Chapter Forty-Six
The next two and a half weeks passed quickly. After a week's vacation to Potter Island, Minerva left to start on the mailings and Muggleborn introductions. Harry and Neville were excitedly waiting for their letters and growing more so as the days passed.
Finally one day Minerva came home and handed parchment envelopes to the two ecstatic boys.
"I thought I would bring these to you two a bit early, instead of making you wait for the regular mailing," she said with a smile as the boys ripped opened up their letters
Harry unfolded the parchment and read his letter. Remus and Sirius smiled.
"Well," said Sirius, "looks like another trip to Diagon Alley is in order."
Harry grinned widely.
"This one will be a bit different," said Remus, "you'll be going as yourself, no disguise."
Harry wrinkled his nose, "that means I'm gonna get mobbed," he said.
Sirius nodded, "we'll do our best to keep them away, but the more you hide, the more chances there'll be that it'll happen when we're not around."
Harry sighed, "I know. What should I do?"
Remus ruffled his hair, "we'll try to keep the people from crowding you, but we can't stop them from staring."
"Your best bet," said Augusta, "is to make it a public appearance without seeming to."
Arabella nodded, "you can just be getting your supplies, which is true anyway, but really you're there to get people used to seeing you and getting you used to their reactions."
Sirius smiled, "sounds like a plan."
….
Petunia Dursley frowned at the progress report from Dudley's summer school. Diddy's grades were bad enough, but there was the fact that he'd skipped out on many of his days. And when he did go, the reports of his behavior were troubling. She had always believed her son when he blamed the freak for any trouble, but now that he wasn't in the class she'd noticed the trouble was only getting worse.
This latest letter stated in no uncertain terms that if his behavior didn't improve, he would not pass. He still might not unless he showed up, stayed quiet, and did his work.
When that letter came with Dudley's end-of-year report, Vernon had exploded about 'idiot teachers' and 'those stupid freaks trying to make Dudders look bad.' He'd only made Dudley go to the lessons because, no matter what they'd tried, the school would not let her boy pass without them.
Petunia sighed softly to herself, there was only one thing left to do. She hated to think what the neighbors would say if Dudley had to stay back while the other children went on to secondary school.
She would have to have a talk with her son.
…
The night before the big Diagon Alley trip, both Harry and Neville were too excited to sleep. They'd had a marathon game session, with the whole family playing both board and video games, gone fishing, and had even been allowed to stay up late and go flying. Even after all that, the boys were still bouncing around like two-year-olds on espresso.
It had been decided that Harry would go with Remus and Sirius, but then would 'meet' Augusta and Neville in the Alley. There was a tentative plan to also 'meet' Minerva on her latest Muggleborn escort, giving Harry the possibility of making at least one more friend before school. That way, Minerva could be with her family without raising suspicion.
The laughing adults finally managed to get them to sleep by telling them the trip would have to be put off if they got up too late. On hearing this, the boys had eagerly dived into bed, and were soon yawning. They'd opted for another campout, and the adults could hear muffled giggling with the yawns.
Harry grinned at Neville from inside his sleeping bag, "do you have it?" he whispered.
Neville grinned back and patted the small duffle bag he'd brought out with him, "I got it." He whispered back.
Harry giggled softly, "This is gonna be fun!"
Neville nodded as both boys dissolved into giggles.
Remus popped his head into the tent, "Go to sleep!"
…..
Sirius was yanked abruptly from a sound sleep by a horrifyingly loud (and all too familiar) noise. Both he and Remus sat bolt upright in bed with identical yells of shock. The yells grew louder still as Sirius felt something beside him give way, at which point both he and Remus were drenched in what he thought was water. He jumped out of bed and started chasing the culprits.
The boys dashed away down the hall, looking for a place to hide. Just as they ducked into a linen closet, they heard Minerva's door open. Taking their chance, they popped back out and headed for their tent.
"That was funny!" giggled Neville.
Just as Harry was opening his mouth to answer, they heard a bellow, "WHAT DO YOU MEAN MY HAIR IS BLUE?!"
Both boys burst into laughter, which they quickly controlled. They dived into their sleeping bags, closed their eyes, and tried to even out their breathing.
They barely managed not to giggle when Sirius burst into the tent,.
"Alright you two, where is it?" he shouted.
Neville opened his eyes, "whaa?"
Harry sat up and rubbed his eyes, "is it time to get up?"
Sirius crossed his arms, "don't give me that look. I invented that look. Where is that blasted noisemaker thing and what did you put in my hair?!"
At the last exclamation, the two pranksters couldn't hold it anymore and burst into hysterical laughter.
Sirius held out his hand, "alright hand it over."
Reluctantly, Harry gave him the air horn. As soon as he had it, Sirius threw the horrible thing to the ground and stomped on it, chanting, "Die! Die! Die!"
It made a horrible sound, which only caused the boys to laugh harder. When the poor destroyed airhorn final stopped making noise, Sirius pointed his wand and vanished the remains. The boys were still howling with laughter at his display.
Sirius grinned, "you realize this means war."
AN Next up the trip to Diagon Alley! Sorry I know this is a filler, but I couldn't resist. The Air Horn Is Dead! Don't worry, it might show up when they get to Hogwarts ? Thanks to everyone who reviewed, followed, and favorited.
Until Next Time,
Kiani Shyrider
