"Are you two sure you'll be fine on your own?" Liesel's father asked as he adjusted his tie.

"We're sure," Liesel and Dominik replied, never taking their eyes from the television. Between them sat a bowl of popcorn that they shared. Liesel grasped a handful of popcorn and began plopping it into her mouth, piece by piece.

"Be sure to keep an eye on Ben," he said pointedly. "I don't want anything happening to him."

Liesel turned to look at her father, "Calm down, dad," she replied. "He'll be fine," she said, glancing at her little brother, who was preoccupied with his toys. "See?"

"He just needs to stay preoccupied with his toys, Uncle Henry," Dominik said passively.

Liesel, Dominik, and Benjamin had arrived back at Privet Drive yesterday. Though the Burrow was fun, it could be a bit hectic. While Privet Drive was quite the opposite of where the Weasleys lived, it was still home.

"Really, dad," Liesel said reassuringly. "You've got nothing to worry about." Liesel checked the clock over the fireplace. "It's almost time for his nap. Three o' clock."

"Hopefully, this overtime won't take long," he muttered to himself. "Are you two sure you'll be all right?"

"Yes," Dominik and Liesel sad irritably.

"All right, then," he sighed. "I'll be back home around eight with Helena."

"See you," Liesel calked.

"Bye."

"Is he gone?" Liesel asked quietly.

"Let's see..." Dominik murmured."He locks the door." Liesel heard the lock click."Walks to the car...opens the car door." Liesel heard the car door slam shut. "He closes the car door. Starts the car," Dominik waited for a second and heard the engine of Liesel's father's car come to life. "And, voila, he's gone."

Liesel glanced over at Benjamin, who was still preoccupied with his toys to be bothered by his cousin or his sister. Liesel stood up from the couch and checked through the curtains to make sure he was actually gone. She then turned back to Dominik, "They're making Harry mow the lawn again."

"They're awful," Dominik muttered. "What're you going to do? You know that if Mr. Dursley sees us within spitting distance of that place that he'll have a conniption."

"Except, Mr. Dursley isn't home," Liesel said. "And Dudley is nowhere to be seen."

"That's never a good thing," Dominik said. "You can spot that pig anywhere, where could he possibly be?"

"Maybe he's inside stuffing his face," Liesel guessed. "He's probably the only person who would beat Ron in a food-eating contest."

"I've never heard a truer statement," Dominik said as he got to his feet to peek through the curtains, as well. "Well, what're you waiting for? Go and get him."

"On it," Liesel said heading for the door. Once Liesel left the house, she was thankful for air conditioning, because the weather was scorching. "Hey, Harry!" Liesel called from across the street.

Harry, who was mowing the lawn, looked over at Liesel. "Yeah?" he called back.

Liesel crossed the street without even bothering to look both ways. "They're seriously making you mow the lawn?"

"Yea, they are," he sighed, looking down at the lawn mower. "You might want to get out of here. Now that they know about your family, they've warned me to stay away from you at all costs."

Liesel laughed. "Do you want to come over for a while?" she asked. "My dad's working overtime and Dominik and I are watching Ben."

Harry seemed a bit unsure; he didn't want to get into trouble. "I don't know," he said unsurely. "The Dursleys have been a bit nicer, ever since I mentioned Sirius...but I don't want to push it."

"All you have to do is mention that Sirius is Dominik's uncle," Liesel said with a shrug. "That'll really scare them out of what little wits they have."

"Okay, I'll ask," Harry said. "But, you have to go with me."

"Fine, let's go," Liesel said. Harry stopped the lawn mower and beckoned Liesel into the neat home of the Dursleys.

"Aunt Petunia," Harry called. Liesel saw Dudley seated at the dining room table from the hallway. Dominik had guessed right; he was stuffing his mouth with food.

"You're finished mowing the lawn already?" Aunt Petunia's voice asked. The tone was bitter, no doubt, but it was fairly sugar-coated in Liesel's opinion.

"Actually, no," Harry said, entering the doorway. Liesel followed closely behind. "A friend of mine would like for me to visit for the day," he said with a grin. Liesel entered the kitchen to stand beside Harry. She tried to hide her disgust when she glanced at Dudley, but wasn't sure if she was doing that great of a job.

In fact, the glob of mashed-potato that Dudley had stuffed in his mouth had fallen back onto his plate at the sight of her. Liesel feigned a smile. "Hi." Dudley stammered a few incoherent words in reply.

Aunt Petunia seemed to be occupied with mixing some sort of cake mix, and hadn't bothered to look up. "A friend?" she repeated.

"Yes," Harry said. "A friend."

"Who on earth would want you to—" Mrs. Dursley had dropped the bole at the sight of Liesel. "Oh," she said briskly. "Her."

"Yes," Liesel said with a smile. "Dominik and I are spending the rest of the afternoon watching movies, and we wanted to know if Harry would like to come, as well."

"I see," Mrs. Dursley said. "Harry, you may go." Liesel and Harry exchanged exuberant smiles. "If Dudley goes with you." A grin appeared on Dudley's piggish face.

Liesel's face fell. "Sorry, Harry." She dashed for the door, but Harry was too quick.

"Nice try, Liz," Harry said, grasping her wrist.

Liesel let out a sigh. She turned around. "All right. Fine. Dudley can come, too."

"Wonderful," Mrs. Dursley said with a smile. "Finish up your food, Dudders," she cooed to her son.

"Well, you can send Dudley over once he's finished eating," Liesel suggested. "He won't be missing out on much." Mrs. Dursley gave Liesel a stiff nod. "Come on, Harry," Liesel said, grasping her best friend's hand. The two left Number Four, and hurried across the street to Number Three, where Dominik was still seated on the couch.

They entered the living room, where Dominik was still comfortably seated, with the large bowl of popcorn placed beside him, now half-empty. Ben, however, was pulling on Emil's tail. Dominik looked over at the two. "Potter," he said with a nod.

"Hello, Dominik," Harry mumbled.

"It took you two forever," Dominik called over his shoulder. "You missed the end of Back to the Future."

Liesel made her way around the couch and seated herself beside Dominik, placing her legs on the coffee table and cross one over the other. "Yeah, well, things didn't exactly go as planned," Liesel sighed. "That's my favorite movie. Too bad it's not really how time travel works," she said with a frown.

"Things didn't go as planned, how?" Dominik asked as Harry seated himself beside Liesel. They were both silent. "What? What is it?"

Liesel sunk into the couch. "Dudley has to come, too."

"Are you kidding me?" Dominik asked. "That hippo's going to eat up all of the popcorn!"

"Smash! Smash! Boom!" Ben exclaimed, causing one of his toy airplanes to smash into Emil's head multiple times.

"More than you already have?" Harry asked.

"Well, I live here," Dominik retorted. "That's different."

"Just…try to be friendly, all right?" Liesel asked.

"Smash, smash!"

"You can't be friendly to Dudley," Harry said. "He doesn't know how to be friendly."

"Well, just try," Liesel said to Dominik.

"Well, where is he going to sit?" Dominik asked. "There's not enough room for the four of us to fit on the couch. That means two of us will have to move."

"Fine," Liesel said. "Harry and I will sit in the love seat."

"But, that means I'm stuck with him!" Dominik whined.

"We know," Harry said smugly.

Finally, Emil let out a loud hiss and scampered off towards an unknown destination. "Lion?" Ben said aloud. He set out for Emil, but Liz picked him up before he could reach for the poor cat's tail again.

"Oh, no you don't," Liesel laughed. She glanced over at Harry, who was already seated. "It's time for a nap."

"Nap?" Ben asked.

"Yes, a nap," Liesel said, sitting on the loveseat. She placed Ben in her lap.

"No nap," said Ben.

"Yes, nap," replied Liesel.

"No nap, no nap!" Ben said.

"Yes, nap! Yes, nap!"

Dominik laughed. "It looks like Ben's taken away your ability to speak in complete sentences."

"Oh, shut up."

"Shu-up!" Ben exclaimed happily. Dominik laughed even harder. Liesel glanced over at Harry, who was suppressing a grin.

"No, Ben," Liesel said. "That's a bad word."

"Shu-up! Shu-up!"

Liesel buried her face in her palm. How was she going to explain that to her father?

Liesel tried putting Ben to sleep with the help of Harry, but they both failed to do so. Benjamin started to cry, which made the task of putting him down for a nap even more difficult. Through all of the mayhem, the doorbell rung; Dudley had arrived.

"I'll get it," Dominik said in an irritable voice. A minute later, Dominik entered the living room with Dudley following behind him, looking extremely horrified. Dominik seated himself on the couch and placed his feet on the coffee table.

"Hey, Dudley," Liesel mumbled. He glanced at Liesel and grunted what she believed to be a greeting. He seated himself stiffly beside Dominik, who had the bowl of popcorn in his lap. "Popcorn?" he asked, offering Dudley the bowl with his mouth full.

"Sure," he said grasping as much popcorn as his hands could hold. Liesel still scrambled with Ben as he continued to cry. "What's wrong with him?" Dudley asked, tossing piece-after-piece of popcorn into his mouth.

Didn't he just eat dinner? Liesel thought.

"He refuses to fall asleep."

"Oh," Dudley said, grabbing another handful of popcorn. "What's the movie?"

"This one is called Poltergeist—this is my favorite movie," Dominik said with a grin. "I used to watch this one all the time."

Harry took Ben from Liesel's arms, and he immediately stopped crying. "That's weird," Harry muttered.

Liesel shrugged. "I guess he just likes you." Liesel turned to Dominik. "Poltergeist?' Who wants to watch a horror movie at four o' clock in the afternoon?"

"I do!" Dominik scoffed. A malicious smile appeared on his face. He turned to Dudley, who was still nibbling on popcorn. "Hey, Dudders, I know a real poltergeist. Did you know that?"

"Dominik…" Liesel said in a warning voice, though it went ignored. Ben seemed to be rather comfortable being with Harry. He was now seated in his lap and much calmer than usual.

The popcorn that was in Dudley's large hands fell into his lap and his eyes went as wide as saucers. "A r-real one?" he stammered.

"Yeah," Dominik said. "His name is…Peeves!" He exclaimed, causing Dudley to fall to the floor in a massive heap.

"In fact, I know plenty of ghosts," Dominik said thoughtfully.

"G-ghosts?"

"Yeah, wanna know my favorite ones?" Dominik asked darkly. Dudley shook his head 'no'. Of course, Dominik ignored him. "The Bloody Baron and Nearly-Headless Nick."

"Nearly Headless?" Dudley repeated. "H-how is that possible?"

"Let's just say the sword that was meant to behead him was a little dull."

"Okay, enough fun and games," Liesel warned. "Just watch the stupid movie." Dominik wrinkled his nose at Liesel, but continued watching the movie, anyways. Emil reappeared and hopped into Liesel's lap.

"So, what happened at Ron's?" Harry muttered.

"Not much," Liesel answered. "Fred and I made up."

"Really? That's great," he said with a smile. "It's about time, to be honest."

"I know," said Liesel. "It's just great to have things back to normal."

"So…what's up with you and Malfoy?" Harry asked slowly. "Are you two still—you know—er, together?"

"Yeah," Liesel said with a nod. "He owled me yesterday."

"Oh," Harry said shortly. "So h-how're things going with that?"

"Things seem fine," Liesel said thoughtfully. "I really miss him."

"I missed you while you were gone," Harry said. "It was a bit lonely here—more than usual," he said with a nervous laughter.

Liesel gave him a weak smile. "Sorry about that," she said. "Turns out my dad was getting readjusted to his job. He didn't want us home alone."

"Oh, I see," Harry said. "And that blonde woman, who's she?"

"That's Aunt Helena, Dominik's mom," Liesel said. "She was back in America, but apparently, she's back here. She's even working for the Ministry now."

"Really?" Harry asked. "What does she do?"

"Who builds houses over a graveyard, anyways?" Dominik asked no one in particular. Dudley, who was also paying attention to the movie, shrugged absentmindedly.

"She's been made the director of that new Quidditch Camp—"

"A Quidditch Camp?" Harry repeated.

"Yeah, everyone's been talking about it," Liesel said. "You have heardabout it, haven't you?"

"No," Harry murmured. Liesel could hear the hurt in his voice.

"Do you think the Dursleys would let you go?"

"Remember how I told you I didn't want to push things? That would sort of be pushing it, don't you think?"

"Yeah…" Liesel said, feeling a bit guilty. "It's only for about three weeks," she added. "I'd be back by the time your birthday comes around. Dominik isn't going, if that makes you feel any better." Harry opened his mouth to speak, but Liesel continued to talk. "—Okay, I know it won't, but maybe next year we could—"

"Liz, it's fine," Harry said, grasping her hand.

"Are you sure, because I can—"

"Liz, it's not a big deal," he promised. "Honest."

"All right," Liesel said unsurely.

"T-teles don't actually do that, d-do they?" Dudley whimpered from his spot on the floor.

"You mean that never happens over your house? Ben, here, has gotten sucked into the TV a few times," Dominik said with a sigh. "He'd disappear for a day or two, but he always comes out." Liesel could have sworn that she saw Dudley scoot back a few inches away from the television. "It's happened to me once or twice," he said with a shrug.

Liesel and Harry grinned at each other. "So, did the Weasleys mention anything about the World Cup?"

"Not that I remember," Liesel said. "It didn't really come up."

"Oh, Ron told me that Mr. Weasley would try and get tickets—wouldn't that be brilliant?"

"Yeah, it seems like so much fun," Liesel said. "Have you, by any chance, heard from Sirius?"

"We've sent a few owls back and forth—not too much, you know," Harry answered. "He doesn't want people to get too suspicious. Has Dominik talked to him at all?"

"I think so," Liesel said thoughtfully. "He's very private about it," she explained. "He doesn't tell me much when it comes to him."

"Hmm, I guess I understand that," Harry said, glancing down at Ben, who had fallen asleep while sitting in his lap. "Hey, Liz?"

"Yeah?"

"You're not really paying much attention to this movie, are you?"

"Not at all." Liesel whispered.

"I think Dominik is having a good time scaring Dudley," Harry said, watching the two.

"He's having too much fun scaring Dudley," Liesel sighed. "At least Ben's asleep."

"Yeah," Harry muttered, looking down at the sleeping one-year-old. He looked at Emil and laughed, "The same for Emil." Liesel looked down at her lap, and indeed, Emil was asleep.

Liesel rested her head on Harry's shoulder. "I'm kind of tired, too," she yawned. "I'm really not that fond of this movie."

"I've noticed," Harry said with a laugh.

"Wake me up when it's over."

"Okay."

"Liz? Wake up," Harry murmured, nudging her with his elbow.

"Is the movie over?" she mumbled, opening her eyes.

"The movie has been over for an hour. We've already started another one," Dominik said. "Harry didn't want to wake you up."

Liesel sat up, taking her head from his shoulder. "But, Harry, I told you to wake me up when it was over."

"I know, but you looked really tired," he said with a shrug.

Dudley took the popcorn bowl from the coffee table and looked into it with a frown. "All of the popcorn is gone," he whined.

"I wonder where it all could have gone," Dominik drawled. "I refilled it a half-hour ago, and someone ate it all!"

"Here," Liesel said, moving Emil from her lap. "I'll go and get some more."

"Hmm…I'm not in much of a mood for popcorn," Dominik said, getting to his feet, as well. "I think a sandwich will do me good."

"I am a bit hungry," Harry admitted. He took Ben from his lap and laid him down on the couch. Dominik paused the movie, and the three made their way to the kitchen, leaving Dudley behind.

"W-wait for me!" he stammered.

"What's wrong with him?" Liesel whispered to Dominik, who was grinning.

"Apparently, that was the first time Dudley had ever seen Poltergeist," he explained. "I told him that movie was based on Privet Drive. That little pig will believe anything you tell him."

Liesel couldn't help but to laugh as she looked through the cupboards for the popcorn. "Ah, there it is," she said, spotting the box. She pulled it from the cupboard only to find it empty. She frowned, turning to Dominik. "Really?" she asked.

"What?" he asked, as he pulled lunch meat from the refrigerator.

"You put the popcorn box back into the cupboard, knowing it was empty," she said irritably.

"Oh, sorry," he said with a shrug.

Liesel huffed, throwing the empty box into the trash can. "I'll guess we'll just have pretzels."

"I like pretzels," Dudley said.

"I'm sure you do," Dominik replied.

By the time the four teenagers had returned to the living room, Benjamin was seated on the couch, wide awake. He saw their snacks and his blue eyes glistened. "'Nack?"

"Damn it," Dominik muttered. "I was hoping he'd stay asleep for at least another hour."

"Do you smell that?" Harry asked suddenly, wrinkling his nose.

"S-smell what?" Liesel asked.

"Oh, God," Dominik sighed. "You've got to be kidding me."

Liesel took a whiff of the air and practically gagged. "Oh, Merlin!" The four exchanged glances, and were all thinking the same thing. But, Liesel was the first to speak. "I'm not changing him."

"Well, I'm not doing it!" Dudley shrieked. "I'm just here for the food and movies!"

"Shocker," said Dominik.

"Well, I'm surely not doing it," Harry said. "I don't know how to change a diaper."

"What makes you think we know how to do it?" Liesel asked, indicating Dominik and herself. "We've been the only child for most over lives."

"The same for me and Dudley," Harry retorted.

"Well, I'm not going anywhere near a diaper," Dominik said.

"Well, neither am I!" Liesel said.

"There aren't enough galleons in the world," Harry muttered.

"I'm just here for the food," Dudley complained.

It seems that Liesel, Dominik, Harry, and Dudley weren't the only ones put off by Ben's smell. Emil poked his head up, sniffing the air.

"Lion!" Ben squealed, reaching out for Emil, who let out what sounded like an irritated meow, and hopped from the couch.

"I guess that cancels out Emil," Liesel mumbled. "Someone has to change him."

"Lion! Lion!" Emil exclaimed, clapping his hands.

"How about we all do it," Harry suggested. "Together."

"I don't know, Harry…" Liesel said unsurely. "It seems like a hard task when only one person is doing it."

"Lion! Lion!"

"Do any of you find it sad that none of us know how to change a diaper?" Dominik asked.

Suddenly, Ben had gone extremely quiet; which wasn't normal for him in Liesel's book. She looked at him curiously, he seemed to be focusing on something behind them, his eyes wide and mesmerized. "Lion…"

Liesel furrowed her eyebrows. "Ben, what're you—"

Liesel's voice was cut off by a loud roar—one that sounded very similar to a lion's. Liesel, Dominik, Harry, and Dudley froze.

"That can not be good," Dominik said slowly.

The four slowly turned around to see what appeared to be a lion, except this lion was very much different. Its fur was white and its eyes were a piercing blue. Not only that, but its face and paws were a dark black.

"Emil?" Liesel croaked.

"Back away slowly," Dominik said quietly, pulling his wand from his pocket. The three began to cautiously take steps backward. "When I count to three, run, and I'll grab Ben."

The group huddled together and began to take cautious steps backwards.

"W-what is that?" Dudley croaked.

"I'm pretty sure it's Liesel's cat…" Harry whispered.

"Harry, Liesel," Dominik said, "Have you got your wands?"

"Mine is upstairs," said Liesel.

"Right here," Harry said, pulling his wand from his pocket.

"Y-you're not s-supposed to have that!" Dudley breathed.

"If he didn't have it, then this situation would be much worse," Dominik retorted. "How could this have happened?" he asked.

"No idea," breathed Harry.

"Protego!" Dominik exclaimed, placing a shield between themselves and the lion. "Upstairs, now!"

Dominik dived for Ben, and Liesel, Harry, and Dudley rushed upstairs. Liesel could see Dudley shoving Harry out of the way from her peripheral vision. They could hear Emil's roars from the bottom of the stairs as they ran for their lives. The three made it to the top of the stairs, and rushed down the hallway to Liesel's bedroom. Once the three were safely inside, Liesel shut the door.

"Colloportus!" Harry shouted, pointing his wand at the door.

"Wait!" Liesel exclaimed. "What about Dominik? And Ben?"

"Dominik knows more magic than the both of us," Harry said as he attempted to catch his breath. "I'm sure he and Ben are fine."

"H-how did your cat turn into a lion?" Dudley stuttered. He was curled up on Liesel's bed and he was holding the bowl of pretzels to himself rather tightly.

"We don't know," Liesel replied as she scrambled around her room for her wand. "Ah—here it is. But, nothing like that has ever happened before…"

There was a knock at the door. "Alohomora," Dominik's voice said from the opposite side of the door. Dominik turned the doorknob and entered the room. He set Ben, who seemed completely unfazed, on the floor.

Harry pointed his wand at the door, once again. "Colloportus."

"What happened?"

"Is Emil dead?" Liesel shrieked.

"D-did you turn it back into a c-cat?" Dudley stammered.

"I knocked him out," Dominik said with a shrug. "But, I don't know if I can transfigure him back into a cat."

"What the bloody hell is going on?" Liesel asked aloud.

"I'm s-scared," Dudley stammered before stuffing a handful of pretzels into his mouth.

"Hey, Dudley," Dominik said, "can you do us a favor and stop stuffing your face? This is serious!"

"I eat when I'm nervous!" Dudley retorted.

"Well, you must be one nervous kid," Liesel snapped.

"Hand over the bowl," Dominik demanded.

"No," Dudley said in a childish voice.

"Dudley, just hand over the pretzels," Harry sighed.

"Shut up!" Dudley snapped at Harry. "When we get out of here, I'm telling mum! You're nothing but freaks!"

"That's it," Dominik growled. "Rule number one," he marched over to Dudley and grabbed him by his collar, "get of my cousin's bed." He tossed Dudley onto the floor. "Oh, and rule number two," he said, snatching the bowl of pretzels from Dudley's pudgy hands. "No more food!" he shouted in his face. "If I hear one more peep out of you, I'm turning you into a mouse—I'm sure Emil would have fun with that."

Harry went and slumped in a corner. Liesel took Ben into her arms and seated herself beside Harry, watching as Dominik took control. Dudley, however, didn't seem to care. All he wanted was that bowl of pretzels.

He got to his feet and charged toward Dominik. "Give—the—pretzels—back!" Dudley shouted as he tried pulling the bowl from Dominik's hands.

"No!" Dominik grunted as he struggled to keep the bowl in his grasp.

"Merlin, this is a nightmare," Liesel mumbled. "You don't think we'll get in trouble, do you? For using magic?"

"I highly doubt it," Harry replied.

"Let—go—of—the bowl, you pig!"

Liesel laughed. "I bet the Ministry has got about a dozen notifications by now."

"No—I—want—the—pretzels!"

"I wouldn't be surprised," Harry sighed.

"Harry?"

"Let go, you ugly little mountain troll!"

"No, give the pretzels back!"

"Yeah?"

Liesel glanced down at Ben, realizing that his diaper had yet to be changed. "Do you smell what I smell?"

Harry sighed. "Unfortunately."

"Let, go!" Dominik grunted. He finally lost his hold on the bowl of pretzels. He and Dudley fell backwards. Dominik landed on Liesel's bed, while Dudley landed on the floor accompanied by a loud thump.

Pretzels flew in all directions.

"'Nack!" Ben exclaimed, reaching for the pretzels. "'Nack!"

"No, Ben," Liesel said, restraining her brother. "You can't have those."

"'Nack! 'Nack! 'Nack!" Ben demanded.

"No, Ben," said Harry. "No pretzels."

Ben began to cry, and Dudley and Dominik still hadn't stopped arguing.

"Not again," Liesel groaned. "This is going to be a long night."

"I wish they'd stop arguing already," said Harry. "There's no use in crying over spilt milk…or in this case, pretzels," he said with a snort.

Liesel couldn't help but to burst with laughter. "That was a good one, Harry." She said with a smile. Suddenly, a pretzel hopped into Harry's lap. Liesel furrowed her eyebrows. "That was weird," she muttered.

"Ow!" Dominik said suddenly, holding his eye. "Did you just throw a pretzel at me?" he snapped at Dudley.

"I didn't throw anything!" Dudley said defensively.

"Is it me, or are there more pretzels than before?" Harry muttered.

Liesel glanced around, and realized that Harry was right; there were more pretzels than before. The pretzels seemed to be multiplying. The pretzels seemed to be hopping all over the place as the multiply.

"Er, Dominik," Liesel said in a panicked voice. But, he was still too busy to notice the multiplying pretzels. Liesel got to her feet, holding Ben in her arms (who still hadn't been changed). Harry did the same. "Dominik," she said again.

"This is useless," Harry sighed.

"Dominik!" Liesel shrieked.

"What?" he snapped.

"I don't understand how you've failed to realize that the pretzels that you and Dudley spilled have somehow begun to multiply," Harry said.

Dominik looked at Harry and Liesel as though they were mad. "What're you two talking about?" he asked. He glanced down at the floor. The pretzels were now past their ankles. "Oh."

"'Oh?!'" Liesel repeated. "That's all you've got to say?!" she shrieked.

"Well, what was I supposed to say?" he retorted.

Dudley got down on his hands and knees and began stuffing the pretzels in his mouth. "Maybe we can eat them all."

"Don't be daft!" Liesel shouted at him. "How am I going to explain this to my dad?" Liesel groaned. "'I don't know, dad, Emil went into the kitchen, and when he came back, he was a lion' and 'we locked ourselves in my bedroom to hide from the sleeping lion in our kitchen and Dudley and Dominik spilled pretzels all over the place and they started multiplying!'"

"Liz, calm down," Harry said.

"Harry, they're up to our knees!" Liesel shrieked. "How're we supposed to get rid of all of these pretzels?!"

"Somehow, Dudley is the only one who has come up with a suggestion," Dominik said dryly.

"What are we going to do?"

"Well, now that the pretzels are past our knees, how about we get out of here?" Dominik suggested.

"What if they don't stop multiplying?"

"We'll worry about that later!"

"Dudley, stop eating the pretzels!"

The four pushed their way to the door. Dominik unlocked it, and they were pushed out by the force of the multiplying pretzels.

"They're not going to stop," Liesel murmured.

"Let's head downstairs," Harry said.

"We can't go down there!" Dudley whimpered. "Th-the lion is still down there."

"Hopefully, it's still out cold," Dominik said. "Come on."

The four cautiously made their way down the stairs, accompanied by the multiplying pretzels. The three stood by the front door, looking around. The living room was a wreck, due to Dominik's short battle with the lion, which was nowhere to be seen.

"Where's the lion?" Harry asked.

"I used Stupefy on it in the kitchen," Dominik muttered.

"How long do you think that's going to last?" Liesel asked.

"I honestly don't know."

Suddenly, the front door opened to reveal the two people that Liesel and Dominik would have generally have been relieved to see.

Dominik's eyes widened. "Mom."

"Dad…" Liesel said slowly.

Harry hid behind Dominik, while Dudley looked as though he were going to be sick. Behind Dominik's mother and Liesel's father was an older woman who was no taller than Liesel.

"What is going on?" Liesel's father asked, stepping into the house, observing the obscurities.

Liesel stepped forward and held Ben out to her father. "You change him." He took Ben from her, realizing that he needed to be changed.

"If I knew, I would tell you," Dominik said.

A loud roar emerged from the kitchen. "Duck!" Harry exclaimed. Dashing from the kitchen, was Emil, still a lion. Everyone ducked just in time as Emil pranced over them, and he went through the door. Though, he didn't get far.

Another wizard transfigured Emil back to his cat form. He stepped inside of the house, as well. "I believe this belongs to you," he said to Liesel. The man was older and She nodded and happily took him into her arms.

Liesel's father let out an exasperated sigh. "Thank you, Amos."

"No problem, Henry."

"The four of you have got some serious explaining to do," Aunt Helena said firmly.

"What did the four of you do?"

The living room was restored to its neat previous state.

"We didn't do anything!" Everyone was calm with the exception of Dominik. He and Dudley were seated on the couch, and Liesel and Harry on the love seat.

"I assure the four of you that this is a very serious matter," the stern woman, who Liesel now knew to be Malfalda Hopkirk, said. "Now, you have to tell us, how this happened."

"For the last time, we don't know," said Harry.

"You have no idea how your cat was turned into a lion?" Amos Diggory asked.

"No, sir, I don't," Liesel replied shaking her head. "We'd been watching movies all afternoon."

"'Movies'?" Mr. Diggory repeated. "What're movies?" he asked Aunt Helena.

"They're a form of muggle entertainment," she explained. "Completely harmless, if that's what you're wondering."

"Ben was napping and we were low on snacks," Dominik explained. "Seeing as someone ate all of the popcorn," he said, sending a glare at Dudley, who hadn't spoken since the Ministry employees had arrived.

"I told you before that I was only here for the snacks!"

"Dudley shouldn't even be here right now," Liesel spoke up. "He's a muggle," she explained.

"So you did underage magic in the presence of a muggle?" Mafalda asked.

"Well, if a lion showed up in your living room, wouldn't you use magic to defend yourself?" Liesel asked sharply. "Dominik only used Stupefy—on the lion, might I add—and then Harry and I used magic to lock and unlock the door to my bedroom."

"That doesn't explain how your cat turned into a lion," Amos said.

"Nor does it explain why the second floor of my house was covered in pretzels," Liesel's father said.

"But, Mr. Greenwood, we've been trying to tell you that we don't know how it happened, either," Harry said timidly. "We went into the kitchen to get snacks, and when we returned, Ben was awake."

"Yeah—he and Emil were on the loveseat where we left them," Liesel said thoughtfully. "You know how Emil gets when Ben's around," she said to her father. "He gets really annoyed, so he gets up and goes someplace else. This time, he went into the kitchen."

"And?" Mafalda asked.

"And what?" Dominik snapped. "That's what happened, lady!"

"Dominik," Aunt Helena said in a dangerous tone.

"What happened after the cat went into the kitchen?" Amos asked. He obviously didn't like Dominik's tone.

"Ben got a little whiny," Liesel said with a shrug. "He was—" Liesel came to a pause and eyed her brother.

"He was what?" her father asked.

"He was calling after him," Liesel said. "But, here's the thing, Ben doesn't call Emil by his name—he doesn't even call him 'cat' or 'kitty', for that matter."

"Well, what does he call the cat then?" Amos asked in an impatient voice.

"He calls him 'Lion'." Dominik said, eyeing the one-year-old warily.

"That's impossible," Mr. Diggory said at once.

"You expect me to believe that your one-year-old brother turned your cat into a lion?" Mafalda asked.

"I see no other explanation for it," Liesel said. "Dominik and Dudley had spilled the bowl of pretzels and Ben had begun to whine, because I wouldn't let him have any pretzels."

"The next thing we know, the pretzels that Dominik and Dudley spilled were all over the floor were somehow up to our ankles," Harry said. "How do you explain that?"

Liesel's father looked slightly convinced and looked at his sleeping son in awe.

"So, whenever he doesn't get something he wants, he whines, and his magic takes affect?" Aunt Helena asked.

"We think that's what happened, but we don't know for sure," Liesel said.

"Well, as long as none of you are hurt," Amos said slowly. "I guess my job here is done," he said.

"Not quite, Amos," Malfalda said. "I think the Confundus Charm will be needed," she said, nodding towards Dudley.

Amos sighed. "All right," he sighed, making his way over to the large boy. He pointed his wand between his eyes.

"W-what's he doing?" Dudley stammered.

"Don't worry, Dudley," Liesel said in an attempt to keep him calm, "he's not hurting you."

Dudley's eyes crossed as he tried to keep his eyes on the wand. Amos let out a sigh before muttering 'Confundo'.

Dudley glanced around the living room, and everyone was silent. "Where's the popcorn."

Dominik scowled. "You ate it all!"

"That'll be all, Henry," Amos said to Liesel's father, feeling satisfied with his spellwork.

Malalda stood up, scribbling something on a clipboard. "Please, Henry, keep an eye on that boy of yours," she said. "We can't have another incident like this."

"Thank you for coming," Aunt Helena said to the two.

"Any time, Helena," Mafalda replied. "Good luck with your new job," she added.

"Thank you," Aunt Helena said with a smile.

Amos Diggory and Mafalda Hopkirk made their way over to the fireplace and disappeared into the green flames.

"How'd they do that?" Dudley asked.

"It's all a part of the movie," Liesel said. "Remember?"

Dudley seemed to have given it a thought. "Oh, yeah…"

"Well," Aunt Helena said, looking down at Harry and Dudley, "you two might as well stay for dinner." She held out her hand to Harry. "We haven't properly met," she said. "My name is Helena Greenwood."

Harry took her hand. "Are you Dominik's mum? The one that was married to Sirius' brother?"

Aunt Helena's face fell slightly. "That would be me," she said uncomfortably. Everyone was silent. "I'll be in the kitchen," she said awkwardly.

Liesel's father sighed. "I'll set him down for bed," he said. "Remind me to never let you two babysit ever again," he said thoughtfully.

"I am absolutely fine with that," Dominik said.

"Yeah, I have no problem with that," Liesel agreed.

"Is there anything else we can eat?" Dudley asked.

"No."

"Let's watch another movie," Harry suggested. "This time, I get to pick."

"All right."

"Go ahead."

"I'm hungry."

Just then, the doorbell rung and Dominik let out a sigh. "Who is it now?"

"I've got it," Aunt Helena called from the kitchen. She made her way over to the door.

"I wonder who that could be," Liesel said thoughtfully.

"Uncle Vernon," Harry said without a hint of doubt in his voice.

"Vernon Dursley, isn't it?" The four teenagers heard Aunt Helena's voice say.

"Dad?" Dudley asked, standing up from the couch. He walked towards the door.

"Come on, Dudley, you're going home," Mr. Dursley's voice grumbled.

"I don't want to go," Dudley whined. "We're watching movies and we were going to have dinner!"

"But, Dudley—"

"I want to stay here! I like the Greenwoods! They're making dinner!" he whined. "I want to stay!"

"Fine," Mr. Dursley's voice said. "Be back by nine with Potter."

"Not a problem," Aunt Helena said. "I'll bring them by, myself. Good evening, Vernon." Liesel heard him grumble in reply.

Dudley walked back into the living room, still pouting. But, he otherwise seemed happy that his father let Harry and himself stay.

"I must admit," Harry said, sounding bewildered. "I didn't expect that."

Liesel smiled. "Neither did I."

Author's Note:

I feel like a bit of comic relief could do everyone good. Quidditch camp starts next chapter, yay! And a there's a new character coming :3

So, I summarized most of my Monday morning in this really detailed narrative. But, my grandma unplugged the wifi, and I lost it. SO, I'm going to make this quick and simple:

-I woke up to the smoke detector-turned out my apartment building was on fire

-I tried to leave through the front door, but I couldn't- way too much smoke.

-Went to the window in my mom's room for fresh air-couldn't climb out of the window, because I was on the third floor

-Called my mom and dad on my cell phone while having a panic attack (they couldn't understand what I was saying)-I was home alone, because my mom was at work.

-Firemen came and got me out on a ladder-I was safe.

So, yup. My apartment building was on fire. But, luckily, the apartment that my mom and I lived in only had smoke damage. Most of the building, however, is destroyed. All my mom and I have to worry about is finding someplace else to live. Right now, we're staying with my grandma.

Anyways, I was fine, and the smoke didn't affect me too much. I only had soot in my nose-nothing a tissue couldn't handle. But, I'm thankful to be alive, that's for sure. The only thing that's keeping me sane right now is writing this story.

Thank you for reading, reviewing, and all of the favorites. You're all the best! xoxo