"Harry! Harry! Over here!"

Harry looked at the top of the white flight of step to Gringotts to see Hermione Granger running down them, her bushy brown hair flying behind her.

"I've been so worried ... Hello, Hagrid ... oh, it's wonderful to see you two again ... was that Professor Black ... are you coming into Gringotts, Harry?"

"As soon as I've found the Weasleys,' said Harry.

"Yeh won't have long ter wait," grinned Hagrid.

Harry and Hermione looked around; sprinting up the crowded street were Ron, Fred, George, Percy and Mr. Weasley.

"Harry," Mr. Weasley panted, "We hoped you'd only gone one grate to far..." he mopped his glistening bald patch, "Molly's frantic— she's coming now."

"Where did you come out?" Ron asked.

"Knockturn Alley," Hagrid said grimly.

"Brilliant!" said Fred and George together.

"We're never been allowed in," Ron said enviously.

"I should ruddy well think not," growled Hagrid, "It's dangerous for children, yer can get killed."

Mrs. Weasley now came galloping into view, her handbag swinging wildly in one hand, Ginny just clinging onto the other.

"Oh, Harry — oh, my dear — you could have been anywhere—"

"Well, gotta be off," said Hagrid who was having his hand wrung by Mrs. Weasley, "See yer at Hogwarts!" and he strode away, head and shoulders taller than anyone else in the packed street with his crate of 'fireworks'.

"Guess who I saw in Borgin and Burkes?" Harry asked Ron and Hermione as they climbed the Gringotts steps, "Malfoy and his father."

"Did Lucius Malfoy buy anything?" Mr. Weasley asked sharply behind them.

"No, he was selling," Harry said, deciding it was better to not mention Professor Black and his buying of goods.

"So he's worried," Mr. Weasley said with grim satisfaction, "Oh, I'd love to get Lucius Malfoy for something..."

"You be careful, Arthur," said Mrs. Weasley sharply, as they were ushered into the bank by a bowing goblin at the door, "That family's trouble, don't go biting off more than you can chew."

"So you don't think I'm a match for Lucius Malfoy?" Mr. Weasley said indignantly, but he was distracted almost at once by the sight of Hermione's parents, who were standing nervously at the counter that ran all along the great marble hall, waiting for Hermione to introduce them.

"But you're Muggles!" said Mr. Weasley delightedly.

"We must have a drink! What's that you've got there? Oh, you're changing Muggle money. Molly, look!" He pointed excitedly at the ten-pound notes in Mr. Granger's hand.

"Meet you back here," Ron said to Hermione, as the Weasleys and Harry led off to their underground vaults by another Gringotts goblin.

The vaults were reached by means of small, goblin driven carts that sped along miniature train-tracks through the bank's underground tunnels. Harry enjoyed the breakneck journey down to the Weasleys' vault, but felt dreadful, far worse than he had in Knockturn Alley, when it was opened. There was a small pile of silver Sickles inside, and just one old Galleon. Mrs. Weasley felt right into the corners before sweeping the whole lot into her bag. Harry felt even worse when they reached his vault. He tried to block the contents from view as he hastily shoved handfuls of coins into a leather bag.

Back outside on the marble steps, they all separated. Percy muttered vaguely about needing a new quill. Fred and George had spotted their friend from Hogwarts, Lee Jordan. Mrs. Weasley and Ginny were going to a second-hand robe shop. Mr. Weasley was insisting on taking the Grangers off to the Leaky Cauldron for a drink.

"We'll all meet at Flourish and Blotts in an hour to buy your school books," said Mrs. Weasley, setting off with Ginny, "and not one step down Knockturn Alley!" she shouted at the twins' retreating backs.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione strolled off along the winding, cobbled street. The bag of gold. silver, and bronze jangling cheerfully in Harry's pocket was clamoring to be spent, so he brought three large strawberry and peanut-butter ice creams which they slurped happily as they wandered up the alley, examining the fascinating shop windows. Ron gazed longingly at a full set of Chudley Cannon robes in the windows of 'Quality Quidditch Supplies' Hermione dragged them off to buy ink and parchment next door. "Don't forget to get some spell-a-tape, there good for placing photos and letters," Ron reminded Harry in the shop who got three giant roles of tape.

In Gambol and Japes Wizarding Joke Shop, they met Fred, George, and Lee Jordan, who were stocking up on 'Dr Filibuster's Fabulous Wet-Start , No-Heat Fireworks', and in tiny junk shop full of broken wands, wonky brass scales and old cloaks covered in potion stains they found Percy, deeply immersed in a small and deeply boring book called 'Perfects Who Gained Power'.

"A study of Hogwarts Prefects and their later careers," Ron read aloud off the back cover, "That sounds fascinating..."

"Go away," Percy snapped.

"Course, he's very ambitious, Percy, he's got it all planned out ... he wants to be Minister of Magic..." Ron told Harry and Hermione in an undertone, as they left Percy to it.

The trio started to hear loud up-beat music and noticed a growing commotion of wizard and witches, coming from a side street of Diagon Alley, just on the right of Gringotts.

"Hey Ron, what do you think is going on over there?" Harry asked as they started to head over to the excitement.

"Bloody Hell if I know, that's Carkitt Market, it was mostly just for foreigners or people who liked to travel a lot but then some rich wizard bought most of the buildings, ten years back I think. Then fixed up the whole place and hosts a lot of events there, shows and stuff. Dad said that the businesses that weren't bought out, became really rich now because of it, so most of the shops there are pretty high end. That's when the more expensive shops and restaurants that rich wizard owned started to move in," Ron explained as they saw a sign on top of the side street that looked eerily similar to the sign above Professor Black's classroom back at Hogwarts.

"And what was the name of the rich wizard Ron?" Hermione asked taking in the sight of the street. The entire street centered around a giant wrought iron arcade with beautifully colored shops around it as people bustled around.

"I don't remember, but I can probably guess who." Ron said as they saw what reminded Harry of a festival on the telly back at the Dursleys, although it could be easily be seen that this nothing like a muggle festival, maybe like an opening day of a expensive muggle mall.

There were stores selling all kinds of goods and stuff. Sugarplum's Sweet Shop; Try are Grapefruit Turkish Delights, 2 sickles! Dr. Filibuster's Fireworks; New showing of flower power rockets and wiggle bangs! Concordia Plunkett Musical Instruments; Harp lesson, 5 sickles an hour!

Of course this not counting what looked like expensive five star restaurants. Oyster Pearls Sea Food, Foie de Poisson French Cuisine, and Steaks & Such American food.

Although, the store that seemed to be making the most attraction was a giant one at the end of the ally way labeled, 'The Silver Bottle' with large banner on top saying 'Now featuring three hundred and nineteen original potions! Demonstration throughout August.'

"I'm not even surprised anymore," Ron said as they continued onto the back to see the different demonstrations.

It seemed like there were small booths all around the market place, showcasing different potions, witches and wizards already quickly huddling to see the view.

"Oh look! There is a pamphlet telling of what is being showcased today!" Hermione said as she hurried over to get three of them.

"Quick Growth Plant Grower: Springs Plant Growth for Immediate Harvest; Booth 1 for Vegetables, Roots, and Herbs and Booth 2 for Fruit, Flowers, and Magical.

Smooth Skin Repair Cream: Fixes Marks, Scars, and Blemishes; Booth 4.

Stainless Luster Repair: Removes Heavy Tarnish on Metals; Booth 8 for Cookware, Booth 9 for enchanted items, and Booth 10 for other. This is so exciting, let's look at all of them!" Hermione said as she dragged Harry and Ron with her.

An hour later, they headed for Flourish and Blotts.

They were by no means the only one making their way to the book shop. Surprisingly enough, another crowd was outside the doors, trying to get in. They weren't like the group of people they saw at Carkitt Market, this one mostly consistent of witches around Mrs. Weasley's age. The reason for this was proclaimed by a large banner stretched across the upper windows:

Gilderoy Lockhart

will be signing copies of his autobiography

MAGICAL ME

today 12:30 - 4: 30 p.m.

"We can actually meet him!" Hermione squealed, "I mean, he's written almost the whole book list!"

A harassed-looking wizard stood at the door, saying, "Calmly, please ladies ... don't push, there ... mind the books, now..."

Harry, Ron and Hermione squeezed inside. A long queue wound right to the back of the shop, where Gilderoy Lockhart was signing his books and sneaked up the line to where the rest of the Weasleys were standing with Mr and Mrs Granger.

"Oh, there you are, good," said Mrs. Weasley. She sounded breathless and kept patting her hair, "We'll be able to see him in a minute..."

Gilderoy Lockhart came slowly into view, seated at a table surrounded by large pictures of his own face, all winking and flashing dazzlingly white teeth at the crowd. The real Lockhart was wearing robes of forget-me-not blue which exactly matched his eyes; his pointed wizard's hat was set at a jaunty angle on his wavy hair.

A short, irritable-looking an was dancing around taking photographs with a large black camera that emitted puffs of purple smoke with every blinding flash. "Out of the way, there," he snarled at Ron, moving back to get a better shot, "This is for the Daily Prophet."

"Big deal," said Ron, rubbing his foot where the photographer had stepped on it.

Gilderoy Lockhart heard him. He looked up. He saw Ron— and then he saw Harry. He stared. Then he leapt to his feet and positively shouted, "It an't be Harry Potter?"

The crowd parted, whispering excitedly. Lockhart dived forward, seized Harry's arm and pulled him to the front. The crowd burst into applause. Harry's face burned as Lockhart shook his hand for the photographer, who was clicking away madly, wafting thick smoke over the Weasleys.

"Nice big smile, Harry," said Lockhart through his own gleaming teeth, "Together, you and I are worth the front page."

When he finally let go of Harry's hand, Harry could hardly feel his fingers. He tried to sidle back over to the Weasleys, but Lockhart threw an arm around his shoulders and clamped him tightly to his side.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he said loudly, waving for quiet, "What an extraordinary moment this is! The perfect moment for me to make a little announcement I've been sitting on for some time! When young Harry here stepped into Flourish and Blotts today, he only wanted to but my autobiography — which I shall be happy to present him now, free of charge—," the crowd applauded again, "— he had no idea," Lockhart continued, giving Harry a little shake that made his glasses slip to the end of his nose, "that he would shortly be getting much, much more than my book, Magical Me. He and his school fellows will, in fact, be getting the real, magical me. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I have great pleasure and pride in announcing that, this September, I will be taking up the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and WIzardry!"

The crowd cheered and clapped and Harry found himself being presented with the entire works of Gilderoy Lockhart. Staggering slightly under their weight, he managed to make his way out of the limelight to the edge of the room, where Ginny was standing next to her new cauldron.

"You can have these," Harry mumbled to her, tipping the books into the cauldron, "I'll buy my own—"

"Bet you loved that, didn't you, Potter?" said a voice Harry had no trouble recognizing. He straightened up and found himself face to face with Draco Malfoy, who was wearing his usual sneer.

"Famous Harry Potter, " Draco Malfoy said, "Can't even go into a bookshop  without making the front page."

"Leave him alone, he didn't want all that!" Ginny said, it was the first time she had spoken in front of Harry. She glared at Malfoy.

"Potter, you've got yourself a girlfriend," Draco drawled. Ginny went scarlet as Ron and Hermione fought their way over, both clutching stacks of Lockhart's books, Hermiones tied together in a thick silver ribbon.

"Oh, it's you," Ron said, looking at Draco as if he were something unpleasant on the sole of his shoe, "Bet you're surprised to see Harry here, eh?"

"Not as surprised as I am to see you in a shop, Weasley," Draco retorted, "I suppose your parents will go hungry for a month to pay for that lot."

Ron went as red as Ginny. He dropped his books into the cauldron, too, and started towards Draco, but Harry and Hermione grabber the back of his jacket.

"Ron!" Mr. Weasley, struggling over with Fred and George, "What are you doing? It's mad in here, let's go outside."

"Well, well, well -- Arthur Weasley."

It was Mr. Malfoy. He stood with his hand on Draco's shoulder, sneering in just the same way.

"Lucius," Mr. Weasley said, nodding coldly.

"Busy time at the Ministry, I hear," said Mr. Malfoy, "All those raids ... I hope they're paying you overtime?"

He reached into Ginny's cauldron and extracted, from amidst the glossy Lockhart books, a very old, very battered copy of 'A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration.'

"Obviously not," he said, "Dear me, what's the use of being a disgrace to the name of wizard if they don't even pay you well for it?"

Mr. Weasley flushed darker than either Ron or Ginny.

"We have a very different idea of what disgraces the name of wizard, Malfoy," he said.

"Clearly," said Mr. Malfoy, his pale eyes straying to Mr and Mrs. Granger, who were watching apprehensively, "The company you keep, Weasley ... and I thought your family could sink no lower--"

There was a thud of metal as Ginny's cauldron went flying; Mr. Weasley had thrown himself at Mr. Malfoy, knocking him backwards into a bookshelf. Dozens of heavy spellbooks came thundering down on all their heads; there was a yell of "Get him, Dad!" from Fred or George; Mrs. Weasley was shrieking, "No, Arthur, no!"; the crowd stampeded backwards, knocking more shelves over; "Gentlemen, please -- please!" cried the assistant and then, louder than all, "Break it up, there, gents, break it up--"

Hagrid was wading towards them through the sea of books. In an instant he had pulled Mr. Weasley and Mr. Malfoy apart. Mr. Weasley had a cut lip and Mr. Malfoy had been hit in the eye by an 'Encyclopedia of Toadstools.' He was still holding Ginny's old transfiguration book. He thrust it at her, his eyes glittering with malice, "Here, girl -- take your book -- it's the best your father can give you--"

"My my, Lord Malfoy, picking fights in public, how the mighty have fallen," Professor Black said as the crowd parted way from his presence alone, striding in the store with his head held high. Harry knew take there was just something that felt different about him then when he was at Hogwarts, almost scary or dangrous.

"Lord Black, still protecting the undeserving," Mr. Malfoy said looking at Professor Black with disapproval before beckoning to Draco and swept form the shop.

"Yeh should've ignored him, Arthur," said Hagrid, almost lifting Mr. Weasley off his feet as he straightened his robes, "Come on now -- let's get outta here."

They hurried up the street, the Grangers shaking with fright and Mrs. Weasley beside herself with fury.

"A fine example to set to your children ... brawling in public ... what Gilderoy Lockhart must've thought..."

"He was pleased," Fred said, "Didn't you hear him as we were leaving? He was asking that bloke from the Daily Prophet if he'd be able to work the fight into his report -- said it was all publicity."

"Uh-hem," came a voice from behind them belonging to a man, "My apologies to the situation with Mr. Malfoy, I didn't think he would become so public on his opinions, might I buy lunch for your group as compensation?," Professor Black offered to Harry, the Grangers and the Weasleys without looking at all as imitating as he was a few moments ago.

"Oh, you don't have to do that dear," Mrs. Weasley tried to say.

"Please, I insist. It will be I'm treat." Professor Black said back, giving a charming smile to Mrs. Weasley.

"Well since your offering--" Fred said has he miraculously appeared on the left Regulus.

"Who are we to say no?" George said appearing on the right side.

So that's how they spent there lunch 'Foie de Poisson' eating french cuisine and dessert with the occasional talk of school, potions, and muggles.

Harry can't say this was not a satisfying trip.

Bonus

•I honestly wasn't sure if I should write down everything if I wasn't going to change it all, but thought, why not, easier to blend in my writing.

•For all the Potterheads that know of Carkitt Market, your welcome.

•Regulus hosts potions displays only though August, that's why Harry didn't know about it last year.

•I'm so sorry if I offended anyone with the restaurant name, but quite literally, the first thing that popped into my mind for a restaurant was that.

•Anyone who is willing to pay for lunch at a expensive restaurant is to good for this world.