Harry Potter and the Loss of Innocence

Ioci

Story Summary:
Harry is stuck at Privet Drive and has much to think about. A crazed wizard out to kill him. The death of his godfather and friend. The Prophesy looming in front of him. And not even one note from his friends. That's been Harry's summer holiday thus far, so can you blame him for wanting it to end? But should Harry really be looking forward to a year filled with surprises of all kinds and not all of them good? *HP sixth year fic following OotP and not incorporating HBP*

Chapter 05

Chapter Summary:
Harry opens the school letter and get's his OWL results... Will he have to change his plans to be an Auror? Then they go to Diagon Alley to buy the needed books, supplies, and robes... not to mention Ginny's birthday gift....
Posted:
03/17/2005
Hits:
5,408
Author's Note:
Well, here chapter five is....... I'm not all that happy with the quote (and have never heard the song before) but it works, so here it is! Enjoy!


Chapter Five: Diagon Alley

Doin' alright
Gettin' good grades
The future's so bright
~Timbuck3: The Future's So Bright,
I Gotta Wear Shades

Harry opened his school letter hesitantly. He wasn't sure if he wanted to see the results.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL
of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
~~~~~~~~
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. Of Wizards)

Dear Mr. Potter,
Please note that the new school year will begin on September the first. The Hogwarts Express will leave from King's Cross station, platform nine and three-quarters at eleven o'clock.
Please also note that enclosed with this letter are your Ordinary Wizarding Level exam results. Also enclosed are the classes you have tested into and a list of every book you could need. Please note that you must sign up for the classes you want to take and only need to buy the books for those classes.
As your Head of House, I would like to congratulate you on your exam scores. They were in the top five of almost every class. Your scores also allow you to continue with your plans for the future. Congratulations.
I would also like to inform you that I have chosen you as co-captain for the Quidditch team. Katie Bell will be the official head captain, but the two of you can figure out how to work it. Also, because of this and the discriminatory nature of the punishment in the first place, your ban from Hogwarts Quidditch was has been lifted.
Next, the Heads of Houses and the Headmaster have spoken amongst ourselves and have decided to recognize Dumbledore's Army (D.A. for short) as an official school organization. You will be given an old classroom to meet in, if you would like one, and either myself or the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher will supervise your meetings. We hope that you will continue as the leader and teacher. We are all impressed with the scores of the D.A. members who took their O.W.L.'s or N.E.W.T.'s this spring and believe they have you to thank for that. This year we will have a competent Defense teacher, but we believe you can offer the students much more. We will talk about this more when you arrive at Hogwarts.
Congratulations once again and I hope you the rest of your summer holiday goes well.

Yours sincerely,

Professor M. McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

"What's yours say, Harry?" Hermione asked nervously. He was the last one to finish reading his letter and everyone could tell that it was longer than normal. He was also staring at it, stunned.

"Is something the matter, Harry?" Ron asked just as nervously.

"No, no. It's just that... Wait let me find it... Oh, here it is: "and the discriminatory nature of the punishment, your ban from Hogwarts Quidditch was lifted." Fred and George clapped Harry on the back and everyone said things like "Well, of course," and "You didn't really think it would stand, did you?"

"No wait. There's more. Well, actually it comes right before that. She's named me co-captain along with Katie."

"No way!" Ron said excited. "Captain, that's great, Harry."

"Yeah, no kidding," Harry said with a smile. "That should be fun. I'll just let Katie come up with all the plans and then I'll run you guys ragged at practice. We'll practice through all weather, rain, sleet, and snow!" Ron quailed at Harry's description of his plans. "You don't really believe me, do you, Ron?"

"I'm not sure," he answered safely.

"Are you kidding? I almost killed Oliver one year when he had us practicing almost every night in the rain," Harry said, laughing. Fred and George laughed along with him; they had been on that team and had almost killed Wood too. "And the teachers are recognizing Dumbledore's Army as a official organization of the school."

"Does it really say Dumbledore's Army?" Ginny asked. It had been her idea to change it to that from Defense Association.

"Yeah, and I quote, 'recognize Dumbledore's Army (D.A. for short)' end quote. Snape must have been furious." Harry re-read the letter again, making sure he didn't miss something the first time around.

"What scores did you get?" Ginny asked curiously.

"I don't know; I haven't gotten that far. But she did congratulate me for them. That should be a good sign, right?" Harry looked at the next piece of parchment.

"I wouldn't know, mate," Ron answered Harry's rhetorical question. "I failed Divination horribly. I can't believe I didn't get a 'T'." Everyone laughed at Ron, but he just glared right back at them.

"Well, you know, Ron," Ginny chided him calmly, "it is usually a bad idea to describe your examiner as an ugly old man with warts, when you're supposed to be telling his future. At the very least you should have told him that you saw said ugly wart faced examiner fail an even uglier red head boy. That might have gotten you some points." Harry started to read the next piece of parchment and the farther he got the lower he felt his jaw drop.

Wizarding Examinations Authority
presents the
Ordinary Wizarding Level
Examination Results

for
Mr. Harry James Potter

Charms
Theory~ Exceeds Expectations
Practical~ Outstanding

Transfiguration
Theory~ Outstanding
Practical~ Exceeds Expectations

Herbology
Theory~ Outstanding
Practical~ Outstanding

Defense Against the Dark Arts
Theory~ Outstanding*
Practical~ Outstanding*

Potions
Theory~ Outstanding
Practical~ Outstanding*

Care of Magical Creatures
Theory~ Exceeds Expectations
Practical~ Outstanding

Astronomy
Theory~ Outstanding
Practical**~ Exceeds Expectations

Divination
Theory~ ----
Practical~ Dreadful

History of Magic
Theory~ Acceptable
Practical~ ----

Mr. Potter,
We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you on your excellent test scores! You passed every test but Divination and of those tests only one was an Accep-table. With the exception of Divination and History of Magic you were in the top five of every test. That is a great honor!
Congratulations,

Professor Griselda Marchbanks

Head of Wizarding Examinations Authority

*Special Recognition and Top Scorer
** Due to intervening events Because of the horrible events of that night and the dismal testing of every student, this exam was graded on a "curve." For a detailed explanation and for the way it was scored please write to:

Professor Theodoric Tofty
Summerfield's House for the Well Aged
123 Diagon Alley
London, United Kingdom

Harry couldn't believe his test results. He read them three more times and the room got very quiet. They didn't know if he was re-reading it because the scores weren't great or if he had done extremely well.

Finally, Hermione got too restless and asked, "What did you get, Harry?" He looked up at her with wide eyes; it seemed that he didn't comprehend what she had just said. "Harry," she asked again, "what scores did you get?"

"Oh, hang on." He hurriedly counted and then said, "I got nine Outstanding's, four Exceeds Expectations, one Acceptable, and one Dreadful, in, guess what... Divination." Everyone stared at him. "That's eight out of nine OWL's! I can't believe it!"

And neither could Hermione. She grabbed his paper and looked at it. "Wow, two O's in Potions. And a special recognition and top scorer for your Potions practical and both your Defense exams."

"Damn, Harry, when did you become so bloody brilliant?" Ron asked in his normally charming way.

"I bet it's just because he's "Harry Potter, our new celebrity," George said in a good imitation of Snape. "They upped all his grades."

"Don't be stupid, George," Fred said, hitting him. "It's because he's "Mr. Harry Potter, sir," he said in a very good Dobby voice.

"Shut up, you two!" Mrs. Weasley said to her two twins. "Congratulations, Harry. I'm very proud of you! How many did you manage, Ron?"

"Well, eight, but my scores aren't near as good as Harry's. I've got a handful of A's, quite a few E's, and six O's. What about you, Hermione? No, wait, let me guess. I'll use my Divination skills... all Dreadful's."

Hermione hit him and said, "Of course not, you idiot. Mine are a lot like Harry's. Lot's of O's," ("Big surprise there," Fred mumbled.) and the rest are E's. No special recognitions, but top of a few classes. What does special recognition mean?"

"It means, my dear," Professor Dumbledore said from the doorway, "just that: special recognition."

"Would you please clarify yourself, sir?" Harry asked politely, but coldly. He didn't want to deal with Dumbledore's riddles today.

"I will. In other words, your scores are the best scores in at least twenty years. In Harry's case, to find better scores in that Potions exam one would have to go back 21 years and that was Professor Snape's test score. Harry came very close to beating it."

"I bet he wasn't too happy about that," Ron said, laughing at the thought of Snape's face when he found that out.

"Well, he was extremely surprised. We all were, in fact." Dumbledore said with a smile.

"Why's that, Professor?" Hermione asked curiously. Harry was feeling a bit out of place. He was being discussed as if he wasn't there and it grated on his nerves.

"Well, Harry's scores in that class have never been all that good. To get top score and special recognition, well, it seemed odd." Dumbledore smiled at Harry. "The reason the scores were late this year is because we went over all of your tests. You deserved the grades you got and impressed us all."

"Who is 'us all'?" Harry asked coldly.

"Professors McGonagall, Snape, Flitwick, Sprout, Marchbanks, Tofty, and myself, and one or two other examiners that you had. For your practical exams, the person who examined you placed their memory in my Pensieve and we all took a look at the memory," Dumbledore smiled again. "I must ask, what thought did you use to make such a wonderful Patronus?"

"I thought of Umbridge getting sacked," Harry said viciously. He looked down at his right hand. He could just make out the words, 'I must not tell lies.'

"Ah, yes, that would be a happy memory." Dumbledore slipped into thought and a slight smile appeared on his face.

"Professor?" Ginny asked after a moment. Dumbledore looked at the girl and waited for her question. "How far back would you have to go for Harry's Defense scores?"

Dumbledore's smile got even larger. "I was just thinking back to my fifth year at Hogwarts and when I sat my Defense exam. We must go 158 years farther to find a test score better than Harry's."

"Wait, I beat your Defense scores?" Harry asked stunned.

"Alas, my reign has ended. Almost 150 years, but yes, Harry, you beat both my scores. In fact, your scores, how do you teenagers say it, creamed them," he finished with a laugh. Harry sat in silence. How did he manage that score? To beat Dumbledore? Why, that should be impossible!

"Let us take advantage of my presence and you three fill out the classes you want for next year. I will hand them directly to Professor McGonagall when I see her at afternoon tea." Harry took out the third piece of paper and check marked six classes: Care of Magical Creatures, Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Herbology, Transfiguration, and Potions.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Three days later, they went to Diagon Alley to buy this year's school supplies. Harry hoped that something would catch his eye for Ginny's gift. Tonks, Remus, Hestia, and Mrs. Weasley would accompany them. Harry hated the guard, but he saw the need for it. Anyway, these adults weren't so bad, though Harry knew there would be others hidden.

The first thing they did when they arrived was to stop at Gringott's. Harry grabbed some money for the day and hurried outside after the cart ride back. He and Ron headed out without the girls; Harry had told Ron about his problem. Tonks and Remus went with them.

"Ok," Ron said looking at his list, "I need Potion supplies, new robes, books, some quills, ink and... well, that's it. What about you, Harry?"

Harry glanced at his list, "I need the same things and some owl treats for Hedwig."

They headed first for Flourish and Blotts. There they picked up Difficult Poisons and Their Antidotes by Arsenius Jigger, Advanced Transfiguration by Miranda Goshawk, Charm Your Friends: An Advanced Guide to Charms by Felix Summerbee, The In's and Out's of Defending Yourself Against the Dark Arts by Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, The Advanced Monster Book of Monsters by an Anonymous, and One Thousand and One Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phylliad Spore.

"Wow, the Defense teacher picked a book by Dumbledore. He must be good," Ron said happily. Remus gave him a quick look with a strange smile on his face. He opened his mouth to say something, but Tonks put a finger to his mouth and whispered something into his ear.

Then they went to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. There they both got fitted for new school robes. (The twins had given their parents money, saying that they owed them for all the hair they had caused to turn gray and/or fall out.) They left with several sets each and headed to the Apothecary for their Potion's supplies.

When they had gotten all of the essentials, they started to go into shops by random, looking for something for Ginny. After the third shop, Remus asked them to come over and talk to him and Tonks.

"What are you two looking for?" he asked the two suspiciously.

"I need a gift for Gin," Harry confessed to him. "She got me a good one and I want to repay the favor."

"Oh, we're looking for a gift for your girlfriend, are we, Harry?" Tonks asked the boy, who blushed.

"No, for Ginny," he answered. Ron gave Harry an odd look, but didn't say anything.

"If you say so, Harry," Tonks said rolling her eyes.

"If I may ask, what's up with the two of you?" Ron asked Remus and Tonks.

"Oh, nothing," Remus started, but Tonks cut him off.

"If you call dating nothing, Remus, I'll need to talk with your sister and then dump you."

Ron and Harry watched as a very flustered Remus tried to explain himself to a very angry Tonks. At least, they all thought she was angry, until Ginny came up and said very innocently, "Tonks, you shouldn't give Remus a heart attack." Which started her, Tonks, and Hermione giggling.

"Sorry, Rem, I didn't mean to be mean, I was just giving you a hard time." She leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Let's get going, boys, you still need robes. Ladies, why don't you go wait for us at Fortescue's." They nodded and left, glancing backwards a few times as they went.

"Thanks, Tonks. Do you have any ideas?"

"Yes and no. Why do you like her gift?"

"'Cause she made it just for me." Harry thought for a moment. "Oh, I see. But how do I make her something and what do I make it out of?"

"Follow me." Tonks led them to a small store at the end of Diagon Alley. "Here some of the rocks have magical properties, others don't. Pick out the stone and let me buy it for you. You can pay me back, alright?"

"Sure." They went into the dingy shop. Harry had never seen so many stones in one place before and each stone was interesting and beautiful in itself. They all started to look around and Tonks started to chat with the storeowner. It seemed that she was a regular customer. After several minutes, Tonks wandered over to Harry.

"All the prices are first offers. I should be able to get the price to lower by half. That's my norm, at least; sometimes I can get him lower and other times he beats me. Let me know when you find the stone, but don't make it obvious. I need to be the one to buy it for me, not for you." Harry nodded.

After about five minutes Harry saw it. It was a beautiful real amber stone with some moss and a small butterfly frozen inside. Harry motioned Tonks and she picked it up. "Oy, Rick, how much for this rock?"

"I believe the price on that fine stone is 18 galleons. I can't afford to give it to you any cheaper."

"Uff, that's too much, Rick. You'll never sell it at that price. Let me take it off your hands for 4 galleons?"

"At that price, I'd be broke in a week. But, Tonks, since you're such a good customer, I'll lower the price to 16 galleons and 6 sickles."

"I don't get paid for a week and a half and I need the stone before that. And anyway, Rick, I can't afford that price without saving for a month, with the way the Ministry pays nowadays. How about 6 galleons and 8 sickles?

"No, no, my dear..." Harry listened in awe as Tonks beat Rick down to 8 galleons, 3 sickles, and 4 knuts. She also bought a chain and some metal wire with that price.

"Thanks, Rick, you're the best stone seller I know. And I know quite a few."

"Well, if it wasn't you, Tonks, I wouldn't have gone lower than 10, but for you, I'd do anything."

"And if the Ministry paid me better I would have bought it at the price you marked it at. Well, if the Ministry paid me better, I would be buying rubies, emeralds, and diamonds, not bits of petrified sap." They laughed and said good-bye to one another.

"Ok, so this is what you do." And Tonks taught him how to make the necklace for Ginny. If you held the stone up to the light, it glowed a soft red color. It was perfect, for out of the light it was almost clear and you could see the butterfly perfectly. Harry knew Ginny would love it.

They met the girls outside of Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor. Ginny and Hermione had already finished a sundae each, but they readily ordered another when Harry offered to pay. The large group sat outside eating their ice cream. Hannah Abbot waved to them as she passed by with her mother. Seamus walked over and said hi, introducing his mother, who apologized for her misjudgment.

Harry watched as Dean slipped by unnoticed. Ron had told Harry about how he found out Dean had been cheating on Ginny. Seamus had let it slip on accident that Dean had a girlfriend at home. Ron had seemed more than a little angry with their roommate at the time, so Harry didn't blame Dean at all. If the roles were reversed, he wouldn't dare walk up to Ginny or any of her brothers.

After the ice cream sundaes, Ron convinced his mother to allow them to stop at the twins' shop before they returned home. Harry had been looking forward to seeing the shop he had heard all about. They went around a curve in the street and there it was. Painted bright red, it had a huge sign in deep red and outlined in black. It read, 'Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes." They entered the small building.

Harry was surprised at its size, but he knew he shouldn't have been. There was row upon row of joke merchandise. Ron and Ginny showed Harry their favorite products, while Hermione tagged along. Mrs. Weasley went off to search for her sons.

"This is amazing," Harry said with a smile.

"No kidding," Ron shouted over the din. "I can't believe how much junk they've managed to get people to buy."

"It's not junk!" a horrified voice said near them. A young witch turned into the row they were standing in. "They're brilliant. Geniuses, even."

"If you say so, lady," Ron shouted back. "But I doubt it!"

"I can't believe you're insulting the two most amazing inventors!" she screeched at them. "Apologize right now!"

"No way," Ron said just as horrified as the teenage witch had been a moment ago.

"Brother dearest," one of the twins said slinging an arm around Ron's shoulder. "Do not anger the customers." The witch was staring at the twin with disbelief written on her face. (Harry always had a hard time telling them apart without the other around.) "Now apologize to her."

"No way!" Ron said stubbornly. The twin tightened the grip on Ron's shoulder to include his neck.

"Fred, that's enough," Ginny scolded her brother. "Look, miss, we grew up with those two, so trust us when we say that they aren't geniuses."

"I'm hurt, little sister," Fred said letting go of Ron's neck and herding them towards the back.

"I have no idea why," Ginny told him smiling. "You've always been proud of your lack of O.W.L.'s."

"True genius can not be measured by tests," George informed his sister. They had entered a large office at the back of the shop. "I'm glad you guys stopped by." They spent time talking with the twins, but then Lee Jordan poked his head in.

"Fred, that witch is back," he told them. "And she's frantic to see you."

"My fan club beckons," Fred said wistfully. "I must say good bye to you and may I survive another meeting with its President."

"He has a fan club?" Ron asked in disbelief.

"Yeah, and the President visits almost everyday," George struggled out between laughs. "She has long blonde hair, real straight and held out of her face by a headband. She has brown eyes and wears glasses."

"We meet her," Ginny said with a laugh. "Ron insulted her and you guys. It was rather funny."

"Yes, I bet it was," George agreed. "She likes me the best, but seeing as she has no idea how to tell us apart we take turns playing me. Yesterday it was my turn, today is his."

"George Weasley!" Molly scolded her son.

"Well, I need to get back to work," he said hurriedly excusing himself. "Nice chatting with you all and hope to see you at the grand opening of our second shop." He nearly ran out of the room and lost himself in the rows of merchandise.

"Coward," Mrs. Weasley mumbled under her breath. They exited the story and headed back to the Leaky Cauldron and took the Floo Network back to the Burrow. It had been a nice productive day and Harry spent the rest of it making Ginny's necklace. He could hear the others laughing as they swam in the pond. He was glad he had an excuse not to go with them. He still hadn't admitted to them that he didn't know how to swim. Hopefully, he wouldn't have to.


Author notes: First and foremost... Thank you Reina! You are a wonderful beta and a great help! And thanks, Chris... I really appreciate your input!

Second, I'd like to thank all my wonderful reviewers! emlow, i'd like to congatulate you on picking up what you did! And a huge thanks to the rest of you: KayStar, TreyFury97, AE5Runner73209, 111111111, and ladyrhianna! I really apreciate your reviews and would love to here from the rest of you... *wink, wink*

I would also like it noted that the last bit of chapter 4 wasn't beta read so any and all mistakes are on my head... Not Reina's in any way, shape, or form!

Just one more shameless beg for reviews... just say hi...

Hope you enjoyed the chapter,

~Ioci