Ceija led them through brambles and across a few apple orchards, and then across a small stream, into a green meadow. Harry saw a circle of green military vehicles... but that wasn't what caught his attention.

The entire area seemed to explode in color. Ceija was dressed tamely compared to, well, everyone. Harry couldn't find someone who was wearing less than seven colors, splashed over skirts, and trews, sashes and tunics. One of the women, darted towards them - did she have bells on her feet?

Ceija gave them both a grin - Draco was looking a little... off, as if he might faint, and gestured grandly, "It's not much, but it's home!"

"Ceija, what are you doing with those Gadjos?" the woman cried out, her arms outstretched to grab the young girl and whisk her away.

Ceija moved behind Harry and Draco, and pushed them both forward. "They're coming with us."

A handsome lad, maybe around sixteen or seventeen suddenly swung down from a tree, leaving his feet still hooked in the lowest branch, as he regarded them upside down. He asked suspiciously, "Ceija, have you been stealing children again?"

"No one will miss them," Ceija said confidently. "These boys are in need of our assistance."

A thin man approached, his deep-royal blue waistcoat counterpointed by mustard yellow trews, and a red sash around his waist. His hat was royal purple. Narcissa Malfoy would have cried to see the ensemble. "Ass, grass or gas. Nobody rides for free."

"Da!" Ceija said, wrapping her hands around him and thumping him on the back. "They're too young for the first, and you know they haven't either of those."

Harry spoke up, "We can work though."

An older woman, wrinkled in face and hands, approached. She grabbed Harry's hand, and looked at it, "He knows how to work hard, I'll vouch for that. Keep him away from the wheel though." Swift as a snake, she grabbed Draco's hand, looking down at it, and then looking dubious, "This one hasn't worked a day in his life." She moved up to look Draco in the face, from inches away, and asked, "What can you do, boy?"

"If you've got a snake," Harry said, "He can charm it."

Draco manfully swallowed and then nodded.

"We could find one at a shop, I suppose," then, the old woman looked at Harry, "You'll muck stalls for the wheels?"

"I will," Harry said, and the old lady must have liked the steely certainty of his voice.

The older youth said, "At least this time they don't have mange."

Ceija aimed a flying fist at the youth saying, "That was just the once! And I was five."

The boys were swiftly incorporated into the departure, sent running to and fro. Harry was pleasantly surprised at how fast Draco seemed to work. He'd have figured him for whinging by the time a half hour was done.

As it was, they sat in the back of the last wagon to leave, with Ceija beside them, their legs swinging off the back.

[a/n: To London! The quick way.]