Chapter 267 - HEAVENLEIGH (1/2)

All the people walking in Diagon Alley had the same harried, anxious look as Mrs Weasley, and 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.

”So what subjects are you taking this year, Dennis?” Chris asked noticing that Dennis was glancing around frequently and was unusually quiet.

Dennis suddenly looked very nervous as he stumbled for words. ”Ca-care of Magical Creatures and Arithmancy.”

”Wow,” exclaimed Chris smiling. ”Arithmancy, huh? It's Hermione's favourite subject, I have heard. I think you will be great at it too.”

”Thanks,” Dennis smiled and looked a little less nervous. ”I am just glad, I got to attend Hogwarts this year. I thought I will never see Hogwarts again.”

”Why?” asked Ginny who was talking to Luna till now.

”Dad didn't want to let us —” Dennis began but Colin jumped in.

”We will talk about this later, Dennis,” said Colin seriously. ”Look, there is 'Eeylops Owl Emporium'.”

But as they drew nearer they realized the shop was closed.

”What happened?” said Luna looking at the empty, deserted shop.

”Must have been left, considering the situation,” said Cedric hastily. ”Never mind, I know, a magical creature shop just over there, come on.”

Cedric quickly steered Luna away from the shop and Chris and the rest followed.

They entered a shop named, ” Magical Menagerie ”. There wasn't much room inside. Every inch of wall was hidden by cages. It was smelly and very noisy because the occupants of these cages were all squeaking, squawking, jabbering, or hissing. The witch behind the counter came scurrying to them, clearly looking pleased to have customers.

”What will you like to see dears?” she asked kindly.

”Can we looked around a bit?” asked Ginny looking at a particular weird looking cat, who was purring looking at them.

”Of course,” said the witch and went back to her counter.

As Ginny, Luna and Dennis started to look around and Cedric stood near the door looking around for any signs of dangers; Chris pulled Colin aside.

”Spill, what's going on?” said Chris, pretending to be interested in a pair of enormous purple toads, who sat gulping wetly and feasting on dead blowflies.

Colin sighed before speaking. ”After the last incident in the Department of Mysteries, my parents refused to let us go to Hogwarts again. They were really worried and the news on the Daily Prophet didn't help either. They understood that the Muggle-borns are in more danger than anyone so they. . .”

”Then how did you managed to —?” Chris began now staring at a Fire Crab.

”Dumbledore,” said Colin, also staring at the Fire Crab. ”I wrote him a letter and he personally came to our home and ensured Dennis and my security at Hogwarts. He said nothing will happen to the Muggle-born students till he is alive.”

”That's great,” said Chris feeling a little guilty.

”I heard from Luna,” said Colin. ”About the — legend.”

Chris remained silent looking at a fat white rabbit, who kept changing into a silk top hat and back again with a loud popping noise.

”I will be with you but I am just worried about Dennis,” sighed Colin looking back his brother, who was staring at a basket of funny custard-coloured furballs that were humming loudly. ”Dad asked me to take care of him but he wants to join me in everything.”

”Colin, you don't have to —”

”Not again Chris,” Colin glared at Chris. ”I am not leaving you three alone, alright? I just have to find a way to distract Dennis, that's all. I will manage that.”

”So are you buying him an owl to distract him?” Chris said trying to sound casual, as her heart filled with gratitude and contentment at Colin' words.

”Honestly, yes,” smiled Colin a little. ”Also, mom, Dad wanted to hear from us every day and I am a Prefect now, so —”

”You are kidding,” said Chris loudly. ”Congratulations!”

Grinning Chris hugged Colin.

”What happened?” asked Ginny quickly coming over them.

”Colin is Prefect too and he kept that quiet,” said Chris.

Everyone started to Congratulated Colin and they went back to looking around the shop. After some time, Colin forced Dennis to choose an owl (because he was too busy fawning at everything in the shop) and he choose a handsome tawny owl but Ginny looked uncertain as she asked the price of a white cat.