Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters (they're not slaves!) Rowling
does. But if you didn't know that you've obviously been living in a cave
somewhere. But I own the plot and I'd better not catch her stealing it or
else...
Chapter 2:
It was a sunny Tuesday morning and Ron and his family were coming to pick Harry up in the car to go to Diagon Alley for his school supplies. Harry couldn't wait. Hermione had convinced her parents to let Harry stay at the Granger's for the remainder of the holidays, and he was thrilled. He didn't have to spend one more day at the Dursley's this year. Hopefully Sirius Black would be found innocent before school let out again and that way he could stay with him next summer.
Harry couldn't help but grin. He remembered what had happened when he had asked Uncle Vernon if he could go.
He had been sitting in the kitchen eating cold toast when his Uncle Vernon had walked in. Harry had glanced up and putting on his most convincing look had said, "Uncle Vernon. Can I ask you something?"
Uncle Vernon had glared at him very suspiciously because one of the Dursley's number one rules was not to ask questions. But then very hesistantly asked, "What?"
"The Weasleys want to pick me up next Tuesday to go shopping for school, and then I want to stay at another friend's house until school starts." Harry didn't dare say Hermione's name because he didn't want Uncle Vernon to know he would be staying with a girl.
Uncle Vernon's eyes flashed menacingly. "Hmph. Well, you're not going. Not after what happened last time that rubbish came to pick you up."
"But Uncle Vernon," Harry calmly replied, trying his best to sound convincing, they are coming by car, and this way you won't have to put up with me until next summer. Gee, I'll vet my God-Father wouldn't be very happy if I didn't get to see my friends. I think he might be rather upset."
It appeared that Uncle Vernon had forgotten about Sirius Black and he had turned several shakes of white before regrettingly allowing Harry to go as long as the Weasleys stayed as short a time as possible. Harry had been so happy he had raced upstairs leaving Uncle Vernon grumbling behind him, packed up all his stuff, and even allowed Dudley to have a few more Sugar Shockers. At least that's what Dudley thought they were. Harry couldn't help but laught when he had heard Dudley bounce all the way down the stairs. He had the brain the size of a flea.
Now today was the day and just when Harry thought if he had to wait one more minute he might Avada Kedavra himself, he heard a car horn. He raced down the stairs with all his stuff before the Dursleys could change their mind, and hopped in the car. Finally he was free!
As Harry got in the car, he saw that only Ron and Mr. Weasley were inside. "Where is everyone?" he asked.
"We're meeting everyone at Diagon Alley," came Ron's reply.
"Oh, ok." Harry grinned.
"What's so funny?" asked Ron.
"Oh nothing. I just remembered I gave Dudley some Weasleys Wizarding Wheezes a couple of hours ago but I never got to see the effects.
"Thats too bad," Ron replied.
Mr. Weasley turned around to face Harry and Ron. "All buckled up, boys? Wouldn't want to trouble those Muggle Policemen because you two aren't wearing your seatbelts. Right then. Now which button makes this confound thing invisible again? Oh yes. I remember now."
Mr. Weasley pushed a small green button and the car started to move.
"Uhhh, Dad. I don't think that was it."
"Of course not, son. That one can't have been it. Hmmm..."
"Mr. Weasley. We are going in reverse," Harry said.
All of a sudden Harry heard a large THUMP and the car stopped abruptly.
Mr. Weasley whirled around. "What in Merlin's name..."
Harry and Ron looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders before hopping out of the car to take a look. Harry had to stifle a laugh at what he saw.
There was Dudley laying face down on the cement driveway clutching his knee and whimpering like a fool. His rump was stuck up in the air and that was what had halted the car's progression.
Ron didn't even bother trying to keep quiet. He was rolling on the ground, eyes all teary from laughter, and howling like a maniac, when Harry glanced over at him.
"Ron! Keep quiet!" Mr. Weasley shouted, "You'll get us in trouble with the Muggles!"
It was too late though. Uncle Vernon came out, face veet red, with Aunt Petunia close in tow.
"Oh, Duddykins what's the matter? Come here. Mommy will fix it." Aunt Petunia hurried over to Dudley and started smothering him with attention which only made Ron laugh even harder.
"WHAT IS SO FUNNY YOU RUDDY BOY?" Uncle Vernon bellowed.
"Excuse me..." Mr. Weasley started to say.
"I oughtta kick you square in your behind boy..."
"Excuse me..." Mr. Weasley tried again.
"Dudley, where's your Smelting Stick?"
By now the noise had reached its peak with Ron laughing, Dudley whimpering, Aunt Petunia fussing, and Uncle Vernon bellowing, and Mr. Weasley had had enough.
"EXCUSE ME!!!"
He shouted so loudly that Mrs. Next-door stuck her head out and started walking over to see what all the commotion was about. All the noise stopped and Harry grimaced.
Mr. Weasley had turned as red as his hair. "Get off that boy you ignorant woman," he said to Aunt Petunia, "I would be crying too if I had you fussing all over me."
Uncle Vernon glared at Mr. Weasley. "How dare you talk to my wife like that..."
"QUIET!! Stand up boy!" He pointed at Dudley who stood up revealing a large scrape on his knee. "Merlin! All this noise for a harmless scuff." He muttered a simple healing charm and Dudley's knee healed itself.
"As for you," he pointed at the curious neighbor-lady whose eyes were as big as saucers, "Didn't you ever learn to mind your own business?!Obliviate!"
A glazed dreamy look passed over the woman's face, then she looked around confused. She turned around and walked back to her house muttering, "You're going crazy, Grace, you're going crazy. One of these days..."
Mr. Weasley turned back to his audience. "Now then, ron, Harry, in the car. You-" he pointed at Dudley, "Stop your incessant whining and move before I back over you again. Good day." With that he opened his car door and got in. Harry heard the slam and flinched. He and Ron looked at each other and got in the car slowly. Harry didn't ever think he'd be more afraid of Mr. Weasley than he was of Uncle Vernon but right now he was. He wondered how Ron must feel.
He gave Ron a sympathetic look as an eerie silence settled in the Weasley's car. Then , Mr. Weasley pushed a few more buttons (with a little more force than was probably required) and the car became invisible and rose into the air.
They sat in that same silence for what seemed like hours and Ron pulled out a Quidditch magazine about the Chudley Cannons to pass the time. Harry didn't really have anything to do so he instead thought about what he might do at Hermione's later on. He wondered what sort of things she did at her house or what it looked like even. He pictured walls shelved with books, magazines, or anything containing any sort of information. Hermione probably had 3 extra copies of Hogwarts, A History lying around somewhere and Harry was sure she had gotten all her homework done the first 2 weeks they had been on break. She had probably even done it twice over.
Harry heard Mr. Weasley sigh from the front seat of the car. "Gee Harry, I didn't realise how ignorant your relatives were."
That statement seemed to ease the tension in the car. Soon Ron and Harry were engaged in a conversation about this year's classes and Quidditch season.
Harry told Ron about the mysterious package he'd recieved on his birthday and Ron looked excited and asked if he could try it when they got to Hogwarts.
Pretty soon the Weasley's car neared the Leaky Cauldron and pulled into an abandoned parking lot. Mr. Weasley turned off the invisibility shield protecting the car and instructed Ron and Harry to get out. They had to carry their bags at least until they got to Diagon Alley so that the Muggles didn't wonder why the bags were levititating themselves.
They reached the Leaky Cauldron and Mr. Weasley told the boys they should go in and have a few butterbeers before meeting up with the rest of the Weasleys and Grangers.
They walked in and set down their bags at a small table. Harry's fingers were sore from carrying them. No sooner had they sat down, then Hermione and her parents walked in.
"Hermione! Over here!" Harry shouted and waved.
Hermione saw him and led her parents over to where Harry was sitting. "Hi Harry. Hi Ron." Hermione greeted them in the familiar tone she had used for 4 years. She gestured at her parents. "Sit down Dad, Mom. Have you ever had a butterbeer?"
With that they all had a pleasant conversation with Mr. Weasley inquiring the Grangers about Muggle appliances and Ron, Harry, and Hermione chattering excitedly about the year to come.
Chapter 2:
It was a sunny Tuesday morning and Ron and his family were coming to pick Harry up in the car to go to Diagon Alley for his school supplies. Harry couldn't wait. Hermione had convinced her parents to let Harry stay at the Granger's for the remainder of the holidays, and he was thrilled. He didn't have to spend one more day at the Dursley's this year. Hopefully Sirius Black would be found innocent before school let out again and that way he could stay with him next summer.
Harry couldn't help but grin. He remembered what had happened when he had asked Uncle Vernon if he could go.
He had been sitting in the kitchen eating cold toast when his Uncle Vernon had walked in. Harry had glanced up and putting on his most convincing look had said, "Uncle Vernon. Can I ask you something?"
Uncle Vernon had glared at him very suspiciously because one of the Dursley's number one rules was not to ask questions. But then very hesistantly asked, "What?"
"The Weasleys want to pick me up next Tuesday to go shopping for school, and then I want to stay at another friend's house until school starts." Harry didn't dare say Hermione's name because he didn't want Uncle Vernon to know he would be staying with a girl.
Uncle Vernon's eyes flashed menacingly. "Hmph. Well, you're not going. Not after what happened last time that rubbish came to pick you up."
"But Uncle Vernon," Harry calmly replied, trying his best to sound convincing, they are coming by car, and this way you won't have to put up with me until next summer. Gee, I'll vet my God-Father wouldn't be very happy if I didn't get to see my friends. I think he might be rather upset."
It appeared that Uncle Vernon had forgotten about Sirius Black and he had turned several shakes of white before regrettingly allowing Harry to go as long as the Weasleys stayed as short a time as possible. Harry had been so happy he had raced upstairs leaving Uncle Vernon grumbling behind him, packed up all his stuff, and even allowed Dudley to have a few more Sugar Shockers. At least that's what Dudley thought they were. Harry couldn't help but laught when he had heard Dudley bounce all the way down the stairs. He had the brain the size of a flea.
Now today was the day and just when Harry thought if he had to wait one more minute he might Avada Kedavra himself, he heard a car horn. He raced down the stairs with all his stuff before the Dursleys could change their mind, and hopped in the car. Finally he was free!
As Harry got in the car, he saw that only Ron and Mr. Weasley were inside. "Where is everyone?" he asked.
"We're meeting everyone at Diagon Alley," came Ron's reply.
"Oh, ok." Harry grinned.
"What's so funny?" asked Ron.
"Oh nothing. I just remembered I gave Dudley some Weasleys Wizarding Wheezes a couple of hours ago but I never got to see the effects.
"Thats too bad," Ron replied.
Mr. Weasley turned around to face Harry and Ron. "All buckled up, boys? Wouldn't want to trouble those Muggle Policemen because you two aren't wearing your seatbelts. Right then. Now which button makes this confound thing invisible again? Oh yes. I remember now."
Mr. Weasley pushed a small green button and the car started to move.
"Uhhh, Dad. I don't think that was it."
"Of course not, son. That one can't have been it. Hmmm..."
"Mr. Weasley. We are going in reverse," Harry said.
All of a sudden Harry heard a large THUMP and the car stopped abruptly.
Mr. Weasley whirled around. "What in Merlin's name..."
Harry and Ron looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders before hopping out of the car to take a look. Harry had to stifle a laugh at what he saw.
There was Dudley laying face down on the cement driveway clutching his knee and whimpering like a fool. His rump was stuck up in the air and that was what had halted the car's progression.
Ron didn't even bother trying to keep quiet. He was rolling on the ground, eyes all teary from laughter, and howling like a maniac, when Harry glanced over at him.
"Ron! Keep quiet!" Mr. Weasley shouted, "You'll get us in trouble with the Muggles!"
It was too late though. Uncle Vernon came out, face veet red, with Aunt Petunia close in tow.
"Oh, Duddykins what's the matter? Come here. Mommy will fix it." Aunt Petunia hurried over to Dudley and started smothering him with attention which only made Ron laugh even harder.
"WHAT IS SO FUNNY YOU RUDDY BOY?" Uncle Vernon bellowed.
"Excuse me..." Mr. Weasley started to say.
"I oughtta kick you square in your behind boy..."
"Excuse me..." Mr. Weasley tried again.
"Dudley, where's your Smelting Stick?"
By now the noise had reached its peak with Ron laughing, Dudley whimpering, Aunt Petunia fussing, and Uncle Vernon bellowing, and Mr. Weasley had had enough.
"EXCUSE ME!!!"
He shouted so loudly that Mrs. Next-door stuck her head out and started walking over to see what all the commotion was about. All the noise stopped and Harry grimaced.
Mr. Weasley had turned as red as his hair. "Get off that boy you ignorant woman," he said to Aunt Petunia, "I would be crying too if I had you fussing all over me."
Uncle Vernon glared at Mr. Weasley. "How dare you talk to my wife like that..."
"QUIET!! Stand up boy!" He pointed at Dudley who stood up revealing a large scrape on his knee. "Merlin! All this noise for a harmless scuff." He muttered a simple healing charm and Dudley's knee healed itself.
"As for you," he pointed at the curious neighbor-lady whose eyes were as big as saucers, "Didn't you ever learn to mind your own business?!Obliviate!"
A glazed dreamy look passed over the woman's face, then she looked around confused. She turned around and walked back to her house muttering, "You're going crazy, Grace, you're going crazy. One of these days..."
Mr. Weasley turned back to his audience. "Now then, ron, Harry, in the car. You-" he pointed at Dudley, "Stop your incessant whining and move before I back over you again. Good day." With that he opened his car door and got in. Harry heard the slam and flinched. He and Ron looked at each other and got in the car slowly. Harry didn't ever think he'd be more afraid of Mr. Weasley than he was of Uncle Vernon but right now he was. He wondered how Ron must feel.
He gave Ron a sympathetic look as an eerie silence settled in the Weasley's car. Then , Mr. Weasley pushed a few more buttons (with a little more force than was probably required) and the car became invisible and rose into the air.
They sat in that same silence for what seemed like hours and Ron pulled out a Quidditch magazine about the Chudley Cannons to pass the time. Harry didn't really have anything to do so he instead thought about what he might do at Hermione's later on. He wondered what sort of things she did at her house or what it looked like even. He pictured walls shelved with books, magazines, or anything containing any sort of information. Hermione probably had 3 extra copies of Hogwarts, A History lying around somewhere and Harry was sure she had gotten all her homework done the first 2 weeks they had been on break. She had probably even done it twice over.
Harry heard Mr. Weasley sigh from the front seat of the car. "Gee Harry, I didn't realise how ignorant your relatives were."
That statement seemed to ease the tension in the car. Soon Ron and Harry were engaged in a conversation about this year's classes and Quidditch season.
Harry told Ron about the mysterious package he'd recieved on his birthday and Ron looked excited and asked if he could try it when they got to Hogwarts.
Pretty soon the Weasley's car neared the Leaky Cauldron and pulled into an abandoned parking lot. Mr. Weasley turned off the invisibility shield protecting the car and instructed Ron and Harry to get out. They had to carry their bags at least until they got to Diagon Alley so that the Muggles didn't wonder why the bags were levititating themselves.
They reached the Leaky Cauldron and Mr. Weasley told the boys they should go in and have a few butterbeers before meeting up with the rest of the Weasleys and Grangers.
They walked in and set down their bags at a small table. Harry's fingers were sore from carrying them. No sooner had they sat down, then Hermione and her parents walked in.
"Hermione! Over here!" Harry shouted and waved.
Hermione saw him and led her parents over to where Harry was sitting. "Hi Harry. Hi Ron." Hermione greeted them in the familiar tone she had used for 4 years. She gestured at her parents. "Sit down Dad, Mom. Have you ever had a butterbeer?"
With that they all had a pleasant conversation with Mr. Weasley inquiring the Grangers about Muggle appliances and Ron, Harry, and Hermione chattering excitedly about the year to come.