Guys, I'm so sorry for not updating sooner I promise I'll try to get the next chapter up quickly!
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Chapter 5
The end of the summer vacation came too quickly for my liking. I was looking forward to getting back to Hogwarts, but our month at the Burrow had been the happiest of our lives. It was difficult not to feel jealous of Ron when I thought of the Dursleys and the sort of welcome we could expect next time we turned up on Privet Drive.
On our last evening, Mrs Weasley conjured up a sumptuous dinner that included all of Harry and I's favourite things, ending with a mouth-watering treacle pudding. Fred and George rounded off the evening with a display of Filibuster fireworks; they filled the kitchen with red and blue stars that bounced from ceiling to wall for at least half an hour. Then it was time for a last mug of hot chocolate and bed.
It took a long while to get started the next morning. We were up at dawn, but somehow we still seemed to have a great deal to do. Mrs Weasley dashed about in a bad mood looking for spare socks and quills; people kept colliding on the stairs, half-dressed with bits of toast in their hands; and Mr Weasley nearly broke his neck, tripping over a stray chicken as he crossed the yard carrying Ginny's trunk to the car.
I couldn't see how nine people, six large trunks, two owls, and a rat were going to fit into one small Ford Anglia. That's when I remembered the special features that Mr Weasley had added.
"Not a word to Molly," he whispered to Harry and me as he opened the trunk and showed us how it had been magically expanded so that the luggage fitted easily.
When at last we were all in the car, Mrs Weasley glanced into the back seat, where Harry, Ron, Fred, George, and Percy were all sitting comfortably side by side, and said, "Muggles do know more than we give them credit for, don't they?" She, Ginny and I got into the front seat, which had been stretched so that it resembled a park bench. "I mean, you'd never know it was this roomy from the outside, would you?"
Mr Weasley started up the engine and we trundled out of the yard. I was just thinking about how I would miss the Burrow when we were back. George had forgotten his box of Filibuster fireworks. Five minutes after that, we skidded to a halt in the yard so that Fred could run in for his broomstick. We had almost reached the highway when Ginny shrieked that she'd left her diary. By the time she had clambered back into the car, we were running very late, and tempers were running high.
Mr Weasley glanced at his watch and then at his wife.
"Molly, dear–"
"No, Arthur –"
"No one would see – this little button here is an Invisibility Booster I installed – that'd get us up in the air – then we fly above the clouds. We'd be there in ten minutes and no one would be any the wiser–"
"I said no, Arthur, not in broad daylight–"
We reached King's Cross at a quarter to eleven. Mr Weasley dashed across the road to get trolleys for our trunks and we all hurried into the station.
"Percy first," said Mrs Weasley when we reached the barrier, looking nervously at the clock overhead, which showed we had only five minutes to disappear casually through the barrier.
Percy strode briskly forward and vanished. Mr Weasley went next; Fred and George followed.
"I'll take Ginny and Isobel, you two come right after us," Mrs Weasley told Harry and Ron, grabbing Ginny and my hands and setting off. In the blink of an eye, we were gone.
We hurried over to the train and I glanced around for Harry and Ron. Suddenly, I realised they weren't following us.
"Mrs Weasley!" I cried out.
She glanced down at me in surprise.
"What is it dear?" she asked worriedly.
"Harry and Ron," I gestured with my free hand. "They haven't come through the barrier yet!"
She glanced up at the clock and I followed her gaze. Ten seconds until the barrier would close. I watched it tick down, but the boys still didn't appear. By now the rest of the Weasley's had caught on and were watching anxiously.
"Oh Arthur, what are we going to do?" Mrs Weasley cried.
Mr Weasley was pale and obviously worried but he gave her a small smile.
"I'm sure they'll be fine, dear. Harry has his owl, doesn't he?" he looked at me. "They can send a message ahead to Hogwarts. Once these lot are off we can find them and stay until the school comes to collect them."
Mrs Weasley nodded, but she still looked worried. Understandably, I was the same. I prayed they would be sensible and go wait by the car and not get into any trouble.
"Oh Harry," I cursed under my breath. "Please be safe."
Just then the train let out a whistle and we were reminded to get on the train. Mr and Mrs Weasley ushered us on, waving goodbye and wishing Ginny good luck. The train started moving almost immediately.
With a final look at the barrier, I went off to find Hermione. Before I left, Ginny called me back.
"Do you mind if I sit with you?" she asked. "I don't really know anyone."
I gave her a smile.
"Of course, come on."
We found Hermione, told her what had happened, and then found a compartment to sit in. Hermione and Ginny quickly became acquainted and we made small talk for a bit. Not long after though, a young blonde girl knocked on our compartment door. Ginny, who was closest to the door, opened it. The girl walked in, looking at us with a dreamy sort of expression.
"Hi," she said. Her voice was high and sounded as dreamy as her expression. "I'm Luna Lovegood. Would you mind if I sat with you? It's just that I'm a first-year and I don't have any friends."
Ginny smiled at her and gestured her in.
"I'm a first-year as well," she said, holding her hand out. "Ginny Weasley."
"It's nice to meet you," Luna smiled at her.
Hermione and I and introduced ourselves and then the four of us settled down. Despite the chatter, my thoughts turned to Harry and Ron. I desperately hoped they were safe and that I would see them at the feast. I didn't know why they hadn't come through, so I filed that question away for later.
The train ride went by quickly enough, and soon we were on solid ground. Ginny and Luna and the rest of the first-years were called over to Hagrid. I gave Ginny a quick hug and a 'good luck' before Hermione and I went off. We followed the rest of the students to a bunch of carriages. As we travelled by boat last time, we hadn't used them before. The carriages appeared to be drawn by magic, so Hermione and I quickly got in the nearest empty one.
The trip to the school was quick and once again we followed the rest of the students as they entered the Great Hall for the first-year Sorting Ceremony.
The whole time I was glancing around, trying to find Ron and Harry. Fred and George seemed unconcerned, but Percy was a little worried. He brushed it off though as he assumed his Prefect duties. Turning to Hermione, I saw a similarly anxious expression on her face.
"I'm sure they're just a little late," she said. Whether she was assuring me or herself I wasn't sure. "It would have taken a bit for Hedwig to reach the castle so we mighten even see them until the feast is over."
I nodded, slightly reassured. When we entered the Great Hall we took a seat at the Gryffindor table and chatted for a little. Looking up at the Staff table, I saw the newest addition, Gilderoy Lockhart, dressed in aquamarine robes. I spotted Hagrid and a few others and saw Dumbledore sitting in the middle of the table, two empty seats beside him. I knew one of them was McGonagall's, and a quick survey told me the other was Snape's. I frowned, wondering where he was.
My thoughts were quickly dismissed as Professor McGonagall entered the Great Hall with the first-years in tow. Spotting Ginny and Luna among them, I gave them both a big smile as McGonagall announced what would happen. I listened to the Sorting Hat's song, and then the Sorting started. I watched as the students were called out and the Hat was placed on their hands. None of them took too long like I had. Of course, no one was placed any differently to normal either. I could tell Ginny was a little upset to see Luna join Ravenclaw, but it disappeared quickly.
When she was called she looked a little nervous, but she masked it well. McGonagall placed the Hat on her head. A few moments later, it called out,
"GRYFFINDOR!"
I cheered loudly as she joined the table beside her fellow first-years. She met my eyes and grinned wildly. Down the table a little, Fred and George were clapping and congratulating her.
A few students later the Sorting ended, and the feast began. I dug in, feeling particularly hungry. I had almost forgotten about Harry and Ron, but not five minutes later the doors opened with a loud bang. Everyone looked towards the source and I looked over anxiously. I was disappointed to see Snape. But my interest was quickly peaked when I saw his expression.
Normally he seemed bored and uninterested, a typical sneer resting on his face, but right now, his lips were curled, and his eyes narrowed angrily as he approached the Staff table. He walked right up to the centre and stopped in front of McGonagall and Dumbledore. A moment later, surprise crossed both their faces and then McGonagall's turned angry while Dumbledore seemed confused.
Snape thrust something onto the table, and I could just see that it seemed to be some sort of Newspaper. The two professors spent a moment studying it before McGonagall said something to Dumbledore and then stood up, following Snape out of the Great Hall. Once they had disappeared, all the eyes in the Hall snapped to Dumbledore. He looked momentarily stunned, then his normal cheery expression appeared.
"My apologies for that disturbance," he said. "But it is nothing to concern yourselves with. Continue with your meal."
Slowly, everyone returned to their food and chatter broke out again. I turned to Hermione and saw her expression mirrored mine.
"You don't think something happened to them do you?" I asked worriedly.
She merely gave me a lost look and I felt my shoulders slump. A few minutes later, Dumbledore stood up and exited the Hall without a word. As he passed by, I saw his shoulders were tense and he was frowning slightly.
"We have to get our hands on a copy of whatever Snape showed them," I told Hermione.
She nodded but offered no suggestions. I glanced around, my gaze finally landing on Fred and George. They were whispering quietly to each other and I made a decision. I made my way over to them then asked if they could make it happen. They shared a look then turned to me with identical grins.
"Of course," they said in unison.
I thanked them then returned to Hermione. Not long after, Dumbledore returned with Snape in tow, who had a look of pure venom on his face. McGonagall returned a minute or two later, looking as stern as ever. Dumbledore then proceeded to give a few notices then sent us off. As we exited the Hall, Fred and George came up to us with some newspapers in their hands. Both of them looked shocked and amazed. Wordlessly, they handed two over so Hermione and I could read.
The headline of tonight's issue of the Daily Prophet read: FLYING FORD ANGLIA MYSTIFIES MUGGLES. Two Muggles in London, convinced they saw an old car flying over the Post Office tower… at noon in Norfolk, Mrs Hetty Bayliss, while hanging out her washing… Mr Angus Fleet, of Peebles, reported to police… Six or seven Muggles in all.
When I had finished reading I looked up at the twins.
"You don't think…?"
"Who else would it be?" Fred started.
"Other than our dear brothers," George finished, glancing at me.
With that they swept away, leaving Hermione and I in their wake. Stunned, we slowly made our way up to Gryffindor Tower. As we walked, I caught snippets of conversation. Apparently the rest of the students had heard, and several rumours were now flying around.
As we approached the secret entrance, I suddenly saw two figures standing outside the Fat Lady's portrait. I immediately recognised them, and the two of us hurried towards the boys.
"There you are! Where have you been? The most ridiculous rumours – someone said you'd been expelled for crashing a flying car!" Hermione cried.
"Well, we haven't been expelled," Harry assured her.
"You're not telling me you did fly here?" I asked; incredulous.
"Blimey, you sound like McGonagall, Bel," Harry said.
"Skip the lecture," said Ron impatiently, "and tell us the new password."
"It's wattlebird,'" said Hermione offhandedly, "but that's not the point–"
Her words were cut short, however, as the portrait of the Fat Lady swung open and there was a sudden storm of clapping. It looked as though the whole of Gryffindor House was still awake, packed into the circular common room, standing on the lopsided tables and squashy armchairs, waiting for the boys to arrive. Arms reached through the portrait hole to pull Harry and Ron inside, leaving Hermione and me to scramble in after them.
"Brilliant!" yelled Lee Jordan. "Inspired! What an entrance! Flying a car right into the Whomping Willow, people'll be talking about that one for years–"
"Good for you," said a fifth year I was sure Harry had never spoken to.
Someone was patting him on the back as though he'd just won a marathon; Fred and George pushed their way to the front of the crowd and said together, "Why couldn't we've come in the car, eh?"
Ron was scarlet in the face, grinning embarrassedly, but I could see one person who didn't look happy at all. Percy was visible over the heads of some excited first years, and he seemed to be trying to get near enough to start telling the boys off. Harry nudged Ron in the ribs and nodded in Percy's direction. Ron got the point at once.
"Got to get upstairs – bit tired," he said, and the two of them started pushing their way toward the door on the other side of the room, which led to a spiral staircase and the dormitories.
"Night," Harry called back to Hermione and me.
Hermione was wearing a scowl just like Percy's. I was similarly mad, but also mildly amused and shocked. Percy reached us.
"Please tell me it's not true," he asked desperately.
I shook my head.
"I'm afraid it is."
Percy sighed, still scowling. Without another word he walked off, probably to go tell someone else off to let his anger out.
More people came up to ask for confirmation and we reluctantly gave it. Finally, after the sixth group of people, I snapped and told everyone to shove off. Me and Hermione made our way over to the stairs that lead up to our dormitory. As we did, we passed Ginny, who was sitting on one of the couches and talking to her fellow first-years. She grinned at me and I told them not to stay up too late before we descended the steps.
In our dormitory, Parvati and Lavender were whispering on their beds which they had pushed together, and Fay and Rose were just unpacking their things. Upon seeing us enter, the four girls immediately started asking about Harry and Ron and we reluctantly answered their questions until they started getting ridiculous.
After that, we unpacked our things and then got changed into our pyjamas and climbed under the maroon covers.
Again, sorry for not updating sooner! I promise the next one will be up quickly, though!