Chapter III

"Supper!" Mrs. Weasley called out to Ron, Ginny, and Harry. The three rushed inside to wash their hands and faces. Ron got to the sink just ahead of Harry, and the two began to push each other playfully.
"Ron, Don't!" Ginny scolded him. Ron grabbed his wand, and tapped the spiggot which began to spew forth a rush of foamy bubbles.
"Awww, c'mon Ginny!" Ron laughed as he threw a handful of bubbles at her. Ginny stood for a moment in seeming shock, then unexpectedly splashed a faceful of water at Ron. Harry laughed, and Ron splashed him back. Soon the room was busy with ducking and splashing, and laughter. Then a short figure stood in the doorway.
Harry stopped dead in his tracks, and an extraordinarily large wave crashed on his matted hair. Ginny hung her head in shame. Ron noticed their expressions, and turned slowly to see the fiery red-head in a full-fledged rage.
"Uh-oh." Ron gulped. Mrs. Weasley just stood there, shocked. She moved towards them. "I ask you to wash up for dinner, and I find you're sopping wet and the bathroom's a mess!" She glowered at them. "Get this mess cleaned up after dinner." She pulled her wand from her robes and pointed it at their robes, and they were immediately dry. They all sulked into the kitchen behind her, where seven empty plates lay waiting beside steaming pots of food.
Harry, Ron, and Ginny took three seats at the opposite end of the table from Mrs. Weasley, and sat quietly listening to the radio playing in the far corner of the room, waiting for Fred and George. Mrs. Weasley looked at her watch.
"What ARE they doing?" She tapped her fingers impatiently. Suddenly, a sound like thundering rhinos echoed down from upstairs. Fred and George hopped down from the steps, and ran to their places at the table.
"Where's dad?" George asked.
"He said he would be a bit late tonight. Something came up at work." Mrs. Weasley looked at Fred who was sitting strangely silent.
"Are you coming down with something, dear?" Fred shook head head vehemently, and dug into some green beans. Now that Harry thought about it, Fred did look a bit green. Fred's answer was convincing enough, however, for Mrs. Weasley turned to her food. "Harry, would you be a darling and pass the ham, please?"
"Harry nodded and reached for the plate with sliced ham layered in a neat circle. He had just lifted it, and begun to pass it when he stopped. He thought he had heard something coming from the radio, but it couldn't be...
Harry listened harder, and everyone in the room froze. He could have sworn he had heard his name between the melodiuos voices playing over by the stove. He began to hear what they were saying now that everyone in the room grew silent.
"He survived what the strongest could not, and foiled the dark lord's evil plot," Harry's eyes widened. "His scar's the only evidence he's got." Ginny looked away, and Ron pretended to be particularly interested in the green beans on his plate. "Harry Potter you'll be home someday." Fred and George giggled next to Mrs. Weasley, who nudged George in the ribs. "Now everyone knows your name, And you couldn't hide from fame, People flock to shake your hand." Mr. Weasley's hand on the clock began to change from "work" to "travelling", but no one really noticed. "Don't let them lead you far astray, Harry Potter, you'll be home someday ." Mrs. Weasley tried to break the awful silence and changed the subject, as if she couldn't hear the song.
"Umm... Harry dear, could you pass me the ham now?" Harry seemed to break from the state of shock he was in.
"The narrow-minded muggles locked him under the stairs, taking his kind for a group of outlandish squares..." Harry picked up the ham again, and cleared the tightness from his throat.
"Sure." Mr. Weasley entered the room, and sat down in his place at the table by Harry.
"Busy day at the Ministry. Crazy...." He noticed the awkward looks all around the table, and Fred and George trying to refrain from their laughter. "May I ask what-" He must have heard what was playing just then, because he sat up stiffly straight and picked up a fork.
"...then he got the letter that answered his prayers.... you'll be home soon."
"So, I bet you've gotten sick of hearing that song, huh Harry?" Mr. Weasley gave Harry a little smirk as he talked over the music.
"So he was off to study at school, but to solve the mystery he'll disregard each rule,
it will all lead up to a climactic duel........ home soon."
Harry forced a small chuckle.
"It's the first time I've heard it, and I think I'm already sick of it." Ron held back a snigger, and Mrs. Weasley glared at him.
"I think we've had enough music for today..." She was just about to turn the dial.
"Wait." said Harry, "I think I should hear the end." Mrs. Weasley gave him a look to say 'at least I warned you...'
"Home for summer break may not be home for you, You'll find home... someday,
In the love of those whose hearts are true.....
Now everyone knows your name...." Ginny was humming along, and Ron threw her an angry look as the chorus continued, and then the last verse
"Now Harry has a group of friends that takes his tattered heart and mends, This trio will last through all ends....
Harry Potter........
you are...
home" Harry listened as the song finished, " Find you are home.........you are home..........make someday today....you are
................................home." The song ended and the fuzzy voice of a dj came through the speakers.
"There you have it; the number one song for 12 straight weeks. It's broken the record of longest running #1 song in the world and highest orb sales, bumping it from gold to platinum! The Weird Sisters with "A Tribute To Harry Potter". As you all know this boy-" Mrs. Weasley shut off the radio, and they all went back to their meals.
"So, Ginny, why don't you show Harry their orb you've got?" Fred said sarcastically, and Ron and George supressed histeric sniggers. Ginny blushed across the room, and Mrs. Weasley glared at them each. "I'm just durprised you didn't write that one first. What with your past compositions." George forced a cough that sounded distinctly like "Valentine's", creating laughter among the three boys. Harry pretended not to hear them. Mrs. Weasley stood angrily
"So.... Arthur, what were you saying about work today?" Mrs. Weasley changed the subject hastily.
"Hmm?" Mr. Weasley mumbled through a mouthful of potatoes. He swallowed. "Well, I don't think I am at liberty to say..." He frowned as he stared down at his plate. "...strictly confidential business." The room grew quiet, and no one asked anymore questions.
That night, Ron pulled down his sheets, and was about to climb into bed when Harry entered.
"I almost forgot!" Ron exclaimed as Harry lied down on the bed. Ron hurried to the door, shut it tight, and locked it.
"Thanks." Harry said flatly. He was really hoping for a long slumber tonight. He hadn't had a decent night's sleep since the Triwizard's Tournament, and after all the broomstick riding they did this afternoon, Harry was particularly tired out. He was very aware of just how badly out of shape he was. He was hoping to practice more often during his stay at the Weasley's, now that he had left the Dursley's for the summer.