Harry Potter and the Orb of Power

Chapter 6: Fudge's Campaign

    The Knight Bus finally started moving away from Privet Drive. Harry saw the house slide away from his view, wondering just who that witch was. This was the third time he got a glimpse of the mysterious witch and he was still unsure as to who she was. It bothered Harry; he didn't like the fact that a woman could evade his glance like that. He didn't like that this mysterious witch, a witch who was seemingly hiding from him, was bewitching the Knight Bus and spreading his name around. It was almost as if she was spying on Harry, or just shadowing him. He couldn't be certain, and as he looked down at Sirius, he realized that he should tell his godfather as soon as he could do so in safety. Harry looked out the window and saw road signs and trees jump out the way as the Knight Bus rocketed forward. If Harry hadn't driven with the menace that was Stan Shunpike, Harry would have been nervous about the hag steering the bus. He glanced nervously at Sirius again, who seemed to be nodding off. Harry shook his head at his godfather, wondering how he could be sleeping. He realized that his godfather didn't have to worry about a mysterious witch spy, or some sort of stalker. Harry yawned, and saw the Leaky Cauldron up ahead. Harry sighed, realizing that his trip on the Knight Bus was over and he would soon be enjoying the fresh air and bustling atmosphere of Diagon Alley. The bus rolled to a stop in front of the pub, and Harry tapped Sirius lightly to wake him up. His godfather growled as he stood up, and then sprang off the bus quickly. Harry picked up his pace and tried to catch up with his rapid moving godfather. As the two of them entered into the pub, Harry expected to receive a storm of attention from the bar patrons. However, he heard a deafening silence. He looked around at the bar customers, who had halted their conversations to stare at Harry as he entered the bar. Some whispered to each other, while one rather blatant wizard pointed Harry out to his friends. Harry looked around at them confused, not understanding what was going on. Sirius nudged Harry, who reluctantly continued.

        Harry smiled weakly and walked straight through to the secret passage to Diagon Alley. He took out his wand and tapped the bricks on the wall just as Hagrid did...was it five years ago? It didn't seem so to Harry, who was constantly amazed at how fast time was going by for him. The bricks magically pushed themselves aside, and Harry took a step into the wizarding shop street. Harry's jaw dropped in shock when he saw that it was nearly empty.

    Diagon Alley, once a bustling market place, was now nearly half empty. Harry had no trouble walking through the street, which was sparsely filled with wizards and witches who looked eager to purchase things and hurry on their way. Harry didn't understand; Harry could spend forever perusing all of the shops and carts in Diagon Alley. Silence permeated the area, customers barely whispering their orders to shop keepers who looked hassled and stressed. There was no doubt that they were upset that their once prosperous businesses were suffering from a lack of customers. Harry saw numerous discount signs, a desperate attempt to attract customers back to the alley. Harry walked by Quality Quidditch Supplies and saw what looked like a healthy looking crowd, but not the mob that Harry was used to seeing. He walked by Ollivander's, Eyelops Owl Emporium, and at each store there was only a handful of patrons. It was a depressing sight; never before did Harry feel so disappointed. He saw Gringotts up ahead and looked down at Sirius, who too was looking at the emptyness of the street.

    "Where is everyone?" Harry asked, half to himself as he strode towards the bank. Harry saw a mother with her son, who was stubbornly taking forever at a toy cart.

    "Hurry up Stuey, we don't have all day!" the twitchy witch said as she jumped suddenly and looked every which way, as if looking for an attacker.

    "But Mummy, I can't decide!" the boy named Stuey shouted with impatience and frustration. The boy suddenly caught a glimpse of Harry. "Look Mum, it's Harry Potter!" the boy squealed, pointing at Harry's forehead. However, instead of the surprised gaze, the mother grasped her child.

    "Come now, Stuey!" she yelled quickly, pulling the child away from Harry. Harry looked at Sirius, who was looking up at Harry.

    "Do I have the plague or something? Something on my face?" Harry laughed inwardly, thinking about his lightning scar on his forehead. But he stopped his humourous reflections when he noticed that more wizards were glancing at him. Most just ignored him, but others were hurrying away. One particularly unstable witch burst into tears and ran into a cart selling fireworks, sending fireworks into the air and exploding with a crackle. Harry saw wizards jumping to the grounds covering their heads while others apparated away with a pop, the bundles they were carrying dropping to the ground. Harry frowned, clearly noticing that things weren't just tense, they were ready to fall apart. More than ever, Harry wished that Sirius could transform back so that he had someone to talk to. Harry was grateful when he finally saw the doors to the wizarding bank Gringotts. He wanted to get some money, do his shopping, and get out of Diagon Alley. Harry wasn't feeling welcome here, it almost made him sad. He felt so alone as he strode up to the entrance of Gringotts, and for once he almost missed everyone shouting his name and gazing at his forehead. At least then he wasn't a freak, a sort of plague that had unexpectedly swooped down and victimized the wizarding world. Harry was about to enter Gringotts when he heard someone calling his name.

    "Harry! Wait up, Harry!" Harry spun around, instantly recognizing the voice. It was Hermione.

    "Hermione!" Harry yelled, hugging one of his best friends as she ran up to him. Despite Sirius's presence, Harry felt only now that he wasn't alone. He had someone to talk to.

    "Harry, how have you been?" Hermione asked excitedly, glad to see that Harry was all right. She looked and saw Sirius, in dog form. Hermione smiled and petted Sirius's head. "And how are you doing, Snuffles?" Sirius barked animatedly, which Harry and Hermione laughed at. Of course, the mirth from the three of them caused some nearby witches and wizards to scowl.

    "Honestly! Laughing and joking around at a time like this!" a nearby wizard said as he walked away.

    "There goes another one," Harry said, looking at Sirius. "I think they all got on the bad end of a Disenchantment Curse and are all being grumpy."

    "Harry...maybe we should talk," Hermione said, taking Harry's arm and guiding him away from Gringotts. Harry however, stopped.

    "I have to get money, get shopping, and get out of here quickly. Snuffles didn't even want me to come," Harry said, guiding Hermione back into Gringotts. Harry launched into his explanation of his situation with Petunia, the vampire bat, Wormtail, and his dream. Hermione looked at Harry in shock.

    "Wormtail was at Privet Drive? You don't think the protection is wearing off do you?" Hermione asked as Harry told the Gringotts goblin that he wanted to make a withdrawal.

    "I don't know. I mean...the vampire bat wasn't necessarily attacking me. Maybe it attacked Hedwig not knowing that I live there. But I think it's safe to say that my house is not protected by the Fidelius Charm. I think Dumbledore has realized that it isn't as foolproof as it might seem," Harry said grimly, remembering the last time Dumbledore used Fidelius. His parents didn't exactly gain the full protection they thought they had. Hermione seemed to know what Harry was thinking by the grimace Harry had on his face.

    "Dumbledore won't let that happen, Harry. I bet there are loads of enchantments on your house that You-Know-Who can't break through. Remember, Dumbledore is the only wizard You-Know-Who fears."

    "Not for long though. Remember, Trelawney said he'd come back more powerful than before."

    "Harry, let's not panic, ok? Right now, you need to focus on living a regular life," Hermione said in a matter-of-fact voice, although Harry could tell that she was clearly nervous. Harry let the conversation die here when their cart stopped at Harry's vault. The goblin opened the door for Harry, who entered into his vault and scooped some money into his money bag. He looked at the amount, which looked like it was just as full as five years ago. Harry knew that it wasn't true, but it looked like it could last him a lifetime.

    "Hermione, why is everyone avoiding me like the plague?" Harry asked, counting on Hermione's knack for keeping up on the wizarding world. The question made Hermione uncomfortable, but she started to answer as they entered into the cart again.

    "Well...Fudge has been trying to keep You-Know-Who a secret. He still doesn't believe it, but rumors are spreading because Dumbledore told everyone at Hogwarts. So Fudge has been starting a campaign to squash the rumors, and I think he used Rita Skeeter's article as evidence that you made it up. It's awful, he even made his own press release calling you a sham. I think that's why a lot of them are upset."

    "And the others?"

    "The others...I think that they're just disappointed that you didn't stop You-Know-Who once and for all. I think they might all be disappointed that they praised you for a hero when...forget it Harry, just forget it. It's all a load of rubbish, it's not your fault," Hermione said quickly. Harry knew Hermione meant every word of the last statement, but Harry wasn't convinced. Harry felt that he was partially to blame. He did touch the Triwizard Cup, and it was his blood that gave Voldemort power. It was his fault, although Hermione would never admit it. The cart came to a lurching halt. Harry peered forward and saw a burst of green light from up ahead. Harry suddenly thought it was the Killing Curse.

    "Dragon is giving us a problem again. Hold here please!" the goblin said gruffly as he sped off to go help with the dragon. Sirius looked around, but didn't change to human form. Harry looked at Hermione.

    "Wonder what's making the dragon upset. Maybe someone's trying to steal," Harry said.

    "Well...the Gringotts goblins use Peruvian Vipertooths to guard the vaults. They are the worst human-eating dragons in the entire world, so they are appealing to the goblins. Of course, they are the smallest, but I think their viciousness balances that out," Hermione said. Harry was once again struck by how much Hermione knew about the wizarding world. Hermione was staring ahead, seeing another burst of green flame, and maybe it was just the way the green light illuminated the hall, but Harry noticed that Hermione was pretty. She hadn't really changed from before, she had the same bushy hair, although she did grow a couple of inches since Harry last saw her. But even though she hadn't changed, and even though she was still the same old Hermione, Harry noticed how undeniably pretty she was. Harry stopped staring at her and looked down at his shoes, trying to occupy himself with his shoelace as Hermione looked over at him.

    "Harry...I have something to tell you." Harry looked up. The last time someone said that Petunia became a witch. He wasn't looking forward to another shocking revelation. He smiled and waited patiently for Hermione to slug him with some bad news. She looked down, and muttered, "I'm a prefect." And before Harry could say anything else, Hermione launched into a monologue. "I know you guys don't like prefects, and that you always make fun of Percy, and that you always think I'm a know-it-all, but I still want to be friends with you, and I don't want things to change!" Harry started to laugh, a laugh that echoed through the hallway.    

    "Hermione, it's quite all right. I'm a prefect too!" Harry said. Hermione looked at him strangely.

    "Don't make fun, Harry," she said, but Harry insisted.

    "I really am! Ask Sirius!" Hermione looked at Sirius, who nodded his head up and down. Hermione looked like she was about to cry as she hugged Harry.

    "Oh good! Now I won't have to worry about you and Ron teasing me!" Hermione said. Out of the darkness a goblin returned the cart.

    "We'll be on our way, now, thank you for your patience," the goblin said in a way that Harry felt he didn't really mean his apology.

*****

    Harry, Hermione, and Sirius exited Gringotts and went through the shops, picking up their school things. Harry had found out that Hermione found out from Sirius about when Harry would be at Diagon Alley, knowing that he needed someone to talk to and that Ron wasn't going to be able to leave home. As they shopped they chatted about their summer holidays, things they've done, and even talked about their upcoming fifth year.

    "I'm really worried. I've been working on O.W.L. practice papers all summer and all last year, and I don't think I'm prepared enough," Hermione said worriedly. She had just bought a copy of The O.W.L. Exams: The Study Guide to Keep your Sanity. Harry felt that Hermione was probably overreacting, but he knew that this year he definately had to study for his O.W.L.'s., if for any other reason but to get to pick his own classes next year instead of taking the ones he failed over again. Harry's money bag was lighter than before after he finished his shopping, but he didn't want to return to Privet Drive. Now that he had someone to talk to, he was able to ignore the scowls of other witches and wizards. They were having fun, although they both said that they both wished Ron could be there with them. Harry couldn't wait until the three of them were all together again, enjoying school. Harry, Hermione, and Sirius entered into the Leaky Cauldron. Harry and Sirius entered into one of the rooms (Harry was still on good graces with the owner) and Sirius transformed back into human form.

    "Harry, I think it's time to return home," Sirius said, stretching his arms over his head.

    "Everything's fine here Sirius. We're having a good time, I think that we're perfectly safe from Voldemort," Harry said.

    "Yes, but there are far too few wizards here to protect you. And besides, most of them aren't going to be willing to help you under present conditions," Sirius said gravely.

    "Sirius, just a few more minutes. Let's just get an ice cream at Fortescue's Ice Cream shop and then go home. We can leave our baggage here and just relax." Harry looked at his godfather.

    "Ice cream does sound nice," Sirius said smiling. "Too bad I won't be able to eat it."

    "I'll have some saved," Harry said, grinning. Sirius turned back to his Animagus form and they both, accompanied by Hermione, went to Fortescue's to enjoy some ice cream.

*****

    Harry and Hermione were chatting casually as they sipped at their ice creams. They both looked around at the passing wizards and noticed an unnaturally large crowd gathered near Gringotts.

    "That's a large crowd for the way Diagon Alley seemed to be earlier," Harry said. Sirius stood up, clearly observing the large crowd.

    "Fancy a peek?" Hermione said, looking interestedly at the crowd. The three of them walked up to the crowd to see what they were all looking at. It seemed to be a huge scoreboard, similar to the one at the Quidditch World Cup. Harry saw the face of a wizard spanning the entire screen. It was the face of the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge.

    "Greetings, consumers and shopkeepers at Diagon Alley. This is just a friendly message to thank you for shopping at Diagon Alley, one of the safest places in the wizarding world to shop! Bring as many friends as you can and buy as much as you can afford!" The voice kept speaking, but practically the whole crowd stopped listening to him.

    "...he won't even mention You-Know-Who!" said one witch softly to another.

    "Maybe it IS just a rumor," the other witch said, looking uninterested. Hermione looked at Harry, and shrugged.

    "Stupid really, that message. Why doesn't he just accept things and then the whole wizarding world can fight back?"

    "He probably doesn't want to start a panic," Harry said, nervously eyeing the crowd. He didn't want to get surrounded by a crowd when they were all being so hostile to him. He, Hermione, and Sirius moved away from Gringotts and headed back to the Leaky Cauldron to pick up their things. Harry was starting to say something when he saw the mystery witch again. He turned to Hermione.

    "Did you see her?" Harry asked.

    "Who?" Hermione said. Harry looked back, and she was gone.

    "I keep seeing this witch, and she always disappears when I look back!" Harry said. Hermione was about to say something when a large explosion forced them to the ground.