Chapter 240: Ice Cream Escapade
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On the day of the meeting, Harry got ready and headed to Diagon Alley. The bustling street was filled with witches and wizards going about their shopping, and Harry enjoyed the vibrant atmosphere. He spotted his friends gathered near Quality Quidditch Supplies, the excitement palpable.
Harry saw his friends forming a part of a large crowd in front of Quality Quidditch Supplies. The air buzzed with excitement as witches and wizards of all ages craned their necks to get a glimpse of the latest broomstick. Harry's heart lifted at the sight of his closest friends waiting for him. Cho, Pansy, the Weasley twins, Patil twins, Cedric, Lavender, Blaise, and others were also present, mingling and chatting animatedly.
"Harry, over here!" Daphne called, waving him over. Her bright smile was contagious, and Harry quickened his pace to join them.
As he approached, Hermione stepped forward, her eyes twinkling with curiosity. "Have you seen it yet, Harry? The Firebolt? It's supposed to be incredible."
Harry grinned. "Not yet, but I've heard great things. Let's go take a look."
The group pushed their way through the throng of people, finally reaching the front of the store. Inside, the Firebolt was displayed on a raised platform, its sleek design and polished finish gleaming under the enchanted lights. The shopkeeper was in the middle of a demonstration, highlighting its superior speed and handling.
Neville, always eager to learn, leaned closer to Harry. "What do you think, Harry? Worth the hype?"
Harry nodded, his eyes never leaving the broom. "Definitely. It's the fastest broom ever made. Perfect for Quidditch."
"Can you imagine the matches you could win with that?" Ginny said, her excitement evident. "You'd be unbeatable."
The twins, Fred and George, exchanged a mischievous glance. "He is already unbeatable. We, on the other hand, could certainly use it to catch up with him," Fred said, a sly grin forming on his face.
"Imagine the pranks we could pull," George added, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
Hermione rolled her eyes but smiled. "Just don't get yourselves into too much trouble."
Harry grinned, "What she's trying to say is, don't lose points for her."
Hermione huffed but couldn't hide her smile. "Exactly. Keep the pranks within reason."
Fred and George exchanged mock-serious nods. "Of course, Hermione. We'll be on our best behavior," George said.
"Scout's honor," Fred added, crossing his fingers behind his back.
The group laughed and continued to admire the Firebolt. Blaise nudged Harry, "So, are you thinking of getting one?"
Harry shook his head, a sly smile playing on his lips. "Already got one on order."
Daphne raised an eyebrow, impressed. "Always a step ahead, aren't you, Harry?"
"Just making sure we stay on top," Harry replied casually. "But let's see what else is new around here."
They spent the next few hours exploring Diagon Alley, stopping by various shops and enjoying the summer day. Harry made sure to visit the Apothecary to pick up some rare potion ingredients he'd been wanting to experiment with.
As they walked out of the shop, Susan came near Harry. "You know, you own the biggest potion shop in all of Britain and have the best suppliers. Why do you even shop from other places?"
Harry smiled mysteriously. "It's important to keep the economy alive. Monopoly isn't a good thing." He then noticed Tracey, who had been oddly silent. He moved closer to her and leaned in. "What's wrong, Tracey?" he asked gently.
Tracey glanced up, her expression troubled. "Nothing, just... thinking," she replied, not meeting his eyes.
Harry frowned, unconvinced. "Come on, Tracey. You know you can talk to me."
Daphne approached them, ensuring no one else was within earshot. "She's worried about her electives this year," she explained quietly. "Tracey doesn't want to take Muggle Studies, but Aunt Marianne insists it's essential for learning her Muggle side, she says."
Harry nodded, understanding the predicament. "What do you want to take, Tracey?" he asked, turning to her with genuine interest.
Tracey sighed, her expression troubled. "I'd prefer Arithmancy, Care of Magical Creatures or Ancient Runes. I'm not really into outdated Muggle Studies they teach at Hogwarts."
Harry considered this. "Both Arithmancy and Ancient Runes are solid choices. They open a lot of doors, especially if you're aiming for something beyond the traditions."
Daphne added supportively, "You should follow what you're passionate about, Tracey. It's your education and future."
Tracey looked downcast, her shoulders slumping. "I tell Mum the same, but she just doesn't listen."
Harry placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "How about I talk to her? Let's have a barbecue this weekend. Will Uncle Jonathan be available?"
Daphne smiled at Harry's suggestion. "Uncle Jonathan's always up for a good barbecue. Plus, he loves talking business with you."
Tracey's eyes brightened a bit. "Really? That would be great, Harry. Maybe you can convince her."
Harry nodded confidently. "We'll make it work. Now, let's enjoy the rest of the day."
They continued exploring Diagon Alley, visiting various shops and enjoying the lively atmosphere. Harry made sure to engage everyone in conversation, keeping the mood light and fun. The group laughed and chatted, sharing stories and jokes as they wandered from shop to shop.
As Harry and his friends moved through the bustling streets of Diagon Alley, the group's lively chatter and laughter filled the air. At some point, Harry noticed Luna lingering at the edge of the crowd, her eyes wistfully watching the others. Seizing the moment, he gently pulled her away from the group and steered her toward Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour.
"I saw you eyeing the ice cream when we passed by," he said with a warm smile.
Luna's face lit up with a bright smile, her usual dreamy expression giving way to genuine happiness. "I really wanted to have some, but it seemed like everyone else had other plans," she admitted, a hint of hesitation in her voice.
Harry tapped her nose playfully. "Then let's sneak away for a bit and get ourselves a scoop or a bucket."
This made Luna giggle. "You always know how to make things fun, Harry."
Inside the ice cream parlour, the cool air and the sweet scent of various flavors greeted them. Florean Fortescue himself was behind the counter, serving another customer. When he saw Harry and Luna, he beamed and waved them over.
"What can I get for you two today?" he asked cheerfully.
Harry glanced at the colorful array of ice cream flavors. "I'll have a chocolate and raspberry swirl," he said, going with his all time favorite.
Luna looked thoughtfully at the options before her. "I'll have the same," she decided, her eyes twinkling.
They took their ice cream to a small table by the window, where they could watch the hustle and bustle of Diagon Alley. Luna took a bite of her ice cream and sighed happily. "This is perfect. Thank you, Harry."
Harry grinned. "I'm glad you like it. Sometimes it's nice to just take a moment and enjoy the little things."
As they enjoyed their ice cream, they chatted about the various magical creatures Luna loved to talk about and the latest book she was reading. Harry found her enthusiasm infectious, and he couldn't help but be drawn into her world of magical wonders.
"Did you see a Crumple-Horned Snorkack in Nigeria? I heard they are really relentless in there." Luna asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.
Harry shook his head. "I can't say that I have, but I'd love to hear more about them."
Luna launched into a detailed description of the elusive creature, her face glowing with excitement. Harry listened intently, appreciating her unique perspective on the magical world.
When they returned, the group was planning to settle for lunch before going their separate ways, but due to their large number, they couldn't find a diner that could accommodate them all. Harry suggested they head to the Muggle side of town, but some of the pure-bloods hesitated.
"It's a different experience, trust me," Harry assured them, knowing their hesitation stemmed from unfamiliarity. "The food is worth it."
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