Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters. They all belong to J.K. Rowling.
A/N: OK, so here's the third chapter! I know it's been a bit boring so far, but once they get to Hogwarts I promise everything becomes spicier ;-). I hope you enjoy it!
Chapter Three
Suddenly the spinning stopped; Harry's stomach lurched as his surroundings jerked to an abrupt halt. There, sitting around the kitchen table, were five Weasleys, grinning at him broadly. There was Ron, as tall and gangly as ever, Ginny, who looked as though she had sprouted a few inches since Harry had last seen her, Fred and George, in brand new robes (was that silk?), and Mrs. Weasley. They all jumped up to greet him, and after shaking many hands (with the exception of Mrs. Weasley's bone breaking hug), Ron offered to help Harry take his luggage upstairs.
"Don't bother," said George. "We'll take care of it."
"Yeah," chimed Fred. "No problem."
They flicked their wands, and Harry's luggage (including Hedwig) levitated a few inches off the ground. Harry watched as his belongings zoomed up the stairs and glided smoothly into- Bill. It was disaster. Mrs. Weasley shrieked as Bill was knocked flat on his back, sliding down the stairs with Harry's trunk on top of him. Hedwig broke free of her cage and was flapping over their heads, shrieking indignantly. Harry's trunk managed to break open, sending robes, spell books, and socks flying in every direction. With a last KERPLUNK!, Bill landed at the bottom of the stairs, covered in Harry's clothes.
"Er…" said George.
"Sorry," Fred managed weakly.
Bill pulled a pair of Harry's underwear off his head and stood up. With a flick of his wand, all Harry's things soared back into the trunk. There was a moment's silence. Then-
"YOU STUPID, WORTHLESS IDIOTS, WHAT THE HELL DID YOU THINK YOU WERE DOING-"
Then Mrs. Weasley joined in on the shouting.
"I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS, YOU COULD HAVE KILLED HIM-"
"C'mon," Ron whispered to Harry. "We'd better get going…"
"TRYING TO BREAK MY NECK-"
"ACTING COMPLETELY IRRESPONSIBLE, WHY ARE YOU TWO ALWAYS SO RECKLESS-"
Ron grabbed Harry's elbow, and they edged past Bill, crept up the stairs, and snuck into Ron's room.
"Sorry about that," Ron said. "You'd think since they're almost eighteen they'd stay out of trouble, but…" He shook his head.
"It's alright," said Harry, stifling laughter. "Which reminds me, how's Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes coming along?"
"Pretty good," said Ron. "They're making tons of money. Mum was furious at first, but she knew that they were going to do whatever they wanted, and there was nothing she could do about it. And she didn't want them to pull a Percy."
"Mmm," said Harry. "Have you heard from him at all?"
"No," said Ron, with a look of deep disgust. "Git…"
"Well, anyways," said Harry, eager for a change in conversation. It was clear this was still a touchy subject. "Have you heard from Hermione lately?"
"Yeah," said Ron. "I got an owl from her about a week ago. She said she was going on vacation, and that she wouldn't be back until the end of the month. She didn't say where, though. I guess we won't see her until school starts." He sounded disappointed.
"Oh," Harry said, cursing himself for bringing up another dangerous topic. He had been in touch with Hermione as well, and he had also received an owl from her a week ago. She had told him that she would be in Bulgaria for 3 weeks, visiting Viktor Krum. Krum was a famous international Quidditch player, and Ron was a bit jealous of him to say the least. Hermione had also requested that Harry didn't tell Ron where she was, because, as she put it delicately, it might upset him a bit. Harry cut his thoughts short, as Ron was looking at him suspiciously. Harry opened his mouth to say something, but Mrs. Weasley entered the room at that precise moment. Harry was grateful for the intrusion.
"Sorry about that incident, Harry dear," she smiled at him. Her face was still pink from shouting.
"Not at all," said Harry, smiling back nervously.
"Here's your things-" she glared as Fred and George entered the room, lugging Harry's trunk and panting heavily.
"Hedwig is still a bit- rattled," she continued, "but she'll calm down eventually. Oh, and dinner is going to be ready in an hour." She turned and left, seizing Fred and George by their collars and dragging them along. Ron sniggered.
After dinner, Harry leaned back in his chair contentedly, full of excellent food. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were discussing the latest news. Fred and George had bewitched their utensils and food into playing what was unmistakably a game of Quidditch, and Ron and Ginny were fighting over the last piece of pie, yanking a dish back and forth. Harry watched as Ginny finally released the plate, sending the slice sailing through the air before landing on Bill's head. It was so good to be back at the Burrow. Harry had missed it sorely. He couldn't help but think that the last time he was here, Sirius was alive. Harry sighed. He had thought about his godfather constantly over the summer. The guilt and pain he refused to deal with was constantly gnawing inside him.
"Harry? Is something wrong?" asked Ron. He looked slightly cross-eyed, as Bill had just walloped him upside the head.
"No, everything's fine," Harry managed a grin. "It's good to be back, that's all."
In Harry's opinion, the week flew by much too fast. One week at the Dursleys' seemed twice as long as one week at the Burrow. Time had an uncanny knack of speeding up when you enjoyed yourself, and slowing down when you were miserable. All too soon, Mrs. Weasley announced that the next morning they would make their annual trip to Diagon Alley. Harry had trouble falling asleep that night. He tossed and turned for what seemed like hours….
He once again found himself gliding smoothly along a long, blindingly-white corridor. This time the long, red door was much closer. It seemed an arm's length away; and yet he still could not reach it… He once again heard voices from within. "Listen to me, you worthless fool," came a familiar voice- cold and high-pitched. "If you fail to bring it in time, you know what will happen." Then came another voice- a woman's, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Please," she whispered. "I can't, you don't understand…" The high pitched voice cackled. It sent shivers down Harry's spine. He groped fruitlessly at the door knob…
"Crucio!" came the cold voice again. Suddenly the air was full of her screams. She was in pain, in terrible pain…Harry had to help her… Then came another voice, one that Harry did not recognize…
"Mum!" a girl screamed. "Mum!"
"Harry, wake up!"
Harry groaned and looked up. Ron's concerned face was peering over him.
"Are you alright? You were thrashing and moaning in your sleep…"
"Yeah, I'm fine…" Harry mumbled, groping for his glasses.
"Are you sure?" Ron asked sharply.
"It was just a nightmare, nothing important…" Harry said groggily.
Ron gave him a suspicious look, probably due to the fact that Harry's nightmares usually were important.
"Anyways," Ron continued, still looking suspicious, "it's time to get up. We have to leave in 20 minutes."
Harry and Ron dressed and ate quickly, anxious to get the day started. Harry was deep in thought. He was sure he had a similar dream before. Who was that woman, and that girl? He was sure that the cold, high voice was Voldemort… But what could it all mean? He didn't want to fuss over nothing, seeing as the last time he did, it had cost his godfather's life. But he couldn't help the feeling of worry that settled at the bottom of his stomach.
"Alright everyone, it's time to leave," said Mrs. Weasley. She took a pot from the counter and threw some dust into the fireplace. Almost at once, tall, emerald-green flames lit up the fireplace.
"Ginny- you first…" Ginny stepped into the fire, and said clearly, "Diagon Alley!" With a loud SWOOSH!, she was gone.
"Fred, you next… then George…" They didn't use the floo powder, but instead disapparated with two small pops! They were finished with school- but they had to go to Diagon Alley every day, as it was the site of their new store.
"Ok, Harry…" said Mrs. Weasley.
Harry stepped into the flames.
"Diagon Alley!" he said clearly. He felt the familiar lurching of his stomach as everything began to spin…
A/N: Thanks for reading J ! I should have the fourth chapter done by Friday. Please review!!
