The bar of the Leaky Cauldron was nearly deserted. Ton, the stooped and

Toothless landlord, was polishing glasses behind the bar counter; a couple of warlocks

Having a muttered conversation in the far corner glanced at Hermione and drew back into

The shadows.

"Madam Lestrange," murmured Tom, and as Hermione paused he inclined his

Head subserviently.

"Good morning," said Hermione, and as Harry crept past, still carrying Griphook

Piggyback under the Cloak, he saw Tom look surprised.

"Too polite," Harry whispered in Hermione's ear as they passed out of the Inn into

the tiny backyard. "You need to treat people like they're scum!"

"Okay, okay!"

Hermione drew out Bellatrix's wand and rapped a brick in the nondescript wall in

front of them. At once the bricks began to whirl and spin: A hole appeared in the middle

Of them, which grew wider and wider, finally forming an archway onto the narrow

Cobbled street that was Diagon Alley.

It was quiet, barely time for the shops to open, and there were hardly and

Shoppers abroad. The crooked, cobbled street was much altered now from the bustling

Place Harry had visited before his first team at Hogwarts so many years before. More

Shops than ever were boarded up, though several new establishments dedicated to the

Dark Arts had been created since his last visit. Harry's own face glared down at him from

Posters plastered over many windows, always captioned with the words UNDESIRABLE

NUMBER ONE.

A number of ragged people sat huddled in doorways. He heard them moaning to

The few passersby, pleading for gold, insisting that they were really wizards. One man

Had a bloody bandage over his eye.

As they set off along the street, the beggars glimpsed Hermione. they seemed to

Melt away before her, drawing hoods over their faces and fleeing as fast as they could.

Hermione looked after them curiously, until the man with the bloodied bandage came

Staggering right across her path.

"My children," he bellowed, pointing at her. His voice was cracked, high-pitched,

he sounded distraught. "Where are my children? What has he done with them? You know,

you know!"

"I--I really--" stammered Hermione.

The man lunged at her, reaching for her throat. Then, with a bang and a burst of

Red light he was thrown backward onto the ground, unconscious. Ron stood there, his

Wand still outstretched and a look of shock visible behind his beard. Faces appeared at the

Windows on either side of the street, while a little knot of prosperous-looking passerby

Gathered their robes about them and broke into gentle trots, keen to vacate the scene.

Their entrance into Diagon Alley could hardly have been more conspicuous; for a

Moment Harry wondered whether it might not be better to leave now and try to think of a

Different plan. Before they could move or consult one another, however, they heard a cry

From behind them.

"Why, Madam Lestrange!"

Harry whirled around and Griphook tightened his hold around Harry's neck: A tall,

Think wizard with a crown of bushy gray hair and a long, sharp nose was striding toward

Them.

"It's Travers," hissed the goblin into Harry's ear, but at that moment Harry could

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 731