A Dumbledore Interlude

Date: July 4, 2011

Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore sat at his desk in the Headmaster's office, doodling mindlessly on one of his spare pieces of parchment. The topic on his mind? You guessed it!

One Harry James Potter, his greatest pawn.

You see, Albus' interest in the young Potter heir was greater than that of his in an average student. For this was the year that Harry (hopefully) would be coming to Hogwarts, likely beaten and starved for friendship, if his day of Dursley-Watching was any indication.

Albus Dumbledore did not realise that the silver instruments that watched young Harry had stopped working the moment his colleague Filius took in the young heir. Oh well. His mistake.

Chapter Three: Sleepovers for Dummies

Date: July 4, 2011

Susan followed Harry, Holly, and Hermione back to where the parents were meeting up with them, the group of parents now including her Aunt Amelia, who had given her permission for the sleepover even though she had questioned them about the effects the time change would have. They had eased her fears, explaining that there was a charm that would eliminate all effects caused by the time zone difference. After casting the charm, the group apparated to the Flitwick's' penthouse, ready for a night filled with fun. The adults went to the sitting room to talk, and Harry led the two girls upstairs to the giant gaming room.

Two hours passed, and the quartet got much accomplished. Harry, Holly, and Hermione introduced Susan to Mario Kart, and they knew it was only a matter of time before she mastered the most difficult course, which was Rainbow Road. It did not take long for Susan to grasp the concept of electronics, unlike most wizards. Once two hours passed, the trio got into a hefty discussion.

"So, I hear you and Hermione play the violin, Harry. I also hear that your sister plays the viola. That is perfect, because I play the cello. I also play the flute! Maybe we can do a song together." Susan told Harry as the trio settled down on their respective bean bag chairs.

"Oh yes. That would be amazing!" Harry and Hermione said together.

"In fact, let's do one right now!" Suggested Hermione. "I have my instruments here."

"Ok, I'll be right back. I have to ask Auntie to Floo over to Bones Manor and grab my cello and flute. AUNTIE!" Hollered Susan.

"YES SUSAN?" The voice of Amelia Bones could be heard a moment later.

"CAN YOU PLEASE FLOO BACK HOME FOR A MINUTE AND GRAB MY FLUTE AND CELLO? I NEED THEM FOR SOMETHING!"

"YEP! WILL BE BACK IN A FEW!"

A minute later saw Susan, Holly, Harry, and Hermione getting their instruments out and arguing playfully over what piece to play for the adults. They finally decided on "In the Hall of the Mountain King", which was one of Harry's personal favorites. After that, Harry would be opening presents at last. They practiced for a little while, putting notice-me-not and silencing charms on the door, and then took a break. It was finally dinner time, precisely 6:00 PM, which would be AM back home.

Once they checked that all the adults had exited the sitting room, they moved their instruments over to a darkened corner so that the adults would not see them. Pops could be heard outside as a wild fireworks show started, and cheers from their neighbors could be heard as well. Straightening their robes, they headed into the kitchen with innocent looks on their faces.

"Hi 'Melia, Aunt Minnie, Mum, Emma!" Harry said, giving the three cooks a wave. The males (Filius, Eugene, and Dan) were all on the couch, watching the Cannons-Harpies quidditch game that was currently happening back home in England. The Harpies were currently winning, 500-0. The Snitch had not been spotted yet.

A couple hours later, after a very well cooked feast and an outstanding performance from the kids, McGonagall, the Flitwicks, and the Grangers were all sitting on various chairs in the lounge room, ready to open Harry's presents. This year, Harry received assorted books (all on Charms and Transfiguration) from his adoptive parents, a new wizarding cell phone from Aunt Minnie, and various other presents. They then spent the rest of the night watching the firework displays from the neighbors, who were determined to show off to one another.

Date: September 1, 2011

The Gang, as they called themselves now, made their way through King's Cross station, weaving their way through the crowds gracefully. Finally, they came upon Platform Nine and Three Quarters. Suddenly, they heard a woman's voice.

"ALRIGHT KIDS, REMEMBER HARRY POTTER WILL HAVE NO IDEA WHERE THE PLATFORM IS! Now, what is that platform number?"

The group turned and the gaggle of Weasleys were unmistakable in the crowd as the nine redheads made their way toward the platform. Harry groaned in his head.

Ginny piped up suddenly. "Platform Nine-and-three-Quarters! Mum, can't I go?"

"No, Ginny, you're too young. We've gone over this before! Now where is that Potter boy? Dumbledore said he would be here!"

The Gang shook their heads in exasperation at the obvious breaking of the Statute of Secrecy. Completely ignoring the Weasleys, the group split up and went through the platform barrier.

Harry drank in the sights and sounds in wonder. Looking around he noticed many students and parents engaged in various activities.

"Gran, I've lost Trevor again!" He heard a round-faced boy -probably a fellow first year- say to his grandma.

"Oh, Neville." He heard the woman say in exasperation.

"Go on, Lee! Show us it again!"

That was accompanied with squeals of terror. Harry, Susan, and Hermione rolled their eyes.

"Well, see you at Hogwarts, Min-Min and Filly!"

"Don't call me Min-Min, Mr. Flitwick!" Rebuked Aunt Minnie in a mock-stern voice.

"Bye, Mum, Dad, and Holly! See you at Christmas!"

"Bye everyone!"

A few minutes later, after a tearful goodbye, the trio boarded the train and hunted down a compartment, which they claimed for themselves. Susan suggested they play a round of Go Fish, and the other two happily agreed.

"Harry, do you have a five?"

"Nope! Go fish in the ocean." He answered, laughing loudly.

Hermione was smirking evilly. Susan saw her and thought 'Shit!'

It was Hermione's turn now.

"Susan," She began, giggling into her hand. "Do you have a five?"

"Good God, Hermione! That was mean!" Susan exclaimed, mock-pouting. Harry was laughing in the corner. That is how it went for about an hour, until they were interrupted by the youngest Weasley currently attending Hogwarts.

"Excuse me," he said, sticking his head in the compartment door. Crap, I forgot notice-me-not charms. Harry thought to himself. "Do any of you know where Harry Potter is? Mum told me that he was going to be my best friend."

Harry smirked, knowing that the person the Weasel was searching for was right in front of him. Setting down his cards, (they had started a new round of Go Fish; Hermione had won the last one, to nobody's surprise) he looked the Weasel in the eye. Ron flinched a bit.

"No, he isn't here Weasley. Go fish."

"Oh. Well, um, I will just be going now…" He trailed off as he exited the compartment.

A few more hours passed with no more incidents. Harry, however, finally won a game of Go Fish. It was right as they were putting away the cards that a certain blonde ferrett sauntered in the compartment, being stalked by his two bookends.

"Well, a compartment full of mudbloods. I guess I should not be surprised." Suddenly, he found three wands stuck under his chin. He gulped.

"Hmm, let's see here. Blonde hair, arrogant-as-heck, and a Holier-than-Thou attitude… you must be a Malfoy. Oh! You're that blonde ponce Lucy's son! Not pleased to meet you!"

Malfoy glared at Harry. "You haven't seen the last of me, Whatever-the-hell-your-name-is!"

"Who cares? Bye-bye!" The trio flicked their wands, and Malfoy was thrown out of the compartment.

Silence. Then laughter.

"We are nearing Hogsmeade station in ten minutes. Please change into your robes and leave your trunks on the train. Thank you for travelling on the Hogwarts Express."

The trio looked at each other, their nervousness etched onto their face and reflected in their eyes. After disembarking from the train, they heard a voice calling:

"Firs' years! firs' years over here!"