On Wednesday morning, both Ginny and Polly were woken up by Fred and George jumping onto the momentarily shared bed. Ginny was somehow able to sleep through the first five synchronized jumps. Polly suspected they'd done this a million times to the poor girl. Polly however, was not so lucky. She had been on the edge of the bed, so down she tumbled, her head cracking against the hardwood floor of Ginny's bedroom. Polly put a hand on her head, as if that would somehow stop the throbbing pain. "You guys suck," she said, throwing the first thing she could grab at them. It was a pillow, and did virtually no damage.
"Can you stop hurting my friend?" Ginny mumbled into her pillow.
"She's our friend!" the twins said, voices a perfect match.
"Ginny's my new favourite," Polly said. "She doesn't hurt me."
"It was an accident," George said. He got off the bed to help Polly to her feet. "You're alright?" Polly nodded. "Let's go get some breakfast then."
Polly headed downstairs, still wearing her pyjamas. The boys were already dressed. This was the earliest Polly had ever woken up in the Weasley house, and that was because Molly wanted everyone up and ready to go as soon as possible for the trip to Diagon Alley. Polly said a quiet greeting to everyone who was already at the table. Harry, Ron, Arthur, and Percy were all eating bacon sandwiches, while Molly whipped up some more. Polly and George sat side by side, Fred and Ginny joining the table just moments after. They all ate listening to Arthur question Harry... again.
"Be ready to go in no later than hour," Molly said as Polly got up from the table. "Don't want to be rushing in Diagon Alley."
"Yes ma'am," Polly said, smiling.
Polly took only twenty minutes to get ready, so she sat in the living and flipped through the first book she'd laid eyes on. It happened to be one of Lockhart's; Gilderoy Lockhart's Guide to Household Pests. Polly wondered where he could ever possibly find the time to master all of the trades he has. Trolls, Yeti's, and even the common vermin. It was impressive.
Fred came and sat beside Polly while George was busy showering. Fred groaned at the book once he realized what it was. "Don't tell me you fancy him," Fred said, putting his head on Polly's shoulder. "Mum fancies him too and it's disturbing."
"Well, he is very handsome, and he's so talented." Polly blushed a little. "But I don't fancy him, I don't fancy anyone."
"Except George," Fred clarified.
"Don't you have to get ready?"
"Got ready before breakfast. George was ready but Ginny crashed into him with a glass full of milk. She was trying to rush away from Harry! Funniest thing," Fred said, laughing at the expense of his little sister. "She's the clumsiest girl, and it gets worse when Harry's about."
"Oh leave her alone," Polly said, giggling. "It's not her fault she has a little crush."
"Little!?" Fred sat up straight, laughing so hard he had to hold his stomach. He was afraid it may explode. "Polly," he said, controlling his laughter. "Nothing little about that crush at all."
"It's cute."
"It's annoying."
Fred talked to Polly for only ten more minutes before they were joined by George, and soon after that the rest of the family was there in the living, ready to go. Polly walked towards the fireplace. Polly got even more excited once Molly grabbed the little, cracked flowerpot, because it was finally time to go. Sometimes Fred and George would joke that Floo powder is the only reason that Polly visited them during the summer.
"We're running low, Arthur. We'll have to buy some more today." Molly held the flower pot out to Harry. "Ah well, guests first!"
"W-what am I supposed to do?" Harry stuttered, his stare vat the pot was blank.
"He's never travelled by Floo powder. Sorry, Harry. I forgot."
"Never?" Mr. Weasley asked, new muggle topics always excited him. The first time Polly had visited the burrow he'd questioned her so much, and so loudly she had begun to cry. Molly brought him into the living room for a word, and Polly never heard another question. "But how did you get to Diagon Alley to buy your school things last year?"
"I went on the Underground -" Harry was cut off by Mr. Weasley asking, "Really? Were there escapators? How exactly..."
"Not now, Arthur!" Molly turned to Harry. "Floo powder's a lot quicker, dear, but goodness me, if you've never used it before -" Fred had to cut her off quick, or they'd never leave. "He'll be all right, mum," Fred said. "Harry, watch us first."
Fred threw some Floo powder into the fireplace, and the beautiful green flame lit up everyone's faces, making the shadows dance where they could. Fred shouted Diagon Alley as he stepped into the blaze. Polly loved it.
"You must speak clearly dear, and mind you get out at the right grate." Molly instructed Harry furthur as George vanished from sight. "Polly, would you go mind them, love?"
Polly nodded, grinning ear to ear as she stuck her hand into the flower pot. She could feel the powder clasped in her tight fist. It felt like dry sand, as she pulled away. Polly threw the powder into the fire place, and walked into the green flame as she had many times before. "Diagon Alley!" she shouted, stepping into the element. It was the world's greatest stomach drop ride. She giggled the whole way, and only stopped once her feet were back on solid ground. The boys were standing there patiently.
"Have a nice ride?" George asked, laughing at the goofy grin on Polly's face.
"Yes," she said, walking over to him. She wobbled a little, as it still scrambled her brain slightly. But she leaned into George once she'd reached him, and he held her in place. He put an arm around, and laughed as he tried to fix up her hair.
"Alright?" Mr. Weasley asked, joining the trio.
"Yeah, dad." Fred nodded.
"Good, good. Harry's coming along after me, be ready to move out of the way. He may vomit. Remember Polly's first time?"
"Don't think I'll ever forget," George said. Polly dug an elbow into his side but it only made him laugh. Ginny popped out of the flames next.
"Uh oh," Fred said, looking at his little sister. "Thought you said Harry was next."
Mr. Weasley spun around, upon seeing his daughter, he grew concerned. He said, "Ginny, did Harry come through before you?"
"Yes," she said, looking around. Harry hadn't come out at the right grate at all. Percy came through next. He didn't share in everyone's concern because he hadn't bothered to look around. He didn't realize anything was wrong.
"He'll be fine, right?" Polly asked quietly, looking up at George. He smiled down at her and said, "Of course he will. I'm sure he's just gone one too far or too few." He wasn't actually sure, just hopeful.
Ron came through next, and Molly followed behind. "Well that's everything then. Harry dear, how was that?" Molly asked, looking around. "Harry?" Molly quickly realized that Harry wasn't there at all. "Where is he!? Has he not come this way? Arthur! What do we do? How do we track him down? Where's the next grate? We have to go to the next grate! Oh, we've lost a child that isn't ours! Oh, no!"
"Would've you rather have lost one of your own?" Fred asked, shaking his head. "Honestly."
"This is no time for jokes, Fred! The next grate, move, move, move!"
Molly had them all running down the street. Polly was not an athlete by any means, so as they ran she was struggling to keep up. Slowly she got more and more separated from the Weasley clan, until she was lost in the crowd of loud wizards. Polly was independent, and could handle herself in all sorts of situations. But she was still small. And people around were still tall. Polly had to put her elbows up and fight her way through the crowd until she was standing in front Gringott's bank. The family was there already, talking with Hermione and Hagrid. Polly let out a sigh of relief. But George wasn't there.
"You scared me," George said, putting a hand on Polly's shoulder. She jumped slightly, as she had been scanning the crowd for George. "Don't wander off like that."
"Wander off? I couldn't keep up!" Polly laughed. George smiled at her.
"Well, let me help you then," he said, taking her hand. He guided her over to the rest of the family. Hagrid could be spotted walking away had Polly looked over, but she was introducing herself to Hermione's parents. George stayed tight by Polly's side as she politely introduced herself, and offered them her parents telephone number. It was a nice gesture, as she was sure the Granger's would appreciate having someone they can talk to.
"Better be going," Polly said, wishing them well before leaving. Polly and George walked into the bank together, and quickly let go of each others hands. Nobody needed Fred making a spectacle. Especially in Grongott's.
"Meet you on the step?" Polly asked, looking at George. He nodded, and went off to visit the Weasley vault with his family.
Polly didn't need to visit a vault. She only needed to exchange muggle currency over. Her parents sent her to Diagon Alley with about twenty six pounds. The goblin gave her five galleons, three sickles, and eleven knuts. Whatever she had left over from today was all the spending money she was allowed until at least Christmas. Polly's family wasn't rich, but they also weren't hard off.
After waiting outside for a few minutes, Polly was joined by Hermione, who sat next to her on the bench quietly.
"My mum said thank you, by the way." Hermione held onto the edge of the bench.
"For what?"
"Giving her your parents number. She's had no idea who to talk to about this other than me, it's nice for her to have someone." Hermione smiled at Polly.
"Ah, wasn't a bother." Polly smiled politely, then had no idea what to say.
"Are you excited for school?" Hermione asked. It was a common conversation starter, and a slightly annoying one at that. But Polly understood that Hermione probably had no idea what to say either.
"Yeah, I suppose. More excited to hang out with my friends everyday. How about you?"
"Oh, I'm so prepared for this year I think I'll be top of the class. I better be."
Hermione talked a few minutes more about the book she'd read about Gilderoy Lockhart. Hermione was also very impressed by the blond haired wizard. Her parents waved her over, presumably to say goodbye for the day as Arthur had guilted them into a drink. Polly took the time to look around the crowded street. Angelina Johnson was talking to Lee Jordan, Polly waved and smiled when they caught eyes. A squirrely looking boy was snapping pictures of random witches and wizards as they passed him. And then she spotted Justin. She had wanted to have Justin over during the holiday's, but he and his family had gone to America. Last time she saw him was the first week of summer, as it was the only time Polly could go visit. They'd exchanged letters but she'd missed her friend.
Polly made her way over to the lad, and threw her arms around him from behind. He squealed as she lifted him up slightly, and then set him back down.
"Polly dear!" Mrs. Finch-Fletchley said, opening her arms to the young student. Polly gave her a hug.
"Mum, you're hugging my attacker," Justin joked, elbowing Polly once she was back beside him.
"How was the trip guys? Good?" Polly asked, smiling between the two. She really had missed her friend. Justin was basically Polly's brother, and Polly like Justin's sister.
"It was amazing," Justin said. "I'll tell you all about it at school."
"You guys are leaving already? It's just early in the morning."
"We were here yesterday," Justin explained, "we just forgot to buy parchment."
"I'll let you be off then," Polly said, "and I'll see you in a few days."
Polly sent Justin away with another hug. George and Fred were just leaving the bank as Polly walked back around to the front steps of the building. George smiled at the sight of Polly, while Fred smiled at the sight of Lee. George veered away from Fred, just to come collect Polly. "C'mon love," George said, holding his hand out. "Hate to lose you again." Polly smiled, and grabbed onto his hand. It was going to be a lovely day.