The Week 1241

[TioMateo]

1) Harry's chum spinning tale before and afterwards (5,2) L?T?R ?N. The definition would appear to be "afterwards" and the answer is surely LATER ON, but how/why does RON = Harry's chum?
2) Commune in Zaire? No, try Italy (7) A?I???O
3) Not the first shot (4,1) T?K? ?
4) One running business from home? (7) ????K?R
5) Old pieces of eight (1,3,3) ? AN? S?X
6) Girl's first date outside called out for expensive sort of dress (4,5) G?L? L?C?D The answer would seem to have to be GOLD LACED, which I suppose could be a description of an "expensive sort of dress" - though it's a bit feeble. I cannot, however, parse it. G is "Girl's first" and there looks to be an anagram of "called", but where do the O and the other D come from?

Clue of the Week :- She finishes programme with a somersault (4)

[bookbinder]

3 take 2 (movie making)

[bookbinder]

5 one and six (1/6)

[Mamyalynne]

1 Harry Potter and Ron Weasley

[bookbinder]

6 'first date outside' means the first letters of date = d and outside = o

[Mamyalynne]

CoTW

Emma, back at the end of Programme

[bookbinder]

Clue of the week: emma

[bookbinder]

2 Arienzo
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arienzo

[TioMateo]

Thanks to all. I had thought of "TAKE 2" initially, but abandoned it because the 2 would become the third letter of the answer to "One running business from home?" (7), which now (thanks to "ARIENZO") looks like N?2?K?R. The digit 2, however is definitely correct because it forms part of the concealed message contained in the completed grid :- GOOD RIDDANCE 2020.

The first 2 comes from 2 AND SIX for "Old pieces of eight" (not 1 AND SIX as suggested) and is not a problem as the 2 is unchecked. But I cannot see how to solve N?2?K?R. Any ideas please.

[Toorak]

Networker - change two to 2 for ne2rker

[TioMateo]

Brilliant, Toorak. I should have thought of that. Thank you so much.