"What's so funny, Potter?" Milvia said as she turned toward Magnolia.

"Oh," he adjusted Hedwig's cage, "Uncle Vernon has never been as nice to me as he was back there. It was as if he didn't care of what we are."

"Oh," she said as she softly nodded, "I see, but I know he knew exactly what I was. The only thing that prevented him from being rude was the fact that he believed that I was in a position to subvert his position at work. Quite fickle, wouldn't you say?"

"Quite, but why lie to him? What was the point?"

Milvia stopped the car and said, "Uncle Vernon isn't really afraid of what we are. He is afraid of his ignorance. His total inability to react to us. But because he in some level could relate with me in terms he understands, he understood that I wasn't one to be dealt with foul words."

"And do you think he really meant what he said," Harry closed the door as he put the cage the drive way.

"Not at all. Imagine if I had worn 'wizard wear,'" she slightly rolled her eyes at this, "he would have had a field day. But he was not prepared for what I represented. I looked like an ordinary Muggle to him that he could never suspect of being a witch. Imagine his horror."

"I guess you're right. But you shouldn't have gone to the trouble. The car is a bit much, don't you think?"

"That was nothing. Do you really believe that father would give me any money to buy a car. This car isn't what it appears to be? I simple conjured a charm to make it look like the image on the magazine."

Milvia took her wand, which was now completely made of a shiny gray wood, and whispered something Harry didn't even hear. Suddenly, the exterior of the automobile began to quiver. It was as if the car was melting, but suddenly, Harry saw that the car was not a car at all, but an intricate cart made up of rusted iron.

"Not very pretty, but it was the closest thing to a car I had."

Harry took a step back.

"Marvelous," was the only thing he said.

***

\After they managed to get Harry's trunk into the house using a simple spell, Harry became very pallid.

"Oh God," he whispered.

Milvia noticed Harry's expression and so stopped talking about a new potion she had created. "What happened? Did something happen?"

"No, no it's that I'm just so careless and foolish. I forgot my broom."

"Oh," she said as she looked to he right. "Well, we can always make it come here."

"Really?"

"Yeah. We can make apperate here."

"You must think I'm really stupid for not thinking of that."

"Nope. I just know how to use that spell 'cause sometimes I get lazy and I don't want to go upstairs to get something."

Harry laughed as he wiped the sweat off his face.

"Just put your hand out to catch it." Milvia stepped back a bit and said, "Veloce Apparire."

Suddenly, Harry's Firebolt began to form from the slick handle to the tightly bound bristles. Harry caught it just as it finished apparating.

"Thanks."

"No problem."

"Are you ready to go."

"Yeah. My trunk is next to the hearth."

Harry saw that it was an archaic thing that was embossed with what looked like serpents surrounding a round object.

"Is that all you are taking?"

"Yeah. I'm leaving Sonsy with Mrs. Figg."

"Sonsy?" Harry wasn't sure of what she was talking about.

"The yellow snake. Kinda weird the name my dad said to call it."

***

Harry began to cough heavily once he landed inside the Weasley residence. Besides the smell of the ashes, Harry smelled food. He heard the pounding of feet upon the wooden floor that seemed to get closer to him. Once the smoke cleared a bit, Harry saw a shock of red hair that belonged to Ron. He was quite taller than Harry had remembered. Ron wore quite a large grin that was accompanied with his hand that helped Harry to his feet.

"Sorry, Harry. I think mum forgot to clear the ashes. You don't know how boring it's been without Fred and George. And these two keep chatting about nonsense."

"Quiet, you." Hermione took Hedwig from the floor and placed beside her. "How are you, Harry? You've gotten taller."

"High." Harry said as he cleared his throat. "I think we should move before . . ."

It was too late. A second cloud of ash arose.

"Oh my," said Mrs. Weasley as she waved her hand in front of her. She took her worn wand and quickly made the smoke disappear. "That's better," Mrs. Weasley said as she spotted Harry. "Good to see you dear. Breakfast is set. But you all . . ." She stopped when she noticed Milvia observing quietly the house.

Harry noticed this and so he went with, "This is Milvia."

"My," Mrs. Weasley breathed heavily, "you look so much like Rosemary. Except for the eyes, of course. Dumbledore told me you had grown, but I hadn't imagined how much."

"Thank you Mrs. Weasley for letting me stay here on short notice and all."

"Don't worry, it's my pleasure dear. I always have room for one more. Now, I want everyone to go and wash up before breakfast. Don't worry about your belongings. I'll get them to their proper place."

"This way," said Ginny who was wearing a lavender dress.

Hermione followed Harry closely and said, "She doesn't look too happy."

"What?" Harry tuned as he was caught by Hermione's hand.

"She looks worried. Like she's afraid or something." Her brown eyes suddenly watched Milvia who was talking to Ginny.

"Be nice to her, Hermione. She might be afraid that you guys don't like her."

"I'm always nice." Hermione rolled her eyes and went to wash her hands.

"What's Hermione up to?" Ron handed Harry a green soap bar.

"I don't know."

"You didn't tell me she was . . ." he stopped and was about to whisper something to Harry's ear, but Hermione suddenly interrupted.

"Come you two. Your mum wants you to help her."

"We'll be there in a sec, Hermione. Don't you think I can hear her."

"You don't have to be rude, Ron."

"Please Hermione, it's too early to start fighting."