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'Professor Umbridge, I think some of the Squad should come with you to look after - ' 'I am a fully qualified Ministry official, Malfoy, do you really think I cannot manage two wandless teenagers alone?' asked Umbridge sharply. 'In any case, it does not sound as though this weapon is something that schoolchildren should see. You will remain here until I return and make sure none of these - she gestured around at Ron, Ginny, Neville and Luna'- escape.' 'All right,' said Malfoy, looking sulky and disappointed. 'And you two can go ahead of me and show me the way,' said Umbridge, pointing at Harry and Hermione with her wand. 'Lead on.' - CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE - Fight and Flight Harry had no idea what Hermione was planning, or even whether she had a plan. He walked half a pace behind her as they headed down the corridor outside Umbridge's office, knowing it would look very suspicious if he appeared not to know where they were going. He did not dare attempt to talk to her;	Professor Umbridge, I think some of the Squad should come with you to look after - ' 'I am a fully qualified Ministry official, Malfoy, do you really think I cannot manage two wandless teenagers alone?' asked Umbridge sharply. 'In any case, it does not sound as though this weapon is something that schoolchildren should see. You will remain here until I return and make sure none of these - she gestured around at Ron, Ginny, Neville and Luna'- escape.' 'All right,' said Malfoy, looking sulky and disappointed. 'And you two can go ahead of me and show me the way,' said Umbridge, pointing at Harry and Hermione with her wand. 'Lead on.' - CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE - Fight and Flight Harry had no idea what Hermione was planning, or even whether she had a plan. He walked half a pace behind her as they headed down the corridor outside Umbridge's office, knowing it would look very suspicious if he appeared not to know where they were going. He did not dare attempt to talk to her;
Umbridge was walking so closely behind them that he could hear her ragged breathing. Hermione led the way down the stairs into the Entrance Hall. The din of loud voices and the clatter of cutlery on plates echoed from out of the double doors to the Great Hall - it seemed incredible to Harry that twenty feet away were people who were enjoying dinner, celebrating the end of exams, not a care in the world... Hermione walked straight out of the oak front doors and down the stone steps into the balmy evening air. The sun was falling towards the tops of the trees in the Forbidden Forest now, and as Hermione marched purposefully across the grass - Umbridge jogging to keep up - their long dark shadows rippled over the grass behind them like cloaks. 'It's hidden in Hagrid's hut, is it?' said Umbridge eagerly in Harry's ear. 'Of course not,' said Hermione scathingly. 'Hagrid might have set it off accidentally.' 'Yes,' said Umbridge, whose excitement seemed to be mounting. '	bridge was walking so closely behind them that he could hear her ragged breathing. Hermione led the way down the stairs into the Entrance Hall. The din of loud voices and the clatter of cutlery on plates echoed from out of the double doors to the Great Hall - it seemed incredible to Harry that twenty feet away were people who were enjoying dinner, celebrating the end of exams, not a care in the world... Hermione walked straight out of the oak front doors and down the stone steps into the balmy evening air. The sun was falling towards the tops of the trees in the Forbidden Forest now, and as Hermione marched purposefully across the grass - Umbridge jogging to keep up - their long dark shadows rippled over the grass behind them like cloaks. 'It's hidden in Hagrid's hut, is it?' said Umbridge eagerly in Harry's ear. 'Of course not,' said Hermione scathingly. 'Hagrid might have set it off accidentally.' 'Yes,' said Umbridge, whose excitement seemed to be mounting. '
Yes, he would have done, of course, the great half-breed oaf.' She laughed. Harry felt a strong urge to swing round and seize her by the throat, but resisted. His scar was throbbing in the soft evening air but it had not yet burned white-hot, as he knew it would if Voldemort had moved in for the kill. 'Then... where is it? asked Umbridge, with a hint or uncertainty in her voice as Hermione continued to stride towards the Forest. 'In there, of course,' said Hermione, pointing into the dark trees. 'It had to be somewhere that students weren't going to find it accidentally, didn't it?' 'Of course,' said Umbridge, though she sounded a little apprehensive now. 'Of course... very well, then... you two stay ahead of me.' 'Can we have your wand, then, if we're going first?' Harry asked her. 'No, I don't think so, Mr Potter,' said Umbridge sweetly, poking him in the back with it. The	, he would have done, of course, the great half-breed oaf.' She laughed. Harry felt a strong urge to swing round and seize her by the throat, but resisted. His scar was throbbing in the soft evening air but it had not yet burned white-hot, as he knew it would if Voldemort had moved in for the kill. 'Then... where is it? asked Umbridge, with a hint or uncertainty in her voice as Hermione continued to stride towards the Forest. 'In there, of course,' said Hermione, pointing into the dark trees. 'It had to be somewhere that students weren't going to find it accidentally, didn't it?' 'Of course,' said Umbridge, though she sounded a little apprehensive now. 'Of course... very well, then... you two stay ahead of me.' 'Can we have your wand, then, if we're going first?' Harry asked her. 'No, I don't think so, Mr Potter,' said Umbridge sweetly, poking him in the back with it. The
Ministry places a rather higher value on my life than yours, I'm afraid.' As they reached the cool shade of the first trees, Harry tried to catch Hermione s eye; walking into the Forest without wands seemed to him to be more foolhardy than anything they had done so far this evening. She, however, merely gave Umbridge a contemptuous glance and plunged straight into the trees, moving at such a pace that Umbridge, with her shorter legs, had difficulty in keeping up. 'Is it very far in?' Umbridge asked, as her robe ripped on a bramble. 'Oh yes,' said Hermione, 'yes, it's well hidden.' Harry's misgivings increased. Hermione was not taking the path they had followed to visit Grawp, but the one he followed three years ago to the lair of the monster Aragog. Hermione had not been with him on that occasion; he doubted she had any idea what danger lay at the end of it. 'Er - are you sure this is the right way?' he asked her pointedly. 'Oh yes,' she said in a steely	places a rather higher value on my life than yours, I'm afraid.' As they reached the cool shade of the first trees, Harry tried to catch Hermione s eye; walking into the Forest without wands seemed to him to be more foolhardy than anything they had done so far this evening. She, however, merely gave Umbridge a contemptuous glance and plunged straight into the trees, moving at such a pace that Umbridge, with her shorter legs, had difficulty in keeping up. 'Is it very far in?' Umbridge asked, as her robe ripped on a bramble. 'Oh yes,' said Hermione, 'yes, it's well hidden.' Harry's misgivings increased. Hermione was not taking the path they had followed to visit Grawp, but the one he followed three years ago to the lair of the monster Aragog. Hermione had not been with him on that occasion; he doubted she had any idea what danger lay at the end of it. 'Er - are you sure this is the right way?' he asked her pointedly. 'Oh yes,' she said in a steely
voice, crashing through the undergrowth with what he thought was a wholly unnecessary amount of noise. Behind them, Umbridge tripped over a fallen sapling. Neither of them paused to help her up again; Hermione merely strode on, calling loudly over her shoulder, 'It's a bit further in!' 'Hermione, keep your voice down,' Harry muttered, hurrying to catch up with her. 'Anything could be listening in here - ' 'I want us heard,' she answered quietly, as Umbridge jogged noisily after them. 'You'll see...' They walked on for what seemed a long time, until they were once again so deep into the Forest that the dense tree canopy blocked out all light. Harry had the feeling he had had before in the Forest, one of being watched by unseen eyes. 'How much further?' demanded Umbridge angrily from behind him. 'Not far now!' shouted Hermione, as they emerged into a dim, dank clearing. 'Just a little bit - ' An arrow flew through the air and landed with a men	, crashing through the undergrowth with what he thought was a wholly unnecessary amount of noise. Behind them, Umbridge tripped over a fallen sapling. Neither of them paused to help her up again; Hermione merely strode on, calling loudly over her shoulder, 'It's a bit further in!' 'Hermione, keep your voice down,' Harry muttered, hurrying to catch up with her. 'Anything could be listening in here - ' 'I want us heard,' she answered quietly, as Umbridge jogged noisily after them. 'You'll see...' They walked on for what seemed a long time, until they were once again so deep into the Forest that the dense tree canopy blocked out all light. Harry had the feeling he had had before in the Forest, one of being watched by unseen eyes. 'How much further?' demanded Umbridge angrily from behind him. 'Not far now!' shouted Hermione, as they emerged into a dim, dank clearing. 'Just a little bit - ' An arrow flew through the air and landed with a men
acing thud in the tree just over her head. The air was suddenly full of the sound of hooves; Harry could feel the Forest floor trembling; Umbridge gave a little scream and pushed him in front of her like a shield - ' He wrenched himself free of her and turned. Around fifty centaurs were emerging on every side, their bows raised and loaded, pointing at Harry, Hermione and Umbridge. They backed slowly into the centre of the clearing, Umbridge uttering odd little whimpers of terror. Harry looked sideways at Hermione. She was wearing a triumphant smile. 'Who are you?' said a voice. Harry looked left. The chestnut-bodied centaur called Magorian was walking towards them out of the circle: his bow, like those of the others, was raised. On Harry's right, Umbridge was still whimpering, her wand trembling violently as she pointed it at the advancing centaur. 'I asked you who are you, human,' said Magorian roughly. 'I am Dolores Umbridge!' said Umbridge in a high-pitch	thud in the tree just over her head. The air was suddenly full of the sound of hooves; Harry could feel the Forest floor trembling; Umbridge gave a little scream and pushed him in front of her like a shield - ' He wrenched himself free of her and turned. Around fifty centaurs were emerging on every side, their bows raised and loaded, pointing at Harry, Hermione and Umbridge. They backed slowly into the centre of the clearing, Umbridge uttering odd little whimpers of terror. Harry looked sideways at Hermione. She was wearing a triumphant smile. 'Who are you?' said a voice. Harry looked left. The chestnut-bodied centaur called Magorian was walking towards them out of the circle: his bow, like those of the others, was raised. On Harry's right, Umbridge was still whimpering, her wand trembling violently as she pointed it at the advancing centaur. 'I asked you who are you, human,' said Magorian roughly. 'I am Dolores Umbridge!' said Umbridge in a high-pitch
ed, terrified voice. 'Senior Undersecretary to the Minister for Magic and Headmistress and High Inquisitor of Hogwarts!' 'You are from the Ministry of Magic?' said Magorian, as many of the centaurs in the surrounding circle shifted restlessly. 'That's right!' said Umbridge, in an even higher voice,'so be very careful! By the laws laid down by the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, any attack by half-breeds such as yourselves on a human - ' 'What did you call us?' shouted a wild-looking black centaur, whom Harry recognised as Bane. There was a great deal of angry muttering and tightening of bowstrings around them. 'Don't call them that!' Hermione said furiously, but Umbridge did not appear to have heard her. Still pointing her shaking wand at Magorian, she continued, 'Law Fifteen "B" states clearly that "any attack by a magical creature who is deemed to have near-human intelligence, and therefore considered responsible for its actions - ' '"	, terrified voice. 'Senior Undersecretary to the Minister for Magic and Headmistress and High Inquisitor of Hogwarts!' 'You are from the Ministry of Magic?' said Magorian, as many of the centaurs in the surrounding circle shifted restlessly. 'That's right!' said Umbridge, in an even higher voice,'so be very careful! By the laws laid down by the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, any attack by half-breeds such as yourselves on a human - ' 'What did you call us?' shouted a wild-looking black centaur, whom Harry recognised as Bane. There was a great deal of angry muttering and tightening of bowstrings around them. 'Don't call them that!' Hermione said furiously, but Umbridge did not appear to have heard her. Still pointing her shaking wand at Magorian, she continued, 'Law Fifteen "B" states clearly that "any attack by a magical creature who is deemed to have near-human intelligence, and therefore considered responsible for its actions - ' '"
Near-human intelligence"?' repeated Magorian, as Bane and several others roared with rage and pawed the ground. 'We consider that a great insult, human! Our intelligence, thankfully, far outstrips your own.' 'What are you doing in our Forest?' bellowed the hard-faced grey centaur Harry and Hermione had seen on their last trip into the Forest. 'Why are you here?' 'Your Forest?' said Umbridge, shaking now not only with fright but also, it seemed, with indignation. 'I would remind you that you live here only because the Ministry of Magic permits you certain areas of land - ' An arrow flew so close to her head that it caught at her mousy hair in passing: she let out an ear-splitting scream and threw her hands over her head, while some of the centaurs bellowed their approval and others laughed raucously. The sound of their wild, neighing laughter echoing around the dimly lit clearing and the sight of their pawing hooves was extremely unnerving. 'Whose Forest is it now,	ear-human intelligence"?' repeated Magorian, as Bane and several others roared with rage and pawed the ground. 'We consider that a great insult, human! Our intelligence, thankfully, far outstrips your own.' 'What are you doing in our Forest?' bellowed the hard-faced grey centaur Harry and Hermione had seen on their last trip into the Forest. 'Why are you here?' 'Your Forest?' said Umbridge, shaking now not only with fright but also, it seemed, with indignation. 'I would remind you that you live here only because the Ministry of Magic permits you certain areas of land - ' An arrow flew so close to her head that it caught at her mousy hair in passing: she let out an ear-splitting scream and threw her hands over her head, while some of the centaurs bellowed their approval and others laughed raucously. The sound of their wild, neighing laughter echoing around the dimly lit clearing and the sight of their pawing hooves was extremely unnerving. 'Whose Forest is it now,
human?' bellowed Bane. 'Filthy half-breeds!' she screamed, her hands still tight over her head. 'Beasts! Uncontrolled animals!' 'Be quiet!' shouted Hermione, but it was too late: Umbridge pointed her wand at Magorian and screamed, 'Incarcerous!' Ropes flew out of midair like thick snakes, wrapping themselves tightly around the centaur's torso and trapping his arms: he gave a cry of rage and reared on to his hind legs, attempting to free himself, while the other centaurs charged. Harry grabbed Hermione and pulled her to the ground; face down on the Forest floor, he knew a moment of terror as hooves thundered around him, but the centaurs leapt over and around them, bellowing and screaming with rage. 'Nooooo!' he heard Umbridge shriek. 'Noooooo... I am Senior Undersecretary... you cannot - Unhand me, you animals... nooooo!' Harry saw	?' bellowed Bane. 'Filthy half-breeds!' she screamed, her hands still tight over her head. 'Beasts! Uncontrolled animals!' 'Be quiet!' shouted Hermione, but it was too late: Umbridge pointed her wand at Magorian and screamed, 'Incarcerous!' Ropes flew out of midair like thick snakes, wrapping themselves tightly around the centaur's torso and trapping his arms: he gave a cry of rage and reared on to his hind legs, attempting to free himself, while the other centaurs charged. Harry grabbed Hermione and pulled her to the ground; face down on the Forest floor, he knew a moment of terror as hooves thundered around him, but the centaurs leapt over and around them, bellowing and screaming with rage. 'Nooooo!' he heard Umbridge shriek. 'Noooooo... I am Senior Undersecretary... you cannot - Unhand me, you animals... nooooo!' Harry saw
a flash of red light and knew she had attempted to Stun one of them; then she screamed very loudly. Lifting his head a few inches, Harry saw that Umbridge had been seized from behind by Bane and lifted high into the air, wriggling and yelling with fright. Her wand fell from her hand to the ground, and Harry's heart leapt. If he could just reach it - ' But as he stretched out a hand towards it, a centaur's hoof descended upon the wand and it broke cleanly in half. 'Now!' roared a voice in Harry's ear and a thick hairy arm descended from thin air and dragged him upright. Hermione, too, had been pulled to her feet. Over the plunging, many-coloured backs and heads of the centaurs, Harry saw Umbridge being borne away through the trees by Bane. Screaming non-stop, her voice grew fainter and fainter until they could no longer hear it over the trampling of hooves surrounding them. 'And these?' said the hard-faced, grey centaur holding Hermione.	flash of red light and knew she had attempted to Stun one of them; then she screamed very loudly. Lifting his head a few inches, Harry saw that Umbridge had been seized from behind by Bane and lifted high into the air, wriggling and yelling with fright. Her wand fell from her hand to the ground, and Harry's heart leapt. If he could just reach it - ' But as he stretched out a hand towards it, a centaur's hoof descended upon the wand and it broke cleanly in half. 'Now!' roared a voice in Harry's ear and a thick hairy arm descended from thin air and dragged him upright. Hermione, too, had been pulled to her feet. Over the plunging, many-coloured backs and heads of the centaurs, Harry saw Umbridge being borne away through the trees by Bane. Screaming non-stop, her voice grew fainter and fainter until they could no longer hear it over the trampling of hooves surrounding them. 'And these?' said the hard-faced, grey centaur holding Hermione.
'They are young,' said a slow, doleful voice from behind Harry. 'We do not attack foals.' 'They brought her here, Ronan,' replied the centaur who had such a firm grip on Harry. 'And they are not so young... he is nearing manhood, this one.' He shook Harry by the neck of his robes. 'Please,' said Hermione breathlessly, 'please, don't attack us, We don't think like her, we aren't Ministry of Magic employees! We only came in here because we hoped you'd drive her off for us.' Harry knew at once, from the look on the face of the grey centaur holding Hermione, that she had made a terrible mistake in saying this. The grey centaur threw back his head, his back legs stamping furiously, and bellowed, 'You see, Ronan? They already have the arrogance of their kind! So we were to do your dirty work, were we, human girl? We were to act as your servants, drive away your enemies like obedient hounds?' 'No!' said Hermione in	'They are young,' said a slow, doleful voice from behind Harry. 'We do not attack foals.' 'They brought her here, Ronan,' replied the centaur who had such a firm grip on Harry. 'And they are not so young... he is nearing manhood, this one.' He shook Harry by the neck of his robes. 'Please,' said Hermione breathlessly, 'please, don't attack us, We don't think like her, we aren't Ministry of Magic employees! We only came in here because we hoped you'd drive her off for us.' Harry knew at once, from the look on the face of the grey centaur holding Hermione, that she had made a terrible mistake in saying this. The grey centaur threw back his head, his back legs stamping furiously, and bellowed, 'You see, Ronan? They already have the arrogance of their kind! So we were to do your dirty work, were we, human girl? We were to act as your servants, drive away your enemies like obedient hounds?' 'No!' said Hermione in
a horrorstruck squeak. 'Please - I didn't mean that! I just hoped you'd be able to - to help us - ' But she seemed to be going from bad to worse. 'We do not help humans!' snarled the centaur holding Harry, tightening his grip and rearing a little at the same time, so that Harry's feet left the ground momentarily. 'We are a race apart and proud to be so. We will not permit you to walk from here, boasting that we did your bidding!' 'We're not going to say anything like that!' Harry shouted. 'We know you didn't do what you did because we wanted you to - ' But nobody seemed to be listening to him. A bearded centaur towards the back of the crowd shouted, They came here unasked, they must pay the consequences!' A roar of approval met these words and a dun-coloured centaur shouted, 'They can join the woman!' 'You said you didn't hurt the innocent!' shouted Hermione, real tears sliding down her face	horrorstruck squeak. 'Please - I didn't mean that! I just hoped you'd be able to - to help us - ' But she seemed to be going from bad to worse. 'We do not help humans!' snarled the centaur holding Harry, tightening his grip and rearing a little at the same time, so that Harry's feet left the ground momentarily. 'We are a race apart and proud to be so. We will not permit you to walk from here, boasting that we did your bidding!' 'We're not going to say anything like that!' Harry shouted. 'We know you didn't do what you did because we wanted you to - ' But nobody seemed to be listening to him. A bearded centaur towards the back of the crowd shouted, They came here unasked, they must pay the consequences!' A roar of approval met these words and a dun-coloured centaur shouted, 'They can join the woman!' 'You said you didn't hurt the innocent!' shouted Hermione, real tears sliding down her face
now. 'We haven't done anything to hurt you, we haven't used wands or threats, we just want to go back to school, please let us go back - ' 'We are not all like the traitor Firenze, human girl!' shouted the grey centaur, to more neighing roars of approval from his fellows. 'Perhaps you thought us pretty talking horses? We are an ancient people who will not stand wizard invasions and insults! We do not recognise your laws, we do not acknowledge your superiority, we are - ' But they did not hear what else centaurs were, for at that moment there came a crashing noise on the edge of the clearing so loud that all of them, Harry, Hermione and the fifty or so centaurs filling the clearing, looked around. Harry's centaur let him fall to the ground again as his hands flew to his bow and quiver of arrows. Hermione had been dropped, too, and Harry hurried towards her as two thick tree trunks parted ominously and the monstrous form of Grawp the giant appeared in the gap. The	. 'We haven't done anything to hurt you, we haven't used wands or threats, we just want to go back to school, please let us go back - ' 'We are not all like the traitor Firenze, human girl!' shouted the grey centaur, to more neighing roars of approval from his fellows. 'Perhaps you thought us pretty talking horses? We are an ancient people who will not stand wizard invasions and insults! We do not recognise your laws, we do not acknowledge your superiority, we are - ' But they did not hear what else centaurs were, for at that moment there came a crashing noise on the edge of the clearing so loud that all of them, Harry, Hermione and the fifty or so centaurs filling the clearing, looked around. Harry's centaur let him fall to the ground again as his hands flew to his bow and quiver of arrows. Hermione had been dropped, too, and Harry hurried towards her as two thick tree trunks parted ominously and the monstrous form of Grawp the giant appeared in the gap. The
centaurs nearest him backed into those behind; the clearing was now a forest of bows and arrows waiting to be fired, all pointing upwards at the enormous greyish face now looming over them from just beneath the thick canopy of branches. Grawp's lopsided mouth was gaping stupidly; they could see his bricklike yellow teeth glimmering in the half-light, his dull sludge-coloured eyes narrowed as he squinted down at the creatures at his feet. Broken ropes trailed from both ankles. He opened his mouth even wider. 'Hagger.' Harry did not know what 'hagger' meant, or what language it was from, nor did he much care; he was watching Grawp's feet, which were almost as long as Harry's whole body. Hermione gripped his arm tightly; the centaurs were quite silent, staring up at the giant, whose huge, round head moved from side to side as he continued to peer amongst them as though looking for something he had dropped. 'Hagger!' he said again, more insistently.	aurs nearest him backed into those behind; the clearing was now a forest of bows and arrows waiting to be fired, all pointing upwards at the enormous greyish face now looming over them from just beneath the thick canopy of branches. Grawp's lopsided mouth was gaping stupidly; they could see his bricklike yellow teeth glimmering in the half-light, his dull sludge-coloured eyes narrowed as he squinted down at the creatures at his feet. Broken ropes trailed from both ankles. He opened his mouth even wider. 'Hagger.' Harry did not know what 'hagger' meant, or what language it was from, nor did he much care; he was watching Grawp's feet, which were almost as long as Harry's whole body. Hermione gripped his arm tightly; the centaurs were quite silent, staring up at the giant, whose huge, round head moved from side to side as he continued to peer amongst them as though looking for something he had dropped. 'Hagger!' he said again, more insistently.
'Get away from here, giant!' called Magorian. 'You are not welcome among us!' These words seemed to make no impression whatsoever on Grawp. He stooped a little (the centaurs' arms tensed on their bows), then bellowed, 'HAGGER!' A few of the centaurs looked worried now. Hermione, however, gave a gasp. 'Harry!' she whispered. 'I think he's trying to say "Hagrid"!' At this precise moment Grawp caught sight of them, the only two humans in a sea of centaurs. He lowered his head another foot or so, staring intently at them. Harry could feel Hermione shaking as Grawp opened his mouth wide again and said, in a deep, rumbling voice, 'Hermy.' 'Goodness,' said Hermione, gripping Harry's arm so tightly it was growing numb and looking as though she was about to faint, 'he - he remembered!' 'HERMY!' roared Grawp. 'WHERE HAGGER?' 'I	'Get away from here, giant!' called Magorian. 'You are not welcome among us!' These words seemed to make no impression whatsoever on Grawp. He stooped a little (the centaurs' arms tensed on their bows), then bellowed, 'HAGGER!' A few of the centaurs looked worried now. Hermione, however, gave a gasp. 'Harry!' she whispered. 'I think he's trying to say "Hagrid"!' At this precise moment Grawp caught sight of them, the only two humans in a sea of centaurs. He lowered his head another foot or so, staring intently at them. Harry could feel Hermione shaking as Grawp opened his mouth wide again and said, in a deep, rumbling voice, 'Hermy.' 'Goodness,' said Hermione, gripping Harry's arm so tightly it was growing numb and looking as though she was about to faint, 'he - he remembered!' 'HERMY!' roared Grawp. 'WHERE HAGGER?' 'I
don't know!' squealed Hermione, terrified. 'I'm sorry, Grawp, I don't know!' 'GRAWP WANT HAGGER!' One of the giants massive hands reached down. Hermione let out a real scream, ran a few steps backwards and fell over. Devoid of a wand, Harry braced himself to punch, kick, bite or whatever else it took as the hand swooped towards him and knocked a snow-white centaur off his legs. It was what the centaurs had been waiting for - Grawp's outstretched fingers were a foot from Harry when fifty arrows soared through the air at the giant, peppering his enormous face, causing him to howl with pain and rage and straighten up, rubbing his face with his enormous hands, breaking off the arrow shafts but forcing the arrowheads in still deeper. He yelled and stamped his enormous feet and the centaur; scattered out of the way; pebble-sized droplets of Grawp's blood showered Harry as he pulled Hermione	't know!' squealed Hermione, terrified. 'I'm sorry, Grawp, I don't know!' 'GRAWP WANT HAGGER!' One of the giants massive hands reached down. Hermione let out a real scream, ran a few steps backwards and fell over. Devoid of a wand, Harry braced himself to punch, kick, bite or whatever else it took as the hand swooped towards him and knocked a snow-white centaur off his legs. It was what the centaurs had been waiting for - Grawp's outstretched fingers were a foot from Harry when fifty arrows soared through the air at the giant, peppering his enormous face, causing him to howl with pain and rage and straighten up, rubbing his face with his enormous hands, breaking off the arrow shafts but forcing the arrowheads in still deeper. He yelled and stamped his enormous feet and the centaur; scattered out of the way; pebble-sized droplets of Grawp's blood showered Harry as he pulled Hermione
to her feet and the pair of them ran as fast as they could for the shelter of the trees. Once there they looked back; Grawp was snatching blindly at the centaurs as blood ran down his face; they were retreating in disorder, galloping away through the trees on the other side of the clearing. Harry and Hermione watched Grawp give another roar of fury and plunge after them, smashing more trees aside as he went. 'Oh no,' said Hermione, quaking so badly that her knees gave way. 'Oh, that was horrible. And he might kill them all.' 'I'm not that fussed, to be honest,' said Harry bitterly. The sounds of the galloping centaurs and the blundering giant grew fainter and fainter. As Harry listened to them, his scar gave another great throb and a wave of terror swept over him. They had wasted so much time - they were even further from rescuing Sirius than they had been when he had had the vision. Not only had Harry managed to lose his wand but they were stuck in	her feet and the pair of them ran as fast as they could for the shelter of the trees. Once there they looked back; Grawp was snatching blindly at the centaurs as blood ran down his face; they were retreating in disorder, galloping away through the trees on the other side of the clearing. Harry and Hermione watched Grawp give another roar of fury and plunge after them, smashing more trees aside as he went. 'Oh no,' said Hermione, quaking so badly that her knees gave way. 'Oh, that was horrible. And he might kill them all.' 'I'm not that fussed, to be honest,' said Harry bitterly. The sounds of the galloping centaurs and the blundering giant grew fainter and fainter. As Harry listened to them, his scar gave another great throb and a wave of terror swept over him. They had wasted so much time - they were even further from rescuing Sirius than they had been when he had had the vision. Not only had Harry managed to lose his wand but they were stuck in
the middle of the Forbidden Forest with no means of transport whatsoever. 'Smart plan,' he spat at Hermione, having to release some of his fury. 'Really smart plan. Where do we go from here?' 'We need to get back up to the castle,' said Hermione faintly. 'By the time we've done that, Sirius'll probably be dead!' said Harry, kicking a nearby tree in temper. A high-pitched chattering started up overhead and he looked up to see an angry Bowtruckle flexing its long twiglike fingers at him. 'Well, we can't do anything without wands,' said Hermione hopelessly, dragging herself up again. 'Anyway, Harry, how exactly were you planning to get all the way to London?' 'Yeah, we were just wondering that.' said a familiar voice from behind her. Harry and Hermione moved together instinctively and peered through the trees. Ron came into sight, closely followed by Ginny, Neville and Luna. All of them looked a little the worse for wear - there	middle of the Forbidden Forest with no means of transport whatsoever. 'Smart plan,' he spat at Hermione, having to release some of his fury. 'Really smart plan. Where do we go from here?' 'We need to get back up to the castle,' said Hermione faintly. 'By the time we've done that, Sirius'll probably be dead!' said Harry, kicking a nearby tree in temper. A high-pitched chattering started up overhead and he looked up to see an angry Bowtruckle flexing its long twiglike fingers at him. 'Well, we can't do anything without wands,' said Hermione hopelessly, dragging herself up again. 'Anyway, Harry, how exactly were you planning to get all the way to London?' 'Yeah, we were just wondering that.' said a familiar voice from behind her. Harry and Hermione moved together instinctively and peered through the trees. Ron came into sight, closely followed by Ginny, Neville and Luna. All of them looked a little the worse for wear - there
were several long scratches running the length of Ginny's cheek; a large purple lump was swelling above Neville's right eye; Ron's lip was bleeding worse than ever - but all were looking rather pleased with themselves. 'So,' said Ron, pushing aside a low-hanging branch and holding out Harry's wand, 'had any ideas?' 'How did you get away?' asked Harry in amazement, taking his wand from Ron. 'Couple of Stunners, a Disarming Charm, Neville brought off a really nice little Impediment Jinx,' said Ron airily, now handing back Hermione's wand, too. 'But Ginny was best, she got Malfoy - Bat Bogey Hex - it was superb, his whole face was covered in the great flapping things. Anyway, we saw you out of the window heading into the Forest and followed. What've you done with Umbridge?' 'She got carried away,' said Harry. 'By a herd of centaurs.' 'And they left you behind?' asked Ginny, looking astonished.	several long scratches running the length of Ginny's cheek; a large purple lump was swelling above Neville's right eye; Ron's lip was bleeding worse than ever - but all were looking rather pleased with themselves. 'So,' said Ron, pushing aside a low-hanging branch and holding out Harry's wand, 'had any ideas?' 'How did you get away?' asked Harry in amazement, taking his wand from Ron. 'Couple of Stunners, a Disarming Charm, Neville brought off a really nice little Impediment Jinx,' said Ron airily, now handing back Hermione's wand, too. 'But Ginny was best, she got Malfoy - Bat Bogey Hex - it was superb, his whole face was covered in the great flapping things. Anyway, we saw you out of the window heading into the Forest and followed. What've you done with Umbridge?' 'She got carried away,' said Harry. 'By a herd of centaurs.' 'And they left you behind?' asked Ginny, looking astonished.
'No, they got chased off by Grawp,' said Harry. 'Who's Grawp?' Luna asked interestedly. 'Hagrid's little brother,' said Ron promptly. 'Anyway, never mind that now. Harry, what did you find out in the fire? Has You-Know-Who got Sirius or -?' 'Yes,' said Harry, as his scar gave another painful prickle, 'and I'm sure Sirius is still alive, but I can't see how we're going to get there to help him.' They all fell silent, looking rather scared; the problem facing them seemed insurmountable. 'Well, we'll have to fly, won't we?' said Luna, in the closest thing to a matter-of-fact voice Harry had ever heard her use. 'OK,' said Harry irritably, rounding on her. 'First of all, "we" aren't doing anything if you're including yourself in that, and second of all, Ron's me only one with a broomstick that isn't being guard	No, they got chased off by Grawp,' said Harry. 'Who's Grawp?' Luna asked interestedly. 'Hagrid's little brother,' said Ron promptly. 'Anyway, never mind that now. Harry, what did you find out in the fire? Has You-Know-Who got Sirius or -?' 'Yes,' said Harry, as his scar gave another painful prickle, 'and I'm sure Sirius is still alive, but I can't see how we're going to get there to help him.' They all fell silent, looking rather scared; the problem facing them seemed insurmountable. 'Well, we'll have to fly, won't we?' said Luna, in the closest thing to a matter-of-fact voice Harry had ever heard her use. 'OK,' said Harry irritably, rounding on her. 'First of all, "we" aren't doing anything if you're including yourself in that, and second of all, Ron's me only one with a broomstick that isn't being guard
ed by a security troll, so - ' 'I've got a broom!' said Ginny. 'Yeah, but you're not coming,' said Ron angrily. 'Excuse me, but I care what happens to Sirius as much as you do!' said Ginny, her jaw set so that her resemblance to Fred and George was suddenly striking. 'You're too -'Harry began, but Ginny said fiercely, 'I'm three years older than you were when you fought You-Know-Who over the Philosophers Stone, and it's because of me that Malfoy's stuck back in Umbridge's office with giant flying bogies attacking him - ' 'Yeah, but - ' 'We were all in the DA together,' said Neville quietly. 'It was all supposed to be about fighting You-Know-Who, wasn't it? And this is the first chance we've had to do something real - or was that all just a game or something?' 'No - of course it wasn't -'said Harry	by a security troll, so - ' 'I've got a broom!' said Ginny. 'Yeah, but you're not coming,' said Ron angrily. 'Excuse me, but I care what happens to Sirius as much as you do!' said Ginny, her jaw set so that her resemblance to Fred and George was suddenly striking. 'You're too -'Harry began, but Ginny said fiercely, 'I'm three years older than you were when you fought You-Know-Who over the Philosophers Stone, and it's because of me that Malfoy's stuck back in Umbridge's office with giant flying bogies attacking him - ' 'Yeah, but - ' 'We were all in the DA together,' said Neville quietly. 'It was all supposed to be about fighting You-Know-Who, wasn't it? And this is the first chance we've had to do something real - or was that all just a game or something?' 'No - of course it wasn't -'said Harry
impatiently. 'Then we should come too,' said Neville simply. 'We want to help.' 'That's right,' said Luna, smiling happily. Harry's eyes met Ron's. He knew Ron was thinking exactly what he was: if he could have chosen any members of the DA, in addition to himself, Ron and Hermione, to join him in the attempt to rescue Sirius, he would not have picked Ginny, Neville or Luna. 'Well, it doesn't matter, anyway,' said Harry through gritted teeth, 'because we still don't know how to get there - ' 'I thought we'd settled that,' said Luna maddeningly. 'We're flying!' 'Look,' said Ron, barely containing his anger, 'you might be able to fly without a broomstick but the rest of us can't sprout wings whenever we - ' There are ways of flying other than with broomsticks,' said Luna serenely. 'I s'pose we're going to ride on the back of the Kacky Sn	atiently. 'Then we should come too,' said Neville simply. 'We want to help.' 'That's right,' said Luna, smiling happily. Harry's eyes met Ron's. He knew Ron was thinking exactly what he was: if he could have chosen any members of the DA, in addition to himself, Ron and Hermione, to join him in the attempt to rescue Sirius, he would not have picked Ginny, Neville or Luna. 'Well, it doesn't matter, anyway,' said Harry through gritted teeth, 'because we still don't know how to get there - ' 'I thought we'd settled that,' said Luna maddeningly. 'We're flying!' 'Look,' said Ron, barely containing his anger, 'you might be able to fly without a broomstick but the rest of us can't sprout wings whenever we - ' There are ways of flying other than with broomsticks,' said Luna serenely. 'I s'pose we're going to ride on the back of the Kacky Sn
orgle or whatever it is?' Ron demanded. The Crumple-Horned Snorkack can't fly,' said Luna in a dignified voice, 'but they can, and Hagrid says they're very good at finding places their riders are looking for.' Harry whirled round. Standing between two trees, their white eyes gleaming eerily, were two Thestrals, watching the whispered conversation as though they understood every word. 'Yes!' he whispered, moving towards them. They tossed their reptilian heads, throwing back long black manes, and Harry stretched out his hand eagerly and patted the nearest one's shining neck; how could he ever have thought them ugly? 'Is it those mad horse things?' said Ron uncertainly, staring at a point slightly to the left of the Thestral Harry was patting. 'Those ones you can't see unless you've watched someone snuff it?' 'Yeah,' said Harry. 'How many?' 'Just two.' 'Well, we need three,' said Hermione, who was still looking a little sh	le or whatever it is?' Ron demanded. The Crumple-Horned Snorkack can't fly,' said Luna in a dignified voice, 'but they can, and Hagrid says they're very good at finding places their riders are looking for.' Harry whirled round. Standing between two trees, their white eyes gleaming eerily, were two Thestrals, watching the whispered conversation as though they understood every word. 'Yes!' he whispered, moving towards them. They tossed their reptilian heads, throwing back long black manes, and Harry stretched out his hand eagerly and patted the nearest one's shining neck; how could he ever have thought them ugly? 'Is it those mad horse things?' said Ron uncertainly, staring at a point slightly to the left of the Thestral Harry was patting. 'Those ones you can't see unless you've watched someone snuff it?' 'Yeah,' said Harry. 'How many?' 'Just two.' 'Well, we need three,' said Hermione, who was still looking a little sh
aken, but determined just the same. 'Four, Hermione,' said Ginny, scowling. 'I think there are six of us, actually,' said Luna calmly, counting. 'Don't be stupid, we can't all go!' said Harry angrily. 'Look, you three -'he pointed at Neville, Ginny and Luna, 'you're not involved in this, you're not - ' They burst into more protests. His scar gave another, more painful, twinge. Every moment they delayed was precious; he did not have time to argue. 'OK, fine, it's your choice,' he said curtly, 'but unless we can find more Thestrals you're not going to be able - ' 'Oh, more of them will come,' said Ginny confidently, who like Ron was squinting in quite the wrong direction, apparently under the impression that she was looking at the horses. 'What makes you think that?' 'Because, in case you hadn't noticed, you and Hermione are both covered in blood,'	, but determined just the same. 'Four, Hermione,' said Ginny, scowling. 'I think there are six of us, actually,' said Luna calmly, counting. 'Don't be stupid, we can't all go!' said Harry angrily. 'Look, you three -'he pointed at Neville, Ginny and Luna, 'you're not involved in this, you're not - ' They burst into more protests. His scar gave another, more painful, twinge. Every moment they delayed was precious; he did not have time to argue. 'OK, fine, it's your choice,' he said curtly, 'but unless we can find more Thestrals you're not going to be able - ' 'Oh, more of them will come,' said Ginny confidently, who like Ron was squinting in quite the wrong direction, apparently under the impression that she was looking at the horses. 'What makes you think that?' 'Because, in case you hadn't noticed, you and Hermione are both covered in blood,'
she said coolly, 'and we know Hagrid lures Thestrals with raw meat. That's probably why these two turned up in the first place.' Harry felt a soft tug on his robes at that moment and looked down to see the closest Thestral licking his sleeve, which was damp with Grawp's blood. 'OK, then,' he said, a bright idea occurring, 'Ron and I will take these two and go ahead, and Hermione can stay here with you three and she'll attract more Thestrals - ' 'I'm not staying behind!' said Hermione furiously. There's no need,' said Luna, smiling. 'Look, here come more now... you two must really smell...' Harry turned: no fewer than six or seven Thestrals were picking their way through the trees, their great leathery wings folded tight to their bodies, their eyes gleaming through the darkness. He had no excuse now. 'All right,' he said angrily, 'pick one and get on, then.' - CHAPTER	said coolly, 'and we know Hagrid lures Thestrals with raw meat. That's probably why these two turned up in the first place.' Harry felt a soft tug on his robes at that moment and looked down to see the closest Thestral licking his sleeve, which was damp with Grawp's blood. 'OK, then,' he said, a bright idea occurring, 'Ron and I will take these two and go ahead, and Hermione can stay here with you three and she'll attract more Thestrals - ' 'I'm not staying behind!' said Hermione furiously. There's no need,' said Luna, smiling. 'Look, here come more now... you two must really smell...' Harry turned: no fewer than six or seven Thestrals were picking their way through the trees, their great leathery wings folded tight to their bodies, their eyes gleaming through the darkness. He had no excuse now. 'All right,' he said angrily, 'pick one and get on, then.' - CHAPTER
THIRTY-FOUR - The Department Of Mysteries Harry wound his hand tightly into the mane of the nearest Thestral, placed a foot on a stump nearby and scrambled clumsily on to the horse's silken back. It did not object, but twisted its head around, fangs bared, and attempted to continue its eager licking of his robes. He found there was a way of lodging his knees behind the wing joints that made him feel more secure, then looked around at the others. Neville had heaved himself over the back of the next Thestral and was now attempting to swing one short leg over the creature's back. Luna was already in place, sitting side-saddle and adjusting her robes as though she did this every day. Ron, Hermione and Ginny, however, were still standing motionless on the spot, open-mouthed and staring. 'What?' he said. 'How're we supposed to get on?' said Ron faintly. 'When we can't see the things?' 'Oh, it's easy,' said Luna	IRTY-FOUR - The Department Of Mysteries Harry wound his hand tightly into the mane of the nearest Thestral, placed a foot on a stump nearby and scrambled clumsily on to the horse's silken back. It did not object, but twisted its head around, fangs bared, and attempted to continue its eager licking of his robes. He found there was a way of lodging his knees behind the wing joints that made him feel more secure, then looked around at the others. Neville had heaved himself over the back of the next Thestral and was now attempting to swing one short leg over the creature's back. Luna was already in place, sitting side-saddle and adjusting her robes as though she did this every day. Ron, Hermione and Ginny, however, were still standing motionless on the spot, open-mouthed and staring. 'What?' he said. 'How're we supposed to get on?' said Ron faintly. 'When we can't see the things?' 'Oh, it's easy,' said Luna
, sliding obligingly from her Thestral and marching over to him, Hermione and Ginny. 'Come here...' She pulled them over to the other Thestrals standing around and one by one managed to help them on to the back of their mount. All three looked extremely nervous as she wound their hands into their horses mane and told them to grip tightly before she got back on to her own steed. This is mad,' Ron murmured, moving his free hand gingerly up and down his horses neck. 'Mad... if I could just see it - ' 'You'd better hope it stays invisible,' said Harry darkly. 'We all ready, then?' They all nodded and he saw live pairs of knees tighten beneath their robes. 'OK...' He looked down at the back of his Thestral's glossy black head and swallowed. 'Ministry of Magic, visitors' entrance, London, then,' he said uncertainly. 'Er... if you know... where to go...' For a moment Harry	sliding obligingly from her Thestral and marching over to him, Hermione and Ginny. 'Come here...' She pulled them over to the other Thestrals standing around and one by one managed to help them on to the back of their mount. All three looked extremely nervous as she wound their hands into their horses mane and told them to grip tightly before she got back on to her own steed. This is mad,' Ron murmured, moving his free hand gingerly up and down his horses neck. 'Mad... if I could just see it - ' 'You'd better hope it stays invisible,' said Harry darkly. 'We all ready, then?' They all nodded and he saw live pairs of knees tighten beneath their robes. 'OK...' He looked down at the back of his Thestral's glossy black head and swallowed. 'Ministry of Magic, visitors' entrance, London, then,' he said uncertainly. 'Er... if you know... where to go...' For a moment Harry
's Thestral did nothing at all; then, with a sweeping movement that nearly unseated him, the wings on either side extended; the horse crouched slowly, then rocketed upwards so fast and so steeply that Harry had to clench his arms and legs tightly around the horse to avoid sliding backwards over its bony rump. He closed his eyes and pressed his face down into the horses silky mane as they burst through the topmost branches of the trees and soared out into a blood-red sunset. Harry did not think he had ever moved so fast: the Thestral streaked over the castle, its wide wings hardly beating; the cooling air was slapping Harry's face; eyes screwed up against the rushing wind, he looked round and saw his five fellows soaring along behind him, each of them bent as low as possible into the neck of their Thestral to protect themselves from his slipstream. They were over the Hogwarts grounds, they had passed Hogsmeade; Harry could see mountains and gullies below them. As the daylight began to fail, Harry saw small collections of lights as	s Thestral did nothing at all; then, with a sweeping movement that nearly unseated him, the wings on either side extended; the horse crouched slowly, then rocketed upwards so fast and so steeply that Harry had to clench his arms and legs tightly around the horse to avoid sliding backwards over its bony rump. He closed his eyes and pressed his face down into the horses silky mane as they burst through the topmost branches of the trees and soared out into a blood-red sunset. Harry did not think he had ever moved so fast: the Thestral streaked over the castle, its wide wings hardly beating; the cooling air was slapping Harry's face; eyes screwed up against the rushing wind, he looked round and saw his five fellows soaring along behind him, each of them bent as low as possible into the neck of their Thestral to protect themselves from his slipstream. They were over the Hogwarts grounds, they had passed Hogsmeade; Harry could see mountains and gullies below them. As the daylight began to fail, Harry saw small collections of lights as
they passed over more villages, then a winding road on which a single car was beetling its way home through the hills... This is bizarre!' Harry barely heard Ron yell from somewhere behind him, and he imagined how it must feel to be speeding along at this height with no visible means of support. Twilight fell: the sky was turning to a light, dusky purple littered with tiny silver stars, and soon only the lights of Muggle towns gave them any clue of how far from the ground they were, or how very fast they were travelling. Harry's arms were wrapped tightly around his horse's neck as he willed it to go even faster. How much time had elapsed since he had seen Sirius lying on the Department of Mysteries floor? How much longer would Sirius be able to resist Voldemort? All Harry knew for sure was that his godfather had neither done as Voldemort wanted, nor died, for he was convinced that either outcome would have caused him to feel Voldemort's jubilation or fury course through his own body, making his scar sear as painfully as it had on	passed over more villages, then a winding road on which a single car was beetling its way home through the hills... This is bizarre!' Harry barely heard Ron yell from somewhere behind him, and he imagined how it must feel to be speeding along at this height with no visible means of support. Twilight fell: the sky was turning to a light, dusky purple littered with tiny silver stars, and soon only the lights of Muggle towns gave them any clue of how far from the ground they were, or how very fast they were travelling. Harry's arms were wrapped tightly around his horse's neck as he willed it to go even faster. How much time had elapsed since he had seen Sirius lying on the Department of Mysteries floor? How much longer would Sirius be able to resist Voldemort? All Harry knew for sure was that his godfather had neither done as Voldemort wanted, nor died, for he was convinced that either outcome would have caused him to feel Voldemort's jubilation or fury course through his own body, making his scar sear as painfully as it had on
the night Mr Weasley was attacked. On they flew through the gathering darkness; Harry's face felt stiff and cold, his legs numb from gripping the Thestral's sides so tightly, but he did not dare shift his position lest he slip... he was deaf from the thundering rush of air in his ears, and his mouth was dry and frozen from the cold night wind. He had lost all sense of how far they had come; all his faith was in the beast beneath him, still streaking purposefully through the night, barely flapping its wings as it sped ever onwards. If they were too late... He's still alive, he's still fighting, I can feel it... If Voldemort decided Sirius was not going to crack... I'd know... Harry's stomach gave a jolt; the Thestral's head was suddenly pointing towards the ground and he actually slid forwards a few inches along its neck. They were descending at last... he thought he heard a sh	night Mr Weasley was attacked. On they flew through the gathering darkness; Harry's face felt stiff and cold, his legs numb from gripping the Thestral's sides so tightly, but he did not dare shift his position lest he slip... he was deaf from the thundering rush of air in his ears, and his mouth was dry and frozen from the cold night wind. He had lost all sense of how far they had come; all his faith was in the beast beneath him, still streaking purposefully through the night, barely flapping its wings as it sped ever onwards. If they were too late... He's still alive, he's still fighting, I can feel it... If Voldemort decided Sirius was not going to crack... I'd know... Harry's stomach gave a jolt; the Thestral's head was suddenly pointing towards the ground and he actually slid forwards a few inches along its neck. They were descending at last... he thought he heard a sh
riek behind him and twisted around dangerously, but could see no sign of a falling body... presumably they had all received a shock from the change of direction, just as he had. And now bright orange lights were growing larger and rounder on all sides; they could see the tops of buildings, streams of headlights like luminous insect eyes, squares of pale yellow that were windows. Quite suddenly, it seemed, they were hurtling towards the pavement; Harry gripped the Thestral with every last ounce of his strength, braced for a sudden impact, but the horse touched the dark ground as lightly as a shadow and Harry slid from its back, looking around at the street where the overflowing skip still stood a short way from the vandalised telephone box, both drained of colour in the flat orange glare of the streetlights. Ron landed a short way off and toppled immediately from his Thestral on to the pavement. 'Never again,' he said, struggling to his feet. He made as though to stride away from his Thestral, but, unable to see it, collided with its	k behind him and twisted around dangerously, but could see no sign of a falling body... presumably they had all received a shock from the change of direction, just as he had. And now bright orange lights were growing larger and rounder on all sides; they could see the tops of buildings, streams of headlights like luminous insect eyes, squares of pale yellow that were windows. Quite suddenly, it seemed, they were hurtling towards the pavement; Harry gripped the Thestral with every last ounce of his strength, braced for a sudden impact, but the horse touched the dark ground as lightly as a shadow and Harry slid from its back, looking around at the street where the overflowing skip still stood a short way from the vandalised telephone box, both drained of colour in the flat orange glare of the streetlights. Ron landed a short way off and toppled immediately from his Thestral on to the pavement. 'Never again,' he said, struggling to his feet. He made as though to stride away from his Thestral, but, unable to see it, collided with its
hindquarters and almost tell over again. Never, ever again... that was the worst - ' Hermione and Ginny touched down on either side of him: both slid off their mounts a little more gracefully than Ron, though with similar expressions of relief at being back on firm ground; Neville jumped down, shaking; and Luna dismounted smoothly. 'Where do we go from here, then?' she asked Harry in a politely interested voice, as though this was all a rather interesting day-trip. 'Over here,' he said. He gave his Thestral a quick, grateful pat, then led the way quickly to the battered telephone box and opened the door. 'Come on!' he urged the others, as they hesitated. Ron and Ginny marched in obediently; Hermione, Neville and Luna squashed themselves in after them; Harry took one glance back at the Thestrals, now foraging for scraps of rotten food inside the skip, then forced himself into the box after Luna. 'Whoever's nearest the receiver, dial six two four four two	indquarters and almost tell over again. Never, ever again... that was the worst - ' Hermione and Ginny touched down on either side of him: both slid off their mounts a little more gracefully than Ron, though with similar expressions of relief at being back on firm ground; Neville jumped down, shaking; and Luna dismounted smoothly. 'Where do we go from here, then?' she asked Harry in a politely interested voice, as though this was all a rather interesting day-trip. 'Over here,' he said. He gave his Thestral a quick, grateful pat, then led the way quickly to the battered telephone box and opened the door. 'Come on!' he urged the others, as they hesitated. Ron and Ginny marched in obediently; Hermione, Neville and Luna squashed themselves in after them; Harry took one glance back at the Thestrals, now foraging for scraps of rotten food inside the skip, then forced himself into the box after Luna. 'Whoever's nearest the receiver, dial six two four four two
!' he said. Ron did it, his arm bent bizarrely to reach the dial; as it whirred back into place the cool female voice sounded inside the box. 'Welcome to the Ministry of Magic. Please state your name and business.' 'Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger,' Harry said very quickly, 'Ginny Weasley, Neville Longbottom, Luna Lovegood... we're here to save someone, unless your Ministry can do it first!' Thank you,' said the cool female voice. 'Visitors, please take the badges and attach them to the front of your robes.' Half a dozen badges slid out of the metal chute where returned coins normally appeared. Hermione scooped them up and handed them mutely to Harry over Ginny's head; he glanced at the topmost one, Harry Potter, Rescue Mission. 'Visitors to the Ministry, you are required to submit to a search and present your wands for registration at the security desk, which is located at the far end of the Atrium.' 'F	he said. Ron did it, his arm bent bizarrely to reach the dial; as it whirred back into place the cool female voice sounded inside the box. 'Welcome to the Ministry of Magic. Please state your name and business.' 'Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger,' Harry said very quickly, 'Ginny Weasley, Neville Longbottom, Luna Lovegood... we're here to save someone, unless your Ministry can do it first!' Thank you,' said the cool female voice. 'Visitors, please take the badges and attach them to the front of your robes.' Half a dozen badges slid out of the metal chute where returned coins normally appeared. Hermione scooped them up and handed them mutely to Harry over Ginny's head; he glanced at the topmost one, Harry Potter, Rescue Mission. 'Visitors to the Ministry, you are required to submit to a search and present your wands for registration at the security desk, which is located at the far end of the Atrium.' 'F
ine!' Harry said loudly, as his scar gave another throb. 'Now can we move?' The floor of the telephone box shuddered and the pavement rose up past its glass windows; the scavenging Thestrals were sliding out of sight; blackness closed over their heads and with a dull grinding noise they sank down into the depths of the Ministry of Magic. A chink of soft golden light hit their feet and, widening, rose up their bodies. Harry bent his knees and held his wand as ready as he could in such cramped conditions as he peered through the glass to see whether anybody was waiting for them in the Atrium, but it seemed, to be completely empty. The light was dimmer than it had been by day; there were no fires burning under the mantelpieces set into the walls, but as the lift slid smoothly to a halt he saw that golden symbols continued to twist sinuously in the dark blue ceiling. The Ministry of Magic wishes you a pleasant evening,' said the woman's voice. The door of the telephone box burst open; Harry toppled out of it	!' Harry said loudly, as his scar gave another throb. 'Now can we move?' The floor of the telephone box shuddered and the pavement rose up past its glass windows; the scavenging Thestrals were sliding out of sight; blackness closed over their heads and with a dull grinding noise they sank down into the depths of the Ministry of Magic. A chink of soft golden light hit their feet and, widening, rose up their bodies. Harry bent his knees and held his wand as ready as he could in such cramped conditions as he peered through the glass to see whether anybody was waiting for them in the Atrium, but it seemed, to be completely empty. The light was dimmer than it had been by day; there were no fires burning under the mantelpieces set into the walls, but as the lift slid smoothly to a halt he saw that golden symbols continued to twist sinuously in the dark blue ceiling. The Ministry of Magic wishes you a pleasant evening,' said the woman's voice. The door of the telephone box burst open; Harry toppled out of it
, closely followed by Neville and Luna. The only sound in the Atrium was the steady rush of water from the golden fountain, where jets from the wands of the witch and wizard, the point of the centaur's arrow, the tip of the goblin's hat and the house-elf's ears continued to gush into the surrounding pool. 'Come on, said Harry quietly and the six of them sprinted off down the hall, Harry in the lead, past the fountain towards the desk where the watchwizard who had weighed Harry's wand had sat, and which was now deserted. Harry felt sure there ought to be a security person there, sure their absence was an ominous sign, and his feeling of foreboding increased as they passed through the golden gates to the lifts. He pressed the nearest 'down' button and a lift clattered into sight almost immediately, the golden grilles slid apart with a great, echoing clanking and they dashed inside. Harry stabbed the number nine button; the grilles closed with a bang and the lift began to descend, jangling and ratt	closely followed by Neville and Luna. The only sound in the Atrium was the steady rush of water from the golden fountain, where jets from the wands of the witch and wizard, the point of the centaur's arrow, the tip of the goblin's hat and the house-elf's ears continued to gush into the surrounding pool. 'Come on, said Harry quietly and the six of them sprinted off down the hall, Harry in the lead, past the fountain towards the desk where the watchwizard who had weighed Harry's wand had sat, and which was now deserted. Harry felt sure there ought to be a security person there, sure their absence was an ominous sign, and his feeling of foreboding increased as they passed through the golden gates to the lifts. He pressed the nearest 'down' button and a lift clattered into sight almost immediately, the golden grilles slid apart with a great, echoing clanking and they dashed inside. Harry stabbed the number nine button; the grilles closed with a bang and the lift began to descend, jangling and ratt
ling. Harry had not realised how noisy the lifts were on the day he had come with Mr Weasley; he was sure the din would raise every security person within the building, yet when the lilt halted, the cool female voice said, 'Department of Mysteries,' and the grilles slid open. They stepped out into the corridor where nothing was moving out but the nearest torches, flickering in the rush of air from the lift. Harry turned towards the plain black door. After months and months of dreaming about it, he was here at last. 'Let's go,' he whispered, and he led the way down the corridor, Luna right behind him, gazing around with her mouth slightly open. 'OK, listen,' said Harry, stopping again within six feet of the door. 'Maybe... maybe a couple of people should stay here as a - as a lookout, and - ' 'And how're we going to let you know something's coming?' asked Ginny, her eyebrows raised. 'You could be miles away.' 'We're coming with you,	. Harry had not realised how noisy the lifts were on the day he had come with Mr Weasley; he was sure the din would raise every security person within the building, yet when the lilt halted, the cool female voice said, 'Department of Mysteries,' and the grilles slid open. They stepped out into the corridor where nothing was moving out but the nearest torches, flickering in the rush of air from the lift. Harry turned towards the plain black door. After months and months of dreaming about it, he was here at last. 'Let's go,' he whispered, and he led the way down the corridor, Luna right behind him, gazing around with her mouth slightly open. 'OK, listen,' said Harry, stopping again within six feet of the door. 'Maybe... maybe a couple of people should stay here as a - as a lookout, and - ' 'And how're we going to let you know something's coming?' asked Ginny, her eyebrows raised. 'You could be miles away.' 'We're coming with you,
Harry,' said Neville. 'Let's get on with it,' said Ron firmly. Harry still did not want to take them all with him, but it seemed he had no choice. He turned to face the door and walked forwards... just as it had in his dream, it swung open and he marched over the threshold, the others at his heels. They were standing in a large, circular room. Everything in here was black including the floor and ceiling; identical, unmarked, handleless black doors were set at intervals all around the black walls, interspersed with branches of candles whose flames burned blue; their cool, shimmering light reflected in the shining marble floor made it look as though there was dark water underfoot. 'Someone shut the door,' Harry muttered. He regretted giving this order the moment Neville had obeyed it. Without the long chink of light from the torchlit corridor behind them, the place became so dark that for a moment the only things they could see were the bunches of shivering blue flames on the walls and their ghostly reflections	,' said Neville. 'Let's get on with it,' said Ron firmly. Harry still did not want to take them all with him, but it seemed he had no choice. He turned to face the door and walked forwards... just as it had in his dream, it swung open and he marched over the threshold, the others at his heels. They were standing in a large, circular room. Everything in here was black including the floor and ceiling; identical, unmarked, handleless black doors were set at intervals all around the black walls, interspersed with branches of candles whose flames burned blue; their cool, shimmering light reflected in the shining marble floor made it look as though there was dark water underfoot. 'Someone shut the door,' Harry muttered. He regretted giving this order the moment Neville had obeyed it. Without the long chink of light from the torchlit corridor behind them, the place became so dark that for a moment the only things they could see were the bunches of shivering blue flames on the walls and their ghostly reflections
in the floor. In his dream, Harry had always walked purposefully across this room to the door immediately opposite the entrance and walked on. But there were around a dozen doors here. Just as he was gazing ahead at the doors opposite him, trying to decide which was the right one, there was a great rumbling noise and the candles began to move sideways. The circular wall was rotating. Hermione grabbed Harry's arm as though frightened the floor might move, too, but it did not. For a few seconds, the blue flames around them were blurred to resemble neon lines as the wall sped around; then, quite as suddenly as it had started, the rumbling stopped and everything became stationary once again. Harry's eyes had blue streaks burned into them; it was all he could see. 'What was that about?' whispered Ron fearfully. 'I think it was to stop us knowing which door we came in through,' said Ginny in a hushed voice. Harry realised at once she was right: he could no sooner identify the exit door than locate an ant on the jet-black	the floor. In his dream, Harry had always walked purposefully across this room to the door immediately opposite the entrance and walked on. But there were around a dozen doors here. Just as he was gazing ahead at the doors opposite him, trying to decide which was the right one, there was a great rumbling noise and the candles began to move sideways. The circular wall was rotating. Hermione grabbed Harry's arm as though frightened the floor might move, too, but it did not. For a few seconds, the blue flames around them were blurred to resemble neon lines as the wall sped around; then, quite as suddenly as it had started, the rumbling stopped and everything became stationary once again. Harry's eyes had blue streaks burned into them; it was all he could see. 'What was that about?' whispered Ron fearfully. 'I think it was to stop us knowing which door we came in through,' said Ginny in a hushed voice. Harry realised at once she was right: he could no sooner identify the exit door than locate an ant on the jet-black
floor; and the door through which they needed to proceed could be any one of the dozen surrounding them. 'How're we going to get back out?' said Neville uncomfortably. 'Well, that doesn't matter now,' said Harry forcefully, blinking to try to erase the blue lines from his vision, and clutching his wand tighter than ever, 'we won't need to get out till we've found Sirius - ' 'Don't go calling for him, though!' Hermione said urgently; but Harry had never needed her advice less, his instinct was to keep as quiet as possible. 'Where do we go, then, Harry?' Ron asked. 'I don't -'Harry began. He swallowed. 'In the dreams I went through the door at the end of the corridor from the lifts into a dark room - that's this one - and then I went through another door into a room that kind of... glitters. We should try a few doors,' he said hastily, 'I'll know the right way when I see it. C'mon.'	; and the door through which they needed to proceed could be any one of the dozen surrounding them. 'How're we going to get back out?' said Neville uncomfortably. 'Well, that doesn't matter now,' said Harry forcefully, blinking to try to erase the blue lines from his vision, and clutching his wand tighter than ever, 'we won't need to get out till we've found Sirius - ' 'Don't go calling for him, though!' Hermione said urgently; but Harry had never needed her advice less, his instinct was to keep as quiet as possible. 'Where do we go, then, Harry?' Ron asked. 'I don't -'Harry began. He swallowed. 'In the dreams I went through the door at the end of the corridor from the lifts into a dark room - that's this one - and then I went through another door into a room that kind of... glitters. We should try a few doors,' he said hastily, 'I'll know the right way when I see it. C'mon.'
He marched straight at the door now facing him, the others following close behind him, set his left hand against its cool, shining surface, raised his wand ready to strike the moment it opened, and pushed. It swung open easily. After the darkness of the first room, the lamps hanging low on golden chains from this ceiling gave the impression that this long rectangular room was much brighter, though there were no glittering, shimmering lights as Harry had seen in his dreams. The place was quite empty except for a few desks and, in the very middle of the room, an enormous glass tank of deep green liquid, big enough for all of them to swim in; a number of pearly-white objects were drifting around lazily in it. 'What're those things?' whispered Ron. 'Dunno,' said Harry. 'Are they fish?' breathed Ginny. 'Aquavirius Maggots!' said Luna excitedly. 'Dad said the Ministry were breeding - ' 'No,' said Hermione. She sounded odd. She moved forward to	He marched straight at the door now facing him, the others following close behind him, set his left hand against its cool, shining surface, raised his wand ready to strike the moment it opened, and pushed. It swung open easily. After the darkness of the first room, the lamps hanging low on golden chains from this ceiling gave the impression that this long rectangular room was much brighter, though there were no glittering, shimmering lights as Harry had seen in his dreams. The place was quite empty except for a few desks and, in the very middle of the room, an enormous glass tank of deep green liquid, big enough for all of them to swim in; a number of pearly-white objects were drifting around lazily in it. 'What're those things?' whispered Ron. 'Dunno,' said Harry. 'Are they fish?' breathed Ginny. 'Aquavirius Maggots!' said Luna excitedly. 'Dad said the Ministry were breeding - ' 'No,' said Hermione. She sounded odd. She moved forward to