'Whoa there, boy-o,' said Fred, leaning over the little fence meant to keep rabbits and deer and such out; Harry thought it was too short for the latter, and the spacing too wide for the former. But maybe there was something different about growing things way out here in the country, that people in Little Whinging knew nothing about. Something
Harry stopped his recitation, having not gotten half way through yet, and said, 'Sorry, Fred.'
''S'okay. Did you really plant all that stuff?'
'Yes.'
'How come?' asked Ron. 'Did your Dad make you?'
Harry shook his head. 'No. The Dursleys.'
The other children exchanged a silent look, and Harry wondered why.
'How come?' Ron asked, and then one of the twins shoved him, hard enough so he fell in the dirt. 'Ow! Geroff!'
'You're not s'posed to--'
'--Ask him about that lot, Ronniekins. When'll you--'
'--Learn to keep your gob shut?'
'Shut up! I didn't mean it!' Ron yelled, and looked like he might cry.
Harry didn't understand why, since the push had not been that hard, and Ron wasn't bleeding or anything. But he did understand big kids pushing little kids around, and he moved suddenly, swiftly, to place himself in between Ron and his brothers. Just because no one had ever stuck up for him against Dudley, didn't mean he couldn't stick up for others. 'Leave him alone,' he said in a low, quiet voice. His hands were curled into fists at his sides.
'Looka the fierce, little fighter,' said Fred. His red eyebrows were hidden under his fringe they had climbed so high. He didn't look angry, but surprised.
'Sticking up for ickle Ronnikins,' added George, who also appeared startled, but with a tiny, almost approving, smile.
'Who woulda thought?'
Harry didn't say anything, just lifted his chin a fraction higher. He couldn't help but swallow hard, though. Both of them were far bigger than him, and outnumbered him besides.
Fred gave a laugh. 'Merlin, Harry, don't worry on 'bout it.'
'We wouldn't ever really hurt him,' George said.
'He's our brother, for Merlin's sake.'
Harry nodded, but not like it meant anything. Brothers, he figured, could turn on you as quick as cousins.
George shook his head with a sigh. 'Oh, c'mon, Ronnie. Stop your whinging.'
'We're sorry, all right? Quit it or--'
'Mum'll hear and call us all in.'
Ron had already climbed to his feet and now pressed the heels of his hands to his eyes for a second, to wipe away the tears which had barely had time to collect, never mind fall. 'S'all right,' he said as he turned to Harry and grinned a sudden gap-toothed grin. 'I'm all right. You really stood up to 'em for me. Ta, Harry.'
With another nod, Harry smiled back a bit, but gave the twins a wary look over Ron's shoulder. He didn't know why Fred had knocked Ron down, but he would
