Chapter 4 Back to the Burrow

By twelve oclock the succeeding(prenominal) day, b early(a)s school trunk was packed with his school things and all his most prized possessions the Invisibility dress he had inherited from his father, the b inhabitstick he had gotten from Sirius, the enchanted map of Hogwarts he had been given by Fred and George Weasley stand firm year. He had emptied his hiding place under the loose floorboard of all food, double-checked e precise nook and blighter of his bed room for forgotten spellbooks or quills, and taken mow the chart on the jetty counting down the days to September the first, on which he homogeneousd to cross mangle the days remaining until his repay to Hogwarts.The atmosphere inside number four, Privet Drive was extremely tense. The imminent arrival at their house of an airing of wizards was making the Dursleys uptight and irritable. Uncle Vernon had looked downright alarmed when scourge informed him that the Weasleys would be arriving at cardinal oclock the ve ry next day.I hope you told them to dress properly, these people, he snarled at once. Ive seen the sort of stuff your lap wear. Theyd awaitter have the decency to mystify on normal clothes, thats all. molest mat up a slight sense of foreboding. He had rarely seen Mr. or Mrs. Weasley wearing anything that the Dursleys would call normal. Their children might don Muggle clothing during the holidays, unless Mr. and Mrs. Weasley commonly wore long robes in varying states of shabbiness. nark wasnt b other(a)ed around what the neighbors would cipher, but he was anxious ab break how rude the Dursleys might be to the Weasleys if they turned up feeling like their worst idea of wizards.Uncle Vernon had put on his best suit. To some people, this might have looked like a gesture of welcome, but fire knew it was because Uncle Vernon wanted to look impressive and intimidating. Dudley, on the other hired hand, looked somehow diminished. This was not because the diet was at locomote ta king effect, but due to fright. Dudley had emerged from his last encounter with a fully grown wizard with a curly pigs tail poking stunned of the seat of his trousers, and aunty genus Petunia and Uncle Vernon had had to pay for its removal at a private hospital in London. It wasnt altogether surprising, therefore, that Dudley kept running his hand nervously all everyplace his backside, and walking sideways from room to room, so as not to present the same target to the enemy. lunch was an almost silent meal. Dudley didnt even protest at the food (cottage cheese and grated celery). aunt Petunia wasnt, ingest anything at all. Her arms were folded, her lips were pursed, and she seemed to be chewing her tongue, as though biting back the furious diatribe she longed to throw at hassle.Theyll be driving, of course? Uncle Vernon barked across the table.Er, tell Harry.He hadnt thought of that. How were the Weasleys going to pick him up? They didnt have a cable car anyto a greater ex tent the old Ford Anglia they had once owned was shortly running wild in the Forbidden Forest at Hogwarts. merely Mr. Weasley had borrowed a Ministry of Magic car last year possibly he would do the same today?I think so, state Harry.Uncle Vernon snorted into his moldinessache. Normally, Uncle Vernon would have asked what car Mr. Weasley drove he t stop overed to judge other men by how big and pricy their cars were. But Harry doubted whether Uncle Vernon would have taken to Mr. Weasley even if he drove a Ferrari.Harry pass most of the afternoon in his bedroom he couldnt stand watching aunty Petunia compeer place through the net curtains every few twinklings, as though there had been a specimen about an escaped rhinoceros. Finally, at a quarter to five, Harry went back down steps and into the living room.Aunt Petunia was compulsively straightening cushions. Uncle Vernon was pretending to read the paper, but his tiny eyes were not moving, and Harry was incontestable he was rea lly listening with all his might for the sound of an approaching car. Dudley was crammed into an armchair, his porky hands beneath him, clamped hard around his bottom. Harry couldnt take the tension he remaining the room and went and sat on the stairs in the hall, his eyes on his watch and his heart pumping fast from excitement and nerves.But five oclock came and and then went. Uncle Vernon, perspiring slightly in his suit, opened the front door, peered up and down the street, then withdrew his head quickly.Theyre late he snarled at Harry.I know, verbalize Harry. Maybe er the traffics bad, or something.Ten past fivethen a quarter past fiveHarry was starting to feel anxious himself now. At half past, he heard Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia conversing in terse mutters in the living room.No rumination at all.We mightve had an engagement.Maybe they think theyll get invited to dinner if theyre late.Well, they most certainly wont be, say Uncle Vernon, and Harry heard him stand up a nd start pacing the living room. Theyll take the boy and go, therell be no hanging around. Thats if theyre coming at all. Probably mistaken the day. I daresay their kind dont set much interpose by punctuality. Either that or they drive some tin-pot car thats broken d -AAAAAAAARRRRRGHHarry jumped up. From the other side of the living room door came the sounds of the three Dursleys scrambling, panic-stricken, across the room. Next secondment Dudley came f fiction into the hall, looking terrified.What happened? said Harry. Whats the matter?But Dudley didnt seem able to speak. Hands legato clamped over his buttocks, he waddled as fast as he could into the kitchen. Harry hurried into the living room.Loud bangings and scrapings were coming from nookie the Dursleys boarded-up hearth, which had a fake coal fire plugged in front of it.What is it? gasped Aunt Petunia, who had backed into the wall and was staring, terrified, toward the fire. What is it, Vernon?But they were left in doubt barely a second longer. Voices could be heard from inside the out of use(p) fireplace.Ouch Fred, no go back, go back, theres been some kind of mistake tell George not to OUCH George, no, theres no room, go back quickly and tell Ron -Maybe Harry can hear us, Dad maybe hell be able to let us out -There was a loud hammering of fists on the boards behind the electric fire.Harry? Harry, can you hear us?The Dursleys rounded on Harry like a pair of angry wolverines.What is this? growled Uncle Vernon. Whats going on?They theyve tried to get here by Floo powder, said Harry, contend a mad desire to laugh. They can travel by fire only youve blocked the fireplace hang on -He approached the fireplace and called through the boards.Mr. Weasley? Can you hear me?The hammering stopped. Somebody inside the chimney piece said, ShhMr. Weasley, its Harrythe fireplace has been blocked up. You wont be able to get through there. diddlysquat said Mr. Weasleys phonate. What on earth did they want t o block up the fireplace for?Theyve got an electric fire, Harry explained.really? said Mr. Weasleys voice excitedly. Eclectic, you say? With a plug? Gracious, I must see that.Lets thinkOuch, RonRons voice now joined the others.What are we doing here? Has something gone wrong?Oh no, Ron, came Freds voice, very sarcastically. No, this is exactly where we wanted to end up.Yeah, were having the time of our lives here, said George, whose voice sounded muffled, as though he was squashed against the wall.Boys, boys said Mr. Weasley vaguely. Im trying to think what to do.Yesonly wayStand back, Harry.Harry retreated to the sofa. Uncle Vernon, however, moved forward.Wait a moment he bellowed at the fire. What exactly are you going to -BANG.The electric fire shot across the room as the boarded-up fireplace burst outward, expelling Mr. Weasley, Fred, George, and Ron in a cloud of rubble and loose chippings. Aunt Petunia shrieked and fell backward over the coffee table Uncle Vernon caught her b eforehand she hit the floor, and gaped, speechless, at the Weasleys, all of whom had bright red hair, including Fred and George, who were analogous to the last freckle.Thats better, panted Mr. Weasley, brushing dust from his long leafy vegetable robes and straightening his glasses. Ah you must be Harrys aunt and uncleTall, thin, and balding, he moved toward Uncle Vernon, his hand outstretched, but Uncle Vernon backed away several paces, force Aunt Petunia. Words utterly failed Uncle Vernon. His best suit was cover in white dust, which had settled in his hair and mustache and made him look as though he had just aged thirty years.Er yes sorry about that, said Mr. Weasley, lowering his hand and looking over his shoulder at the blasted fireplace. Its all my fault. It just didnt occur to me that we wouldnt be able to get out at the other end. I had your fireplace connected to the Floo Network, you see just for an afternoon, you know, so we could get Harry. Muggle fireplaces arent supposed to be connected, purely speaking but Ive got a useful contact at the Floo Regulation Panel and he fix it for me. I can put it right in a jiffy, though, dont worry. Ill light a fire to aerate the boys back, and then I can repair your fireplace before I Disapparate.Harry was ready to bet that the Dursleys hadnt understood a single word of this. They were still gaping at Mr. Weasley, thunderstruck. Aunt Petunia staggered near again and hid behind Uncle Vernon.Hello, Harry said Mr. Weasley brightly. Got your trunk ready?Its upstairs, said Harry, grinning back.Well get it, said Fred at once. Winking at Harry, he and George left the room. They knew where Harrys bedroom was, having once rescued him from it in the exsanguine of night. Harry suspected that Fred and George were hoping for a glimpse of Dudley they had heard a lot about him from Harry.Well, said Mr. Weasley, hesitation his arms slightly, while he tried to find words to break the very nasty silence. actually erm very nice place youve got here.As the usually spotless living room was now covered in dust and bits of brick, this remark didnt go down too well with the Dursleys. Uncle Vernons face purpled once more, and Aunt Petunia started chewing her tongue again. However, they seemed too scared to actually say anything.Mr. Weasley was looking around. He love everything to do with Muggles. Harry could see him itching to go and examine the television and the video recorder.They run off eckeltricity, do they? he said knowledgeably. Ah yes, I can see the plugs. I collect plugs, he added to Uncle Vernon. And batteries. Got a very large collection of batteries. My wife thinks Im mad, but there you are.Uncle Vernon clearly thought Mr. Weasley was mad too. He moved ever so slightly to the right, screening Aunt Petunia from view, as though he thought Mr. Weasley might suddenly run at them and attack.Dudley suddenly reappeared in the room. Harry could hear the plop of his trunk on the stairs, and kne w that the sounds had scared Dudley out of the kitchen. Dudley edged along the wall, gazing at Mr. Weasley with terrified eyes, and attempted to curb himself behind his mother and father. Unfortunately, Uncle Vernons bulk, while sufficient to hide bony Aunt Petunia, was nowhere near lavish to conceal Dudley.Ah, this is your cousin, is it, Harry? said Mr. Weasley, taking another brave stab at making conversation.Yep, said Harry, thats Dudley.He and Ron exchanged glances and then quickly looked away from each other the temptation to burst out laughing was almost overwhelming. Dudley was still clutching his bottom as though afraid it might fall off. Mr. Weasley, however, seemed authentically concerned at Dudleys peculiar behavior. Indeed, from the tone of his voice when he next spoke, Harry was quite convinced(predicate) that Mr. Weasley thought Dudley was quite as mad as the Dursleys thought he was, except that Mr. Weasley felt kindness rather than fear.Having a good holiday, Dud ley? he said kindly.Dudley whimpered. Harry maxim his hands tighten still harder over his massive backside.Fred and George came back into the room carrying Harrys school trunk. They glanced around as they entered and spotted Dudley. Their faces cracked into identical evil grins.Ah, right, said Mr. Weasley. Better get cracking then.He pushed up the sleeves of his robes and took out his wand. Harry saw the Dursleys draw back against the wall as one.Incendio said Mr. Weasley, pointing his wand at the hole in the wall behind him.Flames rose at once in the fireplace, crackling merrily as though they had been impatient for hours. Mr. Weasley took a small drawstring traction from his pocket, untied it, took a pinch of the powder inside, and threw it onto the flames, which turned emerald green and roared higher than ever.Off you go then, Fred, said Mr. Weasley.Coming, said Fred. Oh no hang on -A bag of sweets had spilled out of Freds pocket and the contents were now rolling in every dir ection big, fat toffees in brightly colored wrappers.Fred scrambled around, cramming them back into his pocket, then gave the Dursleys a cheery wave, stepped forward, and walked right into the fire, saying the cut into Aunt Petunia gave a little shuddering gasp. There was a whooshing sound, and Fred vanished.Right then, George, said Mr. Weasley, you and the trunk.Harry helped George carry the trunk forward into the flames and turn it onto its end so that he could hold it better. Then, with a second whoosh, George had cried the Burrow and vanished too.Ron, you next, said Mr. Weasley.See you, said Ron brightly to the Dursleys. He grinned broadly at Harry, then stepped into the fire, yelled the Burrow and disappeared.Now Harry and Mr. Weasley alone remained.Wellbye then, Harry said to the Dursleys.They didnt say anything at all. Harry moved toward the fire, but just as he reached the edge of the hearth, Mr. Weasley put out a hand and held him back. He was looking at the Dursleys in a mazement.Harry said good-bye to you, he said. Didnt you hear him?It doesnt matter, Harry muttered to Mr. Weasley. Honestly, I dont care.Mr. Weasley did not remove his hand from Harrys shoulder.You arent going to see your nephew till next summer, he said to Uncle Vernon in mild indignation. Surely youre going to say good-bye?Uncle Vernons face worked furiously. The idea of being taught consideration by a man who had just blasted away half his living room wall seemed to be causing him intense suffering. But Mr. Weasleys wand was still in his hand, and Uncle Vernons tiny eyes darted to it once, before he said, very resentfully, Good-bye, then.See you, said Harry, putting one foot forward into the green flames, which felt pleasantly like warm breath. At that moment, however, a horrible gagging sound erupted behind him, and Aunt Petunia started to scream.Harry wheeled around. Dudley was no longer standing behind his parents. He was kneeling beside the coffee table, and he was gagging and sputtering on a foot-long, purple, slimy thing that was protruding from his mouth. One bewildered second later, Harry realized that the foot-long thing was Dudleys tongue and that a brightly colored toffee wrapper lay on the floor before him.Aunt Petunia hurled herself onto the ground beside Dudley, seized the end of his swollen tongue, and attempted to wrench it out of his mouth unsurprisingly, Dudley yelled and sputtered worse than ever, trying to fight her off. Uncle Vernon was bellowing and waving his arms around, and Mr. Weasley had to shout to key himself heard.Not to worry, I can sort him out he yelled, advancing on Dudley with his wand outstretched, but Aunt Petunia screamed worse than ever and threw herself on top of Dudley, shielding him from Mr. Weasley.No, really said Mr. Weasley desperately. Its a simple process it was the toffee my son Fred real practical joker but its only an Engorgement catch at least, I think it is please, I can correct it -But far from bei ng reassured, the Dursleys became more panic- stricken Aunt Petunia was sobbing hysterically, tugging Dudleys tongue as though determined to rip it out Dudley appeared to be suffocating under the combined pressure of his mother and his tongue and Uncle Vernon, who had lost control completely, seized a china figure from on top of the sideboard and threw it very hard at Mr. Weasley, who ducked, causing the medal to shatter in the blasted fireplace.Now really said Mr. Weasley angrily, brandishing his wand. Im trying to helpBellowing like a wounded hippo, Uncle Vernon snatched up another ornament.Harry, go Just go Mr. Weasley shouted, his wand on Uncle Vernon. Ill sort this outHarry didnt want to miss the fun, but Uncle Vernons second ornament narrowly missed his left ear, and on balance he thought it best to leave the situation to Mr. Weasley. He stepped into the fire, looking over his shoulder as he said the Burrow His last fleeting glimpse of the living room was of Mr. Weasley blast ing a third ornament out of Uncle Vernons hand with his wand, Aunt Petunia screaming and lying on top of Dudley, and Dudleys tongue lolling around like a great slimy python. But next moment Harry had begun to spin very fast, and the Dursleys living room was whipped out of sight in a rush of emerald-green flames.