CHAPTER FIVE

Harry tumbles from the Weasleys’ fireplace and confirms Dudley ate Fred and George’s Ton-Tongue Toffee. Arthur Weasley arrives furious over the Muggle mishap, but the kitchen erupts in laughter as he reveals Dudley’s four-foot tongue. Molly Weasley enters, suspicion rising, while Hermione and Ginny help steer Harry and Ron away as tempers brew.

Upstairs, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny explain Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes: the twins’ dangerous joke inventions, burned order forms, and a rift with Molly, who wants them in the Ministry. Percy, irritable and pompous, complains about noise and brags about his report on standardizing cauldron thickness for the Department of International Magical Cooperation.

Outside, Crookshanks chases gnomes as Bill and Charlie duel levitating tables, drawing Percy’s scolding. The extended family gathers for a lavish garden meal. Percy praises his boss, Barty Crouch, and criticizes Ludo Bagman’s laxity, noting Bertha Jorkins has been missing for over a month after traveling to Albania.

Family conversations branch: Molly frets over Bill’s earring and hair; the twins and Charlie debate World Cup odds, favoring Ireland despite Bulgaria’s Viktor Krum. Harry, savoring proper food at last, listens and learns about recent Quidditch results.

As evening deepens, Ron quietly asks Harry about Sirius. Harry reports two reassuring letters and mentions he has written again, but withholds his scar-pain and nightmare to avoid worry. Molly ends the night briskly, ordering early beds for a dawn start to the World Cup and promising to shop for school supplies in Diagon Alley. Fred quietly admits to Harry that the dragon-dung prank on Percy’s in-tray was theirs.