Mr. Weasley grinned at the Daily Prophet reporter.
"We're taking this cash straight to Egypt for summer break. Our oldest boy Bill works there as a curse-breaker at Gringotts."
The whole Weasley family would stay a month and roll back just in time for the new Hogwarts term. Their five kids were all still enrolled there.
Sean glanced at the moving photo. Nine red-headed Weasleys stood waving like maniacs in front of a giant pyramid.
He couldn't help smiling.
Short plump Mrs. Weasley, tall bald Mr. Weasley, six boys and one girl, all that same fiery hair.
Tall skinny clumsy Ron right in the middle, Scabbers the rat on his shoulder, one arm wrapped around little sister Ginny.
Sean knew the clock had hit zero.
He didn't bury himself in magic notes. He turned and headed for the dungeons instead.
No one blocked him. Snape had already signed off on the time off.
"Even if it's all pointless nonsense, you're still prepping for..."
Snape's cold voice drifted out from the shadows.
"You mean?"
Sean frowned.
"Heh..."
Snape flicked his robe and the door slammed shut.
Sean stood there confused until McGonagall came hurrying down the stairs looking way too excited.
"Prepping for what? It's getting late, kid. Marcus and the crew want to host it at McGonagall Villa. Their letter should land any minute."
McGonagall looked at him, then quickly glanced away.
"Prepping for what, Professor?"
Sean had zero clue.
"Of course prepping for— oh, you're heading out?"
She spotted the slip in his hand and gave a warm smile.
"Come on. I'll walk with you."
...
All the way out of the castle Sean stayed completely lost.
McGonagall looked thrilled. She carried this long checklist — the last time Sean saw one that thick was Christmas setup at Hogwarts. She kept scanning it like the holiday was tomorrow.
She kept adding lines so Sean didn't interrupt.
He just parked his questions for later. Plenty of time to solve them.
Right now the only thing that mattered was getting to Privet Drive.
Harry would be leaving there soon — or maybe not?
From everything Sean knew, things had gotten a lot better with the aunt and uncle.
But one thing he was dead certain about: right at this moment, the Sirius he'd been waiting on forever was about to show.
Harry would at least run into him once, sometime after his birthday.
Sean didn't know the exact day Sirius broke out, which day in July.
So he needed to get there early and set things up. That way he'd know the second Sirius arrived.
July was almost gone. Harry at number four Privet Drive had a special job to handle.
Thanks to his friends' help he didn't sleep under the stairs anymore.
He had a big room now. Uncle Vernon stopped exploding at him. Dudley looked at him like he couldn't believe his eyes and got all shaky.
Aunt Petunia had been quiet for ages. That's when Harry realized her attitude was the only one that barely changed.
She still hated magic, but lately it felt more complicated.
The way she looked at him, Harry couldn't figure it out.
Before it was pure disgust. Now there was this extra layer he didn't get.
Afternoon, Harry held the envelope, thinking about his task, and read it again.
Dear Harry,
You have no idea how incredible Egypt is. Bill showed us every tomb. The magic those ancient Egyptian wizards laid on them — you wouldn't believe it if I told you.
Mom wouldn't let Ginny into the last one. Full of twisted bones from Muggles who broke in, some with extra heads and stuff.
I still can't believe Dad won the Daily Prophet grand prize.
Seven hundred Galleons! Most of it went on this trip, but they're buying me new school clothes.
Harry remembered Ron's old hand-me-downs all too well.
We'll be back a week before term starts, then hit London for my new clothes and textbooks.
Hope we run into you there? Heard the Muggles stopped giving you grief.
P.S. Percy made Head Boy. Got the letter last week.
Harry glanced at the photo. Percy in his seventh year looked smug as hell. Perfect hair under a fancy Turkish hat, Head Boy badge pinned on, horn-rimmed glasses flashing in the Egyptian sun.
He smiled slowly, then opened the second letter.
Dear Mr. Potter,
Please note the new term begins September first.
The Hogwarts Express departs at eleven o'clock from platform nine and three-quarters, King's Cross.
Third-years may visit Hogsmeade on certain weekends.
Have the attached permission slip signed by your parents or guardian. Booklist enclosed.
Yours sincerely,
Professor McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
He stared at it, folded it carefully, and put it away.
This was his mission.
He wanted Hogsmeade.
But first he had to do what Aunt Petunia asked.
"Harry, your birthday is coming up."
Yesterday Aunt Petunia said it with this slow, awkward look on her face.
Harry was shocked. He thought she never remembered.
"You want to celebrate? Invite your friends."
Aunt Petunia said.
Harry knew instantly they wanted to meet Mr. Fenrir and Mr. Green.
Made sense. They'd scored huge projects from his buddies.
The money was enough to redo the whole house.
But Harry never realized they'd use some to give him a real room.
Right then he felt something he'd missed, something buried under all the resentment, starting to float up.
"Can I... really?"
Harry asked carefully.
"Of course."
Aunt Petunia lowered her head.
She'd been doing that a lot this past year.
"That Hogsmeade thing you mentioned..."
Aunt Petunia said.
"You guys agree?"
Harry tensed up.
"I only have one condition. Vernon's sister is coming over. No magic, and you treat her with respect."
Aunt Petunia always cared about appearances. She and Uncle Vernon treated face like it was gold.
Harry nodded.
"Of course... we'll make sure she treats you politely too."
Aunt Petunia suddenly softened.
That caught Harry off guard.
As she left the room she paused at the door a long time. Then from the crack she added softly,
"That Hogsmeade... those people... those places... you have to be careful yourself."
When Harry looked up confused, Aunt Petunia was already clattering down the stairs.