The next morning the twins went down to breakfast and sat at the kitchen table with Dudley and Aunt Petunia. Like every birthday before, the Dursleys completely ignored the twins never wishing them a happy birthday. Jo never expected otherwise at this point. And that wasn't enough to dampen her mood after receiving gifts from her two best friends earlier that morning.

Jo sat herself on one side of Dudley while Harry sat on the other. Dudley was already absently stuffing his face with food, staring at the new TV in the kitchen. He had complained to his parents earlier in the year that he was missing part of the show whenever he walked into the kitchen to get food. So of course, naturally, Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia had to buy him a new TV just for the kitchen. Dudley is now bigger than ever because he spends most of his time in the kitchen eating.

Aunt Petunia showed no sign of noticing the Potters joining them for breakfast It wasn't a shock to Jo because that was how things were around here. The Dursleys ignored the Potters, and the Potters, well they ignored them back. That was why the summer was going as well as could be expected. Maybe the Dursleys wanted to avoid another flying car outside their second-floor window. Of course, they wouldn't want to bring attention to the neighbors.

"Where is Uncle Vernon?" asked Harry suddenly breaking the silence. Jo looked around quickly. How did she not notice their uncle missing from the table?

Aunt Petunia didn't look up from her meal as she answered. "He's at the station picking up Marge."

Jo was in mid drink of her juice when she nearly chocked on it. "Aunt Marge?" she spluttered. "W-why? Is she coming h-here?" Aunt Marge was Uncle Vernon's sister and she was just as horrible. Jo had been wrong. If there was one thing that could bring her mood down, it would be Aunt Marge alone.

Aunt Petunia narrowed her eyes at Jo. "Yes, she'll be coming here and staying with us for a week."

"What didn't you tell us?" Harry demanded. Jo looked at her brother and saw the same look. Fear and dread mixed together.

Aunt Petunia gave a cold laugh. "We don't have to report anything to you. Vernon hasn't seen his sister and months. And Marge has been dying to see Dudders since his birthday." Aunt Petunia smiled fondly at her son who was completely oblivious to the conversation, staring at the TV with his mouth wide open.

Jo also looked at Dudley, "Swallow any flies recently?" she asked. Still no reaction from Dudley. Jo rolled her eyes and turned to her aunt. "She's not bringing any of her dogs with her, is she?"

That got a reaction out of Aunt Petunia. She hated Aunt Marge's precious dogs, probably just as much as Jo and Harry did. Their past experiences with Aunt Marge's 'puppies' were not great memories. They were dirty and loud; two things Aunt Petunia despises. However, Aunt Petunia ignored Jo's question only affirming her suspicions. "Great," Jo muttered. For the rest of breakfast, they ate in silence only listening to the TV and the light rain that had just begun.

When Jo was finished with her breakfast, she began cleaning up the kitchen table as she always does when the doorbell suddenly rang, making her jump. Jo's feeling of dread multiplied.

"Harry," Aunt Petunia snapped, "answer the door."

As Harry ran to the front door, Jo just put away the last clean plate. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, trying to mentally prepare herself for a week of hell. There was the usual hell with the Dursleys, and then there was the extra hell with Aunt Marge.

Jo could hear voices moving down the hall and into the living room. There was a growl and then Aunt Petunia yelped. It was confirmed. Aunt Marge did bring one of her dogs. In that moment, Jo preferred to hang out with Fluffy than Aunt Marge and her wild beasts. She sighed and went out to the hallway where she found her brother and Uncle Vernon. Jo quietly poked her head around the living room doorframe.

There she was, Aunt Marge. She was exactly like her brother, big and terrible.

"Uncle Vernon..." Harry said quietly, pulling out a form from his pocket. Jo recognized it as the permission slip for Hogsmeade. He opened in slowly. "I need you to sign this form."

"What is it?" Uncle Vernon asked, distractedly taking his coat off.

"Umm, school stuff," Harry replied.

Uncle Vernon hung his coat on the coat rack and walked away from Harry who trailed him to the living room. "Later perhaps, if you both behave."

"We will if she does," Harry muttered, entering the living room behind him.

With that response, Aunt Marge finally acknowledged the twins. "Oh, you're both still here?" she sneered at them.

Jo looked over at her brother. "Um, yes."

"Don't say 'yes' in that ungrateful tone," sneered Aunt Marge. She strolled over towards the twins. "Damn good of my brother to keep you." She turned to Vernon, "They would have been sent straight to the orphanage had they been dumped on my doorstep."

Jo opened her mouth to retaliate, but Harry had kicked her lightly from behind. Jo closed her mouth and tried to smile as sweetly as she could to her Aunt Marge. God, she hated that woman.

Aunt Marge entered the kitchen with Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia leaving the kids in the living room. "Remember," Harry said quietly to her. "As long as we don't get into trouble, Uncle Vernon will sign the permission slip. Okay?"

Jo bit her lip and nodded. "Yeah," she sighed. "This is going to be a very long week."

The twins tried their hardest not to get into trouble. They avoided Aunt Marge at all cost. When Aunt Marge would enter a room, they would slowly and quietly leave without being noticed. Everything Aunt Petunia told them to do, they did. Both Jo and Harry were extremely determined to go Hogsmeade, whatever the cost. Even if it meant sending Hedwig away for the week. And that's what Jo and Harry did that first night. If Aunt Marge spotted her, all hell would break loose. They wrote a letter to Ron asking him to look after her for a bit explaining the situation. Hedwig was not very happy, but she understood.

Of course, Aunt Marge's dog Ripper almost ruined everything for Jo. Jo happened to be in the backyard, doing some chores for Aunt Petunia when Ripper came running out and charged her. Jo was about to round up a kick into that squishy face that would surely end Jo's own life when Harry came and saved the day.

He threw treats off into the corner of the yard and Ripper went into attack mode over that instead.

"Thanks," said Jo, walking back inside with her brother.

"Nicked some from Aunt Marge's bag. Figured it might help us keep the peace with Ripper," said Harry very proudly.

"That was smart of you."

They were only half way through the week, yet it felt like an entire lifetime to Jo. She wasn't sure how much more she could put up with Aunt Marge's rude and snide remarks about her and her brother, always pretending like they couldn't hear the words she would say.

Later that evening, the twins sat with the Dursleys and Aunt Marge at the kitchen table for dinner. When they had finished eating, Harry and Jo began cleaning up after everyone, like they had done every night thus far. At some point during dinner, Aunt Marge had given Ripper the rest of her food by placing the plate on the ground. Jo went over to pick the plate up, and Ripper let out a growl and snapped at her hand, which got Aunt Marge's attention.

"Leave it girl, if you know what's good for you," Aunt Marge snapped at Jo.

"Joanna, not girl, and you're welcome," Jo said, taking Aunt Marge's other plates.

"Still have all that attitude I see," snapped Aunt Marge. Jo looked across the table to see Uncle Vernon sending her a death glare. She was treading too close to danger right now. "Thought you would have improved by now." Aunt Marge turned to Uncle Vernon, "Where do you send them, again, Vernon?"

"St. Brutus's," Uncle Vernon said quickly. "It's a fine institute for hopeless cases."

Aunt Marge looked right at Jo. "Do they use a cane at Saint Brutus's, girl?"

Jo was about to explode about being called girl again when Harry stepped in front of her and said quickly, "Oh yeah, we've been beaten loads of times." Harry took the plates from Jo's trembling hands. He whispered to her quietly. "Keep it together."

Jo nodded and took a deep breath. She walked over to the kitchen sink and started washing the dishes. She had to keep herself busy.

"Excellent to hear," Aunt Marge continued on.

Harry brought the rest of the dishes over. "How are you being so calm?" Jo whispered. "She's being a big evil— "

"Believe me," Harry cut her off, "She's pissing me off just as much. Just keeping thinking about Hogsmeade. Or run through potions in your head."

Jo nodded. He was right. But she couldn't help but hear what Aunt Marge was saying next. "I wouldn't have these namby-pamby wishy-washy nonsenses about not beating people who deserve it. But you mustn't blame yourself about how these two turned out, Vernon. It's all to do with blood. Bad blood will out."

"Hogsmeade, Jo," Harry whispered to her quietly. Her hands were shaking uncontrollably.

"What is it the boy's father did, Petunia?" Aunt Marge asked.

"Nothing. H-he didn't- he didn't work. He was, he was unemployed." Aunt Petunia answered quickly.

"Probably a drunk, too, no doubt," said Aunt Marge.

That was it. That was the last straw for Jo. It was one thing to talk about her and Harry like they were n't even there, but it was completely another thing for her to insult her parents in front of her. "That's a lie," Jo said angrily, pushing Harry out of her way to face Aunt Marge.

"What did you say?" Aunt Marge demanded.

"My dad wasn't a drunk," Jo said angrily. Her hands shook and her face burned of anger.

Suddenly, at the moment, the wine glass Aunt Marge was holding shattered in her hand. Everyone gasped as shards of glass landed all over the table.

"Marge, are you alright?" asked Aunt Petunia in shock.

"Oh, don't worry," Aunt Marge, "don't fuss, Petunia. I have a very firm grip." She looked over at the twins with disgusted face. "You," she pointed to Harry, "clean it up."

"I think it's time you went to bed," Uncle Vernon said to Jo. She nodded quickly. "Excuse me."

Jo made a beeline for the hallway. Once out of the kitchen, she pressed herself up against the wall taking huge breaths. She couldn't believe that had just happened. She hadn't lost control like that since before she found out she was a witch. How could she have let that happen? Uncle Vernon wouldn't sign their Hogsmeade permission slip now. She ruined any shot she and Harry had at going. How would she ever make this up to her brother?

Jo had just gotten to her bedroom and closed the door when she could hear her brother shouting from the kitchen below. "Shut up! Shut UP!" She quickly threw her door open and bounded down the stairs. When Jo got to the kitchen doorway, she came to a complete stop and her jaw dropped.

Aunt Marge had blown up like a balloon in front of them. Jo watched with wide eyes as Aunt Marge started to rise towards the ceiling. Dudley had finally moved from his place at the table and was hiding underneath it. Aunt Petunia had taken several steps backwards with her hand covering her chest. And Uncle Vernon was screaming as Aunt Marge started to drift outside.

"MARGE! NO!"

Aunt Marge floated outside while Uncle Vernon tried desperately to pull her down from floating away. Ripper followed barking madly.

Harry suddenly appeared in front of Jo. "Come on," he said quickly, as if he were out of breath. Harry grabbed Jo's arm and pulled her behind him. The cupboard door sprang open and he grabbed both their trunks. Harry bounded up the stairs with Jo right on his heels. "Pack your things," he said, throwing open his trunk on his bed. Jo did not hesitate. She quickly grabbed all of her belongs in the room, and everything under the floorboard. Within minutes, the twins had everything packed and hadn't spoken a word to each other. Harry grabbed Hedwig's empty cage and said, "Let's go."

Jo nodded and led the way out of their room and down the stairs. When she got to the bottom of the staircase, Uncle Vernon blocked her path. His arm shot out in front of Jo, causing her to flinch back. It may have been a couple years since Uncle Vernon laid a hand on her, but it didn't mean that she forgot what his temper looked like.

Harry pushed his way in front of Jo. "You keep away from her," he said angrily.

"You bring her back and put her right," Uncle Vernon shouted at him.

"No," said Harry. "She deserved what she got. And we're leaving." He pushed Uncle Vernon's hand out the way with his wand. When Uncle Vernon saw Harry's wand, he backed away instantly.

"You're not allowed to do magic outside school," Uncle Vernon said shakily.

"Oh, yeah? Try me." Harry moved over to the front door and pulled it up. "Let's go, JoJo."

Jo didn't need to be told twice. She quickly pulled her trunk after her out the front door. Harry followed suit.

"They won't let you back now," Uncle Vernon called after the twins. "You have nowhere else to go."

"I don't care!" Harry yelled back. "Anywhere is better than here." He slammed the front door shut behind him.

Jo didn't say a word. She didn't know what exactly to do other than to follow her brother down the dark, quiet street, away from the Dursleys.