September 1, 1996
The end of summer had arrived, and Harvey had spent his final night at the Weasley's. Ron wanted one last sleepover before they returned to Hogwarts, but both boys were so worn out that by the time they went to bed, it wasn't long later that they had both fallen asleep. Which by morning, Harvey was glad about.
They were woken up before the sun by Molly Weasley hollering from downstairs. Her voice echoed up the stairwell, startling everyone except Ron—whose snores were so loud Harvey had almost not heard Molly. Everyone lept from bed and started rushing about. Harvey took on the task of shaking his best friend awake before brushing his teeth, combing his hair, and then throwing his pillow at Ron to get him moving. Ron had only sat up and was rubbing his eyes when Harvey dragged his trunk down the stairs. Halfway down, Fred appeared behind him and lifted up the other end, helping Harvey make it downstairs to where Molly had breakfast ready.
Ginny was munching on a piece of toast while picking up books from the lounge room before rushing back up the stairs. George was buttering his toast while slurping up a strip of bacon. Fred grabbed one of George's piece of toast before rushing back up the stairs. Percy came down the stairs combing his red curls and dragging his trunk; he placed it with Harvey's at the front door. Arthur came downstairs dressed and headed straight outside, asking for Harvey's help to pack the car.
The little blue Ford Anglia had sat in the Weasley's shed was a Muggle car that Arthur had enchanted. It was supposed to be a secret that Arthur had done such a thing because he would probably get in a lot of trouble if the Ministry found out. But Harvey had been in it before back when Arthur had first acquired the car and had asked his Dad for help with it. Besides the car being able to fly, Harvey didn't know what else the two adults had done to the vehicle.
Arthur parked the car not too far from the front door and popped the boot. Harvey frowned when he noticed how small the trunk was. How exactly were they supposed to fit six trunks, Harvey's Owl Sully and Ron's new pet rat Scabbers in such a small space?
Harvey got his answer when the trunk suddenly expanded, and Arthur smile at him.
Then said, "Don't tell Molly about this."
Harvey chuckled and then helped Arthur pack the car.
When they were all finally ready and the car was packed, they all slotted into the Ford Anglia, and everyone avoided mentioning how Percy, Fred, George, Ron and Harvey all fit comfortably in the back seat.
They had just made it to the end of the driveway when George let out a loud yelp. He had forgotten his box of Filibuster fireworks, so back they went. It happened again with Fred; he forgot his broomstick. Ginny shrieked that she had left her diary. And finally, once she was back in the car, they were running very late.
Arthur had glanced at his watch as they pulled down the driveway before glancing at Molly.
She turned her frustrated gaze on him and snapped, "No."
"But, dear…"
"No, Arthur."
"With the invisibility booster, no one would see us."
"I said no, Arthur. Not in broad daylight." Molly crossed her arms over her chest. There was no arguing with her.
When they did arrive at King's Cross station, it was a quarter to eleven. Harvey followed the Weasley's as they dashed from the car, grabbed trolley's to load up their trunks. Harvey made sure to grab Sully, who didn't appreciate his cage being moved around so harshly. A long line of red-heads rushed through, dodging Muggles left and right, and soon made it to the clever entrance of Platform 9 and ¾.
Molly stopped and said, "Percy first." She glanced nervously at the cloak that was telling them they only had five minutes.
Percy briskly strode forward and vanished through the barrier. Arthur went next, followed by the twins.
Molly glanced at Harvey and Ron; she said, "I'll take Ginny; you two come straight after."
The boys nodded and watched as Ginny and Molly went through.
Harvey checked Sully's cage one last time before nodding at Ron. They lined themselves up with the barrier that stood between platforms 9 and 10. Both of them bent low over the handles of their trolleys and walked purposefully towards the barrier. A few feet away, they broke into a slow run. However, instead of gliding through the barrier to see the gleaming red train that was the Hogwarts Express, both Harvey and Ron's trollies collided with a solid brick wall. Ron's trunk lept from his trolly and hit the group with a loud thump, his rat's cage tumbling across the platform. Harvey was knocked backwards, off his feet, and he watched as Sully's cage bounced once and then twice towards a group of Muggles waiting for a train. He let out a loud shriek that startled a few of the Muggles.
"What in the blazes do you think you're doing?" cried a guard that had been standing nearby.
Harvey was the first to jump up and said, "Lost control of the trolley." He was rubbing his aching ribs.
Ron had jumped up to grab Scabbers before doing the same for Sully. He placed the whimpering rat and screeching owl at their feet. He hissed, "Why can't we get through?"
Harvey shrugged.
They stepped over to Ron's trunk, picked it up, and placed it back on the trolley. The clock struck eleven, and both boys groaned. The train left exactly at eleven o'clock.
"We've missed it," said Harvey.
Ron's face dropped. "What if Mum and Dad can't get back through? What do we do? Do you have Muggle money?"
Harvey frowned. "Why would I have Muggle money?"
Ron looked around frantically.
Harvey moved towards the barrier and pressed his hand to it. It was still solid; they couldn't get through. He looked around and noticed that they had attracted a few eyes. Sully was still screeching in his cage, and Ron seemed to be panicking. Grabbing the handles of his trolley, Harvey turned away from the barrier.
He said, "Let's go wait by the car. We are attracting too many eyes."
Ron's face suddenly lit up. "The car!"
"What about it?"
"We can fly the car to Hogwarts!"
Harvey frowned. "Ron, that doesn't sound like a—"
"We're stuck, right? And we've got to get to school, haven't we? And even underage wizards are allowed to use magic if it's a real emergency, section nineteen or something of the Restriction of Thingy…"
Harvey knew it was a bad idea. He should have said no. But before he had a chance, Ron had grabbed his trolley and was wheeling it back towards the exit.
"Let's go," Ron called. "If we hurry, we could probably catch the train!"
The Hogwarts Express had left the station an hour ago, and Harry still hadn't seen his brother. He had expected that Harvey would make an appearance at some point, but there had been no sign of him. Harry knew that the Weasley's had made it to the train; he had recognised the Weasley twins, Fred and George, walking past with their sister Ginny. Harry had waited on the platform with his Dad and Mum for Harvey, but when the train had signalled that it was ready to leave, Harry climbed on. He could only assume that the Weasley's had been very late and had only just made it.
Harry wasn't too worried; he would bump into Harvey eventually.
When Harry had finally boarded the train, he had walked the carriages until he found Carlisle, Cedric, Will and Dylan. There was no sign on the girls, but Carlisle seemed to be annoyed. When he refused to elaborate on what was troubling him, Harry knew it had something to do with Amelia. It was rare that the Slytherin couple fort; they argued often enough that it was just something they did, but a real argument that left both parties angry or ignoring each other was rare. But Harry knew that when Carlisle was ready, everything would spill out. So instead, he went about keeping them distracted.
Cedric pulled out his deck of Exploding Snap, and they set up a game. They made it through three games before Carlisle cracked.
"I honestly have no idea what I did," said Carlisle.
Will and Cedric both looked at him, confused, before looking at Harry.
Harry held in his laugh and said, "What did Amelia say?"
Carlisle sighed. He rubbed the heels on his palms against his eyes. "She said something about paying more attention, spending more time with her. Then there was a comment about her not being good enough."
Harry cringed. That didn't sound good. "When did this all happen?"
"Two nights ago. Amelia was over for dinner, and I thought we were having a great time. Mum and Dad love her, probably more than they love me, and she seemed happy. It was only after we were alone did shit suddenly hit the fan. She left the house crying, and then Mum got mad at me and blamed me." Carlisle sunk in his seat. "I don't even know what I did."
Harry knew that Carlisle was right; Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy were thrilled when Carlisle had announced he was dating Amelia. A Parkinson was a perfect match for him; she was a Pureblood and a Slytherin. In their eyes, she was perfect. Carlisle also forgot that his parents could be overbearing; however, Amelia knew how to handle adults like them. Her parents would be fairly similar.
"Where was Draco when all this happened?" asked Harry.
Carlisle frowned. "After dinner, he disappeared."
"Do you know if he talked to Amelia at all?"
Carlisle shook his head. "You don't think he said something to her, do you?"
Harry thought it was possible. Draco had never handled being the second child well. He made himself the best mirror image of Lucius that he could; the gelled back hair, his mannerism, his choice of friends. Everything would be Lucius approved. Carlisle had never been like that though, especially since he came to Hogwarts. Harry knew that Draco believed he was better than his older brother, but being the second child meant that everything would go to Carlisle and not him.
"Draco wouldn't dare," said Will.
"He is dead meat if he did," said Carlisle.
"What could he have said?" asked Cedric, "And why?"
"Amelia has always been a little paranoid about us. Something ridiculous I think her mother put in her head that she might never be good enough. It's a sensitive subject for her. You've seen her; she always had to be better than everyone," explained Carlisle.
"And the why," said Harry, "would be to get back at Carlisle."
"For what?" asked Cedric.
"Being born first," said Harry.
Cedric frowned. "Seriously?"
Carlisle sat up. "Yep. That ferret is going to pay when I find him."
Harry said, "Maybe you should sit Amelia down first. Deal with Draco after."
Carlisle seemed torn.
A knock on the door turned out to be Jenna. She looked a little worried when she opened the door and looked at Carlisle.
"Amelia?" he asked.
Jenna nodded. "I think you should come talk to her."
Carlisle lept up without hesitation and left with Jenna.
"And that's the last we will see of him," said Will.
A few minutes later, Will and Cedric were still playing Exploding Snap, but Harry had pulled out a book, growing bored of the game. Jenna returned and took over Carlisle's seat.
"Is Amelia okay?" asked Harry once she had sat down.
Jenna nodded. "I think so; someone has put it in her head that Carlisle is losing interest in her."
Will scoffed at her comment. "Please! As if. Carlisle follows her around like a lost puppy; that boy is so whipped that I don't think he has even looked at another girl since he met Amelia."
Cedric nodded in agreement.
"Why would someone try and convince her otherwise?" asked Jenna.
Harry explained, "I have a theory that it's Draco."
Jenna frowned. "Of course, why didn't I think of that?"
"Amelia did say anything to point at Draco?" asked Harry.
"No," said Jenna. "She was more focused on the whole idea that she would lose Carlisle."
The friends fell into a brief silence. Cedric and Will continued their game, Harry focused back on the book in his hands, and Jenna seemed to stare at the window. All of them were worried about their friend but knew that the couple would need time alone.
The lady with the trolley appeared at their door about halfway to Hogwarts. Harry passed on purchasing any sweets but did steal one of Will's Pumpkin Pasties. Once the lady moved on, the frizzy locks of a familiar muggleborn appeared. Hermione stuck her head in, smiling.
"Hey, Harry," she said.
Harry returned her grin. "Hello Hermione, how was your summer?"
He had seen her once during the summer; she had been invited to Harvey's twelfth birthday and had come with her parents.
"It was great. Can't wait for classes though," she said.
Jenna added, "It's great that you like school so much. I miss being excited." She sagged slightly in her seat.
Harry snorted out a laugh.
"Have you seen Harvey, by the way?" asked Hermione. "Or Ron?"
Harry shook his head. "No, I haven't. The Weasley's were late, I know that, and Harvey would have been with them as he spent the night at the Burrow."
"Oh…I can't find them." Hermione frowned.
"You can join us if you like," offered Jenna.
It seemed that when Harry had gotten to know the muggleborn the year before, his friends had also taken a liking to the bookworm. Jenna, most of all.
Hermione nodded. "I'd like that." She moved to sit next to Jenna across from Harry.
The girls quickly got into a conversation about classes, and Harry focused back on his book. He did find it strange that Hermione hadn't been able to find Harvey or Ron; they should have been somewhere on the train. But the train was long, with plenty of students; she might have simply missed them.
Harvey was still struggling to comprehend that they had actually done it. He had followed Ron back to Arthur Weasley's Ford Anglia, stuffed their trunks in the boot, put Sully and Scabbers in the front seat, and flew off into the sky—in the car! It had been almost a thrill when they had sored across London and into the clouds. But after a few minutes, Harvey had regretted his decision and knew that both of them should have simply waited at the car. Arthur and Molly would have shown up eventually, and they could have just told them what had happened. There were plenty of other ways to get to Hogwarts that didn't involve stealing an enchanted car that was technically illegal.
Ron didn't seem to think there was anything wrong with their plan. He was enjoying himself as he sat in the driver's seat. That was until he started to get hungry and thirsty. Molly had packed both boys snacks for the train, which they did take out, but they lacked anything they could drink. And it became obvious to them both just how far away Hogwarts was when they were both sitting there with dry mouths.
The sky did start to grow darker. Eventually, stars began to pop up in the night sky, and Ron had been grumbling that it couldn't be that much further. Harvey had sunk low in the passenger seat but jumped when the car started to groan. The boys looked at each other as the engine sputtered, almost like it was tired.
"Not far now," said Ron. He patted the dashboard nervously and cringed.
They flew down slightly through the clouds when Harvey spotted it. On the dark horizon, high on the cliff was the familiar turrets and towers of Hogwarts.
"There!" Harvey cried.
Ron sighed. "Thank Merlin!"
The car shuddered and started to slow down.
Ron whimpered. "Come on," he patted the wheel, "almost there."
The car shook and groaned. Steam started to puff from the engine beneath the bonnet. Harvey gripped the bottom of his seat and felt as the car dropped and wobbled.
"Ron," warned Harvey. He had no desire to end up crashing into the Black Lake below.
"Almost!" cried Ron. He slammed his foot down on the gas.
There was a loud clunk, followed by a splutter, and the engine died completely.
"Crap!"
The nose of the car dropped. They started sailing down straight towards the castle.
"Nooo!" Ron tugged at the steering wheel, turning it as much as he could to turn the car so that they missed the castle by inches.
They soared over the greenhouses, the vegetable patch and towards the black lawns. The car went lower and lower until the car's tires hit the ground.
"STOP!" yelled Ron.
"RON! THE TREE!" Harvey reached for the wheel, but it was too late.
The car's bonnet hit the thick tree trunk with an almighty bang and crashed to the ground was a loud thump. Steam billowed from beneath the crumpled bonnet; Sully and Scabbers were squealing in fear from the back seat, and Ron and Harvey were both groaning in pain where they sat.
"You alright?" asked Harvey. He was holding a hand to his head where he believed a nasty bump was forming.
Ron whimpered.
Harvey turned to look at him and noticed he was holding up a twig that had been snapped in two, the tip dangling by a few splinters.
"My wand," cried Ron.
Harvey didn't know what to say; all he could do was cringe. Wands weren't easy to fix, and he knew that the Weasley's wouldn't easily be able to afford a brand new wand for Ron. He went to comfort his friend when suddenly something hit the side of the car with enough force that it shoved Harvey across the seat into Ron. Another blow followed, but this one hit the roof, leaving a big dent in the top.
"What's happen—?"
A tree branch crashed through Ron's driverside window, shattering the glass and pulling a loud scream from Ron. Another followed and punched through the window screen, but it didn't shatter it completely, only caused the glass to fracture. It seemed that the tree they had crashed into was attacking the car.
"Aaargh!" cried Ron.
The car trembled under the assault of the tree.
"Run for it," cried Harvey. He tried to shove his door open, using his full body weight but was knocked back again by another strike at his door.
Ron tried the same thing, but a root knocked him down. "We're done for," whimpered Ron.
The car suddenly sputtered back to life.
"Reverse!" yelled Harvey.
The car shot backwards, the branches of the tree were forced to retreat as the car got further away until they were finally out of reach. Harvey and Ron both sighed with relief as the car stopped.
Ron patted the dashboard and said, "Well done, Car. You saved us."
The car groaned, almost like it was saying 'you're welcome'. After a brief moment, the doors suddenly flew open, and both Harvey and Ron were thrown from the car. They were dumped on the ground and could only watch as the boot popped open, throwing out their trunks, and then the back doors flung open; Sully and Scabbers were spat out as well. Harvey managed to catch Sully, but Scabber's cage landed next to Ron. Sully screeched his displeasure and nipped at Harvey's finger. He frowned at his owl but knew it was deserved; Sully had been thrown about a lot since they had left the Burrow. The car grumbled before all its doors swung closed and drove off into the darkness, sputtering and flashing its rear lights angrily.
"Come back!" yelled Ron. "Dad'll kill me."
It didn't come back.
Ron dropped onto the ground and huffed. "Can you believe our luck?" he whined. "We had to hit the tree that hit back!"
Harvey pushed himself to stand. He looked over at the tree that had attacked them; it was wailing its branches about. Almost like it was threatening to come after them. "Come on," said Harvey, "we'd better get up to the school."
Ron sighed but nodded.
They collected their trunks and started to hike back up the hill. They reached the large oak front doors of the castle and pushed them open. The smell of the feast coming from the Great Hall caused both boys stomachs to grumble.
"I think it's already started," said Ron. He dropped his trunk by the stairs and placed Scabber's on top. He walked over to the Great Hall and peeked through the door.
Harvey followed, but before he stuck his head through, Ron stepped back.
"Snape isn't in the hall," he said.
Harvey shrugged.
"Maybe he's sick?" suggested Ron. "Or maybe he quit. He didn't get the Defence Against the Dark Arts position again since Lockhart got it." He stuck his head back through the door.
Harvey heard footsteps and turned to see Professor Snape standing just above their discarded trunks. He was glaring at them.
Ron pulled his head, smirking, and said, "Or maybe he got fired, which he deserves. Everyone hates him."
Harvey's eyes went wide. Snape had just heard that.
"Or maybe," said Snape, "I am wondering why you both didn't arrive on the train."
Ron spun around to face the intimidating Potion's Professor. The look on his face full of fury and no doubt a calculating plan to make Ron, and by association Harvey, pay for that comment.
The Welcoming Feast had ended, and Harry had still not seen a sign of Harvey. When they had arrived at Hogsmeade Station, he had looked for his messy hair but hadn't seen him anywhere. When they arrived at the Great Hall, he tried to spot Harvey sitting at the Gryffindor table, but he was nowhere to be found. Even Ron was missing. He had made his way up to the teacher's table to speak to Snape and mentioned his missing brother and friend. Snape had left to locate the two of them, leaving Harry to sit through the feast and wait.
Harry had been making his way towards Ravenclaw Tower with Dylan and Jenna when Snape found him. From the look on the man's face, Harry knew that it wasn't good news. To say he was surprised to hear that Harvey and Ron had missed the train and decided to fly Arthur Weasley's magical car to Hogwarts would be an understatement. Snape had assured him the boys were fine, physically, and were lucky they weren't expelled.
Instead of going straight to Ravenclaw Tower, Harry headed to Gryffindor Tower instead. He managed to meet Hermione in the hallway, who was looking extremely disappointed.
"Did you hear what those morons did?" she asked.
Harry sighed and nodded.
"Can you believe they were so stupid? It made the evening edition of the Daily Prophet."
Harry frowned. That wasn't good. "It did?"
She nodded. "I saw a few students looking at it. They were seen by muggles."
"Bloody idiots. I can't wait to hear what Mum will do."
Hermione huffed.
The two of them walked to Gryffindor Tower and found Ron and Harvey standing in front of the portrait.
"You two are complete morons!" cried Hermione.
The boys spun around, eyes wide.
"Hermione, do you have the password?" asked Ron.
Hermione glared at him. "Yes. But how could you two be so foolish!"
Ron rolled his eyes.
Harvey rubbed the back of his head. "We didn't think."
"That is obvious," said Harry.
Harvey dropped his head.
"I want a word with you," said Harry.
Harvey nodded, and the two walked away from Ron and Hermione. Once they were far enough away that the friends wouldn't easily hear them, Harry leant against the wall. He could see Harvey was remorseful of his actions.
"What happened?" he asked.
Harvey sighed. "We were running late for the train. All of the other Weasley's went through the barrier first, and Ron and I were last. We tried to go through, but it wouldn't let us through. We crashed into the bricks and caused all sorts of commotion. When we knew that the train had left, I suggested we wait by Mr Weasley's car until they came back. Ron got it in his head that we should just fly here, so we did."
"You didn't think that was a bad idea?"
"Yeah, but Ron was so sure—"
"Ron doesn't think before he acts. He has shown that on multiply occasions," snapped Harry. "You need to stop allowing him to drag you into these situations."
"This is different from last year," claimed Harvey.
"No, it's not. Ron was so determined to be right that he continued to push you and Hermione to go after the stone."
Harvey frowned but didn't argue any further.
Harry took a breath. "I didn't come to yell at you," he said, "I am sure you got an earful already. And no doubt, Mum will lose it."
Harvey cringed. "She's going to kill me."
"Probably. Pregnancy hormones won't help that." Harry grasped Harvey's shoulders. "Are you alright?"
He nodded. "Yeah."
"Good. And remember our promise from last year, no more drama."
Harvey smiled. "Right, trouble-free year."
Harry watched as Harvey followed his friends inside. He heard the brief sound of clapping before the portrait swung shut. If it had been any other person's brother, he probably would have found the whole thing amusing, but knowing that it was Harvey once again being dragged into trouble annoyed him. Harry felt the need to blame Ron more than his brother; that kid still had his own issue to work on and kept getting Harvey involved in his trouble. He could only hope that Harvey would start being more careful.
