So This Is How It Is

By Georgia the Tenth

Chapter 1

Harry bolted down the stairs three at a time. By the time he was downstairs, he was out of breath. He ran into the kitchen. Dudley was watching the telly. Aunt Petunia was making breakfast, and Uncle Vernon's face was hidden, thank God by his newspaper. Dudley was trying to look at the telly and dig his hand into what was on the table (which was bacon). This was NOT a pleasant sight. Harry ignored the Dursleys and took some of the bacon himself.

'So,' Uncle Vernon started, putting down his newspaper and digging in to the bacon as well.

'So?' Harry answered.

'So...when are you going to the Weasleys? I forgot.'

'Oh. Two days.' Harry was a bit shocked that Uncle Vernon wasn't counting down, as Harry was.

'Uhh,' Uncle Vernon grunted, gobbling up his bacon, and returning to his newspaper.

The doorbell rang.

'Get it, Harry.' Uncle Vernon said, not wanting to get up from his newspaper.

'OK.' Harry sprinted to the door. He had always agreed to get the mail ever since he got the letter from Hogwarts 5 years ago.

Nothing for Harry was in the mailbox. A bill, a letter from the post office (a return), and a package instead lay there. Harry went back to the kitchen. He gave them to Uncle Vernon, who snorted at the bill. ("Not another one!")

Harry was bored. He finished, went up the stairs to his room, and took Hedwig out of her cage, and let her out. Hedwig gave him a look of gratitude.

Harry sat on his bed until Uncle Vernon came upstairs and blamed him for something Dudley had done.

* * *

Harry waited expectantly, sitting on the living room couch, completely covered in pillows. Any minute now the Weasleys would [hopefully] come through the door. Uncle Vernon was pacing the room, and jumped at small noises. After a bit, Uncle Vernon peeked out the window, and Harry gave a humongous sigh.

Five minutes later, a car pulled up. It thankfully was the Weasleys! Harry didn't even bother to say goodbye to his aunt, uncle, and cousin. He grabbed his trunk, and Hedwig's cage with Hedwig in it. Fred helped him bring it downstairs, and out the door. Harry was going to go shopping in Diagon Alley after he had arrived at the Weasley's house.

Harry climbed into their new minivan, (which had "grown bigger" with Mr. Weasley's "method.") and was surprised to see all the Weasleys and Hermione sitting comfortably. Mr. Weasley driving, Mrs. Weasley in the second seat, Bill next to Mrs. Weasley, Charlie, Fred, George, and Percy in the middle row, and Ron, Hermione and Ginny in the back. Harry sat with them.

'Hi, Harry,' Ginny blurted.

'Hey.' Harry smiled, and Ginny blushed.

'Hey Harry,' Ron grinned. 'We're driving 'cause I think your aunt and uncle had enough of that last "incident."'

'You're telling me,' Harry grinned back. {Ron and Hermione were sitting next to each other and Ginny and Harry were sitting next to each other...}

Anyhoo...

'Hi, Harry,' George called from in front of them, as if he had just noticed Harry.

'Hi, George. What's the latest mischief?'

'You think I'd really tell you that?'

'I take that as a no,' Harry responded.

'You got that right.'

'Fred and George are doing more order forms. Mum told me,' Ron whispered to Harry, but as Ron was on one side, and Harry was on the other, Ginny and Hermione heard, and Hermione jabbed Ron hard in the ribs. 'Jeez, Hermione' was all Ron could say.

That is, before they reached the Burrow.