Harry moves to the Burrows

Ron turned up during the evening at Harry's window in a flying car - the vehicle is described as 'an old turquoise car - parked in mid-air'. 

From the Harry Potter films and promotional material I've seen over the years, I had thought the magic flying car was specifically described as a Ford Anglia in the books - but that seems to have been selected by the screenwriters and film producers. 

On the other hand, having driven one - I can confirm that there's nothing enchanting about a Ford Anglia, (though Ford enthusiasts may disagree)!

Either way it did the trick - Harry, and his luggage, (liberated from the cupboard under the stairs by George, who used a hairpin - to do a little 'muggle lock-picking' to get the luggage),

Harry nearly left Hedwig behind, until he heard a stray screech, which also woke up Uncle Vernon - but finally everyone is aboard and the flying car is driven away from the Dursleys, with Uncle Vernon spluttering to Aunt Petunia "He's Getting Away"...  You would have thought that would make him happy, but he now seems to regret Harry making good his escape - you just can't please some people....

Once under way, Hedwig is let out of his cage and allowed to fly alongside the car to stretch his wings.  During the journey Harry also finds out that Ron, George and Fred had been sending messages to him by Owl for weeks and wondering why Harry hadn't replied - (Thanks Dobby!). 

Arriving in the village of Ottery St Catchpole, Ron plans to sneak the 'borrowed' flying car back in before anyone notices, but Mum is waiting for them at the Burrows, 'marching across the yard, scattering the chickens' - I loved the following description of Ron's Mum - probably familiar to most worried Mums who have had to wait up for their missing offspring!

"for a short-plump, kind faced woman, it was remarkable how much she looked like a Sabre-toothed tiger".

"Have you any idea how worried I've been .... 

"beds empty! No note! Car gone . . . could have crashed . . . out of my mind with worry"

Followed by the traditional -

"you wait until your father gets home . . "

"Mrs Weasley had shouted herself hoarse before she turned on Harry, who backed away."

"I'm very pleased to see you Harry Dear", she said "Come in and have some Breakfast".

Thankfully it looks like Harry has found a nice family to stay with when he's not at Hogwarts.

I'm beginning to warm to book two, after my initial feeling of 'Here we go again - more Vernon, Dudley and Petunia.   Together with Dobby the House Elf, causing trouble and stealing Harry's mail - which made me less than eager to continue with this volume.

However - now I've read further on, it seems to be waking up a little and I'll carry on reading it - after all it's not like I have a choice! 

I promised Cherry that I will read all of the Harry Potter books, and I will.

Based on the first book, I'll sure that I will enjoy the journey, and look forward to learning more about the wizarding world, and in any event, I bought books 1 to 7 in a box, so I've got no excuse.

After giving myself a short holiday from Harry Potter, when I had other stuff to do, and to be absolutely honest, using my bedtime reading time to finish reading another book I got temporarily hooked on,  I'm back in the saddle - and Harry is back on my bedside table ready to read.

Stay safe all.