The Whomping Willow
TheendofthesummervacationcametooquicklyforHarry’sliking. HewaslookingforwardtogettingbacktoHogwarts,buthismonthattheBurrowhadbeenthehappiestofhislife. ItwasdifficultnottofeeljealousofRonwhenhethoughtoftheDursleysandthesortofwelcomehecouldexpectnexttimeheturneduponPrivetDrive.
Ontheirlastevening,Mrs.WeasleyconjuredupasumptuousdinnerthatincludedallofHarry’sfavoritethings,endingwithamouthwateringtreaclepudding. FredandGeorgeroundedofftheeveningwithadisplayofFilibusterfireworks;theyfilledthekitchenwithredandbluestarsthatbouncedfromceilingtowallforatleasthalfanhour. Thenitwastimeforalastmugofhotchocolateandbed.
Ittookalongwhiletogetstartednextmorning. Theywereupatdawn,butsomehowtheystillseemedtohaveagreatdealtodo. Mrs.Weasleydashedaboutinabadmoodlookingforsparesocksandquills;peoplekeptcollidingonthestairs,half-dressedwithbitsoftoastintheirhands; andMr.Weasleynearlybrokehisneck,trippingoverastraychickenashecrossedtheyardcarryingGinny’strunktothecar.
Harrycouldn’tseehoweightpeople,sixlargetrunks,twoowls,andaratweregoingtofitintoonesmallFordAnglia. Hehadreckoned,ofcourse,withoutthespecialfeaturesthatMr.Weasleyhadadded.
"NotawordtoMolly,"hewhisperedtoHarryasheopenedthe. trunkandshowedhimhowithadbeenmagicallyexpandedsothattheluggagefittedeasily.
Whenatlasttheywereallinthecar,Mrs.Weasleyglancedintothebackseat,whereHarry,Ron,Fred,George,andPercywereallsittingcomfortablysidebyside,andsaid, "Mugglesdoknowmorethanwegivethemcreditfor,don’tthey?"