Chapter Two: The Invite
Shout outs: To my loyal 'homies' in Ye Olde Geo Clubbe! To Megan H, Mandy, and Gerred my bestest friends. And to all the Homoscouts of America, especially to troupe 69. I am forever the Girl Scout. And to Kyle R. who, without him, I wouldn't be so obsessive! Also to my computer, for being my best BETA reader!
Over the course of the next few days Jessica and Harry found they had more in common then they'd thought. Harry found time to go visit and help unpack. Jessica had found ways to sneak out of the house during the night and ways to get into Harry's room.
Carla had caught her once, well almost. It was on the fourth day that they'd been there when Harry discovered a flaw.
" My Aunt and Uncle are taking my cousin to the Bahamas for the rest of the summer. I have to go stay with my Aunt Marge. " Harry said sighing. Jessica patted his back sympathetically, she'd heard all about Aunt Marge.
" I've got an idea! You could stay with us. " Jessica said brightly.
" That'd be cool! And we can go to Diagon Alley together. "
Harry found out Jessica was transferring and she'd found out who Harry was exactly. That meant she was safe to tell Harry that she was a witch.
Both Harry and Jessica rushed downstairs. Carla was in the kitchen making spaghetti. She turned to greet the two of them.
" What are you two up to? Harry, dear, would you like to stay for dinner? " she asked stirring the simmering sauce.
" Sure! " Harry said happily. Jessica elbowed him in the ribs. He gave her a look of indignation.
" Mum, Harry's Aunt and Uncle are taking Dudley, " here Jessica gave a small, but not unnoticed shudder, " to the Bahamas and Harry will have to go to his Aunt Marge's! Can he stay with us? Please? " Jessica said with a pleading glance at her mother.
Carla stared at the two 15 year olds. She considered it. They could put him in the spare bedroom. Take him to Diagon Alley and watch over him as Dumbledore instructed her to do. She sighed and nodded her head.
" Alright he can stay with us. When are they leaving? If you want we can talk to them tonight. That way we can make out trip to Diagon Alley tomorrow. "
Jessica smiled at her mother and Carla couldn't help but smile back.
" They're leaving tomorrow as well. Can we go talk to them now? Can I stay tonight too? " Harry asked eagerly. He didn't want to be a burden, but the thought of getting away from the Dursley's even hours earlier thoroughly overjoyed him.
Again Carla smiled. She was reminded of James Potter whenever she looked at Harry. She had grown up with James. Lived next door to him and had even been Lily's Matron of Honor. Jessica even looked like Carla had. A little more like her father, but she was definitely her child. 'Funny,' Carla thought, 'How many memories children can bring back.' Harry and Jessica were whispering when Carla turned to them.
" Let's go then. " Carla said beckoning for both children to follow her. They walked promptly behind her as the three walked across the lawn to number 4 Privet Drive. It was Jessica who rang the doorbell. Vernon Dursley answered the door and he gave Harry a dirty look.
" What's he done this time? " Vernon asked not even trying to keep the anger out of his voice.
Carla looked startled but didn't say anything about it. " Nothing, actually I'd like to talk about something. " Carla said.
" Come in. " Vernon said, stepping aside. They followed him into the living room and seated themselves. Even though Jessica didn't like the Dursley's she had to admit that their furniture was comfortable.
" What do you need to talk about? "
" I'd like to know if maybe, Harry could stay with us for the remainder of the summer. He wouldn't be a burden at all and Jessica would enjoy his company. He could leave as soon as tonight if you'd like. "
For the second time in this chapter someone considered something. Vernon wouldn't have to burden Marge and they could go on their vacation worry- free. He studied this strange woman and her daughter for a moment.
" Go get your things boy. " he snapped. Harry and Jessica both ran up the stairs to Harry's room. They came back down with Harry's trunk and the cage containing Hedwig, the snowy owl.
Carla took Harry's trunk and they left. Harry began to feel better and thought, as they talked and laughed over dinner and while lying in the comfortable guest bed, life was extremely good.
Shout outs: To my loyal 'homies' in Ye Olde Geo Clubbe! To Megan H, Mandy, and Gerred my bestest friends. And to all the Homoscouts of America, especially to troupe 69. I am forever the Girl Scout. And to Kyle R. who, without him, I wouldn't be so obsessive! Also to my computer, for being my best BETA reader!
Over the course of the next few days Jessica and Harry found they had more in common then they'd thought. Harry found time to go visit and help unpack. Jessica had found ways to sneak out of the house during the night and ways to get into Harry's room.
Carla had caught her once, well almost. It was on the fourth day that they'd been there when Harry discovered a flaw.
" My Aunt and Uncle are taking my cousin to the Bahamas for the rest of the summer. I have to go stay with my Aunt Marge. " Harry said sighing. Jessica patted his back sympathetically, she'd heard all about Aunt Marge.
" I've got an idea! You could stay with us. " Jessica said brightly.
" That'd be cool! And we can go to Diagon Alley together. "
Harry found out Jessica was transferring and she'd found out who Harry was exactly. That meant she was safe to tell Harry that she was a witch.
Both Harry and Jessica rushed downstairs. Carla was in the kitchen making spaghetti. She turned to greet the two of them.
" What are you two up to? Harry, dear, would you like to stay for dinner? " she asked stirring the simmering sauce.
" Sure! " Harry said happily. Jessica elbowed him in the ribs. He gave her a look of indignation.
" Mum, Harry's Aunt and Uncle are taking Dudley, " here Jessica gave a small, but not unnoticed shudder, " to the Bahamas and Harry will have to go to his Aunt Marge's! Can he stay with us? Please? " Jessica said with a pleading glance at her mother.
Carla stared at the two 15 year olds. She considered it. They could put him in the spare bedroom. Take him to Diagon Alley and watch over him as Dumbledore instructed her to do. She sighed and nodded her head.
" Alright he can stay with us. When are they leaving? If you want we can talk to them tonight. That way we can make out trip to Diagon Alley tomorrow. "
Jessica smiled at her mother and Carla couldn't help but smile back.
" They're leaving tomorrow as well. Can we go talk to them now? Can I stay tonight too? " Harry asked eagerly. He didn't want to be a burden, but the thought of getting away from the Dursley's even hours earlier thoroughly overjoyed him.
Again Carla smiled. She was reminded of James Potter whenever she looked at Harry. She had grown up with James. Lived next door to him and had even been Lily's Matron of Honor. Jessica even looked like Carla had. A little more like her father, but she was definitely her child. 'Funny,' Carla thought, 'How many memories children can bring back.' Harry and Jessica were whispering when Carla turned to them.
" Let's go then. " Carla said beckoning for both children to follow her. They walked promptly behind her as the three walked across the lawn to number 4 Privet Drive. It was Jessica who rang the doorbell. Vernon Dursley answered the door and he gave Harry a dirty look.
" What's he done this time? " Vernon asked not even trying to keep the anger out of his voice.
Carla looked startled but didn't say anything about it. " Nothing, actually I'd like to talk about something. " Carla said.
" Come in. " Vernon said, stepping aside. They followed him into the living room and seated themselves. Even though Jessica didn't like the Dursley's she had to admit that their furniture was comfortable.
" What do you need to talk about? "
" I'd like to know if maybe, Harry could stay with us for the remainder of the summer. He wouldn't be a burden at all and Jessica would enjoy his company. He could leave as soon as tonight if you'd like. "
For the second time in this chapter someone considered something. Vernon wouldn't have to burden Marge and they could go on their vacation worry- free. He studied this strange woman and her daughter for a moment.
" Go get your things boy. " he snapped. Harry and Jessica both ran up the stairs to Harry's room. They came back down with Harry's trunk and the cage containing Hedwig, the snowy owl.
Carla took Harry's trunk and they left. Harry began to feel better and thought, as they talked and laughed over dinner and while lying in the comfortable guest bed, life was extremely good.