An Excess of Phlegm

           HarryandDumbledoreapproachedthebackdooroftheBurrow,whichwassurroundedbythefamiliarlitterofoldWellingtonbootsandrustycauldrons;Harrycouldhearthesoftcluckingofsleepychickenscomingfromadistantshed.DumbledoreknockedthreetimesandHarrysawsuddenmovementbehindthekitchenwindow.

           "Who’sthere?"saidanervousvoiceherecognizedasMrs.Weasley’s."Declareyourself!"

           "ItisI,Dumbledore,bringingHarry."

           Thedooropenedatonce.TherestoodMrs.Weasley,short,plump,andwearinganoldgreendressinggown.

           "Harry,dear!Gracious,Albus,yougavemeafright,yousaidnottoexpectyoubeforemorning!"

           "Wewerelucky,"saidDumbledore,usheringHarryoverthethreshold."SlughornprovedmuchmorepersuadablethanIhadexpected.Harry’sdoing,ofcourse.Ah,hello,Nymphadora!"

           HarrylookedaroundandsawthatMrs.Weasleywasnotalone,despitethelatenessofthehour.Ayoungwitchwithapale,heart-shapedfaceandmousybrownhairwassittingatthetableclutchingalargemugbetweenherhands.

           "Hello,Professor,"shesaid."Wotcher,Harry."

           "Hi,Tonks."

           Harrythoughtshelookeddrawn,evenill,andtherewassomethingforcedinhersmile.Certainlyherappearancewaslesscolorfulthanusualwithouthercustomaryshadeofbubble-gum-pinkhair.

           "I’dbetterbeoff,"shesaidquickly,standingupandpullinghercloakaroundhershoulders."Thanksfortheteaandsympathy,Molly."

           "Pleasedon’tleaveonmyaccount,"saidDumbledorecourteously,"Icannotstay,IhaveurgentmatterstodiscusswithRufusScrimgeour."