Chapter 7:

Magic at Private Drive

The first month of Harry being back, the Dursleys were much more alert, more tense, than they had been the whole previous year. Probably due to Harry's return, and the subsequent locking away of magical objects. Just having them in the house was making them nervous, even if they were locked in the cupboard under the stairs.

In between serving the Dursleys, Harry continued telling her about his experiences – when he could, that was. Uncle Vernon seemed intent on keeping them apart. Probably to make sure he would tell her – teach her – as little as possible.

That didn't stop him from telling her all about his experiences. About the four houses of Hogwarts – specifically his own house of Gryffindor. Of what classes were like, of what the professors were like. About the sport, Quidditch and how, despite being a first year, he had made the Quidditch team. Then he reached the bit about a professor having Voldemort's head the back of his own. How this person – Quirrel/Voldemort – tried to kill him.

If that was only his first year, what did that mean for the rest of his years. For her?

About a month after Harry's return, they were at breakfast when Uncle Vernon cleared his throat importantly and said, "Now, as we all know, today is a very important day."

Harry shared a disbelieving look with his sister.

"This could well be the day I make the biggest deal of my career," said Uncle Vernon. At this, both Potter children went back to eating their breakfast. Of course, he would be talking about his stupid dinner party.

Jessa tuned him out, at least until he rounded on them. "And where will you be during this?"

"We'll be in our rooms, making no noise and pretending we're not there," Harry replied tonelessly.

"Precisely. If I hear even one peep out of either of you or that bloody bird, you won't be let out for a week."

"We understand, Sir," she answered, moving to clean up the breakfast table and begin tidying up the house, to ensure everything was ready for the Masons' arrival.

At ten-to-eight, Jessa and Harry retreated back to their respective rooms. She made sure to stay extra silent, considering her proximity to the dinner party.

However, not even a half-hour after the party had started, she heard footsteps on the stairs.

Why wouldn't he stay out of trouble for once?

Peaking out of her closet, she saw Harry sneaking into the kitchen. As quietly as she could manage, she followed, stopping short in the doorway.

A little creature on the bed had large, bat-like ears and bulging green eyes the size of tennis balls was sitting on top of a cupboard in the corner. And Aunt Petunia's masterpiece of a pudding, the mountain of cream and sugared violets, was floating up near the ceiling.

"No," croaked Harry. "Please… they'll kill me…"

"Harry Potter must say he's not going back to school —"

"Dobby… please…"

"Say it, sir —"

"Harry, please – ," she pleaded, but neither listened.

"I can't —"

"Then Dobby must do it, sir, for Harry Potter's own good."

The pudding fell to the floor with a heart-stopping crash. Cream splattered the windows and walls as the dish shattered. With a crack like a whip, the creature vanished.

"Harry! Please – ," she whispered, beckoning to her brother, but it was too late.

Jessa ran for her closet. She feared for her brother's situation, but it would do no good for both of them to get in trouble. She could hear her Uncle's temper vibrating throughout the house.

For once, he made good on his threats. Putting custom-made bars on his window and a cat-flap on his bedroom door. To be honest – she was surprised Uncle Vernon hadn't locked him back in the cupboard.

Part of her felt bad for him, but the other part felt he kind of deserved part of it. He could have just lied to the little creature.

Three nights later, long after everyone had retired for the night, she heard hushed voices on the stairs.

What now?

Peeking out, she found something completely unexpected. In the hallway, right in front of her, were two red-haired boys, looking not much older than herself. They were picking the lock on the cupboard under the stairs.

She cracked the door open wider, watching in confusion and awe as they began to take Harry's things.

One of the noticed her, nudged the other, and they both shot a panicked look at her, before saying in complete unison, "Run!"

As quickly and quietly as she could manage, she followed them upstairs to Harry's unlocked bedroom door. He was handing over a large bag to a third boy…in a flying car?

She blinked, rubbing her eyes behind her glasses. But yes, that was right.

"Harry? What…what's going on?"

"Jessa. Hand me Hedwig's cage, will you?"

She obeyed, watching as the cage was passed along. The two older boys had already climbed back into the car. Harry followed suit, Jessa directly behind him. At least, she was until a bumbling mass caught her from behind and pushed her to the ground.

"Go, go!" a voice called. An engine roared.

Jessa managed to look up just in time to see the car pulling away into the night…and with it, her brother.

P.S. - in case FFN goes down or you prefer another site - I am in the process of cross-uploading my stories onto AO3. Username: Leanora2.