Whispers of a Snake (Chamber of Secrets)

Chapter 6

The end of summer came way too quick. While Lea was eager to get back to Hogwarts, her true home, her time at the Burrow had been the highlight of her summer. She couldn't help but feel a bit jealous when the Weasleys laughed together at something Fred and George did during dinner or when Mrs. Weasley fussed over them. 

On their last dinner, Mrs. Weasley cooked up appetizing, mouth-watering food that included all her favorite things, topping it off with a scrumptious treacle pudding. Fred and George ended the veining with a display of Filibuster fireworks; they filled the kitchen with red and blue stars that bounced from  ceiling to wall for at least half an hour. Then it was time for a last mug of hot chocolate before going to bed. 

It took a while to get their things sorted the next morning. Everyone seemed to be bumping on the stairs, half in their pajamas while shoving toasts in their mouths. Lea was the only one not running around, being responsible and organizing her stuff before going to bed rather than leave it in the morning. 

She yawned at the kitchen table, rubbing her eyes as she heard thumping footsteps from the floors above her. The racket started at dawn when everyone woke up, she couldn't go back to sleep as everyone passed noisily by her and Ginny's room every couple of minutes. 

Lea was pouring herself a glass of orange juice when Ginny ran inside the kitchen, well-dressed but her hair a mess. The young girl took the last slice of toast, smearing strawberry jam on top before biting off a huge chunk. 

"My idea's not so stupid now, huh?" Lea teased as she raised the glass to her lips. 

Ginny shot her a glare, bits of toast falling to her shirt as she spoke, "Shut up. At least I'm not the one dozing off every five minutes" 

"Excuse me for not being accustomed to waking up at the crack of dawn!" She shouted after her as she left the kitchen. 

"I'm not a morning person" Lea grumbled, plopping down on her seat, "I'm a night owl, like Hedwig. Right?"

She turned back to look at the snowy owl that was perched on top of the pantry. Hedwig blinked at her before giving a hoot in agreement. Lea sighed before dropping her head on the table. 

What mainly concerned her was how they were going to fit nine people, seven large trunks, two owls, a rat and a cat inside one car. She helped Mr. Weasley with the trunks, along with Harry, as everyone else where still scurrying around the house. 

"Not a word to Molly" He whispered to them as he opened the trunk and showed him how it had been magically expanded so that all the luggage could fit. 

When they were all in the car, Harry, Ron, Lea, Fred, George, and Percy were sitting side by side with no discomfort and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and Ginny all siting up front. 

The woman glanced back at them, "Muggles do know more than we give them credit for, don't they?" She smiled, "I mean, you'd never know it was this roomy from the outside, would you?" 

Mr. Weasley started up the engine and drove out of the yard, Lea looked back for one last look at the Burrow. Turns out she had several last looks as George had forgotten his box of Filibuster fireworks 

"Can't you leave it behind, George?" Mrs. Weasley groaned. 

"No! I-I mean" He doubled back as everyone turned to look at him, "How else will we get to have fun at Hogwarts?" George gave Lea a fleeting look. 

Five minutes after that, Fred ran inside for his broomstick. They had almost reached the highway when Ginny remembered about her diary that was on her desk in her room. When they drove away from the Burrow again, they were running very late and tempers were high.