In the little garden at The Burrow, Jerry played with Crookshanks. Before long, warmth from the living room fireplace drifted outside, accompanied by faint sounds from within.
At the sound, Ginny hurried into the living room, with Jerry and Hermione close behind. Harry had arrived. He was talking animatedly with Fred about something.
"Hi, Jerry, Hermione!" Harry called after hugging Ginny. He looked thrilled to see them come in from outside. "It's been ages!"
Before they could catch up, a small but distinct pop sounded in the air. Mr. Weasley appeared beside George as though he had sprung out of nowhere, looking unusually angry.
"What happened?" Jerry asked curiously.
Harry lowered his voice. "Fred gave Dudley a Ton-Tongue Toffee he and George just invented while they were at the Dursleys'. Well, he didn't exactly give it to him. Dudley ate it, and his tongue suddenly started swelling!"
"This is absolutely ridiculous, Fred!" Mr. Weasley's voice rang with reproach. "What on earth did you give that Muggle boy?"
Fred wore a sly smile as he shrugged innocently. "I didn't give it to him. I just happened to drop it on the floor. How was I supposed to know he'd pick it up and eat it? Dad, it was an accident, wasn't it?"
"You did it on purpose!" Mr. Weasley roared, loud enough to fill the room.
"How well did the Ton-Tongue Toffee work?" George asked eagerly. He was desperate to know.
"The boy's tongue swelled to more than four feet long! His parents finally agreed to let me fix it!"
The Weasley brothers burst into delighted laughter again. Even Harry snickered to himself. Dudley had deserved it!
"This is no joke!" Mr. Weasley raised his voice again, his expression grave. "That sort of behavior seriously damages relations between wizards and Muggles!