46. "It's a little small, isn't it?"

When Harry had received an owl post inviting him to the Weasley home before going to the Quidditch World Cup, he had nearly jumped for joy. It took the smallest of efforts to get his relatives to agree.

He wouldn't be in their house, neither would 'his kind'. That's all they wanted.

Now he found himself enjoying the present company of the Weasley home as he followed one of his best friends, Ron. Though, Ron wasn't the most happy at the moment. At times like this, Harry couldn't help but draw parallels between Vernon and Ron when it came to their tempers. Harry supposed it couldn't be helped when there were so many different personalities living under one roof.

Fred and George, Ron's twin older brothers, had used him for a rather unpleasant magical novelty item. Fortunately, Mrs. Weasley had made the twins turn him back to the proper bodily proportions.

"They think they're so funny, but one of these days I'll show them", Ron said hotly as they left the house onto the yard. Gripped in his hands was his rather damaged wand that was bandaged together.

Harry privately wondered why he hadn't mentioned it. He could only point to pride. Ron didn't like being the youngest of the sons and tried to solve problems on his own. Personally, Harry would've liked to pay for a new wand, but he knew Ron would be stubborn against the idea.

"Everybody thinks that they're so great. Look at Fred and George what a laugh they are. Ha-ha look what they changed Ron into this week!" Ron angrily kicked a stone across the yard. "All because they're a little older than me and a little better in magic than I am. But one day, mom, dad, Fred, George, Ginny, and even Percy will see."

A warm wind blew against them, causing Harry's headdress to jingle softly. "I didn't know that there was anything to prove."

That caused Ron to scoff. "You're Harry freaking Potter. Nobody doubts you."

"Except when the Chamber was open, whenever Voldemort is brought up, or we lose house points", Harry interrupted quickly. There was a hint of satisfaction from ending his friend's line of argument.

Ron's face grew hot as he began to storm away.

Feeling guilty over his victory, he stopped Ron by pulling on his shoulder, "Come on things aren't that bad. Remember when you fought Voldemort with the sword from the hat? I think that was amazing and something Fred and George can't take from you. You're definitely the best at Wizard Chess. You earned those accomplishments, I got mine from my parents dying for me. I'm proud to be your best friend", Harry spoke honestly.

"Yeah, I guess I'm pretty great, eh?"

This bout of self-confidence caused them to share a laugh.

"Why don't you just pick your passion and run with it?" Harry questioned.

Ron rubbed his chin as he thought deeply. "Quidditch!" Ron said with a snap of his fingers. "Wait, Fred and George are on the team", he remembered grumpily. Then, he shook his head and declared, "Forget them. I blow them out of the water. Harry, I'm going to tryout this year."

"You'll do great. Hey, can I see your wand for a bit?" He took the wand as Ron thrusted it forward. With a single glance, he could see the intricate weave of magic as its components magic bled into the wood. Frustration seemed to bob and weave from the core.

With his free hand, he pulled out his spell book. Harry chanted evenly, "With him, life was routine; without him, life was unbearable (Mandate of Normalcy)."

Slowly magic wrapped around the wand. A pleasing note played as the wood healed itself and almost seemed to coil soothingly. Almost in an instant the wand was as good as new. Ron looked on entranced at the healing.

All the while, Harry's eyes shined an unnerving green as his hair wavered just a bit. "Here you go."

"Thanks", Ron said a touch tightly. He tenderly took his wand back and waved it back and forth.

Not long after, Mrs. Weasley called them back and so they walked, each in their own silence. Ron was in awe, while Harry was in contemplation.

Magic had become so expansive. Using it made Harry feel so elevated and clear minded. Slowly rocks around him levitated towards his palm and swirled chaotically. Crushing the stones, he released them and it took the form of the Pale Lady.

Seeing the form, he found some comfort in it. Now that he thought of it, he didn't know the Pale Lady's true name. As a matter of fact, he hadn't felt the need to know. A name changed nothing, but now he felt that would like to know it.

The very thought of holding her name to her heart warmed it. Would it be too far to ask her? Directness always seemed to be in her favor. Lovers holding each other closely as they fondly whispered the other's name sounded wonderful.

Blowing the figure, it fell apart like dust.

Harry walked on.