Field Trip
As they apparated, Harry felt his body being jerked off the ground. He shuddered to think of what would happen if it did not go as planned. There are worse things than ending up in the wrong place. As soon as some land came back in his sight, Harry tried to figure out the new location.
Harry saw a familiar head of red hair not far from where he was standing. He smiled as he took in the sites of the Burrow. The scent of freshly cut grass drifting through the warm summer air. "Hey Ron!" Ron turned around and nearly knocked Harry down on his way over. "Harry! Where have you been? I haven't heard anything. Hedwig won't leave us alone." Harry marveled at how much he had missed Ron. He had so much to catch up on. "You missed the wedding. I don't blame you though. No one really came."
Realizing how abruptly he left his friends, "Oh, I'm sorry about that Ron. Everything is kind of a mess." Molly soon came hurrying over, "Harry dear, I had no idea you were coming. Come on inside, we're about to start dinner. So good to see you after all this time." Molly looked around the yard, "are you here alone?" Harry forgot about Snape. Wherever he went, Harry didn't really care. "Um, yea." He couldn't help but smile when they all walked into the house. This was how life should be.
"Over here Harry." Ron pointed at the old wobbly chair next to his own. "It's been ages, why haven't you written?" "Well I..." Movement on the stairs caught Harry's eye as Ginny tiptoed down. Molly scooped all sorts of food into Harry's plate as Ron waited intently. "Ron, give the boy some space. He'll talk when he's ready. Molly smiled gently as she took her own seat at the table. "I'm afraid the others are working. It's just us then." Ron started eating his mashed potatoes. The way he ate, you would think he was starved half to death. The Weasley's may not have been exactly well off, but they could make some good food.
Ron was able to get a few words in between bites. Apparently Fred and George were working extra hard for business these days. Arthur's job had become more hectic since last years incident. The ministry is having a tough time keeping everyone calm. And to Harry's dismay, Ron informed him that they were trying to get him to disclose Harry's location. They still want him to tell everyone that everything is alright. Percy still wouldn't talk to the family. And Harry noticed that Ginny was sitting across the table staring at her food. Harry supposed that their relationship had not gotten off to the greatest start. After the table was cleared, everyone went in separate directions.
Ginny caught hold of Harry before he could leave. "Harry…I don't know if this is going to work out…I like you a lot and all but…" Harry stared back at her baffled. Was she trying to break up with him? "We could see other people for a while…and see how that works out…." Harry was caught off guard, "…if...if that's what you want." Ginny hugged Harry, "thanks Harry, I knew you would understand." After that she ran upstairs. Ron apparently hadn't walked off too far. He walked around the corner unsure if he should approach Harry. "Let's go up to my room. We can get caught up on everything. What do you say Harry?"
Harry told Ron about everything that had happened after the train ride home. You would have thought Ron was watching an exciting action film. He cheered when Harry talked about leaving the Dursley's, he looked shocked when he told him about Snape showing up, and completely engulfed in the part about meeting the mysterious man. "Do you think he was a ghost?" "No, he looked like he was alive. His house even disappeared…" "Dad might know something. We could ask him." "I don't know if that's a good idea. What am I going to say? Hi Mr. Weasley, I talked to a guy that I didn't know and he vanished into thin air along with his house the last time I saw him." Ron frowned, "yea, you might come across as a bit mental…"
"I don't know about Snape though. It might be a trap Harry. He did kill Dumbledore, you saw it." "Yea, I know. I don't think I really have a choice at the time." "I'm sure mum would be okay with you staying for a while." Ron flopped down on his bed and laid down with his arms folded behind his head. "Hermione is coming over tomorrow. You know she is still making me do homework when there's not even any!" Harry had to smile, those two were an interesting couple. It took them forever to get together, but somehow he knew they would go the long haul.
"Fred and George are helping to make traps to help the ministry you know. Everyone thinks they are brilliant now." "Really? That's great. What do you think is up with Ginny?" Ron sat up, "well you haven't exactly been there for her Harry. I think she's got a thing for Neville now…sorry mate." Ginny and Neville? Now that's something Harry did not see coming. I guess it was inevitable. I push people away, it only makes since that they would grow further away from me. "I didn't mean…" "Harry it's okay. I'm not mad at you for dating my sister. At least now she can get rid of that crush she's had for so long." "Yea…let's get some sleep."
...
Harry's dreams were relatively uneventful on this night. Riding through the air on his broom was incredible. He loved the way the wind felt as he sped through the air….Harry saw a streak of blonde hair. Who is that? His spirits dampened a little once he discovered it was Malfoy. "Where did you get that broom?" "Top of the line. Just came out this morning." Harry had never seen a broom quite like this before. It held up steady in the air…"AHH!" Harry barely saw Draco sneer at him just before the blonde collided with his own broom.
...
"Harry Potter?" Harry opened his eyes only to see Dobby the house elf in front of him. "What is it?" "Dobby was sent to send a very important message sir." Dobby handed Harry a piece of paper that had cramped handwriting on it. "Dobby has to go. Dobby has much to do. Good bye Harry Potter!" With that Dobby vanished into thin air. Harry got up and walked over to the window where he could see better. Examining the paper he discovered that he was going to stay at the Burrow for a few more days. Which was fine by him. He folded the note up and stashed it in his pocket. Harry decided to go downstairs since it was nearly time to get up anyway.
Mrs. Weasley was already in the kitchen making breakfast. It was truly peaceful in that house. "Oh Harry dear, good to see you're awake. Could you help me set the table?" "Um, yea. Okay." Harry started to put some forks and spoons down. "How many places…" Mrs. Weasley looked around the room then finally she spoke. "One for you…Ron…Ginny…Fred…George…yes that should be right…" Harry put out one extra because she forgot to include herself. "Fred and George are going to be here?" "Yes, yes it seems they have found the time. And they seemed to be quite pleased once they found out you were going to be here too. I honestly don't know what those two are up to half the time…"
Ron came down the steps looking rather groggy. "Mornin Arry." Ginny quietly took her place at the table. Harry thought to himself if only he could keep this moment. No one seemed worried. Well that might be because everyone was still halfway asleep. Ginny got up and went to the door, "Fred and George are here." Harry hadn't even heard them. George was carrying a brown paper bag. Harry suspected that it probably contained some of Fred and George's contraptions that no one was willing to try. They sat down at the table with everyone else. "You know, I forgot how much I missed this food." "Yea, there's something about food that isn't freezer burnt." Mrs. Weasley seemed to not notice the conversation. "So Fred, George, how is business lately?" Harry knew that she still didn't like the way they dropped out of school and started up the business. They both said that it was okay. He really hoped that they could keep their business going. Everything just seemed to be kind of hectic lately. Everyone could probably use some of the twin's particular type of humor.
