"Ah, Penelope, did you have a good summer?"
Su Er had come through the barrier at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters with Percy. As soon as they emerged, Percy strode toward a pretty girl with long, curly hair standing nearby.
Hermione and Ginny giggled behind them.
"Everyone, don't block the entrance. Get into the carriages. The train will be leaving soon." Mrs. Weasley was the last to pass through the barrier. Holding a large handbag, she urged everyone forward.
They passed through several packed carriages and reached the rear of the train.
While Mr. Weasley helped his children load their trunks, Mrs. Weasley opened her handbag.
"Mum started getting all this ready first thing this morning," Ron said from the very edge of the group, not daring to go near Hermione for fear of Scabbers's life.
"Here, Ron, yours. Bacon sandwiches." Mrs. Weasley handed over a brown paper box.
"These are beef. Oh, Fred-Fred-"
Mrs. Weasley called several times, but there was no answer. Fred and George had already slipped into another carriage.
"Ginny, give these two to those troublesome brothers of yours later. Here's yours. Tomato, right?"
"All right, Mum." Ginny giggled as she took the three boxes.
"Su Er, here's yours too. I made you some as well. I hope you won't mind. I didn't know what you liked, so I put in a little of everything." Mrs. Weasley took an outrageously large box out of her handbag.
"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley. I'll be sure to savor them." Su Er accepted it and thanked her politely.
"If they aren't to your taste, it's all right not to eat them." Smiling, Mrs. Weasley took out another sandwich. "Here's yours, Hermione. Tomato, just like Ginny's. I don't think any girl could turn down something as wonderful as tomatoes, could she?"
"Thank