Chapter 181
Mr. Weasley and Percy were rarely seen around the house during the following week. Both of them left before anyone else woke up and returned only after dinner.
As for Albert, he had returned to the Black family home the very next morning after that incident!
At the Burrow, Percy was telling Ron, Harry, Hermione, and everyone else on the Sunday before they left for Hogwarts:
> "It's been a heated week I've been breaking up disputes nonstop. Complaints and objections from wizards have been pouring into my office every single day."
Mrs. Weasley glanced toward the old clock she had inherited from her grandfather. Harry loved that clock, even though it was utterly useless for telling time. It was, in truth, a Weasley clock it had nine golden hands, each marked with the name of a family member. Instead of numbers, the dial showed possible locations like home, school, or work, and more worrying ones like lost, hospital, or prison. At the very top, where the number twelve should have been, there was one ominous word: "Mortal Peril."
Eight of the hands were pointing to home, except for Mr. Weasley's, which was fixed at work. Mrs. Weasley sighed before saying,
> "Your father never used to work on holidays not since you-know-who's time... He's been overworking himself lately, and his dinner will be ruined if he doesn't come home soon."
Percy remarked,
> "Father is only trying to fix his mistake. Honestly, he should've consulted his superior before saying anything!"
Mrs. Weasley snapped,
> "How dare you criticize your father over some ridiculous article written by that Rita Skeeter woman!"
Bill, who had been playing chess with Ron, said,
> "If Dad hadn't said anything, Rita would've just written that the Ministry refused to comment. Luckily, thanks to Albert's interference, the wizarding public didn't take the article seriously. That woman can't stand anyone. Do you remember when she called me 'the long-haired banker' after interviewing Gringotts staff?"
Mrs. Weasley chuckled kindly.
> "Well, dear, your hair is rather long. If only you'd let me "
But Bill interrupted,
> "No, Mum!"
Outside, the rain began to patter against the window of the warm living room. Hermione was reviewing the books Mrs. Weasley had bought her from Diagon Alley the same for Harry and Ron, too.
Harry was cleaning his Firebolt with the broom care kit Hermione had given him for his thirteenth birthday. In a far corner, Fred and George were whispering while reading a thick, leather-bound book.
> "Damn," Fred muttered, "we had a perfect chance to ask Albert about it!"
"Are you daft?" George hissed, scribbling something down. "Didn't you see what happened in that forest? That was not the right time to ask for his help. Let's wait until we're back at school."
Mrs. Weasley's sharp voice rang out,
> "What are you two doing over there?!"
Fred replied vaguely,
> "Homework!"
> "Don't be ridiculous," she said sternly. "You're still on holiday! And I'd better not see any new order forms for those dreadful tricks of yours!"
Fred looked up with mock seriousness,
> "Well, Mum… if the Hogwarts Express crashes tomorrow and George and I both perish, how would you feel knowing the last thing you said to us was an accusation?"
Everyone burst out laughing, including Mrs. Weasley herself. Then she suddenly glanced back at the clock and exclaimed,
> "Your father's on his way home!"
Moments later, they heard Mr. Weasley's voice calling from the kitchen.
> "I'm coming, Arthur!" Mrs. Weasley replied cheerfully.
---
At the Black Family Home
Albert was packing his clothes and books into a large enchanted trunk. He picked up a green locket the one Kreacher had given him two years ago.
It was the fake locket that his uncle Regulus had once given the elf inside the cave of the Inferi.
Albert wiped it clean with a white handkerchief and murmured,
> "Not long now, Uncle… Mother… I swear I'll avenge you both."
He left his room and went downstairs, only to run into Kreacher.
Albert pulled out the locket of Slytherin and handed it to the elf with a calm smile.
Kreacher took it, puzzled, staring up at his master.
Albert placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder and said,
> "Since you're my friend, Kreacher, I'm giving you this as a gift. If you ever find yourself in grave danger, open the locket and say my full name. I'll appear at your side instantly. Understood?"
Kreacher clutched the locket tightly to his chest.
> "A precious gift from my master… thank you, Master Albert!"
Albert smiled and patted his shoulder once more.
---
Back at the Burrow
A few minutes later, Mr. Weasley entered the cozy sitting room carrying his dinner, looking utterly exhausted. He sank into the chair beside the fireplace and said,
> "Things are getting worse. Rita Skeeter's digging for anything she can twist against the Ministry. She's just discovered that Bertha Jorkins has gone missing it'll be front-page news in the Daily Prophet tomorrow. I told Bagman ages ago to send someone to look for her."
Percy quickly interjected,
> "Mr. Crouch has been saying the same thing for weeks."
Mr. Weasley sighed,
> "Crouch should count himself lucky Rita hasn't figured out that Bertha wasn't exactly… the most competent employee."
Harry packed away his broom kit and slung the Firebolt over his shoulder as he and Ron headed upstairs. The rain was louder now on the roof, and Ron's owl, Pigwidgeon, was flapping noisily inside her cage.
Harry glanced at Hedwig's empty cage and said quietly,
> "It's been over a week…"
Ron shrugged.
> "Here Mum bought you some new things from Diagon Alley. She also pulled a few gold coins from your vault and washed all your socks."
He tossed the items over. Harry looked through them his new Standard Book of Spells, Grade 4, a fresh set of quills, six rolls of parchment, and a new potion kit. He began packing them when Ron suddenly shouted,
> "What the bloody hell is this?!"
Ron was holding up something that looked like a long, frilly red dress.
There was a knock on the door, and Mrs. Weasley entered, holding two freshly pressed Hogwarts uniforms.
> "Here you go, dears please fold them carefully so they don't wrinkle."
> "Mum," Ron said, horrified, "you gave me Ginny's new dress!"
> "Of course not," she replied calmly. "That's yours it's your dress robe."
> "My what?!" Ron blurted.
> "Dress robes," Mrs. Weasley repeated patiently. "They're on the school list this year you'll need them for formal occasions."
> "You can't be serious! I'm not wearing this! Never!" Ron waved his hands frantically.
> "Everyone has to wear them, Ronald. Even your father owns a few," she said firmly.
> "I'm not wearing it!" Ron insisted.
> "Don't be ridiculous," she snapped. "You'll wear it and Harry has one too. Show him, Harry."
Harry unrolled his own parcel. His was dark green, not bad at all in fact, it matched his eyes perfectly.
> "That'll bring out your eyes, dear," Mrs. Weasley said fondly.
Ron scowled.
> "Great. Why's his one nice and mine's awful?"
Mrs. Weasley hesitated.
> "Well… I bought yours secondhand, dear. There weren't many choices."
Harry turned away, wishing he could give the Weasleys all his gold, though he knew they'd never accept it.
> "I'm not wearing it," Ron muttered again. "Never!"
> "Fine then go naked!" Mrs. Weasley shot back. "And Harry, make sure you get a picture!"
She slammed the door behind her as she left.
A loud clatter followed Pigwidgeon had fallen into her food bowl and couldn't get out. Ron rushed to help her, grumbling,
> "Why do I always end up with the rubbish stuff?!"
---
To be continued ...
( Finally finished what was probably the hardest chapter to write! I didn't want to drag this arc any longer. Next chapter the kids finally board the train to Hogwarts! Time for the real fun and action to begin! See you tomorrow with two new chapters ! )