Harry Potter and The Crestfallen Star

     Inside The Angry Dragon

     Harry awoke to a very consistent buzzing. *Buzzzzz! * *Buzzzzz! *

    "I'm coming! I'm coming!" he yelled, still in somewhat of a dream state. Apparently the person ringing the doorbell didn't know this because the buzzing continued. Harry, now forced to get out of bed, put on his glasses, stood up, and looked in the mirror.

     A tall, skinny, eighteen year old with emerald eyes stared back at him. With his wand intact and the clothes he wore earlier on, the only thing that looked like he had just gotten out of bed was his untidy hair. He ruffled it a little more and chuckled, he really could pass as his father's twin.

     The buzzing at the door still hadn't stopped so Harry quickly ran downstairs and opened the front door. There on his front porch stood his long time best friend, Ron Weasley. Ron was tall and lanky with flaming red hair, not a thing had really changed over the years about his appearance except that he looked like he‘d endured a few sleepless nights.

     "Hey, Harry, how you doing?"

          "Fine, Ron. You?"

          "About as great as you can be while…well you know. Anyways, it's your turn to go, Hermione's waiting outside."

          Harry yawned and said all right as he started walking out the door.

          "Er, Harry?"

          "Huh?"

     "Could I sleep here tonight? I don't really wanna wake up my parents and all--"

          "Sure."

    Ron walked into the house and Harry was about to walk out when he said, "Oh, and next time you could just apparate in instead of using the doorbell---."

     "I know. It's just, I didn't want to apparate in incase you had, umm- well, company over." His cheeks turned as red as his hair.

     Harry, acting as if he’d not heard the comment, just replied, "See you, Ron."

     "Bye."

     He heard the door shut behind him before he started pondering what Ron said. Why in the world would he think that? It had, in fact, been little over a year now since he last dated. His thoughts were interrupted by his other friend, Hermione Granger.

     About a foot shorter than him with brown bushy hair and as much brains to match, she took one look at him and asked, "Harry, you haven’t been sleeping again have you?"

     He yawned while saying, "Sleeping's not forbidden you know."

     She gave him one of her apprehensive looks.

     "Sleeping before Confuddeling can be dangerous."

          “Danger or no danger, one more day without sleep and I’d be mad."

     Hermione shot Harry one of those I-seriously-doubt-that looks then continued, "At least we only have this job for two weeks; poor Moody volunteered himself for a whole month!" Harry thought about how horrible that must be when she announced, "We really should be going now."

     Still yawning, Harry nodded and they both apparated. The feeling was the same for three years now. The tingling sensation that spread throughout your body ended as soon as it started, and they were there. Hermione, checking her watch, told him that they'd only be staying there for two hours this time, pulled her hood over her head and walked inside. Harry looked up at the squeaking sign with a Horntail on it and the words THE ANGRY DRAGON scribbled across it. He sighed, then pulled the dark hood over his head and walked inside.

     The Angry Dragon was one of the most barbaric pubs Harry had ever seen. Drunken wizards and witches lie on the tables and the floor. Some were in very heavy conversation, others singing songs of nonsense. The place smelled like cabbage and was so smoke filled that Harry had to squint to keep his eyes from watering.

     He found Hermione sitting at a table in the darkest corner.

     "Look's like one of the worst lots we’ve ever been around."

    Lowering her voice, she added, "I doubt the Death Eaters would hang out in toy stores." He agreed then figured it'd be best if they got this over with. Scooting their drinks aside, he put his elbows on the table, closed his eyes, and relaxed. Hermione waited a second then pulled out her wand and said, "Deafinous Magnifo!"

     Instantly, every single word in The Angry Dragon became ten times louder. It was as if they were all shouting across a quidditch field. He heard Hermione do this to herself and was relieved when some of the voices faded into the background. For two long hours, Harry and Hermione sat there, listening to songs, conversations, footfalls, and pulses until Hermione pulled out her wand and said, "Deafinous Reducte!" Harry waited a minute, just to be sure, then indeed performed the counter-curse on himself. Seconds later, they both got up and, much to their satisfaction, left. Only after getting clear away from The Angry Dragon did they stop and take off their hoods.          

     "Anything?" asked Hermione.

     "Just stuff you wouldn't hear in casual conversation.”    

     "Well, I suppose we'll have to try there one more time." She sounded as unenthusiastic as ever. Not really wanting to leave on a bad note, Harry added, "Well at least no one noticed us." Just then a voice rang out. "Harry? Harry Potter! Is that you?"