The Resurrection of Sirius

1

A Trip To Diagon Alley

Ron woke with a jolt. He'd heard tapping. It was as if a group of little people was tap-dancing on the roof.

Must be raining, Ron thought miserably. He hated his attic bedroom. Every time it rained, it took him hours to fall back asleep. He looked at the clock. It was five o'clock. And his mum was going to take him and Ginny school shopping tomorrow. Waking up early was so not fun. With one hour left to sleep, he decided he'd get up and get dressed now--it'd save time later.

Hermione woke up extra early. Her parents were taking her to Diagon Alley today! She'd agreed to meet Ron at Flourish and Blotts around nine. As her parents were Muggles, she'd have to take the subway. So the Grangers had to wake up at five to make sure they got there in good time.

She was so excited. She hadn't seen Ron since last June! She couldn't wait to tell him about her trip to America. Her family had gone to a state called New York. It had the most amazing store population! It was everything Hermione had imagined--and more! The hidden Wizarding Plaza was awesome. There were books on how to do magic without wands! That took a lot of skill in witchcraft. And her hotel room was awesome, too. It had two floors! Hermione spent hours staring out at the view from the top view.

"Ron, haven't you finished eating yet?"

"What?"

"I asked whether you were done eating yet. If we want to get most of your shopping done before Hermione gets there to meet you..."

"Mum, it's Hermione. She's not going to care."

"Hurry hurry, better scurry!"

"Ickle Ronniekins!"

"Shut up, Fred and George. I'm not in the mood."

"What? Do mine ears deceive me?"

"Fred," Mrs. Weasley said warningly.

"What?"

"Your brother said he didn't want to joke right now-- "

"Mum, when is there a Weasley who doesn't like jokes?"

"Right. Well, I'm ready to go now. And if we're all waiting for me, then let's go --"

"Actually, I've just woken up," Ginny said, walking into the kitchen.

Ron groaned. "Ginny, we're going to be late."

"Why don't you go on ahead with the twins, Ron, and I'll come along later with Ginny," Mrs. Weasley said, getting down the floo powder.

"Right. See you." Ron pecked his mother on the cheek, patted Ginny's shoulder, and stepped into the fireplace. "Diagon Alley!"

There was a burst of bright green flames and Ron was gone.

"Let's get going, Hermione," Mrs. Granger called through the bedroom door.

"One moment, mum." Hermione looked at herself in the mirror. Her new haircut, cut to her shoulders, rounded up at the bottom in the perfect bob. The shirt she was wearing was her newest one, from America, and she loved the way it sparkled. It was from a Wizarding shop. It would only sparkle if you looked directly at it, and when you did, it was just a small glint. Her new Capri's were Dragon skin imitation, dyed black. They matched the blood red shirt perfectly. Her makeup had taken almost an hour. Satisfied, Hermione smiled at her reflection. If this didn't impress Ron, nothing ever would.

Hermione walked out of her room and put on her shoes. Oh, her shoes. They were perfect. Black leather boots, four inches tall and the tops of them went to just below her knees. Her mother eyed her suspiciously.

"Mum, I haven't seen Ron in ages."

Mrs. Granger smiled. "You look beautiful, Hermione. We'd better hurry, now."

They slipped out the back door and got in the car. Hermione couldn't help but feel giddy. She looked at herself in her pocket mirror. Was she glowing, or was that her makeup? She rubbed at her cheek. The glow didn't come off. Hermione smiled even more widely, if possible. Her mother glanced over at her daughter.

"Darling, you're going to slit your lips open if you smile any wider." Hermione blushed.

"Sorry, mum. I'm just so excited." She put her mirror back into her leather purse and looked over at her mother. "I haven't seen Ron in months. I'm just really anxious to see him, that's all."

"I know, dear. I felt the same way about your father after our first year at university."

"Really? What was that like?"

Mrs. Granger smiled. "Oh no, you don't. I've told you this story so many times this summer I'm beginning to get sick of it."

Hermione grinned sheepishly. She took out her favorite picture of Ron and herself. It was at Hogsmede from last year. They were arm in arm, smiling at each other. They hugged. That day was their first date. So far, it was their last one as well.

Ron stepped out of the Leaky Cauldron's fireplace and dusted himself off. He liked floo powder, nice and quick, but now he had soot in his hair. Luckily, he'd brought his comb. He waited for Fred and George to come along.

"You've got soot in your hair, little bro," Fred said. "Alas! So have I," he added, feeling his hair. George came along now.

"I'm going to dust my hair out," Ron said, heading toward the bathroom.

"Might as well, our selves," George said, speaking for himself and Fred.

Ten minutes later, (there'd been a particularly stubborn bit of soot -- Ron suspected there was a dust bunny living in it) Ron, Fred, and George were on their way to the back alley where the entrance to Diagon Alley lie.

"Well, I think we'll head off in this direction. Will you be alright, little guy?"

"Fred. I'm sixteen. I'll be fine."

"Good. See you later, then. Come on, George, think we can sell something to Florean Fortescue?"

Ron looked around. It was great to be back. Not like he'd been withdrawn from the Wizarding people, but he did miss the Wizarding public. Remembering why he was there, Ron checked the time. It was half past seven. He had an hour and a half before he was due to meet Hermione at the bookstore. Well, he'd better get started. Ron walked to the Magical Menagerie -- he needed more owl pellets for Pigwidgeon, who had flown off last night and did not return yet.

"Can I help you?" the witch at the counter asked, having no one else to tend to.

"Yes, actually. I need um --a small bag of Hoots's Best Owl Feed, please."

"Small, you said?"

"Yes."

"Hmm." The witch scanned the shelves above. "I'm sorry, we haven't any out here. I'll just go and check the back."

"All right. Thanks." Ron looked around. There was a cage of toads playing Leap Frog. Another cage contained six sleek, black rats that kept shaking their paws at each other and -- playing basketball. Ron shook his head.

"Here we are. One small bag of Hoots's Best Owl Feed. That comes to... Seven Sickles one Knut."

Ron paid the witch. "Thanks very much," he said as he walked out. Though the sun had still not fully risen, the streets were very much lighter than the shop was. Ron was very tired. He decided to take a coffee break at Florean Fortescue's.

The wizards at the next table were talking about America.

"... Ruined tea, the lot of them. Never drink it, and when they do, they do it all wrong. Tea bags. Terrible things." The other wizard nodded soberly.

"And that coffee of theirs. Terribly nasty, have you ever tried it?"

"Thankfully, no."

"I did, in my younger years. Lived there for a while. I made a few American friends, and they insisted upon drinking coffee. I tried it once. Despicable, it was. Had this... awful taste. I can't even describe it."

"Can I help you?" Fortescue had come to serve Ron.

"Er... A large cup of coffee, please." Ron felt guilty ordering coffee. The old wizards looked over at him suspiciously.

"Cream?"

"Please."

"Be right back. Oh -- regular of decaf?"

"Regular."

"Long night?"

"No, too short."

Fortescue chuckled. He walked away and the two old men turned to Ron.

"Like coffee, do you, young lad?"

"Er -- yeah."

"Poor soul. Archie and I were just discussing the stuff. Have I seen you before?" the old man added, looking Ron over.

"No, I don't believe so..."

"So sorry. It's terrible, being old. Senility is difficult. Loose your mind. Develop grudges. You get so stubborn... Well, you'll see in a few decades, eh?" Archie's tea partner got up. "Best be going, Arch. Lots to do today..."

"So long, lad," Archie said to Ron.

"Bye," Ron said awkwardly.

"Here you are. Sugar's on the table if you need it. Anything else I can get you? Bacon? Eggs? Toast?"

"No, thanks. Coffee's fine." Ron mixed in the cream and sugar, thinking. He was anxious to see Hermione. Two and a half months seemed like just too long.

Finishing his coffee, Ron got up to pay.

"Ten Knuts, lad."

"Thanks very much."

Checking his watch, Ron noticed he had one hour. The anticipation was growing inside of him so quickly he felt like he was going to burst. Ron bought most of the supplies on his list. At five minutes to nine, all he needed were his new books and some more Potions for his supply kit. He headed to Flourish and Blotts to meet Hermione.

"Ron!"

Ron turned at the sound of his name. Hermione! It was Hermione!

"Hermione! Hey --" Ron stopped dead in his tracks. Hermione was drop-dead gorgeous. "Hermione, you look --" Ron couldn't find words to describe Hermione. She blushed and smiled widely. Her face seemed to glow. Wait -- it was glowing.

"What did you -- what did you do?"

"What?"

"I mean -- Well, you looked good last year, but you're -- you're sexy!"

Hermione glowed even more. Her glowing extended to her shirt, which Ron noticed was cut very low.

"Thanks, Ron. You don't look too bad yourself." She eyed Ron. Ron suddenly felt very bland. He was wearing a deep green shirt and khaki pants. His shoes were black dragon skin -- a gift from Fred and George, in honor of their wonderful business. The money he'd been spending all day was from the twins, too.

Hermione was so happy to see Ron. True, his clothes weren't as exotic as hers, but he looked very good in them. His hair was as red as ever, and he'd gotten a nice tan. He looked extremely good. The deep green brought out the brown in his eyes.

"Well, have you bought everything you need yet?"

"Nearly. I just need to stop at Flourish and Blotts and the Potion supply shop. I expect you just got here?"

"Yes."

"Well then, shall we er -- shall we go somewhere? I'd offer you my arm but --" Ron nodded to the multiple bags in both his hands. Hermione smiled. She felt so wonderful, being with Ron. It all seemed so natural, back to normal. But something was missing --

"Have you heard from Harry lately?" she asked.

"Yeah, I wrote him and asked if he wanted to come along today. Said he'd love to... Maybe he had problems getting here."

"I do hope he's alright..." Hermione wrapped her free arm around Ron's shoulder and squeezed his arm with her arm that was wrapped around his.

"Shall we stop for a bite to eat? My treat." Ron grinned at Hermione.

"Sure, I haven't eaten in a few hours..."

"Great." The two headed off for the back of the now bustling Alley, where there was a small restaurant that was supposed to be quite good. "This place all right?"

"Sure."

"Great." This felt like more of a date than was planned. It was just supposed to be a meeting, but Ron buying for Hermione felt very date-ish. Especially the fact that they were arm in arm.

Ron checked his watch. It was almost three o'clock. "Wow. Hermione, it's almost three."

"Is it really?"

"Yeah."

Ron and Hermione had spent the entire day together, buying their remaining school supplies and talking. Around lunchtime they stopped in at Florean Fortescue's for ice cream. That was about an hour ago. Everywhere they went, Hermione got stares. Ron couldn't help but feel lucky. Well, he always felt lucky with Hermione, but this was a different lucky. This was... Show-off type lucky.

"Hey, there you two are --" Harry cut himself off. He knew that was Ron. You couldn't mistake Weasley hair. But who was the girl? It couldn't be Hermione. Her hair was long and bushy, and she didn't own that kind of clothes. They were too sexy for Hermione. Hermione was a non-revealing, concealing type, and her shape was not that wonderful. The couple turned around.

"Harry!" Okay, this was weird. Now it really couldn't be Hermione. The shirt was way too low-cut. But there was something about her face and voice...

"Hey Harry!" Harry half-expected Ron to say, "Look at this girl I met! She looks like Hermione, doesn't she?" But he didn't. Did he expect Harry to know this strange girl?

"Harry, are you okay?" She was talking to him like Hermione. "Is anything wrong?"

"We've been wondering where you were. Herm and I bought all our school supplies already. Have you?" It was Hermione! Harry shook his head as if exiting a trance.

"Yeah, I have. How've you two been? It's excellent to see you guys, really."

"We've missed you so much, Harry!" The new-and-improved Hermione threw her arms around Harry's neck, whacking him in the back with all her shopping bags.

"Ow --"

"Oh, I'm sorry Harry! I totally forgot..."

Ron set down his bags from one hand and shook Harry's hand.

"Really excellent to see you, mate."

"Yeah, really great to see you. Sorry I didn't come earlier, you didn't say what time I should come."

"That's okay."

"Oh, Harry, I'm so glad you're here! It's just like the old days--"

"Only you're looking better than ever," Harry cut in. Hermione blushed.

"Oh, it's not that much, really. Just a haircut and some new clothes --"

"Well, whatever you did, you look great. And you got a tan, Ron," Harry added, not wanting to be rude.

"Yeah, I did. I spent a lot of time outside, practicing Quidditch with Fred, George, Ginny, Bill and Charlie."

"Oh yeah, how're the twins doing with their business?"

"Why don't you ask us yourself?"

"Yeah, you think there's something wrong with out hearing?" Fred asked, coming up behind Harry.

"Oh, hey! Well then... How's your business going?"

"Excellent. Care to purchase our newest item?"

"What is it?"

"Coughsicle."

"A what now?"

"A Coughsicle!" Fred repeated. "It tastes like coffee, it's frozen--"

"And it gives you a cough. It's excellent for getting out of classes --"

"Or for your foes. See, we've got it figured out. Eat a regular frozen coffee thing..."

"And offer a Coughsicle to a foe. They'll think it's a regular, innocent thing. But one lick --"

"And your foe has a nasty cough waiting for them. There're three different levels. Level one is the weakest. It's mainly good for getting out of one class. Level two is next; it's an excuse to skip usually two classes, maybe three. And Level three is the worst. It'll get you out of a whole day's worth of classes. They wear off, see."

"We haven't got any with us, though," Fred mentioned. "They've sold out. We put a charm on them so they wouldn't melt. We sold about five to Florean Fortescue, and the rest of our traveling stock to random people."

"Well, they sound nice. How can I get some?"

"You can place an order with us --" George handed Harry and order form -- "And we'll send you however many as soon as we get back to our place."

"Where's your place?"

"Questions, questions! It's in this adorable little village. Actually, it's on a hill near this little village. It's a Muggle village, see. We make quite a lot of exploding noises, so we had to set our place a bit away from the town. But they're so gullible, the little things. I think we've sold about fifty Coughsicles to them. They have no idea what's coming."

"That's terrible!"

"I see you're our same old Hermione on the inside," Ron said. Hermione nudged him. He nudged back. This went on until Harry interrupted.

"Flirting, are we?"

"We are not!" Hermione said, blushing.

"Right. Well... Shall we go back to the Leaky Cauldron, then? I've got a room there," Harry said.

"You have?" Hermione seemed surprised.

"Yeah. I kind of had to sneak off the other day. My aunt Marge was due to come over today." Ron, Hermione, Fred, and George laughed.

"Let's go then."

"Harry, dear, it's so wonderful to see you!" Mrs. Weasley hugged Harry tightly.

"Yeah, great to see you, Mrs. Weasley," Harry said, slightly choked.

"When did you get here?" Ginny asked.

"Yesterday afternoon," Harry said. Mrs. Weasley looked surprised.

"Yesterday afternoon?"

"Aunt Marge was due to come over soon. I didn't think I could handle."

"What are you going to do for the rest of the summer, Harry?" Hermione asked.

"I was going to stay here," Harry said.

"Well why don't you stay with us?" Ron offered. His mother looked at him. He grinned.

"That would be wonderful! If it's all right with you, Mrs. Weasley..."

"No no, I'm perfectly all right with it. We're staying the night here, just to make it easier."

Ginny smiled. It would be wonderful to have Harry over again. There were three weeks left in the summer. She hoped she'd get a chance to tell him how she felt during those remaining weeks...

2

Back to Hogwarts

On the last night of summer, Mrs. Weasley made an extravagant meal. There was apple cider, pumpkin juice, ham, bean casserole, bread rolls, spinach pie, turkey, chicken, corn, rice, fruit salad, and spaghetti. For dessert, there was, cherry pie, vanilla ice cream, chocolate fudge cookies, and banana bread. Ron spent much of the time attempting to talk with his mouth full and making no sense whatsoever.

"Whatt ahh oo eyes ooing fftr Hhgwrts?" he'd asked about halfway through dinner.

"What?" Hermione had said, staring at Ron.

Ron held up a finger, chewed, and swallowed. He cleared his throat.

"I said, 'what are you guys doing after Hogwarts?'"

"Oh. I was thinking of doing something in the Muggle Relations," Hermione said. "What about you?"

"Auror," Ron said simply. He then shoveled more food into his mouth.

"Yeah, me too," Harry said.

"So did you get you classes planned? What have you got to take?"

"Er -- Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfigurations, Charms, and Potions." Harry shuddered at the mention of taking Potions.

Hermione nodded. "All I need is a N.E.W.T. in Muggle Studies, Transfigurations, and Charms. You have to be able to do things like, you know, mind spells and transforming Wizarding things to look like Muggle things," Hermione added.

"So -- you'll only be in two of our classes, then," Ron mentioned.

"Yeah, well... At least we're in the same house," Hermione put in.

"Yeah, right," Ron said. He was a bit disheartened. He liked having Hermione in most of his classes. Well, at least he didn't need History of Magic anymore. He would never pass that class without Hermione in it.

After dessert, Mrs. Weasley sent them all off to bed.

"We've got an early start in the morning," she said, as she always did.

It wasn't that early of a start. Mrs. Weasley got everyone up at eight thirty.

"Why do we need two and a half hours, mum?"

"Because, I don't want to risk us being late," was Ron's response.

"Morning, Ron," Hermione said as she came out of Ginny's room, tugging on her bathrobe.

"Hi Hermione," Ron replied. They walked down the remaining three floors together in silence, with an occasional yawn.

Harry, Ginny, Fred, and George came downstairs five minutes later, yawning and stretching. Fred leaned against the corner of the wall and scratched his back on it, not noticing the odd stares he was getting from everybody.

"Where's dad, mum?" Ginny asked, taking a seat at the table.

"He had to go to work early," Mrs. Weasley said shortly. She was bustling about, getting the rest of breakfast ready.

She brought out large plates of bacon, eggs, and toast out for everybody. There was a tall pitcher of apple juice and a pot of coffee.

Half an hour later, after a silent, yawn-full breakfast, everybody went upstairs to change and gather up their things.

"Mum, it's nine thirty." George complained. "We don't even go to Hogwarts anymore, couldn't we have slept in and apparated--?"

"No," Mrs. Weasley said.

"Still don't see why we had to get up this early," Fred said, slowly stomping up the stairs.

"We have to take Floo Powder to the Leaky Cauldron and wait for Ministry cars Arthur's sending over for us," Mrs. Weasley shouted after Fred and George.

"That won't take too long --" Ron protested.

"Have you ever tried taking trunks and animals anywhere by Floo powder?" Mrs. Weasley said in defense.

"No," Ron admitted.

"Then shut your mouth and bring your things down," his mother snapped.

The Hogwarts Express took off at eleven a.m. Hermione, Harry, Ron, and Ginny got to the station at ten thirty. They got a compartment to themselves.

Shortly after the train took off from the station, Luna Lovegood knocked on their compartment door. Hermione got up and opened the door.

"Hello," Luna said in her dreamy voice.

"Hi Luna," Ginny said.

"How's your summer been?" Luna asked Ginny, sitting down in a vacant seat.

"Well come right in," Ron muttered. Hermione stepped on his foot.

"Great. Yours?"

"Oh, it was wonderful." Luna launched into an hour story about her summer. Hermione started to get bored of Luna's story and wanted to tell her summer story.

Finally, Luna finished her tedious tale. Hermione opened her mouth to tell about hers, but Ginny cut in first.

"Have you heard of this new band on the WWN?"

"No," Luna said (she'd been in India all summer).

"They're called 'Ghost of the Robot.' They're quite good," Ginny added.

Of course, Hermione hadn't heard of them, either. Her parents being Muggles, their radios didn't receive the Wizarding Wireless Network.

Ron groaned. "Please don't rant on about them," he said. "She's been singing their songs all summer," he added to Hermione, Harry, and Luna.

"Well, they're really good!" Ginny said, defensively.

"I've heard you sing that stupid 'Lonely' song so much I've nearly got it memorized, and I only heard it once or twice by the actual band."

"It's called 'Time is Passing By,'" Ginny corrected.

"Whatever," Ron said. Hermione cut in.

"Anyone want to hear about my trip to America?" she asked hopefully.

"Sure," Ron said, somewhat unenthusiastically.

Hermione launched into her story. When she reached the bit about the numerous shopping plazas, Ginny and Luna squealed with excitement. Harry and Ron looked mildly interested about the shopping, and didn't get overly excited until Hermione mentioned the free food from room service in the hotel room.

When Hermione finished, the witch with the food trolley came.

"Anything off the trolley, dears?" she asked, just as she always did. Hermione bought one or two of everything, and Harry bought three of everything. Ron bought a few Berite Bott's Every Flavor Beans, some Pumpkin Pasties, and a large handful of chocolate frogs. Ginny and Luna bought nothing.

"Here," Harry said, tossing two chocolate frogs to Ginny.

"Thanks," she said, slipping them in her trunk.

Harry felt awkward. He'd just seen Cho Chang walk past their cabin, and she had obviously seen him, because she blushed and looked at the ground. He remembered the way their relationship had ended at the end of last year.

"What's up, Harry?" Ginny asked.

"What?"

"Is anything wrong? You look... Dazed, or something."

"Oh. No, nothing's wrong... I'm fine, thanks."

Ginny shrugged and turned back to Luna. Harry sat, lost in thought, until Ron broke the unusual silence with the offer of a game of Exploding Snap.

"Anyone for a game of Exploding Snap?" he asked, pulling out a fresh deck.

"Sure," chimed Hermione, Ginny and Luna.

"You want to play, Harry?" Ron asked.

"Sure," he said, sliding off his seat and sitting on the floor with the rest of his companions.

Three hours, ten games of Snap, and a round of Mao later, the Hogwarts Express slowed to a stop at Hogsmede station.

"Firs' years this way! Firs' years, follow me," came the familiar sound of Hagrid's voice.

"Hiya, Hagrid!" called Ron, Harry, Hermione, Ginny, Luna, and several others climbing off the train.

The five of them walked over to the horseless carriages. Ron remembered that they were not horseless, but in fact pulled by Thestrals. He shuddered at the thought of his ride on one at the end of last year. Ron, Harry, Hermione, and Ginny occupied one whole carriage; Luna walked off to find one for herself.

Ginny began humming. Ron felt his insides bubbling -- she was humming "Time is Passing By."

"Gin, will you knock it off already?" he ordered. She glared at him. He glared back until she turned away.