This story continues on from Harry's arrival at the Burrow in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and explores how the books would change if there were some competent adults actually doing their jobs. Everything before this point is intended to be canon however my memory is not flawless so apologies if something doesn't add up.
This first chapter is short with out much in the way of deviation from the original plot as it's intended to set the scene and drop you in to the correct part of the Harry Potter series.
Chapter 1: At the Burrow
"Something doesn't add up here Harry," Arthur Weasley frowned at him as Harry described the Dobby incident. "I'll look into it at the office tomorrow. I've got a friend in the DMLE who owes me a favour. We'll get it sorted out don't you worry."
Harry relaxed slightly as he realised Mr Weasley believed him. He'd been a little concerned that Mr and Mrs Weasley would be put out by his sudden arrival at the Burrow. Mrs Weasley had definitely been angry when he first arrived but seemingly not at him. He snuck a glance at the bustling witch who was still making frustrated clanging noises as she aggressively cleared up after breakfast. Harry tried to imagine how he'd have felt if he'd woken up to find his teenage sons had stolen his partners secret, illegal, flying car in the middle of the night to pick up a friend. He ducked his head as he tried to stifle the snort of laughter that bubbled up inside him. Mr and Mrs Weasley both turned enquiringly to the young man who quite diligently avoided eye contact. Harry was quite certain that Mrs Weasley at least would not share his sense of humour on this occasion. He loved the magical world, he really did, but it was absolutely absurd at times.
With Mrs Weasley apparently satisfied that he had eaten sufficiently, and Mr Weasley happy that he had all the facts about the underage magic warning Harry was shooed out the kitchen and re-joined the rest of the Weasley boys as they paid there penance in the garden.
"Harry!" Ron sounded surprised as he spotted his friend.
"Mum's not made you come and de-gnome the garden with us has she!" Fred sounded appalled.
"Yeah, it's not like you asked us to come and get you." George stood up indignant on Harry's behalf apparently ready to head right back into the lion's den and protest Harry's innocence.
Harry grinned at them sheepishly, "Nah, I thought I'd see what all the fuss was about for myself, besides if I'd stayed in the kitchen any longer your mum would probably have insisted on a fourth plate of breakfast."
The Weasley boys laughed good naturedly at that. It was no secret that the Weasley children were bottomless pits when it came to food and it seemed Mrs Weasley was unware that not all children ate quite so much. Harry laughed along with them, the fear and tension, not to mention hunger, he'd been feeling since returning to the Dursley's slowly faded away as he stood out in the sunshine, stomach full watching his friends chase tiny little potatoey looking creatures around the garden.
He watched in muggle raised wonder as Fred, shouting maniacally and wafting a large stick, attempted to intimidate, chase and ultimately herd the crafty beings towards his brothers. Ron and George with obvious experience were grabbing the truculent gnomes as the scurried past, spinning them around several times before hurling them though the air into a neighbours field.
"It doesn't hurt them," Ron quickly assured a wide eyed Harry. "It's just to make them dizzy and confused so they don't find their way back."
"What are they exactly?" Harry asked as he saw a small angry looking being flailing its limbs in a temper as it hung helplessly from Ron's gloved hand.
"Garden gnomes," He replied simply holding it out for Harry to see. "They're right annoying pests, they grow weeds all over, dig holes and steal anything they can carry."
Harry moved closer to inspect the unfortunate looking gnome as it made a desperate lunge towards him snapping at Harry's face with its viscous looking teeth.
"Oh, and they bite," added Ron as Harry stumbled back losing his balance slightly on one of the previously mentioned holes. Ron then swung the gnome around a few times before releasing it to fly through air and join the other evicted gnomes on the other side of the wall.
"Stop slacking," George eyed Ron before handing Harry some gloves, "We could do with an extra fielder, we usually have Ginny, but you'll do." He grinned at Harry, "think of it as seeker practice, you've got to catch the buggers."
The boys spent the next forty minutes or so alternating between the chasing and fielding roles and were thoroughly exhausted by the time Mrs Weasley declared the job suitably well completed. Harry couldn't help but smile, he'd actually really enjoyed himself, and despite the general moaning and grumbling of the others he knew they didn't really mind doing it.
Mrs Weasley's temper seemed to have cooled by the time the de-gnoming was completed and Harry and Ron took the opportunity to head up to Ron's room. The Burrow was an apt name for his friend's house Harry decided as they made their way up several flights of stairs. The higgledy-piggledy arrangement of hallways and staircases had an organic feel to it, as if the house itself had simply grown as needed, which he supposed might actually be possible. As Ron explained where everyone's room was, a door to their right suddenly opened and Ginny, the youngest Weasley and only girl, froze eyes wide in surprise before turning and slamming the door in their faces. The boys looked at each other in bemusement before continuing their climb to the top of the house.
"You have no idea how weird it is to see Ginny like this," Ron told Harry, "She's usually as loud as the twins."
Harry felt distinctly uncomfortable about this and didn't reply. He wasn't comfortable with Ginny's fascination with him, and he wasn't comfortable with making her uncomfortable in her own home. He just didn't know what he could do about it right now.
They finally made it to Ron's room at the top of the fifth flight of stairs, entering the room was like landing on the sun. The vivid orange of the Chudley Cannons quidditch team colours shone from every available surface, from the painted walls and coloured bedspread to the moving posters, piles of magazines, and collections of memorabilia. Harry stood for a moment basking in the glow before his eyes landed on his trunk stood at the end of a second bed, his breath caught for a moment as he likewise noticed Hedwig's cage on the desk. He couldn't quite believe it, despite the trouble he'd caused them, and his unexpected arrival, even while still angry Mr and Mrs Weasley had made a bed for him and even brought up his things.
Ron misunderstanding Harry's silence blushed and started talking "You don't mind sharing with me do you? It's not as big as your room -"
"My room with the bars on the window you mean?" Harry interjected raising his eyebrows a little to point out how daft Ron's insecurity was in this situation. Sitting down on the bed he looked up at an awkward Ron and grinned broadly "It's perfect."
Ron sat down too, "wait until you're trying to sleep and the ghoul starts clanging the pipes" Ron griped. Harry rolled his eyes at his friend's grumblings knowing better than to take him seriously and instead tempted Ron into a game of wizard's chess. He had a feeling his summer was going to drastically improve from this point.
Authors note
Any feedback and comments are welcome. This is my first attempt at fanfiction so I'm more than happy to learn.