Chapter 29 – Lunch surprises

Harry was a little startled when Mrs. Weasley announced the lunch break. He had worked himself into a period of deep concentration trying to think a way of reversing a reversing of inadvertent magic. That was confusing just thinking about it. He shook his head and made sure he hadn't written anything down about that on the meal list that Mrs. Weasley could see.

Mrs. Weasley set about making some lunch for them all. Ginny had stretched a bit and then went to set the table up with plates and glasses. Harry asked if there were a couple of minutes to go out and get some fresh air. When Mrs. Weasley nodded, Harry headed out the front door to go sit on the stone wall.

Ginny was soon sitting besides him on the wall. "Do you need to go check on Hedwig, Harry?"

"Thanks for asking but I left her cage and the window open and told her she could go out if she wanted. I made sure that she had water when I went upstairs. It's nice to have to take care of someone else for a change instead of worrying if something bad might happen to me."

"You're adapting nicely to having a pet since you never had one before, Harry. I thought of another question while we were sitting. Do you think your voice got affected by that magic?"

"You just want another song! I'm on to your tricks, Ginny Weasley."

"Please Harry," Ginny said, "I don't even want a whole song. It would just be a shame if you somehow loss that wonderful voice."

"Ok, ok – at least Ron's not here to interrupt this time. Let me think."

Harry thought for a minute and then his face lit up. "Just the thing. And it's even appropriate now. But I just can't sit down for this one." Harry hopped down and faced his companion sitting on the wall.

"You should like this one, Ginny" Harry said.

Ginny watched Harry settle himself into the singing mode as he had before. Ginny watched his face light up as he began singing a song he obviously enjoyed.

I've paid my dues

Time after time

I've done my sentence

But committed no crime

And bad mistakes I've made a few

I've had my share of sand kicked in my face but I've come through …

Ginny smiled at her mother when she came out to hear what Harry was singing. When he quit, Harry was surprised to hear Ginny and Mrs. Weasley continue and sing the chorus to the song. He was the one to applaud their efforts this time.

"Leave it to you Harry to pick a song from one of mum's favorite muggle groups!" Ginny said smiling.

"Thank you Harry that was very nice", Mrs. Weasley said. "My sons usually don't let me sing anything halfway current. It embarrasses them somehow. You've a good voice but nowhere close to Freddie Mercury. That man has a voice that's really magic. Just because we're out here in the country, doesn't mean we are ignorant about muggle music. The Wizard Wireless sometimes plays some of the best or current muggle groups on the weekends. I like to listen but I don't usually let my kids know I enjoy it as much as they do. Well, come along, lunch is ready."

Ginny and Harry were following Mrs. Weasley back in when Harry started thinking of the first time he had heard that song. He almost walked over Ginny when she stopped suddenly in front of him and whirled around.

'Was that your cousin Dudey? Ooh, we're back! Harry, I saw him dancing around in a room trying to copy the moves. That was your memory Harry? Bit of a pig, isn't he?'

'Wow! My memories? You have no idea about my cousin, Ginny. I'll try to show you the memory of when Dudley first met Hagrid. That ended up funny.'

"We'd better get inside before your Mum gets suspicious." Harry turned Ginny's shoulders so she was facing the door again and gave her a small push.

'I'll get you for that, Potter!'

'Be nice or I won't share!' Harry sent back.

The two were giggling as they reentered the kitchen and Mrs. Weasley just looked at them with a smile. Even though they had got into some trouble, they were still happy. Mrs. Weasley thought idly that Harry had changed a great deal for the better in a very short time.

Lunch was a lot more animated than breakfast had been. Harry, Ginny and Mrs. Weasley talked about music groups and music in general. Ginny asked Harry how he knew so many songs and he told her that when his Uncle Vernon wasn't home that his Aunt Petunia and Cousin Dudley always had the wireless on. It gave him plenty of time to learn songs. Harry said he liked a variety of music in a lot of different styles and admitted with a blush he especially remembered some of the sillier songs he had ever heard. When Ginny asked for a specific example, Harry said 'Purple People Eater' - much to her astonishment.

'There's no such song!'

'Yes, there is!' Harry sent a quick verse through their connection and Ginny giggled. Mrs. Weasley looked at them both for a second but finished clearing the table.

After lunch was finished, Harry asked and received permission to send Hedwig out with his letter to Professor Lupin. Ginny and her mother were engaged in a serious conversation but stopped when Harry came back downstairs. Harry could guess from the blushing looks Ginny gave him that it might have been about him somehow.

Harry raised his hand when he sat back down at the table. Mrs. Weasley called on him. "Can I talk to you about the clothing list I made up before we go back to silence? I'd like your opinion before I put it away."

"Of course, Harry", Mrs. Weasley replied. "Why don't you bring it down here to this end and we can all look at it together."

Harry swallowed hard because he wasn't sure if he wanted Ginny to be looking at the list he had worked on. It was alright for Mrs. Weasley to look at a list that he had put skivvies on but..

'I heard that Harry!' Ginny was giggling mentally at him but had a normal expression on her face.

'Take it easy on me or your mum is going to know something is up!'

Harry sent back as he moved his stuff to sit next to Ginny. Harry handed the Hogwarts list and the list he had made up to Mrs. Weasley first. She immediately crossed a number of things off the list of Hogwarts requirements.

"We have a number of the books you need stored upstairs. Luckily they don't change much from year to year. The twins' books have hardly been used at all. Ron is going to use one set of them. You can have the other." Ginny laughed at her mothers joke about the twins and scooted her chair around to take a better look at Harry's lists.

"You'll need to get a trunk in Diagon Alley to hold your things. Wellies", Mrs. Weasley continued, "would be a good thing to get. Outside classes happen sometimes when it's wet. You'll need to add earmuffs, a warm hat, and gloves to this list. Quidditch games happen in late fall sometimes and if you want to stay as warm as possible in the stands."

"The twins are on the Gryffindor house team", Ginny said excitedly, "and they promised me that I could come to a game and see them play."

"Did they now?" Mrs. Weasley asked smiling. "Guess I'll have a word with them when they get home. I'm sure you may go Ginny but it would have been polite of them to ask your father or me first."

"Sorry mum, I'm sure that they were going to ask sometime. There's still a lot of time before school starts."

"Back to your list, Harry. I can't think of anything you've missed. Let's see what Ginny thinks."

Ginny took the lists from her mother and immediately crossed off one of the items Harry had added. "Aren't I going to need a scarf?" Harry asked the two.

"Confidentially Harry, I think that someone at this table is planning on knitting someone else at this table a scarf once they get sorted into a house at Hogwarts." Mrs. Weasley was looking at her blushing daughter as she whispered loudly to Harry.

"Thank you, Ginny" Harry said aloud. He also sent a mental thank you and Ginny picked her head up and smiled.

"Don't thank me yet, I've just started learning how to knit. To help Mum out, mind you."

"Of course Ginny" Harry said with a straight face.

Ginny continued. "You aren't required to wear robes after you finish classes for the day, Harry. At least that's what Percy says. So you may want to add some comfortable slacks or additional shirts. And lots of warm socks."

"Guard those socks well Harry", Mrs. Weasley said, 'those kind of socks tend to wander from room to room around here!"

"Noted, ma'am", Harry said giving a suspicious look at Ginny. 'Who me?' came through their connection.

Harry turned his head to hide his smile from both the Weasleys. When he added the suggestions the two had made to his list, Mrs. Weasley put them back on the table restriction.