Chapter 4

A few weeks later, Harry was at the Burrow enjoying a carefree dinner with the Weasleys. Mr. Weasley looked dead on his feet with the fight against the Dark Lord going on. His once lively were weary and shadowed. He didn't seem all that interested in the muggle devices that he had Harry about all the time. He just ate quickly and quietly so he could head out again.

Harry sat between Ron and Ginny and listened with rapt attention as the twins went on and on about their plans for their joke shop, Weasley Wizard Wheezes. He was glad they had put the money he gave them to good use.

"Ron, have you heard from Hermione lately? Is she going on hte trip or not?" Harry asked.

"Nothing yet, but I hope I get word from the school about whether or not I will be going," he answered.

At that, a large brown owl swooped down with a letter for Ron. He took it and gave the owl some bread before it flew off again. He opened it and whooped with joy. Leaping out of his seat, he took the letter to his parents at the head of the table.

"Mum! Dad! I was chosen to go to America!" Ron shouted happily.

"That's great, Ron," his mother answered. "We'll go to Diagon Alley tomorrow for all your school things. Hopefully, we'll meet up with Hermione there and see if she is going."

"Oh, I wish I could go," Ginny wailed. "It is going to be very boring without you guys!"

"Aww, com'on, Ginny, we'll be there," Fred said.

"You'll hurt our feelings if you react this way," George said, pretending to wipe away a tear.

"Just be quiet, you two. You won't want me around so you can plan your graduation prank," Ginny said, dismally.

"Okay, you two, leave your sister alone," Mrs. Weasley said. "Do you still have your list for the American school, Ron? We'll need to check on what books are needed."

"Yes, mum. I'm going to send a note to Hermione with Pig. Maybe she can meet us there."

"All right, time for bed if we're going to go shopping tomorrow," Mrs. Weasley told her children, including Harry.

They all trooped off to their rooms and got ready for bed. Harry was sharing Ron's room and climbed all the way to the top floor. They allgot ready for bed an Harry stared at the ceiling, thinking about the change he was going to have. He had put the events of the Triwizard Tournament out of his mind and was dreading going back to Hogwarts. He couldn't face his peers yet and just wanted to forget about it while he was in America.

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The next morning, after a hearty breakfast, the group left for Diagon Alley via Floo Powder. Harry and Ron went into Diagon Alley from the Leaky Cauldron. They consulted their lists and noticed that they needed different robes, only they were dress robes. They were notified that they could where muggle clothing in school and only needed the robes for special occasions at the school.

They went to Madame Malkin's to get the robes and Ron was surprised to find that his were prepaid. He couldn't find out from whom they were from, as Madame Malkin wouldn't tell him. They were measured and fitted in no time at all.

They then went to get their books, parchment, quills, and ink. Theyalso stopped and got potion ingredients that they might need because they wouldn't know how to find them in Boston.

"Hey, Ron! Harry! Wait up!" came a shout from a crowd off to the right.

They looked around to finally see Hermione racing up to them. She first gave Harry a hug, then hugged Ron. Hermione had a huge bag with her and she looked excited. She had an air of mysteriousness around her.

"What's up, Hermione? Did you get picked for the exchange program?" Ron asked.

"Yeah, how about you two? Are any of you two going?" she asked.

"Yeah, Ron just got the go ahead last night. He was chosen as an alternate."

Yeah, that is why we are shopping now, so we can meet on the 31st of August to go to the Portkey Depot," Ron stated. "Maybe your parents would let you stay with us?"

"We met up with your parent at Gringotts and they said yes. I have all my stuff with me."