Chapter 40: Leaky Cauldron

Next week, Chris went to Leaky Cauldron and asked about Harry. Surely he was living there for weeks, but at that time he was out, somewhere in Diagon Alley. 

Chris entered the Diagon Alley and first went to Flourish and Blotts to buy her usual subject books: Charms, Potions, Transfiguration, Herbology, Defense Against the Dark Arts etc. Then she brought some potions ingredients and a few other needed things. After buying everything she noticed a crowd in front of a shop named Quality Quidditch Supplies. Curious to know what the crowd in the shop was staring at, Chris edged her way inside and squeezed in amongst the excited witches and wizards until she glimpsed a newly erected podium on which was mounted the most magnificent broom. 

THE FIREBOLT    

This state-of-the-art racing broom sports a streamlined, super-fine handle of ash, treated with a diamond-hard polish and hand-numbered with its own registration number. Each individually selected birch twig in the broom tail has been honed to aerodynamic perfection, giving the Firebolt unsurpassable balance and pinpoint precision. The Firebolt has an acceleration of 0–150 miles an hour in ten seconds and incorporates an unbreakable braking charm. Price on request. 

"We should buy it. It's so beautiful," said Mr Norton over-excitedly. 

"Dad. No. Not now. Please." Chris said with a sigh. 

"Chris?" A voice called her name from somewhere in the crowd. 

Chris looked around and when two wizards move from their place, Chris saw the owner of the voice. 

"Harry!" She smiled. 

Harry gave her a big hug, grinning. 

"How are you?" He asked as they left the crowd and stepped aside. 

"I'm good. How about you? Why did you leave your Uncle and Aunt's house?" Chris asked raising her eyebrows. 

"How did you —?" Harry began looking surprised. 

"Ginny," Chris answered simply. 

"Oh. Yes. Well, I kind of blew my Uncle Vernon's sister, Aunt Marge and left." 

"What!" Chris was shocked. 

"Wait. Let me tell you the entire story. Uncle Vernon asked me to pretend that I'm a student at a criminal school, which I did in front of that Aunt Marge but then she started to talk bad about my parents. I lost control and. . . I didn't do it intentionally, trust me." He sighed. "I thought the Ministry is going to expel me so I ran away from my Uncle's house, but then surprisingly Minister of Magic met me here, asked me to stay here and also told me that I'm not expelled. I don't know why? I thought I'll be in prison for breaking the law." 

"Well. . . maybe because you're Harry Potter." Chris said innocently. 

Harry rolled his eyes and noticed Mr Norton. 

"Oh! I forgot. I haven't officially introduced you two." She said noticing Harry's gaze on her father. "Dad this is Harry, Harry, my Dad." 

"Nice to meet you, Mr Norton," Harry said shaking hands with him. 

"Yes, yes. I have heard a lot about you. But blowing up your aunt is not a good thing young man." Mr Norton said smiling. 

Harry became red. 

"Dad! Relax Harry, he is teasing you. And trust me if she had insulted my Dad then I would've done worse than just blowing her up." Chris said and Harry laughed. 

______________________________

Two days later, Chris got a letter from Ginny that they were going to Diagon Alley and will stay at Leaky Cauldron the night before they catch the train to Hogwarts. Mr Norton looked very excited and he convinced Chris to stay at Leaky Cauldron with the Weasleys. 

Chris didn't want to but her father liked Mr Weasley very much when last time they met at Hogwarts (when Chris was in the hospital wing). So his father couldn't wait to meet Mr Weasley again. At last Chris agreed, packed her things and left for Leaky Cauldron. 

"I hope you're well?" Chris heard Percy said pompously, shaking hands with Harry when she entered. 

"Very well, thanks .." replied Harry weakly.

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"Harry!" said Fred, elbowing Percy out of the way and bowing deeply. "Simply splendid to see you, old boy .." 

"Marvellous," said George, pushing Fred aside and seizing Harry's hand in turn. "Absolutely spiffing." 

Percy scowled. 

Chris couldn't help but laughed. 

Fred noticed her and went towards her then started to shake hands with her, "Chris! It's so good to see you too. After a long time." 

George pushed Fred and seized her hand next, "of course, absolutely splendid." 

"I said, that's enough," said Mrs Weasley, depositing her shopping in an empty chair. 

Chris chuckled again. Ginny giggled and gave Chris a tight hug. 

"I really missed you," Ginny said smiling. 

"I guess me too," Chris said smiling back. She pointed at the twins. "Especially them."  

"How are you dear?" Mrs Weasley asked. 

"I'm fine. Dad asked me to come here and stay for the night like you all." Chris pointed at her father who was already talking to Mr Weasley.

"I suppose you've heard our exciting news?"Mrs Weasley pointed at the brand-new silver badge on Percy's chest. "Second Head Boy in the family!" she said, swelling with pride.

"And last," Fred muttered under his breath. 

"I don't doubt that," said Mrs Weasley, frowning suddenly. "I notice they haven't made you two Prefects." 

"What do we want to be Prefects for?" said George, looking revolted at the very idea. 'It'd take all the fun out of life." 

Chris and Ginny giggled. 

"Congratulation Percy," Chris said after she stopped laughing. 

Percy smiled widely, "Thank you, Chris." 

"You want to set a better example to your sister!" snapped Mrs Weasley towards Fred and George. 

"Ginny's got other brothers to set her an example, Mother," said Percy loftily. "I'm going up to change for dinner. . ." 

He disappeared and George heaved a sigh. 

"We tried to shut him in a pyramid," he told Harry. "But Mum spotted us." 

"I'm on your side in this, I'll take having fun over Prefect or head girl badges any day," Chris whispered to Fred and George. 

They laughed. 

Before Dinner Mr Norton left because of some important meetings and asked Mr Weasley if he will able to take Chris with them, of course, Mr Weasley agreed. Dinner that night was a very enjoyable affair. Tom the innkeeper put three tables together in the parlour and the seven Weasleys, Harry, Hermione and Chris ate their way through five delicious courses. 

"How're we getting to King's Cross tomorrow, Dad?" asked Fred, as they tucked into a sumptuous chocolate pudding. 

"The Ministry's providing a couple of cars," said Mr Weasley. Everyone looked up at him. 

"Why?" said Percy curiously. 

"It's because of you, Perce," said George seriously. "And there'll be little flags on the bonnets, with HB on them ..." 

"... for Humungous Bighead," said Fred. Everyone except Percy and Mrs Weasley snorted into their pudding. 

"Why are the Ministry providing cars, Father?" Percy asked again, in a dignified voice. 

"Well, as we haven't got one any more," said Mr Weasley, "and as I work there, they're doing me favour …" 

"Good job, too," said Mrs Weasley briskly. "Do you realise how much luggage you've all got between you? A nice sight you'd be on the Muggle Underground … You are all packed, aren't you?" 

"Ron hasn't put all his new things in his trunk yet," said Percy, in a long-suffering voice. "He's dumped them on my bed." 

"You'd better go and pack properly, Ron, because we won't have much time in the morning," Mrs Weasley called down the table. 

Ron scowled at Percy. 

After dinner, everyone felt very full and sleepy. One by one they made their way upstairs to their rooms to check their things for the next day. Chris was sharing a room with Ginny. They talked a lot before going to sleep.