Someone to Watch Over Me

Chapter 3

12:30 PM, The Leaky Cauldron

Harry rushed through the front door, pausing only when he saw the familiar streak of red that was Ron's hair. He hurriedly sat down, anxiously awaiting what he had to say.

"Harry, I'm glad you made it on time. We have a serious matter to discuss," Ron said. "However, I can't dilly-dally, for I have an urgent appointment to get to in Germany. So, let's get down to business."

"Yes, do you have the pictures?" Harry inquired. "Also, what proof do you have? Why should I believe you that she's cheating on me?" he added, growing a bit upset just talking about it.

"I saw it with my own two eyes. Besides, I'm your best friend; why would I lie to you?" Ron replied, getting a bit angered himself.

"I guess you're right. Sorry, I'm just upset. I didn't mean to take it out on you."

"Here's the pictures," Ron said, and slid a cream-colored envelope across the old oaken table to Harry.

Harry pulled the pictures out of the envelope carefully. Sure enough, they showed Ginny passionately kissing Draco Malfoy. He felt his blood start to boil. He couldn't wait, he had to confront Ginny now.

"Sorry to leave so soon, but I have to go find Ginny," Harry said as he stood up.

"Oh, that's okay, mate. I understand. I'll send her a Howler for sure!" Ron replied.

Harry walked out and stormed down the street to Flourish and Blotts. Ron got up, paid, and Apparated back to his flat. "Good thing he didn't want to stay and chat," Brian said aloud, as he slowly changed. That Polyjuice Potion always is a bit unreliable with the timing."
* * *
Ginny and Taylor hurried around the store, picking up books. "The Revised, Expanded, Book of Manners for Bookstore Managers. Gosh, they really do sell everything here," Ginny wryly whispered to Taylor, which caused them to laugh. That probably wasn't the smartest thing to do, given their current situation.

"Stop laughing! That was not funny!" their manager, Cassandra shrieked. ("Course it wasn't funny, it was hilarious!" Taylor whispered.) "If you laugh any more, I will be forced to dock your pay even further!"

Cassandra had been particularly hard to deal with that day, even more so than usual. Frankly, Ginny and Taylor just couldn't take it any longer, and decided to play a prank on her. They were fully aware that they could get fired for this, so they decided to make it worth it if they did.

"Apparently she didn't like being lectured at by a manners book about how terribly she'd been treating us," Taylor said.

"Yeah, well, you know what they say: the truth hurts," Ginny replied, and both girls giggled.

"You two should be glad that I'm only docking today's pay and not firing you instead. I have every right to fire you, but out of the kindness of my heart I won't. ("What heart?" Taylor asked Ginny.) That was a terrible thing to do, girls!" Cassandra chided them.

"No, not really. They used some quite advanced spells to make that book talk, and used them with ease, too," a stranger said. Brian.

"How the hell did he get in here?" Ginny whispered to Taylor.

"I dunno. He might have slipped in here while we were setting up. Anyway, let's hear what he has to say," Taylor replied.

"Advanced it may be, but that still doesn't make it right," said Cassandra haughtily. "Now, if you'd excuse me, I'll be with you in a few minutes."

"Oh, it's quite all right, I was just looking. Thanks anyway," he replied.

Turning back to the girls, Cassandra continued. "Well, luckily for you two, I have to leave for the magical-book sellers' convention in Sweden. I have no choice but to trust you with the shop for a week," she said, eyeing the both of them. "When I return, everything will be exactly as it should, or you two will be fired, no questions asked. Is that clear?"

"Yes, crystal," Ginny and Taylor replied.

"Good. Now, I must be off," she said, and was gone with a small pop.

"Ginny," Brian said. "Here--I have something for you." He handed her a small black box. Inside, she found a silver heart pendant dangling from a chain. The heart was inscribed with a message. It read: "The heart never forgets."

"How stalkerish," Taylor said.

"Tell me about it," Ginny said, and rolled her eyes.

At that moment Harry stormed in, looking visibly upset. "What's that you've got there? Something from Malfoy?"

* * *