MERRY CHRISTMAS

Harry Does Different CDLXXVIIa

Sort Out Priorities

Mrs. Weasley first addressed her sons "Where have you been? Car gone! NO note! You Could've died! You could've been seen!"

"They were starving him Mum!" whimpered Ron. "They had bars on his windows."

The matriarch gave a withering glare and warned "You'd best hope I don't put bars on your windows Ronald Weasley!" She then smiled at the guest "Course I don't blame you Harry. Come along then, time for a spot of breakfast."

Things calmed down soon enough and the boys had started eating. After putting out some eggs, Mrs. Weasley went back for hashbrowns. Harry quipped "Are you sure you're not related to Hermione? Remember we could've Died, or worse expelled."

That was the moment both parents walked in. Mum from the kitchen, her cooking crashed to the floor. Dad opening the back door from work seeing his wife's stricken look and instantly wanted to know "What have I missed?"

"Seems our sons flew your car to Surrey and back overnight. But more about that later." Mrs. Weasley looked appalled.

In came the Weasley Harry only had a passing acquaintance with, so he did the only natural thing saying "Hello!"

"Never mind her, Harry Potter." Mrs. Weasley looked stern, waving the young girl dismissively "Apparently our boys have been less than informative. Some details, if you please."

The entire house was silent, all the redheads focused on the guest. The parents expectant, the girl merely curious, the boys with an assortment of fearful expressions. And despite the changing faces, because Harry had no idea what the parents knew or not, in about ten minutes summarized his First Year accurately concluding "…the best part of that was between the three of us, and Neville, we got 170 Points and won the House Cup."

"I think Professor Dumbledore has some explaining to do." Said Mrs. Weasley with a clear reluctance.

Mr. Weasley was not so restrained "Understand Harry, I am in no way criticizing what you, Ron, and your friend did. In fact, it is nothing short of heroic. That you had to …and not any one of a dozen adults… is the problem. Nor is just speaking to Albus sufficient. No." he went to the fireplace, threw some powder in and announced "Magical Law Enforcement! Amelia Bones!"

Harry had never seen the like, and was even more surprised to see, after a moment, a woman's head in the smoldering wood pile.

"Arthur? Good morning to you. I was under the impression that you concluded your day." Came the female voice.

Mr. Weasley spoke curtly "I'm home. Tell me, did Susan share any interesting tales about her school year?"

"I've not had much time with her since Hogwarts ended." Said the head "Though I'd planned to discuss some odd …not lies… but omissions, holes if you will… in her letters. Do you know something?"

He looked at Harry and nodded "Indeed. My boys have a visitor for the rest of summer who just arrived and it was quite disturbing. I think it wise to include someone from the other side of the aisle with a child enrolled in Hogwarts. Preferably NOT Malfoy. I'll be bringing Ronald and his friend, so again preferably, a younger student."

"Rather out of step with your usual clarity of thought, however I can certainly give you an hour. I do wish to spend time with my niece." After that, the head sank into its original smoky form.