Hogwarts Homecoming

Finally, Mrs. Weasley took Harry and his party to Diagon Alley.

Because Remus believed that it was necessary to understand the real reaction of the people after the Ministry of Magic announced the resurrection of Voldemort.

As the commercial center of wizards, Diagon Alley can undoubtedly give people intuitive changes.

"No one is allowed to run around and must follow me closely."

At Harry's request, after sending a letter to Amosta, Remus looked at the children sternly,

"I guess Diagon Alley won't be so peaceful now."

"Don't worry, Remus--"

Fred, the twin, didn't take it seriously and said with a smile,

"We promise to obey management!"

"Just like those workers in your workshop!"

George followed suit.

Remus shook his head helplessly, and then looked at the three Harrys.

Having witnessed Voldemort's wrath in his dream, Harry could not still be optimistic about the current situation. Seeing Remus' concerned eyes, he shook his head heavily.

"let's go--"

Mrs. Weasley pushed Ginny's shoulder lightly,

"Let's meet up at the Leaky Cauldron first."

There was a flash of green fire, and Ginny disappeared into the kitchen.

Fred and George followed, and Ron entered the fireplace at Mrs. Weasley's urging.

"Come on, Harry—"

Hermione held Harry's shoulders and looked at him worriedly.

Harry knew that Hermione might have guessed that she had seen Voldemort in the 'dream' again. He reluctantly smiled at her, and then disappeared into the surging green flames.

The warm flames licked Harry's back and pushed him gently out of the fireplace. He staggered two steps and bumped into several members of the Weasley family who stood there like a wall.

"Why are you standing here stupidly?"

Looking back at Hermione and Remus who came out of the flames one after another, Harry raised his eyebrows. He walked around Ginny and looked closer.

With just one glance, Harry's expression froze.

The dirty, noisy bar in his impression was gone, and what appeared in front of him was an empty hall:

All the tables and chairs in the bar were piled up in the southeast corner of the hall until they touched the ceiling.

On the wine shelf behind the bar, all the wine bottles covered with oil stains had been removed, and not even a single glass was left.

The owner of this bar that each of them was familiar with, the busy old hunchback Tom who always served the guests with a humble smile when facing the guests, was no longer in their sight.

The back door of the bar leading to Diagon Alley was boarded up, and the windows were sealed. Only the sad white sunlight shined through the gaps in the boards on the floor that seemed to have been swept.

Squeak, squeak, squeak—

Harry stepped on the rotten floor, his eyes darting back and forth in shock.

“The Leaky Cauldron.”

"Hey, look at this!"

George had already quickly touched the bar, picked up a wooden board from the bar and showed it to everyone.

Harry immediately looked over and saw crooked words written on a moth-eaten and pitted wooden board that George was holding:

'Suspension of business'

"Closed?"

Mrs. Weasley looked worried.

"The Leaky Cauldron. But even last time, it was always open!"

"I bet it won't be more than ten minutes."

Hermione pursed her lips and said something that surprised Ron.

"The paint isn't dry yet!"

Remus frowned and was about to say something. Suddenly, there was a creaking and shaking sound coming from the stairs leading to the second floor behind the bar. His expression changed and he looked solemnly at the dark staircase.

"Get your wands out!"

"We are not adults yet, Harry, so we are not allowed to use magic!"

Seeing that Harry took out his wand without hesitation, Hermione said in a sharp voice.

"The law says that if you're attacked, Hermione—"

Remus said in a deep voice,

"If only Minister Bones knew better!"

The people on the stairs seemed to have heard the conversation downstairs. The footsteps suddenly stopped, and the two sides faced each other across a fragile wooden wall.

Gulu——

Harry leaned down and glanced left and right.

It is not wise for them to stand together. If the other party suddenly attacks, a range of magic spells can affect everyone.

"Who's down there?"

Suddenly, the man on the middle stage of the stairs spoke, and after hearing his voice, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

The wary look on Remus's face dissipated, and he breathed a sigh of relief, but did not withdraw his wand.

"Remus Lupin, the Weasleys, Hermione Granger, and Harry Potter--"

"Ah, Mr. Potter?"

When Old Tom heard this, he no longer had any scruples. He thumped down the stairs, and the big suitcase behind him also floated down.

Old Tom, who jumped down the stairs, looked at Harry first and smiled respectfully.

"Long time no see, Mr. Potter, and Mr. Lupin!"

"haven't seen you for a long time--"

Harry twitched his fingers and slid his wand into his sleeve.

"Tom--"

Remus nodded at Old Tom,

"We were going to Diagon Alley, so--"

Remus stretched out a finger and pointed at the sign in George's hand.

“but found”

"Oh, yes, that's right, Mr. Lupin, I'm afraid the Leaky Cauldron will have to take a break for a while -"

Old Tom grimaced,

"Surely you are all aware of the press conference that Minister Bones and Mr. Blaine had this morning?"

"But what does this have to do with you?"

Ron asked in surprise.

"Oh, what does it matter?"

Old Tom's face became more bitter,

"Mr. Weasley, you should know that this pub is not more than a mile from Gringotts, right?"

"so--"

Ron still looked confused.

"Come and take a look, everyone--"

Old Tom waved to them and led them to the closed wooden door.

The wooden door was opened, and they came to the backyard of the Leaky Cauldron. Then, several people penetrated the red brick wall.

Wow!

The noise and light of the whole world suddenly flooded Harry's ears and eyes, making him uncomfortable.

"Oh my God--"

Ginny's incredible whisper reached his ears, causing Harry to quickly open his eyes and look around.

Bang!

Two carriages laden with large boxes collided as they scrambled for space on the cobblestones.

A box on one of the carriages tipped over and hit them with a thud.

The box popped open, and several shiny and exquisite flying broomsticks rolled out.

"hiss"

Ron suddenly took a breath,

"Firebolt!"

The other carriage that seized the opportunity drove away without even apologising. The owner of the Quidditch boutique jumped off the carriage with a curse, and hurriedly packed up the scattered boxes with the two clerks in the store. .

Scenes like this abound on the streets.

Harry watched blankly as the salesperson of Flourish and Blotts Bookstore not far away waved his wand, causing a book on the bookshelf in the store to fly into a box on the carriage parked at the door.

His eyes twisted, and he saw that the Owl Store salesperson had already emptied the store and was hanging a 'temporarily closed' sign on the door.

Less than half of the shops in Diagon Alley have closed their doors, while others are also in full swing.

"Remus, and you?"

Among the noise, Harry suddenly heard a familiar voice.

"Oh, Percy!"

Mrs. Weasley hurriedly left Ginny, rushed to the skinny wizard who was escorting a car not far away, and hugged him fiercely.

"Hello, mom——"

Percy only gave Mrs. Weasley a quick hug, then left him and came to Remus.

"The situation is urgent and we have also decided to evacuate the store in Diagon Alley. We have not had time to report it yet."

Percy said.

"The decision to retreat was a wise one, Percy."

Remus had come to his senses and waved his hand to indicate his approval of Percy's decision.

"What the hell are you doing!"

This apocalyptic chaos completely confused Ron.

"Does this need to be said?"

Percy was a little surprised by Ron's dullness.

"Since Professor Brain has decided to start a war with the mysterious man in Diagon Alley, of course they have to flee! (End of Chapter)