Chapter 3:

It was arranged that Ron, Mr. Weasley, Fred and George were all going to go to the Dursleys house to pick up Harry. Ron was going as he was Harry's friend and the twins were going to help with Harry's trunk. Since Hermione was arriving the day before, Skylar had opted to stay home with her and Ginny. Nick had been the most disappointed about being left behind, but didn't whine about it.

The morning Hermione was to arrive, after she'd finished breakfast, Skylar received a letter from Harry with Hedwig. She was actually carrying two letters, but the other one was addressed to Sirius.

"Morning Hedwig." She smiled, giving her some treats and taking the letter. Due to having another job to do, Hedwig didn't stay, she took off out the window after drinking some water to wherever Sirius was hiding out.

Skylar opened the letter to read Harry's writing.

Dear Sky,

Something strange happened last night. I woke up with my scar hurting and I had a dream about Voldemort. The last time my scar hurt was because Voldemort was nearby but I doubt he's in Little Whinging. Pettigrew was also in the dream, they were plotting and discussing murder…

I don't remember much more, but you don't know much about cursed scars do you? What with your parents being dark wizard catchers?

I haven't told the others yet.

Looking forward to seeing you, I hope your holiday is going well.

Also, I got Ron's letter, and Mrs. Weasleys. The Dursleys said I could come to the Cup! See you soon!

Harry.

Skylar was gapping at the paper before she took a breath. Harry's scar was unique, it was the only remains he had from where You-Know-Who had attacked him when he was a year old, the same incident in which his parents had been killed. It was the mark of being touched by a dark curse apparently, and no one besides Harry had ever survived the killing curse before. So the fact that it was hurting, years after it had been inflicted… And yes it had hurt before, it reacted to You-Know-Who when he was near… Perhaps it was the dream?

Skylar wanted to write back with a response, but she had a feeling Harry would be here before he got it. Then again, if he hadn't told Ron and Hermione, she might not get much of a chance to talk to him about it alone…

Harry often confided in Skylar about things without telling Ron and Hermione. For one thing, he couldn't hide it from her even if he wanted to, and for another, she reacted differently to the other two. If Harry had told Ron about this, he'd have stammered and worried before offering the advice his father could give, not that Mr. Weasley had experience with Dark Magic. Hermione however would consult a book, most definitely, and would tell him to tell the highest trusted official there was, which in this case was Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts.

Skylar however wasn't sure if it was worth worrying about, or if it was serious, after all, she knew nothing about cursed scars. It was definitely a weird thing to happen, that she agreed. But for her, it was more of a curiosity than something to panic about. What she found interesting was how his scar had hurt after a dream of You-Know-Who, what could that mean?

Skylar decided, despite the fact that he might not receive it before he arrived at the Weasleys tomorrow evening, to send a letter back, at least if he got it while at the Weasleys, he could read it himself and not let the other two know what was worrying him.

Skylar wrote her letter suggesting the connection was more to the dream, rather than to You-Know-Who's actual presence, though how that worked she didn't know. She also suggested that if he wasn't going to tell Ron and Hermione, that he ask perhaps her mother, and if not her, then the next best option was Sirius. She assumed he may have included this in the letter Hedwig had been carrying. Sirius did after all have some experience with Dark Magic.

She signed the letter off, saying she'd see him tomorrow before folding it up.

Skylar moved down the stairs and used Nick's owl Mitchum to send the letter back. She didn't see much of a point in worrying about a prickling scar, not if they didn't know why it did so.

A few hours later, she and her mother were standing by the kitchen fireplace and using it to get to Hermione's place. Dominique and Skylar had met Hermione's parents before and had seen them a few more times at Kings Cross station.

Skylar pulled Hermione into a hug when she stepped out of the fire, regardless of the soot on her, and Dominique had to syphon it off the two girls as a result. They were both invited to have some tea with the Grangers, and the parents had an interesting conversation where Dominique explained the complexities of the World Cup, much to the Grangers' fascination.

"Ron said that Harry was coming tomorrow?" Hermione asked Skylar.

"Yeah, they're going to use the floo powder for him too." Skylar said, chuckling.

Hermione looked alarmed. "What?"

"Yep."

"Is that wise?"

"Probably not."

"Are you going?"

"No, but Ron and the twins are."

"They're taking the twins?" Hermione looked bewildered.

"Yep. That alone makes me wish I was going."

"Those two are trouble."

"You sound like their mother." Skylar rolled her eyes.

Mrs. Weasley had finally found out about the twins' experiments and plans for their Joke Shop; she had not been happy. She'd even had a go at Nick when she'd seen him next.

Hermione had then said goodbye to her parents, who had wished her luck for her year ahead. Dominique had had a private word with them to which Hermione looked interested.

"What's she saying?"

"She's just informing them of our year ahead."

"Why?"

"It's a secret." Skylar smiled.

Hermione looked at her confused but the girl just shrugged. "Got Crookshanks then?"

Crookshanks was Hermione's mini tiger of a cat, a ginger with a rather ugly squashed face.

"He's in his wicker basket, unhappy."

Crookshanks never liked his wicker basket.

"And your trunk?"

"In the hall."

"Let's go get them then."

The two girls pulled the trunk into the living room and as Dominique turned the flames green with the floo powder she'd brought, Skylar stepped into it with the trunk.

"Rosenwald Estate!" And she was whisked off.

Skylar pulled the trunk out into the kitchen and Midori hurried to clean everything up. Hermione appeared next with Crookshanks, who was hissing from the sensation of using the floo network before Dominique appeared behind them.

"Your parents really are lovely Hermione." She smiled. "Skylar, why don't you show her to one of the rooms."

"I'm assuming any besides Harry's?" Skylar said. Her mother rolled her eyes. Dominique had demanded Harry have a permanent room here, regardless of the fact he'd only stayed once. Skylar explained this to Hermione when she looked confused.

Hermione released Crookshanks from his wicker basket and he began to slouch and sniff around the kitchen before he vanished through the house.

"Hm… you might not find him again, given how adventurous he is." Skylar said as an afterthought. Hermione chuckled but didn't seem worried.

Midori clicked her fingers and she and the trunk vanished before Skylar led the way for Hermione to follow. Hermione was amazed by the size of the Rosenwald house, as all were when they first arrived. Skylar gave her a large tour before ending at Hermione's room.

"Seeing as you're going to be here for two weeks, make yourself as at home as you'd like. I suggest you pack a small bag for Monday night though, we're staying overnight at the Cup."

"How are we doing that?"

"Camping." Skylar grinned.

Hermione chuckled. "Wizards and tents."

"I think you'll find our tents are a lot cooler though." Skylar nodded. "Tomorrow we can go to the Weasleys and see Ron and Ginny, they're picking Harry up at around five o'clock and Mrs. Weasley's invited us all to come for dinner."

"You guys do that a lot don't you." Hermione smiled.

"More or less."

Both Nathaniel and Dominique were home for dinner for their guest which Hermione appreciated. She was a perfect house guest and Dominique loved talking to her. Skylar believed that talking to Hermione reminded her mother of Lily, they were both brilliant witches, though Lily was a little more daring.

The following morning, Skylar, Hermione and Leon used the floo network to go to the Weasleys, while Nick stayed behind. As it was, the twins switched with the three when they appeared at the Weasleys kitchen and went to the Rosenwald estate. Skylar took note of the fact they had a few bags in their hands and that Mrs. Weasley was presently not in the kitchen to witness.

"What have they got there?" Hermione asked suspiciously.

"Probably more Weasley's Wizard Wheezes." Skylar shrugged.

"What?"

"It's things the twins have been inventing, joke items like trick wands and weird sweets. Mrs. Weasley's furious at them for it cause it's all experimental, they made them themselves and they test them on themselves too."

"But that's very dangerous!" Hermione said shrewdly.

"Yep, just like their mother." Skylar sighed. "Anyway, I think they're going to hide most of it at our house because their mum keeps interfering."

"Your mum won't let them do that."

"She won't if she finds out, but she's been very busy lately. We've spent almost all our time with the Weasleys cause mum and dad haven't been home, they've been planning for the cup and the year ahead. Anyway, let's go find Ron and Ginny."

Mr. Weasley had the day off due to picking Harry up, in fact he was on holidays all together, as his department didn't have much to do with all the current goings on.

Ron was excited about Harry coming around, but he seemed more excited about the prospect of meeting Harry's cousin Dudley. Harry had told them all quite a bit about Dudley, how he was hugely overweight and had bullied Harry most of his life. The muggle clothes that Harry used to wear were all ten sizes too big for him because they'd been Dudley's first.

"I wonder if he is like Harry says." Ron grinned.

"I'm more curious as to how the Dursleys react when you burst in through their fireplace." Skylar laughed.

"Honestly, both of you, this isn't a laughing matter." Skylar and Ron both knew Hermione didn't mean that, she didn't like Harry's family any more than they did.

At five o'clock that evening, Skylar, Bill, Charlie, Nick, Leon, Fred, George, Ron and Mr. Weasley were all in the kitchen as Mr. Weasley and his three youngest sons prepared to use the floo network. Fred and George looked rather excited at being able to accompany their father and brother and Skylar had figured out why rather quickly upon seeing them.

"Don't let your dad find out, he might actually murder you." She warned.

Hermione and Ginny were up in Ginny's room, while Percy was in his room, working as he always was nowadays, and Mrs. Weasley was preparing Ron's room for Harry's arrival. Fred and George had been moved into Ron's room with Harry and Ron due to Bill and Charlie using the twins' room. Skylar had offered for them to use some of their rooms instead of being so cramped but Mrs. Weasley assured them it was fine.

They were running a little late and left around half past five one after the other with Ron being the last.

"Get a good look at Dudley so I can see him!" Skylar grinned. Ron gave her the thumbs up before he vanished from the fireplace.

"Who's Dudley?" Bill asked.

"Harry's Cousin, he's a bully, and in Harry's letters this summer, apparently he's seriously overweight." Skylar shrugged. "So much so he's on a diet where he basically eats nothing."

"Harry's family are not nice, they hate anything to do with magic and they've apparently bullied Harry his whole life." Leon added.

"For Harry's twelfth birthday he was locked in his room with bars on his window, Ron, Fred and George went to rescue him."

"Oh yes, with Dad's car, I heard about that." Charlie grinned.

"Harry hates his family and hates having to go back every summer." Skylar frowned.

"Must be why Fred and George have decided to torture him." Nick grinned.

"How so?" Bill wondered.

"They're planning on giving him one of their weird sweets." Leon grinned.

"Mum will kill them when she finds out." Charlie sighed.

They waited about twenty minutes before Fred turned up.

"Well?"

"I dropped a heap of them and left one." He grinned. "Now we just need to see if he eats it."

"What is it exactly?" Skylar asked.

"Ton-Tongue Toffee. Makes your tongue swell and enlarge."

"You are in so much trouble." Skylar said grinning.

George appeared next with Harry's trunk. Around the same time Mrs. Weasley entered the kitchen. She took the trunk upstairs and everyone watched her go before turning to George.

"Not yet." He shook his head.

Ron appeared but said nothing, so clearly still there was no excitement.

Harry however took a few minutes before he turned up and Fred stood apprehensively in front of the fireplace waiting. Harry came spinning into place and fell face first towards the floor, his hand out to catch him.

"Did he eat it?" said Fred excitedly, holding out a hand to pull Harry to his feet.

"Yeah," said Harry, straightening up. "What was it?"

"Ton-Tongue Toffee," said Fred brightly. "George and I invented them, and we've been looking for someone to test them on all summer…"

The tiny kitchen exploded with laughter; Harry looked around and saw that Ron and George were sitting at the scrubbed wooden table with Charlie, Bill, Nick, Leon and Skylar, the last of which got up and gave Harry a hug.

"Hey Harry." She greeted.

"Hey Sky."

"Get my letter?"

"Yeah, thanks."

"Anytime." She grinned.

Harry then turned to Charlie and Bill, it was obvious who they were, even if Harry had never met them before.

"How're you doing, Harry?" said Charlie, grinning at him and holding out a large hand, which Harry shook, feeling calluses and blisters under his fingers. Bill got to his feet, smiling, and also shook Harry's hand.

Before any of them could say anything else, there was a faint popping noise, and Mr. Weasley appeared out of thin air at George's shoulder. He was looking angrier than any of them had ever seen him.

"That wasn't funny, Fred!" he shouted. "What on earth did you give that Muggle boy?"

"I didn't give him anything," said Fred, with another evil grin. "I just dropped it… It was his fault he went and ate it, I never told him to."

"You dropped it on purpose!" roared Mr. Weasley. "You knew he'd eat it, you knew he was on a diet —"

"How big did his tongue get?" George asked eagerly.

"It was four feet long before his parents would let me shrink it!"

Harry, The Rosenwalds and the Weasleys roared with laughter again.

"It isn't funny!" Mr. Weasley shouted. "That sort of behaviour seriously undermines wizard–Muggle relations! I spend half my life campaigning against the mistreatment of Muggles, and my own sons —"

"We didn't give it to him because he's a Muggle!" said Fred indignantly.

"No, we gave it to him because he's a great bullying git," said George. "Isn't he, Harry?"

"Yeah, he is, Mr. Weasley," said Harry earnestly.

"That's not the point!" raged Mr. Weasley. "You wait until I tell your mother —"

"And cue Mrs. Weasley." Skylar whispered, pointing to the hallway just as the woman herself appeared.

"Tell me what?" Mrs. Weasley's eyes were presently narrowed with suspicion as she entered the kitchen. "Oh hello, Harry, dear," she said, spotting him and smiling. Then her eyes snapped back to her husband. "Tell me what, Arthur?"

Mr. Weasley hesitated. It was clear that, however angry he was with Fred and George, he hadn't really intended to tell Mrs. Weasley what had happened. There was a silence, while Mr. Weasley eyed his wife nervously.

Hermione and Ginny entered the kitchen, and, not noticing the atmosphere, smiled at Harry, who grinned back, which made Ginny go scarlet — she had been very taken with Harry ever since his first visit to the Burrow.

"Tell me what, Arthur?" Mrs. Weasley repeated, in a dangerous sort of voice.

"It's nothing, Molly," mumbled Mr. Weasley, "Fred and George just — but I've had words with them —"

"What have they done this time?" said Mrs. Weasley. "If it's got anything to do with Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes —"

"Why don't you show Harry where he's sleeping, Ron?" said Hermione from the doorway, catching on.

"Good idea." Skylar mumbled and Leon nodded, getting up to follow his sister over to the two girls. It seemed Nick was going to be a good, and brave, friend and stick it out with the twins.

"He knows where he's sleeping," said Ron, "in my room, he slept there last —"

"We can all go," said Hermione pointedly.

"Oh," said Ron, cottoning on. "Right."

"Yeah, we'll come too," said George.

"You stay where you are!" snarled Mrs. Weasley.

Harry and Ron edged out of the kitchen, Skylar quickly turning Ginny around to push her forwards and allow an escape, and they, Hermione and Leon set off along the narrow hallway and up the rickety staircase that zigzagged through the house to the upper stories.