They ran into more than just Ernie among their classmates in Diagon Alley.
Quite a few young Hogwarts wizards had come shopping with their parents on the weekend a week before term began.
Besides those they did not know, they also saw their dormmate Seamus and the twins' friend Lee Jordan.
After Harry greeted Filius Flitwick from Hufflepuff, he turned around and saw Cho Chang entering Eeylops Owl Emporium with a refined-looking Asian man.
He instinctively hunched his neck and turned away. When he glanced back, he found Ginny and Hermione both looking at him with contempt in their eyes.
No matter what, Gringotts' building had been the grandest in Diagon Alley. Even replaced by a tent, it was still the largest of them all.
The warning signs were no longer displayed at the entrance. In their place was a notice.
"Due to the numerous cracks in the underground vaults caused by the Battle of Diagon Alley, repairs are currently underway. For the safety of our valued customers:
All customers conducting withdrawal transactions will have Gringotts staff retrieve their funds from the underground vaults on their behalf.
Gringotts will continue, as always, to safeguard the wealth of our valued customers. Thank you for your cooperation!"
Hermione read the notice aloud in a low voice.
"This does make things easier, doesn't it?"
Ron shrugged without concern.
"I'd rather eat Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans until I got a bogey-flavored one than ride one of Gringotts' carts."
"Oh, that's disgusting, Ron!"
Ginny rolled her eyes at Ron.
In any case, it was difficult to recreate Gringotts' former grand, solemn hall inside a tent.
Though the overall layout was similar, the space was far more cramped.
They shuffled forward with the crowd, and Ginny, pressed into Harry's arms, blushed all the way down