The next morning everyone was down for breakfast except Percy. Breakfast was a giant pile of bacon sandwiches. Harry was reading over the list of books for the school year. Fred and I peer over his shoulder reading it.

SECOND YEAR STUDENTS WILL REQUIRE:

The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 2 by Miranda Goshawk

Break with a Banshee by Gilderoy Lockhart

Gadding with Ghouls by Gilderoy Lockhart

Holidays with Hags by Gilderoy Lockhart

Travels with Trolls by Gilderoy Lockhart

Voyages with Vampires by Gilderoy Lockhart

Wanderings with Werewolves by Gilderoy Lockhart

Year with the Yeti by Gilderoy Lockhart

I roll my eyes at all the Lockhart books. It must be a rather lucrative way to sell books, what a scummy way to do things. He must have made a deal with a professor or something. disgusting.

"You've been told to get all Lockhart's books, too!" Fred says a bit surprised. "The new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher must be a fan… bet it's a witch."

I laugh a bit at his statement but quickly shut up as I see Molly glaring at us.

"They won't be cheap," George said looking between Molly and Arthur. "Lockhart's books are a few galleons alone."

Mrs. Weasley sighs "Well, we'll manage," I can tell she is a bit worried. "We should be able to pick Ginny's things up secondhand."

Now is the time I was waiting for "Actually Mrs. Weasley, my sister wanted to give her old books to Ginny. She is rather forgetful so she has extremely thorough notes and the books are well taken care of."

Ginny looks surprised but doesn't say anything but Molly does. "We can't impose on you like that." She appears a little upset at my offer.

But I double down. "Mrs. Weasley, You and your family have treated me as one of your own. Please allow me to give you the books as a gift. Besides with all you have given me I have yet to give you anything. It is unfair to not accept my gift."

Molly looks like she is about to retort but Arthur grabs her hand and looks at me "We will accept your kindness. Family helps family after all." I smile, glad that he accepted while Molly only sighs and nods.

Just then Percy walked in with his prefect badge polished and pinned to his sweater vest. "Morning, all. Lovely day." He says with a half-grin.

As he is about to sit down a loud smack comes from the window. We turn to see Shy fly in carrying a letter and the Weasley's owl falling after hitting the window. Shy lands on my outstretched arm as I grab the letter from his beak.

Ron walks over to the laying down owl and grabs the letter from it as well. Errol, the owl, just lays there as if playing dead causing Ron to sigh. "Pathetic." I agree with him internally but I don't say anything.

Ron begins reading his letter "It's from Hermione, It says she hopes we aren't in trouble from the care incident. She says I should get another owl and that one more delivery will make Errol actually keel over."

I give a nod "Yeah Errol is on his last leg." This earns me a glare from Ron.

"She also says that she has been very busy with schoolwork. How is that possible? We are on vacation!" He says in horror.

Harry and I look at each other but just shrug, "That sounds like Hermione." I say

Ron rolls his eyes and continues. "Apparently she will be going to London today to get her books for the school year. I guess we will see her there."

Hearing this Mrs. Weasley claps her hands "Go on everyone, get ready to leave. We don't want to be out too late getting your things." Everyone scrambles at her words.

Percy, Arthur, and I are left at the table since we are already prepared to leave. Molly clears the table while Arthur goes and gets the Floo powder. I read the letter Hermione sent me but it is practically the same as Ron's but she thanks me for the books I lent her.

After a few minutes, everyone is downstairs and prepared to leave. Molly takes the flowerpot of Floo powder from Arthur and looks disappointed.

"We're running low, Arthur," She sighs. "We'll have to buy some more today… Ah well, guests first! Harry, Soren, you first."

'They get floo powder for a discount through the ministry right?' I wonder to myself before turning to Harry.

I smile as I gesture Harry to go ahead of me but he shakes his head. "I've never done this before, why don't you show me."

I nod my head and step under the mantle while grabbing a pinch of Floo powder. I turn to Harry "I have to stop at Gringotts first anyway. Be sure to speak clearly." I throw the Floo powder into the fire and it flares up into a green color "Gringotts Bank." I speak in a loud and clear voice.

I vanish from the fire with a roaring sound in my ears, I appear again at one of the many fireplaces in the main lobby of Gringotts Bank. Around me, I see a few other people coming out of the fireplaces joining me in the massive lines.

After a short wait, I was able to pull a few hundred Galleons out of the bank. I only wanted enough till break, I still have quite a bit on hand but a bit more never hurt. As I'm going to head out I see Hermione and her parents standing at the steps of Gringotts.

I wave my arm "Hey Mister and Mrs. Granger." Hermione perks up when she sees me.

"Soren! What are you doing here?" she smiles as she is walking to me with her parents in tow.

"I was just grabbing some money before getting some books, what about you?" I ask curiously.

Mister Granger reply's "We were just about to exchange money. It is a bit of a burden to exchange currency every time we come here but there isn't much we can do. You two can catch up while we go in." Hermione nods without thinking. Her father rolls his eyes and her mother laughs.

We begin chatting mainly about what she has been reading over the summer. I don't think she has read anything particularly interesting and she hasn't tried apparition yet so I'm not fully focused. Midway through the one-sided conversation, I see Hagrid and Harry coming from the dark area that leads to Knockturn alley.

I grab Hermione's shoulder and point "Hey look, that's Harry over there."

She immediately turns and spots him. Taking a few steps to the top of the Gringotts stairs she yells to him "Harry! Harry! Over Here!"

Hagrid and Harry approach and I immediately notice his glasses are cracked but I don't mention it.

"Hello, Hagrid." Hermione and I say. "Harry, what happened to your glasses? Never mind, what are you doing at Gringotts?" Hermione asks.

"Nothing right now, first I have to find the Weasley's." He says looking around.

"How did you get separated, Didn't I only leave a few minutes ago?" I ask confused. I am about to continue but I see his face blushed a bit so I stop.

'Wonder what happened?' I wonder to myself.