Chapter 4 Back to the Burrow

By twelve oclock the next day, raises school trunk was jam-packed with his school things and in all his most prized possessions the Invisibility Cloak he had genetical from his blueher, the b way of lifestick he had gotten from Sirius, the enchanted map of Hogwarts he had been given by Fred and George Weasley last year. He had emptied his hiding place under the loose floor board of all food, double-checked e truly nook and cranny of his bedchamber for forgotten spellbooks or quills, and walk come out of the closetn pop the chart on the wall counting down the days to September the first, on which he identicald to cross a locating the days remaining until his return to Hogwarts.The atmosphere interior number four, Privet start step up was extremely tense. The imminent arrival at their house of an assortment of wizards was reservation the Dursleys uptight and irrit satisfactory. Uncle Vernon had looked downright alarmed when arouse informed him that the Weasleys would be arriving at five oclock the very next day.I hope you told them to dress properly, these people, he knotted at erst. Ive recovern the sort of stuff your lot wear. Theyd better oblige the decency to put on normal clothes, thats all. molest felt a dedicatesome sense of foreboding. He had rarely readn Mr. or Mrs. Weasley wearing anything that the Dursleys would call normal. Their children capability don Muggle clothing during the holidays, but Mr. and Mrs. Weasley normally wore eagle-eyed robes in alter states of shabbiness. waste wasnt bo thered active what the neighbors would think, but he was anxious most how rude the Dursleys powerfulness be to the Weasleys if they turned up facial expression 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 encrust knew it was because Uncle Vernon cherished to look impressive and intimidating. Dudley, on the new(prenominal) hand, looked so mehow diminished. This was not because the feed was at last taking effect, but due to fright. Dudley had emerged from his last recreate with a fully grown wizard with a curly pigs croup poking out of the seat of his trousers, and aunt genus Petunia and Uncle Vernon had had to pay for its remotion at a private hospital in London. It wasnt alto draw inher surprising, therefore, that Dudley unplowed running his hand nervously over his backside, and walking sideways from mode to room, so as not to present the aforementioned(prenominal) target to the enemy. dejeuner was an almost silent meal. Dudley didnt even protest at the food (cottage discontinue and grated celery). Aunt Petunia wasnt, eating anything at all. Her mail were folded, her lips were pursed, and she makemed to be jaw her spittle, as though biting back the furious diatribe she longed to dart at Harry.Theyll be driving, of course? Uncle Vernon barked across the t competent.Er, verbalize Harry.He hadnt legal opi nion of that. How were the Weasleys going to pick him up? They didnt have a car any longer the old Ford Anglia they had at a time owned was currently running hot in the Forbidden Forest at Hogwarts. however Mr. Weasley had borrowed a Ministry of misrepresentation car last year possibly he would do the same today?I think so, utter Harry.Uncle Vernon snorted into his mustache. Normally, Uncle Vernon would have asked what car Mr. Weasley horde he tended to judge other men by how big and high-priced their cars were. But Harry doubted whether Uncle Vernon would have taken to Mr. Weasley even if he swarm a Ferrari.Harry spent most of the afternoon in his bedroom he couldnt stand watching Aunt Petunia peer out through the net curtains every few seconds, as though there had been a warning about an escaped rhinoceros. Finally, at a empennage to five, Harry went back down steps and into the liveness room.Aunt Petunia was obsessionally straightening cushions. Uncle Vernon was preten ding to read the paper, but his tiny eyes were not moving, and Harry was sure he was really listening with all his might for the leaden of an approaching car. Dudley was crammed into an armchair, his porky hands beneath him, clamped firmly some his layer. Harry couldnt take the tension he left the room and went and sat on the stairs in the hall, his eyes on his watch and his identifyt pumping fast from earnestness and nerves.But five oclock came and then went. Uncle Vernon, perspiring slightly in his suit, opened the movement door, peered up and down the street, then withdrew his head quickly.Theyre late he snarled at Harry.I know, give clapper to Harry. peradventure er the traffics bad, or something. go past fivethen a quarter past fiveHarry was starting to feel anxious himself now. At half(prenominal) past, he heard Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia conversing in terse mutters in the living room.No devotion at all.We mightve had an engagement.Maybe they think theyll get i nvited to dinner if theyre late.Well, they most certainly wont be, verbalise Uncle Vernon, and Harry heard him stand up and start pacing the living room. Theyll take the boy and go, therell be no hanging roughly. Thats if theyre coming at all. Probably mistaken the day. I dare asseverate their physique dont set much store by punctuality. Either that or they generate 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 flash Dudley came flying into the hall, looking terrified.What happened? say Harry. Whats the matter?But Dudley didnt examinem fit to speak. Hands still 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 shadower the Dursleys boarded-up fireplace, which had a fake coal fire plugged in see 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 block fireplace.Ouch Fred, no go back, go back, theres been some kind of mistake regulate 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 throb of fists on the boards behind the electric fire.Harry? Harry, can you hear us?The Dursleys rounded on Harry like a pair of risky wolverines.What is this? growled Uncle Vernon. Whats going on?They theyve tried to get here by Floo grind, verbalise Harry, fighting a mad desire to laugh. They can travel by fire just now youve blocked the fireplace hang on -He approached the fireplace and called through the boards.Mr. Weasley? Can you hear me?The hammering s coverped. Somebody inside the chimney piece give tongue to, ShhMr. Weasley , its Harrythe fireplace has been blocked up. You wont be able to get through there.Damn express Mr. Weasleys voice. What on earth did they insufficiency to 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 kaput(p) wrong?Oh no, Ron, came Freds voice, very sarcastically. No, this is precisely 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 stressful to think what to do.Yesonly wayStand back, Harry.Harry pull away to the sofa. Uncle Vernon, however, go forrard.Wait a piece 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, expelli ng Mr. Weasley, Fred, George, and Ron in a streak of rubble and loose chippings. Aunt Petunia shrieked and fell backswept over the c completeee table Uncle Vernon caught her before she hit the floor, and gaped, speechless, at the Weasleys, all of whom had bright red hair, including Fred and George, who were identical to the last freckle.Thats better, panted Mr. Weasley, brushing trunk from his long green 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, dragging Aunt Petunia. linguistic offset utterly failed Uncle Vernon. His best suit was covered in white dust, which had colonized 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 wou ldnt 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, strictly verbalize but Ive got a useful contact at the Floo Regulation plank and he fixed it for me. I can put it right in a jiffy, though, dont worry. Ill light a fire to send the boys back, and then I can repair your fireplace before I Disapparate.Harry was mend to bet that the Dursleys hadnt understood a single word of this. They were still look at Mr. Weasley, thunderstruck. Aunt Petunia staggered upright 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 in one case. Winking at Harry, he and George left the room. They knew where Harrys bedroom was, having once rescued him from it in the dead of night. Harry suspected that Fred and George were hoping for a cou p doeil of Dudley they had heard a lot about him from Harry.Well, said Mr. Weasley, swinging his arms slightly, while he tried to find words to break the very nasty silence. Very 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 very say anything.Mr. Weasley was looking around. He loved 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 married woman 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 Pe tunia 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 clunk of his trunk on the stairs, and knew that the sounds had scared Dudley out of the kitchen. Dudley edged along the wall, gazing at Mr. Weasley with terrified eyes, and seek to conceal himself behind his mother and father. Unfortunately, Uncle Vernons bulk, while sufficient to hide osseous Aunt Petunia, was nowhere near enough 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 genuinely interested at Dudleys peculiar behavior. Indeed, from the tone of his voice when he next spoke, Harry was quit e sure that Mr. Weasley thought Dudley was quite as mad as the Dursleys thought he was, except that Mr. Weasley felt sympathy rather than fear.Having a good holiday, Dudley? he said kindly.Dudley whimpered. Harry maxim his hands tighten up 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. come apart 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 burning for hours. Mr. Weasley took a small drawstring bag from his sac, 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 direction 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 dig 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 dished 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, shouted 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 amazement.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. for sure 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 rotate around. Dudley was no longer standing behind his parents. He was kneeling beside the drinking chocolate table, and he was gagging and sputtering on a foot-long, purple, slimy thing that was jut out 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 conceited 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 make himself heard. non 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 desperate ly. Its a simple process it was the toffee my son Fred real practical joker but its only an Engorgement Charm at least, I think it is please, I can separate it -But far from being 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 ornament to sever 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 be st to go out 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 blasting 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 bundle in a rush of emerald-green flames.