(A/N: Ok, I finally got this chapter up! It took me three days, but I did
it. Keep in mind, three days is usually fast for most fanfic writers...but
being as how I have no life, uh...yeah anyway, I should probably warn you
that this ends with a very bad cliffie and I don't recommend you read this
if you have a tendency to throw computers around the room. Hope you enjoy!
Enough with the rambling! On with the story....!)
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*The Burrow*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
3 weeks later...
Harry,
Hey, how are you? Still boring at the muggles? Good news! Dumbledore finally caved. I think he got a little annoyed with my asking him a few times. He said you could come to my house for a week, but no longer. So how about the last week of summer and then you can come with me to King's Cross Station September first? My dad said he'll pick you up outside the muggles house at one o'clock on Sunday. I don't think he wants another encounter with the muggles. Send word immediately.
Ron
Harry searched around his room wildly or a quill and parchment to write Ron back. This was by far the best news he had heard all summer.
"Where is it?" Harry thought out loud. "I really need to buy some new stuff" he added with frustration. "Yes! There it is!" he said upon noticing it under his finished homework. Harry grabbed the quill and started to scribble his reply rapidly on the back of the letter...
Ron, Pick me up at 1 o'clock on Sunday then. I'll be packed and ready. I also need to get my school supplies at Diagon Alley, and some new robes. See you soon. Harry Harry rolled up the piece of parchment and sent it off with Hedwig, who had become very moody over the summer with the constant trips and almost no rest. Harry jumped onto his bed and grinned. 'Finally' he thought 'I'm going to get out of here.' Harry grinned and closed his eyes.
"AHHHHHHHHHHH!" shrieked a woman.
Harry jumped up in surprise. Then he started to laugh loudly in his room. Dudley had snuck food out again last night. Harry headed down stairs to see how much food had "disappeared" again today. As he opened his door, he could hear Dudley's loud snores. 'Guess he was up late last night' Harry joked to himself. He walked briskly down the steps and into the kitchen to see his Aunt on her hands and knees picking up eggshells. Dudley had now become so desperate for protein, he didn't care if it was cooked or not. Harry stood watching his Aunt pick up the eggshells for a couple seconds when he heard a loud squeak behind him. Harry turned around to see his large, beefy Uncle Vernon cowering like a little kid behind Harry. Vernon was edging his way along the wall so as to stay as far away from Harry as was possible. Harry rolled his eyes. Suddenly, the thought popped in to his head to inform his Aunt and Uncle of his departure. Harry no longer asked to leave any more. His Aunt and Uncle would have been more then happy to have Harry out of the house.
"Uh, Uncle Vernon..." Harry started.
"Yes" his uncle grunted shrilly.
"Well, the Weasley's have invited me to spend the last week of the summer with them..."
"They have! Well, er...how do they plan to get you there?" his uncle asked apprehensively.
"Mr. Weasley is supposed to pick me up outside the house at 1 o'clock this Sunday..."
"Really! Well, why don't you tell them to come sooner! Why not save your self 3 days!" Uncle Vernon added hopefully.
"Because my, er...headmaster only wants me to stay there for no longer than a week" Harry said.
At the mention of Harry's school's head master, Vernon jumped 3 feet into the air like Harry had just blown away their house. Vernon now backed away into the kitchen table chair and sat down avoiding Harry's eyes. Harry smiled contently and decided to send a letter to Sirius to tell him he would be at the Weasley's.
3 days later...
At 12:49 pm on Sunday afternoon, Harry had his trunk completely packed with all his past schoolbooks, invisibility cloak, and clothes he would need. Harry waited eagerly on the doorstep for Mr. Weasley. Finally, at a little after one o'clock Mr. Weasley came in an American made 1976 red Dodge that actually looked worse then the old Ford Angelia from his 2nd year. Harry stood up and watched Mr. Weasley advance from the car, a blissful smile on his face.
"Good day, Harry" he said joyfully.
"Hello Mr. Weasley. How are you?" Harry asked nicely. "Is Ron in the car?" Harry added.
"Er, um...no actually. He was going to come, but then Fred and George persisted that if Ron got to come, they should too. And you know what happened last time..."
A mischievous grin swept across Harry's face as he thought of the site of Dudley last year with a tongue 5 times it's normal size and responded:
"Its ok Mr. Weasley" he said trying to hold back his laughter.
Mr. Weasley helped Harry load his trunk into the back of the car, and Harry got into the car. He turned to look at number 4 Privot Drive, and saw his Aunt and Uncle's heads sticking out from behind a curtain watching them. They quickly ducked when Harry looked at them. Harry grinned and thought to himself how great it was he wouldn't have to come back to the Dursley's for another 10 months. Mr. Weasley slid into the driver's seat, and they were off.
"So, Harry." Mr. Weasley started. "What do you think of the car?" He asked modestly.
"Er, I never saw a car like this before" Harry said honestly.
"Well!" boasted Mr. Weasley, "I saw it at an old Muggle car lot, and it was so cheaply priced, I couldn't resist it! I went to Griggnott's to change money for the muggle paper stuff..." This went on for the next 3 hours as Mr. Weasley gave Harry a word for word desciption of every time he had driven it. Harry just sat, staring at the window, until finally he thought of something to say.
"Erm, Mr. Weasley. Can this car fly?" Harry said, a very mischievous grin sweeping across his once innocent face.
"Er, no" Mr. Weasley said with some difficulty. "I nearly was fired 3 years ago when...you know. And I have enough sense not to bewitch a car while Fred and George are still living at the burrow."
The last comment made Harry's grin broaden even more, but it seemed to make Mr. Weasley a bit uncomfortable. Harry remembered how much trouble he and Ron were almost in their second year at Hogwarts, and then he thought of Sirius. Harry wondered if Sirius had gotten the paper the time there had been an article in the paper about Harry and Ron flying the Ford Angelia to Hogwarts. He doubted it. But if he did, Harry could only imagine the momentary contentment Sirius must have felt. Harry turned to hide his grin. Mr. Weasley didn't say another thing until they reached the Burrow.
When they got to the burrow, Ron was leaning on the Burrow's door looking very bored. Ron jumped up alertly when the car pulled down the driveway to the burrow. Harry opened the door and looked up into the smiling face of his best friend.
"Hiya Harry!" Ron said happily.
"Hey Ron" Harry said back.
"How was your trip?" Ron asked pleasantly
"It was..." Harry began to say
"Harry!" Some one called out.
Harry turned around to see both the Weasley twins advancing toward him quickly with broad smiles on both their faces.
"Hey Harry" said Fred.
"How was your summer?" asked George.
"It was..." Harry started.
"Say Harry..." started George.
"We have some things to show you" finished George.
Both the Twins began to push Harry towards the Burrow when Ron came running after him.
"Hey, leave him alone! He's my friend!" Ron bellowed.
"Ron" Fred said, trying to act hurt. "Can't Harry be both our friends?" he added. Harry tried not to laugh at this, but was failing miserably.
"All of our friends, Ron!" added George. "Honestly!" He added trying to pretend like he was moments away from crying. "He's not your procession! He's a person too!"
At this, Harry was doubled over on the ground in laughter. Ron only scowled and followed Harry and the twins into the house with Mr. Weasley lugging Harry's trunk behind them. As soon as Harry stepped into the house, Mrs. Weasley had Harry in a bone-crushing hug. After a few moments, Harry had turned purple from suffocation.
"Air!" Harry finally gasped out. Mrs. Weasley reluctantly let go.
"Terribly sorry, dear" she said. "Haven't seen you in ages. How are you?" she asked politely.
"Er, I was fine" Harry said as he massaged his now-aching ribs.
"Do come in and put your stuff in Ron's room. We have a bed already made up for you." She added. Harry forced a smile and grabbed one end of the trunk while Ron hurried to grab the other end before the twins. Harry and Ron lugged the trunk up the many flights of stairs until they came to Ron room. Finally, Ron and Harry had time to speak.
"So" said Ron. "As I was saying, how was your trip?"
"It was pretty good. I see your dad got a new car." Harry said with a grin again spreading across his face.
"Yeah" said Ron, a grin just as mischievous spreading across his face too. "My dad bought it right before we got back from school. My mom wasn't too keen about it though. She said he could only keep it as long as there weren't any bewitchments on it." He added.
"So I heard" said Harry. "Oh, I also have to get my stuff."
"Yeah, me too..." Ron started.
:::::: Knock, Knock ::::::
"Who is it?" Ron asked.
"Santa Clause" was the answer.
"Go away!" Ron yelled back.
"You let Chudley Cannon memento into your room, but you won't let your own brothers? I think we're insulted" one twin answered.
"Yes, yes...the results are in. We are insulted" the other answered.
Harry put his hand to his mouth to stifle his laughter. Ron gave the door a look of venom.
"What do you want?" he asked apprehensively.
"To see Harry," a twin answered.
"What for?!" Ron bellowed back.
"Well, you didn't think we'd come to see you, did you? We can look at a French fry with ketchup any day, now let us in!" a twin yelled back. Harry was biting his lip to keep from laughing at this.
"Come on, Ron. Just for a minute. You can bore him in a moment. We just want a word" said the other twin.
Ron gave Harry a questionable look. Harry just shrugged, but he was sure he knew what the twins wanted. Ron bit his lip.
"Alright then, just a minute," Ron said as he approached the door and opened it. The two twins strolled in with out question and lifted Harry up by the arms and literally carried him out of the Ron, leaving Ron with a bewildered look on his face.
"We've got loads of stuff to show you!" Fred said happily.
"Absolutely mountains of jokes for 'Weasley's Wheezing Wizards'!" added George.
"Oh, ok." Harry said with apprehension.
After a minute or so of walking down stairs (or rather being carried) the twins finally stopped in front of two huge, red oak doors. They opened the door and Harry's mouth dropped at what he saw. There were stacks of candies you could eat, shelves of fake wands, forms piled up to the ceiling, and loads of other stuff you could never have imagined possible in either the wizard world or muggle. Harry's first instinct was to try one of everything.
"We have the ever so famous - ton tongue toffee's" said George pointing to what looked like perfectly harmless candy.
"Invisible whoopee cushions!" yelled Fred!
"Insect tasting gum..." said George pointing excitedly toward a bunch of gum packets that were a foot tall.
"And gum tasting insects!" Said Fred pointing to boxes of edible gummy wasps, flies, and beetles that were bewitched to float around in the cage to resemble real insects.
Harry's mouth was open in aw, and then he felt hands grab his shoulder and turn his abruptly around to face a smiling George.
"And that's not all..." George said.
"That's not all at all!" said Fred.
"Wow! This is what you've been doing all summer!" came a voice from behind them.
"You little twit!" yelled Fred. "I told you if you ever came in here, we'd burn your tongue with acid pops while you were asleep" he added angrily.
"Wait!" said Harry. "Maybe Ron could be a guinea pig like me!" Harry added.
George and Fred cast looks at each other questionably, and then two broad, mischievous smiles spread across their faces.
"Sure!" said Fred.
"Bloody good idea Harry!" added George.
Harry grinned widely and turned to face Ron, who didn't seem quite as keen on the idea of being a guinea pig, but obviously favored it as appose to acid pops.
"Guys! Dinner!" came a woman's voice from down stairs. Fred and George ran downstairs quickly. Ron looked around the room with the same look of amazement Harry had.
"So that's what they wanted you for? A guinea pig?" he asked, his eyes still darting around the room.
"Yeah" said Harry. "Fred and George said they didn't tell you because they were afraid you would tell your mom" he lied.
"I probably would have" Ron grinned as he finally directed his attention to Harry. "But not now that you're here".
Harry grinned back and both of them headed down stairs for their dinner. As Harry sat down, he noticed Ginny and Percy at the other end of the table. Percy was busy with a report for work. Ginny was looking down, stealing glances at Harry every few seconds.
"Hello Percy and Ginny" Harry said politely.
"Er, Hello" Ginny answered before quickly looking down at her plate of mash potatoes and chicken breasts.
"Huh? Oh, hi Harry" Percy answered before returning to his report. Harry only smiled, and started in on his dinner. All the while, arguing with Ron on who was going to the next World Quidditch cup (Chudley Cannons or Ireland).
(A/N: I was so tempted to end there, but I promised action and a really good cliffie...so I'll stay true to my word. Now on with the rest of the story...)
5 days later...
Over the next 5 days, Ron and Harry spent most of their time playing Quidditch or testing Fred and George's joke products. Ron always seemed to get the worst jokes though. Once Ron blew up like a balloon and bounced around the room for an hour after eating a seemingly innocent blow pop.
Finally, 2 days before the bunch was supposed to return to Hogwarts, Mrs. Weasley took them to Diagon Alley. They quickly separated as Mrs. Weasley took Ginny to buy some new books, Harry and Ron headed into "Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions" as Ron had sprouted even taller, and even Harry had sprouted an inch or two. A little more then an hour later, Harry and Ron were leaving Madam Malkin's laughing joyfully when they saw a big head of whitish blond hair that made them groan. Unfortunately, their groan was loud enough that it made the snobbish Slytherin, Draco Malfoy turn around with a look of disgust on his face.
"Oh! If it isn't Weasel and Pothead" Malfoy said sarcastically.
"What do you want ferret boy?!" Ron yelled angrily back.
At that remark, Malfoy's sneer was taken from his face, but was quickly replaced by a look of hate.
"I'm surprised you were able to buy those robes, Weasel. Did your family take out a loan on their house? Let me guess, 2 knuts a month for it?" Malfoy said with a heartless chuckle.
Ron was about to respond with his fists, but Harry grabbed his arm and answered for him. The Weasley's were the only real family Harry knew, so criticizing them was almost as bad as criticizing his own parents. And Harry made that very clear.
"Think that's funny, do you? Tell me, Malfoy. How is your father? Getting on his hands and knee's to kiss someone's feet must make you very proud, right? I bet you can't wait until you can join Voldemort's ranks! You just wait, one day your father will be in Azkaban right where he belongs, and I only hope you're there with him." Harry said with rage.
Malfoy stood there for a few moments staring at Harry in disbelief. Harry had had enough of Malfoy and had made it obvious that he wasn't putting up with anything this year. It looked like Malfoy tried to search for words to retaliate in his father's defense, but the words were lost. Malfoy gave them a look of rare hurt pride and turned away and headed down the street that led to Knockturn Alley.
"That was bloody brilliant!" Ron exclaimed. "I've never seen anyone finally shut that little rat up!" he added gleefully.
Harry only smiled and he and Ron continued their shopping. The day flew by very fast, and soon all the Weasley's and Harry were headed back to the burrow. They spent their last day packing things up, tasting a few more joke products, and playing quidditch.
(A/N: Now that would have been the perfect place to end for this chapter. But I did promise action....which you haven't gotten a lot of, if any. And the cliffie! Oh just wait! The cliffie is fantastic!)
The next day, Harry woke up to someone calling his name and shaking him lightly on his arm.
"Come on Harry! We're gonna be late! I woke you an hour ago! We've got 10 minutes!" came Ron's voice.
"What?" asked Harry sleepily. "No you didn't"
"Yes I did! I said 'Harry come on, its time for breakfast'. Then you said, 'ok, I'll be down in a few minutes'." Ron answered impatiently.
"I did?" Harry asked.
"Yeah! Now come on!" Ron said as he tossed Harry his robes before walking out of the room.
Harry got up and quickly threw on his Hogwarts robes before grabbing his trunk and descending down the stairs. Mr. Weasley wished the kids luck before heading off to work with Percy. Harry and the Weasley's made their way into the station casually before all of them leaning against the barrier 2 at a time and boarding the Hogwarts express.
"Well," said Ron as he turned to look at Harry with a grin. "What trouble do you reckon we'll get into this year?" Ron asked. Harry grinned back and was about to answer when...
"Harry! Ron!" came a girl's voice behind them. Ron and Harry turned to see Hemione coming towards them, Prefect badge pinned to her chest, shining brightly.
"Oh, hey Hermione" said Harry. "I didn't know you were a Prefect. Good job" he added.
"I wanted it to be a surprise! I was so surprised when I got the letter and then the badge a little later in the mail!" She said boastfully.
"You were surprised?!" Ron said in an amazed voice.
"Yes, of course. I've been sitting in the Prefect's compartment for the last 20 minutes looking for the other 5th year Gryffindor Prefect" she said as she looked over their shoulders.
"Er..." said Harry as he dug into his trunk to look for his own Prefect badge.
"Er, what?" Ron asked curiously.
Harry finally found it (It was in his invisibility cloak) and brought it out to show them.
"You're the other Prefect?" Hermione asked amazed.
"Um, yeah" Harry said as his face went red.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Ron said in complete bewilderment.
"I forgot" Harry mumbled before trying to put it away, but Hermione grabbed it from his hand and was trying to pin it on his chest.
"You forgot you were made a Prefect?" Ron asked suspiciously.
"Well, yeah...I - OUCH!" Harry yelled as a sharp pin was stabbed into his chest.
"Oops, sorry about that" Hermione answered casually. "Well, are you going to come sit in the Prefect's department in front? They have free chocolate frogs!" She added happily.
"Er, no" Harry answered as he glanced at Ron. I think I'll sit in the usual compartment. Hermione looked slightly hurt.
"Alright then" she said brightening up. "Then I'll see you at the dinner. Oh, and Harry..."
"Huh?" Harry asked
"Would you mind if I led the 1st years to their dormitories. I know that it's an honor and..." she started.
"Hermione, you go right ahead!" Harry said joyfully.
"Thank you! I'll see you there! Bye!" She said with such joyfulness that you'd have thought it was Christmas. Hermione strolled away in bliss before entering the Prefect's compartment.
"That girl is nutters!" Ron said loudly. Harry chuckled and turned to ask what compartment they should take when Ron turned to look at him soberly.
"Er, Harry?" Ron asked.
"What?" Harry asked, trying to read Ron's expression.
"Why didn't you tell me for real?" He asked.
"I really did forget." Harry said awkwardly. Then he grinned.
"What's so funny?" Ron said offended.
"Well, I forgot I was a Prefect. That goes to show how much I care! So very unlike Percy!"
Ron grinned and headed toward a compartment a few doors down, followed by Harry. The Hogwarts train trip went as planned. Harry and Ron sat still arguing about the World Quidditch cup, and were visited a few times by Neville, Semus, Dean, and once Hermione, but only to alert them that they were going to be at Hogwarts in a few minutes. She closed the door and continued on to the next compartment.
"Well, I can certainly see this as a fun year!" Ron said sarcastically.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked curiously.
"You and her always following the rules and yelling at kids will be loads of fun for me." Ron said slightly depressed.
"Me? Follow the rules? I never follow the rules! Not even when I try!" Harry said in complete shock Ron ever accused him of following the rules. Ron simply laughed and said:
"True. Like the first year with the sorcerer's stone" Ron said.
"Or our second year with the Chamber of Secrets. And remember when Lockhart did a memory charm on himself!" Harry said as he started laughing.
"Memory charm!" said Ron. "What about the pixies!"
So went their trip until finally arrived at Hogwarts. Harry and Ron were quickly joined by Hermione and the rest of the 5th years. They shared a carriage to the castle with Neville and emptied into the Great Hall to see all the teachers beaming at them. Well, all except for Snape, who again seemed very displeased at the welcoming feast. Harry wondered why for a second, and then he guessed.
"Hey, Ron?" He asked.
"What?" Ron responded.
"Who is our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher this year?" Harry asked.
Ron's eyes also flashed to the high table. "I don't know," he said grinning. "But by the look on Snape's face, its not him!" Harry and Ron started to laugh and sat down. After a few minutes of trying to guess who it could possibly be, Professor McGonagall entered the Great Hall with many scared looking first years. Harry remembered how his first year he was afraid that the hat would say there had been a mistake, that he wasn't a wizard at all, and they would send him back to the Dursley's. Harry grinned as he thought of a first year thinking the same thing. Professor Flickwit brought out the Sorting Hat in front of the school. After a few moments, the hat opened his mouth and began its annual song:
A thousand years ago or more I was made by the Hogwarts four Gryffindor took me off his head To sort young students when they were dead Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, or Slytherin One of these houses, I'll sort you in
You may be in Ravenclaw The most brilliant of them all Their logical and wise minds Make hard choices and easy call
You may be put in Gryffindor The bravest of the Hogwarts four Give their lives, these people would To save the world, if they could
You may be put in Hufflepuff For they're always loyal and just From your side, they'll never stray To be your friend, they'll find a way
You may be put in Slytherin, These ambitious folk love to win They will do almost anything To accomplish all their ends
I will tell you where you should be In a Hogwarts house, we will see Brave, smart, loyal, or cunning You'll know which house when I'm done So put me on, we'll see at that For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
The Great Hall broke into applause. Professor McGonagall pulled out the long list of students and read every one from "Anderson, Henry" to "Zimmerman, Donna" off the list. Finally, Dumbledore stood up and the very site of the students made him beam about, looking at each student with twinkling eyes. Finally, he raised his hand and everyone quieted.
"Welcome everyone to a new year at Hogwarts. I hope you have all had a pleasant summer. Alas, I must start off with some grave news. Now, as all but the first years are aware, Lord Voldemort (everyone but some teachers and Harry cringed at the name) has returned to full power. You are not under any circumstances to leave the school grounds. Hogsmeade visits will be strictly supervised, as will Quidditch games and practices. On a lighter note, Mr. Filch has a list of the rules that lay about the castle and you are all welcome to look at it in his office...
Harry glanced sideways to Ron, and both started to stifle the sniggers.
"And I wish you all to have a good year. I assure you classes will go on as usual. So for the witches and wizards with empty heads, you will be able to fill them this year! And for the heads that are already filled, fill them even more! Enough with an old man's babble. Let us enjoy our feast!"
With a wave of his hand, the tables were covered in delicious foods and Harry, Ron, and Hermione dug right in.
"So," said Hermione. "What are you doing with Quidditch this year since it's still on?" She asked.
"I dunno" Harry responded. "We need a new captain, and a new keeper. I guess we have to have try-outs" He added.
At that moment, Ron chose to cough grabbing Harry and Hermione's attention. Harry laughed, and listened to Hermione say:
"I'm gonna guess it's an open try-out, Ron. I pretty sure you can try-out." Hermione said.
Ron scowled and said, "I know that. I was just thinking that we might know someone who might have an influence on his team's decision..." Ron said as he put his arm on Harry's shoulder. Harry raised his eyebrows and grinned at Ron.
"Sure Ron!" Harry said.
"Really! You mean it?!" Ron said ecstatic.
"Yeah, I'll get you a try-out like everyone else!" Harry responded with a broad grin.
Hermione was doubled over in laughter, Ron pretended to be hurt and said mockingly "Alright then, then I'll just..."
Ron stopped as the doors to the Great Hall burst open and Filch ran in gasping for air. Filch reached the high table, and was hysterical. Dumbledore stood up to try to calm Filch down. Finally Filch caught his breath and told Dumbledore, loud enough for the entire school to hear:
"ATTACK!" Filch screamed. "ATTACK" he said gasping. "AT THE GATES! DEATH EATERS! ATTACK!"
(A/N: ~evil laugh~ WWWWWAAAAAHHHHHAAAAAHHHHAAAAHHHAA! I said there was gonna be an awful cliffie that would have you on the edge of your seat! HA! Now, before you curse me...know this. It took me 20 minutes to think up this chapter. It took me 4 hours (I'm not lying) to type it up! And I'm so proud of how it has come out just like I wanted it to. So after 4 hours of effort, please please please review! Thanks so much! The more reviews, the sooner the chapter comes out. It looks like a busy week. Could be a week, could be 2 days before the next chapter comes out it all depends on you. Oh, and I'm gonna acknowledge anyone who reviews anyway. So Please review! I really hope you liked this, it took me a long time to type it up! Thanks!)
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*The Burrow*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
3 weeks later...
Harry,
Hey, how are you? Still boring at the muggles? Good news! Dumbledore finally caved. I think he got a little annoyed with my asking him a few times. He said you could come to my house for a week, but no longer. So how about the last week of summer and then you can come with me to King's Cross Station September first? My dad said he'll pick you up outside the muggles house at one o'clock on Sunday. I don't think he wants another encounter with the muggles. Send word immediately.
Ron
Harry searched around his room wildly or a quill and parchment to write Ron back. This was by far the best news he had heard all summer.
"Where is it?" Harry thought out loud. "I really need to buy some new stuff" he added with frustration. "Yes! There it is!" he said upon noticing it under his finished homework. Harry grabbed the quill and started to scribble his reply rapidly on the back of the letter...
Ron, Pick me up at 1 o'clock on Sunday then. I'll be packed and ready. I also need to get my school supplies at Diagon Alley, and some new robes. See you soon. Harry Harry rolled up the piece of parchment and sent it off with Hedwig, who had become very moody over the summer with the constant trips and almost no rest. Harry jumped onto his bed and grinned. 'Finally' he thought 'I'm going to get out of here.' Harry grinned and closed his eyes.
"AHHHHHHHHHHH!" shrieked a woman.
Harry jumped up in surprise. Then he started to laugh loudly in his room. Dudley had snuck food out again last night. Harry headed down stairs to see how much food had "disappeared" again today. As he opened his door, he could hear Dudley's loud snores. 'Guess he was up late last night' Harry joked to himself. He walked briskly down the steps and into the kitchen to see his Aunt on her hands and knees picking up eggshells. Dudley had now become so desperate for protein, he didn't care if it was cooked or not. Harry stood watching his Aunt pick up the eggshells for a couple seconds when he heard a loud squeak behind him. Harry turned around to see his large, beefy Uncle Vernon cowering like a little kid behind Harry. Vernon was edging his way along the wall so as to stay as far away from Harry as was possible. Harry rolled his eyes. Suddenly, the thought popped in to his head to inform his Aunt and Uncle of his departure. Harry no longer asked to leave any more. His Aunt and Uncle would have been more then happy to have Harry out of the house.
"Uh, Uncle Vernon..." Harry started.
"Yes" his uncle grunted shrilly.
"Well, the Weasley's have invited me to spend the last week of the summer with them..."
"They have! Well, er...how do they plan to get you there?" his uncle asked apprehensively.
"Mr. Weasley is supposed to pick me up outside the house at 1 o'clock this Sunday..."
"Really! Well, why don't you tell them to come sooner! Why not save your self 3 days!" Uncle Vernon added hopefully.
"Because my, er...headmaster only wants me to stay there for no longer than a week" Harry said.
At the mention of Harry's school's head master, Vernon jumped 3 feet into the air like Harry had just blown away their house. Vernon now backed away into the kitchen table chair and sat down avoiding Harry's eyes. Harry smiled contently and decided to send a letter to Sirius to tell him he would be at the Weasley's.
3 days later...
At 12:49 pm on Sunday afternoon, Harry had his trunk completely packed with all his past schoolbooks, invisibility cloak, and clothes he would need. Harry waited eagerly on the doorstep for Mr. Weasley. Finally, at a little after one o'clock Mr. Weasley came in an American made 1976 red Dodge that actually looked worse then the old Ford Angelia from his 2nd year. Harry stood up and watched Mr. Weasley advance from the car, a blissful smile on his face.
"Good day, Harry" he said joyfully.
"Hello Mr. Weasley. How are you?" Harry asked nicely. "Is Ron in the car?" Harry added.
"Er, um...no actually. He was going to come, but then Fred and George persisted that if Ron got to come, they should too. And you know what happened last time..."
A mischievous grin swept across Harry's face as he thought of the site of Dudley last year with a tongue 5 times it's normal size and responded:
"Its ok Mr. Weasley" he said trying to hold back his laughter.
Mr. Weasley helped Harry load his trunk into the back of the car, and Harry got into the car. He turned to look at number 4 Privot Drive, and saw his Aunt and Uncle's heads sticking out from behind a curtain watching them. They quickly ducked when Harry looked at them. Harry grinned and thought to himself how great it was he wouldn't have to come back to the Dursley's for another 10 months. Mr. Weasley slid into the driver's seat, and they were off.
"So, Harry." Mr. Weasley started. "What do you think of the car?" He asked modestly.
"Er, I never saw a car like this before" Harry said honestly.
"Well!" boasted Mr. Weasley, "I saw it at an old Muggle car lot, and it was so cheaply priced, I couldn't resist it! I went to Griggnott's to change money for the muggle paper stuff..." This went on for the next 3 hours as Mr. Weasley gave Harry a word for word desciption of every time he had driven it. Harry just sat, staring at the window, until finally he thought of something to say.
"Erm, Mr. Weasley. Can this car fly?" Harry said, a very mischievous grin sweeping across his once innocent face.
"Er, no" Mr. Weasley said with some difficulty. "I nearly was fired 3 years ago when...you know. And I have enough sense not to bewitch a car while Fred and George are still living at the burrow."
The last comment made Harry's grin broaden even more, but it seemed to make Mr. Weasley a bit uncomfortable. Harry remembered how much trouble he and Ron were almost in their second year at Hogwarts, and then he thought of Sirius. Harry wondered if Sirius had gotten the paper the time there had been an article in the paper about Harry and Ron flying the Ford Angelia to Hogwarts. He doubted it. But if he did, Harry could only imagine the momentary contentment Sirius must have felt. Harry turned to hide his grin. Mr. Weasley didn't say another thing until they reached the Burrow.
When they got to the burrow, Ron was leaning on the Burrow's door looking very bored. Ron jumped up alertly when the car pulled down the driveway to the burrow. Harry opened the door and looked up into the smiling face of his best friend.
"Hiya Harry!" Ron said happily.
"Hey Ron" Harry said back.
"How was your trip?" Ron asked pleasantly
"It was..." Harry began to say
"Harry!" Some one called out.
Harry turned around to see both the Weasley twins advancing toward him quickly with broad smiles on both their faces.
"Hey Harry" said Fred.
"How was your summer?" asked George.
"It was..." Harry started.
"Say Harry..." started George.
"We have some things to show you" finished George.
Both the Twins began to push Harry towards the Burrow when Ron came running after him.
"Hey, leave him alone! He's my friend!" Ron bellowed.
"Ron" Fred said, trying to act hurt. "Can't Harry be both our friends?" he added. Harry tried not to laugh at this, but was failing miserably.
"All of our friends, Ron!" added George. "Honestly!" He added trying to pretend like he was moments away from crying. "He's not your procession! He's a person too!"
At this, Harry was doubled over on the ground in laughter. Ron only scowled and followed Harry and the twins into the house with Mr. Weasley lugging Harry's trunk behind them. As soon as Harry stepped into the house, Mrs. Weasley had Harry in a bone-crushing hug. After a few moments, Harry had turned purple from suffocation.
"Air!" Harry finally gasped out. Mrs. Weasley reluctantly let go.
"Terribly sorry, dear" she said. "Haven't seen you in ages. How are you?" she asked politely.
"Er, I was fine" Harry said as he massaged his now-aching ribs.
"Do come in and put your stuff in Ron's room. We have a bed already made up for you." She added. Harry forced a smile and grabbed one end of the trunk while Ron hurried to grab the other end before the twins. Harry and Ron lugged the trunk up the many flights of stairs until they came to Ron room. Finally, Ron and Harry had time to speak.
"So" said Ron. "As I was saying, how was your trip?"
"It was pretty good. I see your dad got a new car." Harry said with a grin again spreading across his face.
"Yeah" said Ron, a grin just as mischievous spreading across his face too. "My dad bought it right before we got back from school. My mom wasn't too keen about it though. She said he could only keep it as long as there weren't any bewitchments on it." He added.
"So I heard" said Harry. "Oh, I also have to get my stuff."
"Yeah, me too..." Ron started.
:::::: Knock, Knock ::::::
"Who is it?" Ron asked.
"Santa Clause" was the answer.
"Go away!" Ron yelled back.
"You let Chudley Cannon memento into your room, but you won't let your own brothers? I think we're insulted" one twin answered.
"Yes, yes...the results are in. We are insulted" the other answered.
Harry put his hand to his mouth to stifle his laughter. Ron gave the door a look of venom.
"What do you want?" he asked apprehensively.
"To see Harry," a twin answered.
"What for?!" Ron bellowed back.
"Well, you didn't think we'd come to see you, did you? We can look at a French fry with ketchup any day, now let us in!" a twin yelled back. Harry was biting his lip to keep from laughing at this.
"Come on, Ron. Just for a minute. You can bore him in a moment. We just want a word" said the other twin.
Ron gave Harry a questionable look. Harry just shrugged, but he was sure he knew what the twins wanted. Ron bit his lip.
"Alright then, just a minute," Ron said as he approached the door and opened it. The two twins strolled in with out question and lifted Harry up by the arms and literally carried him out of the Ron, leaving Ron with a bewildered look on his face.
"We've got loads of stuff to show you!" Fred said happily.
"Absolutely mountains of jokes for 'Weasley's Wheezing Wizards'!" added George.
"Oh, ok." Harry said with apprehension.
After a minute or so of walking down stairs (or rather being carried) the twins finally stopped in front of two huge, red oak doors. They opened the door and Harry's mouth dropped at what he saw. There were stacks of candies you could eat, shelves of fake wands, forms piled up to the ceiling, and loads of other stuff you could never have imagined possible in either the wizard world or muggle. Harry's first instinct was to try one of everything.
"We have the ever so famous - ton tongue toffee's" said George pointing to what looked like perfectly harmless candy.
"Invisible whoopee cushions!" yelled Fred!
"Insect tasting gum..." said George pointing excitedly toward a bunch of gum packets that were a foot tall.
"And gum tasting insects!" Said Fred pointing to boxes of edible gummy wasps, flies, and beetles that were bewitched to float around in the cage to resemble real insects.
Harry's mouth was open in aw, and then he felt hands grab his shoulder and turn his abruptly around to face a smiling George.
"And that's not all..." George said.
"That's not all at all!" said Fred.
"Wow! This is what you've been doing all summer!" came a voice from behind them.
"You little twit!" yelled Fred. "I told you if you ever came in here, we'd burn your tongue with acid pops while you were asleep" he added angrily.
"Wait!" said Harry. "Maybe Ron could be a guinea pig like me!" Harry added.
George and Fred cast looks at each other questionably, and then two broad, mischievous smiles spread across their faces.
"Sure!" said Fred.
"Bloody good idea Harry!" added George.
Harry grinned widely and turned to face Ron, who didn't seem quite as keen on the idea of being a guinea pig, but obviously favored it as appose to acid pops.
"Guys! Dinner!" came a woman's voice from down stairs. Fred and George ran downstairs quickly. Ron looked around the room with the same look of amazement Harry had.
"So that's what they wanted you for? A guinea pig?" he asked, his eyes still darting around the room.
"Yeah" said Harry. "Fred and George said they didn't tell you because they were afraid you would tell your mom" he lied.
"I probably would have" Ron grinned as he finally directed his attention to Harry. "But not now that you're here".
Harry grinned back and both of them headed down stairs for their dinner. As Harry sat down, he noticed Ginny and Percy at the other end of the table. Percy was busy with a report for work. Ginny was looking down, stealing glances at Harry every few seconds.
"Hello Percy and Ginny" Harry said politely.
"Er, Hello" Ginny answered before quickly looking down at her plate of mash potatoes and chicken breasts.
"Huh? Oh, hi Harry" Percy answered before returning to his report. Harry only smiled, and started in on his dinner. All the while, arguing with Ron on who was going to the next World Quidditch cup (Chudley Cannons or Ireland).
(A/N: I was so tempted to end there, but I promised action and a really good cliffie...so I'll stay true to my word. Now on with the rest of the story...)
5 days later...
Over the next 5 days, Ron and Harry spent most of their time playing Quidditch or testing Fred and George's joke products. Ron always seemed to get the worst jokes though. Once Ron blew up like a balloon and bounced around the room for an hour after eating a seemingly innocent blow pop.
Finally, 2 days before the bunch was supposed to return to Hogwarts, Mrs. Weasley took them to Diagon Alley. They quickly separated as Mrs. Weasley took Ginny to buy some new books, Harry and Ron headed into "Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions" as Ron had sprouted even taller, and even Harry had sprouted an inch or two. A little more then an hour later, Harry and Ron were leaving Madam Malkin's laughing joyfully when they saw a big head of whitish blond hair that made them groan. Unfortunately, their groan was loud enough that it made the snobbish Slytherin, Draco Malfoy turn around with a look of disgust on his face.
"Oh! If it isn't Weasel and Pothead" Malfoy said sarcastically.
"What do you want ferret boy?!" Ron yelled angrily back.
At that remark, Malfoy's sneer was taken from his face, but was quickly replaced by a look of hate.
"I'm surprised you were able to buy those robes, Weasel. Did your family take out a loan on their house? Let me guess, 2 knuts a month for it?" Malfoy said with a heartless chuckle.
Ron was about to respond with his fists, but Harry grabbed his arm and answered for him. The Weasley's were the only real family Harry knew, so criticizing them was almost as bad as criticizing his own parents. And Harry made that very clear.
"Think that's funny, do you? Tell me, Malfoy. How is your father? Getting on his hands and knee's to kiss someone's feet must make you very proud, right? I bet you can't wait until you can join Voldemort's ranks! You just wait, one day your father will be in Azkaban right where he belongs, and I only hope you're there with him." Harry said with rage.
Malfoy stood there for a few moments staring at Harry in disbelief. Harry had had enough of Malfoy and had made it obvious that he wasn't putting up with anything this year. It looked like Malfoy tried to search for words to retaliate in his father's defense, but the words were lost. Malfoy gave them a look of rare hurt pride and turned away and headed down the street that led to Knockturn Alley.
"That was bloody brilliant!" Ron exclaimed. "I've never seen anyone finally shut that little rat up!" he added gleefully.
Harry only smiled and he and Ron continued their shopping. The day flew by very fast, and soon all the Weasley's and Harry were headed back to the burrow. They spent their last day packing things up, tasting a few more joke products, and playing quidditch.
(A/N: Now that would have been the perfect place to end for this chapter. But I did promise action....which you haven't gotten a lot of, if any. And the cliffie! Oh just wait! The cliffie is fantastic!)
The next day, Harry woke up to someone calling his name and shaking him lightly on his arm.
"Come on Harry! We're gonna be late! I woke you an hour ago! We've got 10 minutes!" came Ron's voice.
"What?" asked Harry sleepily. "No you didn't"
"Yes I did! I said 'Harry come on, its time for breakfast'. Then you said, 'ok, I'll be down in a few minutes'." Ron answered impatiently.
"I did?" Harry asked.
"Yeah! Now come on!" Ron said as he tossed Harry his robes before walking out of the room.
Harry got up and quickly threw on his Hogwarts robes before grabbing his trunk and descending down the stairs. Mr. Weasley wished the kids luck before heading off to work with Percy. Harry and the Weasley's made their way into the station casually before all of them leaning against the barrier 2 at a time and boarding the Hogwarts express.
"Well," said Ron as he turned to look at Harry with a grin. "What trouble do you reckon we'll get into this year?" Ron asked. Harry grinned back and was about to answer when...
"Harry! Ron!" came a girl's voice behind them. Ron and Harry turned to see Hemione coming towards them, Prefect badge pinned to her chest, shining brightly.
"Oh, hey Hermione" said Harry. "I didn't know you were a Prefect. Good job" he added.
"I wanted it to be a surprise! I was so surprised when I got the letter and then the badge a little later in the mail!" She said boastfully.
"You were surprised?!" Ron said in an amazed voice.
"Yes, of course. I've been sitting in the Prefect's compartment for the last 20 minutes looking for the other 5th year Gryffindor Prefect" she said as she looked over their shoulders.
"Er..." said Harry as he dug into his trunk to look for his own Prefect badge.
"Er, what?" Ron asked curiously.
Harry finally found it (It was in his invisibility cloak) and brought it out to show them.
"You're the other Prefect?" Hermione asked amazed.
"Um, yeah" Harry said as his face went red.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Ron said in complete bewilderment.
"I forgot" Harry mumbled before trying to put it away, but Hermione grabbed it from his hand and was trying to pin it on his chest.
"You forgot you were made a Prefect?" Ron asked suspiciously.
"Well, yeah...I - OUCH!" Harry yelled as a sharp pin was stabbed into his chest.
"Oops, sorry about that" Hermione answered casually. "Well, are you going to come sit in the Prefect's department in front? They have free chocolate frogs!" She added happily.
"Er, no" Harry answered as he glanced at Ron. I think I'll sit in the usual compartment. Hermione looked slightly hurt.
"Alright then" she said brightening up. "Then I'll see you at the dinner. Oh, and Harry..."
"Huh?" Harry asked
"Would you mind if I led the 1st years to their dormitories. I know that it's an honor and..." she started.
"Hermione, you go right ahead!" Harry said joyfully.
"Thank you! I'll see you there! Bye!" She said with such joyfulness that you'd have thought it was Christmas. Hermione strolled away in bliss before entering the Prefect's compartment.
"That girl is nutters!" Ron said loudly. Harry chuckled and turned to ask what compartment they should take when Ron turned to look at him soberly.
"Er, Harry?" Ron asked.
"What?" Harry asked, trying to read Ron's expression.
"Why didn't you tell me for real?" He asked.
"I really did forget." Harry said awkwardly. Then he grinned.
"What's so funny?" Ron said offended.
"Well, I forgot I was a Prefect. That goes to show how much I care! So very unlike Percy!"
Ron grinned and headed toward a compartment a few doors down, followed by Harry. The Hogwarts train trip went as planned. Harry and Ron sat still arguing about the World Quidditch cup, and were visited a few times by Neville, Semus, Dean, and once Hermione, but only to alert them that they were going to be at Hogwarts in a few minutes. She closed the door and continued on to the next compartment.
"Well, I can certainly see this as a fun year!" Ron said sarcastically.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked curiously.
"You and her always following the rules and yelling at kids will be loads of fun for me." Ron said slightly depressed.
"Me? Follow the rules? I never follow the rules! Not even when I try!" Harry said in complete shock Ron ever accused him of following the rules. Ron simply laughed and said:
"True. Like the first year with the sorcerer's stone" Ron said.
"Or our second year with the Chamber of Secrets. And remember when Lockhart did a memory charm on himself!" Harry said as he started laughing.
"Memory charm!" said Ron. "What about the pixies!"
So went their trip until finally arrived at Hogwarts. Harry and Ron were quickly joined by Hermione and the rest of the 5th years. They shared a carriage to the castle with Neville and emptied into the Great Hall to see all the teachers beaming at them. Well, all except for Snape, who again seemed very displeased at the welcoming feast. Harry wondered why for a second, and then he guessed.
"Hey, Ron?" He asked.
"What?" Ron responded.
"Who is our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher this year?" Harry asked.
Ron's eyes also flashed to the high table. "I don't know," he said grinning. "But by the look on Snape's face, its not him!" Harry and Ron started to laugh and sat down. After a few minutes of trying to guess who it could possibly be, Professor McGonagall entered the Great Hall with many scared looking first years. Harry remembered how his first year he was afraid that the hat would say there had been a mistake, that he wasn't a wizard at all, and they would send him back to the Dursley's. Harry grinned as he thought of a first year thinking the same thing. Professor Flickwit brought out the Sorting Hat in front of the school. After a few moments, the hat opened his mouth and began its annual song:
A thousand years ago or more I was made by the Hogwarts four Gryffindor took me off his head To sort young students when they were dead Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, or Slytherin One of these houses, I'll sort you in
You may be in Ravenclaw The most brilliant of them all Their logical and wise minds Make hard choices and easy call
You may be put in Gryffindor The bravest of the Hogwarts four Give their lives, these people would To save the world, if they could
You may be put in Hufflepuff For they're always loyal and just From your side, they'll never stray To be your friend, they'll find a way
You may be put in Slytherin, These ambitious folk love to win They will do almost anything To accomplish all their ends
I will tell you where you should be In a Hogwarts house, we will see Brave, smart, loyal, or cunning You'll know which house when I'm done So put me on, we'll see at that For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
The Great Hall broke into applause. Professor McGonagall pulled out the long list of students and read every one from "Anderson, Henry" to "Zimmerman, Donna" off the list. Finally, Dumbledore stood up and the very site of the students made him beam about, looking at each student with twinkling eyes. Finally, he raised his hand and everyone quieted.
"Welcome everyone to a new year at Hogwarts. I hope you have all had a pleasant summer. Alas, I must start off with some grave news. Now, as all but the first years are aware, Lord Voldemort (everyone but some teachers and Harry cringed at the name) has returned to full power. You are not under any circumstances to leave the school grounds. Hogsmeade visits will be strictly supervised, as will Quidditch games and practices. On a lighter note, Mr. Filch has a list of the rules that lay about the castle and you are all welcome to look at it in his office...
Harry glanced sideways to Ron, and both started to stifle the sniggers.
"And I wish you all to have a good year. I assure you classes will go on as usual. So for the witches and wizards with empty heads, you will be able to fill them this year! And for the heads that are already filled, fill them even more! Enough with an old man's babble. Let us enjoy our feast!"
With a wave of his hand, the tables were covered in delicious foods and Harry, Ron, and Hermione dug right in.
"So," said Hermione. "What are you doing with Quidditch this year since it's still on?" She asked.
"I dunno" Harry responded. "We need a new captain, and a new keeper. I guess we have to have try-outs" He added.
At that moment, Ron chose to cough grabbing Harry and Hermione's attention. Harry laughed, and listened to Hermione say:
"I'm gonna guess it's an open try-out, Ron. I pretty sure you can try-out." Hermione said.
Ron scowled and said, "I know that. I was just thinking that we might know someone who might have an influence on his team's decision..." Ron said as he put his arm on Harry's shoulder. Harry raised his eyebrows and grinned at Ron.
"Sure Ron!" Harry said.
"Really! You mean it?!" Ron said ecstatic.
"Yeah, I'll get you a try-out like everyone else!" Harry responded with a broad grin.
Hermione was doubled over in laughter, Ron pretended to be hurt and said mockingly "Alright then, then I'll just..."
Ron stopped as the doors to the Great Hall burst open and Filch ran in gasping for air. Filch reached the high table, and was hysterical. Dumbledore stood up to try to calm Filch down. Finally Filch caught his breath and told Dumbledore, loud enough for the entire school to hear:
"ATTACK!" Filch screamed. "ATTACK" he said gasping. "AT THE GATES! DEATH EATERS! ATTACK!"
(A/N: ~evil laugh~ WWWWWAAAAAHHHHHAAAAAHHHHAAAAHHHAA! I said there was gonna be an awful cliffie that would have you on the edge of your seat! HA! Now, before you curse me...know this. It took me 20 minutes to think up this chapter. It took me 4 hours (I'm not lying) to type it up! And I'm so proud of how it has come out just like I wanted it to. So after 4 hours of effort, please please please review! Thanks so much! The more reviews, the sooner the chapter comes out. It looks like a busy week. Could be a week, could be 2 days before the next chapter comes out it all depends on you. Oh, and I'm gonna acknowledge anyone who reviews anyway. So Please review! I really hope you liked this, it took me a long time to type it up! Thanks!)