Flying Cars and Locked Behind Bars

(Y/N)'s POV

"I can't see a bloody thing, are you sure this is the right way?" I asked for the fifth time. Looking at a road map trying to search for 4 Privet Drive "Do you want to drive?" Said Fred sarcastically.

"YES!" "NO!" answered the twins, who were still in shock over my last turn driving, which is why Fred insisted he drove the rest of the way. "No more of your driving!" George insisted, I huffed "It wasn't my fault; telephone poles are hard to see in the dark."

"Besides, my driving was better than you lot driving like grandmas" I defended myself. Nudging Fred I said "Careful, you might break the speed limit." As I watched pedestrians overtake us from below. "What?" all three of them said, George turning to me and staring like I had grown a new head.

I sighed "Purebloods, my humour is wasted on you, Harry would get it-" "-Shut up you lot, we're here" said Fred as he peered through the darkness. "Ooh can I honk the horn?" "No, this is a stealth mission" Said George.

I looked at the house in question, barred windows, locked and bolted doors, this was as close to the prison break I imagined in my head that I was going to get, no barbed wire unfortunately, but it would do.

I'm so glad I could talk the Weasleys into this, I had been worried for weeks, I had sent Harry his birthday gift and I had yet to get a reply, even to the letters I sent, I had made sure to tell Harry to send a reply with Hedwig to let me know he was ok. Still no response.

I had two theories, one, Hedwig was AWOL so Harry couldn't send owls, or two, the Dursleys were stopping him, I knew which one I'd bet on. Either way, I managed to convince Ron and the twins to help me find out, seeing the bars on his windows confirmed it.

Harry finally spotted the headlights of the car; he was in shock. "Ron? (Y/N)?" "Alright Harry?" said Ron. "Sit tight we will have you out in no time" I added. "What's going on?" he spluttered. "We're here for Dudley's birthday party. Are we late?" I asked.

Ron frowned at me, "Hurry up" He warned as George handed me the chain. I spoke to Harry "I will explain on the way; we couldn't use magic to break you out, so we had to improvise" I motioned to the car.

Since I was the tallest, I dangled out of the boot of the car and hooked a chain to the bars, "Stand back guys" I said to both Harry and Hedwig. "Floor it!" I called back to Fred.

The car lurched forward, after a brief struggle, the bars on the window came off with a loud crash, hitting a flowerbed with a crunching noise. "Stealth mission, yeah, whatever" I said leaning back into the car as Fred turned it.

The passenger door was level with the window. Harry caught on finally and once he was over his shock, he passed his stuff into the car and was about to follow, as he leaned forward he asked. "Where'd you get a car?"

"Nicked it" I said with a smile, Ron corrected me "We're borrowing it, now come on" Ron said extending his hand. Harry grabbed it, as Ron was pulling him in someone else pulled back, Vernon Dursley, or Uncle Vernon to Harry.

The grumpy old man had grabbed Harry's ankle, I tried to help by grabbing Harry under his arms and heaving him into the car, but this guy was very strong, and very persistent so I told Fred to "Get going."

After a few seconds of struggling, we got Harry in the car. Mr. Dursley took a tumble out of the window, I was worried for a second, but he got up quickly, landing in the flowerbed beside the bars.

"See you next summer" said Harry, sticking his head out of the window. "Yeah, see you at Kings Cross!" I waved to Vernon, who was shaking his fist at us angrily and shouting profanities. "At least he waved back this time, I think I'm growing on him" I said with a grin.

 We all took a relieved breath. Smiles all round, "Well, no alarms. Prison breaks are easier than I thought." I said, "Speak for yourself." Fred said as he narrowly avoided crashing into a chimney. Someone else agreed with that statement too.

The screeching of a bird filled my ears. "Want me to let you out girl?" I asked, as it subsided when I began stroking Hedwig who was resting in her cage on my lap, she hooted and began nipping my finger.

I took this as a yes so I used a hair pin and picked the muggle lock, since I couldn't exactly use magic right now. "Almost got it...And...Alohomora" I said grinning to myself as the lock clicked open, she immediately took off out the window, hooting happily.

"So, had a fun summer?" I leaned back to Harry. "(Y/N) why are you here?" asked Harry finally. "To save you dummy." "No, I mean-" "Why was I at the Burrow?" he nodded, grinning as he said "I thought you were banned"

I scoffed as the Weasleys chuckled, "Mum had to go out of town so the Weasleys were kind enough to let me stay with them for a few days, but she'll meet us at Diagon Alley." "So, what happened?"

Harry was grinning from ear to ear, we explained everything, and he told us about an encounter with a house elf in return. After a few more hours of driving, we reached the Burrow. Harry looked starstruck. We touched down and began to sneak back into the house.

"C'mon, shhh" said George, opening the door. We all stole some bread to eat, Harry didn't eat his, he was too busy taking in his surroundings, so I had his share. I started to sneak up to bed. "It's not much, but its home" said Ron.

"I think its brilliant" said Harry, still in awe. I was halfway up the stairs by the time a voice called out. "Where have you been!" I recognised the voice of Mrs Weasley immediately, I was debating trying to sneak up the stairs but decided against it, even if she hadn't seen me, she knew I left.

When I got down, she continued. "Harry, (Y/N) good to see you dears" she smiled, only to turn to her sons "Beds empty, no note, car gone!" she huffed and tried to calm down "You could have died, you could have been seen!"

"I left a note" I said quietly hoping she would be more lenient. Ron, Fred and George all looked at me as if to say, "You did what?!" I just shrugged and said "I didn't want her to worry" in an even quieter voice.

"Ah yes, thank you dear, such a kind boy" she held up the crumpled paper, switching to her softer tone "Of course I don't blame either of you" she gripped mine and Harry's shoulders, resting on her tiptoes.

"They were starving him mum, they put bars on his window" Ron said trying to defend himself. "Besides, it was (Y/N)'s idea" said Fred and George in unison, both pointing at me, Ron nodded after them, Harry was just sat there in silence, as usual.

"Gee thanks guys, bunch of traitors" I thought. "Nonsense" Mrs Weasley waved them off. She clearly didn't know my reputation at Hogwarts, or maybe she was too concerned with Harry's growling stomach.

"Now come dears, time for a spot of breakfast" she said merrily as she led both me and Harry to the dining table, "There we go" she added handing us our breakfast, I always got the most, I had tried to decline when I first arrived but she simply said "A growing boy like you, need all the food you can get."

I mean, she wasn't wrong, over the holiday I had grown and was now just shy of six foot, as a growing twelve-year-old, it was quite hard on the knees. Honestly, I was a little self-conscious about it, I always felt out of place, but the excuse for extra food always helps.

We were halfway through our breakfast when I heard footsteps approaching, Ginny, Ron's sister rushed downstairs. "Mummy have you seen my jumper?" she asked quickly. "Yes dear, it was on the cat, our cat that is"

Ginny glanced over in our direction, Harry let out a polite "Hello" and I waved at her. She looked at us wide eyed and sprinted upstairs. I let out a loud belly laugh, and the twins giggled. "What did I do?" Harry said timidly.

"Ginny, she's been at it all summer, talking about you, annoying really" "I think it's cute" I added, Harry just put his head down in embarrassment, I leaned over to him. "Don't worry about it, she did the same to me at first." 

This seemed to lift his spirits, " Though I think that was because I scared her" I added sheepishly, he laughed. "She didn't want my autograph, maybe she will want yours."

 The next person to the table wasn't really a person, Bones the black cat announced herself with a loud "meow" and jumped down the stairs two at a time, she scurried under the table and pounced on my lap. 

She was now fully grown, and her fur was a lot glossier than the kitten fur she had last time Harry had seen her. "Morning Bones, sleep well?" I asked, she started purring, looking at my breakfast hungrily.

"No, you're not having any" she slumped onto me, rubbing her back on my thigh trying to garner attention. "No. I already said no, mum said you are going to get fat. Now get down, you shouldn't be at the table."

With a noise of disappointment that sounded eerily like a huff she dropped down and skulked off, probably to chase the gnomes outside. Although not before rubbing her head on Harry's leg as if to say hello. 

"She arrived with me, Dads allergic and mum couldn't take her" I said to Harry who looked dumbfounded. "Come to think of it why did mum get me a cat if she knew dad was allergic? Must have slipped her mind." I shrugged.

Mr Weasley arrived next, greeted Harry and began to ask him some questions about muggles, Harry looked over at me and I just shrugged again, he had been asking me for a few days to explain to him why muggles needed toasters when they already had ovens.

Our Hogwarts letters came next, Errol, the Weasleys owl slammed into the kitchen window and the letters where collected by Percy, however, Errol started to look nervous when Bones came in to see the commotion and began following him, she was only playing though, I think.

"Even Harry's and (Y/N)'s" he commented, handing them out. "Who's Gilderoy Lockhart?" I thought looking at the reading list, "Must be some author" I put mine in my back pocket to give to Mum later.

"Looks like we are going to have to make a trip to Diagon Alley." "There's another one for you (Y/N)" he added handing me one. At first I was concerned until I saw the penmanship. I knew who it was from immediately, I only knew one person with such neat handwriting.

"Dear (Y/N), Hope all is well, regarding your last letter, if you must go and get Harry please don't do anything dangerous, or illegal!" the illegal part was underlined for emphasis. "Oops" I said aloud before continuing to read. 

"Assuming all went well, I will see you in Diagon Alley next week. Send me a reply and update when you get this, please use a different owl to send it, the one you used didn't look very well, maybe Hedwig if Harry is with you. Love from, Hermione"

It must have taken Errol a while to get it here, this must have been at least a week old. I was going to send her a reply, but I looked over at Errol, he looked worn out, I thought of using Bob, unfortunately he was with Mum.

 I'm sure Hedwig was off enjoying stretching her wings for the first time in a while, so I decided I would just tell her at Diagon Alley. In a few hours we had all gotten ready, I had Bones in my arms, we lined up and took our turns at the floo powder.

Harry looked very nervous; I gripped his shoulder. "Don't worry, it's the safest way to travel, mum does it loads for work" he still looked nervous, so I gave him some pointers, "Just make sure you speak clearly, and don't sneeze."

He looked at me confused "A friend of mums once sneezed and ended up in Argentina" I explained. Now he looked even more confused. He explained he hadn't used it before, everyone nodded, he was brought up by muggles after all.

"You go first Ron so Harry can see how it's done" insisted Mrs Weasley. Ron stepped into the chimney, took some powder, and clearly said "Diagon Alley," after dropping his powder, he disappeared in green flames, Harry looked terrified.

"There's nothing to worry about mate, clear your throat now if you have to, just make sure you speak clearly, say the place you want to go and then drop it" I reassured him, mimicking the motion.

He did and stepped forward to take his turn Mrs Weasley coaxed him in, he copied Ron to a tee until it reached the speaking part, he had a loud voice, but because of his urgent tone his voice didn't come out very clearly.

"Diagonally" he said in a rush, a split second later he was gone. We all stood there dumbfounded, mouths gaping and in silence. "What did he say?" said Mrs Weasley breaking it. "Diagonally" Mr Weasley and I said in unison. "I thought so" she said, worried. "Pillock" I said out loud, facepalming. 

The rest of us took turns in the chimney, there were no other surprises and we all arrived safely, Ginny was a bit nervous about Harry's disappearance, so I tried to calm her down.

"Don't worry Gin, everything's going to be fine, knowing him, he's probably running away from the press somewhere" this didn't really calm her down, but she did crack a smile.

Fred and George scampered off to Gambol and Japes to get new prank items, I was keen to follow, I had 15 galleons burning a hole in my pocket. But I had to find mum first.

After a few minutes, I split off from the Weasleys in search of my mother, I promised I would meet Mrs Weasley at Flourish and Blotts later.

I was walking down the street when I saw a mess of frizzy brown hair. It was Hermione, she must be getting her stuff before she headed to get her books. She was looking in the window of Madam Malkins.

Dropping Bones from my arms gently, I started trying to sneak up to Hermione, Bones decided to copy me, stalking up to Hermione next to me.

"Watcha looking at?" I said suddenly as I leaned forward and peered over her shoulder.

She let out a loud squeak, a few heads turned, she grabbed at her heart and turned. She recognised it was me and calmed down.

"Do you have to do that every time!" she said, slapping at my arm a few times.

"Yes" I said cheerfully. "And to be fair I've only done it twice" I said holding out two fingers.

"I've missed you, how was your summer?" I asked.

This was when Bones decided to make her move, she jumped up from the floor and landed on Hermione's chest, her claws sinking into Hermione's jumper, Hermione let out another "eep".

"Bones missed you as well, she keeps meowing whenever I mention your name."

"Of course, I've missed her too" Hermione cooed as she placed her arms under Bones and started scratching under her chin, all her anger forgotten, Bones was purring loudly, Hermione was her second favourite person after me, so I can see why.

"You never answered my question, what are you looking at?" I said trying to move the conversation along.

She turned away from me, looking embarrassed, "Its nothing"

"Tell me or I'm going to have to tickle it out of you" I said wiggling my fingers.

"You wouldn't dare" she said glaring at me.

"Try me." I smirked.

"It's nothing, just a scarf I was looking at" she relented.

"Show me" I insisted, she quickly pointed at a scarf in the windowsill.

It was the Gryffindor colours, red and gold with checkered lions over it. It must have been an approved part of the uniform because Madam Malkins usually only sold robes.

"Wait here" I said fishing in my pocket for the money I had saved up to go to Gambol and Japes, but somehow this seemed more important.

"Wait, you don't have to, my parents are going to Grin-" I shushed her by putting my finger on her lips, then realised that was weird and stopped quickly, I basically sprinted into the store to avoid embarrassment. Even Bones buried her head under her arms.

"I thought only dogs did that?" I pondered.

I was in and out fairly quick, "How much for that?" I pointed at the scarf, "Ten Galleons" said the woman who I assumed was Madam Malkin, I payed for it and left saying "Cheers, have a nice day."

"Ta-da" I presented it to Hermione.

"You didn't have to-"

"I wanted to" I thought of a quick excuse "I hate having coins in my pocket, the noise bugs me."

"That has to be the worst excuse I have ever heard" said the cynical voice in the back of my head.

"Besides, I think it would look better on you then me, red isn't really my colour" I said playfully holding it up beside my head.

I wrapped it around her neck, and we set off to Gringotts, I told her all about my summer and she told me about hers, she didn't approve of my method of prison break for Harry, but was happy I managed to get him out.

Hermione's POV

I walked beside (Y/N) as he continued to tell me about his summer, I say walk, I was constantly scurrying after him because of his large strides, he had grown again over the summer, I had too but I was still nowhere near his size, he had to crane his neck downwards to talk to me.

His hair had grown out a bit too, his (H/C) hair constantly bounced as he walked. It reminded me of a bobble head, but in a cute way. It took me a few seconds to realise I was staring at him and completely ignoring our conversation.

I tuned back in as we walked to the street across from Gringotts. "I don't see why you want a scarf in this weather anyway" he looked at me puzzled and then rambled on "I mean, not that there is anything wrong with wearing one, I mean it looks nice on you"

I hid my face in my new scarf to hide my blush but hiding in the scarf he bought me just made it worse. "But you don't have to wear it, only if you want to" he continued looking away and chuckling.

He turned back and started talking very fast "Well, we are in Britain so the weather can change quickly, anyway, even if you don't want to wear it, it can't hurt to have it, and I'm sure it will help in the winter, either way you will find a use for it" he said finally taking a breath.

He looked at me and rubbed the back of his neck, "Sorry I talk a lot when I'm-" he turned away again "Never mind."

Bones meowed from my arms as if she was saying something, it sounded a bit like a laugh, (Y/N) seemed to understand it. "Shut up, nobody asked you" he said pointing at his pet, she simply turned her head into me more, I pet her as we walked.

"So why didn't you reply to my letter?" I asked. "Errol the owl, he kind of sucks at delivery's, he must have got lost because I only got it today, I figured I might as well tell you here." "So, you were looking for me?" I said hopefully.

"Kinda, I'm looking for Mum, oh, and Harry" he added. "I thought Harry was at the Burrow?" "He was, we kinda, lost him" he said quietly. "WHAT!" I shouted. "Yeah, in the floo network, he will be fine" he shrugged nonchalantly waving his hand.

"How are you so calm, your best friend is missing!" "Bones is right here" he scratched her ear "And so are you" he smiled and poked my nose; I couldn't help but smile with him. "Worst comes to worst, the ministry will find him, he's a celebrity, he's not hard to miss." 

He paused for a second and grinned madly. "See" he pointed behind me "Speak of the devil." I turned and saw Harry, covered head to toe in soot, his glasses broken again, what surprised me was that he was walking down the street with Hagrid.

I ran over to him, (Y/N) striding up behind me. "Harry over here" I called to him. He turned and smiled. I proceeded to fuss over Harry as we continued to Gringotts, (Y/N) caught up with us eventually.

"Well done Harry, nice and clear that was" said (Y/N) extending his hands out and slow clapping. "It was my first time!" Harry defended himself. "Well, I'm happy you didn't take a trip to Argentina, though I hear the weathers lovely this time of year, if you want to give it another go." Both him and Harry burst out laughing.

"What?" I asked. "Nothing to worry about" (Y/N) looked at me and ruffled my hair. "Stop it!" I said, he just waved me off with a laugh, we took another minute to clean Harry up and I fixed his glasses.

We met the Weasleys in Gringotts, at one of the desks my parents were having trouble exchanging muggle currency. I was about to go up and help when (Y/N) came up beside them and for a second I was worried that he would do something stupid as usual, but instead he tried his best to help.

"Hey, what do you need?" he said to my parents, they explained their dilemma with the exchange rate, he explained to them in muggle terms and tried to clear it up "Have you got a fiver? It's easier to round up" he looked at Dad who handed him one.

He walked up to the bank goblin like they were best friends and handed him the muggle money, "Hi, can you please help me exchange this, if you can't then just swap out the equivalent value from my vault."

The goblin didn't look pleased, "Very well" he said, sounding uninterested. "Cool, they didn't ask for a vault number, so I assume they are just exchanging it" he gave my parents a thumbs up.

"Cheers mate" he said with a smile as the goblin handed it over, he then handed the Galleons to my parents, "Don't mind them, they can be a bit finicky with mu-" "Normal money" he said to them in a hushed whisper.

"Thank you young man" said Mum. "Not a problem, have a nice day" he said giving them a casual wave as he walked back to me. "They seem nice, never really got to talk with them last year, didn't want to get off on the wrong foot" he said with a smile as he walked back over to me.

I was about to introduce them when Mr. Weasley then pulled them aside to have a drink so he could harass them with questions about muggles, they gave me a wave and awkwardly followed him. "So, where are we off to next?"

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