Harry Potter and the Hidden Treasure (Volume 3)

Chapter 437 The Fireplace Burst Into Flames

In this silent and tense atmosphere, time passed very slowly.

Evan, Harry, and Hermione had already finished the tea in their cups, but no one refilled them.

Neither Harry's uncle nor aunt seemed to have any intention of doing so.

Evan knew a spell that could create wine, but he couldn't use it there.

However, it was difficult to overcome. The cloth bag he carried with him, expanded with the Undetectable Extension Charm, contained many drinks.

These were the juices he had brought back from France. Under the light, these juices had colorful dreamy reflections and were very famous in the French magical world.

Evan poured the juice for himself, Harry, Hermione, and filled Dudley's cup opposite.

Upon smelling the sweet aroma of the juice, Dudley couldn't wait to grab the cup.

"Oh no, dear Dudley!" Harry's aunt Petunia exclaimed loudly. "Don't touch that, leave it."

"Don't worry, this juice is fine," said Evan. "But whatever other wizards give you, it's better not to put it in your mouth, especially the twins who are coming soon. Be very careful. They like to play pranks."

Perhaps it was Evan's identity, or his attitude, but in the end, Aunt Petunia allowed Dudley to drink the juice.

Of course, the uncomfortable atmosphere in the room did not ease.

Evan told Harry and Hermione about what he had seen at Beauxbatons. Meanwhile, the Dursleys were whispering to each other.

Dudley stared at the half-empty juice bottle on the table, licking his lips, his eyes shining with greed.

And so, five o'clock came and then passed.

For some reason, the Weasleys were late.

Due to the stifling heat and heavy clothing, Mr. Dursley began to sweat slightly in his suit.

Impatiently, he got up, opened the front door, looked up and down the street, then quickly withdrew his head.

"They're late!" grumbled Harry in a hoarse voice.

"I know!" Harry responded. "Maybe, um... the traffic is bad, that must be the reason!"

Though he said this, he was also feeling a bit impatient.

Harry turned around and anxiously looked at Evan, who shook his head.

In his opinion, Mr. Weasley would come through the Floo Network or Apparate. Either way, he wouldn't just be delayed by traffic congestion.

'Wait, the Floo Network?'

Suddenly, Evan thought that if they came here through the Floo Network, they must exit through the fireplace.

The Dursleys' fireplace was sealed, and in front of it was a fake electric heater burning coal.

Evan hurriedly got up and approached the fireplace, observing it carefully.

He seemed to hear something. Behind Evan, the Dursleys continued to murmur in the room.

"Not an ounce of consideration!"

"We could have had another engagement."

"Perhaps they think they'll be invited for dinner if they're late."

"Well, not even think about it," Mr. Dursley said. "They'll take the three kids and leave. There won't be any delays."

Then he shouted at Harry and Hermione who were sitting on the couch. "I mean, if they are coming. They probably got the day mixed up. I suppose their kind doesn't value punctuality much."

Just then, Evan heard a voice coming from inside the fireplace, someone was inside!

He guessed it, the Weasleys had arrived here through the Floo Network.

Before even thinking about what to do, there was a scream of horror.

"Aaahhh!!!!" Dudley yelled.

Curious about what Evan was doing in front of the fireplace, Dudley had just followed him and was startled by the sound coming from the chimney.

In fact, his scream also startled Evan.

"What's wrong? What happened?" Harry hurried over immediately.

From the corner of the room came the sounds of the Dursleys shuffling around, terrified, in the room.

Dudley kept wiping the sweat from his forehead, his expression was dreadful.

He seemed unable to speak, his hands still on his buttocks.

"It seems like they are there, right inside the fireplace," said Evan.

At that moment, sounds of heavy knocks and friction came from behind the Dursleys' fireplace...

"Ouch! Fred, no... come back, come back, there's been some kind of mistake... tell George not to... Ouch! George, no, there's no space, come back and tell Ron not to come"

"Father, I heard Evan and Harry talking, they are outside!" shouted Fred.

"I heard them too; perhaps they can rescue us!"

As soon as George's voice ceased, loud knocks were heard on the planks behind the electric heater.

"Evan, Harry, can you hear us?!"

"It's Mr. Weasley, he's inside!" Hermione ran. "They must have come here via Floo powder, but they didn't know that unlike wizards, Muggle chimneys are often blocked."

"I heard Hermione too is outside!" Mr. Weasley exclaimed joyfully.

"Perhaps we can..."

Evan was cut off as the Dursleys lunged at the three like a pair of angry gluttons.

"What's going on?" growled Mr. Dursley, asking, "What are you doing?"

"They tried to Floo here," explained Harry, fighting a crazy urge to laugh. "They can travel by fire, but you lot blocked the chimney, wait!"

At that moment, Evan and Hermione were speaking to them through the planks.

"Mr. Weasley, it's Evan!" he shouted. "The chimney has been blocked!"

"Darn it!" Mr. Weasley's voice cursed. "Why in the world would they block the chimney?"

"They have an electric fire," Hermione explained.

"Really?" Mr. Weasley's voice sounded excited. "Electric, you say? With a plug? My goodness, I must see that, let me think... oh, Ron!"

Ron's voice now joined the others.

"What are we doing here? Did something go wrong?"

"Nothing wrong!" came Fred's voice, dripping with sarcasm. "No, this is exactly where we wanted to end up."

"Yes, we're having a grand old time here," exclaimed George, his voice sounding muffled, as if he were pressed against the wall.

"Guys, guys," Mr. Weasley said absentmindedly, "I'm trying to think of what to do, well, the only way, Evan, Harry, Hermione, all three of you step back."

They hastily stepped back to the sofa in the living room, and Mr. Dursley took a few steps forward.

"Wait!" he roared at the fire. "What exactly are you going to do?"

BOOM! Their fireplace exploded before he could say another word!