Disclaimers: See the first chapter.

Snippets From the Potterverse

Chapter 4 - Occupied!

Nobody said a word when they reached Grimmauld Place. It was not an especially welcoming idea to think of spending another summer holiday there.

Harry shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot as he and Ron climbed the stairs to their third-floor bedroom, lugging their trunks. He really had to pee. He had known that super-sized chocolate milkshake in the ice cream parlour had been a bad idea, but he hadn't been able to help himself.

He dumped his trunk at the front of his bed, along with Hedwig's cage. Let Hedwig out, okay, Ron? he asked. I've really got to go to the bathroom.

Ron said, shrugging. Harry bolted for the bathroom.

The door was shut. Harry knocked.

Mrs. Weasley's voice called.

Oops. Sorry, Mrs. Weasley...

Not at all, Harry dear. D'you know how hard it is to get mustard stains out of your clothes?

Erm... no... Harry headed for the second floor, to use that bathroom.

The door was shut. Harry knocked.

Moody's voice growled. Sorry, Potter, I'm covered in mustard and butter and oatmeal and it's really hard to get off.

Harry mumbled, and headed for the first floor, bent over and holding himself. By now the urge to go was killing him.

The first-floor bathroom door was also closed. Harry knocked.

Occupied! Who is it? Hermione called.

said Harry.

Sorry, Harry, but I'm trying to get the ice cream out of my skirt. Try the other bathrooms.

They're occupied.

Oh, I'm sorry. Can you hold it?

Not really, Harry moaned, jumping up and down.

Well, I'm almost done. I think there's a bathroom on the fourth floor, why don't you go look?

Harry groaned, and ran up the stairs to the fourth floor.

The fourth floor was barely habitable; there were several bedrooms, a study, and a billiards room up here, but none had been decontaminated yet. But thankfully, there was a bathroom. Harry didn't care how scrungy it was. He dashed inside.

A large sign, in Sirius' handwriting, was taped on the wall above the toilet : OUT OF ORDER.

Harry began to cry.