Chapter Three

"You can come down now Harry." Lily called up the stairs.

Harry winced at her tone and crept round the banister.

"Everything OK? What was all that about?" He asked innocently.

Lily let out a little laugh and shook her head, "Nice try, I know you were listening in. Go do the dishes, Mister."

Harry grinned guiltily and ran down to the kitchen. There was only a few dirty plates left, stacked neatly next to the sink but Harry quickly filled the bowl with hot water and washing up liquid.

He'd just finished when there was a tap on the window. A small owl was sitting there looking very proud of it's self carrying a letter. Harry dried his hands and wondered over. The bird gave him a sharp nip on the finger.

Harry offered it a treat which it took before Harry was allowed to get the letter. Harry saw it was from Ron and opened it quickly.

Hi Harry,

I just thought after I sent the last letter it would be so much fun for us to travel together! That way Hermione won't have to worry either. I'm not sure where she lives but I've sent an owl to her with this plan and our address. We're going by Portkey from the top of a hill nearby. If you meet us tomorrow, midday at the house Mum will make everyone dinner and then we'll walk up the day after is that OK? I'm sure excited! Right, I'd best go help de-gnome the garden. If I don't hear from you I'll assume the plan is a go!

See you tomorrow!

Ron

Harry read over the scribbles that were Ron's hand writing. He was also getting very excited now.

"MUM!" he called through the house, trying to find her. She was sitting in the library reading.

"Yes?" She asked with a smile, putting her book down and patting the seat next to her for Harry.

Harry sat down and showed her the letter; a small frown appearing on her face.

"Do you want to stay there over night?" She asked.

Harry shrugged, if he was being entirely honest the answer was no. He liked his bed and the sounds of London outside but this was the Quidditch World Cup! It was worth one night of not being in his own bed.

"I'll be fine." Harry grinned.

Lily nodded, "Well then, I suggest you get packed ready for tomorrow. I'm not going to let Danica go by Portkey; she's a bit young for the landing, but don't worry I can apparate over with her and your things, it'll make it a bit easier."

Harry nodded and gave her a big hug, "Thank you so much Mum!"

Lily hugged him back tightly, she sometimes wondered where her little baby had gone. Harry had only spent a few nights away from home when he wasn't at Hogwarts, which felt different somehow. She shook her head and stood up. She really needed to get packed as well.

"I'll go get our things if you can pack for Danica?" Severus asked.

Lily nodded and gave him a kiss before they headed up the stairs.

Danica's room was a tip, it always was. She had so many toys they could open a toy shop and it wouldn't make a dent. She'd sorted it just yesterday morning and the floor was still covered again.

Lily put a few things away and pulled out Danica's pink suitcase with a cat face embroidered on the front.

"Is it safe to enter?" Sirius called though from downstairs.

Kreacher went up to the front door and helped Danica take her coat off, "Yes. Per-tuna has left." Kreacher spat, "Lily is upstairs packing for Miss Danica."

"Thank you Kreacher." Sirius smiled, "Shall we go find something to play with?"

Danica shook her head, "I'm going to go do some drawing."

Sirius nodded and went upstairs to help Lily, leaving Danica in Kreacher's more than capable hands.

"Need some back up?" Sirius asked, leaning against the door.

Lily grinned, "I need a bin bag. She has so many clothes that don't fit any more!"

"She's definitely grown again lately." Sirius said, moving over to help Lily. There was a growing pile on the floor of clothes that where to small, stained or ripped beyond repair.

"Oh she looked so cute in this." Sirius held up a top with bright pink dinosaurs on it.

Lily laughed, "She did. Way to small for her now though. Maybe she can wear it as a crop top in the future."

Sirius looked shocked, "She's never going to be old enough to wear that sort of thing."

Lily laughed, "Keep telling yourself that."

It took about an hour for them to pack enough clothes for a week for Danica and sort through all the clothes making a large pile for the bin or charity shop.

"Where are we going?" Danica asked, she was holding a picture she's drawn of the park and several squirrels.

Lily went over and gave her a big hug, "We're going for a meal with nice people tomorrow and then the next day, so two sleeps, we're going somewhere very exciting to watch a big, huge game of Quidditch!"

Danica laughed, "YAY!"

"Can I see?" Lily asked, pointing at the drawings.

Danica nodded and talked her through everything she'd seen.

It wasn't long until Harry was waiting with a small overnight bag, staring up at the clock willing it to move faster.

"Harry stop it!" Lily told him, pulling his gaze away, "Staring at the clock will not make time go faster." She put the last pin in her hair, securing the elegant bun.

She smoothed down her pale blue skirt suit and checked over the others. Sirius was looking very dapper in a relaxed set of robes that looked black but were dark blue in the light. Harry was wearing jeans and a t-shirt but it was one of his best tops; Lily had made him take off his Slytherin one, saying he was being impolite considering the Weasleys were all Gryffindors. Severus was dressed as always in smart, crisp black.

Danica looked very pretty in a clean white dress with a dark red apron. She even had a little pair of white lace gloves on.

"I think Ron lives on a farm Mum." Harry said, "She's going to get filthy."

"It's enchanted Harry, she'll be fine." Lily grinned, "Hands."

Harry held his hands out for Lily to inspect and make sure he was clean.

"You too." She ordered Sirius, he also passed inspection.

Severus held out his hands to be inspected as well.

"What's this?" Lily asked, pointing to a large blue stain on the palm of his hand.

"Potion." Severus said with a small smile.

Lily rolled her eyes, "I'm assuming it wont come off."

Severus nodded; Lily laughed and shook her head. The clock chimed midday, the sound filling the hall.

Harry turned to Lily, who held out her hand and made sure that Sirius had a tight grip on Danica's other hand as well.

Harry closed his eyes to the unpleasant feeling of being shoved through a tube and took a deep breath when he reached the destination.

He wasn't sure what he'd expected; something from a Tudor story possibly or a cozy looking old windmill. Instead what he saw was something that has clearly once been a small, one roomed house, with several bits added on as the years went by.

It now was a large farm house with several levels, some looking like they shouldn't be able to stay up as well as it did.

Danica was looking round excitedly at the large yard out front that had several chickens milling around in the dust. Lily held tightly to Danica's hand and moved forward to knock on the door.

It opened quickly to show Mrs Weasley also dressed smartly, with a checked apron over her skirt.

"Hello, I hope we're on time." Lily smiled.

Mrs Weasley nodded, "Yes, just on time." she said.

"You would have had Harry here last night if I'd had let him!" Lily laughed.

Mrs Weasley smiled, Lily observed she was rather pretty when she wasn't angry at someone, "Oh bless him. We're happy to have you all."

They stepped inside and followed Mrs Weasley through the house and into the large back garden. Harry could see two older boys he'd never met floating tables into place with Mr Weasley.

"Everyone!" Mrs Weasley called, "Come over and say hello."

The Weasleys walked quickly over and stood in a line. Harry got the impression this had been practised to show Lily how well behaved they all were.

"This is my husband, Arthur, and from oldest to youngest, Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred, George, Ron of course, and Ginny." Mrs Weasley introduced them all.

They shook hands one at a time with Lily and Sirius.

"It's lovely to meet you." Lily smiled, "This is Sirius, and I'm Lily for those of you who currently just know me as Harry's Mum. I believe you all know Severus. And this is Danica."

Everyone nodded and smiled.

"Is there anything we can do to help Molly?" Lily asked.

Mrs Weasley looked slightly taken back at the question, "No, no of course not. You're our guests." She smiled.

"Harry could help me kick some gnomes out the garden?" Ron suggested earning a glare from his mother, "Just before Hermione gets here."

Lily nodded, "I'm sure Harry would be happy to help."

Harry took the hint and wondered off with Ron. Danica clung to her parents hands and looked around the large garden with longing.

"Does Danica want to come play?" Ginny asked.

Danica looked up for permission from Lily and Severus, who both nodded.

"As long as your mother doesn't need you for anything." Lily said.

Molly shook her head, "Not at all. Go have fun dear. Keep her away from the pond!"

Ginny nodded and took Danica's hand, leading her to the side of the house.

Bill, Charlie and Arthur went back to moving tables around the garden, forming one very long table down the centre.

"We'll be eating out here tonight if that's all right?" Mrs Weasley asked.

"That would be lovely." Severus smiled.

"Mother I really must return inside. I have that very important report on cauldron bottoms to finish." Percy said with an air of importance.

"Percy has gotten himself a job at the Ministry, Barty Crouch's assistant, straight from school!" Mrs Weasley said proudly, "As a result he's very busy."

Percy gave a satisfied smile, "Professor Snape, as this is such an important issue for you could I pick your brains so to speak? Gets some extra facts?"

Lily gave Severus a look.

"Yes, I'd be happy to." Severus gave a tight smile and followed Percy back into the house.

Sirius let out a small laugh.

"Go help them set up the tables Sirius." Lily told him with a glare, not even looking at him.

Mrs Weasley smiled at her, she was starting to warm to Lily.