The Burrow and the Missed Train
It was sunrise by the time they reached the Weasley residence. “ Ron, where are we exactly?” asks Harry; looking down as Fred landed and parked the car by the shed.
“ We’re just outside of Ottery St. Catchpole in Devon.” Answered George, as Ron had fallen asleep and had just jolted awake.
As Harry got his rucksack out of the boot he looked around, it was a small hobby farm with a chicken coop, a goat, and a few pigs. What was once a farmhouse had two stories added to it haphazardly and looked like it was held up by magic.
They all entered the house as quietly as possible.
It was cozy, mismatched furniture in the living room; a huge mantle clock was mounted on the wall above the fireplace. Harry looked closer and say that instead of telling the time, it showed the location of each Weasley. “It isn’t much, but it’s home,” Ron said behind him. That’s when they heard foots clambering down the stairs and what could only be Mrs. Weasley.
“Where. Have. You. Been?!” she screeched, “Beds Empty! No Note! You could’ve been seen… You could have been Killed”.
As the twins and Ron were explaining the whole situation Harry froze, thinking they all will all be punished tried to make himself as small as possible.
Then Mrs. Weasley turned to Harry, all anger gone “ Of I don’t mean you Harry dear, welcome to the Burrow.”
“Um thank you,” Harry said quietly.
“Why don’t you go sit down at the table, breakfast is almost ready,” she says cheerfully and maneuvered the boy to the dining area.
The table was already set for seven people. And soon all the rest of the Weasley clan filed in. Percy in particular looked like he was still asleep and had a worse bed head than Harry’s hair was on a good day; plopped down and poured himself some coffee. “Morning” he murmurs; and Harry replied back as a girl came running in asking if anyone has seen her jumper, then stared at Harry.
Harry who became embarrassed looked away.
Ron then sat down beside Harry and everyone else sat across the table as Mrs. Weasley began dishing out eggs, bacon, and sausage. Giving Harry an extra portion stating, “ You look a bit thin dear; we need to get some meat on your bones.” Harry didn’t notice Ron’s angry look that Harry got extra food. And then they all heard Mr. Weasley comes through the door.
“ Morning everybody, another great raid last night”
“Raid?” Harry asks
“ Dad works for the Ministry of Magic in ‘The Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office.” Answered Percy.
Mr. Weasley sat down at the head of the table, and just noticed the extremely thin black-hair boy who was trying his hardest not to be seen.
“ And who are you?” he asks.
“Um, I’m Harry Potter, sir” he answers.
“Are you really?” the man asks surprised.
Before Harry could answer again, Mrs. Weasley went off on the whole rescuing fiasco last night. Harry smiles a little as Mr. Weasley was stuck between being proud of the fact the car worked and feigned disappointment when Mrs. Weasley gave him a look.
Mr. Weasley was asking Harry about the function of a rubber duck; when they heard hooting and a thud at the kitchen window. “ Mail’s here,” Percy says as he gets up to help the owl, Errol. “It’s our Hogwarts letters, and seems they sent Harry’s letter as well.”
“Dumbledore must know you’re here Harry,” Mr. Weasley said.
Percy and everyone looked at the lists. “It’s not going to be cheap with everyone in school”
“We’ll manage” interrupted Mrs. Weasley.
A few hours later they were all getting ready to go to Diagon Alley. Molly Weasley had Ron demonstrate how to use the floo network. When Harry did it he coughed and ended up in a dark shop full of creepy items. He also hid when he saw what appeared to be Draco Malfoy and a man who could only be his father. He didn’t catch what they were saying. He managed to leave the shop unnoticed and tried to find his way out, to His relief he ran into Hagrid.
“What are ye doing in Knockturn Alley, Harry,” the giant asks as he steers them both to Diagon Alley where the rest of the Weasleys were looking for him.
They all went to Gringotts, where the goblin gave Molly Weasley a dark look as she stated that she had Harry’s vault key. Going down to the vaults Harry felt guilty as he saw that the Weasley vault was almost empty. Molly grabbed what was in it and they all went down to Harry’s vault. Molly grabbed the money and handed the bag to Harry.
They went to get robes and other supplies before they got their books. Seeing that there was a book signing by Gilderoy Lockhart. They gathered their books, bumped into Hermione. Then Harry was grabbed by Gilderoy for an unwanted picture. Then the man told the shop that he would be teaching the DADA class at Hogwarts; and that Harry and the Weasley’s will receive their books, ‘free’ of charge. Applause erupted and Harry tried to escape.
He was almost out the door when a snide voice called out, “ Why isn’t it Harry Potter, can’t even go into a book shop without making a scene.” There on the staircase stood Draco Malfoy.
“Leave him alone” spat Ginny Weasley, Malfoy scoffed and jokingly retorted, “Why to look Potter, looks like you got yourself a girlfriend.”
Mr. Malfoy stepped in chastising Draco and making a comment about Hermione’s parents. Mr. Weasley stepped in and both men began to argue, and then it broke into an outright brawl. No one noticed that Mr. Malfoy slipped a black book into the youngest Weasley’s cauldron.
After the whole bookstore incident, they all went home to the Burrow where they passed the rest of the summer break.
The Weasley's and Harry all traveled to Kings Cross Station on September First; everyone filed through the Barrier with no trouble. Harry and Ron were about to go through and slammed into the brick divider. The Barrier somehow sealed itself!
They missed the train.