The Burrow Part 3
"How long is it going to take", Ron complained.
"We're nearly there Ronald, don't complain. After all, I'm the one driving this damned contraption", Hermione huffed.
"Hermione Granger, swearing, it's the end of the world", Crystalline laughed.
"What can I say, I'm human."
"Hermione, where did you learn how to drive", Harry exclaimed, as they almost hit another sky scraper (luckily they had the invisibility button on).
"I-"
"She figured it out on the way here", Crystalline answered for her, exasperatedly.
"WHAT!", Harry yelled, sitting up straighter, looking around, alarmed.
"Just relax, I've got this", Hermione exclaimed, though just right then, they went though a cloud, causing the car to start falling down before Hermione got it under control.
"So Harry, what's been going on", asked Ron, trying to divert his and Crystal's attention from the near crashes.
Harry told them all about Dobby.
"Hmm, definitely fishy", Ron finally said.
"Something terrible is going to happen, I can feel it", added Crystalline.
"He could be lying", Hermione pointed out.
"Yes, that is a likely possibility, but you concentrate on driving and making sure we get back in one piece", Ron snapped.
"So, do your parents know you've got the car?" said Harry, guessing the answer.
"Er, no," said Ron, "Dad had to work tonight and hopefully we'll be able to get it back in the garage without Mum noticing we flew it."
"What does your dad do, anyway?"
"He works in the most boring department," said Ron. "The Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office."
"The what?"
"It's all to do with bewitching things that are Muggle-made, you know, in case they end up back in a Muggle shop or house.
Like, last year, some old witch died and her tea set was sold to an antiques shop.
This Muggle woman bought it, took it home, and tried to serve her friends tea in it. It was a nightmare - Dad was working overtime for weeks."
"What happened?"
"The teapot went berserk and squirted boiling tea all over the place and one man ended up in the hospital with the sugar tongs clamped to his nose.
Dad was going frantic - it's only him and an old warlock called Perkins in the office - and they had to do Memory Charms and all sorts of stuff to cover it up--"
"But your dad - this car--"
Ron laughed. "Yeah, Dad's crazy about everything to do with Muggles; our shed's full of Muggle stuff.
He takes it apart, puts spells on it, and puts it back together again. If he raided our house he'd have to put himself under arrest. It drives Mum mad."
"That's the main road," said Crystalline, peering down through the windshield. "We'll be there in ten minutes... Just as well, it's getting light..."
A faint pinkish glow was visible along the horizon to the east.
Hermione brought the car lower, and Harry saw a dark patchwork of fields and clumps of trees.
"We're a little way outside the village," said Ron. "Ottery St. Catchpole."
Lower and lower went the flying car. The edge of a brilliant red sun was now gleaming through the trees.
"Touchdown!" said Hermione as, with a slight bump, they hit the ground.
They had landed next to a tumbledown garage in a small yard, and Harry looked out for the first time at Ron's house.
Ron, on the other hand, was busy sighing in relief that they didn't just crash down.
They swiftly hid behind a tree and looked around.
"Y'know, I'm glad we didn't upturn the bucket while taking off and made sure that mum was asleep.
It's the mistake that got Fred and George caught when they took out the car once.
Now....."
Ron ran up to the Burrow and to his mother's room.
"What in the-", Mrs Weasley mumbled.
"Mum, look who turned up. It's Harry!", Ron exclaimed.
"What, Harry! How did he", Mrs Weasley shot up at once.
"I invited him over and he came using the Knight Bus."
"Oh, he shouldn't have. You should have told us, Ron, we would 've picked the poor dear up."
"Oh hello Harry. How are you dearie", Mrs Weasley asked, frowning as looked at his thin frame.
"I'm fine Mrs Weasley, I truly am", Harry replied.
"Alright, I'll get you kids some breakfast. You really are too thin Harry."
"Are you sure you're fine?", Crystalline asked, once Mrs Weasley was gone to the kitchen.
"I am, I'm with you three after all."
They exchanged smiles at that, knowing that Harry rarely got this emotional.
"It's good to have you back with us, Aelurus."