Chapter 266 - Deserted Diagon Alley (2/2)
Diagon Alley had changed. The colourful, 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, a number of 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
A seedy-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?”
”No thanks,” said Ginny giving a fake smile. ”I will make myself one if I need.”
Chris, Ron, Harry and Colin chuckled but Mrs Weasley turned to Ginny angrily. ”Don't talk like that! In fact, don't talk to any stranger at all.”
”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, 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. ”And you said, we need to buy an owl for Ginny and I am sure Colin, Luna have other things to buy too. I say we split up.”
”But —” Mrs Weasley looked anxious.
”We just have to buy books, and some potion ingredients, Mr Weasley,” said Colin. ”My brother is starting his third year, and oh yes, we have to buy an owl.”
”Alright,” Mr Weasley nodded. ”Hagrid, please go with Harry, Ron and Hermione; Cedric can go with Ginny, Colin and his brother to the pet shop and we can go to Flourish and Blotts and get everyone's schoolbooks.”
”I want Chris and Luna to come with me,” said Ginny.
”I don't know,” said Mrs Weasley anxiously, clearly torn between a desire to finish the shopping quickly and the wish to stick together in a pack.
”It will be fine, Molly,” said Mr Weasley. ”Cedric has been trained, he could have been an Auror if he had time. He can take care of them.”
”I will take care of them, Mrs Weasley,” said Cedric very seriously.
Mrs Weasley still looked uncertain so Mr Weasley spoke, ”You lot quickly finish your shopping and met us at Flourish and Blotts.”
Everyone nodded. Colin and Luna gave Mrs Weasley their booklist and Mr Weasley gave Ron and Ginny money. Mrs Weasley did not look entirely convinced, but allowed the separation, scurrying off toward Flourish and Blotts with her husband. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Hagrid set off for Madam Malkin's while Chris, Ginny, Luna, Colin and Dennis took off with Cedric.
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To be continued. . .