"If Uncle George didn't learn his lesson the last time, he'll hear about it now." Jamie was doubtful their notorious jokester of an uncle had anything to do with this, though. If for no other reason than their grandmother would be fit to be tied if they were late. She might disapprove of Al, but she'd take great offence if they were late after she'd been made to put together a family party for Al's benefit. Unless, of course, they'd somehow talked the Headmistress into letting them have a surprise party here, where they were absolutely guaranteed no party crashing press, like at Jamie's seventeenth.
Still, he would have thought they'd have at least told him if they were going to do something like that.
Without consciously realizing what he was doing, Jamie had taken a step in front of Al as he drew his own wand, shielding him despite the fact he knew Al was as competent as he was with a wand. But, it was his brother. "We can head down to the gates and apparate from there. But, keep your wand out just in case it wasn't Uncle George."