Catching Gnomes

The Dursleys kept their lawn immaculate. It was flat and green, without a single blade of grass taller or shorter than three centimeters.

Harry had stayed with the Weasley family for a while and had already discovered the fun of chasing gnomes. That didn't mean he couldn't enjoy doing it again.

"Mrs. Molly, I'd like to catch gnomes too!"

"Good boys. You're both such good boys. If only Fred, George, and Ron were half as sensible as you two."

The Weasley family had a large yard where all kinds of strange plants grew wild. Frogs croaked in a pond choked with waterweed. Not far away, Ron crouched beside a flowerbed, grunting as he dug with a little spade.

"Whoa! Look how big today's first gnome is!"

Ron held it by the ankle, his voice bright with excitement.

Luo Bin looked over. The gnome was about thirty centimeters long, with a skinny body and a huge, potato-like head. Its skin was rough but tough, its feet were enormous, and its ankle bones stuck out.

Ron swung it a few times until it grew dizzy, then sent it flying over the fence with a whoosh.

"Hit it! Hit it! It landed right on that clod of dirt. What aim! I must have a real gift for being a Seeker!"

"Luo Bin, gnomes are nasty little creatures. Don't go easy on them, or they might bite your hand!"

Harry turned sideways to offer his advice.

"Got it. I'll remember!"

By the time Luo Bin and Harry reached the peonies, Ron had caught four more gnomes. He held two in each hand, swung them until they were dizzy, then hurled them over the fence.

"These gnomes are unbelievably stupid. The moment they hear someone's clearing them out, they all rush out of their holes