Chapter 4 – The Car wash
Harry spent most of the next day packing, and thinking- no longing- to leave sooner than tomorrow morning.
The Dursely's called up at around six and told Harry that there are going out for dinner and he is not to touch anything or to leave the house. This wasn't unusual for Harry, so he pulled out Quidditch Through the Ages and started to reread the chapter on Amazing Plays Only Done Once for the hundredth time.
As Harry was trying to picture what the school would do if he could pull off a Sckifosi Reach, something swished past his window. An owl began the peck at the glass and hoot, trying to get Harry's attention. Snapping out of his daydream, he quickly let in the rather flustered looking barn owl. A small scroll was attached to her leg and as Harry unravelled it, she immediately flew away into the night.
Thankful that Uncle Vernon hadn't been here to hear the noise, Harry sat down and began to read
Harry Potter,
We just found out you'll be coming tomorrow. I won't say too much
incase something happens to the owl, but we're really looking forward
to meeting Leah and Josie. At least now you'll be here for most of the
summer, unlike last time. Well mum says I got to keep it short – so
wish I were with you tomorrow mate, sounds like fun! Oh, and Hermione
says to be careful tomorrow and always watch behind you – just incase.
Ron and Hermione
Harry read the letter again, wondering what Ron had meant by wish I were with you tomorrow mate, sounds like fun. Hoping that he hadn't missed out on something because he was going with Leah, Harry shoved the letter into his pocket and continued to read about Deadly Winnings.
Saturday dawned bright and sunny, and Harry couldn't think of a better way to travel. But when he passed Leah on the landing, he could have sworn she said something about no cover, damn.
Harry happily marched into the kitchen to be met by even happier Dursely's. They were getting rid of Harry and extra month and half early. Excitement was all through the room and Aunt Petunia even made him some eggs.
"Right, well, we'll take you into the train station in London so you can go for summer school or whatever. But you aren't coming home until next summer, right?" Vernon tensed at the idea of seeing Harry again this summer and waited for his answer.
"Oh no. I'll just stay at school for the next term. Don't worry – it will be almost a year before we see each other again." And Harry left the kitchen with a smile on his face, happy to be rid of the Dursely's and going to see Ron so much earlier than planned.
Harry was pushing a trolley with Leah's and his luggage, trying to act mad that he had to ride the same train as her. Quick good byes were said to Leah and than the two set off to the train.
Leah hauled half the luggage through the train, while Harry hauled the rest and tried to keep up with Leah. Surprised by her strength and agility, Harry found it difficult to stay right behind her, the crowd was pushing against him and for one fleeting second, he thought they had become separated. But Leah was just at the other end of the compartment waiting for him.
"Leah, you do realise we've passed about eight empty compartments, right?" Harry looked into the one they were currently passing and didn't see why that wasn't good enough.
"Yeah, but I never said I was looking for an empty compartment." With that slightly confusing sentence, Leah turned right and headed off the train. Completely bewildered, Harry followed out of curiosity and because Leah was carrying Hedwig; who seemed to realize what Leah was doing and kept quiet.
Leah dragged Harry out into the parking lot and over to an old, beat up station wagon. Placing her luggage into the trunk, she walked towards the driver side. Figuring that Mr. or Mrs. Weasley would be in the front seat, Harry shoved the rest of the luggage into the trunk and opened the side door.
But it was just Leah inside, and she was sitting in the driver's seat. When the car started, Harry automatically jumped into the passenger seat, and than realised who was about to drive.
"Um, you do know how to drive, right? Like you have your license." Harry asked as he glanced around at Leah who seemed to be having trouble with the stick shift.
"Well, I have my license in Canada, and it's not quit the same thing as for England, but Dumbledore said to make an exception and drive anyway. That way we'll be able to see who's following us." Leah finally threw the shift stick into drive and began to pull out of the parking lot. "I need you to watch behind us, see if any of the same cars are following us. You know, like turning when we do and stuff." Leah pulled left out of the lot and began to speed along the road towards, well, Harry didn't know where to.
"Okay, this black car has been following us since the station, but that's it I think. Everyone else has just turned on behind us." Harry was gazing intently out the rear window and trying to remember if he had seen that blue car before.
"Okay, are they staying like three cars away from us?" Leah pulled a sharp right and the car followed.
"Yeah. They aren't directly behind us, just behind the car that's behind us." Harry tried to see into the window to catch a face, but the sun was hitting at just the wrong angle.
"Figures. That's okay; we'll lose them up here." Harry was trying to figure out how they were going to lose them, when Leah pulled into a car wash.
"What are we getting a car wash for? Won't that just slow us down?" Harry turned around in his seat, no longer being able to see out the back since a large door had sealed them in.
"Yes, if we were getting a car wash. But we aren't so get out." Leah threw the gear into park and than jumped out of the car. Following hesitantly, Harry watched as Leah unloaded the trunk. Than noticed something strange; the car wash hadn't started. They must have been in there for five or ten minutes now, but nothing was happening.
Very confused now, Harry grabbed his luggage and followed Leah into a back room. There sat a large, balding man with a bucket of chicken in front of him.
"Canis Lupis." Leah was talking to the man and he sat up right and said something like 'Herdin Protrac' and than left. Utterly lost on what had just happened, Harry watched as Leah pulled something gold out of her jacket. She opened the container and began to pour gold dust down the side of one wall.
Turning and seeing the confused look on her cousin's face, Leah explained: "It's Goldria, kind of like a key. It outlines a door and than lets you open it. A secret passage kind of thing so that no one can stumble across it." Sure enough, once Leah had finished speaking, a gold outline of a small door had appeared on the wall.
Quickly checking over her shoulder, Leah pushed open the door and waited for Harry to pass before closing it again. The door sealed seamlessly and Harry had fleeting moment of feeling helplessly trapped. But torches lit the room and there was an old coffee pot in the middle on top of a wooden table. That was it.
"Right, so this is a port key that is suppose to take us to Josie, who will know where to go from there." Leah placed all of her luggage on top of each other and waited for Harry to do the same. "So don't let go of your luggage and on the count of three. One...two...three!"
Harry had the odd sensation of a hook behind his navel and then was thrown off his feet and hurdling through space, or time, or whatever. He could feel his luggage and Leah beside him and then just as quickly as it started, Harry was thrown forwards and landed on top of his trunk.
"Are you two all right?" Harry recognised the voice instantly and turned to face his headmaster.
"Prof. Dumbledore! I didn't know you were going to be here." Leah broke into a smile as Dumbledore winked.
"Well Leah, though I trust you completely, I did not want anyone else knowing I was going to be here either. Harry, how are you?" Dumbledore's kind face turned to Harry and he could see sadness and old age etched on him. Harry quickly assured him he was all right and than noticed for the first time a girl behind Dumbledore.
"Josie, I would like you to meet Harry Potter. Harry, my great niece, Josie Shrafter." Dumbledore had followed Harry's gaze and now watched as they shook hands. "Well, we should be getting off now. I think all of you know how this works." Dumbledore stood to one side and Harry caught sight of a fireplace. Beside the fireplace was a jar of floo powder.
Josie took a pinch and threw it into the fire. The flames roared green and she stepped inside. "Number 12 Grimauld Place." And with a whoosh she was gone.
"Were going to the Black's house?" Harry asked cautiously. After all, his Godfather was no longer there and he did not like the idea of going there at all. What about the foul Kreacher who had caused Harry to leave and that resulted in....Harry couldn't even bring himself to think that. With a glum look on his face, he watched the flames return to normal.
Leah touched Harry's arm, which instantly made him feel better – though unsure of why and than disappeared in a swirl of green flames.
"You next Harry. I think you'll find everyone waiting for you there." With a wink Dumbledore pushed him to the fire and Harry felt himself swirling around and around. Remembering to tuck in his elbows, Harry watched wizarding fire places flash before his eyes, until with a jerk, he fell to his knees through the fireplace in the kitchen of the secret headquarters of The Order of the Phoenix.
Harry spent most of the next day packing, and thinking- no longing- to leave sooner than tomorrow morning.
The Dursely's called up at around six and told Harry that there are going out for dinner and he is not to touch anything or to leave the house. This wasn't unusual for Harry, so he pulled out Quidditch Through the Ages and started to reread the chapter on Amazing Plays Only Done Once for the hundredth time.
As Harry was trying to picture what the school would do if he could pull off a Sckifosi Reach, something swished past his window. An owl began the peck at the glass and hoot, trying to get Harry's attention. Snapping out of his daydream, he quickly let in the rather flustered looking barn owl. A small scroll was attached to her leg and as Harry unravelled it, she immediately flew away into the night.
Thankful that Uncle Vernon hadn't been here to hear the noise, Harry sat down and began to read
Harry Potter,
We just found out you'll be coming tomorrow. I won't say too much
incase something happens to the owl, but we're really looking forward
to meeting Leah and Josie. At least now you'll be here for most of the
summer, unlike last time. Well mum says I got to keep it short – so
wish I were with you tomorrow mate, sounds like fun! Oh, and Hermione
says to be careful tomorrow and always watch behind you – just incase.
Ron and Hermione
Harry read the letter again, wondering what Ron had meant by wish I were with you tomorrow mate, sounds like fun. Hoping that he hadn't missed out on something because he was going with Leah, Harry shoved the letter into his pocket and continued to read about Deadly Winnings.
Saturday dawned bright and sunny, and Harry couldn't think of a better way to travel. But when he passed Leah on the landing, he could have sworn she said something about no cover, damn.
Harry happily marched into the kitchen to be met by even happier Dursely's. They were getting rid of Harry and extra month and half early. Excitement was all through the room and Aunt Petunia even made him some eggs.
"Right, well, we'll take you into the train station in London so you can go for summer school or whatever. But you aren't coming home until next summer, right?" Vernon tensed at the idea of seeing Harry again this summer and waited for his answer.
"Oh no. I'll just stay at school for the next term. Don't worry – it will be almost a year before we see each other again." And Harry left the kitchen with a smile on his face, happy to be rid of the Dursely's and going to see Ron so much earlier than planned.
Harry was pushing a trolley with Leah's and his luggage, trying to act mad that he had to ride the same train as her. Quick good byes were said to Leah and than the two set off to the train.
Leah hauled half the luggage through the train, while Harry hauled the rest and tried to keep up with Leah. Surprised by her strength and agility, Harry found it difficult to stay right behind her, the crowd was pushing against him and for one fleeting second, he thought they had become separated. But Leah was just at the other end of the compartment waiting for him.
"Leah, you do realise we've passed about eight empty compartments, right?" Harry looked into the one they were currently passing and didn't see why that wasn't good enough.
"Yeah, but I never said I was looking for an empty compartment." With that slightly confusing sentence, Leah turned right and headed off the train. Completely bewildered, Harry followed out of curiosity and because Leah was carrying Hedwig; who seemed to realize what Leah was doing and kept quiet.
Leah dragged Harry out into the parking lot and over to an old, beat up station wagon. Placing her luggage into the trunk, she walked towards the driver side. Figuring that Mr. or Mrs. Weasley would be in the front seat, Harry shoved the rest of the luggage into the trunk and opened the side door.
But it was just Leah inside, and she was sitting in the driver's seat. When the car started, Harry automatically jumped into the passenger seat, and than realised who was about to drive.
"Um, you do know how to drive, right? Like you have your license." Harry asked as he glanced around at Leah who seemed to be having trouble with the stick shift.
"Well, I have my license in Canada, and it's not quit the same thing as for England, but Dumbledore said to make an exception and drive anyway. That way we'll be able to see who's following us." Leah finally threw the shift stick into drive and began to pull out of the parking lot. "I need you to watch behind us, see if any of the same cars are following us. You know, like turning when we do and stuff." Leah pulled left out of the lot and began to speed along the road towards, well, Harry didn't know where to.
"Okay, this black car has been following us since the station, but that's it I think. Everyone else has just turned on behind us." Harry was gazing intently out the rear window and trying to remember if he had seen that blue car before.
"Okay, are they staying like three cars away from us?" Leah pulled a sharp right and the car followed.
"Yeah. They aren't directly behind us, just behind the car that's behind us." Harry tried to see into the window to catch a face, but the sun was hitting at just the wrong angle.
"Figures. That's okay; we'll lose them up here." Harry was trying to figure out how they were going to lose them, when Leah pulled into a car wash.
"What are we getting a car wash for? Won't that just slow us down?" Harry turned around in his seat, no longer being able to see out the back since a large door had sealed them in.
"Yes, if we were getting a car wash. But we aren't so get out." Leah threw the gear into park and than jumped out of the car. Following hesitantly, Harry watched as Leah unloaded the trunk. Than noticed something strange; the car wash hadn't started. They must have been in there for five or ten minutes now, but nothing was happening.
Very confused now, Harry grabbed his luggage and followed Leah into a back room. There sat a large, balding man with a bucket of chicken in front of him.
"Canis Lupis." Leah was talking to the man and he sat up right and said something like 'Herdin Protrac' and than left. Utterly lost on what had just happened, Harry watched as Leah pulled something gold out of her jacket. She opened the container and began to pour gold dust down the side of one wall.
Turning and seeing the confused look on her cousin's face, Leah explained: "It's Goldria, kind of like a key. It outlines a door and than lets you open it. A secret passage kind of thing so that no one can stumble across it." Sure enough, once Leah had finished speaking, a gold outline of a small door had appeared on the wall.
Quickly checking over her shoulder, Leah pushed open the door and waited for Harry to pass before closing it again. The door sealed seamlessly and Harry had fleeting moment of feeling helplessly trapped. But torches lit the room and there was an old coffee pot in the middle on top of a wooden table. That was it.
"Right, so this is a port key that is suppose to take us to Josie, who will know where to go from there." Leah placed all of her luggage on top of each other and waited for Harry to do the same. "So don't let go of your luggage and on the count of three. One...two...three!"
Harry had the odd sensation of a hook behind his navel and then was thrown off his feet and hurdling through space, or time, or whatever. He could feel his luggage and Leah beside him and then just as quickly as it started, Harry was thrown forwards and landed on top of his trunk.
"Are you two all right?" Harry recognised the voice instantly and turned to face his headmaster.
"Prof. Dumbledore! I didn't know you were going to be here." Leah broke into a smile as Dumbledore winked.
"Well Leah, though I trust you completely, I did not want anyone else knowing I was going to be here either. Harry, how are you?" Dumbledore's kind face turned to Harry and he could see sadness and old age etched on him. Harry quickly assured him he was all right and than noticed for the first time a girl behind Dumbledore.
"Josie, I would like you to meet Harry Potter. Harry, my great niece, Josie Shrafter." Dumbledore had followed Harry's gaze and now watched as they shook hands. "Well, we should be getting off now. I think all of you know how this works." Dumbledore stood to one side and Harry caught sight of a fireplace. Beside the fireplace was a jar of floo powder.
Josie took a pinch and threw it into the fire. The flames roared green and she stepped inside. "Number 12 Grimauld Place." And with a whoosh she was gone.
"Were going to the Black's house?" Harry asked cautiously. After all, his Godfather was no longer there and he did not like the idea of going there at all. What about the foul Kreacher who had caused Harry to leave and that resulted in....Harry couldn't even bring himself to think that. With a glum look on his face, he watched the flames return to normal.
Leah touched Harry's arm, which instantly made him feel better – though unsure of why and than disappeared in a swirl of green flames.
"You next Harry. I think you'll find everyone waiting for you there." With a wink Dumbledore pushed him to the fire and Harry felt himself swirling around and around. Remembering to tuck in his elbows, Harry watched wizarding fire places flash before his eyes, until with a jerk, he fell to his knees through the fireplace in the kitchen of the secret headquarters of The Order of the Phoenix.