Unexpected | Bill Weasley

~32~ Harry's Suspicious About Draco

When Harry's birthday came along, it wasn't as happy as we would have hoped. Sirius, Remus, Damon, Lucas and Finley brought lot's of grim news.

"There have been another couple of dementor attacks," Remus announced, as Mrs. Weasley passed him a large slice of birthday cake. "And they've found Igor Karkaroff's body in a shack up north. The Dark Mark had been set over it...well, frankly, I'm surprised he stayed alive for even a year after deserting the Death Eaters; Sirius's brother, Regulus, only managed a few days as far as I can remember."

"Yes, well," said Mrs. Weasley, frowning, "perhaps we should talk about something diff..."

"Did you hear about Florean Fortescue, Remus?" asked Bill. "The man who ran....."

"....the ice-cream place in Diagon Alley?" Harry interrupted. "He used to give me free ice creams. What's happened to him?"

"Dragged off, by the look of his place." said Sirius.

"Why?" asked Ron, while Mrs. Weasley pointedly glared at Bill.

"Who knows? He must've upset them somehow." said Damon "He was a good man, Florean."

"Let's switch the topic...." I began but I was interrupted by Mr. Weasley.

"Talking of Diagon Alley," he said, "looks like Ollivander's gone too."

"The wandmaker?" said Ginny, looking startled.

"That's the one. Shop's empty. No sign of a struggle. No one knows whether he left voluntarily or was kidnapped."

"But what'll people do for wands?"

"They'll make do with other makers," said Remus. "But Ollivander was the best, and if the other side have got him it's not so good for us."

I sighed and leaned back in the sofa I was sitting in. Bill placed his hand on top of mine and squeezed.

On the next Saturday, we decided we'd all go to Diagon Ally to get the children's new books. When we arrived, we were glad to see Hagrid there.

"Hi Hagrid!" I said happily.

Hagrid gave me a bone-crushing hug. "Hi Fawn."

Diagon Ally was looking grim, and it made me feel depressed, as I saw all the stores and shops that were boarded up.

"Molly, it doesn't make sense for all of us to go to Madam Malkin's," said Mr. Weasley. "Why don't those three go with Hagrid and Fawn, and we can go to Flourish and Blotts and get everyone's schoolbooks?"

"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. "Hagrid, Fawn do you think —?"

"Don't fret, they'll be fine with me, Molly," said Hagrid soothingly, waving an airy hand the size of a dustbin lid.

I smiled at Mrs. Weasley. "It's alright Mrs. Weasley we'll keep an eye on them."

Mrs. Weasley nodded, scurrying off toward Flourish and Blotts with her husband and Ginny while Harry, Ron, Hermione, Hagrid and I set off for Madam Malkin's.

"Migh' be a bit of a squeeze in there with all of us," said Hagrid, stopping outside Madam Malkin's and bending down to peer through the window. "Fawn and I'll stand guard outside, all right?"

Harry, Ron and Hermione walked into the shop while Hagrid and I stood outside, looking around the streets. People were rushing past, looking anxious and scared.

"So, how are ye?" Hagrid asked.

"Good, and you?"

"Alrigh'"