After saying goodbye the night before to Older Cousin, who had been reluctant to part with him, Harry once again boarded the Knight Bus early in the morning, bound for the Burrow.
Once again, it was before the whole neighborhood woke up, and once again, he used Older Cousin's name.
Unlike last year, Harry had cut his hair shorter this time and given it a trim. Although he could still tie it into a high ponytail, it was no longer as long as before.
Besides, perhaps because he had eaten well enough and gotten enough exercise over the past two years, Harry had shot up quite a bit and grown sturdier, and the contours of his face were no longer quite so soft.
As long as he did not deliberately let his hair down and put on his large, round glasses, he was no longer often mistaken for a girl.
Well, ever since meeting that older Ravenclaw girl, Harry had felt that his old trick of pretending to be a girl to fool people was no longer fun.
To Harry's slight dismay, however, today's conductor still took him for a girl...
The Knight Bus arrived at the Burrow at about the same time as on his previous visit, but this time, the Weasley family was already waiting for him at the yard gate.
"Hi, Harry! Great to see you." The Twins rushed forward to give Harry a big hug. "Having a good summer? Anything new happen over the holidays?"
"Great to see you too." Harry smiled brightly.
"The holidays have been pretty good, apart from not being allowed to use magic. As for anything new... well, apparently a black bear wandered into our neighborhood recently. Quite a few people said they saw it. Unfortunately, I never did."
Harry spoke casually.