~20~
Everybody there regaled in a large, warm embrace; Fred and George amid all of them. Mrs. Weasley continually patted their hair and kissed their foreheads, tears streaming down her face.
It turned out that Fred and George had gotten home after the Death Eaters, and had hidden in the bushes. They told their mother more than once that they were fine and there was no need to be so worrisome, but Mrs. Figg seemed to think otherwise.
"It isn't safe here anymore. They know that Harry's here, and they will come back. We'll have to go to the only place they're too afraid to wonder," she stated as she curiously scanned the house with her eyes. Wrinkles formed on her forehead as she thought.
Mr. Weasley tried to get inside and hide Errol before anyone came in, but Ginny caught a glimpse of him and went into hysterics. They then had a brief funeral procession for the bird, and buried him in the back yard. Then Harry realized that Hedwig wasn't there. They all insisted that Hedwig was much faster and smarter than old Errol, and must have flown away. This assured Harry somewhat, but he still worried. Crookshanks had occupied his time by gnome-hunting, and Hermione was cheerful to find him unscathed.
They all packed their things uneasily quietly. Everybody's things seemed to be on the wrong floor, so everybody was floating to and fro to fetch misplaced items. Trunks placed neatly by the door, and after Mr. Weasley had just gotten done talking to somebody important in the fireplace, five familiar Ministry cars were parked outside to take Harry and everybody to Hogwarts. Even more cars showed up with Ministers who seemed all keen and scared as they walked toward the burrow, and took pictures of the Dark Mark floating above the Burrow.
Hermione acted extra sensitive and caring towards everyone. This all seemed to worry her a great deal- not that it didn't worry anyone else. After everyone's things were in the cars, and they started driving away, Harry even saw Cornelius Fudge arrive at the hectic scene. Harry couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. The Weasleys had just tried to give him a nice birthday, but since he was prone to bring bad luck, their night ended in fear and sorrow.
Ron uncomfortably twiddled his thumbs, and Harry felt like crying. He angrily slammed his head against the rain-covered window, and his scar seared with pain.
Everybody there regaled in a large, warm embrace; Fred and George amid all of them. Mrs. Weasley continually patted their hair and kissed their foreheads, tears streaming down her face.
It turned out that Fred and George had gotten home after the Death Eaters, and had hidden in the bushes. They told their mother more than once that they were fine and there was no need to be so worrisome, but Mrs. Figg seemed to think otherwise.
"It isn't safe here anymore. They know that Harry's here, and they will come back. We'll have to go to the only place they're too afraid to wonder," she stated as she curiously scanned the house with her eyes. Wrinkles formed on her forehead as she thought.
Mr. Weasley tried to get inside and hide Errol before anyone came in, but Ginny caught a glimpse of him and went into hysterics. They then had a brief funeral procession for the bird, and buried him in the back yard. Then Harry realized that Hedwig wasn't there. They all insisted that Hedwig was much faster and smarter than old Errol, and must have flown away. This assured Harry somewhat, but he still worried. Crookshanks had occupied his time by gnome-hunting, and Hermione was cheerful to find him unscathed.
They all packed their things uneasily quietly. Everybody's things seemed to be on the wrong floor, so everybody was floating to and fro to fetch misplaced items. Trunks placed neatly by the door, and after Mr. Weasley had just gotten done talking to somebody important in the fireplace, five familiar Ministry cars were parked outside to take Harry and everybody to Hogwarts. Even more cars showed up with Ministers who seemed all keen and scared as they walked toward the burrow, and took pictures of the Dark Mark floating above the Burrow.
Hermione acted extra sensitive and caring towards everyone. This all seemed to worry her a great deal- not that it didn't worry anyone else. After everyone's things were in the cars, and they started driving away, Harry even saw Cornelius Fudge arrive at the hectic scene. Harry couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. The Weasleys had just tried to give him a nice birthday, but since he was prone to bring bad luck, their night ended in fear and sorrow.
Ron uncomfortably twiddled his thumbs, and Harry felt like crying. He angrily slammed his head against the rain-covered window, and his scar seared with pain.