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<s> His voice echoed around the room, but there was no answer except a tiny scuffing sound to the right of the tire. 'Who's there?' he called, wondering whether it was just a mouse. Kreacher the house-elf crept into view. He looked highly delighted about something, though he seemed to have recently sustained a nasty injury to both hands, which were heavily bandaged. 'It's the Potter boys head in the fire,' Kreacher informed the empty kitchen, stealing furtive, oddly triumphant glances at Harry. 'What has he come for, Kreacher wonders?'</s> | voice echoed around the room, but there was no answer except a tiny scuffing sound to the right of the tire. 'Who's there?' he called, wondering whether it was just a mouse. Kreacher the house-elf crept into view. He looked highly delighted about something, though he seemed to have recently sustained a nasty injury to both hands, which were heavily bandaged. 'It's the Potter boys head in the fire,' Kreacher informed the empty kitchen, stealing furtive, oddly triumphant glances at Harry. 'What has he come for, Kreacher wonders?'</s> |
<s> 'Where's Sirius, Kreacher?' Harry demanded. The house-elf gave a wheezy chuckle. 'Master has gone out, Harry Potter.'</s> | Where's Sirius, Kreacher?' Harry demanded. The house-elf gave a wheezy chuckle. 'Master has gone out, Harry Potter.'</s> |
<s> 'Where's he gone? Where's he gone, Kreacher?'</s> | Where's he gone? Where's he gone, Kreacher?'</s> |
<s> Kreacher merely cackled. 'I'm warning you!' said Harry, fully aware that his scope for inflicting punishment upon Kreacher was almost non-existent in this position. 'What about Lupin? Mad-Eye? Any of them, are any of them there?'</s> | acher merely cackled. 'I'm warning you!' said Harry, fully aware that his scope for inflicting punishment upon Kreacher was almost non-existent in this position. 'What about Lupin? Mad-Eye? Any of them, are any of them there?'</s> |
<s> 'Nobody here but Kreacher!' said the elf gleefully, and turning away from Harry he began to walk slowly towards the door at the end of the kitchen. 'Kreacher thinks he will have a little chat with his mistress now, yes, he hasn't had a chance in a long time, Kreacher's master has been keeping him away from her - '</s> | Nobody here but Kreacher!' said the elf gleefully, and turning away from Harry he began to walk slowly towards the door at the end of the kitchen. 'Kreacher thinks he will have a little chat with his mistress now, yes, he hasn't had a chance in a long time, Kreacher's master has been keeping him away from her - '</s> |
<s> 'Where has Sirius gone?' Harry yelled after the elf. 'Kreacher, has he gone to the Department of Mysteries?'</s> | Where has Sirius gone?' Harry yelled after the elf. 'Kreacher, has he gone to the Department of Mysteries?'</s> |
<s> Kreacher stopped in his tracks. Harry could just make out the back of his bald head through the forest of chair legs before him. 'Master does not tell poor Kreacher where he is going,' said the elf quietly. 'But you know!' shouted Harry. 'Don't you? You know where he is!'</s> | acher stopped in his tracks. Harry could just make out the back of his bald head through the forest of chair legs before him. 'Master does not tell poor Kreacher where he is going,' said the elf quietly. 'But you know!' shouted Harry. 'Don't you? You know where he is!'</s> |
<s> There was a moment's silence, then the elf let out his loudest cackle yet. 'Master will not come back from the Department of Mysteries!' he said gleefully. 'Kreacher and his mistress are alone again!'</s> | was a moment's silence, then the elf let out his loudest cackle yet. 'Master will not come back from the Department of Mysteries!' he said gleefully. 'Kreacher and his mistress are alone again!'</s> |
<s> And he scurried forwards and disappeared through the door to the hall. 'You - '!'</s> | he scurried forwards and disappeared through the door to the hall. 'You - '!'</s> |
<s> But before he could utter a single curse or insult, Harry felt a great pain at the top of his head; he inhaled a lot of ash and, choking, found himself being dragged backwards through the flames, until with a horrible abruptness he was staring up into the wide, pallid face of Professor Umbridge who had dragged him backwards out of the fire by the hair and was now bending his neck back as far as it would go, as though she were going to slit his throat. 'You think,' she whispered, bending Harry's neck back even further, so that he was looking up at the ceiling, 'that after two Nifflers</s> | before he could utter a single curse or insult, Harry felt a great pain at the top of his head; he inhaled a lot of ash and, choking, found himself being dragged backwards through the flames, until with a horrible abruptness he was staring up into the wide, pallid face of Professor Umbridge who had dragged him backwards out of the fire by the hair and was now bending his neck back as far as it would go, as though she were going to slit his throat. 'You think,' she whispered, bending Harry's neck back even further, so that he was looking up at the ceiling, 'that after two Nifflers</s> |
<s> I was going to let one more foul, scavenging little creature enter my office without my knowledge? I had Stealth Sensoring Spells placed all around my doorway after the last one got in, you foolish boy. Take his wand,' she barked at someone he could not see, and he felt a hand grope inside the chest pocket of his robes and remove the wand. 'I want to know why you are in my office,' said Umbridge, shaking the fist clutching his hair so that he staggered. 'I was - trying to get my Firebolt!' Harry croaked. 'Liar.' She shook his head again. 'Your Firebolt is under strict guard in the dungeons, as you very well know, Potter. You had your head in my fire. With whom have you been communicating?'</s> | was going to let one more foul, scavenging little creature enter my office without my knowledge? I had Stealth Sensoring Spells placed all around my doorway after the last one got in, you foolish boy. Take his wand,' she barked at someone he could not see, and he felt a hand grope inside the chest pocket of his robes and remove the wand. 'I want to know why you are in my office,' said Umbridge, shaking the fist clutching his hair so that he staggered. 'I was - trying to get my Firebolt!' Harry croaked. 'Liar.' She shook his head again. 'Your Firebolt is under strict guard in the dungeons, as you very well know, Potter. You had your head in my fire. With whom have you been communicating?'</s> |
<s> 'No one -'said Harry, trying to pull away from her. He felt several hairs part company with his scalp. 'Liar!' shouted Umbridge. She threw him from her and he slammed into the desk. Malfoy was leaning on the windowsill, smirking as he threw Harry's wand into the air one-handed and caught it again. All four of them had been gagged. That one,' he poked a thick finger at Neville, 'tried to stop me taking her,' he pointed at Ginny, who was trying to kick the shins of the large Slytherin girl holding her,'so I brought him along too.'</s> | No one -'said Harry, trying to pull away from her. He felt several hairs part company with his scalp. 'Liar!' shouted Umbridge. She threw him from her and he slammed into the desk. Malfoy was leaning on the windowsill, smirking as he threw Harry's wand into the air one-handed and caught it again. All four of them had been gagged. That one,' he poked a thick finger at Neville, 'tried to stop me taking her,' he pointed at Ginny, who was trying to kick the shins of the large Slytherin girl holding her,'so I brought him along too.'</s> |
<s> 'Good, good,' said Umbridge, watching Ginny's struggles. Umbridge gave her wide, complacent smile and settled herself into a chintz-covered armchair, blinking up at her captives like a toad in a flowerbed. 'So, Potter,' she said. 'Clearly, it was very important for you to talk to somebody. Was it Albus Dumbledore? Or the half-breed, Hagrid? I doubt it was Minerva McGonagall, I hear she is still too ill to talk to anyone.'</s> | Good, good,' said Umbridge, watching Ginny's struggles. Umbridge gave her wide, complacent smile and settled herself into a chintz-covered armchair, blinking up at her captives like a toad in a flowerbed. 'So, Potter,' she said. 'Clearly, it was very important for you to talk to somebody. Was it Albus Dumbledore? Or the half-breed, Hagrid? I doubt it was Minerva McGonagall, I hear she is still too ill to talk to anyone.'</s> |
<s> Malfoy and a few of the other members of the Inquisitorial Squad laughed some more at that. Harry found he was so full of rage and hatred he was shaking. 'It's none of your business who I talk to,' he snarled. Umbridge's slack face seemed to tighten. 'Very well,' she said in her most dangerous and falsely sweet voice. 'Very well, Mr Potter... I offered you the chance to tell me freely. You refused. I have no alternative but to force you. Draco</s> | foy and a few of the other members of the Inquisitorial Squad laughed some more at that. Harry found he was so full of rage and hatred he was shaking. 'It's none of your business who I talk to,' he snarled. Umbridge's slack face seemed to tighten. 'Very well,' she said in her most dangerous and falsely sweet voice. 'Very well, Mr Potter... I offered you the chance to tell me freely. You refused. I have no alternative but to force you. Draco</s> |
<s>'- fetch Professor Snape.'</s> | - fetch Professor Snape.'</s> |
<s> Malfoy slowed Harry's wand inside his robes and left the room smirking, but Harry hardly noticed. He had just realised something; he could not believe he had been so stupid as to forget it. He had thought that all the members of the Order, all those who could help him save Sirius, were gone - but he had been wrong. There was still a member of the Order of the Phoenix at Hogwarts - Snape. Luna, however, stood limply by the side of her captor, gazing vaguely out of the window as though rather bored by the proceedings. Harry looked back at Umbridge, who was watching him closely. He kept his face deliberately smooth and blank as footsteps were heard in the corridor outside and Draco Malfoy entered the room, closely followed by Snape. 'You wanted to see me, Headmistress?' said Snape, looking around at all the pairs of struggling students with an expression of complete indifference. 'Ah, Professor Snape,' said Umbridge, smiling widely and standing up again. 'Yes, I would like another bottle of Veritaserum, as quick as you can, please.'</s> | foy slowed Harry's wand inside his robes and left the room smirking, but Harry hardly noticed. He had just realised something; he could not believe he had been so stupid as to forget it. He had thought that all the members of the Order, all those who could help him save Sirius, were gone - but he had been wrong. There was still a member of the Order of the Phoenix at Hogwarts - Snape. Luna, however, stood limply by the side of her captor, gazing vaguely out of the window as though rather bored by the proceedings. Harry looked back at Umbridge, who was watching him closely. He kept his face deliberately smooth and blank as footsteps were heard in the corridor outside and Draco Malfoy entered the room, closely followed by Snape. 'You wanted to see me, Headmistress?' said Snape, looking around at all the pairs of struggling students with an expression of complete indifference. 'Ah, Professor Snape,' said Umbridge, smiling widely and standing up again. 'Yes, I would like another bottle of Veritaserum, as quick as you can, please.'</s> |
<s> 'You took my last bottle to interrogate Potter,' he said, surveying her coolly through his greasy curtains of black hair. 'Surely you did not use it all? I told you that three drops would be sufficient.'</s> | You took my last bottle to interrogate Potter,' he said, surveying her coolly through his greasy curtains of black hair. 'Surely you did not use it all? I told you that three drops would be sufficient.'</s> |
<s> Umbridge flushed. 'You can make some more, can't you?' she said, her voice becoming more sweetly girlish as it always did when she was furious. 'Certainly,' said Snape, his lip curling. 'It takes a full moon-cycle to mature, so I should have it ready for you in around a month.'</s> | bridge flushed. 'You can make some more, can't you?' she said, her voice becoming more sweetly girlish as it always did when she was furious. 'Certainly,' said Snape, his lip curling. 'It takes a full moon-cycle to mature, so I should have it ready for you in around a month.'</s> |
<s> 'A month?' squawked Umbndge, swelling toadishly. 'A month! But I need it this evening, Snape! I have just found Potter using my fire to communicate with a person or persons unknown!'</s> | A month?' squawked Umbndge, swelling toadishly. 'A month! But I need it this evening, Snape! I have just found Potter using my fire to communicate with a person or persons unknown!'</s> |
<s> 'Really?' said Snape, showing his first, faint sign of interest as he looked round at Harry. 'Well, it doesn't surprise me. Potter has never shown much inclination to follow school rules.'</s> | Really?' said Snape, showing his first, faint sign of interest as he looked round at Harry. 'Well, it doesn't surprise me. Potter has never shown much inclination to follow school rules.'</s> |
<s> His cold, dark eyes were boring into Harry's, who met his gaze unflinchingly, concentrating hard on what he had seen in his dream, willing Snape to read it in his mind, to understand... 'I wish to interrogate him!' repeated Umbridge angrily, and Snape looked away from Harry back into her furiously quivering lace. 'I wish you to provide me with a potion that will force him to tell me the truth!'</s> | cold, dark eyes were boring into Harry's, who met his gaze unflinchingly, concentrating hard on what he had seen in his dream, willing Snape to read it in his mind, to understand... 'I wish to interrogate him!' repeated Umbridge angrily, and Snape looked away from Harry back into her furiously quivering lace. 'I wish you to provide me with a potion that will force him to tell me the truth!'</s> |
<s> 'I have already told you,' said Snape smoothly, 'that I have no further stocks of Veritaserum. Unless you wish to poison Potter - 'and I assure you I would have the greatest sympathy with you if you did - I cannot help you. The only trouble is that most venoms act too fast to give the victim much lime for truth-telling.'</s> | I have already told you,' said Snape smoothly, 'that I have no further stocks of Veritaserum. Unless you wish to poison Potter - 'and I assure you I would have the greatest sympathy with you if you did - I cannot help you. The only trouble is that most venoms act too fast to give the victim much lime for truth-telling.'</s> |
<s> Snape looked back at Harry, who stared at him, frantic to communicate without words. Voldemort's got Sirius in the Department of Mysteries, he thought desperately. Voldemorts got Sirius - '</s> | nape looked back at Harry, who stared at him, frantic to communicate without words. Voldemort's got Sirius in the Department of Mysteries, he thought desperately. Voldemorts got Sirius - '</s> |
<s> 'You are on probation!' shrieked Professor Umbridge, and Snape looked back at her, his eyebrows slightly raised. 'You arc being deliberately unhelpful! I expected better, Lucius Malfoy always speaks most highly of you! Now get out of my office!'</s> | You are on probation!' shrieked Professor Umbridge, and Snape looked back at her, his eyebrows slightly raised. 'You arc being deliberately unhelpful! I expected better, Lucius Malfoy always speaks most highly of you! Now get out of my office!'</s> |
<s> Snape gave her an ironic bow and turned to leave. Harry knew his last chance of letting the Order know what was going on was walking out of the door. 'He's got Padfoot!' he shouted. 'He's got Padfoot at the place where it's hidden!'</s> | nape gave her an ironic bow and turned to leave. Harry knew his last chance of letting the Order know what was going on was walking out of the door. 'He's got Padfoot!' he shouted. 'He's got Padfoot at the place where it's hidden!'</s> |
<s> Snape had stopped with his hand on Umbridge's door handle. 'Padfoot?' cried Professor Umbridge, looking eagerly from Harry to Snape. 'What is Padfoot? Where what is hidden? What does he mean, Snape?'</s> | nape had stopped with his hand on Umbridge's door handle. 'Padfoot?' cried Professor Umbridge, looking eagerly from Harry to Snape. 'What is Padfoot? Where what is hidden? What does he mean, Snape?'</s> |
<s> Snape looked round at Harry. His face was inscrutable. Harry could not tell whether he had understood or not, but he did not dare speak more plainly in front of Umbridge. 'I have no idea,' said Snape coldly. 'Potter, when I want nonsense shouted at me I shall give you a Babbling Beverage. And Crabbe, loosen your hold a little. If Longbottom suffocates it will mean a lot of tedious paperwork and I am afraid I shall have to mention it on your reference if ever you apply for a job.'</s> | nape looked round at Harry. His face was inscrutable. Harry could not tell whether he had understood or not, but he did not dare speak more plainly in front of Umbridge. 'I have no idea,' said Snape coldly. 'Potter, when I want nonsense shouted at me I shall give you a Babbling Beverage. And Crabbe, loosen your hold a little. If Longbottom suffocates it will mean a lot of tedious paperwork and I am afraid I shall have to mention it on your reference if ever you apply for a job.'</s> |
<s> He closed the door behind him with a snap, leaving Harry in a state of worse turmoil than before: Snape had been his very last hope. He looked at Umbridge, who seemed to be feeling the same way; her chest was heaving with rage and frustration. 'Very well,' she said, and she pulled out her wand. 'Very well... I am left with no alternative... this is more than a matter of school discipline... this is an issue of Ministry security... yes... yes...'</s> | closed the door behind him with a snap, leaving Harry in a state of worse turmoil than before: Snape had been his very last hope. He looked at Umbridge, who seemed to be feeling the same way; her chest was heaving with rage and frustration. 'Very well,' she said, and she pulled out her wand. 'Very well... I am left with no alternative... this is more than a matter of school discipline... this is an issue of Ministry security... yes... yes...'</s> |
<s> She seemed to be talking herself into something. She was shifting her weight nervously from foot to foot, staring at Harry, beating her wand against her empty palm and breathing heavily As he watched her, Harry felt horribly powerless without his own wand. 'You are forcing me, Potter... I do not want to,' said Umbridge, still moving restlessly on the spot, 'but sometimes circumstances justify the use... I am sure the Minister will understand that I had no choice...'</s> | seemed to be talking herself into something. She was shifting her weight nervously from foot to foot, staring at Harry, beating her wand against her empty palm and breathing heavily As he watched her, Harry felt horribly powerless without his own wand. 'You are forcing me, Potter... I do not want to,' said Umbridge, still moving restlessly on the spot, 'but sometimes circumstances justify the use... I am sure the Minister will understand that I had no choice...'</s> |
<s> Malfoy was watching her with a hungry expression on his face. The Cruciatus Curse ought to loosen your tongue,' said Umbridge quietly. 'Professor Umbridge - it's illegal.'</s> | foy was watching her with a hungry expression on his face. The Cruciatus Curse ought to loosen your tongue,' said Umbridge quietly. 'Professor Umbridge - it's illegal.'</s> |
<s> But Umbridge took no notice. There was a nasty eager, excited look on her face that Harry had never seen before. She raised her wand. 'What Cornelius doesn't know won't hurt him,' said Umbridge, who was now panting slightly as she pointed her wand at different parts of Harry's body in turn, apparently trying to decide where it would hurt most. 'He never knew I ordered Dementors to go after Potter last summer, but he was delighted to be given the chance to expel him, all the same.'</s> | Umbridge took no notice. There was a nasty eager, excited look on her face that Harry had never seen before. She raised her wand. 'What Cornelius doesn't know won't hurt him,' said Umbridge, who was now panting slightly as she pointed her wand at different parts of Harry's body in turn, apparently trying to decide where it would hurt most. 'He never knew I ordered Dementors to go after Potter last summer, but he was delighted to be given the chance to expel him, all the same.'</s> |
<s> 'It was you?' gasped Harry. 'You sent the Dementors after me?'</s> | It was you?' gasped Harry. 'You sent the Dementors after me?'</s> |
<s> 'Somebody had to act,' breathed Umbridge, as her wand came to rest pointing directly at Harry's forehead. They were all bleating about silencing you somehow - discrediting you - but I was the one who actually did something about it... only you wriggled out of that one, didn't you, Potter? 'We'll have to, Harry, she'll force it out of you anyway, what's... Millicent stopped trying to squash her against the wall immediately and dodged out of her way looking disgusted. 'Well, well, well!' said Umbridge, looking triumphant. 'Little Miss Question-all is going to give us some answers! Neville, still choking for breath, was gazing at her, too. But Harry had just noticed something. 'Now then... 'You know where Dumbledore is, then?'</s> | Somebody had to act,' breathed Umbridge, as her wand came to rest pointing directly at Harry's forehead. They were all bleating about silencing you somehow - discrediting you - but I was the one who actually did something about it... only you wriggled out of that one, didn't you, Potter? 'We'll have to, Harry, she'll force it out of you anyway, what's... Millicent stopped trying to squash her against the wall immediately and dodged out of her way looking disgusted. 'Well, well, well!' said Umbridge, looking triumphant. 'Little Miss Question-all is going to give us some answers! Neville, still choking for breath, was gazing at her, too. But Harry had just noticed something. 'Now then... 'You know where Dumbledore is, then?'</s> |
<s> 'Well... 'We've tried the Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley and the Three Broomsticks and even the Hog's Head - '</s> | Well... 'We've tried the Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley and the Three Broomsticks and even the Hog's Head - '</s> |
<s> 'Idiot girl - Dumbledore won't be sitting in a pub when the whole Ministry's looking for him!' shouted Umbridge, disappointment etched in every sagging line of her face. 'Yes?' said Umbridge with a sudden resurgence of excitement. 'What was it you wanted to tell him?'</s> | Idiot girl - Dumbledore won't be sitting in a pub when the whole Ministry's looking for him!' shouted Umbridge, disappointment etched in every sagging line of her face. 'Yes?' said Umbridge with a sudden resurgence of excitement. 'What was it you wanted to tell him?'</s> |
<s> 'We... 'What's ready, girl?'</s> | We... 'What's ready, girl?'</s> |
<s> The... 'Weapon? Weapon?' said Umbridge, and her eyes seemed to pop with excitement. 'You have been developing some method of resistance? A weapon you could use against the Ministry? 'We j - j - just did what P - P - Professor Dumbledore told us t - t - to do.'</s> | ... 'Weapon? Weapon?' said Umbridge, and her eyes seemed to pop with excitement. 'You have been developing some method of resistance? A weapon you could use against the Ministry? 'We j - j - just did what P - P - Professor Dumbledore told us t - t - to do.'</s> |
<s> Umbridge straightened up, looking exultant. 'Lead me to the weapon,' she said. 'I'm not showing... 'It is not for you to set conditions,' said Professor Umbridge harshly. Tine... let them see it, I hope they use it on you! In fact, I wish you'd invite loads and loads of people to come and see! Th - that would serve you right - oh, I'd love it if the wh - whole school knew where it was, and how to u - use it, and then if you annoy any of them they'll, be able to s - sort you out!'</s> | bridge straightened up, looking exultant. 'Lead me to the weapon,' she said. 'I'm not showing... 'It is not for you to set conditions,' said Professor Umbridge harshly. Tine... let them see it, I hope they use it on you! In fact, I wish you'd invite loads and loads of people to come and see! Th - that would serve you right - oh, I'd love it if the wh - whole school knew where it was, and how to u - use it, and then if you annoy any of them they'll, be able to s - sort you out!'</s> |
<s> These words had a powerful impact on Umbridge: she glanced swiftly and suspiciously around at her Inquisitorial Squad, her bulging eyes resting for a moment on Malfoy, who was too slow to disguise the look of eagerness and greed that had appeared on his lace. 'All right, dear, let's make it just you and me... and we'll take Potter, loo, shall we? Get up, now.'</s> | words had a powerful impact on Umbridge: she glanced swiftly and suspiciously around at her Inquisitorial Squad, her bulging eyes resting for a moment on Malfoy, who was too slow to disguise the look of eagerness and greed that had appeared on his lace. 'All right, dear, let's make it just you and me... and we'll take Potter, loo, shall we? Get up, now.'</s> |
<s> 'Professor,' said Malfoy eagerly, 'Professor Umbridge, I think some of the Squad should come with you to look after - '</s> | Professor,' said Malfoy eagerly, 'Professor Umbridge, I think some of the Squad should come with you to look after - '</s> |
<s> '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. 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. 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... 'It's hidden in Hagrid's hut, is it?' said Umbridge eagerly in Harry's ear. 'Hagrid might have set it off accidentally.'</s> | 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. 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. 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... 'It's hidden in Hagrid's hut, is it?' said Umbridge eagerly in Harry's ear. 'Hagrid might have set it off accidentally.'</s> |
<s> 'Yes,' said Umbridge, whose excitement seemed to be mounting. 'Yes, he would have done, of course, the great half-breed oaf.'</s> | Yes,' said Umbridge, whose excitement seemed to be mounting. 'Yes, he would have done, of course, the great half-breed oaf.'</s> |
<s> 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? 'It had to be somewhere that students weren't going to find it accidentally, didn't it?'</s> | 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? 'It had to be somewhere that students weren't going to find it accidentally, didn't it?'</s> |
<s> 'Of course,' said Umbridge, though she sounded a little apprehensive now. 'Of course... very well, then... you two stay ahead of me.'</s> | Of course,' said Umbridge, though she sounded a little apprehensive now. 'Of course... very well, then... you two stay ahead of me.'</s> |
<s> '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. 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. '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. 'Anything could be listening in here - '</s> | 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. 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. '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. 'Anything could be listening in here - '</s> |
<s> 'I want us heard,' she answered quietly, as Umbridge jogged noisily after them. 'You'll see...'</s> | I want us heard,' she answered quietly, as Umbridge jogged noisily after them. 'You'll see...'</s> |
<s> 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. 'Just a little bit - '</s> | 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. 'Just a little bit - '</s> |
<s> An arrow flew through the air and landed with a menacing 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 - '</s> | arrow flew through the air and landed with a menacing 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 - '</s> |
<s> He wrenched himself free of her and turned. They backed slowly into the centre of the clearing, Umbridge uttering odd little whimpers of terror. 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-pitched, terrified voice. 'Senior Undersecretary to the Minister for Magic and Headmistress and High Inquisitor of Hogwarts!'</s> | wrenched himself free of her and turned. They backed slowly into the centre of the clearing, Umbridge uttering odd little whimpers of terror. 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-pitched, terrified voice. 'Senior Undersecretary to the Minister for Magic and Headmistress and High Inquisitor of Hogwarts!'</s> |
<s> '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 - '</s> | 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 - '</s> |
<s> '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. 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 - '</s> | 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. 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 - '</s> |
<s>'"Near-human intelligence"?' repeated Magorian, as Bane and several others roared with rage and pawed the ground. 'We consider that a great insult, human! 'Why are you here?'</s> | "Near-human intelligence"?' repeated Magorian, as Bane and several others roared with rage and pawed the ground. 'We consider that a great insult, human! 'Why are you here?'</s> |
<s> '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 - '</s> | 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 - '</s> |
<s> 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! 'Nooooo!' he heard Umbridge shriek. 'Noooooo... I am Senior Undersecretary... you cannot - Unhand me, you animals... nooooo!'</s> | 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! 'Nooooo!' he heard Umbridge shriek. 'Noooooo... I am Senior Undersecretary... you cannot - Unhand me, you animals... nooooo!'</s> |
<s> 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 - '</s> | 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 - '</s> |
<s> 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. 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. 'They are young,' said a slow, doleful voice from behind Harry. 'We do not attack foals.'</s> | 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. 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. 'They are young,' said a slow, doleful voice from behind Harry. 'We do not attack foals.'</s> |
<s> '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.'</s> | 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.'</s> |
<s> He shook Harry by the neck of his robes. 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? 'Please - I didn't mean that! I just hoped you'd be able to - to help us - '</s> | shook Harry by the neck of his robes. 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? 'Please - I didn't mean that! I just hoped you'd be able to - to help us - '</s> |
<s> 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!'</s> | 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!'</s> |
<s> '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 - '</s> | 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 - '</s> |
<s> But nobody seemed to be listening to him. '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 - '</s> | nobody seemed to be listening to him. '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 - '</s> |
<s> '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! Harry's centaur let him fall to the ground again as his hands flew to his bow and quiver of arrows. 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.'</s> | 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! Harry's centaur let him fall to the ground again as his hands flew to his bow and quiver of arrows. 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.'</s> |
<s> 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. 'Hagger!' he said again, more insistently. 'Get away from here, giant!' called Magorian. 'You are not welcome among us!'</s> | 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. 'Hagger!' he said again, more insistently. 'Get away from here, giant!' called Magorian. 'You are not welcome among us!'</s> |
<s> These words seemed to make no impression whatsoever on Grawp. He stooped a little (the centaurs' arms tensed on their bows), then bellowed, 'HAGGER!'</s> | words seemed to make no impression whatsoever on Grawp. He stooped a little (the centaurs' arms tensed on their bows), then bellowed, 'HAGGER!'</s> |
<s> A few of the centaurs looked worried now. 'Harry!' she whispered. 'I think he's trying to say "Hagrid"!'</s> | few of the centaurs looked worried now. 'Harry!' she whispered. 'I think he's trying to say "Hagrid"!'</s> |
<s> 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. 'I'm sorry, Grawp, I don't know!'</s> | 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. 'I'm sorry, Grawp, I don't know!'</s> |
<s> 'GRAWP WANT HAGGER!'</s> | GRAWP WANT HAGGER!'</s> |
<s> One of the giants massive hands reached down. 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. 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. 'Oh, that was horrible. And he might kill them all.'</s> | of the giants massive hands reached down. 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. 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. 'Oh, that was horrible. And he might kill them all.'</s> |
<s> '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. 'Really smart plan. '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. 'Anyway, Harry, how exactly were you planning to get all the way to London?'</s> | 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. 'Really smart plan. '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. 'Anyway, Harry, how exactly were you planning to get all the way to London?'</s> |
<s> 'Yeah, we were just wondering that.' said a familiar voice from behind her. '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?'</s> | Yeah, we were just wondering that.' said a familiar voice from behind her. '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?'</s> |
<s> 'She got carried away,' said Harry. 'By a herd of centaurs.'</s> | She got carried away,' said Harry. 'By a herd of centaurs.'</s> |
<s> 'And they left you behind?' asked Ginny, looking astonished. 'No, they got chased off by Grawp,' said Harry. 'Who's Grawp?' Luna asked interestedly. 'Anyway, never mind that now. Harry, what did you find out in the fire? Has You-Know-Who got Sirius or -?'</s> | And they left you behind?' asked Ginny, looking astonished. 'No, they got chased off by Grawp,' said Harry. 'Who's Grawp?' Luna asked interestedly. 'Anyway, never mind that now. Harry, what did you find out in the fire? Has You-Know-Who got Sirius or -?'</s> |
<s> '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.'</s> | 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.'</s> |
<s> 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. '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 - '</s> | 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. '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 - '</s> |
<s> 'Yeah, but - '</s> | Yeah, but - '</s> |
<s> '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?'</s> | 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?'</s> |
<s> 'No - of course it wasn't -'said Harry impatiently. 'Then we should come too,' said Neville simply. 'We want to help.'</s> | No - of course it wasn't -'said Harry impatiently. 'Then we should come too,' said Neville simply. 'We want to help.'</s> |
<s> 'That's right,' said Luna, smiling happily. 'Well, it doesn't matter, anyway,' said Harry through gritted teeth, 'because we still don't know how to get there - '</s> | That's right,' said Luna, smiling happily. 'Well, it doesn't matter, anyway,' said Harry through gritted teeth, 'because we still don't know how to get there - '</s> |
<s> 'I thought we'd settled that,' said Luna maddeningly. 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.'</s> | I thought we'd settled that,' said Luna maddeningly. 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.'</s> |
<s> 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? 'Those ones you can't see unless you've watched someone snuff it?'</s> | 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? 'Those ones you can't see unless you've watched someone snuff it?'</s> |
<s> 'Yeah,' said Harry. '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 - '</s> | Yeah,' said Harry. '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 - '</s> |
<s> 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. That's probably why these two turned up in the first place.'</s> | burst into more protests. His scar gave another, more painful, twinge. Every moment they delayed was precious; he did not have time to argue. That's probably why these two turned up in the first place.'</s> |
<s> 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. There's no need,' said Luna, smiling. 'Look, here come more now... you two must really smell...'</s> | 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. There's no need,' said Luna, smiling. 'Look, here come more now... you two must really smell...'</s> |
<s> 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.'</s> | 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.'</s> |
<s> The Department</s> | Department</s> |
<s> Of Mysteries</s> | Mysteries</s> |
<s> 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. 'What?' he said. 'Come here...'</s> | 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. 'What?' he said. 'Come here...'</s> |
<s> 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. 'Mad... if I could just see it - '</s> | 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. 'Mad... if I could just see it - '</s> |
<s> 'You'd better hope it stays invisible,' said Harry darkly. 'We all ready, then?'</s> | You'd better hope it stays invisible,' said Harry darkly. 'We all ready, then?'</s> |
<s> They all nodded and he saw live pairs of knees tighten beneath their robes. 'OK...'</s> | all nodded and he saw live pairs of knees tighten beneath their robes. 'OK...'</s> |
<s> 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...'</s> | 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...'</s> |
<s> 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 they passed over more villages, then a winding road on which a single car was beetling its way home through the hills... 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? 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</s> | 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 they passed over more villages, then a winding road on which a single car was beetling its way home through the hills... 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? 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</s> |
<s> 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 shriek 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. '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... '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. 'Whoever's nearest the receiver, dial six two four four two!' he said. 'Welcome to the Ministry of Magic... we're here to save someone, unless your</s> | ast 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 shriek 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. '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... '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. 'Whoever's nearest the receiver, dial six two four four two!' he said. 'Welcome to the Ministry of Magic... we're here to save someone, unless your</s> |
<s> can do it first!'</s> | do it first!'</s> |
<s> Thank you,' said the cool female voice. 'Visitors, please take the badges and attach them to the front of your robes.'</s> | you,' said the cool female voice. 'Visitors, please take the badges and attach them to the front of your robes.'</s> |
<s> Half a dozen badges slid out of the metal chute where returned coins normally appeared. '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.'</s> | a dozen badges slid out of the metal chute where returned coins normally appeared. '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.'</s> |
<s> 'Fine!' Harry said loudly, as his scar gave another throb. 'Now can we move?'</s> | Fine!' Harry said loudly, as his scar gave another throb. 'Now can we move?'</s> |
<s> 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 rattling. They stepped out into the corridor where nothing was moving out but the nearest torches, flickering in the</s> | 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 rattling. They stepped out into the corridor where nothing was moving out but the nearest torches, flickering in the</s> |
<s>ush 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 - '</s> | 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 - '</s> |
<s> 'And how're we going to let you know something's coming?' asked Ginny, her eyebrows raised. 'You could be miles away.'</s> | And how're we going to let you know something's coming?' asked Ginny, her eyebrows raised. 'You could be miles away.'</s> |