"Thank you for your help, Mr Potter." A woman waved as she left the shop.
"Anytime," Harry called before depositing the money she left into the till. "what's up, Hermione?" Harry asked when he saw Hermione walk over with a pile of books and Ron behind her.
"I still can't believe you get to work here!" Hermione's voice was part jealous but also amazed.
"It's only for this summer," Harry shrugged. "I might come back next summer, but that's not been decided yet."
"Still," Hermione dumped the books on the till. "I bet it's amazing working here. Are you allowed to read the books here?"
"Yep," Harry nodded as he began looking through all the books that Hermione had dropped. "or at least the ones that aren't age-restricted. Though I was told that if I damage any of them then I have to buy them, which is fair enough, I suppose. I've also got a small discount on any purchases now or in the future."
"That's brilliant!" Hermione gasped.
"You couldn't have got a job at the quidditch store?" Ron joked.
"What is it with you and quidditch?" Hermione rolled her eyes.
"I don't know, why are you so obsessed with books." Ron rolled his eyes.
"Books are educational, Ronald."
"Yeah, well brooms are fun."
"So are books."
"Only if you live in a library."
"Guys," Harry interrupted. "as entertaining as this is, I'd like it if you buy your books before more customers arrive." He added, causing them to both blush slightly.
"Oh, we don't get them for free?" Ron frowned.
"Not if I want to keep my job, mate." Harry chuckled. "I had asked about a friend and family discount but apparently that's a no, in the past some people had abused that and taken out far too many books." Harry and Ron both couldn't hello but stare at Hermione.
"What?" She asked defensively, though the small smile on her face rather ruined it.
"Good thing, I guess." Ron grinned at Harry.
"Yeah, I can imagine the owner's face after Hermione buys every book that she can get away with." Harry grinned back.
"I have a book budget, thank you very much," Hermione sniffed, crossing her arms.
"Let me guess, your parents set it up," Harry smirked as he began placing Hermione's books in a bag.
"How did you know?" Hermione blinked.
"Because I imagine that they would know how likely it would be for you to spend all the money you have on books." Harry chuckled.
"Very funny." Hermione gave them a false laugh, but she didn't really correct Harry either.
"Wotcher." A voice caught the attention of the three.
"Hey Tonks," Harry smiled at the approaching auror.
"Hi, Harry." Tonks grinned as she stopped at the till.
"Oh Tonks, meet Ron and Hermione, my friends at school." Harry gestured to the two. "Guys, this is Tonks, she's one of the aurors around the alley, I met her a short while ago."
"How did you two meet?" Hermione asked curiously.
"I was chasing a guy with my partner when Mister Gryffindor over here decided to tackle him for us," Tonks answered before reaching a hand over to ruffle Harry's hair.
"Gerroff." Harry amusedly swatted her hand away.
"Harry, you tackled a criminal!" Hermione turned on him. "What were you thinking?!"
"Honestly, it's one of the tamer things he's done over the year," Ron commented.
"Hush Ronald," Hermione glared at him before turning to Harry. "that was very dangerous, Harry. I can't believe that…"
'Who does she think she is?' Venom asked Harry while Hermione continued to lecture him. 'You weren't allowed to use magic, what did she expect you to do? Stand by and do nothing? Does she even know who you are?'
'She means well.' Harry defended.
'Maybe she does, but what right does she have to lecture you? If it wasn't for you then she'd be studying books by herself when Voldemort got a body and she'd be a lifeless statue.'
"Hermione," Harry raised his voice slightly to cut the girl off. "in case you haven't remembered, me doing stuff like that is why you're still alive. Second of all, I already got lectured by the aurors so you can probably understand why I'm not in the mood for a second lecture by a girl who is in the same year as me." By the time Harry had finished, Hermione was staring at him with a surprised look, so was Ron.
"He is right," Tonks spoke up. "we did lecture him about that already." She frowned at Hermione.
"I'm sorry," Hermione blushed. "I didn't mean to…"
"It's fine," Harry sighed, cutting her off. "really." Hermione nodded awkwardly before dropping some money on the till and picking up her books.
"Do you two mind if I talk with Harry for a bit?" Tonks asked Ron and Hermione.
"Oh no, of course not, come on, Ronald." Hermione grabbed Ron by the wrist and dragged him off before he could respond.
"Really bossy, that one is." Tonks shook her head before turning to Harry. "How are you?"
"Still alive," Harry shrugged. "how about you?"
"Surviving," Tonks gave him a brief smile before she pulled out her wand and waved it around the two of them.
"Privacy charms?" Harry asked.
"Yep," Tonks nodded. "there's something important I think you should know, but I don't think I'm really supposed to tell you. Don't tell anyone I let you know, okay?"
"I won't, I promise." Harry stared into her violet eyes. "What is it?"
"It's about Sirius Black," Tonks sighed. "I think he's after you."
"Me?" Harry blinked. "Let me guess, it's because I beat his old master, right?"
"Probably part of it," Tonks confirmed. "but that's not just it. Do you know why Sirius Black was locked up in the first place?"