Chapter 3: House Guests
After his aunt left, he pulled out five pieces of parchment, and wrote a short letter to each of his friends.
I just found out that my aunt is a witch. She has lots of stories to tell about the Marauders. She is also an animagus. She said that you guys could stay here the rest of the summer. She'll take us to Diagon Alley, and Kings Cross too. She also said that while you guys are here she'd teach all of us how to become animagi, even though Hogwarts has a class for becoming an animagus. So if you can come owl me back as soon as possible.
Harry Potter
P.S.
You don't have to worry about my uncle and cousin, they're dead scared
of anything magical. Besides, Aunt Petunia can hex them into next week
if they annoy us too much.
Harry
That should do it, he thought. He addressed the letters to each, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville, and Luna, and sent them off with Hedwig, who was more than happy to have another job.
Uncle Vernon and Dudley wandered into the house, around dinner time, both wearing identical masks of fear. Uncle Vernon wore a look of disgust, as Aunt Petunia levitated the pot roast and kidney pudding, onto the kitchen table with a smile. "Now that I can use my powers openly, levitating the pan just seemed so much easier, don't you think so, dear," Aunt Petunia said to Uncle Vernon. Harry silenced a snort with extreme difficulty. "This food is great Aunt Petunia, did you conjure it?" Harry questioned his aunt. "Yes Harry, as a matter of fact I did. Hadn't conjured anything for years. I'm glad it turned out ok," she answered. "May I be excused," Dudley asked quietly. "May I be excused as well," Harry added. "Of course you boys can," Aunt Petunia answered.
Harry made for the front door, planning on taking a walk before his animagus lesson, only to be blocked by Dudley. "Where do you think you're going Potter?" Dudley asked Harry, trying to sound brave, a feat that he failed at instantly. "Well I was planning on going for a quick walk, before you blocked the door," Harry dully told his enormous cousin. "Well I'm going with you, I have to ask you something," Dudley said. "Fine, but I'm taking my wand, just in case. Got a problem with that?" Harry asked Dudley is a harsh voice. "That's fine with me," Dudley answered.
The two boys were half way down Wisteria Walk, before either of them said a thing. "I was thinking," Dudley started but was interrupted by Harry, "Wow you thinking, never thought I'd see the day." "Anyway, I was thinking, if mum is magical, don't I have some magical blood in me?" Dudley asked Harry. "I would think so," Harry answered. "Watch this," Dudley told Harry. He then proceeded to stare at a garbage can, apparently concentrating very hard. All of a sudden, to Harry's great surprise, the garbage can began slowly drifting upwards, as though being pulled by an invisibly string. Once Harry found his voice, he stuttered, "H-How did you do that Dudley." Dudley, with a look of pride on his face, explained, "Well I concentrated really, really hard on the garbage can, and imagined it floating upwards." "I think we need to go home and talk to your mum. She'll probably write to Dumbledore. By the way, my friends might be coming to stay here the rest of the summer, and you can't call us freaks, because you're technically one of us," Harry told Dudley. "Okay," Dudley replied.
The boys wandered back toward Number 4, without any incident. Unless you count Dudley levitating things along the way, an incident. When they reached the front door Harry said he'd do the talking.
"Aunt Petunia, I have to show you something right now. It's urgent!" Harry hollered. "I'm in the living room, come in here," she answered. "Well what do you have to show me Harry?" Aunt Petunia asked her nephew. "Well while we were walking, Dudley levitated a garbage can," Harry told his aunt. "He what, do it again Dudley, show me," she cried. Dudley concentrated really hard on the lamp, and it flew three feet into the air. "That's great. Oh I must write to Dumbledore. He'll know what to do," Aunt Petunia told both boys. "Harry I'm afraid your animagus lesson will have to wait a little while," she told Harry apologetically. "That's fine Aunt Petunia," Harry told his aunt.
About fifteen minutes later, Aunt Petunia returned carrying a roll of parchment. "Harry, can I borrow Hedwig to send this to Dumbledore," Aunt Petunia asked him. "Sure Aunt Petunia, let me go check and see if she's back from delivering the messages to my friends," Harry told his aunt, hoping Hedwig was back.
As if on cue, as he entered his bedroom at Number 4, Hedwig soared in the open window, with five scrolls of parchment tied to her leg. Hedwig perched on Harry's shoulder, and stuck out the leg with the notes, waiting for him to take them off. Harry untied the rolls of parchment from her leg, and let her stay perched on his shoulder, as he walked down the stairs to the living room.
When Hedwig saw the letter Aunt Petunia had in her hand, she stuck her leg out expectantly. "Oh thank you Harry, here let me tie it on," Aunt Petunia said to Harry, as she tied the roll of parchment onto Hedwigs' leg. "Now take this straight to Dumbledore, it's urgent, do you understand," Aunt Petunia said softly to the snowy owl. Hedwig hooted quietly in response. The living room window opened with a flick of Aunt Petunia's wand. Hedwig soared gracefully out the window and into the night sky.
"I think we'll work on the animagus lessons tomorrow, how does that sound?" Aunt Petunia asked Harry. "That's fine, I think I'll go and open my friends responses right now anyway," Harry told his aunt.
Harry turned and walked back up the stairs, Dudley following him. When he neared his bedroom, Dudley, who Harry had not known was there, asked him to tell him all about the wizarding world. Harry, with nothing better to do, said he would, after he read his friends letters. Dudley said that was fine, and that he'd be back in half an hour.
Harry sat down at his desk and read the letters from his friends. Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Neville, all said they'd love to come, and asked him to owl them the day they were to floo over to Number 4, Privet Drive. Luna, on the other hand had said that she had wanted badly to come stay for the rest of the summer, but her father had extended their trip in Sweden to last until school started again. Harry was sorry that Luna couldn't come, but he was glad that Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Neville were coming.
Harry ran down the stairs and into the kitchen where his aunt was supervising the dishes that were cleaning them selves. "Aunt Petunia, my friends wrote back, and Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Neville, said they could come, but Luna has to stay in Sweden with her father. They want to know when they can floo over here," Harry told his aunt. "Well how about tomorrow, around five o'clock. I apparated to the ministry early this morning, and had them hook our fireplace up to the floo network. All you have to say to get here is, '4 Privet Drive.' So five o'clock tomorrow," Aunt Petunia told Harry. "Ok, I'll write telling them," Harry replied.
Harry ran up to his bedroom, and wrote four letters out, telling his friends to floo over around five o'clock tomorrow by saying '4 Privet Drive.' When Hedwig returned with Dumbledore's response, Harry sent the letters off with Hedwig.
Meanwhile, downstairs, Aunt Petunia was reading the letter from Dumbledore. Petunia,
I checked the Hogwarts Admittance book, and it seems that Dudley's name has been added. Though he displayed magical talents late in life, I think it wise to bring him to Hogwarts with you, so that he can attend classes with the third years. I advise you to take him to Diagon Alley and get him a wand, uniform, supplies, and the necessary school books for years one through three. You, Harry, and his friends can start teaching him magic that he would've learned in his first and second years. I've spoken with Fudge, and he's agreed that, due to the fact that Voldemort has returned, it is wise for Harry and his friends, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville, and Luna, to be able to use magic outside of school. Please pass on the message that they can use magic outside of school, when Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Neville arrive at your house. I've already sent an owl to Luna. It is my suggestion that you take all the kids to Diagon Alley the day after tomorrow, to get all their school stuff. Please work on animagus lessons and defense spells with all six of the children in your house. It will help them defeat Voldemort.
Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
Petunia couldn't believe her eyes. Dudley was a wizard, and he was going to Hogwarts. She walked up the stairs to find Dudley sitting on the floor with Harry. They appeared to be talking. "Boys, what are you doing?" she asked them. "Harry's telling me all about the wizarding world Mum," Dudley told his mother. "Well I just received an owl from Dumbledore, he said that you are in fact a wizard. Your supposed to get the school books for years one through three, and all the supplies for Hogwarts. Harry you and your five friends are allowed to use magic outside of school now. Dumbledore asks that you, your friends, and I begin to teach Dudley magic this summer, so that he can start with the third years when term starts. I think having Ms. Granger here will greatly help all of us study defense spells. Yes, all of you are to be working with me on animagus lessons, and defense spells. Dumbledore seems to think that you seven being animagus, will help us win against Voldemort. Besides, defensive spells and tactics are always useful on the battlefield. Anyway, Harry could you show Dudley some simple spells, maybe he can try them with your wand," she told them, "Well good night boys."
After she left, Harry reached into his pocket and withdrew his wand, phoenix feather, holly, eleven inches. "Okay Dudley, I'm going to cast a few simple spells and then I'm going to have you try. Let's see, how about the levitation charm. Wingardium Leviosa," he whispered. The trunk at the end of Harry's bed moved a few inches off the ground. After he set the trunk down, he said, "Next I'll show you the summoning charm. Accio," he called, pointing his wand at the trunk that had all of his school books from past years at Hogwarts in it. The trunk zoomed over to Harry, and stopped at his feet. He opened the trunk and took out his schoolbooks from his first and second years. "Here, you can use these books to study from, but you'll have to get the books for third year at Flourish and Blotts when we go to Diagon Alley," Harry said to his cousin who was gaping at him. "Wow, thank you. Can I try some spells Harry?" Dudley asked. "Sure," Harry replied and handed Dudley his wand, showing him how to hold it properly.
And that was hoe the night went, Harry teaching Dudley some basic spells until about midnight, when Aunt Petunia came it to tell them to go to bed.
The next morning Harry woke feeling very excited. Perhaps it was the fact that his friends were coming today, or maybe it was because he finally enjoyed living at Privet Drive.
He wiped the sleep from his eyes, and threw on some clean clothes. Surprisingly, the jeans weren't falling down, and the shirt fit like it had been bought for him, and not Dudley. He suspected that his aunt had magicked his clothes to fit him.
Harry walked downstairs and into the kitchen, to be greeted by a plate of hotcakes and sausage. "Where's Uncle Vernon?" Harry asked. "Oh, he left on a Business Trip this morning," Aunt Petunia answered, "He said he'll be gone for three months," she finished. "Oh, okay," Harry said. After breakfast, Harry summoned his schoolbooks that he'd lent to Dudley, to the living room, so that he and Dudley would have a more spacious area to work in. Aunt Petunia came in, and with a swish of her wand, all the furniture was moved against the wall, leaving a large area to practice.
They practiced magic all day. Dudley(using his mothers wand)studied out of the books Harry had lent him, with his mothers help. Harry on the other hand, was leafing through a thick leather bound book full to bursting with magical defense spells to use in combat, that his aunt had given him. She had said that it used to belong to his father. /While Dudley was studying history of magic, Aunt Petunia walked over to where Harry was learning defense spells, and began to help him. After lunch they returned to the living room to practice. The three magical beings were so engrossed in practicing their magical skills, that they only stopped when a tall gangling redhead by the name of Ronald Weasley, fell out of the fireplace in a torrent of emerald green flames, dropping a small object that looked like his Hogwarts trunk. "Harry, the others are coming," No sooner had the words left his mouth, another figure appeared in the fireplace. This figure with long brown hair, stepped gracefully out of the fireplace carrying her shrunken trunk in the palm of her hand. "Hello Harry, Ginny is coming next," Hermione said. The fireplace lit up again, and another redhead toppled headfirst, out of the fireplace. "I've never been good at landings," Ginny spoke as she stood up, brushing the soot off her skirt. She too, pulled from her pocket a shrunken Hogwarts trunk. The fireplace lit up for the last time, and out stepped Neville Longbottom. "Hi Harry," he said, his fist clamped around, what Harry assumed was another minute Hogwarts trunk. "Mrs. Dursley, do you mind unshrinking our trunks for us," Ginny asked politely. "Sure," she said, collecting all of their small Hogwarts trunks, and a small basket, Harry thought carried Crookshanks. "Dumbledore told me to tell you all, that after the events of last year, that the minister has agreed that it is wise for you five and Luna, to be able to use magic outside of school," Aunt Petunia continued. "Cool," Ron said. "Yes, but with this privilege comes responsibility. You have to be responsible when you use your magic outside school. By the way, were going to Diagon Alley tomorrow," Aunt Petunia told the group. "Here are your trunks, and I believe that this basket is yours, Hermione?" Aunt Petunia questioned, passing each of them their trunks. "Thank you Mrs. Dursley," Hermione said. "Please call me Aunt Petunia," she replied. Hermione took the lid off the basket, and Crookshanks jumped out, and sauntered off to explore the house. "Follow me, I'll show you where you'll be sleeping," Aunt Petunia said. They all followed Aunt Petunia up the stairs, levitating their trunks behind them. Aunt Petunia pulled out her wand, and muttered an incantation under her breath. Harry felt a pull, and then relaxed. The house seemed bigger. Aunt Petunia walked to the first door and said, "Ron, Neville, you'll be sleeping in here." She opened the door to reveal a room decorated in scarlet and gold with two four poster beds. "Wow," Ron said, setting his trunk down at the foot of one of the beds, Neville putting his trunk at the end of the other bed. "Let's move on, shall we," Aunt Petunia prompted. None of them noticed a plaque materializing on the front of the door as Neville closed it, reading Ron Weasley & Neville Longbottom. When they stopped at the next door Aunt Petunia said, "Harry this is still your bedroom." She opened this door to reveal a room decorated in scarlet, gold, green, and silver. The bedspread of the four poster was green with silver trim. "Yes, I know the hat wanted to put you in Slytherin," Aunt Petunia said. "Thanks, this room is wonderful," Harry told his Aunt. Another plaque materialized on the door, this one reading Harry Potter. At the next door Aunt Petunia said to Dudley, "Your room looks the same as always, because I don't know what house you'll be in yet, when I do, the room will decorate itself in your house colors." This door now had a plaque that read Dudley Dursley. The next door they stopped at was obviously for the girls. Aunt petunia said, "Hermione, Ginny, this room is for you two and Luna." The room behind this door was decorated in the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw house colors. The drapes above two of the four poster beds were scarlet and gold, while the bed at the far end had blue and silver drapes. "This room is wonderful Aunt Petunia," Hermione and Ginny said together. They set their trunks at the ends of the beds with the scarlet and gold drapes. The plaque that materialized read Hermione Granger, Luna Lovegood, and Ginny Weasley. "Each room has its own bathroom," she told the group. After dinner that night, they all went to bed. They wanted to be well rested for their trip to Diagon Alley tomorrow. Harry gladly welcomed the dreamless sleep that had fallen over the entire house.
After his aunt left, he pulled out five pieces of parchment, and wrote a short letter to each of his friends.
I just found out that my aunt is a witch. She has lots of stories to tell about the Marauders. She is also an animagus. She said that you guys could stay here the rest of the summer. She'll take us to Diagon Alley, and Kings Cross too. She also said that while you guys are here she'd teach all of us how to become animagi, even though Hogwarts has a class for becoming an animagus. So if you can come owl me back as soon as possible.
Harry Potter
P.S.
You don't have to worry about my uncle and cousin, they're dead scared
of anything magical. Besides, Aunt Petunia can hex them into next week
if they annoy us too much.
Harry
That should do it, he thought. He addressed the letters to each, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville, and Luna, and sent them off with Hedwig, who was more than happy to have another job.
Uncle Vernon and Dudley wandered into the house, around dinner time, both wearing identical masks of fear. Uncle Vernon wore a look of disgust, as Aunt Petunia levitated the pot roast and kidney pudding, onto the kitchen table with a smile. "Now that I can use my powers openly, levitating the pan just seemed so much easier, don't you think so, dear," Aunt Petunia said to Uncle Vernon. Harry silenced a snort with extreme difficulty. "This food is great Aunt Petunia, did you conjure it?" Harry questioned his aunt. "Yes Harry, as a matter of fact I did. Hadn't conjured anything for years. I'm glad it turned out ok," she answered. "May I be excused," Dudley asked quietly. "May I be excused as well," Harry added. "Of course you boys can," Aunt Petunia answered.
Harry made for the front door, planning on taking a walk before his animagus lesson, only to be blocked by Dudley. "Where do you think you're going Potter?" Dudley asked Harry, trying to sound brave, a feat that he failed at instantly. "Well I was planning on going for a quick walk, before you blocked the door," Harry dully told his enormous cousin. "Well I'm going with you, I have to ask you something," Dudley said. "Fine, but I'm taking my wand, just in case. Got a problem with that?" Harry asked Dudley is a harsh voice. "That's fine with me," Dudley answered.
The two boys were half way down Wisteria Walk, before either of them said a thing. "I was thinking," Dudley started but was interrupted by Harry, "Wow you thinking, never thought I'd see the day." "Anyway, I was thinking, if mum is magical, don't I have some magical blood in me?" Dudley asked Harry. "I would think so," Harry answered. "Watch this," Dudley told Harry. He then proceeded to stare at a garbage can, apparently concentrating very hard. All of a sudden, to Harry's great surprise, the garbage can began slowly drifting upwards, as though being pulled by an invisibly string. Once Harry found his voice, he stuttered, "H-How did you do that Dudley." Dudley, with a look of pride on his face, explained, "Well I concentrated really, really hard on the garbage can, and imagined it floating upwards." "I think we need to go home and talk to your mum. She'll probably write to Dumbledore. By the way, my friends might be coming to stay here the rest of the summer, and you can't call us freaks, because you're technically one of us," Harry told Dudley. "Okay," Dudley replied.
The boys wandered back toward Number 4, without any incident. Unless you count Dudley levitating things along the way, an incident. When they reached the front door Harry said he'd do the talking.
"Aunt Petunia, I have to show you something right now. It's urgent!" Harry hollered. "I'm in the living room, come in here," she answered. "Well what do you have to show me Harry?" Aunt Petunia asked her nephew. "Well while we were walking, Dudley levitated a garbage can," Harry told his aunt. "He what, do it again Dudley, show me," she cried. Dudley concentrated really hard on the lamp, and it flew three feet into the air. "That's great. Oh I must write to Dumbledore. He'll know what to do," Aunt Petunia told both boys. "Harry I'm afraid your animagus lesson will have to wait a little while," she told Harry apologetically. "That's fine Aunt Petunia," Harry told his aunt.
About fifteen minutes later, Aunt Petunia returned carrying a roll of parchment. "Harry, can I borrow Hedwig to send this to Dumbledore," Aunt Petunia asked him. "Sure Aunt Petunia, let me go check and see if she's back from delivering the messages to my friends," Harry told his aunt, hoping Hedwig was back.
As if on cue, as he entered his bedroom at Number 4, Hedwig soared in the open window, with five scrolls of parchment tied to her leg. Hedwig perched on Harry's shoulder, and stuck out the leg with the notes, waiting for him to take them off. Harry untied the rolls of parchment from her leg, and let her stay perched on his shoulder, as he walked down the stairs to the living room.
When Hedwig saw the letter Aunt Petunia had in her hand, she stuck her leg out expectantly. "Oh thank you Harry, here let me tie it on," Aunt Petunia said to Harry, as she tied the roll of parchment onto Hedwigs' leg. "Now take this straight to Dumbledore, it's urgent, do you understand," Aunt Petunia said softly to the snowy owl. Hedwig hooted quietly in response. The living room window opened with a flick of Aunt Petunia's wand. Hedwig soared gracefully out the window and into the night sky.
"I think we'll work on the animagus lessons tomorrow, how does that sound?" Aunt Petunia asked Harry. "That's fine, I think I'll go and open my friends responses right now anyway," Harry told his aunt.
Harry turned and walked back up the stairs, Dudley following him. When he neared his bedroom, Dudley, who Harry had not known was there, asked him to tell him all about the wizarding world. Harry, with nothing better to do, said he would, after he read his friends letters. Dudley said that was fine, and that he'd be back in half an hour.
Harry sat down at his desk and read the letters from his friends. Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Neville, all said they'd love to come, and asked him to owl them the day they were to floo over to Number 4, Privet Drive. Luna, on the other hand had said that she had wanted badly to come stay for the rest of the summer, but her father had extended their trip in Sweden to last until school started again. Harry was sorry that Luna couldn't come, but he was glad that Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Neville were coming.
Harry ran down the stairs and into the kitchen where his aunt was supervising the dishes that were cleaning them selves. "Aunt Petunia, my friends wrote back, and Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Neville, said they could come, but Luna has to stay in Sweden with her father. They want to know when they can floo over here," Harry told his aunt. "Well how about tomorrow, around five o'clock. I apparated to the ministry early this morning, and had them hook our fireplace up to the floo network. All you have to say to get here is, '4 Privet Drive.' So five o'clock tomorrow," Aunt Petunia told Harry. "Ok, I'll write telling them," Harry replied.
Harry ran up to his bedroom, and wrote four letters out, telling his friends to floo over around five o'clock tomorrow by saying '4 Privet Drive.' When Hedwig returned with Dumbledore's response, Harry sent the letters off with Hedwig.
Meanwhile, downstairs, Aunt Petunia was reading the letter from Dumbledore. Petunia,
I checked the Hogwarts Admittance book, and it seems that Dudley's name has been added. Though he displayed magical talents late in life, I think it wise to bring him to Hogwarts with you, so that he can attend classes with the third years. I advise you to take him to Diagon Alley and get him a wand, uniform, supplies, and the necessary school books for years one through three. You, Harry, and his friends can start teaching him magic that he would've learned in his first and second years. I've spoken with Fudge, and he's agreed that, due to the fact that Voldemort has returned, it is wise for Harry and his friends, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville, and Luna, to be able to use magic outside of school. Please pass on the message that they can use magic outside of school, when Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Neville arrive at your house. I've already sent an owl to Luna. It is my suggestion that you take all the kids to Diagon Alley the day after tomorrow, to get all their school stuff. Please work on animagus lessons and defense spells with all six of the children in your house. It will help them defeat Voldemort.
Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
Petunia couldn't believe her eyes. Dudley was a wizard, and he was going to Hogwarts. She walked up the stairs to find Dudley sitting on the floor with Harry. They appeared to be talking. "Boys, what are you doing?" she asked them. "Harry's telling me all about the wizarding world Mum," Dudley told his mother. "Well I just received an owl from Dumbledore, he said that you are in fact a wizard. Your supposed to get the school books for years one through three, and all the supplies for Hogwarts. Harry you and your five friends are allowed to use magic outside of school now. Dumbledore asks that you, your friends, and I begin to teach Dudley magic this summer, so that he can start with the third years when term starts. I think having Ms. Granger here will greatly help all of us study defense spells. Yes, all of you are to be working with me on animagus lessons, and defense spells. Dumbledore seems to think that you seven being animagus, will help us win against Voldemort. Besides, defensive spells and tactics are always useful on the battlefield. Anyway, Harry could you show Dudley some simple spells, maybe he can try them with your wand," she told them, "Well good night boys."
After she left, Harry reached into his pocket and withdrew his wand, phoenix feather, holly, eleven inches. "Okay Dudley, I'm going to cast a few simple spells and then I'm going to have you try. Let's see, how about the levitation charm. Wingardium Leviosa," he whispered. The trunk at the end of Harry's bed moved a few inches off the ground. After he set the trunk down, he said, "Next I'll show you the summoning charm. Accio," he called, pointing his wand at the trunk that had all of his school books from past years at Hogwarts in it. The trunk zoomed over to Harry, and stopped at his feet. He opened the trunk and took out his schoolbooks from his first and second years. "Here, you can use these books to study from, but you'll have to get the books for third year at Flourish and Blotts when we go to Diagon Alley," Harry said to his cousin who was gaping at him. "Wow, thank you. Can I try some spells Harry?" Dudley asked. "Sure," Harry replied and handed Dudley his wand, showing him how to hold it properly.
And that was hoe the night went, Harry teaching Dudley some basic spells until about midnight, when Aunt Petunia came it to tell them to go to bed.
The next morning Harry woke feeling very excited. Perhaps it was the fact that his friends were coming today, or maybe it was because he finally enjoyed living at Privet Drive.
He wiped the sleep from his eyes, and threw on some clean clothes. Surprisingly, the jeans weren't falling down, and the shirt fit like it had been bought for him, and not Dudley. He suspected that his aunt had magicked his clothes to fit him.
Harry walked downstairs and into the kitchen, to be greeted by a plate of hotcakes and sausage. "Where's Uncle Vernon?" Harry asked. "Oh, he left on a Business Trip this morning," Aunt Petunia answered, "He said he'll be gone for three months," she finished. "Oh, okay," Harry said. After breakfast, Harry summoned his schoolbooks that he'd lent to Dudley, to the living room, so that he and Dudley would have a more spacious area to work in. Aunt Petunia came in, and with a swish of her wand, all the furniture was moved against the wall, leaving a large area to practice.
They practiced magic all day. Dudley(using his mothers wand)studied out of the books Harry had lent him, with his mothers help. Harry on the other hand, was leafing through a thick leather bound book full to bursting with magical defense spells to use in combat, that his aunt had given him. She had said that it used to belong to his father. /While Dudley was studying history of magic, Aunt Petunia walked over to where Harry was learning defense spells, and began to help him. After lunch they returned to the living room to practice. The three magical beings were so engrossed in practicing their magical skills, that they only stopped when a tall gangling redhead by the name of Ronald Weasley, fell out of the fireplace in a torrent of emerald green flames, dropping a small object that looked like his Hogwarts trunk. "Harry, the others are coming," No sooner had the words left his mouth, another figure appeared in the fireplace. This figure with long brown hair, stepped gracefully out of the fireplace carrying her shrunken trunk in the palm of her hand. "Hello Harry, Ginny is coming next," Hermione said. The fireplace lit up again, and another redhead toppled headfirst, out of the fireplace. "I've never been good at landings," Ginny spoke as she stood up, brushing the soot off her skirt. She too, pulled from her pocket a shrunken Hogwarts trunk. The fireplace lit up for the last time, and out stepped Neville Longbottom. "Hi Harry," he said, his fist clamped around, what Harry assumed was another minute Hogwarts trunk. "Mrs. Dursley, do you mind unshrinking our trunks for us," Ginny asked politely. "Sure," she said, collecting all of their small Hogwarts trunks, and a small basket, Harry thought carried Crookshanks. "Dumbledore told me to tell you all, that after the events of last year, that the minister has agreed that it is wise for you five and Luna, to be able to use magic outside of school," Aunt Petunia continued. "Cool," Ron said. "Yes, but with this privilege comes responsibility. You have to be responsible when you use your magic outside school. By the way, were going to Diagon Alley tomorrow," Aunt Petunia told the group. "Here are your trunks, and I believe that this basket is yours, Hermione?" Aunt Petunia questioned, passing each of them their trunks. "Thank you Mrs. Dursley," Hermione said. "Please call me Aunt Petunia," she replied. Hermione took the lid off the basket, and Crookshanks jumped out, and sauntered off to explore the house. "Follow me, I'll show you where you'll be sleeping," Aunt Petunia said. They all followed Aunt Petunia up the stairs, levitating their trunks behind them. Aunt Petunia pulled out her wand, and muttered an incantation under her breath. Harry felt a pull, and then relaxed. The house seemed bigger. Aunt Petunia walked to the first door and said, "Ron, Neville, you'll be sleeping in here." She opened the door to reveal a room decorated in scarlet and gold with two four poster beds. "Wow," Ron said, setting his trunk down at the foot of one of the beds, Neville putting his trunk at the end of the other bed. "Let's move on, shall we," Aunt Petunia prompted. None of them noticed a plaque materializing on the front of the door as Neville closed it, reading Ron Weasley & Neville Longbottom. When they stopped at the next door Aunt Petunia said, "Harry this is still your bedroom." She opened this door to reveal a room decorated in scarlet, gold, green, and silver. The bedspread of the four poster was green with silver trim. "Yes, I know the hat wanted to put you in Slytherin," Aunt Petunia said. "Thanks, this room is wonderful," Harry told his Aunt. Another plaque materialized on the door, this one reading Harry Potter. At the next door Aunt Petunia said to Dudley, "Your room looks the same as always, because I don't know what house you'll be in yet, when I do, the room will decorate itself in your house colors." This door now had a plaque that read Dudley Dursley. The next door they stopped at was obviously for the girls. Aunt petunia said, "Hermione, Ginny, this room is for you two and Luna." The room behind this door was decorated in the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw house colors. The drapes above two of the four poster beds were scarlet and gold, while the bed at the far end had blue and silver drapes. "This room is wonderful Aunt Petunia," Hermione and Ginny said together. They set their trunks at the ends of the beds with the scarlet and gold drapes. The plaque that materialized read Hermione Granger, Luna Lovegood, and Ginny Weasley. "Each room has its own bathroom," she told the group. After dinner that night, they all went to bed. They wanted to be well rested for their trip to Diagon Alley tomorrow. Harry gladly welcomed the dreamless sleep that had fallen over the entire house.