Was flattering Vernon Dursley, who was visibly losing confidence in the plan with every

Word Dedalus spoke.

"Can't even drive," he muttered under his breath, his mustache rippling

Indignantly, but fortunately neither Dedalus nor Hestia seemed to hear him.

"You, Harry," Dedalus continued, "will wait here for your guard. There has been

a little change in the arrangements –"

“What d'you mean?" said Harry at once. "I thought Mad-Eye was going to come

and take me by Side Along-Apparition?"

"Can't do it," said Hestia tersely, "Mad-Eye will explain."

The Dursleys, who had listened to all of this with looks of utter incomprehension

on their faces, jumped as a loud voice screeched, "Hurry up!" Harry looked all around the

room before realizing the voice had issued from Dedalus's pocket watch.

"Quite right, were operating to a very tight schedule," said Dedalus nodding at his

watch and tucking it back into his waist coat. "We are attempting to time your departure

from the house with your family's Disapparition, Harry thus the charm breaks the

moment you all head for safety." He turned to the Dursleys, "Well, are we all packed and

ready to go?"

None of them answered him. Uncle Vernon was still staring appalled at the bulge

in Dedalus's waistcoat pocket.

"Perhaps we should wait outside in the hall, Dedalus," murmured Hestia. She

Clearly felt that it would be tactless for them to remain the room while Harry and the

Dursleys exchanged loving, possibly tearful farewells.

"There's no need," Harry muttered, but Uncle Vernon made any further

Explanation unnecessary by saying loudly,

"Well, this is good-bye then boy."

He swung his right arm upward to shake Harry's hand, but at the last moment

Seemed unable to face it, and merely closed his fist and began swinging it backward and

Forward like a metronome.

"Ready, Duddy?" asked Petunia, fussily checking the clasp of her handbag so as

To avoid looking at Harry altogether.

Dudley did not answer but stood there with his mouth slightly ajar, reminding

Harry a little of the giant, Grawp.

"Come along, then," said Uncle Vernon.

He had already reached the living room door when Dudley mumbled, "I don't

understand."

"What don't you understand, popkin?" asked Petunia looking up at her son.

Dudley raised a large, hamlike hand to point at Harry.

"Why isn't he coming with us?

Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia froze when they stood staring at Dudley as

Though he had just expressed a desire to become a ballerina.

"What?" said Uncle Vernon loudly.

"Why isn't he coming too?" asked Dudley.

"Well, he—doesn't want to," said Uncle Vernon, turning to glare at Harry and

adding, "You don't want to, do you?"

"Not in the slightest," said Harry.

"There you are," Uncle Vernon told Dudley. "Now come on we're off."

He marched out of the room. They heard the front door open, but Dudley did not

Move and after a few faltering steps Aunt Petunia stopped too.

"What now?" barked Uncle Vernon, reappearing in the doorway.

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 935