the Selkies. Two, I didn't. And Three, Care for Magical Creatures can only be taken starting in your third year. And it's an elective." Hagrid answered.
"There's a Care for Magical Creatures class? You must have really enjoyed that when you were in school, Hagrid." Harry said with a smile.
"Oh, I was the best. Or at least Headmaster Dumbledore said so anyway. It's the reason he gave me the groundskeeper position." Hagrid explained. "Well, that and one other reason."
"Maybe I'll take it as an elective in my third year. You could tutor me." Harry said, happy at the idea of having an excuse to spend more time with his unusually large friend.
"Oh, I'd love to. But you first have to stop getting yourselves into situations like this and live to your third year. How did you even show up in this wretched crack of reality anyways?" Hagrid asked.
"Um… I ended up trying something called… I think it was 'Floom Powder' or something like that…?" Harry recounted, unable to remember the name.
"Floo Powder? How did you mess that up?" Hagrid asked, surprised as they finally walked out of Knockturn Alley.
"I didn't! I said 'Diagon Alley'! What, do I have to say the name of a location within the location!?" Harry replied indignantly.
"You need to say it clearly and have a clear picture in your mind of where you're going. Did you do either of those?" Hagrid asked. "Demonstrate for me."
Harry held his hand out like he was holding Floo Powder. "Diagonally!" He pronounced before opening his hand to "drop" the imaginary Floo Powder.
"Well, there's where you went wrong! You said Diagonally, like the direction!" Hagrid exclaimed.
"... Why does no one tell me these things!?" Harry exclaimed in frustration.
Hagrid sighed as the two walked down Diagon Alley. "Well, it's a beginner's mistake." He replied with a shrug.
"Wait… I'm confused about something. How did 'Diagonally' turn into 'Knockturn Alley'? How does that work?" Harry asked in confusion.
"Well, when you mess up with the Floo Network, it's got tah make a decision on the fly. It then spits you out as close as it can, from what it can make out. The Ministry had to make a few fixes to it after several incidents of people getting Floo'd into walls in the 50's." Hagrid explained as they walked.
"... Do I even want to know how that happened?" Harry asked, raising an eyebrow.
"It's not suitable for polite conversation. So, who are we looking for?" Hagrid asked.
"The Weasleys." Harry explained.
"So that's why I couldn't find you in your daft family's house. I'm gonna have to start buying your uncle replacement doors at this rate." Hagrid said through a sigh.
"... I would ask why you can't just make one, but I remember that you're not allowed to do magic. Wait, why were you at my house?" Harry replied, confused.
"Well, I was given the signal to come get you and your…" Hagrid tried to say, but soon a loud voice cut him off.
"HARRY!!" Molly's voice called out in concern.
"I always get cut off." Hagrid muttered as the rest of the Weasleys rushed over.
"What are you all doing here?" Harry asked, confusedly.
"Aside from picking up school supplies, we're looking for the Boy-Who-Cannot-Use-Floo-Powder-Correctly." Percy replied with a roll of his eyes.
"I tried but…" Harry tried to say, before he was cut off.
"Prissy, just shut up! It was his first time doing it!" Ginny snapped back with a hint of sass before running up and tackle-hugging Harry.
Harry let out an ooph as he felt the full weight of Ginny sink into him. "Um? Ginny? What's wrong?" He asked.
"We were worried sick about you!" Ginny cried out worriedly.
Mafalda gagged dramatically at that, causing Ginny to give her an obscene hand gesture.
"GINEVRA WEASLEY!" Molly shouted in anger.
"SHE HAD IT COMING!!" Ginny snapped back.
"WHERE DID YOU EVEN LEARN THAT YOUNG LADY!?" Molly shrieked in a rage.
Fred and George whistled innocently before holding their hands down for a pair of low fives from Mafalda.
"Does it matter!?" Ginny snapped.
"We will discuss this later!!" Molly snapped back, glaring at Ginny and the twins.
"Harry! I'm so glad you're okay!" Ron yelled as he rushed up to him, proceeding to then punch him in the arm.
"Thanks, Ron. I would be a goner if it wasn't for Hagrid finding me in Knockturn Alley." Harry explained with a smile.
"Wait… Hagrid, what were you doing in Knockturn Alley? That's the worst hive of magical scum and villainy in London?" Molly asked in concern.
"Where else am I supposed to find vitamins for Horace?" Hagrid cryptically answered.
"Oh, how is Horace?" Arthur asked with a smile as the group got on walking.
"Oh, he's just peachy. No complaints, though he needs supplements." Hagrid replied.
"Well, he is a growing kraken. He needs all the help he can get." Molly replied.
"So, what all do we need to get?" Harry asked, trying to move the conversation away from what he heard in the alley.
"I've got to go with Ginny to help her buy her first wand. Mum and dad are getting her books while Percy and the twins are getting everything else." Ron explained.
"Remind me again, Ronald, why the twins have to come with me?" Percy asked in annoyance.
"Because the last time we left those two alone, they nearly burnt down a store." Ron replied.
"You try a dragon pepper thrower one time…" George grumbled.
"And you're banned from The Magical Lantern for life…" Fred grumbled as well.
"Less talking, people! More moving! We can't have you all miss the train!!" Molly said quickly, clapping her hands together.
Soon, the large group broke off into several smaller ones and dispersed. Hagrid stood there for a moment, before shrugging and returning to his shopping. Ginny rushed off towards Ollivander's, which filled Harry with dread and Ron with a bit of envy. As the door flung open and the bell chimed, the trio came in like a storm. Mr. Ollivander was caught off guard and nearly fell off his chair.
"Goodness me!" Mr. Ollivander said in shock, before composing himself.
"Hello Mr. Ollivander." Harry said with a small smile.
"Mr. Potter? I didn't expect to show back up here. Did something happen to your wand last year?" Mr. Ollivander asked curiously.
"No, no. I don't need anything with my wand. It's doing just fine." Harry explained hastily.
"I'm here for my own wand actually." Ginny said chipperly.
Mr. Ollivander then turned to look at Ron. "And what about you? I assure you I can give you a discount, young Mr. Weasley…" Mr. Ollivander tried to say, but Ron cut him off while holding back a grimace.
"It's fine, sir. You know how my mum is." Ron replied.
"Ah yes, the Prewett pride. A generational problem indeed." Mr. Ollivander replied with sympathy. "It's a good thing only young Percy has that problem."
"On that, we're agreed." Ron said with a sigh.
"Give me one second, young Ginny. I'll be right back." Mr. Ollivander said before slipping off into the labyrinth he called a shop.
"Prewett pride? What that?" Harry asked curiously. "Who are the Prewett's and what is that all about?"
"It's our mum's side of the family. They can be quite prideful, and stubborn." Ron explained.
"You mean like you back in Charms class?" Harry asked.
Ron gritted his teeth and clenched his fists at the memory. "I didn't ask for any help." He snapped.
"That's the Prewett Pride for ya.'" Ginny said matter of factly.
"Oh, zip it, Ginerva." Ron huffed before turning away from her.
Ginny, in a rare moment of restraint, turned to look at Harry. "So how did he mess it up?" She asked Harry.
"He enunciated the wrong syllable." Harry replied.
Before the two could continue, Mr. Ollivander came back holding a decently long wand box. Opening it up was a decently long grey wand with coiling on one side for added grip. Ginny gingerly picked it up and waved it around.
"That's a relatively new import. Unicorn Hair Core. Yew Wood, 14 inches in length. Slightly springy in flexibility and responds well to sudden bursts of magic. If this one doesn't work out, I'll eat my hat." Mr. Ollivander explained.
"But… you don't have a hat." Ron said in confusion.
"It's a saying, dear boy." Mr. Ollivander replied. "Go on. Try it dear."
Ginny held the wand firmly and pressed her thumb upon it. Soon a rush of wind hit her face as her red hair was illuminated in a sudden burst of light. She smiled wide as she quickly holstered her wand gingerly. Ron's lips turned into a jealous snarl, while Harry gave a small smile.
"Got it in one." Mr. Ollivander said with a proud smile.
"Thank you, sir." Ginny answered with a smile.
"It's all right, dear. I'll mail your family the bill. We wouldn't want you to miss your train." Mr. Ollivander replied with a small bow.
With waves and quick goodbyes, they rushed back out again, Ginny leading the pack happily. Harry followed behind while Ron trailed half-heartedly. They swiftly made their way to Flourish and Blotts bookstores. Opening it, Ginny and Ron rushed up to get their books. Harry however did not get to the counter, as he was stopped by a man.
"Are you Mr. Potter? Harry Potter?" The man asked.
"Um… yes?" Harry asked.
The man smiled and swiftly pulled him aside through a crowd to a book table. To Harry's surprise, soon he was blinded by several flashes of a large camera. As his eyes adjusted, he got a better look at the man. The man before him was of middle age, with a well-formed face and a big, white toothed smile. His hair was wavy and golden, and his eyes a deeper blue than Harry had ever seen. He wore a smart green cuffed suit and a blue overcoat, only somewhat paler than the Ravenclaw blue.
"Oh apologies, dear boy. But when I saw the Boy-Who-Lived, I couldn't help myself. Especially with me going to be your teacher this school year." The man said with a shocking confidence.
"I'm sorry, and you are…" Harry nervously and awkwardly said.
"Gilderoy Lockhart!" He said proudly.
"... Never heard of you." Harry honestly answered.
"That is quite surprising. I mean I would have expected that from a mu-muggle born." Gilderoy Lockhart stumbled out "not the legend himself the boy who lived."
The man seemed genuinely offended at hearing that, but under the gaze of so many people he brushed it off. Harry looked around the room to see Ron and Ginny looking at him. To his shock, he even saw Hermione standing with them, carrying several books in her arms. However, it was Ginny's face that caught him most off-guard, as she was staring like a vengeful ghoul at him.
"Lockhart. More like blowhard." Ginny growled.
"Does it explain how expensive his book list is?" Ron whispered to Ginny.
"Nope." Ginny growled.
"Oh, come on, you two. It's not that much bigger than normal." Hermione chipped it.
"It's not the amount that's the issue. It's the price." Ron growled.
"And he better get his hands off Harry." Ginny growled through her teeth.
"What did you say?" Hermoine asked.
"Nothing." Ginny nervously replied, but Hermione let out a knowing smile.
Gilderoy then grabbed a stack of books and handed it to Harry. "Here you go, Mr. Potter. A full year's worth of books for classes. My condolences to you." Lockhart said with a smile, causing the crowd of admirers to cheer and clap like seals.
Harry made his way as fast as he could away from this madness. As he arrived back at the group, Arthur Weasley came into the shop to check up on them.
"Ginny? Are you okay? You don't have any books." Harry asked.
"I couldn't afford the whole list because of the new additions." Ginny scowled, her eyes still glaring at Lockhart.
"Why don't you take mine? I can buy my own books." Harry replied.
"R-Really?" Ginny asked, blushing a bit at that.
"Of course. Let me go get mine quick and we can be off." Harry said before starting to head to the counter. "Also, good to see you, Hermione."
"Ron's let me know of your 'adventures'." Hermoine replied with a smirk.
"I can just take the books I don't have. You know. So, you don't have to spend as much…" Ginny tried to say.
"Is your mother's pride so big that she'd turn down a gift from a friend?" Harry asked.
"That's why I just said from what I don't have." Ginny said.
"Oh, don't you worry, Ginny. I'll handle your mother." Arthur said, patting his daughter's shoulder. "But she is right. Be best she takes the ones on her list."
"Having to take books off a child like a mere peasant, Arthur? How the mighty have fallen." An oily, prideful voice said from the other side of them.
"I at least understand how to accept a gift. Unlike biting the hand that feeds me like a serpent, Lucius." Arthur replied, as everyone turned to see the man in question, with Draco standing at his side.
"Well, I think we know where Draco gets it from." Hermoine whispered, getting chuckles from the rest of the kids.
"You keep my family out of your mouth." Draco growled.
"That is enough, Draco. I will handle this." Lucius said, causing Draco to slink back behind his father. "Remember to watch your tongue."
"Yes, father." Draco meekly replied.
"With how much money you brag about, I'm surprised you bothered to step foot here." Arthur quipped, getting Lucius's attention again.
"I had other, more important business to attend to. But us true families never shirk off the fundamentals. Unlike yours." Lucius replied. "Besides, this is the only store in Diagon Alley that sells that hack's books."
"My family doesn't slink about in shadows and sell God knows what to people under the Ministry's nose. If your money was worth anything, maybe it would allow you to buy a moral compass." Arthur shot back.
"Careful, Arthur. You'll scare the Muggles with that kind of temper." Lucius replied with a smirk, as, from under his cloak, he put something in his hand. However, no one could really see what it was.
"Maybe you should join my department. The Muggles would get scared straight just by looking at your ugly mug." Arthur replied with his own smirk.
Lucius scowled a bit and walked off to the book counter. Draco followed wordlessly behind, though he made a glance at Harry and the Gang before passing them by. But as Lucius walked, he let a black book slip into Ginny's battered cauldron, clung firmly with one hand. The commotion from Lockhart's fans and everyone's attention on what Lucius had said kept them from noticing it.
"The cheek of that man." Arthur scowled. "All right, Harry. Go get your books and we will be off. This place is a madhouse, and it would be better if we get out of it fast."
Harry nodded and rushed off to the other side of the counter to avoid Draco and Lucius. As Ginny just started to notice her cauldron was a bit heavier than normal. Shrugging off the feeling as Harry swiftly came back with his books and they were off. They had a train to catch.