Harry Potter and the half-blood prince part 5 AUDIOBOOK

AudiobooksForU

#harrypotter  #audiobook #harrypotterfan  Narrator: James Dobinson

Transcript

00:00:00Chapter 12 SILVER AND OPALS

00:00:04Where was Dumbledore? And what was he doing? Harry caught sight of the Headmaster only

00:00:08twice over the next few weeks. He rarely appeared at meals anymore, and Harry was sure Hermione

00:00:13was right in thinking that he was leaving the school for days at a time. Had Dumbledore

00:00:17forgotten the lessons he was supposed to be giving Harry? Dumbledore had said that the

00:00:21lessons were leading to something to do with the prophecy. Harry had felt bolstered, comforted,

00:00:25and now he felt slightly abandoned.

00:00:28Right through October came their first trip of the term to Hogsmeade. Harry had wondered

00:00:31whether these trips would still be allowed given the increasingly tight security measures

00:00:36around the school, but was pleased to know that they were still going ahead. It was always

00:00:40good to get out of the castle grounds for a few hours.

00:00:43Harry woke early on the morning of the trip, which was proving stormy, and whiled away

00:00:47the time until breakfast by reading the copy of Advanced Potion Making. He did not usually

00:00:51lie in bed reading the textbooks, but that sort of behaviour, as Ron rightly said, was

00:00:56indecent in anybody except Hermione. He was simply weird that way.

00:01:01Harry felt, however, that the Half-Blood Prince's copy of Advanced Potion Making hardly qualified

00:01:05as a textbook. The more Harry poured over the book, the more he realised how much was

00:01:10in there. Not only the handy hints and shortcuts on potions that were earning him such a glowing

00:01:15reputation of Slughorn, but also the imaginative little jinxes and hexes scribbled in the margins

00:01:20which Harry was sure, judging by the crossings out and revisions, that the Prince had invented

00:01:25himself.

00:01:26Harry had already attempted a few of the Prince's self-invented spells. There had been a hex

00:01:30that caused toenails to grow alarmingly fast. He had tried this on crab in the corridor,

00:01:35with very entertaining results. A jinx that glued the tongue to the roof of the mouth,

00:01:40which he had twice used to general applause on an unsuspecting Argus Filch. And perhaps

00:01:45most useful of all, Mafiato, a spell that filled the ears of anyone nearby with an unidentifiable

00:01:52buzzing, so that lengthy conversations could be held in class without being overheard.

00:01:58The only person who did not find these charms amusing was Hermione, who maintained a rigidly

00:02:02disapproving expression throughout, and refused to talk at all if Harry had used the Mafiato

00:02:07spell on anyone in the vicinity.

00:02:10Sitting up in bed, Harry turned the book sideways, so as to examine more closely the scribbled

00:02:15instructions for a spell that seemed to have caused the Prince some trouble. There were

00:02:19many crossings out and alterations, but finally, crammed into a corner of the page, the scribble

00:02:24LEVICORPUS MVBL. While the wind and sleet pounded relentlessly on the windows, and Neville

00:02:32snored loudly, Harry stared at the letters in brackets, NVHL. That had to mean non-verbal.

00:02:40Harry rather doubted he would be able to bring off this particular spell. He was still having

00:02:45difficulty with non-verbal spells, something Snape had been quick to comment on in every

00:02:50Dada class, D-A-D-A. On the other hand, the Prince had proved a much more effective teacher

00:02:56than Snape so far. Pointing his wand at nothing in particular, he gave it an upward flick,

00:03:02and said LEVICORPUS inside his head.

00:03:05There was a flash of light, and the room was full of voices. Everyone had woken up as Ron

00:03:10had let out a yell. Harry sent Advanced Potion Making flying in panic. Ron was dangling upside

00:03:16down in mid-air, as though an invisible hook had hoisted him up by the ankle.

00:03:20Sorry, yelled Harry, as Dean and Seamus roared with laughter, and Neville picked himself

00:03:25up from the floor, having fallen out of bed. Hang on, I'll let you down, he groped for

00:03:30the potion book, and rifled through it in a panic, trying to find the right page. At

00:03:34last he located it, and deciphered one cramped word underneath the spell, praying that this

00:03:39was the counter-jinx. Harry thought LEHARACORPUS with all his might.

00:03:45There was another flash of light, and Ron fell in a heap onto his mattress.

00:03:48Sorry, repeated Harry weakly, while Dean and Seamus continued to roar with laughter.

00:03:53Tomorrow, said Ron in a muffled voice, I'd rather you set the alarm clock.

00:03:57By the time they had got dressed, padding themselves out with several of Mrs Weasley's

00:04:01hand-knitted sweaters, and carrying cloaks, scarves and gloves, Ron's shock had subsided,

00:04:06and he had decided that Harry's new spell was highly amusing. So amusing, in fact, that

00:04:11he lost no time in regaling Hermione with the story as they sat down for breakfast.

00:04:16And then there was another flash of light, and I landed on the bed again, grinned Ron,

00:04:20helping himself to sausages. Hermione had not cracked a smile during this

00:04:24anecdote, and now turned an expression of wintry disapproval upon Harry.

00:04:29Was this spell by any chance another one from that potion book of yours, she asked.

00:04:33Harry frowned at her. Always jump to the worst conclusion, don't you?

00:04:37Was it? Well, yeah, it was, but so what? So you just decided to try out an unknown,

00:04:43hand-written incantation, and see what would happen?

00:04:47Why does it matter if it's hand-written, said Harry, preferring not to answer the rest of the

00:04:51question. Because it's probably not Ministry of Magic approved, said Hermione, and also,

00:04:57she added, as Harry and Ron rolled their eyes, because I'm starting to think this Prince character

00:05:02was a bit dodgy. Both Harry and Ron shouted her down at once.

00:05:06It was a laugh, said Ron, upending a ketchup bottle over his sausages.

00:05:09Just a laugh, Hermione, that's all. Dangling people upside down by the ankle,

00:05:14said Hermione. Who puts their time and energy into making up spells like that?

00:05:18Fred and George, said Ron, shrugging. It's their kind of thing. And, uh, my dad, said Harry.

00:05:24He had only just remembered. What, said Ron and Hermione together?

00:05:27My dad used this spell, said Harry. I, uh, Lupin told me.

00:05:32The last part was not true, in fact. Harry had seen his father use the spell on Snape,

00:05:36but he had never told Ron and Hermione about that particular excursion into the Pensieve.

00:05:41Now, however, a wonderful possibility occurred to him. Could the Half-Blood Prince possibly be?

00:05:47Maybe your dad did use it, Harry, said Hermione. But he's not the only one. We've seen a whole

00:05:52bunch of people use it, in case you've forgotten. Dangling people in the air,

00:05:55making them float along, asleep, helpless. Harry stared at her, with a sinking feeling he,

00:06:01too, remembered the behaviour of the Death Eaters at the Quidditch World Cup.

00:06:05Ron came to his aid. That was different, he said robustly. They were abusing it.

00:06:09Harry and his dad were just having a laugh. You don't like the Prince, Hermione, he added,

00:06:14pointing a sausage at her sternly, because he's better than you at potions.

00:06:19It's got nothing to do with that, said Hermione, her cheeks reddening. I just think it's very

00:06:24irresponsible to start performing spells when you don't even know what they're for,

00:06:28and stop talking about the Prince as if it's his title. I bet it's just a stupid nickname,

00:06:33and it doesn't seem as though he was a very nice person to me.

00:06:37I don't see where you get that from, said Harry heatedly. If he'd been a budding Death Eater,

00:06:42he wouldn't have been boasting about being Half-Blood, would he? Even as he said it,

00:06:46Harry remembered that his father had been Pure-Blood, but he pushed the thought of this

00:06:51out of his mind. He would worry about that later.

00:06:55The Death Eaters can't all be Pure-Blood. There aren't enough Pure-Blood wizards left,

00:06:59said Hermione stubbornly. I expect most of them are Half-Bloods, pretending to be pure.

00:07:03It's only muggle-borns they hate. They'd be quite happy to let you and Ron join up.

00:07:08There is no way they'd let me be a Death Eater, said Ron indignantly. A bit of sausage flying off

00:07:13the fork he was now brandishing at Hermione, and hitting Ernie Macmillan on the head. My whole

00:07:18family are Pure-Blood traitors. That's as bad as muggle-borns to Death Eaters.

00:07:24And they'd love to have me, said Harry sarcastically. We'd be best pals if they

00:07:28didn't keep trying to do me in. This made Ron laugh. Even Hermione gave a grudging smile,

00:07:34and a distraction arrived in the shape of Ginny. Hey Harry, I was supposed to give you this.

00:07:38It was a scroll of parchment, with Harry's name written upon it, in familiar, thin, slanting

00:07:43writing. Thanks Ginny. It's Dumbledore's next lesson, Harry told Ron and Hermione,

00:07:48pulling open the parchment, and quickly reading its contents. Monday evening, he felt suddenly

00:07:53light and happy. Want to join us in Hogsmeade, Ginny? he asked. I'm going with Dean. I might

00:07:59see you there, she replied, waving at them as she left. Filch was standing at the oak front doors,

00:08:04as usual, checking off the names of people who had permission to go into Hogsmeade. The process

00:08:08took even longer than normal, as Filch was triple-checking everybody with his secrecy sensor.

00:08:14What does it matter if we're smuggling dark stuff out? demanded Ron, eyeing the long,

00:08:19thin secrecy sensor with apprehension. Surely you ought to be checking what we bring back in?

00:08:24His cheek earned him a few extra jabs with the sensor, and he was still wincing as they stepped

00:08:29out into the wind and sleet. The walk into Hogsmeade was not enjoyable. Harry wrapped

00:08:34his scarf over his lower face. The exposed parts soon felt both raw and numb. The road to the

00:08:39village was full of students, bent double against the bitter wind. More than once, Harry wondered

00:08:44whether they might not have had a better time in the warm common room, and when they finally reached

00:08:49Hogsmeade and saw that Zonko's joke shop had been boarded up, Harry took it as confirmation that

00:08:54this trip was not destined to be fun. Ron pointed with a thickly gloved hand towards Honeydukes,

00:09:00which was mercifully open, and Harry and Hermione staggered in his wake into the crowded shop.

00:09:07Thank God, shivered Ron, as they were enveloped by worn, toffee-scented air.

00:09:11Let's stay here all afternoon.

00:09:13Harry, my boy, said a booming voice from behind them.

00:09:16Oh no, muttered Harry. The three of them turned to see Professor Slughorn,

00:09:20who was wearing an enormous fairy hat and overcoat with matching fur collar,

00:09:24clutching a large bag of crystallised pineapple and occupying at least a quarter of the shop.

00:09:29Harry, that's three of my little suppers you've missed now, said Slughorn,

00:09:33poking him genially in the chest.

00:09:36It won't do, my boy. I'm determined to give you, to have you.

00:09:40Miss Granger loves them, don't you?

00:09:42Yes, said Hermione helplessly.

00:09:44They're really?

00:09:45So why don't you come along, Harry, demanded Slughorn.

00:09:48Well, I've had Quidditch practice, Professor, said Harry,

00:09:51who had indeed been scheduling practices every time Slughorn

00:09:54had sent him a little violet ribbon-adorned invitation.

00:09:57The strategy meant that Ron was not left out, and they usually had a laugh with Ginny,

00:10:01imagining Hermione shut up with McLagan and Zerbini.

00:10:04Well, I certainly expect you to win your first match after all this hard work, said Slughorn,

00:10:10but a little recreation never hurt anybody.

00:10:13Now, how about Monday night? You can't possibly want to practice in this weather.

00:10:17I can't, Professor. I've got an appointment with Professor Dumbledore that evening.

00:10:22Unlucky again, cried Slughorn dramatically.

00:10:24Ah well, you can't evade me forever, Harry.

00:10:27And with a regal wave, he waddled out of the shop,

00:10:30taking as little notice of Ron as though he had been a display of cockroach cluster.

00:10:35I can't believe you've wriggled out of another one, said Hermione, shaking her head.

00:10:39They're not that bad, you know. They've even been quite fun sometimes.

00:10:43But then she caught sight of Ron's expression.

00:10:46Oh look, they've got deluxe sugar quills. Those would last hours.

00:10:50Glad that Hermione had changed the subject,

00:10:52Harry showed much more interest in a new extra large sugar quills than he would normally have

00:10:57done. But Ron continued to look moody and merely shrugged when Hermione asked him

00:11:01where he wanted to go next.

00:11:03Let's go to the free broomstick, said Harry. It'll be warm.

00:11:07They bundled their scarves back over their faces and left the sweet shop.

00:11:10The bitter wind was like knives on their faces after the sugary warmth of honeydukes.

00:11:15The street was not very busy. Nobody was lingering to chat,

00:11:18just hurrying towards their destinations.

00:11:20The exceptions were two men a little ahead of them, standing just outside the free broomsticks.

00:11:25One was very tall and thin, squinting through his rain-washed glasses.

00:11:30Harry recognised the barman who worked in the other Hogsmeade pub, the Hog's Head.

00:11:36As Harry, Ron and Hermione drew closer, the barman drew his cloak more tightly

00:11:40around his neck and walked away, leaving the shorter man to fumble with something in his arms.

00:11:44They were barely feet from him when Harry realised who the man was.

00:11:48Mundungus?

00:11:50The squat, bandy-legged man with long, straggly ginger hair jumped and dropped an ancient

00:11:55suitcase, which burst open, releasing what looked like the entire contents of a junk shop window.

00:12:01Oh, hello Harry, said Mundungus Fletcher, with a most unconvincing stab at airiness.

00:12:07Well, don't let me keep you.

00:12:08And he began scrabbling on the ground to retrieve the contents of his suitcase,

00:12:12with every appearance of a man eager to be gone.

00:12:14Are you selling this stuff? asked Harry,

00:12:17watching Mundungus grabbing an assortment of grubby-looking objects from the ground.

00:12:20Oh, well, I've got a scrapey living, said Mundungus.

00:12:24Give me that.

00:12:25Ron had stooped down and picked up something silver.

00:12:27Hang on, Ron said slowly.

00:12:29This looks familiar.

00:12:31Thank you, said Mundungus, snatching the goblet out of Ron's hand and stuffing it back into the case.

00:12:36Well, I'll see you all.

00:12:37Ouch!

00:12:38Harry had pinned Mundungus against the wall of the pub by the throat.

00:12:41Holding him fast with one hand, he pulled out his wand.

00:12:44Harry, squealed Hermione.

00:12:46You took that from Sirius's house, said Harry,

00:12:49who was almost nose-to-nose with Mundungus,

00:12:51and was breathing in an unpleasant smell of old tobacco and spirits.

00:12:55That had the Black Family crest on it.

00:12:57I... no... what? spluttered Mundungus, who was turning slowly purple.

00:13:02What did you do?

00:13:03Go back the night he died and strip the place? snarled Harry.

00:13:06I... no!

00:13:07Give it to me.

00:13:08Harry, you mustn't, shrieked Hermione, as Mundungus started to turn blue.

00:13:12There was a bang, and Harry felt his hands fly off Mundungus's throat.

00:13:17Gasping and spluttering, Mundungus seized his fallen case.

00:13:20Then... crack!

00:13:21He disapparated.

00:13:24Harry swore at the top of his voice,

00:13:25spinning on the spot to see where Mundungus had gone.

00:13:28Come back, you thieving!

00:13:30There's no point, Harry.

00:13:31Tonks had appeared out of nowhere, her mousy hair wet with sleet.

00:13:35Mundungus will probably be in London by now.

00:13:37There's no point yelling.

00:13:39He's nicked Sirius's stuff.

00:13:41Nicked it!

00:13:41Yes, but still, said Tonks,

00:13:43who seemed perfectly untroubled by this piece of information,

00:13:46you should get out of the cold.

00:13:48She watched them through the door of the free broomsticks.

00:13:50The moment he was inside, Harry burst out.

00:13:53He was nicking Sirius's stuff!

00:13:55I know, Harry, but please don't shout.

00:13:57People are staring, whispered Hermione.

00:14:00Go and sit down.

00:14:01I'll get you a drink.

00:14:02Harry was still fuming when Hermione returned to the table,

00:14:05a few minutes later, holding three bottles of butterbeer.

00:14:08Can't the Order control Mundungus?

00:14:10Harry demanded of the other two in a furious whisper.

00:14:13Can't they at least stop him stealing everything

00:14:15that's not fixed down when he's at headquarters?

00:14:18Shh, said Hermione desperately,

00:14:20looking around to make sure nobody was listening.

00:14:22There was a couple of warlocks sitting close by

00:14:24who were staring at Harry with great interest,

00:14:27and Zerbini was lolling against a pillar not far away.

00:14:30Harry, I'd be annoyed too.

00:14:32I know it's your things he's stealing.

00:14:34Harry gagged on his butterbeer.

00:14:36He had momentarily forgotten that he owned Number 12 Grimauld Place.

00:14:39Yeah, it's my stuff, he said.

00:14:41No wonder he wasn't pleased to see me.

00:14:43Well, I'm going to tell Dumbledore what's going on.

00:14:45He's the only one who scares Mundungus.

00:14:48Good idea, whispered Hermione,

00:14:50clearly pleased that Harry was calming down.

00:14:52Ron, what are you staring at?

00:14:55Nothing, said Ron, hastily looking away from the bar,

00:14:57but Harry knew he was trying to catch the eye of the curvy

00:15:00and attractive barmaid, Madame Rosmerta,

00:15:03for whom he had long nursed a soft spot.

00:15:05I expect nothing's in the back getting more fire whisky,

00:15:09said Hermione, waspishly.

00:15:11Ron ignored this jive,

00:15:12sipping his drink in what he evidently considered to be a dignified silence.

00:15:16Harry was thinking about Sirius

00:15:18and how he had hated those silver goblets anyway.

00:15:21Hermione drummed her fingers on the table,

00:15:23her eyes flickering between Ron and the bar.

00:15:25The moment Harry drained the last drops in the bottle,

00:15:28she said,

00:15:28should we call it a day and go back to school then?

00:15:31The other two nodded.

00:15:33It had been a fun trip,

00:15:34and the weather was getting worse the longer they stayed.

00:15:37Once again, they drew their cloaks tightly around them,

00:15:39rearranged their scarves,

00:15:41pulled on their gloves,

00:15:42then followed Katie Bell and a friend out of the pub

00:15:44and back up to the high street.

00:15:46Harry's thoughts strayed to Ginny

00:15:49as they trudged up the road to Hogwarts through the frozen slush.

00:15:52They had not met up with her,

00:15:54undoubtedly, thought Harry,

00:15:55because she and Dean were cozily closeted

00:15:57in Madame Puddifoot's tea shop,

00:16:00that haunt of happy couples.

00:16:02Scowling, he bowed his head against the swirling sleet and trudged on.

00:16:06It was a little while before Harry became aware

00:16:08that the voices of Katie Bell and her friend,

00:16:11which were being carried back to him on the wind,

00:16:13had become shriller and louder.

00:16:15Harry squinted at their indistinct figures.

00:16:17The two girls were having an argument about something

00:16:20Katie was holding in her hand.

00:16:22It's nothing to do with you, Leanne,

00:16:23Harry heard Katie say.

00:16:25They rounded a corner in the lane,

00:16:27sleet coming thick and fast,

00:16:28blurring Harry's glasses,

00:16:30just as he raised a glove hand

00:16:32to wipe them.

00:16:33Leanne began to grab hold of the package Katie was holding.

00:16:36Katie tugged it back and the package fell to the ground.

00:16:39At once, Katie rose into the air,

00:16:42not as Ron had done,

00:16:43suspended comically by the ankle,

00:16:45but gracefully,

00:16:46her arms outstretched,

00:16:47as though she were about to fly.

00:16:49Yet there was something wrong,

00:16:50something eerie.

00:16:51Her hair was whipped around by the fierce wind,

00:16:55but her eyes were closed

00:16:56and her face was quite empty of expression.

00:16:59Harry, Ron and Hermione and Leanne

00:17:00all halted in their tracks watching.

00:17:03Then, six feet above the ground,

00:17:05Katie let out a terrible scream.

00:17:07Her eyes flew open,

00:17:08but whatever she could see,

00:17:09or whatever she was feeling,

00:17:11was clearly causing her terrible anguish.

00:17:13She screamed and screamed.

00:17:15Leanne started to scream too

00:17:16and seized Katie's ankles,

00:17:18trying to tug her back to the ground.

00:17:20Harry, Ron and Hermione rushed forwards to help,

00:17:23but even as they grabbed Katie's legs,

00:17:24she fell on top of them.

00:17:26Harry and Ron managed to catch her,

00:17:27but she was writhing so much

00:17:29they could hardly hold her.

00:17:30Instead, they lowered her to the ground,

00:17:32where she thrashed and screamed,

00:17:34apparently unable to recognise any of them.

00:17:37Harry looked around.

00:17:38The landscape seemed deserted.

00:17:40Stay there, he shouted at the others,

00:17:42over the howling wind.

00:17:43I'm going for help.

00:17:44He began to sprint towards the school.

00:17:46He had never seen anyone behave

00:17:48as Katie had just done

00:17:49and could not think what had caused it.

00:17:51He hurtled around a bend in the lane

00:17:53and collided with what seemed to be

00:17:54an enormous bear on its hind legs.

00:17:56Hagrid, he panted,

00:17:58disentangling himself from the hedgerow

00:18:00into which he had fallen.

00:18:01Harry, said Hagrid,

00:18:03who had sleet trapped in his eyebrows and beard

00:18:06and was wearing his great shaggy beaver skin coat.

00:18:08Just been visiting Gwarp.

00:18:10He's coming on so well, you wouldn't...

00:18:12Hagrid, someone's hurt back there

00:18:14or cursed or something.

00:18:15What? said Hagrid,

00:18:16bending lower to hear what Harry was saying

00:18:18over the raging wind.

00:18:20Someone's been cursed, bellowed Harry.

00:18:23Cursed? Who's been cursed?

00:18:24Not Ron? Hermione?

00:18:26No, it's not them.

00:18:27It's Katie Bell.

00:18:28This way.

00:18:29Together they ran back along the lane.

00:18:31It took them no time to find

00:18:32the little group of people around Katie

00:18:34who was still writhing and screaming on the ground.

00:18:36Ron, Hermione and Leanne

00:18:38were all trying to quieten her.

00:18:40Get back, shouted Hagrid.

00:18:42Let me see her.

00:18:43Something's happened to her, sobbed Leanne.

00:18:46I don't know what.

00:18:47Hagrid stared at Katie for a second

00:18:49and then without a word, bent down,

00:18:51scooped her into his arms

00:18:52and ran off towards the castle with her.

00:18:54Within seconds, Katie's piercing screams had died away.

00:18:58And the only sound was the roar of the wind.

00:19:00Hermione hurried over to Katie's wailing friend

00:19:03and put an arm around her.

00:19:04It's Leanne, isn't it?

00:19:06The girl nodded.

00:19:07Did it just happen all of a sudden?

00:19:08Or it was when that package tore, sobbed Leanne,

00:19:13pointing at the now sodden brown paper package

00:19:15on the ground, which had split open

00:19:17to reveal a greenish glitter.

00:19:19Ron bent down, his hand outstretched,

00:19:21but Harry seized his arm and pulled him back.

00:19:23Don't touch it.

00:19:25He crouched down, an ornate opal necklace

00:19:28was visible poking out of the paper.

00:19:30I've seen that before, said Harry, staring at the thing.

00:19:33It was on display in Borgin and Burke's ages ago.

00:19:36The label said it was cursed.

00:19:38Katie must have touched it.

00:19:40He looked up at Leanne, who had started

00:19:42to shake uncontrollably.

00:19:43How did Katie get hold of this?

00:19:45Well, that's why we were arguing.

00:19:47She came back from the bathroom

00:19:49in the free broomsticks holding it,

00:19:51said it was a surprise for somebody at Hogwarts.

00:19:53She had to deliver it.

00:19:54She looked all funny when she said it.

00:19:57Oh, no.

00:19:58I bet she'd been imperious, and I didn't realise.

00:20:02Leanne shook with renewed sobs.

00:20:04Hermione patted her shoulder gently.

00:20:07She didn't say who'd given it to her, Leanne.

00:20:10No, she wouldn't tell me.

00:20:11And I said she was being stupid

00:20:13and not to take it up to the school,

00:20:14but she wouldn't listen.

00:20:15And then I tried to grab it from her,

00:20:18and Leanne let out a wail of despair.

00:20:21We'd better get up to school, said Hermione.

00:20:23Her arm's still around Leanne.

00:20:25We'll be able to find out how she is.

00:20:26Come on.

00:20:27Harry hesitated for a moment

00:20:29and then pulled his scarf from around his face,

00:20:31and ignoring Ron's gasp,

00:20:32carefully covered the necklace in it and picked it up.

00:20:35We'll need to show this to Madame Pomfrey, he said.

00:20:38As they followed Hermione and Leanne up the road,

00:20:40Harry was thinking furiously.

00:20:42They had just entered the grounds when he spoke,

00:20:44unable to keep his thoughts to himself any longer.

00:20:47Malfoy knows about this necklace.

00:20:49It was in a case at Borgin and Burkes four years ago.

00:20:52I saw him having a good look at it

00:20:53while I was hiding from him and his dad.

00:20:56This is what he was buying that day when we followed him.

00:20:59He remembered it and went back for it.

00:21:01I don't know, Harry, said Ron hesitantly.

00:21:04Loads of people go to Borgin and Burkes.

00:21:06And didn't that girl say Katie got it in the girl's bathroom?

00:21:09She said she came back from the bathroom with it.

00:21:11She didn't necessarily get in the bathroom itself.

00:21:15McGonagall, said Ron warningly.

00:21:17Harry looked up.

00:21:18Sure enough, Professor McGonagall was hurrying down the stone steps

00:21:22through swirling sleet to meet them.

00:21:24Hagrid says you four saw what happened to Katie Bell

00:21:27upstairs to my office at once, please.

00:21:29What's that you're holding, Potter?

00:21:31It's the thing she touched, said Harry.

00:21:33Good Lord, said Professor McGonagall,

00:21:35looking alarmed as she took the necklace from Harry.

00:21:38No, no, Filch, they're with me, she added hastily,

00:21:41as Filch came shuffling eagerly across the entrance hall,

00:21:45holding his secrecy censer aloft.

00:21:47Take this necklace to Professor Sneap at once,

00:21:50but be sure not to touch it.

00:21:52Keep it wrapped in the scarf.

00:21:54Harry and the others followed Professor McGonagall upstairs and into the office.

00:21:57The sleet-spattered windows were rattling in their frames

00:22:00and the room was chilly despite the fire crackling in the grate.

00:22:04Professor McGonagall closed the door and swept around her desk

00:22:08to face Harry, Ron, Hermione and the still-sobbing Leanne.

00:22:11Well, she said sharply, what happened?

00:22:14Haltingly and with many pauses while she attempted to control her crying,

00:22:18Leanne told Professor McGonagall how Katie had gone to the bathroom

00:22:22in the free broomsticks and returned holding the unmarked package,

00:22:25how Katie had seemed a little odd,

00:22:27and how they had argued about the advisability of agreeing to deliver unknown objects,

00:22:32the argument culminating in the tussle over the parcel which tore open.

00:22:35At this point, Leanne was so overcome there was no getting another word out of her.

00:22:40All right, said Professor McGonagall not unkindly.

00:22:43Go up to the hospital wing, please, Leanne,

00:22:45and get Madam Pomfrey to give you something for a shock.

00:22:48When she had left the room, Professor McGonagall turned back to Harry, Ron and Hermione.

00:22:52What happened when Katie touched the necklace?

00:22:55She rose up in the air, said Harry, before either Ron or Hermione could speak,

00:22:59and then began to scream and collapsed.

00:23:02Professor, can I see Professor Dumbledore, please?

00:23:04The headmaster is away until Monday, Potter, said Professor McGonagall, looking surprised.

00:23:10Away, Harry repeated angrily.

00:23:12Yes, Potter, away, said Professor McGonagall tartly,

00:23:15but anything you have to say about this horrible business can be said to me, I'm sure.

00:23:20For a split second, Harry hesitated.

00:23:22Professor McGonagall did not invite confidences.

00:23:26Dumbledore, though, in many ways more intimidating,

00:23:28still seemed less likely to score on a theory, however wild.

00:23:32This was a life and death matter, though, and no moment to worry about being laughed at.

00:23:36I think Draco Malfoy gave Katie that necklace, Professor.

00:23:40On one side of him, Ron rubbed his nose in apparent embarrassment.

00:23:43On the other, Hermione shuffled her feet as though quite keen

00:23:46to put a bit of distance between herself and Harry.

00:23:50That is a very serious accusation, Potter, said Professor McGonagall after a shocked pause.

00:23:56Do you have any proof?

00:23:57No, said Harry, but, and he told her about following Malfoy to Borgin and Burkes

00:24:01and the conversation they had overheard between him and Borgin.

00:24:04When he had finished speaking, Professor McGonagall looked slightly confused.

00:24:08Malfoy took something to Borgin and Burkes for repair?

00:24:12No, Professor, he just wanted Borgin to tell him how to mend something.

00:24:15He didn't have it with him, but that's not the point.

00:24:18The thing is that he fought something at that same time, and I think it was the necklace.

00:24:22I think he bought it.

00:24:24You saw Malfoy leaving the shop with a similar package?

00:24:27No, Professor, he told Borgin to keep it in the shop for him.

00:24:31But Harry, Hermione interrupted, Borgin asked him if he wanted to take it with him,

00:24:35and Malfoy said no, because he didn't want to touch it, obviously, said Harry angrily.

00:24:41What he actually said was, how would I look carrying that down the street, said Hermione.

00:24:46Well, he would look a bit of a prat carrying a necklace, interjected Ron.

00:24:50Oh, Ron, said Hermione despairingly.

00:24:53It would all be wrapped up, so he wouldn't have to touch it,

00:24:56and quite easy to hide inside a cloak, so nobody would see it.

00:24:59I think whatever he reserved at Borgin and Burkes was noisy or bulky,

00:25:03something he knew would draw attention to him if he carried it down the street.

00:25:07And in any case, she pressed on loudly before Harry could interrupt.

00:25:11I asked Borgin about the necklace.

00:25:13Don't you remember when I went in to try and find out what Malfoy had asked him to keep?

00:25:17I saw it there, and Borgin just told me the price.

00:25:20He didn't say it was already sold or anything.

00:25:22Well, you were being really obvious.

00:25:25He realised what you were up to within about five seconds.

00:25:28Of course he wasn't going to tell you anyway.

00:25:30Malfoy could have sent off for it since.

00:25:33That's enough, said Professor McGonagall,

00:25:36as Hermione opened her mouth to retort, looking furious.

00:25:39Potter, I appreciate you telling me this,

00:25:41but we cannot point a finger of blame at Mr Malfoy,

00:25:45purely because he visited the shop where this necklace might have been purchased.

00:25:49The same is probably true of hundreds of people.

00:25:52That's what I said, muttered Ron.

00:25:54And in any case, we have put stringent security measures in place this year.

00:25:58I do not believe the necklace can possibly have entered this school without our knowledge.

00:26:02But, and what is more, said Professor McGonagall with an air of an awful finality,

00:26:07Mr Malfoy was not in Hogsmeade today.

00:26:10Harry gaped at her, deflating.

00:26:12How do you know, Professor?

00:26:14Because he was doing detention with me.

00:26:16He has now failed to complete his transfiguration homework twice in a row.

00:26:19So thank you for telling me your suspicions, Potter, she said, as she marched past them.

00:26:24But I need to go up to the hospital wing now to check on Katie Bell.

00:26:28Good day to you all.

00:26:30She held open her office door.

00:26:31They had no choice but to file past her without another word.

00:26:35Harry was angry with the other two for siding with McGonagall.

00:26:38Nevertheless, he felt compelled to join in once they started discussing what had happened.

00:26:44So who do you reckon Katie was supposed to give the necklace to?

00:26:47Asked Ron, as they climbed the stairs to the common room.

00:26:50Goodness only knows, said Hermione, but whoever it was has had a narrow escape.

00:26:54No one could have opened that package without touching the necklace.

00:26:58It could have been meant for loads of people, said Harry.

00:27:01Dumbledore, the Death Eaters, would love to get rid of him.

00:27:04He must be one of their top targets.

00:27:06Or Slughorn.

00:27:07Dumbledore reckons Voldemort really wanted him,

00:27:10and they can't be pleased that he sided with Dumbledore.

00:27:13Or... or you, said Hermione, looking troubled.

00:27:17Couldn't have been, said Harry.

00:27:18Well, Katie would have just turned around in the lane and given it to me, wouldn't she?

00:27:21I was behind her, all the way out of the three broomsticks.

00:27:24It would have made much more sense to deliver the parcel outside Hogwarts.

00:27:28What with Filch searching everyone who goes in and out,

00:27:31I wonder why Malfoy told her to take it into the castle?

00:27:34Harry, Malfoy wasn't in Hogsmeade, said Hermione,

00:27:37actually stamping her foot in frustration.

00:27:39He must have used an accomplice then, said Harry.

00:27:42Crabbe or Goyle.

00:27:43Or, come to think of it, another Death Eater.

00:27:45He'll have loads of better cronies than Crabbe and Goyle.

00:27:47Now he's joined up.

00:27:49Ron and Hermione exchanged looks that, plainly said,

00:27:52there's no point arguing with him.

00:27:54Dilly grout, said Hermione firmly, as they reached the Fat Lady.

00:27:58The portrait swung open to admit them to the common room.

00:28:01It was quite full and smelled of damp clothing.

00:28:03Many people seemed to have returned from Hogsmeade early because of the bad weather.

00:28:07There was no buzz of fear or speculation.

00:28:10However, clearly the news of Katie's fate had not yet spread.

00:28:13It wasn't a very slick attack, really.

00:28:16When you stop and think about it, said Ron,

00:28:17casually turfing a thirstier out of one of the good armchairs by the fire,

00:28:21so that he could sit down.

00:28:23The curse didn't even make it into the castle.

00:28:25Not what you'd call foolproof.

00:28:27You're right, said Hermione, prodding Ron out of the chair with her foot

00:28:30and offering it to the first year again.

00:28:32It wasn't very well thought out at all.

00:28:34But since when has Malfoy been one of the world's great thinkers, asked Harry.

00:28:38Neither Ron or Hermione answered him.

00:28:43Chapter 13 The Secret Riddle

00:28:47Katie was removed to St Mungo's Hospital for magical maladies and injuries the following day,

00:28:51by which time the news that she had been cursed had spread all over the school,

00:28:54though the details were confused and nobody other than Harry, Ron, Hermione and Leanne

00:28:58seemed to know that Katie herself had not been the intended target.

00:29:02Oh, and Malfoy knows of course, said Harry to Ron and Hermione,

00:29:05who continued their new policy of feigning deafness

00:29:08whenever Harry mentioned his Malfoy is a deaf eater theory.

00:29:11Harry had wondered whether Dumbledore would return from wherever he had been

00:29:15in time for Monday night's lesson,

00:29:16but having had no word to the contrary,

00:29:18he presented himself outside Dumbledore's office at eight o'clock,

00:29:21knocked and was told to enter.

00:29:23There sat Dumbledore, looking unusually tired,

00:29:26his hand was as black and burned as ever,

00:29:28but he smiled when he gestured to Harry to sit down.

00:29:31The Pensieve was sitting on the desk again,

00:29:33casting silvery specks of light over the ceiling.

00:29:36You have had a busy time while I've been away,

00:29:38Dumbledore said, I believe you witnessed Katie's accident.

00:29:41Yes sir, how is she?

00:29:43Still very unwell, although she was relatively lucky,

00:29:47she appears to have brushed the necklace with the smallest possible amount of skin,

00:29:51there was a tiny hole in her glove,

00:29:53had she put it on,

00:29:54had she even held it to her ungloved hand,

00:29:56she would have died perhaps instantly.

00:29:58Luckily, Professor Snape was able to do enough to prevent a rapid spread of the curse.

00:30:03Why him?

00:30:04Asked Harry quickly.

00:30:05Why not Madame Pomfrey?

00:30:07Impertinent, said a soft voice from one of the portraits on the wall,

00:30:11and Phineas Nicholas Black, Sirius's great-great-grandfather,

00:30:14raised his head from his arms where he had appeared to be sleeping.

00:30:18I would not have permitted a student to question the way Hogwarts operated in my day.

00:30:22Yes, thank you, Phineas, said Dumbledore quellingly.

00:30:26Professor Snape knows much more about the dark arts than Madame Pomfrey, Harry.

00:30:31Anyway, the St. Mongo staff are sending me hourly reports,

00:30:34and I am hopeful that Katie will make a full recovery in time.

00:30:38Where were you this weekend, sir?

00:30:39Harry asked, disregarding a strong feeling that he might be pushing his luck,

00:30:43a feeling apparently shared by Phineas Nicholas, who hissed softly.

00:30:47I would rather not say just now, said Dumbledore,

00:30:50however I shall tell you in due course.

00:30:52You will, said Harry startled.

00:30:54Yes, I expect so, said Dumbledore, withdrawing a fresh bottle of silver memories

00:30:59from inside his robes, and uncorking it with the prod of his wand.

00:31:02Sir, said Harry tentatively, I met Mundungus in Hogsmeade.

00:31:06Ah, yes, I was already aware that Mundungus has been treating your inheritance

00:31:11with light-fingered contempt, said Dumbledore, frowning a little.

00:31:15He has gone to ground since you accosted him outside the free broomsticks.

00:31:18I rather think he dreads facing me.

00:31:20However, rest assured that he will not be making away of any more of Sirius's old possessions.

00:31:26That mangy old half-blood has been stealing black heirlooms, said Phineas Nicholas, incensed,

00:31:32and he stalked out of his frame, undoubtedly to visit his portrait in No. 12 Grimauld Place.

00:31:37Professor, said Harry, after a short pause, did Professor McGonagall tell you

00:31:41what I told her after Katie got hurt, about Draco Malfoy?

00:31:45She told me of your suspicions, yes, said Dumbledore.

00:31:48And do you?

00:31:49I shall take all appropriate measures to investigate anyone who might have had a hand

00:31:53in Katie's accident, said Dumbledore.

00:31:55But what concerns me now, Harry, is our lesson.

00:31:58Harry felt slightly resentful at this.

00:32:00If their lessons were so very important,

00:32:02why had there been such a long gap between the first and second?

00:32:05However, he said no more about Draco Malfoy,

00:32:08but watched as Dumbledore poured the fresh memories into the pensieve,

00:32:12and began swirling the stone basin once more between his long-fingered hands.

00:32:17You will remember, I am sure, that we left the tale of Lord Voldemort's beginnings

00:32:21at the point where the handsome muggle Tom Riddle had abandoned his witch-wife,

00:32:25Merope, and returned to his family home in Little Hangleton.

00:32:28Merope was left alone in London, expecting the baby who would one day become Lord Voldemort.

00:32:34How do you know she was in London, sir?

00:32:36Because of the evidence of one Caractacus Buck, said Dumbledore,

00:32:40who, by an old coincidence, helped found the very shop whence came the necklace

00:32:45we have just been discussing.

00:32:47He swirled the contents of the pensieve, as Harry had seen him swirl them before,

00:32:51much as a gold prospector sifts for gold.

00:32:53Up out of the swirling silvery mass rose a little old man, revolving slowly in the pensieve,

00:32:59silver as a ghost, but much more solid, from a thatch of hair that completely covered his eyes.

00:33:03Yes, we acquired it in curious circumstances.

00:33:06It was brought in by a young witch, just before Christmas.

00:33:09Oh, many years ago now.

00:33:11She said she needed the gold badly.

00:33:13Well, that much was obvious.

00:33:14Covered in rags, and pretty far along, going to have a baby, see?

00:33:18She said the locket had been Slytherin's.

00:33:20Well, we hear that story, that sort of story, all the time.

00:33:24Oh, this was Merlin's.

00:33:25This was his favourite teapot.

00:33:27But when I looked at it, it had his mark all right, and a few simple spells, well,

00:33:31they were enough to tell me the truth.

00:33:34Of course, that made it, near enough, priceless.

00:33:37She didn't seem to have any idea how much it was worth.

00:33:40Happy to get ten galleons for it.

00:33:42Best bargain we ever made.

00:33:43Dumbledore gave the pensieve an extra-vigorous shake, and Caractacus Burke descended back into

00:33:49the swirling mass of memory whence he had come.

00:33:52He only gave her ten galleons, said Harry indignantly.

00:33:57Caractacus Burke was not famed for his generosity, said Dumbledore.

00:34:01So we know that, near the end of her pregnancy,

00:34:04Marope was alone in London, and in desperate need of gold,

00:34:07desperate enough to sell her one and only valuable possession,

00:34:11the locket that was one of Marvolo's treasured family heirlooms.

00:34:15But she could do magic, said Harry impatiently.

00:34:18She could have got food and everything, but for herself, by magic, couldn't she?

00:34:23Ah, said Dumbledore, perhaps she could, but it is my belief, I am guessing again,

00:34:27but I am sure I am right, that when her husband abandoned her, Marope stopped using magic.

00:34:33I do not think that she wanted to be a witch any longer.

00:34:36Of course, it is also possible that her unrequited love and the attendant despair

00:34:40sapped her of her powers.

00:34:42That can happen.

00:34:43In any case, you are about to see Marope refused to raise her wand even to save her own life.

00:34:49She wouldn't even stay alive for her son.

00:34:52Dumbledore raised his eyebrows.

00:34:54Could you possibly be feeling sorry for Lord Voldemort?

00:34:57No, said Harry quickly, but she had a choice, didn't she?

00:35:00Not like my mother.

00:35:01Your mother had a choice too.

00:35:03Said Dumbledore gently.

00:35:04Yes, Marope Riddle chose death in spite of her son who needed her.

00:35:08But do not judge her too harshly, Harry.

00:35:10She was greatly weakened by long-suffering, and she never had your mother's courage.

00:35:15And now, if you will stand.

00:35:16Where are we going?

00:35:17Harry asked, as Dumbledore joined him at the front of the desk.

00:35:21This time, said Dumbledore, we are going to enter my memory.

00:35:25I think you will find it both rich in detail and satisfyingly accurate.

00:35:30After you, Harry.

00:35:31Harry bent over the pensive.

00:35:33His face broke the cool surface of the memory, and then he was falling through darkness again.

00:35:38Seconds later, his feet hit firm ground.

00:35:40He opened his eyes and found that he and Dumbledore were standing in a bustling old-fashioned London street.

00:35:46There I am, said Dumbledore brightly, pointing ahead of them to a tall figure crossing the road in front of a horse-drawn milk cart.

00:35:54This younger Albus Dumbledore's long hair and beard were auburn.

00:35:58Having reached their side of the street, he strode off along the pavement,

00:36:02drawing many curious glances due to the flamboyantly cut suit of plum velvet that he was wearing.

00:36:07Nice suit, sir, said Harry, before he could stop himself.

00:36:10But Dumbledore merely chuckled as they followed his younger self a short distance,

00:36:14finally passing through a set of iron gates into a bare courtyard

00:36:18that fronted a rather grim square building surrounded by high railings.

00:36:22He mounted a few steps leading to the front door and knocked once.

00:36:25After a moment or two, the door was opened by a scruffy girl wearing an apron.

00:36:29Good afternoon, I have an appointment with Mrs. Cole, who I believe is the matron here.

00:36:34Oh, said the bewildered-looking girl, taking in Dumbledore's eccentric appearance.

00:36:39Um, just a moment, Mrs. Cole, she bellowed over her shoulder.

00:36:43Harry heard a distant voice shouting something in response.

00:36:47The girl turned back to Dumbledore.

00:36:49Come in, she's on her way.

00:36:51Dumbledore stepped into a hallway tiled in black and white.

00:36:54The whole place was shabby but spotlessly clean.

00:36:57Harry and the older Dumbledore followed.

00:36:59Before the front door had closed behind them,

00:37:01a skinny, harassed-looking woman came scurrying towards them.

00:37:04She had a sharp, featured face that appeared more anxious than unkind,

00:37:08and she was talking over her shoulder to another

00:37:10aproned helper as she walked towards Dumbledore.

00:37:13And take the iodine upstairs to Martha.

00:37:16Billy Stubbs has been picking his scabs and Eric Wally's oozing all over his sheets.

00:37:20Chicken pox on top of everything else, she said to nobody in particular.

00:37:25Her eyes fell upon Dumbledore, and she stopped dead in her tracks,

00:37:28looking as astonished as if a giraffe had just crossed her threshold.

00:37:32Good afternoon, said Dumbledore, holding out his hand.

00:37:35Mrs. Cole simply gaped.

00:37:36My name is Albus Dumbledore.

00:37:38I sent you a letter requesting an appointment, and you very kindly invited me here today.

00:37:43Mrs. Cole blinked, apparently deciding that Dumbledore was not a hallucination.

00:37:47She said feebly,

00:37:48Oh, yes, well, you'd better come into my room, yes.

00:37:52She led Dumbledore into a small room that seemed part sitting room, part office.

00:37:57It was as shabby as the hallway, and the furniture was old and mismatched.

00:38:01She invited Dumbledore to sit on a rickety chair,

00:38:03and seated herself behind a cluttered desk, eyeing him nervously.

00:38:07I am here, as I told you in my letter,

00:38:09to discuss Tom Riddle and arrangements for his future, said Dumbledore.

00:38:13Are you family? asked Mrs. Cole.

00:38:15No, I am a teacher, said Dumbledore.

00:38:18I have come to offer Tom a place at my school.

00:38:20What school's this then?

00:38:22It's called Hogwarts, said Dumbledore.

00:38:24And how come you're interested in Tom?

00:38:26We believe he has qualities we are looking for.

00:38:29You mean he's won a scholarship?

00:38:31How can he have done?

00:38:32He's never been entered for one.

00:38:33Well, his name has been down for our school since birth.

00:38:36Who registered him?

00:38:37His parents?

00:38:39There was no doubt that Mrs. Cole was an inconveniently sharp woman.

00:38:42Apparently Dumbledore thought so too,

00:38:44for Harry saw now him slip his wand out of his pocket of his velvet suit,

00:38:48at the same time picking up a piece of perfectly blank paper from Mrs. Cole's desktop.

00:38:53Here, said Dumbledore, waving his wand,

00:38:56I went once as he passed her the piece of paper.

00:38:58I think this will make everything clear.

00:39:01Mrs. Cole's eyes slid out of focus,

00:39:03and back again as she gazed intently at the blank paper for a moment.

00:39:07That seems perfectly in order, she said placidly, handing it back.

00:39:11Then her eyes fell upon a bottle of gin

00:39:13and two glasses that had certainly not been present a few seconds before.

00:39:17May I offer you a glass of gin, she said in an extra-refined voice.

00:39:21Thank you very much, said Dumbledore, beaming.

00:39:24It soon became clear that Mrs. Cole was no novice when it came to gin drinking.

00:39:29Pouring both of them a generous measure,

00:39:31she drained her own glass in one, smacking her lips frankly.

00:39:35She smiled at Dumbledore for the first time,

00:39:37and he didn't hesitate to press his advantage.

00:39:39I was wondering whether you could tell me anything of Tom Riddle's history.

00:39:43I think he was born here in the orphanage.

00:39:45That's right, said Mrs. Cole, helping herself to more gin.

00:39:48I remember it as clear as anything, because I just started here myself.

00:39:52New Year's Eve and bitter cold, snowing, you know, nasty night,

00:39:56and this girl, not much older than I was myself at the time,

00:39:59came staggering up the front steps.

00:40:01Well, she wasn't the first.

00:40:02We took her in, and she had the baby within the hour,

00:40:05and she was dead in another hour.

00:40:06Mrs. Cole nodded impressively and took another generous gulp of gin.

00:40:10Did she say anything before she died? asked Dumbledore.

00:40:14Anything about the boy's father, for instance?

00:40:17Now, as it happens, she said, said Mrs. Cole,

00:40:19who seemed to be rather enjoying herself now

00:40:21with the gin in her hand and an eager audience for her story.

00:40:24I remember she said to me, I hope he looks like his papa.

00:40:28And I won't lie, she was right to hope it, because she was no beauty.

00:40:32And then she told me he was to be named Tom for his father,

00:40:37and Marvolo for her father.

00:40:39And yes, I know, funny name, isn't it?

00:40:41We wondered whether she came from a circus,

00:40:43and she said the boy's surname was to be Riddle,

00:40:45and she died soon after that without another word.

00:40:48Well, we named him just as she'd said.

00:40:51It seemed so important to the poor girl,

00:40:53but no Tom, nor Marvolo, nor any kind of Riddle ever came looking for him,

00:40:57nor any family at all.

00:40:58So he stayed in the orphanage, and he's been here ever since.

00:41:01Mrs. Cole helped herself, almost absentmindedly,

00:41:04to another healthy measure of gin.

00:41:06Two pink spots had appeared high on her cheekbones,

00:41:09and then she said, he's a funny boy.

00:41:11Yes, said Dumbledore, I thought he might be.

00:41:14He was a funny baby, too.

00:41:16He hardly ever cried, you know.

00:41:17And then, when he got a little older, he was odd.

00:41:21Odd in what way? asked Dumbledore gently.

00:41:23Well, he...

00:41:24But Mrs. Cole pulled up short,

00:41:26and there was nothing blurry or vague about the inquisitorial glance.

00:41:30She shot Dumbledore over her gin glass.

00:41:33He's definitely got a place in your school, you say?

00:41:36Definitely, said Dumbledore, and nothing I say can change that.

00:41:39Nothing, said Dumbledore.

00:41:41You'll be taking him away, whatever.

00:41:43Whatever, repeated Dumbledore gravely.

00:41:45She squinted at him, as though deciding whether or not to trust him.

00:41:49Apparently, she decided she could,

00:41:51because she said in a sudden rush, he scares the other children.

00:41:54You mean, he is a bully? asked Dumbledore.

00:41:57I think he must be, said Mrs. Cole, frowning slightly.

00:42:00But it's very hard to catch him at it.

00:42:01There have been incidents, nasty things.

00:42:04Dumbledore did not press her,

00:42:06though Harry could tell that he was interested.

00:42:08She took yet another gulp of gin, and her rosy cheeks grew rosier still.

00:42:12Billy Stubbs Rabbit!

00:42:13Well, Tom said he didn't do it, and I don't see how he could have done,

00:42:17but even so, it didn't hang itself from the rafters, did it?

00:42:20I shouldn't think so, no, said Dumbledore quietly.

00:42:24But I'm jiggered if I know how he got up there to do it.

00:42:27All I know is he and Billy had argued the day before, and then...

00:42:30Mrs. Cole took another swig of gin,

00:42:32slopping a little over her chin this time.

00:42:35On the summer outing, we take them out, you know, once a year,

00:42:38to the countryside or to the seaside.

00:42:41Well, Amy Benson and Dennis Bishop were never quite right afterwards,

00:42:45and all we ever got out of them was that they'd gone into a cave with Tom Riddle.

00:42:49He swore they'd just gone exploring, but something happened in there, I'm sure of it.

00:42:53And well, there have been a lot of things, funny things.

00:42:56She looked at Dumbledore again, and though her cheeks were flushed, her gaze was steady.

00:43:01I don't think many people will be sorry to see the back of him.

00:43:04You understand, I'm sure, that we will not be keeping him permanently, said Dumbledore.

00:43:09He will have to return here, at the very least, every summer.

00:43:12Oh, well, that's better than a whack on the nose with a rusty poker,

00:43:15said Mrs. Cole, with a slight hiccup.

00:43:17She got to her feet, and Harry was impressed to see that she was quite steady,

00:43:21even though two-thirds of the gin was now gone.

00:43:23I suppose you'd like to see him.

00:43:25Very much, said Dumbledore, rising too.

00:43:28She led him out of her office and up the stone stairs,

00:43:31calling out instructions and admonimations to helpers and children as she passed.

00:43:36The orphans, Harry saw, were all wearing the same kind of greyish tunic.

00:43:39They looked reasonably well cared for,

00:43:41but there was no denying that this was a grim place in which to grow up.

00:43:45Here we are, said Mrs. Cole, as they turned off the second landing

00:43:49and stopped outside the first door in a long corridor.

00:43:52She knocked twice and entered.

00:43:53Tom, you've got a visitor.

00:43:55This is Mr. Dumberton.

00:43:57Sorry, Dumbledore?

00:43:59He's come to tell you.

00:44:00Well, I'd like him to do it.

00:44:03Harry and the two Dumbledores entered the room,

00:44:05and Mrs. Cole closed the door on them.

00:44:07It was a small bare room with nothing in it,

00:44:09except an old wardrobe, a wooden chair and an iron bedstead.

00:44:12A boy was sitting on top of the grey blankets,

00:44:14his legs stretched out in front of him, holding a book.

00:44:17There was no trace of the gaunts in Tom Riddle's face.

00:44:20Marope had got her dying wish.

00:44:22He was as handsome as his father was in miniature,

00:44:26tall for eleven years old, dark-haired and pale.

00:44:29His eyes narrowed slightly as he took in Dumbledore's eccentric appearance.

00:44:33There was a moment's silence.

00:44:35How do you do, Tom? said Dumbledore, walking forwards and holding out his hand.

00:44:39The boy hesitated, then took it, and they shook hands.

00:44:43Dumbledore drew up the hard wooden chair beside Riddle

00:44:46so that the pair of them looked rather like a hospital patient and a visitor.

00:44:49I am Professor Dumbledore.

00:44:52Professor? repeated Riddle.

00:44:54He looked wary.

00:44:55Is that, like, Doctor?

00:44:57What are you here for?

00:44:58Did she get you to have a look at me?

00:45:00He was pointing at the door through which Mrs Cole had just left.

00:45:03No, no, said Dumbledore, smiling.

00:45:05I don't believe you, said Riddle.

00:45:07She wants me looked at, doesn't she?

00:45:09Tell the truth.

00:45:10He took the last three words with a ringing force that was almost shocking.

00:45:14It was a command, and it sounded as though he had given it many times before.

00:45:18His eyes had widened, and he was glaring at Dumbledore,

00:45:21who made no response except to continue smiling pleasantly.

00:45:24After a few seconds, Riddle stopped glaring,

00:45:27though he looked, if anything, warier still.

00:45:30Who are you?

00:45:31I have told you.

00:45:32My name is Professor Dumbledore, and I work at a school called Hogwarts.

00:45:35I have come to offer you a place at my school,

00:45:38your new school, if you would like to come.

00:45:40Riddle's reaction to this was most surprising.

00:45:43He leapt from the bed and backed away from Dumbledore, looking furious.

00:45:47You can't kid me.

00:45:48The asylum.

00:45:49That's where you're from, isn't it?

00:45:51Professor.

00:45:51Yes, of course.

00:45:52Well, I'm not going, see.

00:45:54That old cat's the one who should be in an asylum.

00:45:57I never did anything to little Amy Benson or Dennis Bishop, and you can ask them.

00:46:01They'll tell you.

00:46:02I am not from the asylum, said Dumbledore patiently.

00:46:05I am a teacher, and if you will sit down calmly, I shall tell you about Hogwarts.

00:46:09Of course, if you would rather not come to the school, nobody will force you.

00:46:13I'd like to see them try, sneered Riddle.

00:46:16Hogwarts, Dumbledore went on, as though he had not heard Riddle's last words,

00:46:20is a school for people with special abilities.

00:46:22I'm not mad.

00:46:23I know you are not mad.

00:46:25Hogwarts is not a school for mad people.

00:46:27It is a school for magic.

00:46:29There was silence.

00:46:30Riddle had frozen, his face expressionless.

00:46:33But his eyes were flickering back and forth between each of Dumbledore's,

00:46:36as though trying to catch one of them lying.

00:46:38Magic, he repeated in a whisper.

00:46:41That's right, said Dumbledore.

00:46:42It's magic, what I can do.

00:46:46What is it that you can do?

00:46:47All sorts, breathed Riddle.

00:46:49A flush of excitement was rising up his neck into his hollow cheeks.

00:46:53He looked fevered.

00:46:54I can make things move without touching them.

00:46:56I can make animals do what I want them to do, without training them.

00:46:59I can make bad things happen to people who annoy me.

00:47:02I can make them hurt if I want to.

00:47:04His legs were trembling.

00:47:05He stumbled forwards and sat down on the bed again, staring at his hands.

00:47:09His head bowed as though in prayer.

00:47:11I knew I was different, he whispered to his own quivering fingers.

00:47:14I knew I was special.

00:47:15Always, I knew there was something.

00:47:19Well, you were quite right, said Dumbledore,

00:47:21who was now looking no longer smiling, but watching Riddle intently.

00:47:26You are a wizard!

00:47:27Riddle lifted his head.

00:47:28His face was transfigured.

00:47:30There was a wild happiness upon it.

00:47:32Yet, for some reason, it did not make him better looking.

00:47:34On the contrary, his finely carved features seemed somehow rougher,

00:47:38his expression almost bestial.

00:47:40Are you a wizard too?

00:47:42Yes, I am.

00:47:43Prove it, said Riddle at once,

00:47:45in the same commanding tone he had used when he had said tell the truth.

00:47:49Dumbledore raised his eyebrows.

00:47:51If, as I take it, you are accepting your place at Hogwarts?

00:47:55Of course I am.

00:47:57Then you will address me as Professor or Sir?

00:48:00Riddle's expression hardened for the most fleeting moment before he said,

00:48:03in an unrecognisably polite voice,

00:48:06I'm sorry, Sir.

00:48:07I meant, please, Professor, could you show me?

00:48:10Harry was sure that Dumbledore was going to refuse,

00:48:12that he would tell Riddle there would be plenty of time

00:48:14for practical demonstrations at Hogwarts,

00:48:16though they were currently in a building full of muggles,

00:48:18and must therefore be cautious.

00:48:21To his great surprise, however,

00:48:23Dumbledore drew his wand from his inside pocket of his suit jacket,

00:48:26pointed it at the shabby wardrobe in the corner,

00:48:29and gave the wand a casual flick.

00:48:31The wardrobe burst into flames.

00:48:33Riddle jumped to his feet.

00:48:35Harry could hardly blame him for howling in shock and rage.

00:48:37All his worldly possessions must have been in there.

00:48:40But even as Riddle rounded on Dumbledore, the flames vanished,

00:48:43leaving the wardrobe completely undamaged.

00:48:45Riddle stared from the wardrobe to Dumbledore,

00:48:48then, his expression greedy, he pointed at the wand.

00:48:51Where can I get one of them?

00:48:53All in good time, said Dumbledore.

00:48:55I think there is something trying to get out of your wardrobe.

00:48:58And sure enough, a faint rattling could be heard from inside it.

00:49:02For the first time, Riddle looked frightened.

00:49:04Open the door, said Dumbledore.

00:49:07Riddle hesitated, then crossed the room and threw open the wardrobe door.

00:49:11On the topmost shelf, above a rail of Fred Bear clothes,

00:49:15a small cardboard box was shaking and rattling,

00:49:17as though there were several frantic mice trapped inside it.

00:49:20Take it out, said Dumbledore.

00:49:22Riddle took down the quaking box.

00:49:24He looked unnerved.

00:49:26Is there anything in that box that you ought not to have?

00:49:29Asked Dumbledore.

00:49:30Riddle threw Dumbledore a long, clear, calculating look.

00:49:33Yes, I suppose so, sir, he said finally, in an expressionless voice.

00:49:38Open it, said Dumbledore.

00:49:40Riddle took off the lid and tipped the contents onto his bed,

00:49:43without looking at them.

00:49:44Harry, who had expected something much more exciting,

00:49:47saw a mess of small everyday objects, a yo-yo, a silver thimble,

00:49:51and a tarnished mouth-organ among them.

00:49:53Once free of the box, they stopped quavering and quivering

00:49:56and lay quite still upon the thin blankets.

00:49:59You will return them to their owners with your apologies,

00:50:01said Dumbledore calmly, putting his wand back into his jacket.

00:50:05I shall know whether it has been done.

00:50:07And be warned, thieving is not tolerated at Hogwarts.

00:50:10Riddle did not look remotely abashed.

00:50:12He was still staring coldly and appraisingly at Dumbledore.

00:50:16At last he said in a colourless voice,

00:50:18Yes, sir.

00:50:19At Hogwarts, Dumbledore went on,

00:50:21we teach you not only to use magic, but to control it.

00:50:24You have inadvertently, I am sure, been using your powers in a way

00:50:28that is neither taught nor tolerated at our school.

00:50:31You are not the first, nor will you be the last,

00:50:33to allow your magic to run away with you.

00:50:35But you should know that Hogwarts can expel students,

00:50:38and the Ministry of Magic, yes, there is a ministry,

00:50:41will punish law-breakers still more severely.

00:50:44All new wizards must accept that on entering our world,

00:50:50they abide by our laws.

00:50:52Yes, sir, said Riddle again.

00:50:53It was impossible to tell what he was thinking.

00:50:55His face remained quite blank as he put the little cache of stolen objects

00:51:00back into the cardboard box.

00:51:02When he had finished, he turned to Dumbledore and said baldly,

00:51:05I haven't got any money.

00:51:06That is easily remedied, said Dumbledore,

00:51:08drawing a leather money pouch from his pocket.

00:51:11There is a fund at Hogwarts for those who require assistance

00:51:14to buy books and robes.

00:51:15You might have to buy some of your spell books and so on,

00:51:18on second hand, but...

00:51:20Where do you buy spell books?

00:51:21interrupted Riddle, who had taken the heavy money bag

00:51:24without thanking Dumbledore, and was now examining a fat gold galleon.

00:51:28In Diagon Alley, said Dumbledore.

00:51:30I have your list of books and school equipment with me.

00:51:33I can help you find everything.

00:51:35You're coming with me?

00:51:36asked Riddle, looking up.

00:51:37Certainly, if you...

00:51:38I don't need you, said Riddle.

00:51:40I'm used to doing things for myself.

00:51:42I go around London on my own all the time.

00:51:44How do you get to this Diagon Alley, sir?

00:51:46he added, catching Dumbledore's eye.

00:51:49Harry thought that Dumbledore would insist upon accompanying Riddle,

00:51:52but once again he was surprised.

00:51:54Dumbledore handed Riddle the envelope containing his list of equipment,

00:51:57and after telling Riddle exactly how to get to the Leaky Cauldron

00:52:00from the orphanage, he said,

00:52:02You will be able to see it,

00:52:03although muggles around you, non-magical people, that is, will not.

00:52:07Ask for Tom the Barman.

00:52:09Easy enough to remember, as he shares your name.

00:52:11Riddle gave an irritable twitch, as though trying to displace an irksome fly.

00:52:16You dislike the name Tom?

00:52:18There are a lot of Toms, muttered Riddle.

00:52:20Then, as though he could not suppress the question,

00:52:22as though it burst from him in spite of himself, he asked,

00:52:25Was my father a wizard?

00:52:27He was called Tom Riddle, too, they've told me.

00:52:30I'm afraid I don't know, said Dumbledore, his voice gentle.

00:52:33My mother can't have been magic, or she wouldn't have died, said Riddle,

00:52:37more to himself than Dumbledore.

00:52:39It must have been him.

00:52:40So, when I've got all my stuff, when do I come to this Hogwarts?

00:52:45All the details are on the second piece of parchment in your envelope, said Dumbledore.

00:52:49You will leave from King's Cross Station on the first of September.

00:52:52There is a train ticket in there, too.

00:52:55Riddle nodded.

00:52:56Dumbledore got to his feet and held out his hand again.

00:52:59Taking it, Riddle said,

00:53:00I can speak to snakes.

00:53:01I found out when we've been to the country on trips.

00:53:04They find me.

00:53:05They whisper to me.

00:53:06Is that normal for a wizard?

00:53:08Harry could tell that he had withheld mention of this stranger's power until that moment,

00:53:12determined to impress.

00:53:14It is unusual, said Dumbledore, after a moment's hesitation, but not unheard of.

00:53:19His tone was casual, but his eyes moved curiously over Riddle's face.

00:53:23They stood for a moment, man and boy, staring at each other,

00:53:26and then the handshake was broken.

00:53:28Dumbledore was at the door.

00:53:30Goodbye, Tom.

00:53:31I shall see you at Hogwarts.

00:53:33I think that will do, said the white-haired Dumbledore,

00:53:36at Harry's side, and seconds later they were soaring weightlessly through darkness once more,

00:53:41before landing squarely in the present-day office.

00:53:44Sit down, said Dumbledore, landing beside Harry.

00:53:47Harry obeyed, his mind still full of what he had just seen.

00:53:51He believed it much quicker than I did.

00:53:54I mean, when you told him he was a wizard, said Harry,

00:53:56I don't believe Hagrid.

00:53:58I didn't believe Hagrid at first, when he told me.

00:54:00Yes, Riddle was perfectly ready to believe that he was,

00:54:04to use his word, special, said Dumbledore.

00:54:06Did you know then, asked Harry?

00:54:09Did I know that I had just met the most dangerous dark wizard of all time?

00:54:12said Dumbledore.

00:54:13No, I had no idea that he was to grow up to be what he is.

00:54:17However, I was certainly intrigued by him.

00:54:19I returned to Hogwarts intending to keep an eye upon him,

00:54:22something I should have done in any case, given that he was alone and friendless.

00:54:27But watch, which already I felt I ought to do for others' sake as much as his.

00:54:32His powers, as you heard, were surprisingly well developed

00:54:35for such a young wizard, and, more interestingly and ominously of all,

00:54:39he had already discovered that he had some measure of control over them,

00:54:42and begun to use them consciously.

00:54:44And as you saw, they were not the random experiments typical of young wizards.

00:54:48He was already using magic against other people, to frighten, to punish, to control.

00:54:54The little stories of a strangled rabbit and the young boy and girl

00:54:57he lured into a cave were most suggestive.

00:55:00I can make them hurt, if I want to.

00:55:04And he was a Parcelmouth, interjected Harry.

00:55:07Yes, indeed.

00:55:08A rare ability, and one supposedly connected with the dark arts,

00:55:11although, as we know, there are Parcelmouths among the great and the good too.

00:55:16In fact, his ability to speak to serpents did not make me nearly as uneasy

00:55:20as his obvious instincts for cruelty, secrecy, and domination.

00:55:25Time is making fools of us again, said Dumbledore,

00:55:28indicating the dark sky beyond the windows.

00:55:30But before we part, I want to draw your attention to certain features of the scene

00:55:34we have just witnessed, for they have a great bearing

00:55:37on the matters we shall be discussing in future meetings.

00:55:40Firstly, I hope you noticed Riddle's reaction

00:55:43when I mentioned that another shared his first name, Tom.

00:55:46Harry nodded.

00:55:48There he showed his contempt for anything that tied him to other people,

00:55:52anything that made him ordinary.

00:55:53Even then, he wished to be different, separate, notorious.

00:55:57He shed his name, as you know, within a few short years of that conversation,

00:56:01and created the mask of Lord Voldemort, behind which he has been hidden for so long.

00:56:07I trust that you also noticed that Tom Riddle was already highly self-sufficient,

00:56:11secretive, and apparently friendless.

00:56:13He did not want help or companionship on his trip to Diagon Alley.

00:56:17He preferred to operate alone.

00:56:19The adult Voldemort is the same.

00:56:21You will hear many of his Death Eaters claiming that they are in his confidence,

00:56:25that they alone are close to him, even understand him.

00:56:29They are deluded.

00:56:30Lord Voldemort has never had a friend, nor do I believe that he has ever wanted one.

00:56:35And lastly, I hope you are not too sleepy to pay attention to this, Harry.

00:56:38The young Tom Riddle liked to collect trophies.

00:56:41You saw the box of stolen articles he had hidden in his room.

00:56:46These were taken from victims of his bullying behaviour,

00:56:49souvenirs, if you will, of particularly unpleasant bits of magic.

00:56:52Bear in mind this magpie-like tendency, for this particularly, will be important later.

00:56:59And now it really is time for bed.

00:57:01Harry got to his feet.

00:57:03As he walked across the room, his eyes fell upon the little table

00:57:06on which Marvalo Gaunt's ring had rested last time.

00:57:10But the ring was no longer there.

00:57:12Yes, Harry? said Dumbledore, for Harry had come to a halt.

00:57:15The ring's gone, said Harry, looking around.

00:57:17But I thought you might have the mouth organ or something.

00:57:21Dumbledore beamed at him, peering over the top of his half-moon spectacles.

00:57:25Very astute, Harry, but the mouth organ was only ever a mouth organ.

00:57:30On that enigmatic note, he waved to Harry, who understood himself to be dismissed.

00:57:39Chapter 14 Felix Felicis

00:57:42Harry had herbology first thing the following morning.

00:57:45He had been unable to tell Ron and Hermione about his lesson with Dumbledore

00:57:48over breakfast for fear of being overheard.

00:57:50He filled them in as they walked across the vegetable patch towards the greenhouses.

00:57:54The weekend's brutal wind had died out at last.

00:57:57The weird mist had returned,

00:57:58and it took them a little longer than usual to find the correct greenhouse.

00:58:02Wow, scary thought.

00:58:03The boy, you know who, said Ron quietly,

00:58:06as they took their places around one of the gnarled snuggaluff stumps

00:58:10that formed that term's project and began pulling on their protective gloves.

00:58:15But I still don't get why Dumbledore's showing you all this.

00:58:17I mean, it's really interesting and everything, but what's the point?

00:58:21Dunno, said Harry, inserting a gum shield,

00:58:23but he says it's all important and it'll help me survive.

00:58:26I think it's fascinating, said Hermione earnestly.

00:58:29It makes absolute sense to know as much about Voldemort as possible.

00:58:32How else will you find out about his weaknesses?

00:58:35So how was Slughorn's latest party, Harry asked her thickly through the gum shield.

00:58:40Oh, it was quite fun, really, said Hermione, now putting on protective goggles.

00:58:44I mean, he drones on about famous ex-pupils a bit,

00:58:47and he absolutely thorns on McClagan because he's so well connected.

00:58:50But he gave us some really nice food and he introduced us to Gwenog Jones.

00:58:54Gwenog Jones, said Ron, his eyes widening under his own goggles.

00:58:58The Gwenog Jones, captain of the holly-haired harpies.

00:59:02That's right, said Hermione.

00:59:03Personally, I thought she was a bit full of herself, but...

00:59:06Quite enough chat over here, said Professor Sprout briskly,

00:59:10bustling over and looking stern.

00:59:12You're lagging behind.

00:59:13Everybody else has started and Neville's already got his first pod.

00:59:17They looked around.

00:59:17Sure enough, there sat Neville with a bloody lip and several nasty scratches

00:59:21around the side of his face,

00:59:22but clutching an unpleasantly pulsating green object about the size of a grapefruit.

00:59:27OK, Professor, we're starting now, said Ron, adding quietly.

00:59:31When, she had turned away again, should have used muffliato, Harry.

00:59:36No, we shouldn't, said Hermione at once, looking,

00:59:39as she always did, intensely cross at the thought of the half-blood prince and his spells.

00:59:43Well, come on, we'd better get going.

00:59:46She gave the other two an apprehensive look.

00:59:48They all took deep breaths and then dived at the gnarled stump between them.

00:59:52It sprang to life at once.

00:59:53Long, prickly, bramble-like vines flew out of the top and whipped through the air.

00:59:57One tangled itself in Hermione's hair and Ron beat it back with a pair of secateurs.

01:00:03Harry succeeded in trapping a couple of vines and knotting them together.

01:00:07A hole opened in the middle of the tentacle-like branches.

01:00:09Hermione plunged her arm bravely into this hole,

01:00:12which closed like a trap around her elbow.

01:00:14Harry and Ron tugged and wrenched at the vines,

01:00:17forcing the hole to open again and Hermione snatched her arm free,

01:00:20clutching in her fingers a pod just like Neville's.

01:00:23At once the prickly vines shot back inside the gnarled stump

01:00:27and sat there looking like an innocently dead lump of wood.

01:00:31You know, I don't think I'll be having any of these in my garden when I've got my own place,

01:00:36said Ron, pushing his goggles up onto his forehead and wiping sweat from his face.

01:00:40Pass me a bowl, said Hermione, holding the pulsating pod at arm's length.

01:00:45Harry handed one over and she dropped the pod into it, with a look of disgust on her face.

01:00:49Don't be squeamish, squeeze it out!

01:00:51They're best when they're fresh, called Professor Sprout.

01:00:54Anyway, said Hermione, continuing their interrupted conversation,

01:00:58as though a lump of wood had just not just attacked them.

01:01:01Slughorn's going to have a Christmas party, Harry,

01:01:03and there's no way you'll be able to wriggle out of this one,

01:01:05because he actually asked me to check your three evenings,

01:01:08so he could be sure to have it on a night you can come.

01:01:12Harry groaned.

01:01:13Ron, meanwhile, who was attempting to burst the pod in the bowl by putting both hands on it,

01:01:18standing up and squashing it as hard as he could, said angrily,

01:01:21and this is another party just for Slughorn's favourites, is it?

01:01:24Just for the Slughook Slug Club, yes, said Hermione.

01:01:28The pod flew out from under Ron's fingers and hit the greenhouse glass,

01:01:32rebounding onto the back of Professor Sprout's head and knocking off her old patched hat.

01:01:37Harry went to retrieve the pod.

01:01:39When he got back, Hermione was saying,

01:01:40Look, I didn't make up the name Slug Club.

01:01:43Slug Club, repeated Ron, with a sneer worthy of Malfoy.

01:01:47It's pathetic.

01:01:48Well, I hope you enjoy your party.

01:01:50Why don't you try getting off with McLagan?

01:01:52Then Slughorn can make you King and Queen Slug.

01:01:55We're allowed to bring guests, said Hermione,

01:01:57who for some reason had turned a bright boiling scarlet,

01:02:00and I was going to ask you to come,

01:02:03but if you think it's that stupid, then I won't bother.

01:02:06Harry suddenly wished the pod had flown a little further,

01:02:09so that he need not have been sitting there with a pair of them.

01:02:12Unnoticed by either, he seized the bowl that contained the pod,

01:02:15and began to try and open it by the noisiest and most energetic means he could think of.

01:02:20Unfortunately, he could still hear every word of their conversation.

01:02:24You were going to ask me, asked Ron, in a completely different voice.

01:02:28Yes, said Hermione angrily, but obviously if you'd rather I got off with McLagan.

01:02:33There was a pause while Harry continued to pound the resilient pod with a towel.

01:02:37No, I wouldn't, said Ron, in a very quiet voice.

01:02:40Harry missed the pod, hit the bowl, and it shattered.

01:02:43Reparo, he said hastily, poking the pieces with his wand,

01:02:47and the bowl sprang back together again.

01:02:49The crash, however, appeared to have awoken Ron and Hermione to Harry's presence.

01:02:52Hermione looked flustered, and immediately started fussing her about

01:02:56for her copy of Flesh-Eating Trees of the World,

01:02:58to find out the correct way to juice snarglef pods.

01:03:02Ron, on the other hand, looked sheepish, but also rather pleased with himself.

01:03:06Hand that over, Harry, said Hermione hurriedly.

01:03:09It says we're supposed to puncture them with something sharp.

01:03:12Harry passed to the pod, in the bowl.

01:03:14He and Ron both snapped their goggles back over their eyes and dived once more for the stump.

01:03:19It was not as though he was really surprised, thought Harry,

01:03:21as he wrestled with a thorny vine intent upon throttling him.

01:03:25He had had a wrinkling that this might happen sooner or later,

01:03:29but he was not sure how he felt about it.

01:03:31He and Cho were now too embarrassed to look at each other, let alone talk to each other.

01:03:35What if Ron and Hermione started going out together, then split up?

01:03:39Could their friendship survive it?

01:03:41Harry remembered the few weeks when they had not been talking to each other in the third year.

01:03:45He had not enjoyed trying to bridge the distance between them.

01:03:48And then, what if they didn't split up?

01:03:50What if they became like Bill and Fleur,

01:03:52and it became excruciatingly embarrassing to be in their presence,

01:03:55so that he was shut out for good?

01:03:58Gotcha! yelled Ron, pulling a second pod from the stump,

01:04:01just as Hermione managed to burst the first one open,

01:04:03so that the bowl was full of tubers wriggling like pale green worms.

01:04:08The rest of the lesson passed without further mention of Slughorn's party,

01:04:12although Harry watched his two friends more closely over the next few days.

01:04:16Ron and Hermione did not seem any different,

01:04:18except that they were a little politer to each other than usual.

01:04:22Harry supposed he would just have to wait to see what happened

01:04:25under the influence of butterbeer in Slughorn's dimly lit room on the night of the party.

01:04:29In the meantime, however, he had more pressing worries.

01:04:33Katie Bell was still in St Mungo's Hospital with no prospect of leaving,

01:04:37which meant that the promising Gryffindor team

01:04:39Harry had been training so carefully since September was one chaser short.

01:04:43He kept putting off replacing Katie in the hope that she would return,

01:04:47but their opening match against Slytherin was looming,

01:04:49and he finally had to accept that she would not be back in time to play.

01:04:53Harry did not think he could stand another full house tryout,

01:04:56with a sinking feeling that he had little to do with Quidditch.

01:04:59He cornered Dean Thomas after Transfiguration one day.

01:05:03Most of the class had already left,

01:05:04although several twittering yellow birds were still zooming around the room.

01:05:08All of Hermione's creation.

01:05:09Nobody else had succeeded in conjuring so much as a feather from thin air.

01:05:13Are you still interested in playing chaser?

01:05:16Yeah, of course, said Dean excitedly.

01:05:19Over Dean's shoulder, Harry saw Seamus Finnegan slamming his books into his bag,

01:05:23looking sour.

01:05:24One of the reasons why Harry would have preferred not to have to ask Dean to play

01:05:28was that he knew Seamus would not like it.

01:05:30On the other hand, he had to do what was best for the team,

01:05:33and Dean had outflown Seamus at the tryouts.

01:05:36Well, then you're in, said Harry.

01:05:38There's a practice tonight, seven o'clock.

01:05:40Right, said Dean.

01:05:41Cheers, Harry.

01:05:42Blimey, I can't wait to tell Ginny.

01:05:44He sprinted out of the room, leaving Harry and Seamus alone together,

01:05:48an uncomfortable moment made no easier when a bird dropping landed on Seamus's head

01:05:52as one of Hermione's canaries whizzed over them.

01:05:55Seamus was not the only person disgruntled by the choice of Katie's substitute.

01:05:59There was much muttering in the common room

01:06:01about the fact that Harry had now chosen two of his classmates for the team.

01:06:04As Harry had endured much worse mutterings than this in his school career,

01:06:08he was not particularly bothered.

01:06:09But all the same, the pressure was increasing

01:06:12to provide a win in the upcoming match against Slytherin.

01:06:15If Gryffindor won, Harry knew that the whole house would forget

01:06:18that they had criticised him and swear that they had always known it was a great team.

01:06:22If they lost, well, Harry fought wryly.

01:06:24He had still endured worse mutterings.

01:06:27Harry had no reason to regret his choice once he saw Dean fly that evening.

01:06:32He worked well with Ginny and Demelza.

01:06:34The beaters, Peaks and Coote, were getting better all the time.

01:06:38The only problem was Ron.

01:06:40Harry had known all along that Ron was an inconsistent player

01:06:43who suffered from nerves and a lack of confidence.

01:06:45And unfortunately, the looming prospect of the opening game of the season

01:06:48seemed to have brought out all his old insecurities.

01:06:51After letting in half a dozen goals, most of them scored by Ginny,

01:06:56his technique became wilder and wilder

01:06:58until he finally punched an oncoming Demelza Robbins in the mouth.

01:07:02It was an accident.

01:07:03I'm sorry, Demelza, really sorry, Ron shouted after her.

01:07:06And she zigzagged back to the ground, dripping blood everywhere.

01:07:09I just panicked, Ginny said angrily,

01:07:12landing next to Demelza and examining her fat lip.

01:07:15You prat, Ron, look at the state of her.

01:07:17I can fix that, said Harry, landing beside the two girls,

01:07:20pointing his wand at Demelza's mouth and saying,

01:07:23Episkey and Ginny, don't call Ron a prat, you're not the captain of the team.

01:07:28Well, you seem too busy to call him a prat and I thought someone should.

01:07:32Harry forced himself not to laugh.

01:07:34In the air, everyone, let's go.

01:07:36Overall, it was one of the worst practices they had had all term,

01:07:39though Harry did not not feel that honesty

01:07:42was the best policy when they were this close to the match.

01:07:45Good work, everyone.

01:07:46I think we'll flatten Slytherin, he said bracingly,

01:07:48and the chasers and beaters left the changing room

01:07:51looking reasonably happy with themselves.

01:07:53I played like a sack of dragon dung, said Ron in a hollow voice,

01:07:56when the door had swung shut behind Ginny.

01:07:59No, you didn't, said Harry firmly.

01:08:00You're the best keeper.

01:08:02I tried out, Ron.

01:08:03Your only problem is nerves.

01:08:05He kept up a relentless flow of encouragement all the way back to the castle,

01:08:08and by the time they reached the second floor,

01:08:10Ron was looking marginally more cheerful.

01:08:12When Harry pushed open the tapestry to take their usual shortcut

01:08:16up to the Gryffindor Tower,

01:08:17however, they found themselves looking at Dean and Ginny,

01:08:20who were locked in a close embrace and kissing fiercely as if glued together.

01:08:24It was as though something large and scaly erupted into life in Harry's stomach,

01:08:28clawing at his insides.

01:08:30Hot blood seemed to flood his brain,

01:08:32so that all thought was extinguished,

01:08:34replaced by a savage urge to jinx Dean into a jelly.

01:08:37Wrestling with this sudden madness,

01:08:39he heard Ron's voice as though from a great distance away.

01:08:42Oi!

01:08:43Dean and Ginny broke apart and looked around.

01:08:46What, said Ginny?

01:08:47I don't want to find my own sister snogging people in public.

01:08:50This was a deserted corridor till you came butting in, said Ginny.

01:08:54Dean was looking embarrassed.

01:08:56He gave Harry a shifty grin that Harry did not return,

01:08:59as the newborn monster inside him was roaring for Dean's instant dismissal from the team.

01:09:05Uh, come on, Ginny, said Dean.

01:09:07Let's go back to the common room.

01:09:09You go, said Ginny.

01:09:10I want a word with my dear brother.

01:09:12Dean left, looking as though he was not sorry to depart the scene.

01:09:15Right, said Ginny, tossing her long red hair out of her face and glaring at Ron.

01:09:19Let's get this straight once and for all.

01:09:21It is none of your business who I go out with or what I do with them, Ron.

01:09:26Yeah, it is, said Ron, just as angrily.

01:09:29Don't you think...

01:09:29Do you think I want people saying my sister's a...

01:09:32A what? shouted Ginny, drawing her wand.

01:09:35A what exactly?

01:09:36He doesn't mean anything, Ginny, said Harry automatically,

01:09:39though the monster was roaring its approval of Ron's words.

01:09:42Oh, yes, he does, she said, flaring up at Harry,

01:09:45just because he's never snogged anyone in his life,

01:09:47just because the best kiss he's ever had is from Aunty Muriel.

01:09:51Shut your mouth, bellowed Ron, bypassing red and turning maroon.

01:09:56No, I will not, yelled Ginny, beside herself.

01:09:59I've seen you with Phlegm, hoping she'll kiss you on the cheek every time you see her.

01:10:04It's pathetic.

01:10:05If you went out and got a bit of a snogging done yourself,

01:10:07you wouldn't mind so much that everyone else does it.

01:10:10Ron had pulled out his wand too.

01:10:12Harry stepped swiftly between them.

01:10:14You don't know what you're talking about, Ron roared,

01:10:16trying to get a clear shot at Ginny around Harry,

01:10:19who was now standing in front of her with his arms outstretched.

01:10:22Just because I don't do it in public,

01:10:24Ginny screamed with derisive laughter, trying to push Harry out of the way.

01:10:29Been kissing pigwidgeon, have you?

01:10:30Or have you got a picture of Aunty Muriel stashed under your pillow?

01:10:34You!

01:10:35A streak of orange light flew under Harry's left arm and missed Ginny by inches.

01:10:39Harry pushed Ron up against the wall.

01:10:41Don't be stupid!

01:10:42Harry's snogged Cho Chang, shouted Ginny, who sounded close to tears now,

01:10:47and Hermione snogged Victor Crumb.

01:10:49It's only you who acts like it's something disgusting, Ron,

01:10:52and that's because you've got about as much experience as a twelve-year-old.

01:10:56And with that, she stormed away.

01:10:59Harry quickly let go of Ron.

01:11:01The look on his face was murderous.

01:11:02They both stood there, breathing heavily,

01:11:04until Mrs Norris, Filch's cat, appeared around the corner, which broke the tension.

01:11:09Come on, said Harry, as the sound of Filch's shuffling feet reached their ears.

01:11:13They hurried up the stairs and along a seventh-floor corridor.

01:11:17Oi!

01:11:17Out of the way!

01:11:18Ron barked at a small girl who jumped in fright and dropped a bottle of Toad Spawn.

01:11:23Harry hardly noticed the sound of shattering glass.

01:11:25He felt disorientated, dizzy.

01:11:27Being struck by a lightning bolt must be something like this.

01:11:31It's just because she's Ron's sister, he told himself.

01:11:34He just didn't like seeing her kissing Dean, because she's Ron's sister.

01:11:38But unhidden into his mind, unbidden into his mind,

01:11:41came an image of that same deserted corridor with himself kissing Ginny instead.

01:11:46The monster in his chest passed and purred,

01:11:49but then he saw Ron ripping open the tapestry curtain and drawing his wand on Harry,

01:11:53shouting things like,

01:11:54Betrayal of trust!

01:11:56Supposed to be my friend!

01:11:58Do you think Hermione did snog Crumb?

01:12:00Ron asked abruptly as they approached the fat lady.

01:12:03Harry gave a guilty start and wrenched his imagination away from a corridor

01:12:07in which no Ron intruded in which he and Ginny were quite alone.

01:12:12What?

01:12:12He said confusedly.

01:12:13Oh, uh...

01:12:14The honest answer was yes, but he did not want to give it.

01:12:18However, Ron seemed to gather the worst from the look on Harry's face.

01:12:22Dilligrout, he said darkly to the fat lady,

01:12:24and they climbed through the portrait hole into the common room.

01:12:27Neither of them mentioned Ginny or Hermione again.

01:12:30Indeed, they barely spoke to each other other than that evening,

01:12:33and got into bed in silence, each absorbed in his own thoughts.

01:12:37Harry lay awake for a long time, looking at that canopy of his four poster

01:12:41and trying to convince himself that his feelings for Ginny were entirely older brotherly.

01:12:46They had lived, had they not, like brother and sister all summer,

01:12:49playing Quidditch, teasing Ron and having a laugh about Bill and Flem.

01:12:53He had known Ginny for years now.

01:12:55It was natural that he should feel protective,

01:12:57natural that he should want to look out for her,

01:13:00want to rip Dean Lim from Lim for kissing her.

01:13:04No, he would have to control that particular brotherly feeling.

01:13:08Ron gave a great grunting snore.

01:13:10She's Ron's sister, Harry told himself firmly.

01:13:13Ron's sister.

01:13:14She's out of bounds.

01:13:15He would not risk his friendship with Ron for anything.

01:13:18He punched his pillow into a more comfortable shape and waited for sleep to come,

01:13:22trying his utmost not to allow his thoughts to stray anywhere near Ginny.

01:13:26Harry awoke next morning, feeling slightly dazed and confused by a series of dreams

01:13:31in which Ron had chased him with a beater's bat.

01:13:33But by midday, he would have happily exchanged the dream Ron for the real one.

01:13:39He was not only cold shouldering Ginny and Dean,

01:13:41but also treating a hurt and bewildered Hermione with an icy sneering indifference.

01:13:47What was more, Ron seemed to have become overnight as touchy and ready to lash out

01:13:51as the average blast-ended scroot.

01:13:53Harry spent the day attempting to keep the peace between Ron and Hermione with no success.

01:13:58Finally, Hermione departed for bed in high dudgeon and Ron stalked off to the boys dormitory

01:14:04after swearing angrily at several frightened first years for looking at him.

01:14:08To Harry's dismay, Ron's new aggression did not wear off over the next few days.

01:14:13Worse still, it coincided with an even deeper dip in his keeping skills,

01:14:17which made him still more aggressive.

01:14:18So that during the time, the final Quidditch match before Saturday's match,

01:14:23he failed to save every single goal the chasers aimed at him,

01:14:27but bellowed at everybody so much that he reduced Demelza Robbins to tears.

01:14:32You shut up and leave her alone, shouted Peaks,

01:14:35who was about two-thirds Ron's height, though admittedly carrying a heavy bat.

01:14:39Enough, bellowed Harry, who had seen Ginny glowering in Ron's direction

01:14:43and remembering her reputation as an accomplished caster of the bat-bogey-hex,

01:14:48soared over to intervene before things got out of hand.

01:14:52Peaks, go and pack up the bludgers.

01:14:54Demelza, pull yourself together.

01:14:56You played really well today.

01:14:57Ron, he waited until the rest of the team were out of earshot before saying it.

01:15:01You're my best mate, but carry on treating the rest of them like this

01:15:05and I'm going to kick you off the team.

01:15:07He really thought for a moment that Ron might hit him,

01:15:10but then something much worse happened.

01:15:12Ron seemed to sag on his broom.

01:15:14All the fight went out of him and he said,

01:15:17I resign, I'm pathetic.

01:15:19You're not pathetic and you're not resigning, said Harry fiercely,

01:15:24seizing Ron by the front of his robes.

01:15:26You can save anything when you're in form.

01:15:28It's a mental problem you've got.

01:15:30You're calling me mental?

01:15:31Yeah, maybe I am.

01:15:33They glared at each other for a moment and then Ron shook his head wearily.

01:15:36I know you haven't got any time to find another keeper, so I'll play tomorrow,

01:15:40but if we lose, and we will, I'm taking myself off the team.

01:15:43Nothing Harry said made any difference.

01:15:45He tried boosting Ron's confidence all through dinner,

01:15:48but Ron was too busy being grumpy and surly with Hermione to notice.

01:15:52Harry persisted in the common room that evening,

01:15:54but his assertion that the whole team would be devastated if Ron left

01:15:57was somewhat undermined by the fact that the rest of the team

01:16:00was sitting in a huddle in a distant corner,

01:16:02clearly muttering about Ron and casting him nasty looks.

01:16:05Finally, Harry tried getting angry again in the hope of provoking Ron

01:16:09into a defiant and hopefully goal-saving attitude,

01:16:12but this strategy did not appear to work any better than encouragement.

01:16:16Ron went to bed as dejected and hopeless as ever.

01:16:19Harry lay awake for a very long time in the darkness.

01:16:22He did not want to lose the upcoming match.

01:16:24Not only was it his first as captain,

01:16:26but he was determined to beat Draco Malfoy at Quidditch,

01:16:29even if he could not yet prove his suspicions about him.

01:16:31Yet if Ron played as he had done in the last few practices,

01:16:35their chances of winning were very slim.

01:16:37If only there was something he could do to make Ron pull himself together,

01:16:40make him play at the top of his form,

01:16:42something that would ensure that Ron had a really good day.

01:16:45And the answer came to Harry in one sudden, glorious stroke of inspiration.

01:16:51Breakfast was the usual excitable affair next morning.

01:16:53The Slytherins hissed and booed loudly

01:16:56as every member of the Gryffindor team entered the great hall.

01:16:58Harry glanced at the ceiling and saw a clear, pale blue sky, a good omen.

01:17:03The Gryffindor table, a solid mass of red and gold,

01:17:06cheered as Harry and Ron approached.

01:17:07Harry grinned and waved.

01:17:09Ron grimaced weakly and shook his head.

01:17:11Cheer up, Ron, called Lavender.

01:17:13I know you'll be brilliant.

01:17:14Ron ignored her.

01:17:16Tea?

01:17:17Harry asked him.

01:17:17Coffee?

01:17:18Pumpkin juice?

01:17:19Anything, said Ron glumly, taking a moody bite of toast.

01:17:23A few minutes later, Hermione, who'd become so tired of Ron's recent unpleasant behavior

01:17:28that she had not come down to breakfast with them, paused on her way up the table.

01:17:31How, uh, how are you both feeling?

01:17:34She asked tentatively, her eyes on the back of Ron's head.

01:17:37Fine, said Harry, who was concentrating on handing Ron a glass of pumpkin juice.

01:17:41There you go, Ron.

01:17:42Drink up.

01:17:44Ron had just raised the glass to his lips when Hermione spoke sharply.

01:17:47Don't drink that, Ron.

01:17:49Both Harry and Ron looked up at her.

01:17:50Why not, said Ron.

01:17:52Hermione was now staring at Harry as though she could not believe her eyes.

01:17:56You just put something in that drink.

01:17:58Excuse me, said Harry.

01:17:59You heard me.

01:18:00I saw you.

01:18:01You just tipped something into Ron's drink.

01:18:03You've got the bottle in your hand right now.

01:18:05I don't know what you're talking about, said Harry,

01:18:07stowing the little bottle hastily in his pocket.

01:18:10Ron, I warn you, don't drink it,

01:18:12Hermione said again, alarmed that Ron picked up the glass,

01:18:16drained it in one, and said,

01:18:18Stop bossing me about, Hermione.

01:18:20She looked scandalised, bending so low so that only Harry could hear her.

01:18:25She hissed,

01:18:26You should be expelled for that.

01:18:28I'd never have believed it of you, Harry.

01:18:30Hark who's talking, he whispered back.

01:18:32Confunded anyone lately?

01:18:34She stormed up the table away from them.

01:18:36Harry watched her go without regret.

01:18:38Hermione had never really understood what a serious business Quidditch was.

01:18:42He then looked around at Ron, who was smacking his lips.

01:18:45Nearly time, said Harry blithely.

01:18:48The frosty grass crunched underfoot as they strode down to the stadium.

01:18:52Pretty lucky the weather's this good, eh?

01:18:54Harry asked Ron.

01:18:55Yeah, said Ron, who was pale and sick looking.

01:18:58Ginny and Demelza were already wearing their Quidditch robes

01:19:01and waiting in the changing room.

01:19:03Conditions look ideal, said Ginny, ignoring Ron.

01:19:06And guess what?

01:19:07That slivering chaser, Vasey,

01:19:09he took a bludger in the head yesterday during their practice,

01:19:12and he's too sore to play.

01:19:13And even better than that, Malfoy's gone off sick too.

01:19:16What, said Harry, wheeling around to stare at her.

01:19:19He's ill.

01:19:19What's wrong with him?

01:19:21No idea, but it's great for us, said Ginny brightly.

01:19:24They're playing harper instead.

01:19:25He's in my year and he's an idiot.

01:19:27Harry smiled vaguely back, but he pulled on his scarlet robes.

01:19:31His mind was far from Quidditch.

01:19:32Malfoy had once before claimed he could not play due to injury,

01:19:36but on that occasion he had made sure the whole match was rescheduled

01:19:39for a time that suited the slivering better.

01:19:42Why was he now happy to get a substitute to go on?

01:19:45Was he really ill or was he faking?

01:19:48Fishy, isn't it?

01:19:49He said in an undertone to Ron.

01:19:51Malfoy not playing.

01:19:52Lucky, I call it, said Ron, looking slightly more animated.

01:19:56And Vasey off too.

01:19:57He's their best goal scorer.

01:19:58I didn't fancy...

01:19:59Hey, he said suddenly, freezing halfway through pulling on the keeper's gloves

01:20:03and staring at Harry.

01:20:05What?

01:20:05I... you...

01:20:07Ron had dropped his voice.

01:20:09He looked both scared and excited.

01:20:11My drink!

01:20:11My pumpkin juice!

01:20:13You didn't!

01:20:14Harry raised his eyebrows but said nothing except,

01:20:17We'll be starting in about five minutes.

01:20:18You better get your boots on.

01:20:20They walked out onto the pitch to tumultuous roars and boos.

01:20:23One end of the stadium was solid red and gold,

01:20:25the other a sea of green and silver.

01:20:27Many Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws had taken sides too.

01:20:30Amidst all the yelling and clapping,

01:20:32Harry could distinctly hear the roar of Luna Lovegood's famous lion-topped hat.

01:20:37Harry stepped up to Madame Hooch, the referee,

01:20:39who was standing ready to release the balls from the crate.

01:20:42Captains, shake hands, she said,

01:20:44and Harry had his hand crushed by the new slivering captain, Urquhart.

01:20:49Mount your brooms.

01:20:50On the whistle.

01:20:51Three, two, one.

01:20:53The whistle sounded.

01:20:54Harry and the others kicked off hard from the frozen ground and they were away.

01:20:58Harry soared around the perimeter of the grounds,

01:21:00looking for the snitch and keeping one eye on Harper,

01:21:03who was zigzagging far below him.

01:21:06Then a voice that was jarringly different from the usual commentators started up.

01:21:11Well, there they go.

01:21:13And I think we're all surprised to see the team that Potters put together this year.

01:21:17Many thought, given Ronald Weasley's patchy performance as keeper last year,

01:21:21that he might be off the team,

01:21:22but of course a close personal friendship with the captain does help.

01:21:26These words were greeted with jeers and applause from the slivering end of the pitch.

01:21:29Harry craned around on his broom to look towards the commentators' podium.

01:21:33A tall, skinny, blonde boy with an upturned nose was standing there,

01:21:37talking into the magical megaphone that had once been Lee Jordan's.

01:21:40Harry recognised Zacharias Smith,

01:21:42a Hufflepuff player whom he had heartily disliked.

01:21:47Oh, and here comes Slytherin's first attempt on goal.

01:21:49It's Urquhart streaking down the pitch and Harry's stomach turned over.

01:21:53Weasley saves it!

01:21:55Well, he's bound to get lucky sometimes, I suppose.

01:21:58That's right, Smith, he is, muttered Harry,

01:22:00grinning to himself as he dived amongst the chasers in his eyes,

01:22:04searching all around for some hint of the elusive snitch.

01:22:07With half an hour of the game gone,

01:22:09Gryffindor were leading 60 points to zero,

01:22:11Ron having made some truly spectacular saves,

01:22:14some by the very tips of his gloves,

01:22:16and Ginny having scored four of Gryffindor's six goals.

01:22:19This effectively stopped Zacharias wondering loudly

01:22:22whether the two Weasleys were only there because Harry liked them,

01:22:25and he started on Peakes and Coote instead.

01:22:28Of course, Coote isn't really the usual build for a beater,

01:22:31said Zacharias loftily.

01:22:32They generally got a bit more muscle.

01:22:35Hit a bludger at him, Harry called to Coote as he zoomed past,

01:22:39but Coote, grinning broadly, chose to aim the next bludger at Harper instead.

01:22:43He was just passing Harry in the opposite direction.

01:22:45Harry was pleased to hear the dull thunk that meant the bludger had found its mark.

01:22:51It seemed as though Gryffindor could do no wrong.

01:22:54Again and again they scored, and again and again at the other end of the pitch,

01:22:57Ron saved goals with apparent ease.

01:22:59He was actually smiling now, and when the crowd greeted a particularly good save

01:23:03with a rousing chorus of the old favourite,

01:23:05Weasley is our king, he pretended to conduct them from on high.

01:23:10Thinks he's something special now, doesn't he?

01:23:13Said a snide voice, and Harry was nearly knocked off his broom

01:23:16as Harper collided with him, hard and deliberately.

01:23:19Your blood traitor, pal!

01:23:20Madame Hooch's back was turned, and though Gryffindor's below shouted in anger,

01:23:25by the time she looked around, Harper had already sped off, his shoulder aching.

01:23:29Harry raced after him, determined to ram him back.

01:23:33And I think Harper of Slytherin's seen a snitch,

01:23:35said Zachariah Smith through his megaphone.

01:23:37Yes, he's certainly seen something Potter hasn't.

01:23:41Smith really was an idiot, thought Harry.

01:23:44Hadn't he noticed them collide?

01:23:46But next moment, his stomach seemed to drop out of the sky.

01:23:49Smith was right, and Harry was wrong.

01:23:51Harper had not sped upwards at random.

01:23:54He had spotted what Harry had not.

01:23:56The snitch was speeding along high above them, glinting brightly against the clear blue sky.

01:24:02Harry accelerated.

01:24:03The wind was whistling in his ears,

01:24:05so that it drowned all sound of Smith's commentary or the crowd.

01:24:08But Harper was still ahead of him, and Gryffindor was only a hundred points up.

01:24:12If Harper got there first, Gryffindor had lost.

01:24:15And now Harper was feet from it, his hand outstretched.

01:24:18Oi, Harper! yelled Harry in desperation.

01:24:21How much did Malfoy pay you to come in instead of him?

01:24:24He did not know what made him say it.

01:24:26But Harper did a double take.

01:24:28He fumbled the snitch, let it slip through his fingers and shot right past it.

01:24:32Harry made a great swipe for the tiny fluttering ball and caught it.

01:24:36Yes, Harry yelled.

01:24:38Wheeling around, he hurtled back towards the ground.

01:24:40The snitch held high in his hand.

01:24:42As the crowd realised what had happened, a great shout went up

01:24:46that almost drowned the sound of the whistle that signalled the end of the game.

01:24:50Ginny, where are you going?

01:24:52yelled Harry, who had found himself trapped in the midst of a mass mid-air hug

01:24:56with the rest of the team.

01:24:57But Ginny sped right on past them until, with an almighty crash,

01:25:01she collided with the commentator's podium.

01:25:03As the crowd shrieked and laughed,

01:25:05the Gryffindor team landed beside the wreckage of wood

01:25:08under which Zacharias was feebly stirring.

01:25:10Harry heard Ginny saying blithely to an irate Professor McGonagall,

01:25:15Forgot to break, Professor, sorry.

01:25:17Laughing, Harry broke free of the rest of the team and hugged Ginny.

01:25:21But let go very quickly.

01:25:22Avoiding her gaze, he clapped a cheering Ron on the back instead.

01:25:26As all enmity forgotten, the Gryffindor team left the pitch arm in arm,

01:25:31punching the air and waving to their supporters.

01:25:35The atmosphere in the changing room was jubilant.

01:25:37Party up in the common room, Seamus said, yelled Dean exuberantly.

01:25:41Come on, Ginny, Demelza.

01:25:43Ron and Harry were the last two in the changing room.

01:25:46They were just about to leave when Hermione entered.

01:25:48She was twisting her Gryffindor scarf in her hands

01:25:51and looking upset but determined.

01:25:53I want a word with you, Harry.

01:25:54She took a deep breath.

01:25:55You shouldn't have done it.

01:25:57You heard Slughorn.

01:25:58It's illegal.

01:25:59What are you going to do?

01:26:00Turn us in, demanded Ron.

01:26:02What are you two talking about?

01:26:04Asked Harry, turning away to hang up his robes

01:26:07so that neither of them would see him grinning.

01:26:09You know perfectly well what we're talking about, said Hermione shrilly.

01:26:12You spiked Ron's juice with Lucky Potion at breakfast.

01:26:15Felix Felicis.

01:26:17No, I didn't, said Harry, turning back to face them both.

01:26:19Yes, you did, Harry.

01:26:21And that's why everything went right.

01:26:22There were Slytherin players missing and Ron saved everything.

01:26:26I didn't put it in, said Harry, now grinning broadly.

01:26:29He slipped his hand inside his jacket pocket

01:26:31and drew out the tiny bottle that Hermione had seen in his hand that morning.

01:26:35It was full of golden potion

01:26:37and the cork was still tightly sealed with wax.

01:26:40I wanted Ron to think I'd done it,

01:26:42so I faked it when I knew you were looking.

01:26:44He looked at Ron.

01:26:46You saved everything because you felt lucky.

01:26:47You did it all yourself.

01:26:49He pocketed the potion again.

01:26:51There really wasn't anything in the pumpkin juice, Ron said astounded.

01:26:55But the weather's good and daisies couldn't play.

01:26:58I honestly haven't been given Lucky Potion.

01:27:02Harry shook his head.

01:27:03Ron gaped at him for a moment and then rounded on Hermione, imitating her voice.

01:27:08You added Felix Felicis to Ron's juice this morning.

01:27:11That's why he saved everything.

01:27:13See, I can save goals without help, Hermione.

01:27:16I never said you couldn't, Ron.

01:27:18You thought you'd been given it too.

01:27:20But Ron had already strode past her out of the door with his broomstick over his shoulder.

01:27:24Uh, said Harry into the sudden silence.

01:27:27He had not expected his plan to backfire like this.

01:27:29Shall... shall we go up to the party then?

01:27:32You go, said Hermione, blinking back tears.

01:27:35I'm sick of Ron at the moment.

01:27:36I don't know what I'm supposed to have done.

01:27:39And she stormed out of the changing room too.

01:27:42Harry walked slowly back up the grounds towards the castle,

01:27:45through the crowd, many of whom shouted congratulations at him.

01:27:48But he felt a great sense of letdown.

01:27:50He had been sure that if Ron won the match, he and Hermione would be friends again immediately.

01:27:55He did not see how he could possibly explain to Hermione

01:27:58that what she had done to offend Ron was kiss Victor Crumb,

01:28:01not when the offence had occurred so long ago.

01:28:04Harry could not see Hermione at the Gryffindor celebration party,

01:28:07which was in full swing when he arrived.

01:28:09Renewed cheers and clapping greeted his appearance

01:28:12and he was soon surrounded by a mob of people congratulating him.

01:28:15What with trying to shake off the the Creevy Brothers,

01:28:18who wanted to blow a blow-by-blow match analysis,

01:28:21and the large group of girls that encircled him,

01:28:24laughing at his least amusing comments and batting their eyelids.

01:28:27It was some time before he could try and find Ron.

01:28:30At last he extricated himself from Romilda Vane,

01:28:34who was hinting heavily that she would like to go to Slughorn's Christmas party with him.

01:28:38As he was ducking towards the drinks table, he walked straight into Ginny.

01:28:42Arnold the Pygmy Puff riding on her shoulder,

01:28:45and Crookshanks mewing, hopefully, at her heels.

01:28:48Looking at Ron, she asked, smirking,

01:28:50He's over there, the filthy hypocrite.

01:28:53Harry looked into the corner she was indicating.

01:28:55There, in full view of the whole room,

01:28:57stood Ron wrapped so closely around Lavender Brown,

01:29:00it was hard to tell whose hands were whose.

01:29:03It looks like he's eating her face, doesn't it?

01:29:05said Ginny, dispassionately.

01:29:07But I suppose he's got to refine his technique somehow.

01:29:10Good game, Harry.

01:29:11She patted him on the arm.

01:29:13Harry felt a swooping sensation in his stomach,

01:29:15but then she walked off to help herself to more butterbeer.

01:29:19Crookshanks trotted after her, his yellow eyes fixed upon Arnold.

01:29:23Harry turned away from Ron, who did not look like surfacing soon,

01:29:27just in time to see the portrait hall closing.

01:29:29With a sinking feeling, he thought,

01:29:31he saw a mane of bushy brown hair whipping out of sight.

01:29:35He darted forwards, sidestepped Romilda Vane again,

01:29:38and pushed again the portrait of the fat lady.

01:29:41The corridor outside seemed to be deserted.

01:29:43Hermione?

01:29:45He found her in the first unlocked classroom he tried.

01:29:48She was sitting on the teacher's desk,

01:29:49alone except for a small ring of twittering yellow birds circling her head,

01:29:54which she had clearly just conjured out of mid-air.

01:29:56Harry could not help admiring her spellwork at a time like this.

01:30:00Oh, hello, Harry, she said in a brittle voice.

01:30:03I was just practicing.

01:30:05Yeah, they're, uh, they're really good, said Harry.

01:30:08He had no idea what to say to her.

01:30:09He was just wondering whether there was any chance that she had not noticed Ron,

01:30:13that she had merely left the room because the party was a little too rowdy.

01:30:17When she said, in an unnaturally high-pitched voice,

01:30:20Ron seems to be enjoying the celebrations.

01:30:23Uh, does he? said Harry.

01:30:25Don't pretend you didn't see him, said Hermione.

01:30:27He wasn't exactly hiding it, was...

01:30:30The door behind them burst open.

01:30:31To Harry's horror, Ron came in laughing, pulling lavender by the hand.

01:30:35Oh, he said, drawing up short of the sight of Harry and Hermione.

01:30:39Oops, said lavender, and she backed out of the room.

01:30:42Giggling, the door swung shut behind her.

01:30:45There was a horrible, swelling, billowing silence.

01:30:48Hermione was staring at Ron, who refused to look at her,

01:30:51but said with an odd mixture of bravado and awkwardness,

01:30:54Hi, Harry, uh, wondered where you got to?

01:30:57Hermione slid off the desk.

01:30:58The little flock of golden birds continued to twitter in circles around her head

01:31:02so that she looked like a strange, feathery model of the solar system.

01:31:06You shouldn't leave lavender waiting outside, she said quietly.

01:31:10She'll wonder where you've gone.

01:31:12She walked very slowly and erectly towards the door.

01:31:15Harry glanced at Ron, who was looking relieved that nothing worse had happened.

01:31:20A pugno! came a shriek from the doorway.

01:31:23Harry spun around to see Hermione pointing her wand at Ron.

01:31:26Her expression wild.

01:31:27The little flock of birds was speeding like a hail of fat, golden bullets towards Ron,

01:31:33who yelped and covered his face with his hands.

01:31:35But the birds attacked, pecking and clawing at every bit of flesh they could reach.

01:31:40Cheer of me! he yelled.

01:31:43But with one last look of vindictive fury,

01:31:45Hermione wrenched open the door and disappeared through it.

01:31:49Harry thought he heard a sob before it slammed.

Category

Transcript

Recommended