Based on the popular 1990 American movie "Home Alone," starring Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister and two would-be burglars, played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern, this Challenge is about either Harry Potter at #4 Privet Drive OR Ginny Weasley at the Burrow.  Pick one!

Harry is left alone when the Dursley's leave town for the weekend.  Of course his wand is locked up somewhere and he can't get to it.

Ginny is home alone without her wand over a weekend while the family visits Bill on assignment in Ireland.  She's being punished for hexing the Twins after a prank gets carried too far.

For some unknown reasons the wards weaken and burglars are able to see and access their homes.  Harry / Ginny are determined to defend their homes, respectively.

The Challenge is to write a story of how Harry / Ginny get into this situation and how they defend their homes against the burglars.  Harry / Ginny may not leave their properties.

Rules:

1. All general submission rules apply. Stories over 20,000 words are discouraged but not prohibited.  R-rated stories are allowed but discouraged. Judges are not required to read stories over 20,000 words or any R-rated stories.

2. All entries must be submitted under “Home Alone” Challenge 2015-1, sub-category of SIYE Challenges and be submitted by midnight SIYE Time, Sunday, February 15, 2015.

3. Change in Rule: Only completed stories are acceptable.  Multiple chapters are allowed.

4. The categories for judging are Best Overall, Humorous, Ingenious, and The People’s Choice Award.