Amelia Potter and the Chamber of Secrets PART 1

25

The clock on the wall opposite him had only one hand and no numbers at all. Written around the edge were things like 'Time to make tea', 'Time to feed the chickens' and 'You're late'. Books were stacked three deep on the mantelpiece, books with titles likeCharm Your Own Cheese, Enchantment in Baking and One Minute Feasts – It's Magic! And unless Harry's ears were deceiving him, the old radio next to the sink had just announced that coming up was 'Witching Hour, with the popular singing sorceress, Celestina Warbeck'.

Mrs Weasley was clattering around, cooking breakfast a little haphazardly, throwing dirty looks at her sons as she threw sausages into the frying pan. Every now and then she muttered things like 'don't know what you were thinking of' and 'never would have believed it'.

'I don't blame you, dear,' she assured Harry, tipping eight or nine sausages onto his plate. 'Arthur and I have been worried about you, too. Just last night we were saying we'd come and get you ourselves if you hadn't written back to Ron by Friday. But really' (she was now adding three fried eggs to his plate), 'flying an illegal car halfway across the country – anyone could have seen you –'

She flicked her wand casually at the washing-up in the sink, which began to clean itself, clinking gently in the background.

'It was cloudy, Mum!' said Fred.

'You keep your mouth closed while you're eating!' Mrs Weasley snapped.

'They were starving him, Mum!' said George.

'And you!' said Mrs Weasley, but it was with a slightly softened expression that she started cutting Harry bread and buttering it for him.

At that moment, there was a diversion in the form of a small, red-headed figure in a long nightdress, who appeared in the kitchen, gave a small squeal, and ran out again. 

'Ginny,' said Ron in an undertone to Harry. 'My sister. She's been talking about you all summer.

'Yeah, she'll be wanting your autograph, Harry,' grinned Fred, but he caught his mother's eye and bent his face over his plate without another word. Another sound of footsteps came from the stairs and a small girl with short brown hair and green eyes peeked out from by the stairs also wearing a long nightdress. Harry couldn't place the face to a name.

'Harry you're here!' the girl which Harry now only realized was Amelia shouted and ran over to him. 'I'm glad to see you.'

'You too. When did you get here?' Harry chuckled still staring at Amelia's hair.

''I'm allowed to shapeshift outside of school for practices,' said Amelia tugging at her hair. 'I got here two days ago and had to use a portkey. I'm glad you showed up. Good morning Mrs Weasley.'

'Good morning dear. Take a seat.'

Nothing more was said until all five plates were clean, which took a surprisingly short time.

'Blimey, I'm tired,' yawned Fred, setting down his knife and