I stepped out into the Weasleys' living room brushing off soot from my clothes. I nearly fell back into the fireplace as a bushy mop of hair lunged forward. "It's…nice…to see you too Hermione." I said bracing myself, successfully avoiding a tumble.
"Sorry." She smiled as she let go. "How has your holiday been so far?"
"It's been average." I answered honestly. "How have you been Ron?" I asked looking towards him.
"A typical Weasley summer here." He answered holding his arms out. I hugged him also.
"Think we'll be able to stay out of trouble this year at Hogwarts?" I asked them as Ron's older twin brothers came into the room.
"Stay out of trouble?" George repeated. "That would be a tragedy, don't you agree Fred?"
"Right you are George. What is life without a little trouble?" Fred answered.
"Why do I have a feeling you two are," I paused eyeing them suspiciously, "up to something?"
"Us? Up to something?" George asked.
"Alice when are George and I anything other than perfect gentlemen?"
"I don't trust either of you." I said looking from Fred to George, placing my hands on my hips.
"That is most likely a good choice Allison." Percy Weasley called from the doorway. "Those two are most certainly up to something. Mother says that dinner is ready Alice, Hermione, you're welcome to join us." He disappeared from the door without another word.
"You might as well come along. Mum'll try and make you anyway." Fred said. After dinner, Hermione and Ginny helped me get my things settled in Ginny's room. The three of us were sitting cross-legged on the floor while Hermione and I helped Ginny with some of her summer homework.
"Dad, George, Fred and I are about to go pick up Harry, we wanted to know if you wanted to come with us Alice?"
"Sure." I said as Ron helped me up off the floor. "Any chance to get a glimpse of Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon. Good luck with that spell Ginny, I'll see you both later." We walked down to the living room where Mr. Weasley, Fred and George were already waiting for us.
"I'll go first so that the muggles can become properly acquainted with the Floo Network. Ron you and Alice follow, Fred and George bringing up the rear." Somehow I doubted Mr. Weasley was the best person to educate any muggle about the Floo Network but I also doubted we had a better option at the time.
"Ready for this?" Ron asked stepping into the fireplace and offering me a hand. I took his hand as stepped forward. Facing Fred and George, Ron and I let the floo powder fall through our fingers. When we reached the other side my face slammed into Ron.
"Ouch."
"Ow." We each called out as we rattled against the brick walls of the fireplace. "Sorry Ron what's going on?"
"I think we're stuck, Dad?" He called down to Mr. Weasley.
"Mr. Weasley can you hear me?" Harry's voice called up the chimney.
"That's Harry!" Ron called to me. I chuckled, thanks Ron I had no idea. "Well we're at the right place that's half the battle."
"Mr. Weasley it's Harry, the fireplace has been blocked up. You won't be able to get through there."
"Damn!" Mr. Weasley said. "What on earth did they want to block up the fire place for?"
"They've got an electric fire." Harry explained.
"Ouch!" I called as I was hit in the back of the head.
"Sorry Alice. Wasn't expecting you to still be in the chimney."
"It's alright George, we're stuck because the Dursley's have an electric fireplace."
"I think I've got a solution, Harry stand back." There was a loud bang as we all tumbled out of the fireplace. "That's better." Mr. Weasley panted as he brushed the dust from his long green robes. Once Ron and I were on our feet we helped George and Fred to theirs. "Ah-You must be Harry's aunt and uncle." Mr. Weasley continued with his hand outstretched toward Uncle Vernon. Uncle Vernon backed away several paces, dragging Aunt Petunia with him. Either Mr. Weasley didn't notice their distain or he pretended not to. "Sorry about that," he said pointing to a busted electric fireplace. "It's all my fault. It just didn't occur to me that we woudn't be able to get out the other end. I had your fireplace connected to the Floo Network, you see-just for the afternoon, you know, so that we could get Harry. Muggle fireplaces aren't supposed to be connected, but I've got a useful contact at the Floo Regulation Panel and he fixed it for me. I can put it right in a jiffy though, don't worry. I'll light a fire to send the kids back and then I can repair your fireplace before I Disapparate."
Harry and I exchanged a glance, it was clear to both of us that Uncle Vernon hadn't understood a single word of what Mr. Weasley said. But again Mr. Weasley continued on as if he didn't notice. "Hell Harry! Got your trunk ready?"
"We'll get it." Fred said at once, together he and George left the room. A silence built around the room as Mr. Weasley seemed to run out of things to say.
"Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon, I'm Alice we met a few weeks ago when you picked up Harry from the train? Your house is very nice." I said trying to defuse the tension. But they just continued to stare from Harry, to Ron, to Mr. Weasley, to me, and back to Harry. So I turned to Mr. Weasley. "Mr. Weasley would it be alright if Harry Ron and I went back to the Burrow?"
"Ah excellent Idea Alice. Yes, why don't you and the boys head back home, and when Fred and George come down stairs I'll send them back too. See you all in a little while." Thankful for an excuse to leave I grabbed Ron and Harry by the wrist and pulled them towards the fireplace. We disappeared towards the Weasley's home without another word.