2. The Pick-Up
Waking up at 6:00 am is not something "normal" wizards do usually. Like a child on Christmas, Harry was wide-awake long before Dudley's massive clock radio would wake the neighbors. Harry was repacking for the second time when he heard the first of the Dursley's stirring. Dudley's ponderous footsteps could easily be heard through the wall. Quickly Harry shoved "Quidlitch through the Ages" back into his trunk and hurried downstairs.
Figuring he could get an extra bite to eat if he beat the others to the table, Harry started to franticly munch on an apple. Maybe if breakfast was more than a spoonful of the tasteless Muggle oatmeal that Petunia usually tortured the family with, Harry might start the day on a partially full stomach. Harry's thoughts were interrupted by the noise of the staircase shuddering under Dudley's considerable weight. Quickly Harry opened a window and heaved the apple core out of site.
Entering the kitchen Dudley paused to glare at Harry then waddled off to the living room to get the latest info on the murders. Next came the rest of the tribe. Petunia wordlessly began to make oatmeal, much to Harry's disappointment.
At 7:31, Uncle Vernon was already complaining about the tardiness of the Weaslys.
"The least they could do is to show up on time. This lateness is so rude." Muttered Vernon.
"Quite abnormal." Added Petunia.
Hearing a car outside, Harry leapt to the window to check if the Weaslys had arrived. Much to his shock, the entire family got out of a tiny clown car, much as Dudley had described while he gloated about Harry no being allowed to got to the circus. Vernon turned bright purple and shoved Harry's trunk out onto the sidewalk.
"Harry!" cried the Weaslys.
After Fred and George managed to get Harry's heavy trunk into the trunk (how this was done Harry had no idea) they all began to climb back into the car. When Harry got to the door he noticed that the car looked quite comfy on the inside, it was even roomy. Climbing inside Harry demanded an explanation.
"Dad put some charms on it, just like the clowns do in the circus." Explained Ginny.
"Muggle's can do magic?" said Harry.
"Not Muggles Harry, wizards posing as Muggles." Said Ron.
The ride home went quickly due to other "enhancements" on the car including an additional 10 cylinders to the engine. During the ride they discussed the events of the summer and their excitement for the coming school year.
The week went quickly, and soon after shopping at Diagon Alley, they went to catch the train to Hogwarts. Going in pairs the Weaslys, Harry, and Hermione (who had met them at the station), crossed over to station nine and three quarters.
Picking a compartment as far away from Malfroy's Slytherin gang as possible, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny settled in for the ride. After a few rounds of Wizard Chess, they began to dose off. Hours later they were all violently awoken and thrown to the floor as the train slammed to a halt.
Waking up at 6:00 am is not something "normal" wizards do usually. Like a child on Christmas, Harry was wide-awake long before Dudley's massive clock radio would wake the neighbors. Harry was repacking for the second time when he heard the first of the Dursley's stirring. Dudley's ponderous footsteps could easily be heard through the wall. Quickly Harry shoved "Quidlitch through the Ages" back into his trunk and hurried downstairs.
Figuring he could get an extra bite to eat if he beat the others to the table, Harry started to franticly munch on an apple. Maybe if breakfast was more than a spoonful of the tasteless Muggle oatmeal that Petunia usually tortured the family with, Harry might start the day on a partially full stomach. Harry's thoughts were interrupted by the noise of the staircase shuddering under Dudley's considerable weight. Quickly Harry opened a window and heaved the apple core out of site.
Entering the kitchen Dudley paused to glare at Harry then waddled off to the living room to get the latest info on the murders. Next came the rest of the tribe. Petunia wordlessly began to make oatmeal, much to Harry's disappointment.
At 7:31, Uncle Vernon was already complaining about the tardiness of the Weaslys.
"The least they could do is to show up on time. This lateness is so rude." Muttered Vernon.
"Quite abnormal." Added Petunia.
Hearing a car outside, Harry leapt to the window to check if the Weaslys had arrived. Much to his shock, the entire family got out of a tiny clown car, much as Dudley had described while he gloated about Harry no being allowed to got to the circus. Vernon turned bright purple and shoved Harry's trunk out onto the sidewalk.
"Harry!" cried the Weaslys.
After Fred and George managed to get Harry's heavy trunk into the trunk (how this was done Harry had no idea) they all began to climb back into the car. When Harry got to the door he noticed that the car looked quite comfy on the inside, it was even roomy. Climbing inside Harry demanded an explanation.
"Dad put some charms on it, just like the clowns do in the circus." Explained Ginny.
"Muggle's can do magic?" said Harry.
"Not Muggles Harry, wizards posing as Muggles." Said Ron.
The ride home went quickly due to other "enhancements" on the car including an additional 10 cylinders to the engine. During the ride they discussed the events of the summer and their excitement for the coming school year.
The week went quickly, and soon after shopping at Diagon Alley, they went to catch the train to Hogwarts. Going in pairs the Weaslys, Harry, and Hermione (who had met them at the station), crossed over to station nine and three quarters.
Picking a compartment as far away from Malfroy's Slytherin gang as possible, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny settled in for the ride. After a few rounds of Wizard Chess, they began to dose off. Hours later they were all violently awoken and thrown to the floor as the train slammed to a halt.
