It's not easy to explain, but . . .

Chapter 21

"Pity is, he doesn't know what most of these things do," added Fred.

"Or what goes with what," said Fred, tapping on the keys of an old typewriter.

"Well, a fair bit of these need an electrical source to work, but lots of this is just  . . . well, everyday stuff that I don't even think about, I'm so used to it."  Tom stood looking around.  "I should get Emma and Hermione in here with some sticky notes and turn them loose to label everything . . . that'd be a start . . . at least he'd know what he has, if not how it works and why."

"We're going to have to really be firm with Dad about not going too crazy with you lot,"  Fred shook his head.

"You'll never get back to 2012 if he gets too wound up, right Fred?" George asked.

"Too right . . . maybe you'd better leave well enough alone, Tom . . . don't want to get him started . . . watching the movies will be enough to contend with, eh, George. Especially if we show him the 'behind the scenes, how it was done' bits."  Fred smiled at his twin, knowing it would be a bit of a challenge keeping their father from disemboweling the DVD player, much less the TV.

"Right, in that case, let's join the others . . . they were talking of heading for the broom shed, when I left to come meet you two."

"Quidditch!" shouted the twins, as they ran out of the garage workshop, Tom following, closing the door with one last look over his shoulder, a smile on his face.

 * * * *

"They look almost identical to the ones we used in the films,"  Dan remarked, as he hefted the broomstick Ron had handed out to him.  But we had seats and some padding added, after there were a fair number of complaints from the cast.  How do you stand it, without any protection for your bits?"

"Cushioning charms, mate.  Won't mount a broom without applying a good one!"  Harry laughed.

Dan held the broom level and threw his leg over, gripping it in the correct way.   Ron and Harry watching him, nodding.  Fred and George came  running up and dove into the shed to get their own brooms.  Re-emerging, they took a look at Dan and then, glancing at each other, seemed to come to one of their silent agreements.  They mounted, each grabbed one of Dan's arms and the next thing anyone knew, Dan was forty feet in the air, astride a broom, zooming around the field by the edge of the orchard.   He was holding the broom tightly, but was enjoying the sensation of really flying to be too concerned about how he was suspended  in the air.

Tom sauntered up and seeing everyone looking skyward, glanced up and then started to roar with laughter.

"What, exactly, Thomas Felton, is so funny?"  Emma scowled at him.

"Dan!" he gasped.  "If he survives this ride with Fred and George  . . .  who can he tell about it . . . people will think he's barking mad!"

"Oh, well, surviving being the operative word . . . ," admitted Emma, as she looked up and then started to giggle a bit.  "And he won't remember, in any case, so no harm done, I suppose."

"Better go to his rescue, Harry," Ron said to his friend, as he kicked off the ground.

"Right, can't have him dropped in the brambles, now, can we."  Harry grinned as he, too, shot into the sky.

"They won't drop Dan,"  Luna said.  "They're just having some fun.

"Let's find a place to sit and make a fire to keep warm while we watch, shall we?" asked Hermione, as she positioned some benches around a nearby stone fire ring.  Soon a cheery blaze was casting its warmth for the spectators.  Remus, Sirius and Molly joined the group, as did Dan, having been safely returned to terra firma.

"Oy, Remus, Sirius, grab a broom and join us!"  Harry yelled.

The old school mates looked at one another, then sprinted into the shed to emerge and push off to join in the fun.   Ginny acted as referee, then Remus took over those duties, as he admitted to being too far out of practice to be any help to his side.  After almost an hour, Winky popped into view, announcing luncheon, so, with reluctance, the teams declared a tie, brooms were put away, and the whole group trooped down to the house, glad to regain the all encompassing warmth of the kitchen.

* * * *

"I'm off to St. Mungo's.  Winky, you're in charge, here, so don't let them make too much of a mess!"  Molly bent over to be on the level of her new 'employee'.  "Don't go in the twins room, there's too much  . . . well, let's just say it might not be safe for you . . . but the rest of the house is yours to clean and tidy, alright?"

"Yes, Mrs. Molly, Winky will be very happy doing the rest . . . but does Winky have to go in the attic . . . the ghouly is very noisy!"  Winky looked up at the ceiling apprehensively.

"No, he's harmless, but best to leave him alone, in any case."  Molly patted Winky on the shoulder and stood up, throwing her traveling cloak over her shoulders.  Walking to the fireplace, she turned and impaled Remus and Sirius with one of her 'I'll take no foolishness from you' looks.

"You two are the adults, here, so get everyone back to Grimmauld Place in time for dinner, please, with the house still standing!"

"Yes, Molly."

"Of course, Molly."

After another look around, she took a handful of  'Floo' powder, threw it into the fire, called out "St Mungo's" as she stepped into the green flames and POOF, she was gone.

"What do you want to do first, Sirius, help the kids run amok, or take a walk around the orchard and stretch your legs?" asked Remus.

"I think the kids are fine, let's get some fresh air!" declared Sirius, as he donned his old motorcycle jacket and headed for the door.

As the two wizards headed up the hill, Fred, George and Tom came down the stairs, watching out the window to gauge their progress.

"Good, they'll be gone for a bit and the rest are too busy chatting to notice we're gone," Tom observed.  "Let's 'Floo' back to Grimmauld Place and then take the Tube . . . I happen to know there's a station within 3 blocks of the old place and it'll be the fastest way."

"Splendid!"

"Road Trip!"

"Right," Tom shook his head. "This is going to be interesting."