CHAPTER ONE

THE WORST BIRTHDAY

Not for the first time, an argument had ro!en out o"er rea!fast at numer four, Pri"et Dri"e# $r# %ernon Durs&e' had een
(o!en in the ear&' hours of the morning ' a &oud, hooting noise from his ne)he( Harr'*s room#
+Third time this (ee!,- he roared a.ross the ta&e# +If 'ou .an*t .ontro& that o(&, it*&& ha"e to go,-
Harr' tried, 'et again, to e/)&ain#
+She*s ored,- he said# +She*s used to f&'ing around outside# If I .ou&d 0ust &et her out at night1-
+Do I &oo! stu)id2- snar&ed 3n.&e %ernon, a it of fried egg dang&ing from his ush' musta.he# +I !no( (hat*&& ha))en if
that o(&*s &et out#-
He e/.hanged dar! &oo!s (ith his (ife, Petunia#
Harr' tried to argue a.! ut his (ords (ere dro(ned ' a &ong, &oud e&.h from the Durs&e's* son, Dud&e'#
+I (ant more a.on#-
+There*s more in the fr'ing )an, s(eetums,- said Aunt Petunia, turning mist' e'es on her massi"e son# +We must ui&d 'ou
u) (hi&e (e*"e got the .han.e### I don*t &i!e the sound of that s.hoo& food###-
+Nonsense, Petunia, I ne"er (ent hungr' (hen I (as at Sme&tings,- said 3n.&e %ernon hearti&'# +Dud&e' gets enough, don*t
'ou, son2-
Dud&e', (ho (as so &arge his ottom droo)ed o"er either side of the !it.hen .hair, grinned and turned to Harr'#
+Pass the fr'ing )an#-
+You*"e forgotten the magi. (ord,- said Harr' irrita&'#
The effe.t of this sim)&e senten.e on the rest of the fami&' (as in.redi&e4 Dud&e' gas)ed and fe&& off his .hair (ith a .rash
that shoo! the (ho&e !it.hen5 $rs# Durs&e' ga"e a sma&& s.ream and .&a))ed her hands to her mouth5 $r# Durs&e' 0um)ed to
his feet, "eins throing in his tem)&es#
+I meant +)&ease-,- said Harr' 6ui.!&'# +I didn*t mean1-
+WHAT HA%E I TO7D YO3,- thundered his un.&e, s)ra'ing s)it o"er the ta&e, +ABO3T SAYIN8 THE +$- WORD IN
O3R HO3SE2-
+But I1-
+HOW DARE YO3 THREATEN D3D7EY,- roared 3n.&e %ernon, )ounding the ta&e (ith his fist#
+I 0ust1-
+I WARNED YO3, I WI77 NOT TO7ERATE $ENTION O9 YO3R ABNOR$A7ITY 3NDER THIS ROO9,-
Harr' stared from his )ur)&e:fa.ed un.&e to his )a&e aunt, (ho (as tr'ing to hea"e Dud&e' to his feet#
+A&& right,- said Harr', +a&& right### +
3n.&e %ernon sat a.! do(n, reathing &i!e a (inded rhino.eros and (at.hing Harr' .&ose&' out of the .orners of his sma&&,
shar) e'es#
E"er sin.e Harr' had .ome home for the summer ho&ida's, 3n.&e %ernon had een treating him &i!e a om that might go
off at an' moment, e.ause Harr' Potter (asn*t a norma& o'# As a matter of fa.t, he (as as not norma& as it is )ossi&e to e#
Harr' Potter (as a (i;ard1a (i;ard fresh from his first 'ear at Hog(arts S.hoo& of Wit.h.raft and Wi;ardr'# And if the
Durs&e's (ere unha))' to ha"e him a.! for the ho&ida's, it (as nothing to ho( Harr' fe&t#
He missed Hog(arts so mu.h it (as &i!e ha"ing a .onstant stoma.ha.he# He missed the .ast&e, (ith its se.ret )assage(a's
and ghosts, his .&asses <though )erha)s not Sna)e, the Potions master=, the mai& arri"ing ' o(&, eating an6uets in the 8reat
Ha&&, s&ee)ing in his four:)oster ed in the to(er dormitor', "isiting the game!ee)er, Hagrid, in his .ain ne/t to the 9oridden
9orest in the grounds, and, es)e.ia&&', >uiddit.h, the most )o)u&ar s)ort in the (i;arding (or&d <si/ ta&& goa& )osts, four f&'ing
a&&s, and fourteen )&a'ers on roomsti.!s=#
A&& Harr'*s s)e&&oo!s, his (and, roes, .au&dron, and to):of:the:&ine Nimus T(o Thousand roomsti.! had een &o.!ed in
a .u)oard under the stairs ' 3n.&e %ernon the instant Harr' had .ome home# What did the Durs&e's .are if Harr' &ost his
)&a.e on the House >uiddit.h team e.ause he hadn*t )ra.ti.ed a&& summer2 What (as it to the Durs&e's if Harr' (ent a.! to
s.hoo& (ithout an' of his home(or! done2 The Durs&e's (ere (hat (i;ards .a&&ed $ugg&es <not a dro) of magi.a& &ood in
their "eins=, and as far as the' (ere .on.erned, ha"ing a (i;ard in the fami&' (as a matter of dee)est shame# 3n.&e %ernon had
e"en )ad&o.!ed Harr'*s o(&, Hed(ig, inside her .age, to sto) her from .arr'ing messages to an'one in the (i;arding (or&d#
Harr' &oo!ed nothing &i!e the rest of the fami&'# 3n.&e %ernon (as &arge and ne.!&ess, (ith an enormous &a.! musta.he5
Aunt Petunia (as horse:fa.ed and on'5 Dud&e' (as &ond, )in!, and )or!'# Harr', on the other hand, (as sma&& and s!inn',
(ith ri&&iant green e'es and 0et:&a.! hair that (as a&(a's untid'# He (ore round g&asses, and on his forehead (as a thin,
&ightning:sha)ed s.ar#
It (as this s.ar that made Harr' so )arti.u&ar&' unusua&, e"en for a (i;ard# This s.ar (as the on&' hint of Harr'*s "er'
m'sterious )ast, of the reason he had een &eft on the Durs&e's* doorste) e&e"en 'ears efore#
At the age of one 'ear o&d, Harr' had someho( sur"i"ed a .urse from the greatest Dar! sor.erer of a&& time, 7ord %o&demort,
(hose name most (it.hes and (i;ards sti&& feared to s)ea!# Harr'*s )arents had died in %o&demort*s atta.!, ut Harr' had
es.a)ed (ith his &ightning s.ar, and someho(1nood' understood (h' %o&demort*s )o(ers had een destro'ed the instant he
had fai&ed to !i&& Harr'#
So Harr' had een rought u) ' his dead mother*s sister and her husand# He had s)ent ten 'ears (ith the Durs&e's, ne"er
understanding (h' he !e)t ma!ing odd things ha))en (ithout meaning to, e&ie"ing the Durs&e's* stor' that he had got his
s.ar in the .ar .rash that had !i&&ed his )arents#
And then, e/a.t&' a 'ear ago, Hog(arts had (ritten to Harr', and the (ho&e stor' had .ome out# Harr' had ta!en u) his
)&a.e at (i;ard s.hoo&, (here he and his s.ar (ere famous### ut no( the s.hoo& 'ear (as o"er, and he (as a.! (ith the
Durs&e's for the summer, a.! to eing treated &i!e a dog that had ro&&ed in something sme&&'#
The Durs&e's hadn*t e"en rememered that toda' ha))ened to e Harr'*s t(e&fth irthda'# Of .ourse, his ho)es hadn*t een
high5 the'*d ne"er gi"en him a rea& )resent, &et a&one a .a!e1ut to ignore it .om)&ete&'###
At that moment, 3n.&e %ernon .&eared his throat im)ortant&' and said, +No(, as (e a&& !no(, toda' is a "er' im)ortant da'#-
Harr' &oo!ed u), hard&' daring to e&ie"e it#
+This .ou&d (e&& e the da' I ma!e the iggest dea& of m' .areer, + said 3n.&e %ernon#
Harr' (ent a.! to his toast# Of .ourse, he thought itter&', 3n.&e %ernon (as ta&!ing aout the stu)id dinner )art'# He*d
een ta&!ing of nothing e&se for t(o (ee!s# Some ri.h ui&der and his (ife (ere .oming to dinner and 3n.&e %ernon (as
ho)ing to get a huge order from him <3n.&e %ernon*s .om)an' made dri&&s=#
+I thin! (e shou&d run through the s.hedu&e one more time,- said 3n.&e %ernon# +We shou&d a&& e in )osition at eight
o*.&o.!# Petunia, 'ou (i&& e :2-
+In the &ounge,- said Aunt Petunia )rom)t&', +(aiting to (e&.ome them gra.ious&' to our home#-
+8ood, good# And Dud&e'2-
+I*&& e (aiting to o)en the door#- Dud&e' )ut on a fou&, sim)ering smi&e# +$a' I ta!e 'our .oats, $r# and $rs# $ason2-
+The'*&& &o"e him,- .ried Aunt Petunia ra)turous&'#
+E/.e&&ent, Dud&e',- said 3n.&e %ernon# Then he rounded on Harr'# +And 'ou2-
+I*&& e in m' edroom, ma!ing no noise and )retending I*m not there,- said Harr' tone&ess&'#
+E/a.t&',- said 3n.&e %ernon nasti&'# +I (i&& &ead them into the &ounge, introdu.e 'ou, Petunia, and )our them drin!s# At
eightfifteen1-
+I*&& announ.e dinner,- said Aunt Petunia#
+And, Dud&e', 'ou*&& sa'1-
+$a' I ta!e 'ou through to the dining room, $rs# $ason2- said Dud&e', offering his fat arm to an in"isi&e (oman#
+$' )erfe.t &itt&e gent&eman,- sniffed Aunt Petunia#
+And 'ou2- said 3n.&e %ernon "i.ious&' to Harr'#
+I*&& e in m' room, ma!ing no noise and )retending I*m not there,- said Harr' du&&'#
+Pre.ise&'# No(, (e shou&d aim to get in a fe( good .om)&iments at dinner# Petunia, an' ideas2-
+%ernon te&&s me 'ou*re a (onderfu& go&fer, $r# $ason### Do te&& me (here 'ou ought 'our dress, $rs# $ason###-
+Perfe.t### Dud&e'2-
+Ho( aout4 +We had to (rite an essa' aout our hero at s.hoo&, $r# $ason, and I (rote aout 'ou# ?-
This (as too mu.h for oth Aunt Petunia and Harr'# Aunt Petunia urst into tears and hugged her son, (hi&e Harr' du.!ed
under the ta&e so the' (ou&dn*t see him &aughing#
+And 'ou, o'2-
Harr' fought to !ee) his fa.e straight as he emerged#
+I*&& e in m' room, ma!ing no noise and )retending I*m not there,- he said#
+Too right, 'ou (i&&,- said 3n.&e %ernon for.efu&&'# +The $asons don*t !no( an'thing aout 'ou and it*s going to sta' that
(a'# When dinner*s o"er, 'ou ta!e $rs# $ason a.! to the &ounge for .offee, Petunia, and I*&& ring the su0e.t around to dri&&s#
With an' &u.!, I*&& ha"e the dea& signed and sea&ed efore the Ne(s at Ten# We*&& e sho))ing for a "a.ation home in $a0or.a
this time tomorro(#-
Harr' .ou&dn*t fee& too e/.ited aout this# He didn*t thin! the Durs&e's (ou&d &i!e him an' etter in $a0or.a than the' did on
Pri"et Dri"e#
+Right1I*m off into to(n to )i.! u) the dinner 0a.!ets for Dud&e' and me# And 'ou,- he snar&ed at Harr'# +You sta' out of
'our aunt*s (a' (hi&e she*s .&eaning#-
Harr' &eft through the a.! door# It (as a ri&&iant, sunn' da'# He .rossed the &a(n, s&um)ed do(n on the garden en.h, and
sang under his reath4 +Ha))' irthda' to me### ha))' irthda' to me###-
No .ards, no )resents, and he (ou&d e s)ending the e"ening )retending not to e/ist# He ga;ed misera&' into the hedge# He
had ne"er fe&t so &one&'# $ore than an'thing e&se at Hog(arts, more e"en than )&a'ing >uiddit.h, Harr' missed his est
friends, Ron Weas&e' and Hermione 8ranger# The', ho(e"er, didn*t seem to e missing him at a&&# Neither of them had (ritten
to him a&& summer, e"en though Ron had said he (as going to as! Harr' to .ome and sta'#
Count&ess times, Harr' had een on the )oint of un&o.!ing Hed(ig*s .age ' magi. and sending her to Ron and Hermione
(ith a &etter, ut it (asn*t (orth the ris!# 3nderage (i;ards (eren*t a&&o(ed to use magi. outside of s.hoo&# Harr' hadn*t to&d
the Durs&e's this5 he !ne( it (as on&' their terror that he might turn them a&& into dung eet&es that sto))ed them from &o.!ing
him in the .u)oard under the stairs (ith his (and and roomsti.!# 9or the first .ou)&e of (ee!s a.!, Harr' had en0o'ed
muttering nonsense (ords under his reath and (at.hing Dud&e' tearing out of the room as fast as his fat &egs (ou&d .arr'
him# But the &ong si&en.e from Ron and Hermione had made Harr' fee& so .ut off from the magi.a& (or&d that e"en taunting
Dud&e' had &ost its a))ea&1and no( Ron and Hermione had forgotten his irthda'#
What (ou&dn*t he gi"e no( for a message from Hog(arts2 9rom an' (it.h or (i;ard2 He*d a&most e g&ad of a sight of his
ar.henem', Dra.o $a&fo', 0ust to e sure it hadn*t a&& een a dream###
Not that his (ho&e 'ear at Hog(arts had een fun# At the "er' end of &ast term, Harr' had .ome fa.e:to:fa.e (ith none other
than 7ord %o&demort himse&f# %o&demort might e a ruin of his former se&f, ut he (as sti&& terrif'ing, sti&& .unning, sti&&
determined to regain )o(er# Harr' had s&i))ed through %o&demort*s .&ut.hes for a se.ond time, ut it had een a narro(
es.a)e, and e"en no(, (ee!s &ater, Harr' !e)t (a!ing in the night, dren.hed in .o&d s(eat, (ondering (here %o&demort (as
no(, rememering his &i"id fa.e, his (ide, mad e'es###
Harr' sudden&' sat o&t u)right on the garden en.h# He had een staring asent:minded&' into the hedge1and the hedge
(as staring a.!# T(o enormous green e'es had a))eared among the &ea"es#
Harr' 0um)ed to his feet 0ust as a 0eering "oi.e f&oated a.ross the &a(n#
+I !no( (hat da' it is,- sang Dud&e', (add&ing to(ard him#
The huge e'es &in!ed and "anished#
2
+What2- said Harr', not ta!ing his e'es off the s)ot (here the' had een#
+I !no( (hat da' it is,- Dud&e' re)eated, .oming right u) to him#
+We&& done,- said Harr'# +So 'ou*"e fina&&' &earned the da's of the (ee!#-
+Toda'*s 'our irthda',- sneered Dud&e'# +Ho( .ome 'ou ha"en*t got an' .ards2 Ha"en*t 'ou e"en got friends at that frea!
)&a.e2-
+Better not &et 'our mum hear 'ou ta&!ing aout m' s.hoo&,- said Harr' .oo&&'#
Dud&e' hit.hed u) his trousers, (hi.h (ere s&i))ing do(n his fat ottom#
+Wh'*re 'ou staring at the hedge2- he said sus)i.ious&'#
+ I*m tr'ing to de.ide (hat (ou&d e the est s)e&& to set it on fire,- said Harr'#
Dud&e' stum&ed a.!(ard at on.e, a &oo! of )ani. on his fat fa.e#
+You .:.an*t1Dad to&d 'ou 'ou*re not to do m:magi.1he said he*&& .hu.! 'ou out of the house1and 'ou ha"en*t got
an'(here e&se to go1'ou ha"en*t got an' friends to ta!e 'ou1-
+@igger' )o!er',- said Harr' in a fier.e "oi.e# +Ho.us )o.us s6uigg&' (igg&'1-
+$333333$,- ho(&ed Dud&e', tri))ing o"er his feet as he dashed a.! to(ard the house# +$3333$, He*s doing 'ou
!no( (hat,-
Harr' )aid dear&' for his moment of fun# As neither Dud&e' nor the hedge (as in an' (a' hurt, Aunt Petunia !ne( he hadn*t
rea&&' done magi., ut he sti&& had to du.! as she aimed a hea"' &o( at his head (ith the soa)' fr'ing )an# Then she ga"e him
(or! to do, (ith the )romise he (ou&dn*t eat again unti& he*d finished#
Whi&e Dud&e' &o&&ed around (at.hing and eating i.e .ream, Harr' .&eaned the (indo(s, (ashed the .ar, mo(ed the &a(n,
trimmed the f&o(ereds, )runed and (atered the roses, and re)ainted the garden en.h# The sun &a;ed o"erhead, urning the
a.! of his ne.!# Harr' !ne( he shou&dn*t ha"e risen to Dud&e'*s ait, ut Dud&e' had said the "er' thing Harr' had een
thin!ing himse&f### ma'e he didn*t ha"e an' friends at Hog(arts###
Wish the' .ou&d see famous Harr' Potter no(, he thought sa"age&' as he s)read manure on the f&o(er eds, his a.! a.hing,
s(eat running do(n his fa.e#
It (as ha&f )ast se"en,in the e"ening (hen at &ast, e/hausted, he heard Aunt Petunia .a&&ing him#
+8et in here, And (a&! on the ne(s)a)er,-
Harr' mo"ed g&ad&' into the shade of the g&eaming !it.hen# On to) of the fridge stood tonight*s )udding4 a huge mound of
(hi))ed .ream and sugared "io&ets# A &oin of roast )or! (as si;;&ing in the o"en#
+Eat 6ui.!&', The $asons (i&& e here soon,- sna))ed Aunt Petunia, )ointing to t(o s&i.es of read and a &um) of .heese on
the !it.hen ta&e# She (as a&read' (earing a sa&mon:)in! .o.!tai& dress#
Harr' (ashed his hands and o&ted do(n his )itifu& su))er# The moment he had finished, Aunt Petunia (his!ed a(a' his
)&ate# +3)stairs, Hurr',-
As he )assed the door to the &i"ing room, Harr' .aught a g&im)se of 3n.&e %ernon and Dud&e' in o( ties and dinner
0a.!ets# He had on&' 0ust rea.hed the u)stairs &anding (hen the door e&& rang and 3n.&e %ernon*s furious fa.e a))eared at the
foot of the stairs#
+Rememer, o'1one sound###-
Harr' .rossed to his edroom on ti)toe s&i))ed inside, .&osed the door, and turned to .o&&a)se on his ed# The trou&e (as,
there (as a&read' someone sitting on it#
CHAPTER TWO
DOBBY*S WARNIN8
Harr' managed not to shout out, ut it (as a .&ose thing# The &itt&e .reature on the ed had &arge, at:&i!e ears and u&ging
green e'es the si;e of tennis a&&s# Harr' !ne( instant&' that this (as (hat had een (at.hing him out of the garden hedge that
morning#
As the' stared at ea.h other, Harr' heard Dud&e'*s "oi.e from the ha&&#
+$a' I ta!e 'our .oats, $r# and $rs# $ason2-
The .reature s&i))ed off the ed and o(ed so &o( that the end of its &ong, thin nose tou.hed the .ar)et# Harr' noti.ed that it
(as (earing (hat &oo!ed &i!e an o&d )i&&o(.ase, (ith ri)s for armand &eg:ho&es#
+Er1he&&o,- said Harr' ner"ous&'#
+Harr' Potter,- said the .reature in a high:)it.hed "oi.e Harr' (as sure (ou&d .arr' do(n the stairs# +So &ong has Do'
(anted to meet 'ou, sir### Su.h an honor it is###-
+Th:than! 'ou,- said Harr', edging a&ong the (a&& and sin!ing into his des! .hair, ne/t to Hed(ig, (ho (as as&ee) in her
&arge .age# He (anted to as!, +What are 'ou2- ut thought it (ou&d sound too rude, so instead he said, +Who are 'ou2-
+Do', sir# @ust Do'# Do' the house:e&f,- said the .reature#
+Oh1rea&&'2- said Harr'# +Er1I don*t (ant to e rude or an'thing, ut1this isn*t a great time for me to ha"e a house:e&f in
m' edroom#-
Aunt Petunias high, fa&se &augh sounded from the &i"ing room# The e&f hung his head#
+Not that I*m not )&eased to meet 'ou,- said Harr' 6ui.!&', +ut, er, is there an' )arti.u&ar reason 'ou*re here2-
+Oh, 'es, sir,- said Do' earnest&'# +Do' has .ome to te&& 'ou, sir### it is diffi.u&t, sir### Do' (onders (here to egin###-
+Sit do(n,- said Harr' )o&ite&', )ointing at the ed#
To his horror, the e&f urst into tears1"er' nois' tears#
+S:sit do(n,- he (ai&ed# +Ne"er### ne"er e"er### +
Harr' thought he heard the "oi.es do(nstairs fa&ter#
+I*m sorr',- he (his)ered, +I didn*t mean to offend 'ou or an'thing#-
3
+Offend Do',- .ho!ed the e&f# +Do' has ne"er een as!ed to sit do(n ' a (i;ard1&i!e an e6ua&:-
Harr', tr'ing to sa' +Shh,- and &oo! .omforting at the same time, ushered Do' a.! onto the ed (here he sat
hi..oughing, &oo!ing &i!e a &arge and "er' ug&' do&&# At &ast he managed to .ontro& himse&f, and sat (ith his great e'es fi/ed on
Harr' in an e/)ression of (ater' adoration#
+You .an*t ha"e met man' de.ent (i;ards,- said Harr', tr'ing to .heer him u)#
Do' shoo! his head# Then, (ithout (arning, he &ea)t u) and started anging his head furious&' on the (indo(, shouting,
+Bad Do', Bad Do',-
+Don*t1(hat are 'ou doing2- Harr' hissed, s)ringing u) and )u&&ing Do' a.! onto the ed1Hed(ig had (o!en u)
(ith a )arti.u&ar&' &oud s.ree.h and (as eating her (ings (i&d&' against the ars of her .age#
+Do' had to )unish himse&f, sir,- said the e&f, (ho had gone s&ight&' .ross:e'ed# +Do' a&most s)o!e i&& of his fami&',
sir###-
+Your fami&'2-
+The (i;ard fami&' Do' ser"es, sir### DOBBY*S is a house:e&f1ound to ser"e one house and one fami&' for e"er###-
+Do the' !no( 'ou*re here2- as!ed Harr' .urious&'#
Do' shuddered#
+Oh, no, sir, no### Do' (i&& ha"e to )unish himse&f most grie"ous&' for .oming to see 'ou, sir# Do' (i&& ha"e to shut his
ears in the o"en door for this# If the' e"er !ne(, sir1-
+But (on*t the' noti.e if 'ou shut 'our ears in the o"en door2-
+Do' douts it, sir# Do' is a&(a's ha"ing to )unish himse&f for something, sir# The' &ets Do' get on (ith it, sir#
Sometimes the' reminds me to do e/tra )unishments###-
+But (h' don*t 'ou &ea"e2 Es.a)e2-
+A house:e&f must e set free, sir# And the fami&' (i&& ne"er set Do' free### Do' (i&& ser"e the fami&' unti& he dies, sir###-
Harr' stared#
+And I thought I had it ad sta'ing here for another four (ee!s,- he said# +This ma!es the Durs&e's sound a&most human#
Can*t an'one he&) 'ou2 Can*t I2-
A&most at on.e, Harr' (ished he hadn*t s)o!en# Do' disso&"ed again into (ai&s of gratitude#
+P&ease,- Harr' (his)ered franti.a&&', +)&ease e 6uiet# If the Durs&e's hear an'thing, if the' !no( 'ou*re here###-
+Harr' Potter as!s if he .an he&) Do'### Do' has heard of 'our greatness, sir, ut of 'our goodness, Do' ne"er
!ne(###-
Harr', (ho (as fee&ing distin.t&' hot in the fa.e, said, +Whate"er 'ou*"e heard aout m' greatness is a &oad of ruish# I*m
not e"en to) of m' 'ear at Hog(arts5 that*s Hermione, she1-
But he sto))ed 6ui.!&', e.ause thin!ing aout Hermione (as )ainfu&#
+Harr' Potter is hum&e and modest,- said Do' re"erent&', his or&i!e e'es ag&o(# +Harr' Potter s)ea!s not of his trium)h
o"er He:Who$ust:Not:Be:Named#-
+%o&demort2- said Harr'#
Do' .&a))ed his hands o"er his at ears and moaned, +Ah, s)ea! not the name, sir, S)ea! not the name,-
+Sorr'- said Harr' 6ui.!&'# +I !no( &ots of )eo)&e don*t &i!e it# $' friend Ron###-
He sto))ed again# Thin!ing aout Ron (as )ainfu&, too#
Do' &eaned to(ard Harr', his e'es (ide as head&ights#
*Do' heard te&&,- he said hoarse&', +that Harr' Potter met the Dar! 7ord for a se.ond time 0ust (ee!s ago### that Harr'
Potter es.a)ed 'et again# +
Harr' nodded and Do'*s e'es sudden&' shone (ith tears#
+Ah, sir,- he gas)ed, daing his fa.e (ith a .orner of the gru' )i&&o(.ase he (as (earing# +Harr' Potter is "a&iant and
o&d, He has ra"ed so man' dangers a&read', But Do' has .ome to )rote.t Harr' Potter, to (arn him, e"en if he does ha"e
to shut his ears in the o"en door &ater### Harr' Potter must not go a.! to Hog(arts#-
There (as a si&en.e ro!en on&' ' the .hin! of !ni"es and for!s from do(nstairs and the distant rum&e of 3n.&e %ernon*s
"oi.e#
+W:(hat2- Harr' stammered# +But I*"e got to go a.!1term starts on Se)temer first# It*s a&& that*s !ee)ing me going# You
don*t !no( (hat it*s &i!e here# I don*t e&ong here# I e&ong in 'our (or&d1at Hog(arts#-
+No, no, no,- s6uea!ed Do', sha!ing his head so hard his ears f&a))ed# +Harr' Potter must sta' (here he is safe# He is too
great, too good, to &ose# If Harr' Potter goes a.! to Hog(arts, he (i&& e in morta& danger#-
+Wh'2- said Harr' in sur)rise#
+There is a )&ot, Harr' Potter# A )&ot to ma!e most terri&e things ha))en at Hog(arts S.hoo& of Wit.h.raft and Wi;ardr'
this 'ear,- (his)ered Do', sudden&' trem&ing a&& o"er# +Do' has !no(n it for months, sir# Harr' Potter must not )ut
himse&f in )eri&# He is too im)ortant, sir,-
+What terri&e things2- said Harr' at on.e# +Who*s )&otting them2-
Do' made a funn' .ho!ing noise and then anged his head franti.a&&' against the (a&&#
+A&& right,- .ried Harr', graing the e&f*s arm to sto) him# +You .an*t te&& me# I understand# But (h' are 'ou (arning me2-
A sudden, un)&easant thought stru.! him# +Hang on1this hasn*t got an'thing to do (ith %o&1sorr'1(ith You:Ano(:Who,
has it2 You .ou&d 0ust sha!e or nod,- he added hasti&' as Do'*s head ti&ted (orr'ing&' .&ose to the (a&& again#
S&o(&', Do' shoo! his head#
+Not1not He:Who:$ust:Not:Be:Named, sir# *
But Do'*s e'es (ere (ide and he seemed to e tr'ing to gi"e Harr' a hint# Harr', ho(e"er, (as .om)&ete&' &ost#
+He hasn*t got a rother, has he2-
Do' shoo! his head, his e'es (ider than e"er#
4
+We&& then, I .an*t thin! (ho e&se (ou&d ha"e a .han.e of ma!ing horri&e things ha))en at Hog(arts,- said Harr'# +I mean,
there*s Dum&edore, for one thing1'ou !no( (ho Dum&edore is, don*t 'ou2-
Do' o(ed his head#
+A&us Dum&edore is the greatest headmaster Hog(arts has e"er had# Do' !no(s it, sir# Do' has heard Dum&edore*s
)o(ers ri"a& those of He:Who:$ust:Not:Be:Named at the height of his strength# But, sir-1Do'*s "oi.e dro))ed to an
urgent (his)er1-there are )o(ers Dum&edore doesn*t### )o(ers no de.ent (i;ard###-
And efore Harr' .ou&d sto) him, Do' ounded off the ed, sei;ed Harr'*s des! &am), and started eating himse&f around
the head (ith ears)&itting 'e&)s#
A sudden si&en.e fe&& do(nstairs# T(o se.onds &ater Harr', heart thudding mad&', heard 3n.&e %ernon .oming into the ha&&,
.a&&ing, +Dud&e' must ha"e &eft his te&e"ision on again, the &itt&e t'!e,-
+>ui.!, In the (ardroe,- hissed Harr', stuffing Do' in, shutting the door, and f&inging himse&f onto the ed 0ust as the
door hand&e turned#
+What1the1de"i&1are1'ou1doing2- said 3n.&e %ernon through gritted teeth, his fa.e horri&' .&ose to Harr'*s# +You*"e
0ust ruined the )un.h &ine of m' @a)anese go&fer 0o!e### One more sound and 'ou*&& (ish 'ou*d ne"er een orn, o',-
He stom)ed f&at:footed from the room#
Sha!ing, Harr' &et Do' out of the .&oset#
+See (hat it*s &i!e here2- he said# +See (h' I*"e got to go a.! to Hog(arts2 It*s the on&' )&a.e I*"e got :(e&&, I thin! I*"e got
friends# +
+9riends (ho don*t e"en (rite to Harr' Potter2- said Do' s&'&'#
+I e/)e.t the'*"e 0ust een1(ait a minute,- said Harr', fro(ning# +Ho( do 'ou !no( m' friends ha"en*t een (riting to
me2-
Do' shuff&ed his feet#
+Harr' Potter mustn*t e angr' (ith Do'# Do' did it for the est###-
+Ha"e 'ou een sto))ing m' &etters2-
+Do' has them here, sir,- said the e&f# Ste))ing nim&' out of Harr'*s rea.h, he )u&&ed a thi.! (ad of en"e&o)es from the
inside of the )i&&o(.ase he (as (earing# Harr' .ou&d ma!e out Hermione*s neat (riting, Ron*s untid' s.ra(&, and e"en a
s.ri&e that &oo!ed as though it (as from the Hog(arts game!ee)er, Hagrid#
Do' &in!ed an/ious&' u) at Harr'#
+Harr' Potter mustn*t e angr'### Do' ho)ed### if Harr' Potter thought his friends had forgotten him### Harr' Potter might
not (ant to go a.! to s.hoo&, sir###-
Harr' (asn*t &istening# He made a gra for the &etters, ut Do' 0um)ed out of rea.h#
+Harr' Potter (i&& ha"e them, sir, if he gi"es Do' his (ord that he (i&& not return to Hog(arts# Ah, sir, this is a danger 'ou
must not fa.e, Sa' 'ou (on*t go a.!, sir,-
+No,- said Harr' angri&'# +8i"e me m' friends* &etters,-
+Then Harr' Potter &ea"es Do' no .hoi.e,- said the e&f sad&'#
Before Harr' .ou&d mo"e, Do' had darted to the edroom door, )u&&ed it o)en, and s)rinted do(n the stairs#
$outh dr', stoma.h &ur.hing, Harr' s)rang after him, tr'ing not to ma!e a sound# He 0um)ed the &ast si/ ste)s, &anding
.at&i!e on the ha&& .ar)et, &oo!ing around for Do'# 9rom the dining room he heard 3n.&e %ernon sa'ing, +###te&& Petunia that
"er' funn' stor' aout those Ameri.an )&umers, $r# $ason# She*s een d'ing to hear### +
Harr' ran u) the ha&& into the !it.hen and fe&t his stoma.h disa))ear#
Aunt Petunia*s master)ie.e of a )udding, the mountain of .ream and sugared "io&ets, (as f&oating u) near the .ei&ing# On to)
of a .u)oard in the .orner .rou.hed Do'#
+No,- .roa!ed Harr'# +P&ease### the'*&& !i&& me###-
+Harr' Potter must sa' he*s not going a.! to s.hoo&1-
+Do'### )&ease###-
+Sa' it, sir###-
+I .an*t,-
Do' ga"e him a tragi. &oo!#
+Then Do' must do it, sir, for Harr' Potter*s o(n good#-
The )udding fe&& to the f&oor (ith a heart:sto))ing .rash# Cream s)&attered the (indo(s and (a&&s as the dish shattered# With
a .ra.! &i!e a (hi), Do' "anished#
There (ere s.reams from the dining room and 3n.&e %ernon urst into the !it.hen to find Harr', rigid (ith sho.!, .o"ered
from head to foot in Aunt Petunias )udding#
At first, it &oo!ed as though 3n.&e %ernon (ou&d manage to g&oss the (ho&e thing o"er# <+@ust our ne)he(1"er' distured
1meeting strangers u)sets him, so (e !e)t him u)stairs###-= He shooed the sho.!ed $asons a.! into the dining room,
)romised Harr' he (ou&d f&a' him to (ithin an in.h of his &ife (hen the $asons had &eft, and handed him a mo)# Aunt Petunia
dug some i.e:.ream out of the free;er and Harr', sti&& sha!ing, started s.ruing the !it.hen .&ean#
3n.&e %ernon might sti&& ha"e een a&e to ma!e his dea&1if it hadn*t een for the o(&#
Aunt Petunia (as 0ust )assing around a o/ of after:dinner mints (hen a huge arn o(& s(oo)ed through the dining room
(indo(, dro))ed a &etter on $rs# $ason*s head, and s(oo)ed out again# $rs# $ason s.reamed &i!e a anshee and ran from the
house shouting aout &unati.s# $r# $ason sta'ed 0ust &ong enough to te&& the Durs&e's that his (ife (as morta&&' afraid of irds
of a&& sha)es and si;es, and to as! (hether this (as their idea of a 0o!e#
Harr' stood in the !it.hen, .&ut.hing the mo) for su))ort, as 3n.&e %ernon ad"an.ed on him, a demoni. g&int in his tin'
e'es#
+Read it,- he hissed e"i&&', randishing the &etter the o(& had de&i"ered# +8o on1read it,-
Harr' too! it# It did not .ontain irthda' greetings#
5
Dear $r# Potter,
We ha"e re.ei"ed inte&&igen.e that a Ho"er Charm (as used at 'our )&a.e of residen.e this e"ening at t(e&"e minutes )ast
nine#
As 'ou !no(, underage (i;ards are not )ermitted to )erform s)e&&s outside s.hoo&, and further s)e&&(or! on 'our )art ma'
&ead to e/)u&sion from said s.hoo& <De.ree for the Reasona&e Restri.tion of 3nderage Sor.er', BCDE, Paragra)h C=#
We (ou&d a&so as! 'ou to rememer that an' magi.a& a.ti"it' that ris!s noti.e ' memers of the non:magi.a& .ommunit'
<$ugg&es= is a serious offense under se.tion BF of the Internationa& Confederation of War&o.!s* Statute of Se.re.'#
En0o' 'our ho&ida's, Yours sin.ere&',
$afa&da Ho)!ir! I$PROPER 3SE O9 $A8IC O99ICE $inistr' of $agi.
Harr' &oo!ed u) from the &etter and gu&)ed#
+You didn*t te&& us 'ou (eren*t a&&o(ed to use magi. outside s.hoo&,- said 3n.&e %ernon, a mad g&eam dan.ing in his e'es#
+9or got to mention it### S&i))ed 'our mind, I daresa'###-
He (as earing do(n on Harr' &i!e a great u&&dog, a&& his teeth ared# +We&&, I*"e got ne(s for 'ou, o'### I*m &o.!ing 'ou
u)### You*re ne"er going a.! to that s.hoo&### ne"er### and if 'ou tr' and magi. 'ourse&f out1the'*&& e/)e& 'ou,-
And &aughing &i!e a mania., he dragged Harr' a.! u)stairs#
3n.&e %ernon (as as ad as his (ord# The fo&&o(ing morning, he )aid a man to fit ars on Harr'*s (indo(# He himse&f fitted
a .atf&a) in the edroom door, so that sma&& amounts of food .ou&d e )ushed inside three times a da'# The' &et Harr' out to use
the athroom morning and e"ening# Other(ise, he (as &o.!ed in his room around the .&o.!#
Three da's &ater, the Durs&e's (ere sho(ing no sign of re&enting, and Harr' .ou&dn*t see an' (a' out of his situation# He &a'
on his ed (at.hing the sun sin!ing ehind the ars on the (indo( and (ondered misera&' (hat (as going to ha))en to him#
What (as the good of magi.!ing himse&f out of his room if Hog(arts (ou&d e/)e& him for doing it2 Yet &ife at Pri"et Dri"e
had rea.hed an a&&:time &o(# No( that the Durs&e's !ne( the' (eren*t going to (a!e u) as fruit ats, he had &ost his on&'
(ea)on# Do' might ha"e sa"ed Harr' from horri&e ha))enings at Hog(arts, ut the (a' things (ere going, he*d )roa&'
star"e to death an'(a'#
The .at:f&a) ratt&ed and Aunt Petunias hand a))eared, )ushing a o(& of .anned sou) into the room# Harr', (hose insides
(ere a.hing (ith hunger, 0um)ed off his ed and sei;ed it# The sou) (as stone:.o&d, ut he dran! ha&f of it in one gu&)# Then
he .rossed the room to Hed(ig*s .age and ti))ed the sogg' "egeta&es at the ottom of the o(& into her em)t' food tra'# She
ruff&ed her feathers and ga"e him a &oo! of dee) disgust#
+It*s no good turning 'our ea! u) at it1that*s a&& (e*"e got,- said Harr' grim&'#
He )ut the em)t' o(& a.! on the f&oor ne/t to the .at:f&a) and &a' a.! do(n on the ed, someho( e"en hungrier than he
had een efore the sou)#
Su))osing he (as sti&& a&i"e in another four (ee!s, (hat (ou&d ha))en if he didn*t turn u) at Hog(arts2 Wou&d someone e
sent to see (h' he hadn*t .ome a.!2 Wou&d the' e a&e to ma!e the Durs&e's &et him go2
The room (as gro(ing dar!# E/hausted, stoma.h rum&ing, mind s)inning o"er the same unans(era&e 6uestions, Harr' fe&&
into an uneas' s&ee)#
He dreamed that he (as on sho( in a ;oo, (ith a .ard reading 3NDERA8E WIGARD atta.hed to his .age# Peo)&e gogg&ed
through the ars at him as he &a', star"ing and (ea!, on a ed of stra(# He sa( Do'*s fa.e in the .ro(d and shouted out,
as!ing for he&), ut Do' .a&&ed, +Harr' Potter is safe there, sir,- and "anished# Then the Durs&e's a))eared and Dud&e'
ratt&ed the ars of the .age, &aughing at him#
+Sto) it,- Harr' muttered as the ratt&ing )ounded in his sore head# +7ea"e me a&one### .ut it out### I*m tr'ing to s&ee)###-
He o)ened his e'es# $oon&ight (as shining through the ars on the (indo(# And someone (as gogg&ing through the ars at
him4 a fre.!&efa.ed, red:haired, &ong:nosed someone#
Ron Weas&e' (as outside Harr'*s (indo(#
CHAPTER THREE
THE B3RROW
+Ron,- reathed Harr', .ree)ing to the (indo( and )ushing it u) so the' .ou&d ta&! through the ars# +Ron, ho( did 'ou1
What the :2-
Harr'*s mouth fe&& o)en as the fu&& im)a.t of (hat he (as seeing hit him# Ron (as &eaning out of the a.! (indo( of an o&d
tur6uoise .ar, (hi.h (as )ar!ed in midair 8rinning at Harr' from the front seats (ere 9red and 8eorge, Ron*s e&der t(in
rothers#
+A&& right, Harr'2- as!ed 8eorge#
+What*s een going on2- said Ron# +Wh' ha"en*t 'ou een ans(ering m' &etters2 I*"e as!ed 'ou to sta' aout t(e&"e times,
and then Dad .ame home and said 'ou*d got an offi.ia& (arning for using magi. in front of $ugg&es1-
+It (asn*t me1and ho( did he !no(2-
+He (or!s for the $inistr',- said Ron# +You !no( (e*re not su))osed to do s)e&&s outside s.hoo&1-
+You shou&d ta&!,- said Harr', staring at the f&oating .ar#
+Oh, this doesn*t .ount,- said Ron# +We*re on&' orro(ing this# It*s Dad*s, (e didn*t en.hant it# But doing magi. in front of
those $ugg&es 'ou &i"e (ith1-
+I to&d 'ou, I didn*t1ut it*&& ta!e too &ong to e/)&ain no( &oo!, .an 'ou te&& them at Hog(arts that the Durs&e's ha"e &o.!ed
me u) and (on*t &et me .ome a.!, and o"ious&' I .an*t magi. m'se&f out, e.ause the $inistr'*I& thin! that*s the se.ond s)e&&
I*"e done in three da's, so1-
+Sto) giering,- said Ron# +We*"e .ome to ta!e 'ou home (ith us#-
+But 'ou .an*t magi. me out either1-
6
+We don*t need to,- said Ron, 0er!ing his head to(ard the front seat and grinning# +You forget (ho I*"e got (ith me#-
+Tie that around the ars,- said 9red, thro(ing the end of a ro)e to Harr'#
+If the Durs&e's (a!e u), I*m dead,- said Harr' as he tied the ro)e tight&' around a ar and 9red re""ed u) the .ar#
+Don*t (orr',- said 9red, +and stand a.!#-
Harr' mo"ed a.! into the shado(s ne/t to Hed(ig, (ho seemed to ha"e rea&i;ed ho( im)ortant this (as and !e)t sti&& and
si&ent# The .ar re""ed &ouder and &ouder and sudden&', (ith a .run.hing noise, the ars (ere )u&&ed .&ean out of the (indo( as
9red dro"e straight u) in the air# Harr' ran a.! to the (indo( to see the ars dang&ing a fe( feet ao"e the ground# Panting,
Ron hoisted them u) into the .ar# Harr' &istened an/ious&', ut there (as no sound from the Durs&e's* edroom#
When the ars (ere safe&' in the a.! seat (ith Ron, 9red re"ersed as .&ose as )ossi&e to Harr'*s (indo(#
+8et in,- Ron said#
+But a&& m' Hog(arts stuff1m' (and1m' roomsti.!1-
+Where is it2-
+7o.!ed in the .u)oard under the stairs, and I .an*t get out of this room1-
+No )ro&em,- said 8eorge from the front )assenger seat# +Out of the (a', Harr'#-
9red and 8eorge .&imed .at&i!e through the (indo( into Harr'*s room# You had to hand it to them, thought Harr', as
8eorge too! an ordinar' hair)in from his )o.!et and started to )i.! the &o.!#
+A &ot of (i;ards thin! it*s a (aste of time, !no(ing this sort of $ugg&e tri.!,- said 9red, +ut (e fee& the'*re s!i&&s (orth
&earning, e"en if the' are a it s&o(#-
There (as a sma&& .&i.! and the door s(ung o)en#
+So1(e*&& get 'our trun!1'ou gra an'thing 'ou need from 'our room and hand it out to Ron,- (his)ered 8eorge#
+Wat.h out for the ottom stair1it .rea!s,- Harr' (his)ered a.! as the t(ins disa))eared onto the dar! &anding#
Harr' dashed around his room, .o&&e.ting his things and )assing them out of the (indo( to Ron# Then he (ent to he&) 9red
and 8eorge hea"e his trun! u) the stairs# Harr' heard 3n.&e %ernon .ough#
At &ast, )anting, the' rea.hed the &anding, then .arried the trun! through Harr'*s room to the o)en (indo(# 9red .&imed
a.! into the .ar to )u&& (ith Ron, and Harr' and 8eorge )ushed from the edroom side# In.h ' in.h, the trun! s&id through
the (indo(#
3n.&e %ernon .oughed again#
+A it more,- )anted 9red, (ho (as )u&&ing from inside the .ar# +One good )ush1-
Harr' and 8eorge thre( their shou&ders against the trun! and it s&id out of the (indo( into the a.! seat of the .ar#
+O!a', &et*s go,- 8eorge (his)ered#
But as Harr' .&imed onto the (indo(si&& there .ame a sudden &oud s.ree.h from ehind him, fo&&o(ed immediate&' ' the
thunder of 3n.&e %ernon*s "oi.e#
+THAT R3DDY OW7,-
+I*"e forgotten Hed(ig,-
Harr' tore a.! a.ross the room as the &anding &ight .&i.!ed on1he snat.hed u) Hed(ig*s .age, dashed to the (indo(, and
)assed it out to Ron# He (as s.ram&ing a.! onto the .hest of dra(ers (hen 3n.&e %ernon hammered on the un&o.!ed door
and it .rashed o)en#
9or a s)&it se.ond, 3n.&e %ernon stood framed in the door(a'5 then he &et out a e&&o( &i!e an angr' u&& and di"ed at Harr',
graing him ' the an!&e#
Ron, 9red, and 8eorge sei;ed Harr'*s arms and )u&&ed as hard as the' .ou&d#
+Petunia,- roared 3n.&e %ernon# +He*s getting a(a', HE*S 8ETTIN8 AWAY,-
But the Weas&e's ga"e a giganti. tug and Harr'*s &eg s&id out of 3n.&e %ernon*s gras)# As soon as Harr' (as in the .ar and
had s&ammed the door shut, Ron 'e&&ed, +Put 'our foot do(n, 9red,- and the .ar shot sudden&' to(ards the moon#
Harr' .ou&dn*t e&ie"e it1he (as free# He ro&&ed do(n the (indo(, the night air (hi))ing his hair, and &oo!ed a.! at the
shrin!ing roofto)s of Pri"et Dri"e# 3n.&e %ernon, Aunt Petunia, and Dud&e' (ere a&& hanging, dumstru.!, out of Harr'*s
(indo(#
+See 'ou ne/t summer,- Harr' 'e&&ed#
The Weas&e's roared (ith &aughter and Harr' sett&ed a.! in his seat, grinning from ear to ear#
+7et Hed(ig out,- he to&d Ron# +She .an f&' ehind us# She hasn*t had a .han.e to stret.h her (ings for ages#-
8eorge handed the hair)in to Ron and, a moment &ater, Hed(ig soared 0o'fu&&' out of the (indo( to g&ide a&ongside them
&i!e a ghost#
+So1(hat*s the stor', Harr'2- said Ron im)atient&'# +What*s een ha))ening2-
Harr' to&d them a&& aout Do', the (arning he*d gi"en Harr' and the fias.o of the "io&et )udding# There (as a &ong,
sho.!ed si&en.e (hen he had finished#
+%er' fish',- said 9red fina&&'#
+Definite&' dodg'- agreed 8eorge# +So he (ou&dn*t e"en te&& 'ou (ho*s su))osed to e )&otting a&& this stuff2-
+I don*t thin! he .ou&d,- said Harr'# +I to&d 'ou, e"er' time he got .&ose to &etting something s&i), he started anging his head
against the (a&&#-
He sa( 9red and 8eorge &oo! at ea.h other#
+What, 'ou thin! he (as &'ing to me2- said Harr'#
+We&&,- said 9red, +)ut it this (a'1house:e&"es ha"e got )o(erfu& magi. of their o(n, ut the' .an*t usua&&' use it (ithout
their master*s )ermission# I re.!on o&d Do' (as sent to sto) 'ou .oming a.! to Hog(arts# Someone*s idea of a 0o!e# Can
'ou thin! of an'one at s.hoo& (ith a grudge against 'ou2-
+Yes,- said Harr' and Ron together, instant&'#
+Dra.o $a&fo',- Harr' e/)&ained# +He hates me#-
+Dra.o $a&fo'2- said 8eorge, turning around# +Not 7u.ius $a&fo'*s son2-
7
+$ust e, it*s not a "er' .ommon name, is it2- said Harr'# +Wh'2-
+I*"e heard Dad ta&!ing aout him,- said 8eorge# +He (as a ig su))orter of You:Ano(:Who#-
+And (hen You:Ano(:Who disa))eared,- said 9red, .raning around to &oo! at Harr', +7u.ius $a&fo' .ame a.! sa'ing
he*d ne"er meant an' of it# 7oad of dung1Dad re.!ons he (as right in YouAno(:Who*s inner .ir.&e#-
Harr' had heard these rumors aout $a&fo'*s fami&' efore, and the' didn*t sur)rise him at a&&# Dra.o $a&fo' made Dud&e'
Durs&e' &oo! &i!e a !ind, thoughtfu&, and sensiti"e o'#
+I don*t !no( (hether the $a&fo's o(n a house:e&f###- said Harr'#
+We&&, (hoe"er o(ns him (i&& e an o&d (i;arding fami&', and the'*&& e ri.h,- said 9red#
+Yeah, $um*s a&(a's (ishing (e had a house:e&f to do the ironing,- said 8eorge# +But a&& (e*"e got is a &ous' o&d ghou& in
the atti. and gnomes a&& o"er the garden# House:e&"es .ome (ith ig o&d manors and .ast&es and )&a.es &i!e that5 'ou (ou&dn*t
.at.h one in our house###-
Harr' (as si&ent# @udging ' the fa.t that Dra.o $a&fo' usua&&' had the est of e"er'thing, his fami&' (as ro&&ing in (i;ard
go&d5 he .ou&d 0ust see $a&fo' strutting around a &arge manor house# Sending the fami&' ser"ant to sto) Harr' from going a.!
to Hog(arts a&so sounded e/a.t&' &i!e the sort of thing $a&fo' (ou&d do# Had Harr' een stu)id to ta!e Do' serious&'2
+I*m g&ad (e .ame to get 'ou, an'(a',- said Ron# +I (as getting rea&&' (orried (hen 'ou didn*t ans(er an' of m' &etters# I
thought it (as Erro&*s fau&t at first:-
+Who*s Erro&2-
+Our o(&# He*s an.ient# It (ou&dn*t e the first time he*d .o&&a)sed on a de&i"er'# So then I tried to orro( Hermes1-
+Who2-
+The o(& $um and Dad ought Per.' (hen he (as made )refe.t,- said 9red from the front#
+But Per.' (ou&dn*t &end him to me,- said Ron# +Said he needed him#-
+Per.'*s een a.ting "er' odd&' this summer,- said 8eorge, fro(ning# +And he has een sending a &ot of &etters and s)ending
a &oad of time shut u) in his room### I mean, there*s on&' so man' times 'ou .an )o&ish a )refe.t adge### You*re dri"ing too far
(est, 9red,- he added, )ointing at a .om)ass on the dashoard# 9red t(idd&ed the steering (hee&#
+So, does 'our dad !no( 'ou*"e got the .ar2- said Harr', guessing the ans(er#
+Er, no,- said Ron, +he had to (or! tonight# Ho)efu&&' (e*&& e a&e to get it a.! in the garage (ithout $um noti.ing (e
f&e( it#-
+What does 'our dad do at the $inistr' of $agi., an'(a'2-
+He (or!s in the most oring de)artment,- said Ron# +The $isuse of $ugg&e Artifa.ts Offi.e#-
+The (hat2-
+It*s a&& to do (ith e(it.hing things that are $ugg&e:made, 'ou !no(, in .ase the' end u) a.! in a $ugg&e sho) or house#
7i!e, &ast 'ear, some o&d (it.h died and her tea set (as so&d to an anti6ues sho)# This $ugg&e (oman ought it, too! it home,
and tried to ser"e her friends tea in it# It (as a nightmare1Dad (as (or!ing o"ertime for (ee!s#-
+What ha))ened2-
+The tea)ot (ent erser! and s6uirted oi&ing tea a&& o"er the )&a.e and one man ended u) in the hos)ita& (ith the sugar
tongs .&am)ed to his nose# Dad (as going franti.1it*s on&' him and an o&d (ar&o.! .a&&ed Per!ins in the offi.e :and the' had
to do $emor' Charms and a&& sorts of stuff to .o"er it u)1-
+But 'our dad1this .ar1-
9red &aughed# +Yeah, Dad*s .ra;' aout e"er'thing to do (ith $ugg&es5 our shed*s fu&& of $ugg&e stuff# He ta!es it a)art,
)uts s)e&&s on it, and )uts it a.! together again# If he raided our house he*d ha"e to )ut himse&f under arrest# It dri"es $um
mad#-
+That*s the main road,- said 8eorge, )eering do(n through the (indshie&d# +We*&& e there in ten minutes### @ust as (e&&, it*s
getting &ight###-
A faint )in!ish g&o( (as "isi&e a&ong the hori;on to the east#
9red rought the .ar &o(er, and Harr' sa( a dar! )at.h(or! of fie&ds and .&um)s of trees#
+We*re a &itt&e (a' outside the "i&&age,- said 8eorge# +Otter' St# Cat.h)o&e#-
7o(er and &o(er (ent the f&'ing .ar# The edge of a ri&&iant red sun (as no( g&eaming through the trees#
+Tou.hdo(n,- said 9red as, (ith a s&ight um), the' hit the ground# The' had &anded ne/t to a tum&edo(n garage in a
sma&& 'ard, and Harr' &oo!ed out for the first time at Ron*s house#
It &oo!ed as though it had on.e een a &arge stone )ig)en, ut e/tra rooms had een added here and there unti& it (as se"era&
stories high and so .roo!ed it &oo!ed as though it (ere he&d u) ' magi. <(hi.h, Harr' reminded himse&f, it )roa&' (as=#
9our or fi"e .himne's (ere )er.hed on to) of the red roof# A &o)sided sign stu.! in the ground near the entran.e read, +The
Burro(-# Around the front door &a' a 0um&e of ruer oots and a "er' rust' .au&dron# Se"era& fat ro(n .hi.!ens (ere
)e.!ing their (a' around the 'ard#
+It*s not mu.h,- said Ron#
+It*s (onderfu&,- said Harr' ha))i&', thin!ing of Pri"et Dri"e#
The' got out of the .ar#
+No(, (e*&& go u)stairs rea&&' 6uiet&',- said 9red, +and (ait for $um to .a&& us for rea!fast Then, Ron, 'ou .ome ounding
do(nstairs going, H$um, &oo! (ho turned u) in the night,* and she*&& e a&& )&eased to see Harr' and no one need e"er !no( (e
f&e( the .ar#-
+Right,- said Ron# +Come on, Harr', I s&ee) at the1-
Ron had gone a nast' greenish .o&or, his e'es fi/ed on the house# The other three (hee&ed around#
$rs# Weas&e' (as mar.hing a.ross the 'ard, s.attering .hi.!ens, and for a short, )&um), !ind:fa.ed (oman, it (as
remar!a&e ho( mu.h she &oo!ed &i!e a saer:toothed tiger#
+Ah, +said 9red#
+Oh, dear,- said 8eorge#
8
$rs# Weas&e' .ame to a ha&t in front of them, her hands on her hi)s, staring from one gui&t' fa.e to the ne/t# She (as
(earing a f&o(ered a)ron (ith a (and sti.!ing out of the )o.!et#
+So, +she said#
+$orning, $um,- said 8eorge, in (hat he .&ear&' thought (as a 0aunt', (inning "oi.e#
+Ha"e 'ou an' idea ho( (orried I*"e een2- said $rs# Weas&e' in a dead&' (his)er#
+Sorr', $um, ut see, (e had to1-
A&& three of $rs# Weas&e'*s sons (ere ta&&er than she (as, ut the' .o(ered as her rage ro!e o"er them#
+Beds em)t', No note, Car gone1.ou&d ha"e .rashed1out of m' mind (ith (orr'1did 'ou .are21ne"er, as &ong as I*"e
&i"ed1'ou (ait unti& 'our father gets home, (e ne"er had trou&e &i!e this from Bi&& or Char&ie or Per.'1-
+Perfe.t Per.',- muttered 9red#
+YO3 CO37D DO WITH TAAIN8 A 7EA9 O3T O9 PERCY*S BOOA,- 'e&&ed $rs# Weas&e', )rodding a finger in 9red*s
.hest# +You .ou&d ha"e died, 'ou .ou&d ha"e een seen, 'ou .ou&d ha"e &ost 'our father his 0o1-
It seemed to go on for hours# $rs# Weas&e' had shouted herse&f hoarse efore she turned on Harr', (ho a.!ed a(a'#
+I*m "er' )&eased to see 'ou, Harr', dear,- she said# +Come in and ha"e some rea!fast#-
She turned and (a&!ed a.! into the house and Harr', after a ner"ous g&an.e at Ron, (ho nodded en.ouraging&', fo&&o(ed
her#
The !it.hen (as sma&& and rather .ram)ed# There (as a s.rued (ooden ta&e and .hairs in the midd&e, and Harr' sat do(n
on the edge of his seat, &oo!ing around# He had ne"er een in a (i;ard house efore#
The .&o.! on the (a&& o))osite him had on&' one hand and no numers at a&&# Written around the edge (ere things &i!e Time
to ma!e tea, Time to feed the .hi.!ens, and You*re &ate# Boo!s (ere sta.!ed three dee) on the mante&)ie.e, oo!s (ith tit&es
&i!e Charm Your O(n Cheese, En.hantment in Ba!ing, and One $inute 9easts1It*s $agi., And un&ess Harr'*s ears (ere
de.ei"ing him, the o&d radio ne/t to the sin! had 0ust announ.ed that .oming u) (as +Wit.hing Hour, (ith the )o)u&ar singing
sor.eress, Ce&estina Ware.!#-
$rs# Weas&e' (as .&attering around, .oo!ing rea!fast a &itt&e ha)ha;ard&', thro(ing dirt' &oo!s at her sons as she thre(
sausages into the fr'ing )an# E"er' no( and then she muttered things &i!e +don*t !no( (hat 'ou (ere thin!ing of,- and +ne"er
(ou&d ha"e e&ie"ed it#-
+I don*t &ame 'ou, dear,- she assured Harr', ti))ing eight or nine sausages onto his )&ate# +Arthur and I ha"e een (orried
aout 'ou, too# @ust &ast night (e (ere sa'ing (e*d .ome and get 'ou ourse&"es if 'ou hadn*t (ritten a.! to Ron ' 9rida'#
But rea&&',- <she (as no( adding three fried eggs to his )&ate= +f&'ing an i&&ega& .ar ha&f(a' a.ross the .ountr'1an'one .ou&d
ha"e seen 'ou1-
She f&i.!ed her (and .asua&&' at the dishes in the sin!, (hi.h egan to .&ean themse&"es, .&in!ing gent&' in the a.!ground#
+It (as .&oud', $um,- said 9red#
+You !ee) 'our mouth .&osed (hi&e 'ou*re eating,- $rs# Weas&e' sna))ed#
+The' (ere star"ing him, $um,- said 8eorge#
+And 'ou,- said $rs# Weas&e', ut it (as (ith a s&ight&' softened e/)ression that she started .utting Harr' read and
uttering it for him#
At that moment there (as a di"ersion in the form of a sma&&, redheaded figure in a &ong nightdress, (ho a))eared in the
!it.hen, ga"e a sma&& s6uea&, and ran out again#
+8inn',- said Ron in an undertone to Harr'# +$' sister# She*s een ta&!ing aout 'ou a&& summer#-
+Yeah, she*&& e (anting 'our autogra)h, Harr',- 9red said (ith a grin, ut he .aught his mother*s e'e and ent his fa.e o"er
his )&ate (ithout another (ord# Nothing more (as said unti& a&& four )&ates (ere .&ean, (hi.h too! a sur)rising&' short time#
+B&ime', I*m tired,- 'a(ned 9red, setting do(n his !nife and for! at &ast# +I thin! I*&& go to ed and1-
+You (i&& not,- sna))ed $rs# Weas&e'# +It*s 'our o(n fau&t 'ou*"e een u) a&& night# You*re going to de:gnome the garden for
me5 the'*re getting .om)&ete&' out of hand again1-
+Oh, $um1-
+And 'ou t(o,- she said, g&aring at Ron and 9red# +You .an go u) to ed, dear,- she added to Harr'# +You didn*t as! them to
f&' that (ret.hed .ar1-
But Harr', (ho fe&t (ide a(a!e, said 6ui.!&', +I*&& he&) Ron# I*"e ne"er seen a de:gnoming1-
+That*s "er' s(eet of 'ou, dear, ut it*s du&& (or!,- said $rs# Weas&e'# +No(, &et*s see (hat 7o.!hart*s got to sa' on the
su0e.t1-
And she )u&&ed a hea"' oo! from the sta.! on the mante&)ie.e# 8eorge groaned#
+$um, (e !no( ho( to de:gnome a garden1-
Harr' &oo!ed at the .o"er of $rs# Weas&e'*s oo!# Written a.ross it in fan.' go&d &etters (ere the (ords 8i&dero' 7o.!hart*s
8uide to Househo&d Pests# There (as a ig )hotogra)h on the front of a "er' good&oo!ing (i;ard (ith (a"' &ond hair and
right &ue e'es# As a&(a's in the (i;arding (or&d, the )hotogra)h (as mo"ing5 the (i;ard, (ho Harr' su))osed (as
8i&dero' 7o.!hart, !e)t (in!ing .hee!i&' u) at them a&&# $rs# Weas&e' eamed do(n at him#
+Oh, he is mar"e&ous,- she said# +He !no(s his househo&d )ests, a&& right, it*s a (onderfu& oo!###-
+$um fan.ies him,- said 9red, in a "er' audi&e (his)er#
+Don*t e so ridi.u&ous, 9red,- said $rs# Weas&e', her .hee!s rather )in!# +A&& right, if 'ou thin! 'ou !no( etter than
7o.!hart, 'ou .an go and get on (ith it, and (oe etide 'ou if there*s a sing&e gnome in that garden (hen I .ome out to ins)e.t
it#-
Ya(ning and grum&ing, the Weas&e's s&ou.hed outside (ith Harr' ehind them# The garden (as &arge, and in Harr'*s e'es,
e/a.t&' (hat a garden shou&d e# The Durs&e's (ou&dn*t ha"e &i!ed it1there (ere )&ent' of (eeds, and the grass needed
.utting ut there (ere gnar&ed trees a&& around the (a&&s, )&ants Harr' had ne"er seen s)i&&ing from e"er' f&o(er ed, and a ig
green )ond fu&& of frogs#
+$ugg&es ha"e garden gnomes, too, 'ou !no(,- Harr' to&d Ron as the' .rossed the &a(n#
9
+Yeah, I*"e seen those things the' thin! are gnomes,- said Ron, ent dou&e (ith his head in a )eon' ush, +&i!e fat &itt&e
Santa C&auses (ith fishing rods###-
There (as a "io&ent s.uff&ing noise, the )eon' ush shuddered, and Ron straightened u)# +This is a gnome,- he said grim&'#
+8erroff me, 8erroff me,- s6uea&ed the gnome#
It (as .ertain&' nothing &i!e Santa C&aus# It (as sma&& and &eather' &oo!ing, (ith a &arge, !no', a&d head e/a.t&' &i!e a
)otato# Ron he&d it at arm*s &ength as it !i.!ed out at him (ith its horn' &itt&e feet5 he gras)ed it around the an!&es and turned it
u)side do(n#
+This is (hat 'ou ha"e to do,- he said# He raised the gnome ao"e his head <+8erroff me,-= and started to s(ing it in great
.ir.&es &i!e a &asso# Seeing the sho.!ed &oo! on Harr'*s fa.e, Ron added, +It doesn*t hurt them1'ou*"e 0ust got to ma!e them
rea&&' di;;' so the' .an*t find their (a' a.! to the gnomeho&es#-
He &et go of the gnome*s an!&es4 It f&e( t(ent' feet into the air and &anded (ith a thud in the fie&d o"er the hedge#
+Pitifu&,- said 9red# +I et I .an get mine e'ond that stum)#-
Harr' &earned 6ui.!&' not to fee& too sorr' for the gnomes# He de.ided 0ust to dro) the first one he .aught o"er the hedge, ut
the gnome, sensing (ea!ness, san! its ra;or:shar) teeth into Harr'*s finger and he had a hard 0o sha!ing it off1unti&
+Wo(, Harr'1that must*"e een fift' feet###-
The air (as soon thi.! (ith f&'ing gnomes#
+See, the'*re not too right,- said 8eorge, sei;ing fi"e or si/ gnomes at on.e# +The moment the' !no( the de:gnoming*s
going on the' storm u) to ha"e a &oo!# You*d thin! the'*d ha"e &earned ' no( 0ust to sta' )ut#-
Soon, the .ro(d of gnomes in the fie&d started (a&!ing a(a' in a stragg&ing &ine, their &itt&e shou&ders hun.hed#
+The'*&& e a.!,- said Ron as the' (at.hed the gnomes disa))ear into the hedge on the other side of the fie&d# +The' &o"e it
here### Dad*s too soft (ith them5 he thin!s the'*re funn'###-
@ust then, the front door s&ammed#
+He*s a.!,- said 8eorge# +Dad*s home,-
The' hurried through the garden and a.! into the house#
$r# Weas&e' (as s&um)ed in a !it.hen .hair (ith his g&asses off and his e'es .&osed# He (as a thin man, going a&d, ut the
&itt&e hair he had (as as red as an' of his .hi&dren*s# He (as (earing &ong green roes, (hi.h (ere dust' and tra"e&:(orn#
+What a night,- he mum&ed, gro)ing for the tea)ot as the' a&& sat do(n around him# +Nine raids# Nine, And o&d $undungus
9&et.her tried to )ut a he/ on me (hen I had m' a.! turned###-
$r# Weas&e' too! a &ong gu&) of tea and sighed#
+9ind an'thing, Dad2- said 9red eager&'#
+A&& I got (ere a fe( shrin!ing door !e's and a iting !ett&e,- 'a(ned $r# Weas&e'# +There (as some )rett' nast' stuff that
(asn*t m' de)artment, though# $ort&a!e (as ta!en a(a' for 6uestioning aout some e/treme&' odd ferrets, ut that*s the
Committee on E/)erimenta& Charms, than! goodness###-
+Wh' (ou&d an'one other ma!ing door !e's shrin!2- said 8eorge#
+@ust $ugg&e:aiting,- sighed $r# Weas&e'# +Se&& them a !e' that !ee)s shrin!ing to nothing so the' .an ne"er find it (hen
the' need it### Of .ourse, it*s "er' hard to .on"i.t an'one e.ause no $ugg&e (ou&d admit their !e' !ee)s shrin!ing1the'*&&
insist the' 0ust !ee) &osing it# B&ess them, the'*&& go to an' &engths to ignore magi., e"en if it*s staring them in the fa.e### But
the things our &ot ha"e ta!en to en.hanting, 'ou (ou&dn*t e&ie"e1-
+7IAE CARS, 9OR INSTANCE2-
$rs# Weas&e' had a))eared, ho&ding a &ong )o!er &i!e a s(ord# $r# Weas&e'*s e'es 0er!ed o)en# He stared gui&ti&' at his
(ife#
+C:.ars, $o&&', dear2-
+Yes, Arthur, .ars,- said $rs# Weas&e', her e'es f&ashing# +Imagine a (i;ard u'ing a rust' o&d .ar and te&&ing his (ife a&& he
(anted to do (ith it (as ta!e it a)art to see ho( it (or!ed, (hi&e rea&&' he (as en.hanting it to ma!e it f&'#-
$r# Weas&e' &in!ed#
+We&&, dear, I thin! 'ou*&& find that he (ou&d e 6uite (ithin the &a( to do that, e"en if1er1he ma'e (ou&d ha"e done
etter to, um, te&& his (ife the truth### There*s a &oo)ho&e in the &a(, 'ou*&& find### As &ong as he (asn*t intending to f&' the .ar,
the fa.t that the .ar .ou&d f&' (ou&dn*t1-
+Arthur Weas&e', 'ou made sure there (as a &oo)ho&e (hen 'ou (rote that &a(,- shouted $rs# Weas&e'# +@ust so 'ou .ou&d
.arr' on tin!ering (ith a&& that $ugg&e ruish in 'our shed, And for 'our information, Harr' arri"ed this morning in the .ar
'ou (eren*t intending to f&',-
+Harr'2- said $r# Weas&e' &an!&'# +Harr' (ho2-
He &oo!ed around, sa( Harr', and 0um)ed#
+8ood &ord, is it Harr' Potter2 %er' )&eased to meet 'ou, Ron*s to&d us so mu.h aout1-
+Your sons f&e( that .ar to Harr'*s house and a.! &ast night#- shouted $rs# Weas&e'# +What ha"e 'ou got to sa' aout that,
eh2-
+Did 'ou rea&&'2- said $r# Weas&e' eager&'# +Did it go a&& right2 I1I mean,- he fa&tered as s)ar!s f&e( from $rs# Weas&e'*s
e'es, +that1that (as "er' (rong, o's1"er' (rong indeed###-
+7et*s &ea"e them to it,- Ron muttered to Harr' as $rs# Weas&e' s(e&&ed &i!e a u&&frog# +Come on, I*&& sho( 'ou m'
edroom#-
The' s&i))ed out of the !it.hen and do(n a narro( )assage(a' to an une"en stair.ase, (hi.h (ound its (a', ;ig;agging u)
through the house# On the third &anding, a door stood a0ar# Harr' 0ust .aught sight of a )air of right ro(n e'es staring at him
efore it .&osed (ith a sna)#
+8inn',- said Ron# +You don*t !no( ho( (eird it is for her to e this sh'# She ne"er shuts u) norma&&'1-
The' .&imed t(o more f&ights unti& the' rea.hed a door (ith )ee&ing )aint and a sma&& )&a6ue on it, sa'ing RONA7D*S
ROO$#
10
Harr' ste))ed in, his head a&most tou.hing the s&o)ing .ei&ing, and &in!ed# It (as &i!e (a&!ing into a furna.e4 Near&'
e"er'thing in Ron*s room seemed to e a "io&ent shade of orange4 the eds)read, the (a&&s, e"en the .ei&ing# Then Harr'
rea&i;ed that Ron had .o"ered near&' e"er' in.h of the sha' (a&&)a)er (ith )osters of the same se"en (it.hes and (i;ards,
a&& (earing right orange roes, .arr'ing roomsti.!s, and (a"ing energeti.a&&'#
+Your >uiddit.h team2- said Harr'#
+The Chud&e' Cannons,- said Ron, )ointing at the orange eds)read, (hi.h (as em&a;oned (ith t(o giant &a.! C*s and a
s)eeding .annona&&# +Ninth in the &eague#-
Ron*s s.hoo& s)e&&oo!s (ere sta.!ed untidi&' in a .orner, ne/t to a )i&e of .omi.s that a&& seemed to feature The Ad"entures
of $artin $iggs, the $ad $ugg&e# Ron*s magi. (and (as &'ing on to) of a fish tan! fu&& of frog s)a(n on the (indo(si&&,
ne/t to his fat gra' rat, S.aers, (ho (as snoo;ing in a )at.h of sun#
Harr' ste))ed o"er a )a.! of Se&f:Shuff&ing )&a'ing .ards on the f&oor and &oo!ed out of the tin' (indo(# In the fie&d far
e&o( he .ou&d see a gang of gnomes snea!ing one ' one a.! through the Weas&e's* hedge# Then he turned to &oo! at Ron,
(ho (as (at.hing him a&most ner"ous&', as though (aiting for his o)inion#
+It*s a it sma&&,- said Ron 6ui.!&'# +Not &i!e that room 'ou had (ith the $ugg&es# And I*m right underneath the ghou& in the
atti.5 he*s a&(a's anging on the )i)es and groaning###-
But Harr', grinning (ide&', said, +This is the est house I*"e e"er een in#-
Ron*s ears (ent )in!#
CHAPTER 9O3R
AT 97O3RISH AND B7OTTS
7ife at the Burro( (as as different as )ossi&e from &ife on Pri"et Dri"e# The Durs&e's &i!ed e"er'thing neat and ordered5 the
Weas&e's* house urst (ith the strange and une/)e.ted# Harr' got a sho.! the first time he &oo!ed in the mirror o"er the
!it.hen mante&)ie.e and it shouted, +Tu.! 'our shirt in, s.ruff',- The ghou& in the atti. ho(&ed and dro))ed )i)es (hene"er he
fe&t things (ere getting too 6uiet, and sma&& e/)&osions from 9red and 8eorge*s edroom (ere .onsidered )erfe.t&' norma&#
What Harr' found most unusua& aout &ife at Ron*s, ho(e"er, (asn*t the ta&!ing mirror or the .&an!ing ghou&4 It (as the fa.t
that e"er'od' there seemed to &i!e him#
$rs# Weas&e' fussed o"er the state of his so.!s and tried to for.e him to eat fourth he&)ings at e"er' mea&# $r# Weas&e' &i!ed
Harr' to sit ne/t to him at the dinner ta&e so that he .ou&d omard him (ith 6uestions aout &ife (ith $ugg&es, as!ing him to
e/)&ain ho( things &i!e )&ugs and the )osta& ser"i.e (or!ed#
+9as.inating,- he (ou&d sa' as Harr' ta&!ed him through using a te&e)hone# +Ingenious, rea&&', ho( man' (a's $ugg&es
ha"e found of getting a&ong (ithout magi.#-
Harr' heard from Hog(arts one sunn' morning aout a (ee! after he had arri"ed at the Burro(# He and Ron (ent do(n to
rea!fast to find $r# and $rs# Weas&e' and 8inn' a&read' sitting at the !it.hen ta&e# The moment she sa( Harr', 8inn'
a..identa&&' !no.!ed her )orridge o(& to the f&oor (ith a &oud .&atter# 8inn' seemed "er' )rone to !no.!ing things o"er
(hene"er Harr' entered a room# She di"ed under the ta&e to retrie"e the o(& and emerged (ith her fa.e g&o(ing &i!e the
setting sun# Pretending he hadn*t noti.ed this, Harr' sat do(n and too! the toast $rs# Weas&e' offered him#
+7etters from s.hoo&,- said $r# Weas&e', )assing Harr' and Ron identi.a& en"e&o)es of 'e&&o(ish )ar.hment, addressed in
green in!# +Dum&edore a&read' !no(s 'ou*re here, Harr'1doesn*t miss a tri.!, that man# You t(o*"e got them, too,- he
added, as 9red and 8eorge am&ed in, sti&& in their )a0amas#
9or a fe( minutes there (as si&en.e as the' a&& read their &etters# Harr'*s to&d him to .at.h the Hog(arts E/)ress as usua&
from Aing*s Cross station on Se)temer first# There (as a&so a &ist of the ne( oo!s he*d need for the .oming 'ear#
SECOND:YEAR ST3DENTS WI77 RE>3IRE4
The Standard Boo! of S)e&&s, 8rade I ' $iranda 8osha(! Brea! (ith a Banshee ' 8i&dero' 7o.!hart 8adding (ith
8hou&s ' 8i&dero' 7o.!hart Ho&ida's (ith Hags ' 8i&dero' 7o.!hart Tra"e&s (ith Tro&&s ' 8i&dero' 7o.!hart %o'ages
(ith %am)ires ' 8i&dero' 7o.!hart Wanderings (ith Were(o&"es ' 8i&dero' 7o.!hart Year (ith the Yeti ' 8i&dero'
7o.!hart
9red, (ho had finished his o(n &ist, )eered o"er at Harr'*s#
+You*"e een to&d to get a&& 7o.!hart*s oo!s, too,- he said# +The ne( Defense Against the Dar! Arts tea.her must e a fan
1et it*s a (it.h#-
At this )oint, 9red .aught his mother*s e'e and 6ui.!&' usied himse&f (ith the marma&ade#
+That &ot (on*t .ome .hea),- said 8eorge, (ith a 6ui.! &oo! at his )arents# +7o.!hart*s oo!s are rea&&' e/)ensi"e###-
+We&&, (e*&& manage,- said $rs# Weas&e', ut she &oo!ed (orried# +I e/)e.t (e*&& e a&e to )i.! u) a &ot of 8inn'*s things
se.ondhand#-
+Oh, are 'ou starting at Hog(arts this 'ear2- Harr' as!ed 8inn'#
She nodded, &ushing to the roots of her f&aming hair, and )ut her e&o( in the utter dish# 9ortunate&' no one sa( this
e/.e)t Harr', e.ause 0ust then Ron*s e&der rother Per.' (a&!ed in# He (as a&read' dressed, his Hog(arts )refe.t adge
)inned to his s(eater "est#
+$orning, a&&,- said Per.' ris!&'# +7o"e&' da'#-
He sat do(n in the on&' remaining .hair ut &ea)t u) again a&most immediate&', )u&&ing from underneath him a mou&ting,
gra' feather duster1at &east, that (as (hat Harr' thought it (as, unti& he sa( that it (as reathing#
+Erro&,- said Ron, ta!ing the &im) o(& from Per.' and e/tra.ting a &etter from under its (ing# +9ina&&'1he*s got Hermione*s
ans(er# I (rote to her sa'ing (e (ere going to tr' and res.ue 'ou from the Durs&e's#-
He .arried Erro& to a )er.h 0ust inside the a.! door and tried to stand him on it, ut Erro& f&o))ed straight off again so Ron
&a' him on the draining oard instead, muttering, +Patheti.#- Then he ri))ed o)en Hermione*s &etter and read it out &oud4
11
+Dear Ron, and Harr' if 'ou*re there,
I ho)e e"er'thing (ent a&& right and that Harr' is o!a' and that 'ou didn*t do an'thing i&&ega& to get him out, Ron, e.ause
that (ou&d get Harr' into trou&e, too# I*"e een rea&&' (orried and if Harr' is a&& right, (i&& 'ou )&ease &et me !no( at on.e,
ut )erha)s it (ou&d e etter if 'ou used a different o(& e.ause I thin! another de&i"er' might finish 'our one off#
I*m "er' us' (ith s.hoo&(or!, of .ourse*Ho( .an she e2- said Ron in horror# +We*re on "a.ation,1*and (e*re going to
7ondon ne/t Wednesda' to u' m' ne( oo!s# Wh' don*t (e meet in Diagon A&&e'2
7et me !no( (hat*s ha))ening as soon as 'ou .an# 7o"e from Hermione#-
+We&&, that fits in ni.e&', (e .an go and get a&& 'our things then, too,- said $rs# Weas&e', starting to .&ear the ta&e# +What*re
'ou a&& u) to toda'2-
Harr', Ron, 9red, and 8eorge (ere )&anning to go u) the hi&& to a sma&& )addo.! the Weas&e's o(ned# It (as surrounded '
trees that &o.!ed it from "ie( of the "i&&age e&o(, meaning that the' .ou&d )ra.ti.e >uiddit.h there, as &ong as the' didn*t f&'
too high# The' .ou&dn*t use rea& >uiddit.h a&&s, (hi.h (ou&d ha"e een hard to e/)&ain if the' had es.a)ed and f&o(n a(a'
o"er the "i&&age5 instead the' thre( a))&es for one another to .at.h# The' too! turns riding Harr'*s Nimus T(o Thousand,
(hi.h (as easi&' the est room5 Ron*s o&d Shooting Star (as often outstri))ed ' )assing utterf&ies#
9i"e minutes &ater the' (ere mar.hing u) the hi&&, roomsti.!s o"er their shou&ders# The' had as!ed Per.' if he (anted to
0oin them, ut he had said he (as us'# Harr' had on&' seen Per.' at mea&times so far5 he sta'ed shut in his room the rest of
the time#
+Wish I !ne( (hat he (as u) to,- said 9red, fro(ning# +He*s not himse&f# His e/am resu&ts .ame the da' efore 'ou did5
t(e&"e O# W# 7s and he hard&' g&oated at a&&#-
+Ordinar' Wi;arding 7e"e&s,- 8eorge e/)&ained, seeing Harr'*s )u;;&ed &oo!# +Bi&& got t(e&"e, too# If (e*re not .arefu&,
(e*&& ha"e another Head Bo' in the fami&'# I don*t thin! I .ou&d stand the shame#-
Bi&& (as the o&dest Weas&e' rother# He and the ne/t rother, Char&ie, had a&read' &eft Hog(arts# Harr' had ne"er met either
of them, ut !ne( that Char&ie (as in Romania stud'ing dragons and Bi&& in Eg')t (or!ing for the (i;ard*s an!, 8ringotts#
+Dunno ho( $um and Dad are going to afford a&& our s.hoo& stuff this 'ear,- said 8eorge after a (hi&e# +9i"e sets of
7o.!hart oo!s, And 8inn' needs roes and a (and and e"er'thing###-
Harr' said nothing# He fe&t a it a(!(ard# Stored in an underground "au&t at 8ringotts in 7ondon (as a sma&& fortune that
his )arents had &eft him# Of .ourse, it (as on&' in the (i;arding (or&d that he had mone'5 'ou .ou&dn*t use 8a&&eons, Si.!&es,
and Anuts in $ugg&e sho)s# He had ne"er mentioned his 8ringotts an! a..ount to the Durs&e's5 he didn*t thin! their horror of
an'thing .onne.ted (ith magi. (ou&d stret.h to a &arge )i&e of go&d#
$rs# Weas&e' (o!e them a&& ear&' the fo&&o(ing Wednesda'# After a 6ui.! ha&f a do;en a.on sand(i.hes ea.h, the' )u&&ed
on their .oats and $rs# Weas&e' too! a f&o(er)ot off the !it.hen mante&)ie.e and )eered inside#
+We*re running &o(, Arthur,- she sighed# +We*&& ha"e to u' some more toda'### ah (e&&, guests first, After 'ou, Harr' dear,-
And she offered him the f&o(er)ot#
Harr' stared at them a&& (at.hing him#
+W:(hat am I su))osed to do2- he stammered#
+He*s ne"er tra"e&ed ' 9&oo )o(der,- said Ron sudden&'# +Sorr', Harr', I forgot#-
+Ne"er2- said $r# Weas&e'# +But ho( did 'ou get to Diagon A&&e' to u' 'our s.hoo& things &ast 'ear2-
+I (ent on the 3nderground1-
+Rea&&'2- said $r# Weas&e' eager&'# +Were there es.a)ators2 Ho( e/a.t&'1-
+Not no(, Arthur,- said $rs# Weas&e'# +9&oo )o(der*s a &ot 6ui.!er, dear, ut goodness me, if 'ou*"e ne"er used it efore1-
+He*&& e a&& right, $um,- said 9red# +Harr', (at.h us first#-
He too! a )in.h of g&ittering )o(der out of the f&o(er)ot, ste))ed u) to the fire, and thre( the )o(der into the f&ames#
With a roar, the fire turned emera&d green and rose higher than 9red, (ho ste))ed right into it, shouted, +Diagon A&&e',- and
"anished#
+You must s)ea! .&ear&', dear,- $rs# Weas&e' to&d Harr' as 8eorge di))ed his hand into the f&o(er)ot# +And e sure to get
out at the right grate###-
+The right (hat2- said Harr' ner"ous&' as the fire roared and (hi))ed 8eorge out of sight, too#
+We&&, there are an a(fu& &ot of (i;ard fires to .hoose from, 'ou !no(, ut as &ong as 'ou*"e s)o!en .&ear&'1-
+He*&& e fine, $o&&', don*t fuss,- said $r# Weas&e', he&)ing himse&f to 9&oo )o(der, too#
+But, dear, if he got &ost, ho( (ou&d (e e"er e/)&ain to his aunt and un.&e2-
+The' (ou&dn*t mind,- Harr' reassured her# +Dud&e' (ou&d thin! it (as a ri&&iant 0o!e if I got &ost u) a .himne', don*t
(orr' aout that1-
+We&&### a&& right### 'ou go after Arthur,- said $rs# Weas&e'# +No(, (hen 'ou get into the fire, sa' (here 'ou*re going1-
+And !ee) 'our e&o(s tu.!ed in,- Ron ad"ised#
+And 'our e'es shut,- said $rs# Weas&e'# +The soot1-
+Don*t fidget,- said Ron# +Or 'ou might (e&& fa&& out of the (rong fire)&a.e1-
+But don*t )ani. and get out too ear&'5 (ait unti& 'ou see 9red and 8eorge#-
Tr'ing hard to ear a&& this in mind, Harr' too! a )in.h of 9&oo )o(der and (a&!ed to the edge of the fire# He too! a dee)
reath, s.attered the )o(der into the f&ames, and ste))ed for(ard5 the fire fe&t &i!e a (arm ree;e5 he o)ened his mouth and
immediate&' s(a&&o(ed a &ot of hot ash#
+D:Dia:gon A&&e',- he .oughed#
It fe&t as though he (as eing su.!ed do(n a giant drain# He seemed to e s)inning "er' fast1the roaring in his ears (as
deafening :he tried to !ee) his e'es o)en ut the (hir& of green f&ames made him fee& si.!1something hard !no.!ed his e&o(
and he tu.!ed it in tight&', sti&& s)inning and s)inning1no( it fe&t as though .o&d hands (ere s&a))ing his fa.e1s6uinting
through his g&asses he sa( a &urred stream of fire)&a.es and snat.hed g&im)ses of the rooms e'ond1his a.on sand(i.hes
12
(ere .hurning inside him1he .&osed his e'es again (ishing it (ou&d sto), and then1he fe&&, fa.e for(ard, onto .o&d stone
and fe&t the ridge of his g&asses sna)#
Di;;' and ruised, .o"ered in soot, he got ginger&' to his feet, ho&ding his ro!en g&asses u) to his e'es# He (as 6uite a&one,
ut (here he (as, he had no idea# A&& he .ou&d te&& (as that he (as standing in the stone fire)&a.e of (hat &oo!ed &i!e a &arge,
dim&' &it (i;ard*s sho)1ut nothing in here (as e"er &i!e&' to e on a Hog(arts s.hoo& &ist#
A g&ass .ase near' he&d a (ithered hand on a .ushion, a &oodstained )a.! of .ards, and a staring g&ass e'e# E"i&:&oo!ing
mas!s stared do(n from the (a&&s, an assortment of human ones &a' u)on the .ounter, and rust', s)i!ed instruments hung
from the .ei&ing# E"en (orse, the dar!, narro( street Harr' .ou&d see through the dust' sho) (indo( (as definite&' not
Diagon A&&e'#
The sooner he got out of here, the etter# Nose sti&& stinging (here it had hit the hearth, Harr' made his (a' s(ift&' and
si&ent&' to(ard the door, ut efore he*d got ha&f(a' to(ard it, t(o )eo)&e a))eared on the other side of the g&ass1and one of
them (as the "er' &ast )erson Harr' (anted to meet (hen he (as &ost, .o"ered in soot, and (earing ro!en g&asses4 Dra.o
$a&fo'#
Harr' &oo!ed 6ui.!&' around and s)otted a &arge &a.! .ainet to his &eft5 he shot inside it and )u&&ed the doors .&osed,
&ea"ing a sma&& .ra.! to )eer through# Se.onds &ater, a e&& .&anged, and $a&fo' ste))ed into the sho)#
The man (ho fo&&o(ed .ou&d on&' e Dra.o*s father# He had the same )a&e, )ointed fa.e and identi.a& .o&d, gra' e'es# $r#
$a&fo' .rossed the sho), &oo!ing &a;i&' at the items on dis)&a', and rang a e&& on the .ounter efore turning to his son and
sa'ing, +Tou.h nothing, Dra.o#-
$a&fo', (ho had rea.hed for the g&ass e'e, said, +I thought 'ou (ere going to u' me a )resent#-
+I said I (ou&d u' 'ou a ra.ing room,- said his father, drumming his fingers on the .ounter#
+What*s the good of that if I*m not on the House team2- said $a&fo', &oo!ing su&!' and ad:tem)ered# +Harr' Potter got a
Nimus T(o Thousand &ast 'ear# S)e.ia& )ermission from Dum&edore so he .ou&d )&a' for 8r'ffindor# He*s not e"en that
good, it*s 0ust e.ause he*s famous### famous for ha"ing a stu)id s.ar on his forehead###-
$a&fo' ent do(n to e/amine a she&f fu&& of s!u&&s#
+###e"er'one thin!s he*s so smart, (onderfu& Potter (ith his s.ar and his roomsti.!1-
+You ha"e to&d me this at &east a do;en times a&read',- said $r# $a&fo', (ith a 6ue&&ing &oo! at his son# +And I (ou&d remind
'ou that it is not1)rudent1to a))ear &ess than fond of Harr' Potter, not (hen most of our !ind regard him as the hero (ho
made the Dar! 7ord disa))ear1ah, $r# Borgin#-
A stoo)ing man had a))eared ehind the .ounter, smoothing his greas' hair a.! from his fa.e#
+$r# $a&fo', (hat a )&easure to see 'ou again,- said $r# Borgin in a "oi.e as oi&' as his hair# +De&ighted1and 'oung $aster
$a&fo', too1.harmed# Ho( ma' I e of assistan.e2 I must sho( 'ou, 0ust in toda', and "er' reasona&' )ri.ed1-
+I*m not u'ing toda', $r# Borgin, ut se&&ing,- said $r# $a&fo'#
+Se&&ing2- The smi&e faded s&ight&' from $r# Borgin*s fa.e#
+You ha"e heard, of .ourse, that the $inistr' is .ondu.ting more raids,- said $r# $a&fo', ta!ing a ro&& of )ar.hment from his
inside )o.!et and unra"e&ing it for $r# Borgin to read# +I ha"e a fe(1ah1items at home that might emarrass me, if the
$inistr' (ere to .a&&###-
$r# Borgin fi/ed a )air of )in.e:ne; to his nose and &oo!ed do(n the &ist#
+The $inistr' (ou&dn*t )resume to trou&e 'ou, sir, sure&'2-
$r# $a&fo'*s &i) .ur&ed#
+I ha"e not een "isited 'et# The name $a&fo' sti&& .ommands a .ertain res)e.t, 'et the $inistr' gro(s e"er more
medd&esome# There are rumors aout a ne( $ugg&e Prote.tion A.t1no dout that f&eaitten, $ugg&e:&o"ing foo& Arthur
Weas&e' is ehind it1-
Harr' fe&t a hot surge of anger#
+and as 'ou see, .ertain of these )oisons might ma!e it a))ear1-
+I understand, sir, of .ourse,- said $r# Borgin# +7et me see###-
+Can I ha"e that2- interru)ted Dra.o, )ointing at the (ithered hand on its .ushion#
+Ah, the Hand of 8&or',- said $r# Borgin, aandoning $r# $a&fo'*s &ist and s.urr'ing o"er to Dra.o# +Insert a .and&e and it
gi"es &ight on&' to the ho&der, Best friend of thie"es and )&underers, Your son has fine taste, sir#-
+I ho)e m' son (i&& amount to more than a thief or a )&underer, Borgin,- said $r# $a&fo' .o&d&', and $r# Borgin said
6ui.!&', +No offense, sir, no offense meant1-
+Though if his grades don*t )i.! u),- said $r# $a&fo', more .o&d&' sti&&, +that ma' indeed e a&& he is fit for1-
+It*s not m' fau&t,- retorted Dra.o# +The tea.hers a&& ha"e fa"orites, that Hermione 8ranger1-
+I (ou&d ha"e thought 'ou*d e ashamed that a gir& of no (i;ard fami&' eat 'ou in e"er' e/am,- sna))ed $r# $a&fo'#
+Ha,- said Harr' under his reath, )&eased to see Dra.o &oo!ing oth aashed and angr'#
+It*s the same a&& o"er,- said $r# Borgin, in his oi&' "oi.e# +Wi;ard &ood is .ounting for &ess e"er'(here1-
+Not (ith me,- said $r# $a&fo', his &ong nostri&s f&aring#
+No, sir, nor (ith me, sir,- said $r# Borgin, (ith a dee) o(#
+In that .ase, )erha)s (e .an return to m' &ist,- said $r# $a&fo' short&'# +I am in something of a hurr', Borgin, I ha"e
im)ortant usiness e&se(here toda'1-
The' started to hagg&e# Harr' (at.hed ner"ous&' as Dra.o dre( nearer and nearer to his hiding )&a.e, e/amining the o0e.ts
for sa&e# Dra.o )aused to e/amine a &ong .oi& of hangman*s ro)e and to read, smir!ing, the .ard )ro))ed on a magnifi.ent
ne.!&a.e of o)a&s, Caution4 Do Not Tou.h# Cursed1Has C&aimed the 7i"es of Nineteen $ugg&e O(ners to Date#
Dra.o turned a(a' and sa( the .ainet right in front of him# He (a&!ed for(ard### he stret.hed out his hand for the hand&e###
+Done,- said $r# $a&fo' at the .ounter# +Come, Dra.o1-
Harr' (i)ed his forehead on his s&ee"e as Dra.o turned a(a'#
13
+8ood da' to 'ou, $r# Borgin# I*&& e/)e.t 'ou at the manor tomorro( to )i.! u) the goods#-
The moment the door had .&osed, $r# Borgin dro))ed his oi&' manner#
+8ood da' 'ourse&f, $ister $a&fo', and if the stories are true, 'ou ha"en*t so&d me ha&f of (hat*s hidden in 'our manor###-
$uttering dar!&', $r# Borgin disa))eared into a a.! room# Harr' (aited for a minute in .ase he .ame a.!, then, 6uiet&' as
he .ou&d, s&i))ed out of the .ainet, )ast the g&ass .ases, and out of the sho) door#
C&ut.hing his ro!en g&asses to his fa.e, Harr' stared around# He had emerged into a ding' a&&e'(a' that seemed to e made
u) entire&' of sho)s de"oted to the Dar! Arts# The one he*d 0ust &eft, Borgin and Bur!es, &oo!ed &i!e the &argest, ut o))osite
(as a nast' (indo( dis)&a' of shrun!en heads and, t(o doors do(n, a &arge .age (as a&i"e (ith giganti. &a.! s)iders# T(o
sha':&oo!ing (i;ards (ere (at.hing him from the shado( of a door(a', muttering to ea.h other# 9ee&ing 0um)', Harr' set
off, tr'ing to ho&d his g&asses on straight and ho)ing against ho)e he*d e a&e to find a (a' out of here#
An o&d (ooden street sign hanging o"er a sho) se&&ing )oisonous .and&es to&d him he (as in Ano.!turn A&&e'# This didn*t
he&), as Harr' had ne"er heard of su.h a )&a.e# He su))osed he hadn*t s)o!en .&ear&' enough through his mouthfu& of ashes
a.! in the Weas&e's* fire# Tr'ing to sta' .a&m, he (ondered (hat to do#
+Not &ost are 'ou, m' dear2- said a "oi.e in his ear, ma!ing him 0um)#
An aged (it.h stood in front of him, ho&ding a tra' of (hat &oo!ed horri&' &i!e (ho&e human fingernai&s# She &eered at him,
sho(ing moss' teeth# Harr' a.!ed a(a'#
+I*m fine, than!s,- he said# +I*m 0ust1-
+HARRY, What d*'eh thin! 'er doin* do(n there2-
Harr'*s heart &ea)t# So did the (it.h5 a &oad of fingernai&s .as.aded do(n o"er her feet and she .ursed as the massi"e form of
Hagrid, the Hog(arts game!ee)er, .ame striding to(ard them, eet&e:&a.! e'es f&ashing o"er his great rist&ing eard#
+Hagrid,- Harr' .roa!ed in re&ief# +I (as &ost19&oo )o(der1-
Hagrid sei;ed Harr' ' the s.ruff of the ne.! and )u&&ed him a(a' from the (it.h, !no.!ing the tra' right out of her hands#
Her shrie!s fo&&o(ed them a&& the (a' a&ong the t(isting a&&e'(a' out into right sun&ight# Harr' sa( a fami&iar, sno(:(hite
mar&e ui&ding in the distan.e18ringotts Ban!# Hagrid had steered him right into Diagon A&&e'#
+Yer a mess,- said Hagrid gruff&', rushing soot off Harr' so for.efu&&' he near&' !no.!ed him into a arre& of dragon dung
outside an a)othe.ar'# +S!u&!in* around Ano.!turn A&&e', I dunno dodg' )&a.e, Harr'1don* (ant no one ter see 'eh do(n
there1-
+I rea&i;ed that,- said Harr', du.!ing as Hagrid made to rush him off again# +I to&d 'ou, I (as &ost1(hat (ere 'ou doing
do(n there, an'(a'2-
+I (as &oo!in* fer a 9&esh:Eatin* S&ug Re)e&&ent,- gro(&ed Hagrid# +The'*re ruinin* the s.hoo& .aages# Yer not on 'er
o(n2-
+I*m sta'ing (ith the Weas&e's ut (e got se)arated,- Harr' e/)&ained# +I*"e got to go and find them###-
The' set off together do(n the street#
+Ho( .ome 'eh ne"er (rote a.! ter me2- said Hagrid as Harr' 0ogged a&ongside him <he had to ta!e three ste)s to e"er'
stride of Hagrid*s enormous oots=# Harr' e/)&ained a&& aout Do' and the Durs&e's#
+7ous' $ugg&es,- gro(&ed Hagrid# +If I*d*"e !no(n1-
+Harr', Harr', O"er here,-
Harr' &oo!ed u) and sa( Hermione 8ranger standing at the to) of the (hite f&ight of ste)s to 8ringotts# She ran do(n to
meet them, her ush' ro(n hair f&'ing ehind her#
+What ha))ened to 'our g&asses2 He&&o, Hagrid1Oh, it*s (onderfu& to see 'ou t(o again1Are 'ou .oming into 8ringotts,
Harr'2-
+As soon as I*"e found the Weas&e's,- said Harr'#
+Yeh (on*t ha"e &ong ter (ait,- Hagrid said (ith a grin#
Harr' and Hermione &oo!ed around5 s)rinting u) the .ro(ded street (ere Ron, 9red, 8eorge, Per.', and $r# Weas&e'#
+Harr',- $r# Weas&e' )anted# +We ho)ed 'ou*d on&' gone one grate too far###- He mo))ed his g&istening a&d )at.h# +$o&&'*s
franti.1she*s .oming no(1-
+Where did 'ou .ome out2- Ron as!ed#
+Ano.!turn A&&e',- said Hagrid grim&'#
+E/.e&&ent#- said 9red and 8eorge together#
+We*"e ne"er een a&&o(ed in,- said Ron en"ious&'#
+I shou&d rudd' (e&& thin! not,- gro(&ed Hagrid#
$rs# Weas&e' no( .ame ga&&o)ing into "ie(, her handag s(inging (i&d&' in one hand, 8inn' 0ust .&inging onto the other#
+Oh, Harr'1oh, m' dear1'ou .ou&d ha"e een an'(here1-
8as)ing for reath she )u&&ed a &arge .&othes rush out of her ag and egan s(ee)ing off the soot Hagrid hadn*t managed to
eat a(a'# $r# Weas&e' too! Harr'*s g&asses, ga"e them a ta) of his (and, and returned them, good as ne(#
+We&&, gotta e off,- said Hagrid, (ho (as ha"ing his hand (rung ' $rs# Weas&e' <+Ano.!turn A&&e', If 'ou hadn*t found
him, Hagrid,-=# +See 'er at Hog(arts,- And he strode a(a', head and shou&ders ta&&er than an'one e&se in the )a.!ed street#
+8uess (ho I sa( in Borgin and Bur!es2- Harr' as!ed Ron and Hermione as the' .&imed the 8ringotts ste)s# +$a&fo' and
his father#-
+Did 7u.ius $a&fo' u' an'thing2- said $r# Weas&e' shar)&' ehind them#
+No, he (as se&&ing# *
+So he*s (orried,- said $r# Weas&e' (ith grim satisfa.tion# +Oh, I*d &o"e to get 7u.ius $a&fo' for something###-
+You e .arefu&, Arthur,- said $rs# Weas&e' shar)&' as the' (ere o(ed into the an! ' a go&in at the door# +That fami&'*s
trou&e# Don*t go iting off more than 'ou .an .he(#-
14
+So 'ou don*t thin! I*m a mat.h for 7u.ius $a&fo'2- said $r# Weas&e' indignant&', ut he (as distra.ted a&most at on.e '
the sight of Hermione*s )arents, (ho (ere standing ner"ous&' at the .ounter that ran a&& a&ong the great mar&e ha&&, (aiting for
Hermione to introdu.e them#
+But 'ou*re $ugg&es,- said $r# Weas&e' de&ighted&'# +We must ha"e a drin!, What*s that 'ou*"e got there2 Oh, 'ou*re
.hanging $ugg&e mone'# $o&&', &oo!,- He )ointed e/.ited&' at the ten:)ound notes in $r# 8ranger*s hand#
+$eet 'ou a.! here,- Ron said to Hermione as the Weas&e's and Harr' (ere &ed off to their underground "au&ts ' another
8ringotts go&in#
The "au&ts (ere rea.hed ' means of sma&&, go&in:dri"en .arts that s)ed a&ong miniature train tra.!s through the an!*s
underground tunne&s# Harr' en0o'ed the rea!ne.! 0ourne' do(n to the Weas&e's* "au&t, ut fe&t dreadfu&, far (orse than he
had in Ano.!turn A&&e', (hen it (as o)ened# There (as a "er' sma&& )i&e of si&"er Si.!&es inside, and 0ust one go&d 8a&&eon#
$rs# Weas&e' fe&t right into the .orners efore s(ee)ing the (ho&e &ot into her ag# Harr' fe&t e"en (orse (hen the' rea.hed
his "au&t# He tried to &o.! the .ontents from "ie( as he hasti&' sho"ed handfu&s of .oins into a &eather ag#
Ba.! outside on the mar&e ste)s, the' a&& se)arated# Per.' muttered "ague&' aout needing a ne( 6ui&&# 9red and 8eorge
had s)otted their friend from Hog(arts, 7ee @ordan# $rs# Weas&e' and 8inn' (ere going to a se.ondhand roe sho)# $r#
Weas&e' (as insisting on ta!ing the 8rangers off to the 7ea!' Cau&dron for a drin!#
+We*&& a&& meet at 9&ourish and B&otts in an hour to u' 'our s.hoo& oo!s,- said $rs# Weas&e', setting off (ith 8inn'# +And
not one ste) do(n Ano.!turn A&&e',- she shouted at the t(ins* retreating a.!s#
Harr', Ron, and Hermione stro&&ed off a&ong the (inding, .o&ed street# The ag of go&d, si&"er, and ron;e 0ang&ing
.heerfu&&' in Harr'*s )o.!et (as .&amoring to e s)ent, so he ought three &arge stra(err':and:)eanut:utter i.e .reams,
(hi.h the' s&ur)ed ha))i&' as the' (andered u) the a&&e', e/amining the fas.inating sho) (indo(s# Ron ga;ed &onging&' at a
fu&& set of Chud&e' Cannon roes in the (indo(s of >ua&it' >uiddit.h Su))&ies unti& Hermione dragged them off to u' in!
and )ar.hment ne/t door# In 8amo& and @a)es Wi;arding @o!e Sho), the' met 9red, 8eorge, and 7ee @ordan, (ho (ere
sto.!ing u) on Dr# 9i&iuster*s 9au&ous Wet:Start, No:Heat 9ire(or!s, and in a tin' 0un! sho) fu&& of ro!en (ands, &o)sided
rass s.a&es, and o&d .&oa!s .o"ered in )otion stains the' found Per.', dee)&' immersed in a sma&& and dee)&' oring oo!
.a&&ed Prefe.ts Who 8ained Po(er#
HA stud' of Hog(arts )refe.ts and their &ater .areers, + Ron read a&oud off the a.! .o"er# +That sounds fas.inating###-
+8o a(a',- Per.' sna))ed#
+Course, he*s "er' amitious, Per.', he*s got it a&& )&anned out### he (ants to e $inister of $agi.###- Ron to&d Harr' and
Hermione in an undertone as the' &eft Per.' to it#
An hour &ater, the' headed for 9&ourish and B&otts# The' (ere ' no means the on&' ones ma!ing their (a' to the oo!sho)#
As the' a))roa.hed it, the' sa( to their sur)rise a &arge .ro(d 0ost&ing out side the doors, tr'ing to get in# The reason for this
(as )ro.&aimed ' a &arge anner stret.hed a.ross the u))er (indo(s4
8I7DEROY 7OCAHART (i&& e signing .o)ies of his autoiogra)h' $A8ICA7 $E toda' BI# FJKL# FJ
+We .an a.tua&&' meet him,- Hermione s6uea&ed# +I mean, he*s (ritten a&most the (ho&e oo!&ist,-
The .ro(d seemed to e made u) most&' of (it.hes around $rs# Weas&e'*s age# A harassed:&oo!ing (i;ard stood at the door,
sa'ing, +Ca&m&', )&ease, &adies### Don*t )ush, there### mind the oo!s, no(### +
Harr', Ron, and Hermione s6uee;ed inside# A &ong &ine (ound right to the a.! of the sho), (here 8i&dero' 7o.!hart (as
signing his oo!s# The' ea.h graed a .o)' of The Standard Boo! of S)e&&s, 8rade I and snea!ed u) the &ine to (here the
rest of the Weas&e's (ere standing (ith $r# and $rs# 8ranger#
+Oh, there 'ou are, good,- said $rs# Weas&e'# She sounded reath&ess and !e)t )atting her hair# +We*&& e a&e to see him in a
minute###-
8i&dero' 7o.!hart .ame s&o(&' into "ie(, seated at a ta&e surrounded ' &arge )i.tures of his o(n fa.e, a&& (in!ing and
f&ashing da;;&ing&' (hite teeth at the .ro(d# The rea& 7o.!hart (as (earing roes of forget:me:not &ue that e/a.t&' mat.hed
his e'es5 his )ointed (i;ard*s hat (as set at a 0aunt' ang&e on his (a"' hair#
A short, irrita&e:&oo!ing man (as dan.ing around ta!ing )hotogra)hs (ith a &arge &a.! .amera that emitted )uffs of )ur)&e
smo!e (ith e"er' &inding f&ash#
+Out of the (a', there,- he snar&ed at Ron, mo"ing a.! to get a etter shot# +This is for the Dai&' Pro)het1-
+Big dea&,- said Ron, ruing his foot (here the )hotogra)her had ste))ed on it#
8i&dero' 7o.!hart heard him# He &oo!ed u)# He sa( Ron and then he sa( Harr'# He stared# Then he &ea)t to his feet and
)ositi"e&' shouted, +It .an*t e Harr' Potter2-
The .ro(d )arted, (his)ering e/.ited&'5 7o.!hart di"ed for(ard, sei;ed Harr'*s arm, and )u&&ed him to the front# The .ro(d
urst into a))&ause# Harr'*s fa.e urned as 7o.!hart shoo! his hand for the )hotogra)her, (ho (as .&i.!ing a(a' mad&',
(afting thi.! smo!e o"er the Weas&e's#
+Ni.e ig smi&e, Harr',- said 7o.!hart, through his o(n g&eaming teeth# +Together, 'ou and I are (orth the front )age#-
When he fina&&' &et go of Harr'*s hand, Harr' .ou&d hard&' fee& his fingers# He tried to sid&e a.! o"er to the Weas&e's, ut
7o.!hart thre( an arm around his shou&ders and .&am)ed him tight&' to his side#
+7adies and gent&emen,- he said &oud&', (a"ing for 6uiet# +What an e/traordinar' moment this is, The )erfe.t moment for
me to ma!e a &itt&e announ.ement I*"e een sitting on for some time,
+When 'oung Harr' here ste))ed into 9&ourish and B&otts toda', he on&' (anted to u' m' autoiogra)h' :(hi.h I sha&& e
ha))' to )resent him no(, free of .harge:- The .ro(d a))&auded again# +He had no idea,- 7o.!hart .ontinued, gi"ing Harr' a
&itt&e sha!e that made his g&asses s&i) to the end of his nose, +that he (ou&d short&' e getting mu.h, mu.h more than m' oo!,
$agi.a& $e# He and his s.hoo&mates (i&&, in fa.t, e getting the rea& magi.a& me# Yes, &adies and gent&emen, I ha"e great
)&easure and )ride in announ.ing that this Se)temer, I (i&& e ta!ing u) the )ost of Defense Against the Dar! Arts tea.her at
Hog(arts S.hoo& of Wit.h.raft and Wi;ardr',-
15
The .ro(d .heered and .&a))ed and Harr' found himse&f eing )resented (ith the entire (or!s of 8i&dero' 7o.!hart#
Staggering s&ight&' under their (eight, he managed to ma!e his (a' out of the &ime&ight to the edge of the room, (here 8inn'
(as standing ne/t to her ne( .au&dron#
+You ha"e these,- Harr' mum&ed to her, ti))ing the oo!s into the .au&dron# +I*&& u' m' o(n1-
+Bet 'ou &o"ed that, didn*t 'ou, Potter2- said a "oi.e Harr' had no trou&e re.ogni;ing# He straightened u) and found
himse&f fa.e:to:fa.e (ith Dra.o $a&fo', (ho (as (earing his usua& sneer#
+9amous Harr' Potter,- said $a&fo'# +Can*t e"en go into a oo!sho) (ithout ma!ing the front )age#-
+7ea"e him a&one, he didn*t (ant a&& that,- said 8inn'# It (as the first time she had s)o!en in front of Harr'# She (as g&aring
at $a&fo'#
+Potter, 'ou*"e got 'ourse&f a gir&friend,- dra(&ed $a&fo'# 8inn' (ent s.ar&et as Ron and Hermione fought their (a' o"er,
oth .&ut.hing sta.!s of 7o.!hart*s oo!s#
+Oh, it*s 'ou,- said Ron, &oo!ing at $a&fo' as if he (ere something un)&easant on the so&e of his shoe# +Bet 'ou*re sur)rised
to see Harr' here, eh2-
+Not as sur)rised as I am to see 'ou in a sho), Weas&e',- retorted $a&fo'# +I su))ose 'our )arents (i&& go hungr' for a
month to )a' for a&& those#-
Ron (ent as red as 8inn'# He dro))ed his oo!s into the .au&dron, too, and started to(ard $a&fo', ut Harr' and Hermione
graed the a.! of his 0a.!et#
+Ron,- said $r# Weas&e', strugg&ing o"er (ith 9red and 8eorge# +What are 'ou doing2 It*s too .ro(ded in here, &et*s go
outside#-
+We&&, (e&&, (e&&1Arthur Weas&e'#-
It (as $r# $a&fo'# He stood (ith his hand on Dra.o*s shou&der, sneering in 0ust the same (a'#
+7u.ius,- said $r# Weas&e', nodding .o&d&'#
+Bus' time at the $inistr', I hear,- said $r# $a&fo'# +A&& those raids### I ho)e the'*re )a'ing 'ou o"ertime2-
He rea.hed into 8inn'*s .au&dron and e/tra.ted, from amid the g&oss' 7o.!hart oo!s, a "er' o&d, "er' attered .o)' of A
Beginner*s 8uide to Transfiguration#
+O"ious&' not,- $r# $a&fo' said# +Dear me, (hat*s the use of eing a disgra.e to the name of (i;ard if the' don*t e"en )a'
'ou (e&& for it2-
$r# Weas&e' f&ushed dar!er than either Ron or 8inn'#
+We ha"e a "er' different idea of (hat disgra.es the name of (i;ard, $a&fo',- he said#
+C&ear&',- said $r# $a&fo', his )a&e e'es stra'ing to $r# and $rs# 8ranger, (ho (ere (at.hing a))rehensi"e&'# +The
.om)an' 'ou !ee), Weas&e'### and I thought 'our fami&' .ou&d sin! no &o(er1-
There (as a thud of meta& as 8inn'*s .au&dron (ent f&'ing5 $r# Weas&e' had thro(n himse&f at $r# $a&fo', !no.!ing him
a.!(ard into a oo!she&f# Do;ens of hea"' s)e&&oo!s .ame thundering do(n on a&& their heads5 there (as a 'e&& of, +8et
him, Dad,- from 9red or 8eorge5 $rs# Weas&e' (as shrie!ing, +No, Arthur, no,-5 the .ro(d stam)eded a.!(ard, !no.!ing
more she&"es o"er5 +8ent&emen, )&ease1)&ease,- .ried the assistant, and then, &ouder than a&&, +Brea! it u), there, gents, rea!
it u)1-
Hagrid (as (ading to(ard them through the sea of oo!s# In an instant he had )u&&ed $r# Weas&e' and $r# $a&fo' a)art#
$r# Weas&e' had a .ut &i) and $r# $a&fo' had een hit in the e'e ' an En.'.&o)edia of Toadstoo&s# He (as sti&& ho&ding
8inn'*s o&d Transfiguration oo!# He thrust it at her, his e'es g&ittering (ith ma&i.e#
+Here, gir&1ta!e 'our oo!1it*s the est 'our father .an gi"e 'ou1- Pu&&ing himse&f out of Hagrid*s gri) he e.!oned to
Dra.o and s(e)t from the sho)#
+Yeh shou&d*"e ignored him, Arthur,- said Hagrid, a&most &ifting $r# Weas&e' off his feet as he straightened his roes#
+Rotten ter the .ore, the (ho&e fami&', e"er'one !no(s that1no $a&fo'*s (orth &istenin* ter1ad &ood, that*s (hat it is1
.ome on no(1&et*s get outta here#-
The assistant &oo!ed as though he (anted to sto) them &ea"ing, ut he are&' .ame u) to Hagrid*s (aist and seemed to thin!
etter of it# The' hurried u) the street, the 8rangers sha!ing (ith fright and $rs# Weas&e' eside herse&f (ith fur'#
+A fine e/am)&e to set for 'our .hi&dren### ra(&ing in )u&i.### (hat 8i&dero' 7o.!hart must*"e thought###-
+He (as )&eased,- said 9red# +Didn*t 'ou hear him as (e (ere &ea"ing2 He (as as!ing that &o!e from the Dai&' Pro)het if
he*d e a&e to (or! the fight into his re)ort1said it (as a&& )u&i.it'1-
But it (as a sudued grou) that headed a.! to the fireside in the 7ea!' Cau&dron, (here Harr', the Weas&e's, and a&& their
sho))ing (ou&d e tra"e&ing a.! to the Burro( using 9&oo )o(der# The' said good:'e to the 8rangers, (ho (ere &ea"ing the
)u for the $ugg&e street on the other side5 $r# Weas&e' started to as! them ho( us sto)s (or!ed, ut sto))ed 6ui.!&' at the
&oo! on $rs# Weas&e'*s fa.e#
Harr' too! off his g&asses and )ut them safe&' in his )o.!et efore he&)ing himse&f to 9&oo )o(der# It definite&' (asn*t his
fa"orite (a' to tra"e&#
CHAPTER 9I%E
THE WHO$PIN8 WI77OW
The end of the summer "a.ation .ame too 6ui.!&' for Harr'*s &i!ing# He (as &oo!ing for(ard to getting a.! to Hog(arts,
ut his month at the Burro( had een the ha))iest of his &ife# It (as diffi.u&t not to fee& 0ea&ous of Ron (hen he thought of the
Durs&e's and the sort of (e&.ome he .ou&d e/)e.t ne/t time he turned u) on Pri"et Dri"e#
On their &ast e"ening, $rs# Weas&e' .on0ured u) a sum)tuous dinner that in.&uded a&& of Harr'*s fa"orite things, ending (ith
a mouth(atering trea.&e )udding# 9red and 8eorge rounded off the e"ening (ith a dis)&a' of 9i&iuster fire(or!s5 the' fi&&ed
16
the !it.hen (ith red and &ue stars that oun.ed from .ei&ing to (a&& for at &east ha&f an hour# Then it (as time for a &ast mug of
hot .ho.o&ate and ed#
It too! a &ong (hi&e to get started ne/t morning# The' (ere u) at da(n, ut someho( the' sti&& seemed to ha"e a great dea& to
do# $rs# Weas&e' dashed aout in a ad mood &oo!ing for s)are so.!s and 6ui&&s5 )eo)&e !e)t .o&&iding on the stairs, ha&f:
dressed (ith its of toast in their hands5 and $r# Weas&e' near&' ro!e his ne.!, tri))ing o"er a stra' .hi.!en as he .rossed the
'ard .arr'ing 8inn'*s trun! to the .ar#
Harr' .ou&dn*t see ho( eight )eo)&e, si/ &arge trun!s, t(o o(&s, and a rat (ere going to fit into one sma&& 9ord Ang&ia# He
had re.!oned, of .ourse, (ithout the s)e.ia& features that $r# Weas&e' had added#
+Not a (ord to $o&&',- he (his)ered to Harr' as he o)ened the# trun! and sho(ed him ho( it had een magi.a&&' e/)anded
so that the &uggage fitted easi&'#
When at &ast the' (ere a&& in the .ar, $rs# Weas&e' g&an.ed into the a.! seat, (here Harr', Ron, 9red, 8eorge, and Per.'
(ere a&& sitting .omforta&' side ' side, and said, +$ugg&es do !no( more than (e gi"e them .redit for, don*t the'2- She and
8inn' got into the front seat, (hi.h had een stret.hed so that it resem&ed a )ar! en.h# +I mean, 'ou*d ne"er !no( it (as this
room' from the outside, (ou&d 'ou2-
$r# Weas&e' started u) the engine and the' trund&ed out of the 'ard, Harr' turning a.! for a &ast &oo! at the house# He
are&' had time to (onder (hen he*d see it again (hen the' (ere a.! 8eorge had forgotten his o/ of 9i&iuster fire(or!s#
9i"e minutes after that, the' s!idded to a ha&t in the 'ard so that 9red .ou&d run in for his roomsti.!# The' had a&most rea.hed
the high(a' (hen 8inn' shrie!ed that she*d &eft her diar'# B' the time she had .&amered a.! into the .ar, the' (ere running
"er' &ate, and tem)ers (ere running high#
$r# Weas&e' g&an.ed at his (at.h and then at his (ife#
+$o&&', dear1-
+No, Arthur1-
+No one (ou&d see1this &itt&e utton here is an In"isii&it' Booster I insta&&ed1that*d get us u) in the air1then (e f&'
ao"e the .&ouds# We*d e there in ten minutes and no one (ou&d e an' the (iser1-
+I said no, Arthur, not in road da'&ight1-
The' rea.hed Aing*s Cross at a 6uarter to e&e"en# $r# Weas&e' dashed a.ross the road to get tro&&e's for their trun!s and the'
a&& hurried into the station#
Harr' had .aught the Hog(arts E/)ress the )re"ious 'ear# The tri.!' )art (as getting onto )&atform nine and three:6uarters,
(hi.h (asn*t "isi&e to the $ugg&e e'e# What 'ou had to do (as (a&! through the so&id arrier di"iding )&atforms nine and ten#
It didn*t hurt, ut it had to e done .arefu&&' so that none of the $ugg&es noti.ed 'ou "anishing#
+Per.' first,- said $rs# Weas&e', &oo!ing ner"ous&' at the .&o.! o"erhead, (hi.h sho(ed the' had on&' fi"e minutes to
disa))ear .asua&&' through the arrier#
Per.' strode ris!&' for(ard and "anished# $r# Weas&e' (ent ne/t5 9red and 8eorge fo&&o(ed#
+I*&& ta!e 8inn' and 'ou t(o .ome right after us,- $rs# Weas&e' to&d Harr' and Ron, graing 8inn'*s hand and setting off#
In the &in! of an e'e the' (ere gone#
+7et*s go together, (e*"e on&' got a minute,- Ron said to Harr'#
Harr' made sure that Hed(ig*s .age (as safe&' (edged on to) of his trun! and (hee&ed his tro&&e' around to fa.e the arrier#
He fe&t )erfe.t&' .onfident5 this (asn*t near&' as un.omforta&e as using 9&oo )o(der# Both of them ent &o( o"er the hand&es
of their tro&&e's and (a&!ed )ur)osefu&&' to(ard the arrier, gathering s)eed# A fe( feet a(a' from it, the' ro!e into a run and
1
CRASH#
Both tro&&e's hit the arrier and oun.ed a.!(ard5 Ron*s trun! fe&& off (ith a &oud thum), Harr' (as !no.!ed off his feet,
and Hed(ig*s .age oun.ed onto the shin' f&oor, and she ro&&ed a(a', shrie!ing indignant&'5 )eo)&e a&& around them stared and
a guard near' 'e&&ed, +What in &a;es d*'ou thin! 'ou*re doing2-
+7ost .ontro& of the tro&&e',- Harr' gas)ed, .&ut.hing his ris as he got u)# Ron ran to )i.! u) Hed(ig, (ho (as .ausing
su.h a s.ene that there (as a &ot of muttering aout .rue&t' to anima&s from the surrounding .ro(d#
+Wh' .an*t (e get through2- Harr' hissed to Ron#
+I dunno1-
Ron &oo!ed (i&d&' around# A do;en .urious )eo)&e (ere sti&& (at.hing them#
+We*re going to miss the train,- Ron (his)ered# +I don*t understand (h' the gate(a'*s sea&ed itse&f1-
Harr' &oo!ed u) at the giant .&o.! (ith a si.!ening fee&ing in the )it of his stoma.h# Ten se.onds### nine se.onds###
He (hee&ed his tro&&e' for(ard .autious&' unti& it (as right against the arrier and )ushed (ith a&& his might# The meta&
remained so&id#
Three se.onds### t(o se.onds### one se.ond###
+It*s gone,- said Ron, sounding stunned# +The train*s &eft# What if $um and Dad .an*t get a.! through to us2 Ha"e 'ou got
an' $ugg&e mone'2-
And the' mar.hed off through the .ro(d of .urious $ugg&es, out of the station and a.! onto the side road (here the o&d
9ord Ang&ia (as )ar!ed#
Ron un&o.!ed the .a"ernous trun! (ith a series of ta)s from his (and# The' hea"ed their &uggage a.! in, )ut Hed(ig on
the a.! seat, and got into the front#
+Che.! that no one*s (at.hing,- said Ron, starting the ignition (ith another ta) of his (and# Harr' stu.! his head out of the
(indo(4 Traffi. (as rum&ing a&ong the main road ahead, ut their street (as em)t'#
+O!a',- he said#
Ron )ressed a tin' si&"er utton on the dashoard# The .ar around them "anished1and so did the'# Harr' .ou&d fee& the seat
"irating eneath him, hear the engine, fee& his hands on his !nees and his g&asses on his nose, ut for a&& he .ou&d see, he had
e.ome a )air of e'ea&&s, f&oating a fe( feet ao"e the ground in a ding' street fu&& of )ar!ed .ars#
17
+7et*s go,- said Ron*s "oi.e from his right#
And the ground and the dirt' ui&dings on either side fe&& a(a', dro))ing out of sight as the .ar rose5 in se.onds, the (ho&e
of 7ondon &a', smo!' and g&ittering, e&o( them#
Then there (as a )o))ing noise and the .ar, Harr', and Ron rea))eared#
+3h:oh,- said Ron, 0aing at the In"isii&it' Booster# +It*s fau&t'1-
Both of them )umme&ed it# The .ar "anished# Then it f&i.!ered a.! again#
+Ho&d on,- Ron 'e&&ed, and he s&ammed his foot on the a..e&erator5 the' shot straight into the &o(, (oo&&' .&ouds and
e"er'thing turned du&& and fogg'#
+No( (hat2- said Harr', &in!ing at the so&id mass of .&oud )ressing in on them from a&& sides#
+We need to see the train to !no( (hat dire.tion to go in,- said Ron#
+Di) a.! do(n again16ui.!&'1-
The' dro))ed a.! eneath the .&ouds and t(isted around in their seats, s6uinting at the ground#
+I .an see it,- Harr' 'e&&ed# +Right ahead1there,-
The Hog(arts E/)ress (as strea!ing a&ong e&o( them &i!e a s.ar&et sna!e#
+Due north,- said Ron, .he.!ing the .om)ass on the dashoard# +O!a', (e*&& 0ust ha"e to .he.! on it e"er' ha&f hour or so#
Ho&d on###- And the' shot u) through the .&ouds# A minute &ater, the' urst out into a &a;e of sun&ight#
It (as a different (or&d# The (hee&s of the .ar s!immed the sea of f&uff' .&oud, the s!' a right, end&ess &ue under the
&inding (hite sun#
+A&& (e*"e got to (orr' aout no( are air)&anes,- said Ron#
The' &oo!ed at ea.h other and started to &augh5 for a &ong time, the' .ou&dn*t sto)#
It (as as though the' had een )&unged into a fau&ous dream# This, thought Harr', (as sure&' the on&' (a' to tra"e&1)ast
s(ir&s and turrets of sno(' .&oud, in a .ar fu&& of hot, right sun&ight, (ith a fat )a.! of toffees in the g&o"e .om)artment, and
the )ros)e.t of seeing 9red*s and 8eorge*s 0ea&ous fa.es (hen the' &anded smooth&' and s)e.ta.u&ar&' on the s(ee)ing &a(n in
front of Hog(arts .ast&e#
The' made regu&ar .he.!s on the train as the' f&e( farther and farther north, ea.h di) eneath the .&ouds sho(ing them a
different "ie(# 7ondon (as soon far ehind them, re)&a.ed ' neat green fie&ds that ga"e (a' in turn to (ide, )ur)&ish moors,
a great .it' a&i"e (ith .ars &i!e mu&ti.o&ored ants, "i&&ages (ith tin' to' .hur.hes#
Se"era& une"entfu& hours &ater, ho(e"er, Harr' had to admit that some of the fun (as (earing off# The toffees had made
them e/treme&' thirst' and the' had nothing to drin!# He and Ron had )u&&ed off their s(eaters, ut Harr'*s T:shirt (as
sti.!ing to the a.! of his seat and his g&asses !e)t s&iding do(n to the end of his s(eat' nose# He had sto))ed noti.ing the
fantasti. .&oud sha)es no( and (as thin!ing &onging&' of the train mi&es e&o(, (here 'ou .ou&d u' i.e:.o&d )um)!in 0ui.e
from a tro&&e' )ushed ' a )&um) (it.h# Wh' hadn*t the' een a&e to get onto )&atform nine and three:6uarters2
+Can*t e mu.h further, .an it2- .roa!ed Ron, hours &ater sti&&, as the sun started to sin! into their f&oor of .&oud, staining it a
dee) )in!# +Read' for another .he.! on the train2-
It (as sti&& right e&o( them, (inding its (a' )ast a sno(.a))ed mountain# It (as mu.h dar!er eneath the .ano)' of
.&ouds#
Ron )ut his foot on the a..e&erator and dro"e them u)(ard again, ut as he did so, the engine egan to (hine#
Harr' and Ron e/.hanged ner"ous g&an.es#
+It*s )roa&' 0ust tired,- said Ron# +It*s ne"er een this far efore###-
And the' oth )retended not to noti.e the (hining gro(ing &ouder and &ouder as the s!' e.ame steadi&' dar!er# Stars (ere
&ossoming in the &a.!ness# Harr' )u&&ed his s(eater a.! on, tr'ing to ignore the (a' the (indshie&d (i)ers (ere no(
(a"ing fee&', as though in )rotest#
+Not far,- said Ron, more to the .ar than to Harr', +not far no(,- and he )atted the dashoard ner"ous&'#
When the' f&e( a.! eneath the .&ouds a &itt&e (hi&e &ater, the' had to s6uint through the dar!ness for a &andmar! the'
!ne(#
+There,- Harr' shouted, ma!ing Ron and Hed(ig 0um)# +Straight ahead,-
Si&houetted on the dar! hori;on, high on the .&iff o"er the &a!e, stood the man' turrets and to(ers of Hog(arts .ast&e#
But the .ar had egun to shudder and (as &osing s)eed#
+Come on,- Ron said .a0o&ing&', gi"ing the steering (hee& a &itt&e sha!e, +near&' there, .ome on1-
The engine groaned# Narro( 0ets of steam (ere issuing from under the hood# Harr' found himse&f gri))ing the edges of his
seat "er' hard as the' f&e( to(ard the &a!e#
The .ar ga"e a nast' (o&e# 8&an.ing out of his (indo(, Harr' sa( the smooth, &a.!, g&ass' surfa.e of the (ater, a mi&e
e&o(# Ron*s !nu.!&es (ere (hite on the steering (hee&# The .ar (o&ed again#
+Come on,- Ron muttered#
The' (ere o"er the &a!e1the .ast&e (as right ahead1Ron )ut his foot do(n#
There (as a &oud .&un!, a s)&utter, and the engine died .om)&ete&'#
+3h:oh,- said Ron, into the si&en.e#
The nose of the .ar dro))ed# The' (ere fa&&ing, gathering s)eed, heading straight for the so&id .ast&e (a&&#
+Noooooo,- Ron 'e&&ed, s(inging the steering (hee& around5 the' missed the dar! stone (a&& ' in.hes as the .ar turned in a
great ar., soaring o"er the dar! greenhouses, then the "egeta&e )at.h, and then out o"er the &a.! &a(ns, &osing a&titude a&& the
time#
Ron &et go of the steering (hee& .om)&ete&' and )u&&ed his (and out of his a.! )o.!et
+STOP, STOP,- he 'e&&ed, (ha.!ing the dashoard and the (indshie&d, ut the' (ere sti&& )&ummeting, the ground f&'ing u)
to(ard them###
+WATCH O3T 9OR THAT TREE,- Harr' e&&o(ed, &unging for the steering (hee&, ut too &ate 1
CR3NCH#
18
With an ears)&itting ang of meta& on (ood, the' hit the thi.! tree trun! and dro))ed to the ground (ith a hea"' 0o&t# Steam
(as i&&o(ing from under the .rum)&ed hood5 Hed(ig (as shrie!ing in terror5 a go&f:a&&:si;e &um) (as throing on Harr'*s
head (here he had hit the (indshie&d5 and to his right, Ron &et out a &o(, des)airing groan#
+Are 'ou o!a'2- Harr' said urgent&'#
+$' (and,- said Ron, in a sha!' "oi.e# +7oo! at m' (and#-
It had sna))ed, a&most in t(o5 the ti) (as dang&ing &im)&', he&d on ' a fe( s)&inters#
Harr' o)ened his mouth to sa' he (as sure the'*d e a&e to mend it u) at the s.hoo&, ut he ne"er e"en got started# At that
"er' moment, something hit his side of the .ar (ith the for.e of a .harging u&&, sending him &ur.hing side(a's into Ron, 0ust
as an e6ua&&' hea"' &o( hit the roof#
+What*s ha))en :2-
Ron gas)ed, staring through the (indshie&d, and Harr' &oo!ed around 0ust in time to see a ran.h as thi.! as a )'thon smash
into it# The tree the' had hit (as atta.!ing them# Its trun! (as ent a&most dou&e, and its gnar&ed oughs (ere )umme&ing
e"er' in.h of the .ar it .ou&d rea.h#
+Aaargh,- said Ron as another t(isted &im )un.hed a &arge dent into his door5 the (indshie&d (as no( trem&ing under a
hai& of &o(s from !nu.!&e:&i!e t(igs and a ran.h as thi.! as a attering ram (as )ounding furious&' on the roof, (hi.h
seemed to e .a"ing in 1
+Run for it,- Ron shouted, thro(ing his fu&& (eight against his door, ut ne/t se.ond he had een !no.!ed a.!(ard into
Harr'*s &a) ' a "i.ious u))er.ut from another ran.h#
+We*re done for,- he moaned as the .ei&ing sagged, ut sudden&' the f&oor of the .ar (as "irating1the engine had restarted#
+Re"erse,- Harr' 'e&&ed, and the .ar shot a.!(ard5 the tree (as sti&& tr'ing to hit them5 the' .ou&d hear its roots .rea!ing as
it a&most ri))ed itse&f u), &ashing out at them as the' s)ed out of rea.h#
+That,- )anted Ron, +(as .&ose# We&& done, .ar1-
The .ar, ho(e"er, had rea.hed the end of its tether# With t(o shar) .&un!s, the doors f&e( o)en and Harr' fe&t his seat ti)
side(a's4 Ne/t thing he !ne( he (as s)ra(&ed on the dam) ground# 7oud thuds to&d him that the .ar (as e0e.ting their
&uggage from the trun!5 Hed(ig*s .age f&e( through the air and urst o)en5 she rose out of it (ith an angr' s.ree.h and s)ed
off to(ard the .ast&e (ithout a a.!(ard &oo!# Then, dented, s.rat.hed, and steaming, the .ar rum&ed off into the dar!ness, its
rear &ights &a;ing angri&'#
+Come a.!,- Ron 'e&&ed after it, randishing his ro!en (and# +Dad*&& !i&& me,-
But the .ar disa))eared from "ie( (ith one &ast snort from its e/haust#
+Can 'ou e&ie"e our &u.!2- said Ron misera&', ending do(n to )i.! u) S.aers# +Of a&& the trees (e .ou&d*"e hit, (e
had to get one that hits a.!#-
He g&an.ed o"er his shou&der at the an.ient tree, (hi.h (as sti&& f&ai&ing its ran.hes threatening&'#
+Come on,- said Harr' (eari&', +(e*d etter get u) to the s.hoo&###-
It (asn*t at a&& the trium)hant arri"a& the' had )i.tured# Stiff, .o&d, and ruised, the' sei;ed the ends of their trun!s and
egan dragging them u) the grass' s&o)e, to(ard the great oa! front doors#
+I thin! the feast*s a&read' started,- said Ron, dro))ing his trun! at the foot of the front ste)s and .rossing 6uiet&' to &oo!
through a right&' &it (indo(# +He'1Harr'1.ome and &oo!1it*s the Sorting,-
Harr' hurried o"er and, together, he and Ron )eered in at the 8reat Ha&&#
Innumera&e .and&es (ere ho"ering in midair o"er four &ong, .ro(ded ta&es, ma!ing the go&den )&ates and go&ets s)ar!&e#
O"erhead, the e(it.hed .ei&ing, (hi.h a&(a's mirrored the s!' outside, s)ar!&ed (ith stars#
Through the forest of )ointed &a.! Hog(arts hats, Harr' sa( a &ong &ine of s.ared:&oo!ing first 'ears fi&ing into the Ha&&#
8inn' (as among them, easi&' "isi&e e.ause of her "i"id Weas&e' hair# $ean(hi&e, Professor $.8onaga&&, a es)e.ta.&ed
(it.h (ith her hair in a tight un, (as )&a.ing the famous Hog(arts Sorting Hat on a stoo& efore the ne(.omers#
E"er' 'ear, this aged o&d hat, )at.hed, fra'ed, and dirt', sorted ne( students into the four Hog(arts houses <8r'ffindor,
Huff&e)uff, Ra"en.&a(, and S&'therin=# Harr' (e&& rememered )utting it on, e/a.t&' one 'ear ago, and (aiting, )etrified, for
its de.ision as it muttered a&oud in his ear# 9or a fe( horri&e se.onds he had feared that the hat (as going to )ut him in
S&'therin, the house that had turned out more Dar! (it.hes and (i;ards than an' other :ut he had ended u) in 8r'ffindor,
a&ong (ith Ron, Hermione, and the rest of the Weas&e's# 7ast term, Harr' and Ron had he&)ed 8r'ffindor (in the House
Cham)ionshi), eating S&'therin for the first time in se"en 'ears#
A "er' sma&&, mous':haired o' had een .a&&ed for(ard to )&a.e the hat on his head# Harr'*s e'es (andered )ast him to
(here Professor Dum&edore, the headmaster, sat (at.hing the Sorting from the staff ta&e, his &ong si&"er eard and ha&f:moon
g&asses shining right&' in the .and&e&ight# Se"era& seats a&ong, Harr' sa( 8i&dero' 7o.!hart, dressed in roes of a6uamarine#
And there at the end (as Hagrid, huge and hair', drin!ing dee)&' from his go&et#
+Hang on###- Harr' muttered to Ron# +There*s an em)t' .hair at the staff ta&e### Where*s Sna)e2-
Professor Se"erus Sna)e (as Harr'*s &east fa"orite tea.her# Harr' a&so ha))ened to e Sna)e*s &east fa"orite student# Crue&,
sar.asti., and dis&i!ed ' e"er'od' e/.e)t the students from his o(n house <S&'therin=, Sna)e taught Potions#
+$a'e he*s i&&,- said Ron ho)efu&&'#
+$a'e he*s &eft,- said Harr', +e.ause he missed out on the Defense Against Dar! Arts 0o again,-
+Or he might ha"e een sa.!ed,- said Ron enthusiasti.a&&'# +I mean, e"er'one hates him1-
+Or ma'e,- said a "er' .o&d "oi.e right ehind them, +he*s (aiting to hear (h' 'ou t(o didn*t arri"e on the s.hoo& train#-
Harr' s)un around# There, his &a.! roes ri))&ing in a .o&d ree;e, stood Se"erus Sna)e# He (as a thin man (ith sa&&o(
s!in, a hoo!ed nose, and greas', shou&der:&ength &a.! hair, and at this moment, he (as smi&ing in a (a' that to&d Harr' he and
Ron (ere in "er' dee) trou&e#
+9o&&o( me,- said Sna)e#
19
Not daring e"en to &oo! at ea.h other, Harr' and Ron fo&&o(ed Sna)e u) the ste)s into the "ast, e.hoing entran.e ha&&, (hi.h
(as &it (ith f&aming tor.hes# A de&i.ious sme&& of food (as (afting from the 8reat Ha&&, ut Sna)e &ed them a(a' from the
(armth and &ight, do(n a narro( stone stair.ase that &ed into the dungeons#
+In,- he said, o)ening a door ha&f(a' do(n the .o&d )assage(a' and )ointing#
The' entered Sna)e*s offi.e, shi"ering# The shado(' (a&&s (ere &ined (ith she&"es of &arge g&ass 0ars, in (hi.h f&oated a&&
manner of re"o&ting things Harr' didn*t rea&&' (ant to !no( the name of at the moment# The fire)&a.e (as dar! and em)t'#
Sna)e .&osed the door and turned to &oo! at them#
+So,- he said soft&', +the train isn*t good enough for the famous Harr' Potter and his faithfu& side!i.! Weas&e'# Wanted to
arri"e (ith a ang, did (e, o's2-
+No, sir, it (as the arrier at Aing*s Cross, it1-
+Si&en.e,- said Sna)e .o&d&'# +What ha"e 'ou done (ith the .ar2-
Ron gu&)ed# This (asn*t the first time Sna)e had gi"en Harr' the im)ression of eing a&e to read minds# But a moment
&ater, he understood, as Sna)e unro&&ed toda'*s issue of the E"ening Pro)het#
+You (ere seen,- he hissed, sho(ing them the head&ine4 97YIN8 9ORD AN87IA $YSTI9IES $3887ES# He egan to
read a&oud4 +T(o $ugg&es in 7ondon, .on"in.ed the' sa( an o&d .ar f&'ing o"er the Post Offi.e to(er### at noon in Norfo&!,
$rs# Hett' Ba'&iss, (hi&e hanging out her (ashing### $r# Angus 9&eet, of Pee&es, re)orted to )o&i.e### Si/ or se"en $ugg&es in
a&&# I e&ie"e 'our father (or!s in the $isuse of $ugg&e Artifa.ts Offi.e2- he said, &oo!ing u) at Ron and smi&ing sti&& more
nasti&'# +Dear, dear### his o(n son###-
Harr' fe&t as though he*d 0ust een (a&&o)ed in the stoma.h ' one of the mad tree*s &arger ran.hes# If an'one found out $r#
Weas&e' had e(it.hed the .ar### he hadn*t thought of that###
+I noti.ed, in m' sear.h of the )ar!, that .onsidera&e damage seems to ha"e een done to a "er' "a&ua&e Whom)ing
Wi&&o(,- Sna)e (ent on#
+That tree did more damage to us than (e1- Ron &urted out#
+Si&en.e,- sna))ed Sna)e again# +$ost unfortunate&', 'ou are not in m' House and the de.ision to e/)e& 'ou does not rest
(ith me# I sha&& go and fet.h the )eo)&e (ho do ha"e that ha))' )o(er# You (i&& (ait here#-
Harr' and Ron stared at ea.h other, (hite:fa.ed# Harr' didn*t fee& hungr' an' more# He no( fe&t e/treme&' si.!# He tried not
to &oo! at a &arge, s&im' something sus)ended in green &i6uid on a she&f ehind Sna)e*s des!# If Sna)e had gone to fet.h
Professor $.8onaga&&, head of 8r'ffindor House, the' (ere hard&' an' etter off# She might e fairer than Sna)e, ut she (as
sti&& e/treme&' stri.t#
Ten minutes &ater, Sna)e returned, and sure enough it (as Professor $.8onaga&& (ho a..om)anied him# Harr' had seen
Professor $.8onaga&& angr' on se"era& o..asions, ut either he had forgotten 0ust ho( thin her mouth .ou&d go, or he had
ne"er seen her this angr' efore# She raised her (and the moment she entered5 Harr' and Ron oth f&in.hed, ut she mere&'
)ointed it at the em)t' fire)&a.e, (here f&ames sudden&' eru)ted#
+Sit,- she said, and the' oth a.!ed into .hairs ' the fire#
+E/)&ain,- she said, her g&asses g&inting ominous&'#
Ron &aun.hed into the stor', starting (ith the arrier at the station refusing to &et them through#
+###so (e had no .hoi.e, Professor, (e .ou&dn*t get on the train#-
+Wh' didn*t 'ou send us a &etter ' o(&2 I e&ie"e 'ou ha"e an o(&2- Professor $.8onaga&& said .o&d&' to Harr'#
Harr' ga)ed at her# No( she said it, that seemed the o"ious thing to ha"e done#
+I1I didn*t thin!1-
+That,- said Professor $.8onaga&&, +is o"ious#-
There (as a !no.! on the offi.e door and Sna)e, no( &oo!ing ha))ier than e"er, o)ened it# There stood the headmaster,
Professor Dum&edore#
Harr'*s (ho&e od' (ent num# Dum&edore (as &oo!ing unusua&&' gra"e# He stared do(n his "er' .roo!ed nose at them,
and Harr' sudden&' found himse&f (ishing he and Ron (ere sti&& eing eaten u) ' the Whom)ing Wi&&o(#
There (as a &ong si&en.e# Then Dum&edore said, +P&ease e/)&ain (h' 'ou did this#-
It (ou&d ha"e een etter if he had shouted# Harr' hated the disa))ointment in his "oi.e# 9or some reason, he (as una&e to
&oo! Dum&edore in the e'es, and s)o!e instead to his !nees# He to&d Dum&edore e"er'thing e/.e)t that $r# Weas&e' o(ned
the e(it.hed .ar, ma!ing it sound as though he and Ron had ha))ened to find a f&'ing .ar )ar!ed outside the station# He !ne(
Dum&edore (ou&d see through this at on.e, ut Dum&edore as!ed no 6uestions aout the .ar# When Harr' had finished, he
mere&' .ontinued to )eer at them through his s)e.ta.&es#
+We*&& go and get our stuff,- said Ron in a ho)e&ess sort of "oi.e#
+What are 'ou ta&!ing aout, Weas&e'2- ar!ed Professor $.8onaga&&#
+We&&, 'ou*re e/)e&&ing us, aren*t 'ou2- said Ron#
Harr' &oo!ed 6ui.!&' at Dum&edore#
+Not toda', $r# Weas&e',- said Dum&edore# +But I must im)ress u)on oth of 'ou the seriousness of (hat 'ou ha"e done# I
(i&& e (riting to oth 'our fami&ies tonight# I must a&so (arn 'ou that if 'ou do an'thing &i!e this again, I (i&& ha"e no .hoi.e
ut to e/)e& 'ou#-
Sna)e &oo!ed as though Christmas had een .an.e&ed# He .&eared his throat and said, +Professor Dum&edore, these o's
ha"e f&outed the De.ree for the Restri.tion of 3nderage Wi;ardr', .aused serious damage to an o&d and "a&ua&e tree1sure&'
a.ts of this nature1-
+It (i&& e for Professor $.8onaga&& to de.ide on these o's* )unishments, Se"erus,- said Dum&edore .a&m&'# +The' are in
her House and are therefore her res)onsii&it'#- He turned to Professor $.8onaga&&# +I must go a.! to the feast, $iner"a, I*"e
got to gi"e out a fe( noti.es# Come, Se"erus, there*s a de&i.ious:&oo!ing .ustard tart I (ant to sam)&e#-
Sna)e shot a &oo! of )ure "enom at Harr' and Ron as he a&&o(ed himse&f to e s(e)t out of his offi.e, &ea"ing them a&one
(ith Professor $.8onaga&&, (ho (as sti&& e'eing them &i!e a (rathfu& eag&e#
20
+You*d etter get a&ong to the hos)ita& (ing, Weas&e', 'ou*re &eeding#-
+Not mu.h,- said Ron, hasti&' (i)ing the .ut o"er his e'e (ith his s&ee"e# +Professor, I (anted to (at.h m' sister eing
Sorted1-
+The Sorting Ceremon' is o"er,- said Professor $.8onaga&&# +Your sister is a&so in 8r'ffindor#-
+Oh, good,- said Ron#
+And s)ea!ing of 8r'ffindor1- Professor $.8onaga&& said shar)&', ut Harr' .ut in4 +Professor, (hen (e too! the .ar,
term hadn*t started, so1so 8r'ffindor shou&dn*t rea&&' ha"e )oints ta!en from it1shou&d it2- he finished, (at.hing her
an/ious&'#
Professor $.8onaga&& ga"e him a )ier.ing &oo!, ut he (as sure she had a&most smi&ed# Her mouth &oo!ed &ess thin,
an'(a'#
+I (i&& not ta!e an' )oints from 8r'ffindor,- she said, and Harr'*s heart &ightened .onsidera&'# +But 'ou (i&& oth get a
detention#-
It (as etter than Harr' had e/)e.ted# As for Dum&edore*s (riting to the Durs&e's, that (as nothing# Harr' !ne( )erfe.t&'
(e&& the'*d 0ust e disa))ointed that the Whom)ing Wi&&o( hadn*t s6uashed him f&at#
Professor $.8onaga&& raised her (and again and )ointed it at Sna)e*s des!# A &arge )&ate of sand(i.hes, t(o si&"er go&ets,
and a 0ug of:i.ed )um)!in 0ui.e a))eared (ith a )o)#
+You (i&& eat in here and then go straight u) to 'our dormitor',- she said# +I must a&so return to the feast#-
When the door had .&osed ehind her, Ron &et out a &ong, &o( (hist&e#
+I thought (e*d had it,- he said, graing a sand(i.h#
+So did I,- said Harr', ta!ing one, too#
+Can 'ou e&ie"e our &u.!, though2- said Ron thi.!&' through a mouthfu& of .hi.!en and ham# +9red and 8eorge must*"e
f&o(n that .ar fi"e or si/ times and no $ugg&e e"er sa( them#- He s(a&&o(ed and too! another huge ite# +Wh' .ou&dn*t (e
get through the arrier2-
Harr' shrugged# +We*&& ha"e to (at.h our ste) from no( on, though,- he said, ta!ing a gratefu& s(ig of )um)!in 0ui.e#
+Wish (e .ou&d*"e gone u) to the feast###-
+She didn*t (ant us sho(ing off,- said Ron sage&'# +Doesn*t (ant )eo)&e to thin! it*s .&e"er, arri"ing ' f&'ing .ar#-
When the' had eaten as man' sand(i.hes as the' .ou&d <the )&ate !e)t refi&&ing itse&f= the' rose and &eft the offi.e, treading
the fami&iar )ath to 8r'ffindor To(er# The .ast&e (as 6uiet5 it seemed that the feast (as o"er# The' (a&!ed )ast muttering
)ortraits and .rea!ing suits of armor, and .&imed narro( f&ights of stone stairs, unti& at &ast the' rea.hed the )assage (here the
se.ret entran.e to 8r'ffindor To(er (as hidden, ehind an oi& )ainting of a "er' fat (oman in a )in! si&! dress#
+Pass(ord2- she said as the' a))roa.hed#
+Er1- said Harr'#
The' didn*t !no( the ne( 'ear*s )ass(ord, not ha"ing met a 8r'ffindor )refe.t 'et, ut he&) .ame a&most immediate&'5 the'
heard hurr'ing feet ehind them and turned to see Hermione dashing to(ard them#
+There 'ou are, Where ha"e 'ou een2 The most ridi.u&ous rumors1someone said 'ou*d een e/)e&&ed for .rashing a f&'ing
.ar#-
+We&&, (e ha"en*t een e/)e&&ed,- Harr' assured her#
+You*re not te&&ing me 'ou did f&' here2- said Hermione, sounding a&most as se"ere as Professor $.8onaga&&#
+S!i) the &e.ture,- said Ron im)atient&', +and te&& us the ne( )ass(ord#-
+It*s +(att&eird-,- said Hermione im)atient&', +ut that*s not the )oint1-
Her (ords (ere .ut short, ho(e"er, as the )ortrait of the fat &ad' s(ung o)en and there (as a sudden storm of .&a))ing# It
&oo!ed as though the (ho&e of 8r'ffindor House (as sti&& a(a!e, )a.!ed into the .ir.u&ar .ommon room, standing on the
&o)sided ta&es and s6uash' arm.hairs, (aiting for them to arri"e# Arms rea.hed through the )ortrait ho&e to )u&& Harr' and
Ron inside, &ea"ing Hermione to s.ram&e in after then:t#
+Bri&&iant,- 'e&&ed 7ee @ordan# +Ins)ired, What an entran.e, 9&'ing a .ar right into the Whom)ing Wi&&o(, )eo)&e*&& e
ta&!ing aout that one for 'ears1-
+8ood for 'ou,- said a fifth 'ear Harr' had ne"er s)o!en to5 someone (as )atting him on the a.! as though he*d 0ust (on a
marathon5 9red and 8eorge )ushed their (a' to the front of the .ro(d and said together, +Wh' .ou&dn*t (e*"e .ome in the .ar,
eh2- Ron (as s.ar&et in the fa.e, grinning emarrassed&', ut Harr' .ou&d see one )erson (ho didn*t &oo! ha))' at a&&# Per.'
(as "isi&e o"er the heads of some e/.ited first 'ears, and he seemed to e tr'ing to get near enough to start te&&ing them off#
Harr' nudged Ron in the ris and nodded in Per.'*s dire.tion# Ron got the )oint at on.e#
+8ot to get u)stairs1it tired,- he said, and the t(o of them started )ushing their (a' to(ard the door on the other side of
the room, (hi.h &ed to a s)ira& stair.ase and the dormitories#
+Night,- Harr' .a&&ed a.! to Hermione, (ho (as (earing a s.o(& 0ust &i!e Per.'*s#
The' managed to get to the other side of the .ommon room, sti&& ha"ing their a.!s s&a))ed, and gained the )ea.e of the
stair.ase# The' hurried u) it, right to the to), and at &ast rea.hed the door of their o&d dormitor', (hi.h no( had a sign on it
sa'ing SECOND YEARS# The' entered the fami&iar, .ir.u&ar room, (ith its fi"e four:)osters hung (ith red "e&"et and its high,
narro( (indo(s# Their trun!s had een rought u) for them and stood at the ends of their eds#
Ron grinned gui&ti&' at Harr'#
+I !no( I shou&dn*t*"e en0o'ed that or an'thing, ut1-
The dormitor' door f&e( o)en and in .ame the other se.ond 'ear 8r'ffindor o's, Seamus 9innigan, Dean Thomas, and
Ne"i&&e 7ongottom#
+3ne&ie"a&e,- eamed Seamus#
+Coo&,- said Dean#
+Ama;ing,- said Ne"i&&e, a(estru.!#
Harr' .ou&dn*t he&) it# He grinned, too#
21
CHAPTER SIM
8I7DEROY 7OCAHART
The ne/t da', ho(e"er, Harr' are&' grinned on.e# Things started to go do(nhi&& from rea!fast in the 8reat Ha&&# The four
&ong house ta&es (ere &aden (ith tureens of )orridge, )&ates of !i))ers, mountains of toast, and dishes of eggs and a.on,
eneath the en.hanted .ei&ing <toda', a du&&, .&oud' gra'=# Harr' and Ron sat do(n at the 8r'ffindor ta&e ne/t to Hermione,
(ho had her .o)' of %o'ages (ith %am)ires )ro))ed o)en against a mi&! 0ug# There (as a s&ight stiffness in the (a' she said
+$orning,- (hi.h to&d Harr' that she (as sti&& disa))ro"ing of the (a' the' had arri"ed# Ne"i&&e 7ongottom, on the other
hand, greeted them .heerfu&&'# Ne"i&&e (as a round:fa.ed and a..ident:)rone o' (ith the (orst memor' of an'one Harr' had
e"er met#
+$ai&*s due an' minute1I thin! 8ran*s sending a fe( things I forgot#-
Harr' had on&' 0ust started his )orridge (hen, sure enough, there (as a rushing sound o"erhead and a hundred or so o(&s
streamed in, .ir.&ing the ha&& and dro))ing &etters and )a.!ages into the .hattering .ro(d# A ig, &um)' )a.!age oun.ed off
Ne"i&&e*s head and, a se.ond &ater, something &arge and gra' fe&& into Hermione*s 0ug, s)ra'ing them a&& (ith mi&! and feathers#
+Erro&,- said Ron, )u&&ing the edragg&ed o(& out ' the feet# Erro& s&um)ed, un.ons.ious, onto the ta&e, his &egs in the air
and a dam) red en"e&o)e in his ea!#
+Oh, no1- Ron gas)ed#
+It*s a&& right, he*s sti&& a&i"e,- said Hermione, )rodding Erro& gent&' (ith the ti) of her finger#
+It*s not that1it*s that#-
Ron (as )ointing at the red en"e&o)e# It &oo!ed 6uite ordinar' to Harr', ut Ron and Ne"i&&e (ere oth &oo!ing at it as
though the' e/)e.ted it to e/)&ode#
+What*s the matter2- said Harr'#
+She*s1she*s sent me a Ho(&er,- said Ron faint&'#
+You*d etter o)en it, Ron,- said Ne"i&&e in a timid (his)er# +It*&& e (orse if 'ou don*t $' gran sent me one on.e, and I
ignored it and-1he gu&)ed1-it (as horri&e#-
Harr' &oo!ed from their )etrified fa.es to the red en"e&o)e#
+What*s a Ho(&er2- he said#
But Ron*s (ho&e attention (as fi/ed on the &etter, (hi.h had egun to smo!e at the .orners#
+O)en it,- Ne"i&&e urged# +It*&& a&& e o"er in a fe( minutes1-
Ron stret.hed out a sha!ing hand, eased the en"e&o)e from Erro&*s ea!, and s&it it o)en# Ne"i&&e stuffed his fingers in his
ears# A s)&it se.ond &ater, Harr' !ne( (h'# He thought for a moment it had e/)&oded5 a roar of sound fi&&ed the huge ha&&,
sha!ing dust from the .ei&ing#
+STEA7IN8 THE CAR, I WO37DN*T HA%E BEEN S3RPRISED I9 THEY*D EMPE77ED YO3, YO3 WAIT TI77 I
8ET HO7D O9 YO3, I DON*T S3PPOSE YO3 STOPPED TO THINA WHAT YO3R 9ATHER AND I WENT THRO38H
WHEN WE SAW IT WAS 8ONE1-
$rs# Weas&e's 'e&&s, a hundred times &ouder than usua&, made the )&ates and s)oons ratt&e on the ta&e, and e.hoed
deafening&' off the stone (a&&s# Peo)&e throughout the ha&& (ere s(i"e&ing around to see (ho had re.ei"ed the Ho(&er, and
Ron san! so &o( in his .hair that on&' his .rimson forehead .ou&d e seen#
+7ETTER 9RO$ D3$B7EDORE 7AST NI8HT, I THO38HT YO3R 9ATHER WO37D DIE O9 SHA$E, WE DIDN*T
BRIN8 YO3 3P TO BEHA%E 7IAE THIS, YO3 AND HARRY CO37D BOTH HA%E DIED1-
Harr' had een (ondering (hen his name (as going to .ro) u)# He tried "er' hard to &oo! as though he .ou&dn*t hear the
"oi.e that (as ma!ing his eardrums thro#
+:ABSO73TE7Y DIS83STED1YO3R 9ATHER*S 9ACIN8 AN IN>3IRY AT WORA, IT*S ENTIRE7Y YO3R 9A37T
AND I9 YO3 P3T ANOTHER TOE O3T O9 7INE WE*77 BRIN8 YO3 STRAI8HT BACA HO$E#-
A ringing si&en.e fe&&# The red en"e&o)e, (hi.h had dro))ed from Ron*s hand, urst into f&ames and .ur&ed into ashes# Harr'
and Ron sat stunned, as though a tida& (a"e had 0ust )assed o"er them# A fe( )eo)&e &aughed and, gradua&&', a a&e of ta&!
ro!e out again#
Hermione .&osed %o'ages (ith %am)ires and &oo!ed do(n at the to) of Ron*s head#
+We&&, I don*t !no( (hat 'ou e/)e.ted, Ron, ut 'ou1-
+Don*t te&& me I deser"ed it,- sna))ed Ron#
Harr' )ushed his )orridge a(a'# His insides (ere urning (ith gui&t# $r# Weas&e' (as fa.ing an in6uir' at (or!# After a&&
$r# and $rs# Weas&e' had done for him o"er the summer###
But he had no time to d(e&& on this5 Professor $.8onaga&& (as mo"ing a&ong the 8r'ffindor ta&e, handing out .ourse
s.hedu&es# Harr' too! his and sa( that the' had dou&e Hero&og' (ith the Huff&e)uffs first#
Harr', Ron, and Hermione &eft the .ast&e together, .rossed the "egeta&e )at.h, and made for the greenhouses, (here the
magi.a& )&ants (ere !e)t# At &east the Ho(&er had done one good thing4 Hermione seemed to thin! the' had no( een
)unished enough and (as eing )erfe.t&' friend&' again#
As the' neared the greenhouses the' sa( the rest of the .&ass standing outside, (aiting for Professor S)rout# Harr', Ron, and
Hermione had on&' 0ust 0oined them (hen she .ame striding into "ie( a.ross the &a(n, a..om)anied ' 8i&dero' 7o.!hart#
Professor S)rout*s arms (ere fu&& of andages, and (ith another t(inge of gui&t, Harr' s)otted the Whom)ing Wi&&o( in the
distan.e, se"era& of its ran.hes no( in s&ings#
Professor S)rout (as a s6uat &itt&e (it.h (ho (ore a )at.hed hat o"er her f&'a(a' hair5 there (as usua&&' a &arge amount of
earth on her .&othes and her fingernai&s (ou&d ha"e made Aunt Petunia faint# 8i&dero' 7o.!hart, ho(e"er, (as imma.u&ate in
s(ee)ing roes of tur6uoise, his go&den hair shining under a )erfe.t&' )ositioned tur6uoise hat (ith go&d trimming#
22
+Oh, he&&o there,- he .a&&ed, eaming around at the assem&ed students# +@ust een sho(ing Professor S)rout the right (a'
to do.tor a Whom)ing Wi&&o(, But I don*t (ant 'ou running a(a' (ith the idea that I*m etter at Hero&og' than she is, I 0ust
ha))en to ha"e met se"era& of these e/oti. )&ants on m' tra"e&s###-
+8reenhouse three toda', .ha)s,- said Professor S)rout, (ho (as &oo!ing distin.t&' disgrunt&ed, not at a&& her usua& .heerfu&
se&f#
There (as a murmur of interest# The' had on&' e"er (or!ed in greenhouse one efore1greenhouse three housed far more
interesting and dangerous )&ants# Professor S)rout too! a &arge !e' from her e&t and un&o.!ed the door# Harr' .aught a (hiff
of dam) earth and ferti&i;er ming&ing (ith the hea"' )erfume of some giant, umre&&asi;ed f&o(ers dang&ing from the .ei&ing#
He (as aout to fo&&o( Ron and Hermione inside (hen 7o.!hart*s hand shot out#
+Harr', I*"e een (anting a (ord1'ou don*t mind if he*s a .ou)&e of minutes &ate, do 'ou, Professor S)rout2-
@udging ' Professor S)rout*s s.o(&, she did mind, ut 7o.!hart said, +That*s the ti.!et,- and .&osed the greenhouse door in
her fa.e#
+Harr',- said 7o.!hart, his &arge (hite teeth g&eaming in the sun&ight as he shoo! his head# +Harr', Harr', Harr'#-
Com)&ete&' non)&ussed, Harr' said nothing#
+When I heard :(e&&, of .ourse, it (as a&& m' fau&t# Cou&d ha"e !i.!ed m'se&f#-
Harr' had no idea (hat he (as ta&!ing aout# He (as aout to sa' so (hen 7o.!hart (ent on, +Don*t !no( (hen I*"e een
more sho.!ed# 9&'ing a .ar to Hog(arts, We&&, of .ourse, I !ne( at on.e (h' 'ou*d done it# Stood out a mi&e# Harr', Harr',
Harr'#-
It (as remar!a&e ho( he .ou&d sho( e"er' one of those ri&&iant teeth e"en (hen he (asn*t ta&!ing#
+8a"e 'ou a taste for )u&i.it', didn*t I2- said 7o.!hart# +8a"e 'ou the ug# You got onto the front )age of the )a)er (ith
me and 'ou .ou&dn*t (ait to do it again#-
+Oh, no, Professor, see1-
+Harr', Harr', Harr',- said 7o.!hart, rea.hing out and gras)ing his shou&der# +I understand# Natura& to (ant a it more on.e
'ou*"e had that first taste1and I &ame m'se&f for gi"ing 'ou that, e .ause it (as ound to go to 'our head1ut see here,
'oung man, 'ou .an*t start f&'ing .ars to tr' and get 'ourse&f noti.ed# @ust .a&m do(n, a&& right2 P&ent' of time for a&& that (hen
'ou*re o&der# Yes, 'es, I !no( (hat 'ou*re thin!ing, *It*s a&& right for him, he*s an internationa&&' famous (i;ard a&read',* But
(hen I (as t(e&"e, I (as 0ust as mu.h of a nood' as 'ou are no(# In fa.t, Id sa' I (as e"en more of a nood', I mean, a fe(
)eo)&e ha"e heard of 'ou, ha"en*t the'2 A&& that usiness (ith He:Who:$ust:Not:Be:Named,- He g&an.ed at the &ightning
s.ar on Harr'*s forehead# +I !no(, I !no(1it*s not 6uite as good as (inning Wit.h Wee!&'*s $ost Charming:Smi&e A(ard fi"e
times in a ro(, as I ha"e1ut it*s a start, Harr', it*s a start#-
He ga"e Harr' a heart' (in! and strode off# Harr' stood stunned for a fe( se.onds, then, rememering he (as su))osed to
e in the greenhouse, he o)ened the door and s&id inside#
Professor S)rout (as standing ehind a trest&e en.h in the .enter of the greenhouse# Aout t(ent' )airs of different:.o&ored
ear muffs (ere &'ing on the en.h# When Harr' had ta!en his )&a.e et(een Ron and Hermione, she said, +We*&& e re)otting
$andra!es toda'# No(, (ho .an te&& me the )ro)erties of the $andra!e2- To nood'*s sur)rise, Hermione*s hand (as first into
the air#
+$andra!e, or $andragora, is a )o(erfu& restorati"e,- said Hermione, sounding as usua& as though she had s(a&&o(ed the
te/too!# +It is used to return )eo)&e (ho ha"e een transfigured or .ursed to their origina& state#-
+E/.e&&ent# Ten )oints to 8r'ffindor,- said Professor S)rout# +The $andra!e forms an essentia& )art of most antidotes# It is
a&so, ho(e"er, dangerous# Who .an te&& me (h'2-
Hermione*s hand narro(&' missed Harr'*s g&asses as it shot u) again#
+The .r' of the $andra!e is fata& to an'one (ho hears it,- she said )rom)t&'#
+Pre.ise&'# Ta!e another ten )oints,- said Professor S)rout# +No(, the $andra!es (e ha"e here are sti&& "er' 'oung#-
She )ointed to a ro( of dee) tra's as she s)o!e, and e"er'one shuff&ed for(ard for a etter &oo!# A hundred or so tuft' &itt&e
)&ants, )ur)&ish green in .o&or, (ere gro(ing there in ro(s# The' &oo!ed 6uite unremar!a&e to Harr', (ho didn*t ha"e the
s&ightest idea (hat Hermione meant ' the +.r'- of the $andra!e#
+E"er'one ta!e a )air of earmuffs,- said Professor S)rout#
There (as a s.ram&e as e"er'one tried to sei;e a )air that (asn*t )in! and f&uff'#
+When I te&& 'ou to )ut them on, ma!e sure 'our ears are .om)&ete&' .o"ered,- said Professor S)rout# +When it is safe to
remo"e them, I (i&& gi"e 'ou the thums:u)# Right1earmuffs on#-
Harr' sna))ed the earmuffs o"er his ears# The' shut out sound .om)&ete&'# Professor S)rout )ut the )in!, f&uff' )air o"er her
o(n ears, ro&&ed u) the s&ee"es of her roes, gras)ed one of the tuft' )&ants firm&', and )u&&ed hard#
Harr' &et out a gas) of sur)rise that no one .ou&d hear#
Instead of roots, a sma&&, mudd', and e/treme&' ug&' a' )o))ed out of the earth# The &ea"es (ere gro(ing right out of his
head# He had )a&e green, mott&ed s!in, and (as .&ear&' a(&ing at the to) of his &ungs#
Professor S)rout too! a &arge )&ant )ot from under the ta&e and )&unged the $andra!e into it, ur'ing him in dar!, dam)
.om)ost unti& on&' the tufted &ea"es (ere "isi&e# Professor S)rout dusted off her hands, ga"e them a&& the thums:u), and
remo"ed her o(n earmuffs#
+As our $andra!es are on&' seed&ings, their .ries (on*t !i&& 'et,- she said .a&m&' as though she*d 0ust done nothing more
e/.iting than (ater a egonia# +Ho(e"er, the' (i&& !no.! 'ou out for se"era& hours, and as I*m sure none of 'ou (ant to miss
'our first da' a.!, ma!e sure 'our earmuffs are se.ure&' in )&a.e (hi&e 'ou (or!# I (i&& attra.t 'our attention (hen it is time
to )a.! u)#
+9our to a tra'1there is a &arge su))&' of )ots here1.om)ost in the sa.!s o"er there1and e .arefu& of the %enomous
Tenta.u&a, it*s teething#-
She ga"e a shar) s&a) to a s)i!', dar! red )&ant as she s)o!e, ma!ing it dra( in the &ong fee&ers that had een in.hing
snea!i&' o"er her shou&der#
23
Harr', Ron, and Hermione (ere 0oined at their tra' ' a .ur&':haired Huff&e)uff o' Harr' !ne( ' sight ut had ne"er
s)o!en to#
+@ustin 9in.h:9&et.h&e',- he said right&', sha!ing Harr' ' the hand# +Ano( (ho 'ou are, of .ourse, the famous Harr'
Potter### And 'ou*re Hermione 8ranger1a&(a's to) in e"er'thing###- <Hermione eamed as she had her hand sha!en too= +and
Ron Weas&e'# Wasn*t that 'our f&'ing .ar2-
Ron didn*t smi&e# The Ho(&er (as o"ious&' sti&& on his mind#
+That 7o.!hart*s something, isn*t he2- said @ustin ha))i&' as the' egan fi&&ing their )&ant )ots (ith dragon dung .om)ost#
+A(fu&&' ra"e .ha)# Ha"e 'ou read his oo!s2 Id ha"e died of fear if Id een .ornered in a te&e)hone ooth ' a (ere(o&f,
ut he sta'ed .oo& and1;a)10ust fantasti.#
+$' name (as do(n for Eton, 'ou !no(# I .an*t te&& 'ou ho( g&ad I am I .ame here instead# Of .ourse, $other (as s&ight&'
disa))ointed, ut sin.e I made her read 7o.!hart*s oo!s I thin! she*s egun to see ho( usefu& it*&& e to ha"e a fu&&' trained
(i;ard in the fami&'###-
After that the' didn*t ha"e mu.h .han.e to ta&!# Their earmuffs (ere a.! on and the' needed to .on.entrate on the
$andra!es# Professor S)rout had made it &oo! e/treme&' eas', ut it (asn*t# The $andra!es didn*t &i!e .oming out of the earth,
ut didn*t seem to (ant to go a.! into it either# The' s6uirmed, !i.!ed, f&ai&ed their shar) &itt&e fists, and gnashed their teeth5
Harr' s)ent ten (ho&e minutes tr'ing to s6uash a )arti.u&ar&' fat one into a )ot#
B' the end of the .&ass, Harr', &i!e e"er'one e&se, (as s(eat', a.hing, and .o"ered in earth# E"er'one trai)sed a.! to the
.ast&e for a 6ui.! (ash and then the 8r'ffindors hurried off to Transfiguration#
Professor $.8onaga&&*s .&asses (ere a&(a's hard (or!, ut toda' (as es)e.ia&&' diffi.u&t# E"er'thing Harr' had &earned &ast
'ear seemed to ha"e &ea!ed out of his head during the summer# He (as su))osed to e turning a eet&e into a utton, ut a&& he
managed to do (as gi"e his eet&e a &ot of e/er.ise as it s.utt&ed o"er the des!to) a"oiding his (and#
Ron (as ha"ing far (orse )ro&ems# He had )at.hed u) his (and (ith some orro(ed S)e&&ota)e, ut it seemed to e
damaged e'ond re)air# It !e)t .ra.!&ing and s)ar!ing at odd moments, and e"er' time Ron tried to transfigure his eet&e it
engu&fed him in thi.! gra' smo!e that sme&&ed of rotten eggs# 3na&e to see (hat he (as doing, Ron a..identa&&' s6uashed his
eet&e (ith his e&o( and had to as! for a ne( one# Professor $.8onaga&& (asn*t )&eased#
Harr' (as re&ie"ed to hear the &un.h e&&# His rain fe&t &i!e a (rung s)onge# E"er'one fi&ed out of the .&assroom e/.e)t him
and Ron, (ho (as (ha.!ing his (and furious&' on the des!#
+Stu)id1use&ess1thing1-
+Write home for another one,- Harr' suggested as the (and &et off a "o&&e' of angs &i!e a fire.ra.!er#
+Oh, 'eah, and get another Ho(&er a.!,- said Ron, stuffing the no( hissing (and into his ag# + HIt*s 'our o(n fau&t 'our
(and got sna))ed1-
The' (ent do(n to &un.h, (here Ron*s mood (as not im)ro"ed ' Hermione*s sho(ing them the handfu& of )erfe.t .oat
uttons she had )rodu.ed in Transfiguration#
+What*"e (e got this afternoon2- said Harr', hasti&' .hanging the su0e.t#
+Defense Against the Dar! Arts,- said Hermione at on.e#
+Wh', +demanded Ron, sei;ing her s.hedu&e, +ha"e 'ou out&ined a&& 7o.!hart*s &essons in &itt&e hearts2-
Hermione snat.hed the s.hedu&e a.!, &ushing furious&'#
The' finished &un.h and (ent outside into the o"er.ast .ourt'ard# Hermione sat do(n on a stone ste) and uried her nose in
%o'ages (ith %am)ires again# Harr' and Ron stood ta&!ing aout >uiddit.h for se"era& minutes efore Harr' e.ame a(are
that he (as eing .&ose&' (at.hed# 7oo!ing u), he sa( the "er' sma&&, mous':haired o' he*d seen tr'ing on the Sorting Hat
&ast night staring at Harr' as though transfi/ed# He (as .&ut.hing (hat &oo!ed &i!e an ordinar' $ugg&e .amera, and the
moment Harr' &oo!ed at him, he (ent right red#
+A&& right, Harr'2 I*m :I*m Co&in Cree"e',- he said reath&ess&', ta!ing a tentati"e ste) for(ard# +I*m in 8r'ffindor, too#
D*'ou thin!1(ou&d it e a&& right if1.an I ha"e a )i.ture2- he said, raising the .amera ho)efu&&'#
+A )i.ture2- Harr' re)eated &an!&'#
+So I .an )ro"e I*"e met 'ou,- said Co&in Cree"e' eager&', edging further for(ard# +I !no( a&& aout 'ou# E"er'one*s to&d
me# Aout ho( 'ou sur"i"ed (hen You:Ano(:Who tried to !i&& 'ou and ho( he disa))eared and e"er'thing and ho( 'ou*"e
sti&& got a &ightning s.ar on 'our forehead- <his e'es ra!ed Harr'*s hair&ine= +and a o' in m' dormitor' said if I de"e&o) the
fi&m in the right )otion, the )i.tures*&& mo"e#- Co&in dre( a great shuddering reath of e/.itement and said, +It*s ama;ing here,
isn*t it2 I ne"er !ne( a&& the odd stuff I .ou&d do (as magi. ti&& I got the &etter from Hog(arts# $' dad*s a mi&!man, he .ou&dn*t
e&ie"e it either# So I*m ta!ing &oads of )i.tures to send home to him# And it*d e rea&&' good if I had one of 'ou-1he &oo!ed
im)&oring&' at Harr'1-ma'e 'our friend .ou&d ta!e it and I .ou&d stand ne/t to 'ou2 And then, .ou&d 'ou sign it2-
+Signed )hotos2 You*re gi"ing out signed )hotos, Potter2-
7oud and s.athing, Dra.o $a&fo'*s "oi.e e.hoed around the .ourt'ard# He had sto))ed right ehind Co&in, f&an!ed, as he
a&(a's (as at Hog(arts, ' his &arge and thuggish .ronies, Crae and 8o'&e#
+E"er'one &ine u),- $a&fo' roared to the .ro(d# +Harr' Potter*s gi"ing out signed )hotos,-
+No, I*m not,- said Harr' angri&', his fists .&en.hing# +Shut u), $a&fo'#-
+You*re 0ust 0ea&ous,- )i)ed u) Co&in, (hose entire od' (as aout as thi.! as Crae*s ne.!#
+@ea&ous2- said $a&fo', (ho didn*t need to shout an'more4 ha&f the .ourt'ard (as &istening in# +Of (hat2 I don*t (ant a fou&
s.ar right a.ross m' head, than!s# I don*t thin! getting 'our head .ut o)en ma!es 'ou that s)e.ia&, m'se&f#-
Crae and 8o'&e (ere sniggering stu)id&'#
+Eat s&ugs, $a&fo',- said Ron angri&'# Crae sto))ed &aughing and started ruing his !nu.!&es in a mena.ing (a'#
+Be .arefu&, Weas&e',- sneered $a&fo'# +You don*t (ant to start an' trou&e or 'our $omm'*&& ha"e to .ome and ta!e 'ou
a(a' from s.hoo&#- He )ut on a shri&&, )ier.ing "oi.e# +If 'ou )ut another toe out of &ine1-
A !not of S&'therin fifth:'ears near' &aughed &oud&' at this#
+Weas&e' (ou&d &i!e a signed )hoto, Potter,- smir!ed $a&fo'# +It*d e (orth more than his fami&'*s (ho&e house1-
24
Ron (hi))ed out his S)e&&ota)ed (and, ut Hermione shut %o'ages (ith %am)ires (ith a sna) and (his)ered, +7oo! out,-
+What*s a&& this, (hat*s a&& this2- 8i&dero' 7o.!hart (as striding to(ard them, his tur6uoise roes s(ir&ing ehind him#
+Who*s gi"ing out signed )hotos2-
Harr' started to s)ea! ut he (as .ut short as 7o.!hart f&ung an arm around his shou&ders and thundered 0o"ia&&', +Shou&dn*t
ha"e as!ed, We meet again, Harr',-
Pinned to 7o.!hart*s side and urning (ith humi&iation, Harr' sa( $a&fo' s&ide smir!ing a.! into the .ro(d#
+Come on then, $r# Cree"e',- said 7o.!hart, eaming at Co&in# +A dou&e )ortrait, .an*t do etter than that, and (e*&& oth
sign it for 'ou#-
Co&in fum&ed for his .amera and too! the )i.ture as the e&& rang ehind them, signa&ing the start of afternoon .&asses#
+Off 'ou go, mo"e a&ong there,- 7o.!hart .a&&ed to the .ro(d, and he set off a.! to the .ast&e (ith Harr', (ho (as (ishing
he !ne( a good %anishing S)e&&, sti&& .&as)ed to his side#
+A (ord to the (ise, Harr',- said 7o.!hart )aterna&&' as the' entered the ui&ding through a side door# +I .o"ered u) for 'ou
a.! there (ith 'oung Cree"e'1if he (as )hotogra)hing me, too, 'our s.hoo&mates (on*t thin! 'ou*re setting 'ourse&f u) so
mu.h###-
Deaf to Harr'*s stammers, 7o.!hart s(e)t him do(n a .orridor &ined (ith staring students and u) a stair.ase#
+7et me 0ust sa' that handing out signed )i.tures at this stage of 'our .areer isn*t sensi&e1&oo!s a tad igheaded, Harr', to
e fran!# There ma' (e&& .ome a time (hen, &i!e me, 'ou*&& need to !ee) a sta.! hand' (here"er 'ou go, ut-1he ga"e a &itt&e
.hort&e1-I don*t thin! 'ou*re 6uite there 'et#-
The' had rea.hed 7o.!hart*s .&assroom and he &et Harr' go at &ast# Harr' 'an!ed his roes straight and headed for a seat at
the "er' a.! of the .&ass, (here he usied himse&f (ith )i&ing a&& se"en of 7o.!hart*s oo!s in front of him, so that he .ou&d
a"oid &oo!ing at the rea& thing#
The rest of the .&ass .ame .&attering in, and Ron and Hermione sat do(n on either side of Harr'#
+You .ou&d*"e fried an egg on 'our fa.e- said Ron# +You*d etter ho)e Cree"e' doesn*t meet 8inn', or the'*&& e starting a
Harr' Potter fan .&u#-
+Shut u),- sna))ed Harr'# The &ast thing he needed (as for 7o.!hart to hear the )hrase +Harr' Potter fan .&u#-
When the (ho&e .&ass (as seated, 7o.!hart .&eared his throat &oud&' and si&en.e fe&&# He rea.hed for(ard, )i.!ed u) Ne"i&&e
7ongottom*s .o)' of Tra"e&s (ith Tro&&s, and he&d it u) to sho( his o(n, (in!ing )ortrait on the front#
+$e,- he said, )ointing at it and (in!ing as (e&&# +8i&dero' 7o.!hart, Order of $er&in, Third C&ass, Honorar' $emer of
the Dar! 9or.e Defense 7eague, and fi"e:time (inner of Wit.h Wee!&'*s $ostCharming:Smi&e A(ard1ut I don*t ta&! aout
that# I didn*t get rid of the Bandon Banshee ' smi&ing at her,-
He (aited for them to &augh5 a fe( )eo)&e smi&ed (ea!&'#
+I see 'ou*"e a&& ought a .om)&ete set of m' oo!s1(e&& done# I thought (e*d start toda' (ith a &itt&e 6ui;# Nothing to
(orr' aout
0ust to .he.! ho( (e&& 'ou*"e read them, ho( mu.h 'ou*"e ta!en in1-
When he had handed out the test )a)ers he returned to the front of the .&ass and said, +You ha"e thirt' minutes1start1
no(,-
Harr' &oo!ed do(n at his )a)er and read4
B# What is 8i&dero' 7o.!hart *s fa"orite .o&or2 I# What is 8i&dero' 7o.!hart*s se.ret amition2 F# What, in 'our o)inion, is
8i&dero' 7o.!hart*s greatest
a.hie"ement to date2
On and on it (ent, o"er three sides of )a)er, right do(n to4
EL# When is 8i&dero' 7o.!hart*s irthda', and (hat (ou&d his
idea& gift e2
Ha&f an hour &ater, 7o.!hart .o&&e.ted the )a)ers and rif&ed through them in front of the .&ass#
+Tut, tut1hard&' an' of 'ou rememered that m' fa"orite .o&or is &i&a.# I sa' so in Year (ith the Yeti# And a fe( of 'ou need
to read Wanderings (ith Were(o&"es more .arefu&&'1I .&ear&' state in
Cha)ter t(e&"e that m' idea& irthda' gift (ou&d e harmon' et(een a&& magi. and non:magi. )eo)&es1though I (ou&dn*t
sa' no to a &arge ott&e of Ogden*s O&d 9ire(his!',-
He ga"e them another roguish (in!# Ron (as no( staring at 7o.!hart (ith an e/)ression of dise&ief on his fa.e5 Seamus
9innigan and Dean Thomas, (ho (ere sitting in front, (ere sha!ing (ith si&ent &aughter# Hermione, on the other hand, (as
&istening to 7o.!hart (ith ra)t attention and ga"e a start (hen he mentioned her name#
+###ut $iss Hermione 8ranger !ne( m' se.ret amition is to rid the (or&d of e"i& and mar!et m' o(n range of hair:.are
)otions1good gir&, In fa.t-1he f&i))ed her )a)er o"er1-fu&& mar!s, Where is $iss Hermione 8ranger2-
Hermione raised a trem&ing hand#
+E/.e&&ent,- eamed 7o.!hart# +>uite e/.e&&ent, Ta!e ten )oints for 8r'ffindor, And so1to usiness1-
He ent do(n ehind his des! and &ifted a &arge, .o"ered .age onto it#
+No(1e (arned, It is m' 0o to arm 'ou against the fou&est .reatures !no(n to (i;ard!ind, You ma' find 'ourse&"es
fa.ing 'our (orst fears in this room# Ano( on&' that no harm .an efa&& 'ou (hi&st I am here# A&& I as! is that 'ou remain
.a&m#-
In s)ite of himse&f, Harr' &eaned around his )i&e of oo!s for a etter &oo! at the .age# 7o.!hart )&a.ed a hand on the .o"er#
Dean and Seamus had sto))ed &aughing no(# Ne"i&&e (as .o(ering in his front ro( seat#
+I must as! 'ou not to s.ream,- said 7o.!hart in a &o( "oi.e# +It might )ro"o!e them#-
As the (ho&e .&ass he&d its reath, 7o.!hart (hi))ed off the .o"er#
+Yes,- he said dramati.a&&'# +9resh&' .aught Cornish )i/ies# +
25
Seamus 9innigan .ou&dn*t .ontro& himse&f# He &et out a snort of &aughter that e"en 7o.!hart .ou&dn*t mista!e for a s.ream of
terror#
+Yes2- He smi&ed at Seamus#
+We&&, the'*re not1the'*re not "er'1dangerous, are the'2- Seamus .ho!ed#
+Don*t e so sure,- said 7o.!hart, (agg&ing a finger anno'ing&' at Seamus# +De"i&ish tri.!' &itt&e &ighters the' .an e,-
The )i/ies (ere e&e.tri. &ue and aout eight in.hes high, (ith )ointed fa.es and "oi.es so shri&& it (as &i!e &istening to a &ot
of udgies arguing# The moment the .o"er had een remo"ed, the' had started 0aering and ro.!eting around, ratt&ing the ars
and ma!ing i;arre fa.es at the )eo)&e nearest them#
+Right, then,- 7o.!hart said &oud&'# +7et*s see (hat 'ou ma!e of them,- And he o)ened the .age#
It (as )andemonium# The )i/ies shot in e"er' dire.tion &i!e ro.!ets# T(o of them sei;ed Ne"i&&e ' the ears and &ifted him
into the air# Se"era& shot straight through the (indo(, sho(ering the a.! ro( (ith ro!en g&ass# The rest )ro.eeded to (re.!
the .&assroom more effe.ti"e&' than a ram)aging rhino# The' graed in! ott&es and s)ra'ed the .&ass (ith them, shredded
oo!s and )a)ers, tore )i.tures from the (a&&s, u):ended the (aste as!et, graed ags and oo!s and thre( them out of the
smashed (indo(5 (ithin minutes, ha&f the .&ass (as she&tering under des!s and Ne"i&&e (as s(inging from the iron .hande&ier
in the .ei&ing#
+Come on no(1round them u), round them u), the'*re on&' )i/ies,- 7o.!hart shouted#
He ro&&ed u) his s&ee"es, randished his (and, and e&&o(ed,
+Pes!i)i!si Pesternomi,-
It had aso&ute&' no effe.t5 one of the )i/ies sei;ed his (and and thre( it out of the (indo(, too# 7o.!hart gu&)ed and di"ed
under his o(n des!, narro(&' a"oiding eing s6uashed ' Ne"i&&e, (ho fe&& a se.ond &ater as the .hande&ier ga"e (a'#
The e&& rang and there (as a mad rush to(ard the e/it# In the re&ati"e .a&m that fo&&o(ed, 7o.!hart straightened u), .aught
sight of Harr', Ron, and Hermione, (ho (ere a&most at the door, and said, +We&&, I*&& as! 'ou three to 0ust ni) the rest of them
a.! into their .age#- He s(e)t )ast them and shut the door 6ui.!&' ehind him#
+Can 'ou e&ie"e him2- roared Ron as one of the remaining )i/ies it him )ainfu&&' on the ear#
+He 0ust (ants to gi"e us some hands:on e/)erien.e,- said Hermione, immoi&i;ing t(o )i/ies at on.e (ith a .&e"er
9ree;ing Charm and stuffing them a.! into their .age#
+Hands on2 +said Harr', (ho (as tr'ing to gra a )i/ie dan.ing out of rea.h (ith its tongue out# +Hermione, he didn*t ha"e a
.&ue (hat he (as doing1-
+Ruish,- said Hermione# +You*"e read his oo!s1&oo! at a&& those ama;ing things he*s done1-
+He sa's he*s done,- Ron muttered#
CHAPTER SE%EN
$3DB7OODS AND $3R$3RS
Harr' s)ent a &ot of time o"er the ne/t fe( da's dodging out of sight (hene"er he sa( 8i&dero' 7o.!hart .oming do(n a
.orridor# Harder to a"oid (as Co&in Cree"e', (ho seemed to ha"e memori;ed Harr'*s s.hedu&e# Nothing seemed to gi"e Co&in
a igger thri&& than to sa', +A&& right, Harr'2- si/ or se"en times a da' and hear, +He&&o, Co&in,- a.!, ho(e"er e/as)erated
Harr' sounded (hen he said it#
Hed(ig (as sti&& angr' (ith Harr' aout the disastrous .ar 0ourne' and Ron*s (and (as sti&& ma&fun.tioning, sur)assing
itse&f on 9rida' morning ' shooting out of Ron*s hand in Charms and hitting tin' o&d Professor 9&it(i.! s6uare&' et(een the
e'es, .reating a &arge, throing green oi& (here it had stru.!# So (ith one thing and another, Harr' (as 6uite g&ad to rea.h
the (ee!end# He, Ron, and Hermione (ere )&anning to "isit Hagrid on Saturda' morning# Harr', ho(e"er, (as sha!en a(a!e
se"era& hours ear&ier than he (ou&d ha"e &i!ed ' O&i"er Wood, Ca)tain of the 8r'ffindor >uiddit.h team#
+Whassamatter2- said Harr' groggi&'#
+>uiddit.h )ra.ti.e,- said Wood# +Come on,-
Harr' s6uinted at the (indo(# There (as a thin mist hanging a.ross the )in!:and:go&d s!'# No( that he (as a(a!e, he
.ou&dn*t understand ho( he .ou&d ha"e s&e)t through the ra.!et the irds (ere ma!ing#
+O&i"er,- Harr' .roa!ed# +It*s the .ra.! of da(n#-
+E/a.t&',- said Wood# He (as a ta&& and ur&' si/th 'ear and, at the moment, his e'es (ere g&eaming (ith a .ra;ed
enthusiasm# +It*s )art of our ne( training )rogram# Come on, gra 'our room, and &et*s go,- said Wood hearti&'# +None of the
other teams ha"e started training 'et5 (e*re going to e first off the mar! this 'ear1-
Ya(ning and shi"ering s&ight&', Harr' .&imed out of ed and tried to find his >uiddit.h roes#
+8ood man,- said Wood# +$eet 'ou on the fie&d in fifteen minutes#
When he*d found his s.ar&et team roes and )u&&ed on his .&oa! for (armth, Harr' s.ri&ed a note to Ron e/)&aining (here
he*d gone and (ent do(n the s)ira& stair.ase to the .ommon room, his Nimus T(o Thousand on his shou&der# He had 0ust
rea.hed the )ortrait ho&e (hen there (as a .&atter ehind him and Co&in Cree"e' .ame dashing do(n the s)ira& stair.ase, his
.amera s(inging mad&' around his ne.! and something .&ut.hed in his hand#
+I heard someone sa'ing 'our name on the stairs, Harr', 7oo! (hat I*"e got here, I*"e had it de"e&o)ed, I (anted to sho(
'ou1-
Harr' &oo!ed emused&' at the )hotogra)h Co&in (as randishing under his nose#
A mo"ing, &a.!:and:(hite 7o.!hart (as tugging hard on an arm Harr' re.ogni;ed as his o(n# He (as )&eased to see that
his )hotogra)hi. se&f (as )utting u) a good fight and refusing to e dragged into "ie(# As Harr' (at.hed, 7o.!hart ga"e u)
and s&um)ed, )anting, against the (hite edge of the )i.ture#
+Wi&& 'ou sign it2- said Co&in eager&'#
26
+No,- said Harr' f&at&', g&an.ing around to .he.! that the room (as rea&&' deserted# +Sorr', Co&in, I*m in a hurr'1>uiddit.h
)ra.ti.e1-
He .&imed through the )ortrait ho&e#
+Oh, (o(, Wait for me, I*"e ne"er (at.hed a >uiddit.h game efore,-
Co&in s.ram&ed through the ho&e after him#
+It*&& e rea&&' oring,- Harr' said 6ui.!&', ut Co&in ignored him, his fa.e shining (ith e/.itement#
+You (ere the 'oungest House )&a'er in a hundred 'ears, (eren*t 'ou, Harr'2 Weren*t 'ou2- said Co&in, trotting a&ongside
him# +You must e ri&&iant# I*"e ne"er f&o(n# Is it eas'2 Is that 'our o(n room2 Is that the est one there is2-
Harr' didn*t !no( ho( to get rid of him# It (as &i!e ha"ing an e/treme&' ta&!ati"e shado(#
+I don*t rea&&' understand >uiddit.h,- said Co&in reath&ess&'# +Is it true there are four a&&s2 And t(o of them f&' around
tr'ing to !no.! )eo)&e off their rooms2-
+Yes,- said Harr' hea"i&', resigned to e/)&aining the .om)&i.ated ru&es of >uiddit.h# +The'*re .a&&ed B&udgers# There are
t(o Beaters on ea.h team (ho .arr' .&us to eat the B&udgers a(a' from their side# 9red and 8eorge Weas&e' are the
8r'ffindor Beaters#-
+And (hat are the other a&&s for2- Co&in as!ed, tri))ing do(n a .ou)&e of ste)s e.ause he (as ga;ing o)en:mouthed at
Harr'#
+We&&, the >uaff&e1that*s the iggish red one1is the one that s.ores goa&s# Three Chasers on ea.h team thro( the >uaff&e to
ea.h other and tr' and get it through the goa& )osts at the end of the )it.h1the'*re three &ong )o&es (ith hoo)s on the end#-
+And the fourth a&&1-
+is the 8o&den Snit.h,- said Harr', +and it*s "er' sma&&, "er' fast, and diffi.u&t to .at.h# But that*s (hat the See!er*s got to
do, e.ause a game of >uiddit.h doesn*t end unti& the Snit.h has een .aught# And (hi.he"er team*s See!er gets the Snit.h
earns his team an e/tra hundred and fift' )oints#-
+And 'ou*re the 8r'ffindor See!er, aren*t 'ou2- said Co&in in a(e#
+Yes,- said Harr' as the' &eft the .ast&e and started a.ross the de(dren.hed grass# +And there*s the Aee)er, too# He guards
the goa& )osts# That*s it, rea&&'#-
But Co&in didn*t sto) 6uestioning Harr' a&& the (a' do(n the s&o)ing &a(ns to the >uiddit.h fie&d, and Harr' on&' shoo! him
off (hen he rea.hed the .hanging rooms5 Co&in .a&&ed after him in a )i)ing "oi.e, +I*&& go and get a good seat, Harr',- and
hurried off to the stands#
The rest of the 8r'ffindor team (ere a&read' in the .hanging room# Wood (as the on&' )erson (ho &oo!ed tru&' a(a!e# 9red
and 8eorge Weas&e' (ere sitting, )uff':e'ed and tous&e:haired, ne/t to fourth 'ear A&i.ia S)innet, (ho seemed to e nodding
off against the (a&& ehind her# Her fe&&o( Chasers, Aatie Be&& and Ange&ina @ohnson, (ere 'a(ning side ' side o))osite
them#
+There 'ou are, Harr', (hat !e)t 'ou2- said Wood ris!&'# +No(, I (anted a 6ui.! ta&! (ith 'ou a&& efore (e a.tua&&' get
onto the fie&d, e.ause I s)ent the summer de"ising a (ho&e ne( training )rogram, (hi.h I rea&&' thin! (i&& ma!e a&& the
differen.e###-
Wood (as ho&ding u) a &arge diagram of a >uiddit.h fie&d, on (hi.h (ere dra(n man' &ines, arro(s, and .rosses in
different:.o&oured in!s# He too! out his (and, ta))ed the oard, and the arro(s egan to (igg&e o"er the diagram &i!e
.ater)i&&ars# As Wood &aun.hed into a s)ee.h aout his ne( ta.ti.s, 9red Weas&e'*s head droo)ed right onto A&i.ia S)innet*s
shou&der and he egan to snore#
The first oard too! near&' t(ent' minutes to e/)&ain, ut there (as another oard under that, and a third under that one#
Harr' san! into a stu)or as Wood droned on and on#
+So,- said Wood, at &ong &ast, 0er!ing Harr' from a (istfu& fantas' aout (hat he .ou&d e eating for rea!fast at this "er'
moment u) at the .ast&e# +Is that .&ear2 An' 6uestions2-
+I*"e got a 6uestion, O&i"er,- said 8eorge, (ho had (o!en (ith a start# +Wh' .ou&dn*t 'ou ha"e to&d us a&& this 'esterda'
(hen (e (ere a(a!e2-
Wood (asn*t )&eased#
+No(, &isten here, 'ou &ot,- he said, g&o(ering at them a&&# +We shou&d ha"e (on the >uiddit.h .u) &ast 'ear# We*re easi&' the
est team# But unfortunate&' :o(ing to .ir.umstan.es e'ond our .ontro&1-
Harr' shifted gui&ti&' in his seat# He had een un.ons.ious in the hos)ita& (ing for the fina& mat.h of the )re"ious 'ear,
meaning that 8r'ffindor had een a )&a'er short and had suffered their (orst defeat in three hundred 'ears#
Wood too! a moment to regain .ontro& of himse&f# Their &ast defeat (as .&ear&' sti&& torturing him#
+So this 'ear, (e train harder than e"er efore### O!a', &et*s go and )ut our ne( theories into )ra.ti.e,- Wood shouted,
sei;ing his roomsti.! and &eading the (a' out of the &o.!er rooms# Stiff:&egged and sti&& 'a(ning, his team fo&&o(ed#
The' had een in the &o.!er room so &ong that the sun (as u) .om)&ete&' no(, a&though remnants of mist hung o"er the
grass in the stadium# As Harr' (a&!ed onto the fie&d, he sa( Ron and Hermione sitting in the stands#
+Aren*t 'ou finished 'et2- .a&&ed Ron in.redu&ous&'#
+Ha"en*t e"en started,- said Harr', &oo!ing 0ea&ous&' at the toast and marma&ade Ron and Hermione had rought out of the
8reat Ha&&# +Wood*s een tea.hing us ne( mo"es#-
He mounted his roomsti.! and !i.!ed at the ground, soaring u) into the air# The .oo& morning air (hi))ed his fa.e, (a!ing
him far more effe.ti"e&' than Wood*s &ong ta&!# It fe&t (onderfu& to e a.! on the >uiddit.h fie&d# He soared right around the
stadium at fu&& s)eed, ra.ing 9red and 8eorge#
+What*s that funn' .&i.!ing noise2- .a&&ed 9red as the' hurt&ed around the .orner#
Harr' &oo!ed into the stands# Co&in (as sitting in one of the highest seats, his .amera raised, ta!ing )i.ture after )i.ture, the
sound strange&' magnified in the deserted stadium#
+7oo! this (a', Harr', This (a',- he .ried shri&&'#
+Who*s that2- said 9red#
27
+No idea,- Harr' &ied, )utting on a s)urt of s)eed that too! him as far a(a' as )ossi&e from Co&in#
+What*s going on2- said Wood, fro(ning, as he s!immed through the air to(ard them# +Wh'*s that first 'ear ta!ing )i.tures2
I don*t &i!e it# He .ou&d e a S&'therin s)', tr'ing to find out aout our ne( training )rogram#-
+He*s in 8r'ffindor,- said Harr' 6ui.!&'#
+And the S&'therins don*t need a s)', O&i"er,- said 8eorge#
+What ma!es 'ou sa' that2- said Wood testi&'#
+Be.ause the'*re here in )erson,- said 8eorge, )ointing#
Se"era& )eo)&e in green roes (ere (a&!ing onto the fie&d, roomsti.!s in their hands#
+I don*t e&ie"e it,- Wood hissed in outrage# +I oo!ed the fie&d for toda', We*&& see aout this,-
Wood shot to(ard the ground, &anding rather harder than he meant to in his anger, staggering s&ight&' as he dismounted#
Harr', 9red, and 8eorge fo&&o(ed#
+9&int,- Wood e&&o(ed at the S&'therin Ca)tain# +This is our )ra.ti.e time, We got u) s)e.ia&&', You .an .&ear off no(,-
$ar.us 9&int (as e"en &arger than Wood# He had a &oo! of tro&&ish .unning on his fa.e as he re)&ied, +P&ent' of room for a&&
of us, Wood#-
Ange&ina, A&i.ia, and Aatie had .ome o"er, too# There (ere no gir&s on the S&'therin team, (ho stood shou&der to shou&der,
fa.ing the 8r'ffindors, &eering to a man#
+But I oo!ed the fie&d,- said Wood, )ositi"e&' s)itting (ith rage# +I oo!ed it,-
+Ah,- said 9&int# +But I*"e got a s)e.ia&&' signed note here from Professor Sna)e# HI, Professor S# Sna)e, gi"e the S&'therin
team )ermission to )ra.ti.e toda' on the >uiddit.h fie&d o(ing to the need to train their ne( See!er# ?*
+You*"e got a ne( See!er2- said Wood, distra.ted# +Where2-
And from ehind the si/ &arge figures efore them .ame a se"enth, sma&&er o', smir!ing a&& o"er his )a&e, )ointed fa.e# It
(as Dra.o $a&fo'#
+Aren*t 'ou 7u.ius $a&fo'*s son2- said 9red, &oo!ing at $a&fo' (ith dis&i!e#
+9unn' 'ou shou&d mention Dra.o*s father,- said 9&int as the (ho&e S&'therin team smi&ed sti&& more road&'# +7et me sho(
'ou the generous gift he*s made to the S&'therin team#-
A&& se"en of them he&d out their roomsti.!s# Se"en high&' )o&ished, rand:ne( hand&es and se"en sets of fine go&d &ettering
s)e&&ing the (ords Nimus T(o Thousand and One g&eamed under the 8r'ffindors* noses in the ear&' morning sun#
+%er' &atest mode&# On&' .ame out &ast month,- said 9&int .are&ess&', f&i.!ing a s)e.! of dust from the end of his o(n# +I
e&ie"e it outstri)s the o&d T(o Thousand series ' a .onsidera&e amount# As for the o&d C&eans(ee)s-1he smi&ed nasti&' at
9red and 8eorge, (ho (ere oth .&ut.hing C&eans(ee) 9i"es1-s(ee)s the oard (ith them#-
None of the 8r'ffindor team .ou&d thin! of an'thing to sa' for a moment# $a&fo' (as smir!ing so road&' his .o&d e'es
(ere redu.ed to s&its#
+Oh, &oo!,- said 9&int# +A fie&d in"asion#-
Ron and Hermione (ere .rossing the grass to see (hat (as going on#
+What*s ha))ening2- Ron as!ed Harr'# +Wh' aren*t 'ou )&a'ing2 And (hat*s he doing here2-
He (as &oo!ing at $a&fo', ta!ing in his S&'therin >uiddit.h roes#
+I*m the ne( S&'therin See!er, Weas&e',- said $a&fo', smug&'# +E"er'one*s 0ust een admiring the rooms m' father*s
ought our team#
Ron ga)ed, o)en:mouthed, at the se"en su)er roomsti.!s in front of him#
+8ood, aren*t the'2- said $a&fo' smooth&'# +But )erha)s the 8r'ffindor team (i&& e a&e to raise some go&d and get ne(
rooms, too# You .ou&d raff&e off those C&eans(ee) 9i"es5 I e/)e.t a museum (ou&d id for them#-
The S&'therin team ho(&ed (ith &aughter#
+At &east no one on the 8r'ffindor team had to u' their (a' in,- said Hermione shar)&'# +The' got in on )ure ta&ent#-
The smug &oo! on $a&fo'*s fa.e f&i.!ered#
+No one as!ed 'our o)inion, 'ou fi&th' &itt&e $ud&ood,- he s)at#
Harr' !ne( at on.e that $a&fo' had said something rea&&' ad e.ause there (as an instant u)roar at his (ords# 9&int had to
di"e in front of $a&fo' to sto) 9red and 8eorge 0um)ing on him, A&i.ia shrie!ed, +Ho( dare 'ou,-5 and Ron )&unged his hand
into his roes, )u&&ed out his (and, 'e&&ing, +You*&& )a' for that one, $a&fo',- and )ointed it furious&' under 9&int*s arm at
$a&fo's fa.e#
A &oud ang e.hoed around the stadium and a 0et of green &ight shot out of the (rong end of Ron*s (and, hitting him in the
stoma.h and sending him ree&ing a.!(ard onto the grass#
+Ron, Ron, Are 'ou a&& right2- s6uea&ed Hermione#
Ron o)ened his mouth to s)ea!, ut no (ords .ame out# Instead he ga"e an a&might' e&.h and se"era& s&ugs dri&ed out of
his mouth onto his &a)#
The S&'therin team (ere )ara&';ed (ith &aughter# 9&int (as dou&ed u), hanging onto his ne( roomsti.! for su))ort#
$a&fo' (as on a&& fours, anging the ground (ith his fist# The 8r'ffindors (ere gathered around Ron, (ho !e)t e&.hing &arge,
g&istening s&ugs# Nood' seemed to (ant to tou.h him#
+We*d etter get him to Hagrid*s, it*s nearest,- said Harr' to Hermione, (ho nodded ra"e&', and the )air of them )u&&ed Ron
u) ' the arms#
+What ha))ened, Harr'2 What ha))ened2 Is he i&&2 But 'ou .an .ure him, .an*t 'ou2- Co&in had run do(n from his seat and
(as no( dan.ing a&ongside them as the' &eft the fie&d# Ron ga"e a huge hea"e and more s&ugs dri&ed do(n his front#
+Oooh,- said Co&in, fas.inated and raising his .amera# +Can 'ou ho&d him sti&&, Harr'2-
+8et out of the (a', Co&in,- said Harr' angri&'# He and Hermione su))orted Ron out of the stadium and a.ross the grounds
to(ard the edge of the forest#
+Near&' there, Ron,- said Hermione as the game!ee)er*s .ain .ame into "ie(# +You*&& e a&& right in a minute1a&most there
1-
28
The' (ere (ithin t(ent' feet of Hagrid*s house (hen the front door o)ened, ut it (asn*t Hagrid (ho emerged# 8i&dero'
7o.!hart, (earing roes of )a&est mau"e toda', .ame striding out#
+>ui.!, ehind here,- Harr' hissed, dragging Ron ehind a near' ush# Hermione fo&&o(ed, some(hat re&u.tant&'#
+It*s a sim)&e matter if 'ou !no( (hat 'ou*re doing,- 7o.!hart (as sa'ing &oud&' to Hagrid# +If 'ou need he&), 'ou !no(
(here I am, I*&& &et 'ou ha"e a .o)' of m' oo!# I*m sur)rised 'ou ha"en*t a&read' got one1I*&& sign one tonight and send it
o"er# We&&, good:'e,- And he strode a(a' to(ard the .ast&e#
Harr' (aited unti& 7o.!hart (as out of sight, then )u&&ed Ron out of the ush and u) to Hagrid*s front door# The' !no.!ed
urgent&'#
Hagrid a))eared at on.e, &oo!ing "er' grum)', ut his e/)ression rightened (hen he sa( (ho it (as#
+Bin (onderin* (hen 'ou*d .ome ter see me1.ome in, .ome in1thought 'ou mighta in Professor 7o.!hart a.! again1-
Harr' and Hermione su))orted Ron o"er the thresho&d into the oneroomed .ain, (hi.h had an enormous ed in one .orner,
a fire .ra.!&ing merri&' in the other# Hagrid didn*t seem )ertured ' Ron*s s&ug )ro&em, (hi.h Harr' hasti&' e/)&ained as he
&o(ered Ron into a .hair#
+Better out than in,- he said .heerfu&&', )&un!ing a &arge .o))er asin in front of him# +8et *em a&& u), Ron#-
+I don*t thin! there*s an'thing to do e/.e)t (ait for it to sto),- said Hermione an/ious&', (at.hing Ron end o"er the asin#
+That*s a diffi.u&t .urse to (or! at the est of times, ut (ith a ro!en (and1-
Hagrid (as ust&ing around ma!ing them tea# His oarhound, 9ang, (as s&oering o"er Harr'#
+What did 7o.!hart (ant (ith 'ou, Hagrid2- Harr' as!ed, s.rat.hing 9ang*s ears#
+8i"in* me ad"i.e on gettin* !e&)ies out of a (e&&,- gro(&ed Hagrid, mo"ing a ha&f:)&u.!ed rooster off his s.rued ta&e and
setting do(n the tea)ot# +7i!e I don* !no(# An* angin* on aout some anshee he anished# If one (ord of it (as true, I*&& eat
m' !ett&e#-
It (as most un&i!e Hagrid to .riti.i;e a Hog(arts* tea.her, and Harr' &oo!ed at him in sur)rise# Hermione, ho(e"er, said in a
"oi.e some(hat higher than usua&, +I thin! 'ou*re eing a it unfair# Professor Dum&edore o"ious&' thought he (as the est
man for the 0o1-
+He (as the on*' man for the 0o,- said Hagrid, offering them a )&ate of trea.&e fudge, (hi&e Ron .oughed s6ue&.hi&' into his
asin# +An* I mean the on* one# 8ettin* "er' diffi.u&t ter find an'one fer the Dar! Arts 0o# Peo)&e aren*t too !een ter ta!e it on,
see# The'*re startin* ter thin! it*s 0in/ed# No one*s &asted &ong fer a (hi&e no(# So te&& me,- said Hagrid, 0er!ing his head at Ron#
+Who (as he tr'in* ter .urse2-
+$a&fo' .a&&ed Hermione something1it must*"e een rea&&' ad, e.ause e"er'one (ent (i&d#-
+It (as ad,- said Ron hoarse&', emerging o"er the ta&eto) &oo!ing )a&e and s(eat'# +$a&fo' .a&&ed her H$ud&ood,* Hagrid
1-
Ron di"ed out of sight again as a fresh (a"e of s&ugs made their a))earan.e# Hagrid &oo!ed outraged#
+He didn*,- he gro(&ed at Hermione#
+He did,- she said# +But I don*t !no( (hat it means# I .ou&d te&& it (as rea&&' rude, of .ourse1-
+It*s aout the most insu&ting thing he .ou&d thin! of,- gas)ed Ron, .oming a.! u)# +$ud&ood*s a rea&&' fou& name for
someone (ho is $ugg&e:orn1'ou !no(, non:magi. )arents# There are some (i;ards1&i!e $a&fo'*s fami&'1(ho thin!
the'*re etter than e"er'one e&se e.ause the'*re (hat )eo)&e .a&& )ure:&ood#- He ga"e a sma&& ur), and a sing&e s&ug fe&& into
his outstret.hed hand# He thre( it into the asin and .ontinued, +I mean, the rest of us !no( it doesn*t ma!e an' differen.e at
a&&# 7oo! at Ne"i&&e 7ongottom1he*s )ure:&ood and he .an hard&' stand a .au&dron the right (a' u)#-
+An* the' ha"en*t in"ented a s)e&& our Hermione .an* do,- said Hagrid )roud&', ma!ing Hermione go a ri&&iant shade of
magenta#
+It*s a disgusting thing to .a&& someone,- said Ron, (i)ing his s(eat' ro( (ith a sha!ing hand# +Dirt' &ood, see# Common
&ood# It*s ridi.u&ous# $ost (i;ards these da's are ha&f:&ood an'(a'# If (e hadn*t married $ugg&es (e*d*"e died out#-
He ret.hed and du.!ed out of sight again#
+We&&, I don* &ame 'eh fer tr'in* ter .urse him, Ron,- said Hagrid &oud&' o"er the thuds of more s&ugs hitting the asin# +Bu*
ma'e it (as a good thing 'er (and a.!fired# *S)e.t 7u.ius $a&fo' (ou&d*"e .ome mar.hin* u) ter s.hoo& if 'eh*d .ursed his
son# 7east 'er not in trou&e#-
Harr' (ou&d ha"e )ointed out that trou&e didn*t .ome mu.h (orse than ha"ing s&ugs )ouring out of 'our mouth, ut he
.ou&dn*t5 Hagrid*s trea.&e fudge had .emented his 0a(s together#
+Harr',- said Hagrid aru)t&' as though stru.! ' a sudden thought# +8otta one ter )i.! (ith 'eh# I*"e heard 'ou*"e in
gi"in* out signed )hotos# Ho( .ome I ha"en*t got one2-
9urious, Harr' (ren.hed his teeth a)art#
+I ha"e not een gi"ing out signed )hotos,- he said hot&'# +If 7o.!hart*s sti&& s)reading that around1-
But then he sa( that Hagrid (as &aughing#
+I*m on*' 0o!in*,- he said, )atting Harr' genia&&' on the a.! and sending him fa.e first into the ta&e# +I !ne( 'eh hadn*t
rea&&'# I to&d 7o.!hart 'eh didn* need teh# Yer more famous than him (ithout tr'in*#-
+Bet he didn*t &i!e that,- said Harr', sitting u) and ruing his .hin#
+Don* thin! he did,- said Hagrid, his e'es t(in!&ing# +An* then I to&d him Id ne"er read one o* his oo!s an* he de.ided ter
go# Trea.&e fudge, Ron2- he added as Ron rea))eared#
+No than!s,- said Ron (ea!&'# +Better not ris! it#-
+Come an* see (hat I*"e in gro(in*,- said Hagrid as Harr' and Hermione finished the &ast of their tea#
In the sma&& "egeta&e )at.h ehind Hagrid*s house (ere a do;en of the &argest )um)!ins Harr' had e"er seen# Ea.h (as the
si;e of a &arge ou&der#
+8ettin* on (e&&, aren*t the'2- said Hagrid ha))i&'# +9er the Ha&&o(een feast### shou&d e ig enough ' then#-
+What*"e 'ou een feeding them2- said Harr'#
Hagrid &oo!ed o"er his shou&der to .he.! that the' (ere a&one#
29
+We&&, I*"e in gi"in* them1'ou !no(1a it o* he&)1-
Harr' noti.ed Hagrid*s f&o(er' )in! umre&&a &eaning against the a.! (a&& of the .ain# Harr' had had reason to e&ie"e
efore no( that this umre&&a (as not a&& it &oo!ed5 in fa.t, he had the strong im)ression that Hagrid*s o&d s.hoo& (and (as
.on.ea&ed inside it# Hagrid (asn*t su))osed to use magi.# He had een e/)e&&ed from Hog(arts in his third 'ear, ut Harr' had
ne"er found out (h' :an' mention of the matter and Hagrid (ou&d .&ear his throat &oud&' and e.ome m'sterious&' deaf unti&
the su0e.t (as .hanged#
+An Engorgement Charm, I su))ose2- said Hermione, ha&f(a' et(een disa))ro"a& and amusement# +We&&, 'ou*"e done a
good 0o on them#-
+That*s (hat 'er &itt&e sister said,- said Hagrid, nodding at Ron# +$et her 0us* 'esterda'#- Hagrid &oo!ed side(a's at Harr',
his eard t(it.hing# +Said she (as 0us* &oo!in* round the grounds, ut I re.!on she (as ho)in* she might run inter someone e&se
at m' house#- He (in!ed at Harr'# +If 'eh as! me, she (ou&dn* sa' no ter a signed1-
+Oh, shut u),- said Harr'# Ron snorted (ith &aughter and the ground (as s)ra'ed (ith s&ugs#
+Wat.h it,- Hagrid roared, )u&&ing Ron a(a' from his )re.ious )um)!ins#
It (as near&' &un.htime and as Harr' had on&' had one it of trea.&e fudge sin.e da(n, he (as !een to go a.! to s.hoo& to
eat# The' said good:'e to Hagrid and (a&!ed a.! u) to the .ast&e, Ron hi..oughing o..asiona&&', ut on&' ringing u) t(o
"er' sma&& s&ugs#
The' had are&' set foot in the .oo& entran.e ha&& (hen a "oi.e rang out, +There 'ou are, Potter1Weas&e'#- Professor
$.8onaga&& (as (a&!ing to(ard them, &oo!ing stern# +You (i&& oth do 'our detentions this e"ening#-
+What*re (e doing, Professor2- said Ron, ner"ous&' su))ressing a ur)#
+You (i&& e )o&ishing the si&"er in the tro)h' room (ith $r# 9i&.h,- said Professor $.8onaga&&# +And no magi., Weas&e'1
e&o( grease#-
Ron gu&)ed# Argus 9i&.h, the .areta!er, (as &oathed ' e"er' student in the s.hoo&#
+And 'ou, Potter, (i&& e he&)ing Professor 7o.!hart ans(er his fan mai&,- said Professor $.8onaga&&#
+Oh no1Professor, .an*t I go and do the tro)h' room, too2- said Harr' des)erate&'#
+Certain&' not,- said Professor $.8onaga&&, raising her e'ero(s# +Professor 7o.!hart re6uested 'ou )arti.u&ar&'# Eight
o*.&o.! shar), oth of 'ou#-
Harr' and Ron s&ou.hed into the 8reat Ha&& in states of dee)est g&oom, Hermione ehind them, (earing a (e&&:'ou:did:
rea!:s.hoo&ru&es sort of e/)ression# Harr' didn*t en0o' his she)herd*s )ie as mu.h as he*d thought# Both he and Ron fe&t the'*d
got the (orse dea&#
+9i&.h*&& ha"e me there a&& night,- said Ron hea"i&'# +No magi., There must e aout a hundred .u)s in that room# I*m no
good at $ugg&e .&eaning#-
+I*d s(a) an'time,- said Harr' ho&&o(&'# +I*"e had &oads of )ra.ti.e (ith the Durs&e's# Ans(ering 7o.!hart*s fan mai&### he*&&
e a nightmare###-
Saturda' afternoon seemed to me&t a(a', and in (hat seemed &i!e no time, it (as fi"e minutes to eight, and Harr' (as
dragging his feet a&ong the se.ond:f&oor .orridor to 7o.!hart*s offi.e# He gritted his teeth and !no.!ed#
The door f&e( o)en at on.e# 7o.!hart eamed do(n at him#
+Ah, here*s the s.a&&'(ag,- he said# +Come in, Harr', .ome in#-
Shining right&' on the (a&&s ' the &ight of man' .and&es (ere .ount&ess framed )hotogra)hs of 7o.!hart# He had e"en
signed a fe( of them# Another &arge )i&e &a' on his des!#
+You .an address the en"e&o)es,- 7o.!hart to&d Harr', as though this (as a huge treat# +This first one*s to 8&ad's 8udgeon,
&ess her1huge fan of mine1-
The minutes snai&ed '# Harr' &et 7o.!hart*s "oi.e (ash o"er him, o..asiona&&' sa'ing, +$mm- and +Right- and +Yeah#-
No( and then he .aught a )hrase &i!e, +9ame*s a fi.!&e friend, Harr',- or +Ce&erit' is as .e&erit' does, rememer that#-
The .and&es urned &o(er and &o(er, ma!ing the &ight dan.e o"er the man' mo"ing fa.es of 7o.!hart (at.hing him# Harr'
mo"ed his a.hing hand o"er (hat fe&t &i!e the thousandth en"e&o)e, (riting out %eroni.a Smeth&e'*s address# It must e near&'
time to &ea"e, Harr' thought misera&', )&ease &et it e near&' time###
And then he heard something1something 6uite a)art from the s)itting of the d'ing .and&es and 7o.!hart*s )ratt&e aout his
fans#
It (as a "oi.e, a "oi.e to .hi&& the one marro(, a "oi.e of reathta!ing, i.e:.o&d "enom#
+Come### .ome to me### &et me ri) 'ou ## &et me tear 'ou### &et me !i&& 'ou###-
Harr' ga"e a huge 0um) and a &arge &i&a. &ot a))eared on %eroni.a Smeth&e'*s street#
+What2- he said &oud&'#
+I !no(,- said 7o.!hart# +Si/ so&id months at the to) of the estse&&er &ist, Bro!e a&& re.ords,-
+No,- said Harr' franti.a&&'# +That "oi.e,-
+Sorr'2- said 7o.!hart, &oo!ing )u;;&ed# +What "oi.e2-
+That1that "oi.e that said1didn*t 'ou hear it2-
7o.!hart (as &oo!ing at Harr' in high astonishment#
+What are 'ou ta&!ing aout, Harr'2 Perha)s 'ou*re getting a &itt&e dro(s'2 8reat S.ott1&oo! at the time, We*"e een here
near&' four hours, Id ne"er ha"e e&ie"ed it1the time*s f&o(n, hasn*t it2-
Harr' didn*t ans(er# He (as straining his ears to hear the "oi.e again, ut there (as no sound no( e/.e)t for 7o.!hart
te&&ing him he mustn*t e/)e.t a treat &i!e this e"er' time he got detention# 9ee&ing da;ed, Harr' &eft#
It (as so &ate that the 8r'ffindor .ommon room (as a&most em)t'# Harr' (ent straight u) to the dormitor'# Ron (asn*t a.!
'et# Harr' )u&&ed on his )a0amas, got into ed, and (aited# Ha&f an hour &ater, Ron arri"ed, nursing his right arm and ringing a
strong sme&& of )o&ish into the dar!ened room#
30
+$' mus.&es ha"e a&& sei;ed u),- he groaned, sin!ing on his ed# +9ourteen times he made me uff u) that >uiddit.h .u)
efore he (as satisfied# And then I had another s&ug atta.! a&& o"er a S)e.ia& A(ard for Ser"i.es to the S.hoo&# Too! ages to get
the s&ime off### Ho( (as it (ith 7o.!hart2-
Aee)ing his "oi.e &o( so as not to (a!e Ne"i&&e, Dean, and Seamus, Harr' to&d Ron e/a.t&' (hat he had heard#
+And 7o.!hart said he .ou&dn*t hear it2- said Ron# Harr' .ou&d see him fro(ning in the moon&ight# +D*'ou thin! he (as
&'ing2 But I don*t get it1e"en someone in"isi&e (ou&d*"e had to o)en the door#-
+I !no(,- said Harr', &'ing a.! in his four:)oster and staring at the .ano)' ao"e him# +I don*t get it either#-
CHAPTER EI8HT
THE DEATHDAY PARTY
O.toer arri"ed, s)reading a dam) .hi&& o"er the grounds and into the .ast&e# $adam Pomfre', the nurse, (as !e)t us' ' a
sudden s)ate of .o&ds among the staff and students# Her Pe))eru) )otion (or!ed instant&', though it &eft the drin!er smo!ing at
the ears for se"era& hours after(ard# 8inn' Weas&e', (ho had een &oo!ing )a&e, (as u&&ied into ta!ing some ' Per.'# The
steam )ouring from under her "i"id hair ga"e the im)ression that her (ho&e head (as on fire#
Raindro)s the si;e of u&&ets thundered on the .ast&e (indo(s for da's on end5 the &a!e rose, the f&o(er eds turned into
mudd' streams, and Hagrid*s )um)!ins s(e&&ed to the si;e of garden sheds# O&i"er Wood*s enthusiasm for regu&ar training
sessions, ho(e"er, (as not dam)ened, (hi.h (as (h' Harr' (as to e found, &ate one storm' Saturda' afternoon a fe( da's
efore Ha&&o(een, returning to 8r'ffindor To(er, dren.hed to the s!in and s)&attered (ith mud#
E"en aside from the rain and (ind it hadn*t een a ha))' )ra.ti.e session# 9red and 8eorge, (ho had een s)'ing on the
S&'therin team, had seen for themse&"es the s)eed of those ne( Nimus T(o Thousand and Ones# The' re)orted that the
S&'therin team (as no more than se"en greenish &urs, shooting through the air &i!e missi&es#
As Harr' s6ue&.hed a&ong the deserted .orridor he .ame a.ross someod' (ho &oo!ed 0ust as )reo..u)ied as he (as# Near&'
Head&ess Ni.!, the ghost of 8r'ffindor To(er, (as staring morose&' out of a (indo(, muttering under his reath, +###don*t
fu&fi&& their re6uirements### ha&f an in.h, if that###-
+He&&o, Ni.!,- said Harr'#
+He&&o, he&&o,- said Near&' Head&ess Ni.!, starting and &oo!ing round# He (ore a dashing, )&umed hat on his &ong .ur&' hair,
and a tuni. (ith a ruff, (hi.h .on.ea&ed the fa.t that his ne.! (as a&most .om)&ete&' se"ered# He (as )a&e as smo!e, and
Harr' .ou&d see right through him to the dar! s!' and torrentia& rain outside#
+You &oo! trou&ed, 'oung Potter,- said Ni.!, fo&ding a trans)arent &etter as he s)o!e and tu.!ing it inside his dou&et#
+So do 'ou,- said Harr'#
+Ah,- Near&' Head&ess Ni.! (a"ed an e&egant hand, +a matter of no im)ortan.e### It*s not as though I rea&&' (anted to 0oin###
Thought I*d a))&', ut a))arent&' I *don*t fu&fi&& re6uirements*#-
In s)ite of his air' tone, there (as a &oo! of great itterness on his fa.e#
+But 'ou (ou&d thin!, (ou&dn*t 'ou,- he eru)ted sudden&', )u&&ing the &etter a.! out of his )o.!et, +that getting hit fort':
fi"e times in the ne.! (ith a &unt a/e (ou&d 6ua&if' 'ou to 0oin the Head&ess Hunt2-
+Oh1'es,- said Harr', (ho (as o"ious&' su))osed to agree#
+I mean, nood' (ishes more than I do that it had a&& een 6ui.! and .&ean, and m' head had .ome off )ro)er&', I mean, it
(ou&d ha"e sa"ed me a great dea& of )ain and ridi.u&e# Ho(e"er1- Near&' Head&ess Ni.! shoo! his &etter o)en and read
furious&'4 +*We .an on&' a..e)t huntsmen (hose heads ha"e )arted .om)an' (ith their odies# You (i&& a))re.iate that it
(ou&d e im)ossi&e other(ise for memers to )arti.i)ate in hunt a.ti"ities su.h as Horsea.! Head:@ugg&ing and Head Po&o#
It is (ith the greatest regret, therefore, that I must inform 'ou that 'ou do not fu&fi&& our re6uirements# With "er' est (ishes,
Sir Patri.! De&ane':Podmore# *-
9uming, Near&' Head&ess Ni.! stuffed the &etter a(a'#
+Ha&f an in.h of s!in and sine( ho&ding m' ne.! on, Harr', $ost )eo)&e (ou&d thin! that*s good and eheaded, ut oh, no,
it*s not enough for Sir Pro)er&' De.a)itated:Podmore#-
Near&' Head&ess Ni.! too! se"era& dee) reaths and then said, in a far .a&mer tone, +So1(hat*s othering 'ou2 An'thing I
.an do2-
+No,- said Harr'# +Not un&ess 'ou !no( (here (e .an get se"en free Nimus T(o Thousand and Ones for our mat.h against
S&'1-
The rest of Harr'*s senten.e (as dro(ned out ' a high:)it.hed me(&ing from some(here near his an!&es# He &oo!ed do(n
and found himse&f ga;ing into a )air of &am):&i!e 'e&&o( e'es# It (as $rs# Norris, the s!e&eta& gra' .at (ho (as used ' the
.areta!er, Argus 9i&.h, as a sort of de)ut' in his end&ess att&e against students#
+You*d etter get out of here, Harr',- said Ni.! 6ui.!&'# +9i&.h isn*t in a good mood1he*s got the f&u and some third 'ears
a..identa&&' )&astered frog rains a&& o"er the .ei&ing in dungeon fi"e# He*s een .&eaning a&& morning, and if he sees 'ou
dri))ing mud a&& o"er the )&a.e1-
+Right,- said Harr', a.!ing a(a' from the a..using stare of $rs# Norris, ut not 6ui.!&' enough# Dra(n to the s)ot ' the
m'sterious )o(er that seemed to .onne.t him (ith his fou& .at, Argus 9i&.h urst sudden&' through a ta)estr' to Harr'*s right,
(hee;ing and &oo!ing (i&d&' aout for the ru&erea!er# There (as a thi.! tartan s.arf ound around his head, and his nose (as
unusua&&' )ur)&e#
+9i&th,- he shouted, his 0o(&s a6ui"er, his e'es )o))ing a&arming&' as he )ointed at the mudd' )udd&e that had dri))ed from
Harr'*s >uiddit.h roes# +$ess and mu.! e"er'(here, I*"e had enough of it, I te&& 'ou, 9o&&o( me, Potter,-
So Harr' (a"ed a g&oom' good:'e to Near&' Head&ess Ni.! and fo&&o(ed 9i&.h a.! do(nstairs, dou&ing the numer of
mudd' foot)rints on the f&oor#
31
Harr' had ne"er een inside 9i&.h*s offi.e efore5 it (as a )&a.e most students a"oided# The room (as ding' and
(indo(&ess, &it ' a sing&e oi& &am) dang&ing from the &o( .ei&ing# A faint sme&& of fried fish &ingered aout the )&a.e# Wooden
fi&ing .ainets stood around the (a&&s5 from their &ae&s, Harr' .ou&d see that the' .ontained detai&s of e"er' )u)i& 9i&.h had
e"er )unished# 9red and 8eorge Weas&e' had an entire dra(er to themse&"es# A high&' )o&ished .o&&e.tion of .hains and
mana.&es hung on the (a&& ehind 9i&.h*s des!# It (as .ommon !no(&edge that he (as a&(a's egging Dum&edore to &et him
sus)end students ' their an!&es from the .ei&ing#
9i&.h graed a 6ui&& from a )ot on his des! and egan shuff&ing around &oo!ing for )ar.hment#
+Dung,- he muttered furious&', +great si;;&ing dragon ogies### frog rains### rat intestines### I*"e had enough of it### ma!e an
e/am)&e### (here*s the form### 'es###-
He retrie"ed a &arge ro&& of )ar.hment from his des! dra(er and stret.hed it out in front of him, di))ing his &ong &a.! 6ui&&
into the in! )ot# +Name### Harr' Potter# Crime###-
+It (as on&' a it of mud,- said Harr'#
+It*s on&' a it of mud to 'ou, o', ut to me it*s an e/tra hour s.ruing,- shouted 9i&.h, a dri) shi"ering un)&easant&' at the
end of his u&ous nose# +Crime### efou&ing the .ast&e### suggested senten.e###-
Daing at his streaming nose, 9i&.h s6uinted un)&easant&' at Harr' (ho (aited (ith ated reath for his senten.e to fa&&#
But as 9i&.h &o(ered his 6ui&&, there (as a great BAN8, on the .ei&ing of the offi.e, (hi.h made the oi& &am) ratt&e#
+PEE%ES,- 9i&.h roared, f&inging do(n his 6ui&& in a trans)ort of rage# +I*&& ha"e 'ou this time, I*&& ha"e 'ou,-
And (ithout a a.!(ard g&an.e at Harr', 9i&.h ran f&at:footed from the offi.e, $rs# Norris strea!ing a&ongside him#
Pee"es (as the s.hoo& )o&tergeist, a grinning, airorne mena.e (ho &i"ed to .ause ha"o. and distress# Harr' didn*t mu.h &i!e
Pee"es, ut .ou&dn*t he&) fee&ing gratefu& for his timing# Ho)efu&&', (hate"er Pee"es had done <and it sounded as though he*d
(re.!ed something "er' ig this time= (ou&d distra.t 9i&.h from Harr'#
Thin!ing that he shou&d )roa&' (ait for 9i&.h to .ome a.!, Harr' san! into a moth:eaten .hair ne/t to the des!# There
(as on&' one thing on it a)art from his ha&f:.om)&eted form4 a &arge, g&oss', )ur)&e en"e&o)e (ith si&"er &ettering on the front#
With a 6ui.! g&an.e at the door to .he.! that 9i&.h (asn*t on his (a' a.!, Harr' )i.!ed u) the en"e&o)e and read4 !(i!s)e&& A
Corres)onden.e Course in Beginners* $agi.#
Intrigued, Harr' f&i.!ed the en"e&o)e o)en and )u&&ed out the sheaf of )ar.hment inside# $ore .ur&' si&"er (riting on the
front )age said4 9ee& out of ste) in the (or&d of modern magi.2 9ind 'ourse&f ma!ing e/.uses not to )erform sim)&e s)e&&s2
E"er een taunted for 'our (oefu& (and(or!2 There is an ans(er,
A(i!s)e&& is an a&&:ne(, fai&:safe, 6ui.!:resu&t, eas':&earn .ourse# Hundreds of (it.hes and (i;ards ha"e enefited from the
A(i!s)e&& method,
$adam G# Nett&es of To)sham (rites4 +I had no memor' for in.antations and m' )otions (ere a fami&' 0o!e, No(, after a
A(i!s)e&& .ourse, I am the .enter of attention at )arties and friends eg for the re.i)e of m' S.inti&&ation So&ution,-
War&o.! D# @# Prod of Didsur' sa's4 +$' (ife used to sneer at m' fee&e .harms, ut one month into 'our fau&ous
A(i!s)e&& .ourse and I su..eeded in turning her into a 'a!, Than! 'ou, A(i!s)e&&,-
9as.inated, Harr' thumed through the rest of the en"e&o)e*s .ontents# Wh' on earth did 9i&.h (ant a A(i!s)e&& .ourse2 Did
this mean he (asn*t a )ro)er (i;ard2 Harr' (as 0ust reading +7esson One4 Ho&ding Your Wand <Some 3sefu& Ti)s=- (hen
shuff&ing footste)s outside to&d him 9i&.h (as .oming a.!# Stuffing the )ar.hment a.! into the en"e&o)e, Harr' thre( it a.!
onto the des! 0ust as the door o)ened#
9i&.h (as &oo!ing trium)hant#
+That "anishing .ainet (as e/treme&' "a&ua&e,- he (as sa'ing g&eefu&&' to $rs# Norris# +We*&& ha"e Pee"es out this time,
m' s(eet#-
His e'es fe&& on Harr' and then darted to the A(i!s)e&& en"e&o)e, (hi.h, Harr' rea&i;ed too &ate, (as &'ing t(o feet a(a'
from (here it had started#
9i&.h*s )ast' fa.e (ent ri.! red# Harr' ra.ed himse&f for a tida& (a"e of fur'# 9i&.h ho&ed a.ross to his des!, snat.hed u)
the en"e&o)e, and thre( it into a dra(er#
+Ha"e 'ou1did 'ou read :2- he s)uttered#
+No,- Harr' &ied 6ui.!&'#
9i&.h*s !no&' hands (ere t(isting together#
+If I thought 'ou*d read m' )ri"ate1not that it*s mine1for a friend1e that as it ma'1ho(e"er1-
Harr' (as staring at him, a&armed5 9i&.h had ne"er &oo!ed madder# His e'es (ere )o))ing, a ti. (as going in one of his
)ou.h' .hee!s, and the tartan s.arf didn*t he&)#
+%er' (e&&1go1and don*t reathe a (ord1not that1ho(e"er, if 'ou didn*t read1go no(, I ha"e to (rite u) Pee"es*
re)ort1go1-
Ama;ed at his &u.!, Harr' s)ed out of the offi.e, u) the .orridor, and a.! u)stairs# To es.a)e from 9i&.h*s offi.e (ithout
)unishment (as )roa&' some !ind of s.hoo& re.ord#
+Harr', Harr', Did it (or!2-
Near&' Head&ess Ni.! .ame g&iding out of a .&assroom# Behind him, Harr' .ou&d see the (re.!age of a &arge &a.!:and:go&d
.ainet that a))eared to ha"e een dro))ed from a great height#
+I )ersuaded Pee"es to .rash it right o"er 9i&.h*s offi.e,- said Ni.! eager&'# +Thought it might distra.t him1-
+Was that 'ou2- said Harr' gratefu&&'# +Yeah, it (or!ed, I didn*t e"en get detention# Than!s, Ni.!,-
The' set off u) the .orridor together# Near&' Head&ess Ni.!, Harr' noti.ed, (as sti&& ho&ding Sir Patri.!*s re0e.tion &etter##
+I (ish there (as something I .ou&d do for 'ou aout the Head&ess Hunt,- Harr' said#
Near&' Head&ess Ni.! sto))ed in his tra.!s and Harr' (a&!ed right through him# He (ished he hadn*t5 it (as &i!e ste))ing
through an i.' sho(er#
+But there is something 'ou .ou&d do for me,- said Ni.! e/.ited&'# +Harr'1(ou&d I e as!ing too mu.h1ut no, 'ou
(ou&dn*t (ant1-
32
+What is it2- said Harr'#
+We&&, this Ha&&o(een (i&& e m' fi"e hundredth deathda',- said Near&' Head&ess Ni.!, dra(ing himse&f u) and &oo!ing
dignified#
+Oh,- said Harr', not sure (hether he shou&d &oo! sorr' or ha))' aout this# +Right#-
+I*m ho&ding a )art' do(n in one of the roomier dungeons# 9riends (i&& e .oming from a&& o"er the .ountr'# It (ou&d e
su.h an honor if 'ou (ou&d attend# $r# Weas&e' and $iss 8ranger (ou&d e most (e&.ome, too, of .ourse1ut I daresa'
'ou*d rather go to the s.hoo& feast2- He (at.hed Harr' on tenterhoo!s#
+No,- said Harr' 6ui.!&', +I*&& .ome1-
+$' dear o', Harr' Potter, at m' deathda' )art', And-1he hesitated, &oo!ing e/.ited1-do 'ou thin! 'ou .ou&d )ossi&'
mention to Sir Patri.! ho( "er' frightening and im)ressi"e 'ou find me2-
+Of1of .ourse,- said Harr'#
Near&' Head&ess Ni.! eamed at him#
+A deathda' )art'2- said Hermione !een&' (hen Harr' had .hanged at &ast and 0oined her and Ron in the .ommon room# +I
et there aren*t man' &i"ing )eo)&e (ho .an sa' the'*"e een to one of those1it*&& e fas.inating,-
+Wh' (ou&d an'one (ant to .e&erate the da' the' died2- said Ron, (ho (as ha&f(a' through his Potions home(or! and
grum)'# +Sounds dead de)ressing to me###-
Rain (as sti&& &ashing the (indo(s, (hi.h (ere no( in!' &a.!, ut inside a&& &oo!ed right and .heerfu&# The fire&ight
g&o(ed o"er the .ount&ess s6uash' arm.hairs (here )eo)&e sat reading, ta&!ing, doing home(or! or, in the .ase of 9red and
8eorge Weas&e', tr'ing to find out (hat (ou&d ha))en if 'ou fed a 9i&iuster fire(or! to a sa&amander# 9red had +res.ued- the
ri&&iant orange, fire:d(e&&ing &i;ard from a Care of $agi.a& Creatures .&ass and it (as no( smou&dering gent&' on a ta&e
surrounded ' a !not of .urious )eo)&e#
Harr' (as at the )oint of te&&ing Ron and Hermione aout 9i&.h and the A(i!s)e&& .ourse (hen the sa&amander sudden&'
(hi;;ed into the air, emitting &oud s)ar!s and angs as it (hir&ed (i&d&' round the room# The sight of Per.' e&&o(ing himse&f
hoarse at 9red and 8eorge, the s)e.ta.u&ar dis)&a' of tangerine stars sho(ering from the sa&amander*s mouth, and its es.a)e
into the fire, (ith a..om)an'ing e/)&osions, dro"e oth 9i&.h and the A(i!s)e&& en"e&o)e from Harr'*s mind#
B' the time Ha&&o(een arri"ed, Harr' (as regretting his rash )romise to go to the deathda' )art'# The rest of the s.hoo& (as
ha))i&' anti.i)ating their Ha&&o(een feast5 the 8reat Ha&& had een de.orated (ith the usua& &i"e ats, Hagrid*s "ast )um)!ins
had een .ar"ed into &anterns &arge enough for three men to sit in, and there (ere rumors that Dum&edore had oo!ed a trou)e
of dan.ing s!e&etons for the entertainment#
+A )romise is a )romise,- Hermione reminded Harr' ossi&'# +You said 'ou*d go to the deathda' )art'#-
So at se"en o*.&o.!, Harr', Ron, and Hermione (a&!ed straight )ast the door(a' to the )a.!ed 8reat Ha&&, (hi.h (as
g&ittering in"iting&' (ith go&d )&ates and .and&es, and dire.ted their ste)s instead to(ard the dungeons#
The )assage(a' &eading to Near&' Head&ess Ni.!*s )art' had een &ined (ith .and&es, too, though the effe.t (as far from
.heerfu&4 These (ere &ong, thin, 0et:&a.! ta)ers, a&& urning right &ue, .asting a dim, ghost&' &ight e"en o"er their o(n &i"ing
fa.es# The tem)erature dro))ed (ith e"er' ste) the' too!# As Harr' shi"ered and dre( his roes tight&' around him, he heard
(hat sounded &i!e a thousand fingernai&s s.ra)ing an enormous &a.!oard#
+Is that su))osed to e musi.2- Ron (his)ered# The' turned a .orner and sa( Near&' Head&ess Ni.! standing at a door(a'
hung (ith &a.! "e&"et dra)es#
+$' dear friends,- he said mournfu&&'# +We&.ome, (e&.ome### so )&eased 'ou .ou&d .ome###-
He s(e)t off his )&umed hat and o(ed them inside#
It (as an in.redi&e sight# The dungeon (as fu&& of hundreds of )ear&'(hite, trans&u.ent )eo)&e, most&' drifting around a
.ro(ded dan.e f&oor, (a&t;ing to the dreadfu&, 6ua"ering sound of thirt' musi.a& sa(s, )&a'ed ' an or.hestra on a raised,
&a.!:dra)ed )&atform# A .hande&ier o"erhead &a;ed midnight:&ue (ith a thousand more &a.! .and&es# Their reath rose in a
mist efore them5 it (as &i!e ste))ing into a free;er#
+Sha&& (e ha"e a &oo! around2- Harr' suggested, (anting to (arm u) his feet#
+Carefu& not to (a&! through an'one,- said Ron ner"ous&', and the' set off around the edge of the dan.e f&oor# The' )assed a
grou) of g&oom' nuns, a ragged man (earing .hains, and the 9at 9riar, a .heerfu& Huff&e)uff ghost, (ho (as ta&!ing to a
!night (ith an arro( sti.!ing out of his forehead# Harr' (asn*t sur)rised to see that the B&ood' Baron, a gaunt, staring
S&'therin ghost .o"ered in si&"er &oodstains, (as eing gi"en a (ide erth ' the other ghosts#
+Oh, no,- said Hermione, sto))ing aru)t&'# +Turn a.!, turn a.!, I don*t (ant to ta&! to $oaning $'rt&e1-
+Who2- said Harr' as the' a.!tra.!ed 6ui.!&'#
+She haunts one of the toi&ets in the gir&s* athroom on the first f&oor,- said Hermione#
+She haunts a toi&et2-
+Yes# It*s een out:of:order a&& 'ear e.ause she !ee)s ha"ing tantrums and f&ooding the )&a.e# I ne"er (ent in there an'(a'
if I .ou&d a"oid it5 it*s a(fu& tr'ing to ha"e a )ee (ith her (ai&ing at 'ou1-
+7oo!, food,- said Ron#
On the other side of the dungeon (as a &ong ta&e, a&so .o"ered in &a.! "e&"et# The' a))roa.hed it eager&' ut ne/t moment
had sto))ed in their tra.!s, horrified# The sme&& (as 6uite disgusting# 7arge, rotten fish (ere &aid on handsome si&"er )&atters5
.a!es, urned .har.oa&:&a.!, (ere hea)ed on sa&"ers5 there (as a great maggot' haggis, a s&a of .heese .o"ered in furr'
green mo&d and, in )ride of )&a.e, an enormous gra' .a!e in the sha)e of a tomstone, (ith tar:&i!e i.ing forming the (ords,
Sir Ni.ho&as de $ims'Por)ington died FBst O.toer, BLNI
Harr' (at.hed, ama;ed, as a )ort&' ghost a))roa.hed the ta&e, .rou.hed &o(, and (a&!ed through it, his mouth he&d (ide so
that it )assed through one of the stin!ing sa&mon#
+Can 'ou taste it if 'ou (a&! though it2- Harr' as!ed him# +A&most,- said the ghost sad&', and he drifted a(a'#
+I e/)e.t the'*"e &et it rot to gi"e it a stronger f&a"or,- said Hermione !no(&edgea&', )in.hing her nose and &eaning .&oser to
&oo! at the )utrid haggis#
33
+Can (e mo"e2 I fee& si.!,- said Ron#
The' had are&' turned around, ho(e"er, (hen a &itt&e man s(oo)ed sudden&' from under the ta&e and .ame to a ha&t in
midair efore them#
+He&&o, Pee"es,- said Harr' .autious&'#
3n&i!e the ghosts around them, Pee"es the Po&tergeist (as the "er' re"erse of )a&e and trans)arent# He (as (earing a right
orange )art' hat, a re"o&"ing o( tie, and a road grin on his (ide, (i.!ed fa.e#
+Ni&es2- he said s(eet&', offering them a o(& of )eanuts .o"ered in fungus#
+No than!s,- said Hermione#
+Heard 'ou ta&!ing aout )oor $'rt&e,- said Pee"es, his e'es dan.ing# +Rude 'ou (as aout )oor $'rt&e#- He too! a dee)
reath and e&&o(ed, +OY, $YRT7E,-
+Oh, no, Pee"es, don*t te&& her (hat I said, she*&& e rea&&' u)set,- Hermione (his)ered franti.a&&'# +I didn*t mean it, I don*t
mind her1er, he&&o, $'rt&e#-
The s6uat ghost of a gir& had g&ided o"er# She had the g&ummest fa.e Harr' had e"er seen, ha&f:hidden ehind &an! hair and
thi.!, )ear&' s)e.ta.&es#
+What2- she said su&!i&'#
+Ho( are 'ou, $'rt&e2- said Hermione in a fa&se&' right "oi.e# +It*s ni.e to see 'ou out of the toi&et#-
$'rt&e sniffed#
+$iss 8ranger (as 0ust ta&!ing aout 'ou1- said Pee"es s&'&' in $'rt&e*s ear#
+@ust sa'ing1sa'ing1ho( ni.e 'ou &oo! tonight,- said Hermione, g&aring at Pee"es#
$'rt&e e'ed Hermione sus)i.ious&'#
+You*re ma!ing fun of me,- she said, si&"er tears (e&&ing ra)id&' in her sma&&, see:through e'es#
+No1honest&'1didn*t I 0ust sa' ho( ni.e $'rt&e*s &oo!ing2- said Hermione, nudging Harr' and Ron )ainfu&&' in the ris#
+Oh, 'eah1-
+She did1-
+Don*t &ie to me,- $'rt&e gas)ed, tears no( f&ooding do(n her fa.e, (hi&e Pee"es .hu.!&ed ha))i&' o"er her shou&der#
+D*'ou thin! I don*t !no( (hat )eo)&e .a&& me ehind m' a.!2 9at $'rt&e, 3g&' $'rt&e, $isera&e, moaning, mo)ing
$'rt&e,-
+You*"e forgotten )im)&',- Pee"es hissed in her ear#
$oaning $'rt&e urst into anguished sos and f&ed from the dungeon# Pee"es shot after her, )e&ting her (ith mo&d' )eanuts,
'e&&ing, +Pim)&', Pim)&',-
+Oh, dear,- said Hermione sad&'#
Near&' Head&ess Ni.! no( drifted to(ard them through the .ro(d#
+En0o'ing 'ourse&"es2-
+Oh, 'es,- the' &ied#
+Not a ad turnout,- said Near&' Head&ess Ni.! )roud&'# +The Wai&ing Wido( .ame a&& the (a' u) from Aent### It*s near&'
time for m' s)ee.h, I*d etter go and (arn the or.hestra###-
The or.hestra, ho(e"er, sto))ed )&a'ing at that "er' moment# The', and e"er'one e&se in the dungeon, fe&& si&ent, &oo!ing
around in e/.itement, as a hunting horn sounded#
+Oh, here (e go,- said Near&' Head&ess Ni.! itter&'#
Through the dungeon (a&& urst a do;en ghost horses, ea.h ridden ' a head&ess horseman# The assem&' .&a))ed (i&d&'5
Harr' started to .&a), too, ut sto))ed 6ui.!&' at the sight of Ni.!*s fa.e#
The horses ga&&o)ed into the midd&e of the dan.e f&oor and ha&ted, rearing and )&unging# At the front of the )a.! (as a &arge
ghost (ho he&d his earded head under his arm, from (hi.h )osition he (as &o(ing the horn# The ghost &ea)t do(n, &ifted his
head high in the air so he .ou&d see o"er the .ro(d <e"er'one &aughed=, and strode o"er to Near&' Head&ess Ni.!, s6uashing his
head a.! onto his ne.!#
+Ni.!,- he roared# +Ho( are 'ou2 Head sti&& hanging in there2-
He ga"e a heart' guffa( and .&a))ed Near&' Head&ess Ni.! on the shou&der# +We&.ome, Patri.!,- said Ni.! stiff&'#
+7i"e *uns,- said Sir Patri.!, s)otting Harr', Ron, and Hermione and gi"ing a huge, fa!e 0um) of astonishment, so that his
head fe&& off again <the .ro(d ho(&ed (ith &aughter=#
+%er' amusing,- said Near&' Head&ess Ni.! dar!&'#
+Don*t mind Ni.!,- shouted Sir Patri.!*s head from the f&oor# +Sti&& u)set (e (on*t &et him 0oin the Hunt, But I mean to sa'
1&oo! at the fe&&o(1-
+I thin!,- said Harr' hurried&', at a meaningfu& &oo! from Ni.!, +Ni.!*s "er'1frightening and1er1-
+Ha,- 'e&&ed Sir Patri.!*s head# +Bet he as!ed 'ou to sa' that,-
+If I .ou&d ha"e e"er'one*s attention, it*s time for m' s)ee.h,- said Near&' Head&ess Ni.! &oud&', striding to(ard the )odium
and .&iming into an i.' &ue s)ot&ight#
+$' &ate &amented &ords, &adies, and gent&emen, it is m' great sorro(###-
But nood' heard mu.h more# Sir Patri.! and the rest of the Head&ess Hunt had 0ust started a game of Head Ho.!e' and the
.ro(d (ere turning to (at.h# Near&' Head&ess Ni.! tried "ain&' to re.a)ture his audien.e, ut ga"e u) as Sir Patri.!*s head
(ent sai&ing )ast him to &oud .heers#
Harr' (as "er' .o&d ' no(, not to mention hungr'#
+I .an*t stand mu.h more of this,- Ron muttered, his teeth .hattering, as the or.hestra ground a.! into a.tion and the ghosts
s(e)t a.! onto the dan.e f&oor#
+7et*s go,- Harr' agreed#
The' a.!ed to(ard the door, nodding and eaming at an'one (ho &oo!ed at them, and a minute &ater (ere hurr'ing a.! u)
the )assage(a' fu&& of &a.! .and&es#
34
+Pudding might not e finished 'et,- said Ron ho)efu&&', &eading the (a' to(ard the ste)s to the entran.e ha&&#
And then Harr' heard it#
+###ri)### tear### !i&&###-
It (as the same "oi.e, the same .o&d, murderous "oi.e he had heard in 7o.!hart*s offi.e#
He stum&ed to a ha&t, .&ut.hing at the stone (a&&, &istening (ith a&& his might, &oo!ing around, s6uinting u) and do(n the
dim&' &it )assage(a'#
+Harr', (hat*re 'ou :2-
+It*s that "oi.e again1shut u) a minute1-
+###soo hungr'### for so &ong###-
+7isten,- said Harr' urgent&', and Ron and Hermione fro;e, (at.hing him#
+###!i&&### time to !i&&###-
The "oi.e (as gro(ing fainter# Harr' (as sure it (as mo"ing a(a'1mo"ing u)(ard# A mi/ture of fear and e/.itement
gri))ed him as he stared at the dar! .ei&ing5 ho( .ou&d it e mo"ing u)(ard2 Was it a )hantom, to (hom stone .ei&ings didn*t
matter2
+This (a',- he shouted, and he egan to run, u) the stairs, into the entran.e ha&&# It (as no good ho)ing to hear an'thing
here, the a&e of ta&! from the Ha&&o(een feast (as e.hoing out of the 8reat Ha&&# Harr' s)rinted u) the mar&e stair.ase to
the first f&oor, Ron and Hermione .&attering ehind him#
+Harr', (hat*re (e1-
+SHH,-
Harr' strained his ears# Distant&', from the f&oor ao"e, and gro(ing fainter sti&&, he heard the "oi.e4 +###I sme&& &ood### I
S$E77 B7OOD,-
His stoma.h &ur.hed# +It*s going to !i&& someone,- he shouted, and ignoring Ron*s and Hermione*s e(i&dered fa.es, he ran
u) the ne/t f&ight of ste)s three at a time, tr'ing to &isten o"er his o(n )ounding footste)s1Harr' hurt&ed around the (ho&e of
the se.ond f&oor, Ron and Hermione )anting ehind him, not sto))ing unti& the' turned a .orner into the &ast, deserted )assage#
+Harr', (hat (as that a&& aout2- said Ron, (i)ing s(eat off his fa.e# +I .ou&dn*t hear an'thing###-
But Hermione ga"e a sudden gas), )ointing do(n the .orridor#
+7oo!,-
Something (as shining on the (a&& ahead# The' a))roa.hed s&o(&', s6uinting through the dar!ness# 9oot:high (ords had
een daued on the (a&& et(een t(o (indo(s, shimmering in the &ight .ast ' the f&aming tor.hes#
THE CHA$BER O9 SECRETS HAS BEEN OPENED# ENE$IES O9 THE HAIR, BEWARE#
+What*s that thing1hanging underneath2- said Ron, a s&ight 6ui"er in his "oi.e#
As the' edged nearer, Harr' a&most s&i))ed1there (as a &arge )udd&e of (ater on the f&oor5 Ron and Hermione graed
him, and the' in.hed to(ard the message, e'es fi/ed on a dar! shado( eneath it# A&& three of them rea&i;ed (hat it (as at
on.e, and &ea)t a.!(ard (ith a s)&ash#
$rs# Norris, the .areta!er*s .at, (as hanging ' her tai& from the tor.h ra.!et# She (as stiff as a oard, her e'es (ide and
staring#
9or a fe( se.onds, the' didn*t mo"e# Then Ron said, +7et*s get out of here#-
+Shou&dn*t (e tr' and he&)1- Harr' egan a(!(ard&'#
+Trust me,- said Ron# +We don*t (ant to e found here#-
But it (as too &ate# A rum&e, as though of distant thunder, to&d them that the feast had 0ust ended# 9rom either end of the
.orridor (here the' stood .ame the sound of hundreds of feet .&iming the stairs, and the &oud, ha))' ta&! of (e&&:fed )eo)&e5
ne/t moment, students (ere .rashing into the )assage from oth ends#
The .hatter, the ust&e, the noise died sudden&' as the )eo)&e in front s)otted the hanging .at# Harr', Ron, and Hermione
stood a&one, in the midd&e of the .orridor, as si&en.e fe&& among the mass of students )ressing for(ard to see the gris&' sight#
Then someone shouted through the 6uiet#
+Enemies of the Heir, e(are, You*&& e ne/t, $ud&oods,- It (as Dra.o $a&fo'# He had )ushed to the front of the .ro(d,
his .o&d e'es a&i"e, his usua&&' &ood&ess fa.e f&ushed, as he grinned at the sight of the hanging, immoi&e .at#
CHAPTER NINE
THE WRITIN8 ON THE WA77
What*s going on here2 What*s going on2- Attra.ted no dout ' $a&fo'*s shout, Argus 9i&.h .ame shou&dering his (a'
through the .ro(d# Then he sa( $rs# Norris and fe&& a.!, .&ut.hing his fa.e in horror#
+$' .at, $' .at, What*s ha))ened to $rs# Norris2- he shrie!ed#
And his )o))ing e'es fe&& on Harr'#
+You,- he s.ree.hed# +You, You*"e murdered m' .at, You*"e !i&&ed her, I*&& !i&& 'ou, I*&&1-
+Argus,-
Dum&edore had arri"ed on the s.ene, fo&&o(ed ' a numer of other tea.hers# In se.onds, he had s(e)t )ast Harr', Ron,
and Hermione and deta.hed $rs# Norris from the tor.h ra.!et#
+Come (ith me, Argus,- he said to 9i&.h# +You, too, $r# Potter, $r# Weas&e', $iss 8ranger#-
7o.!hart ste))ed for(ard eager&'#
+$' offi.e is nearest, Headmaster10ust u)stairs1)&ease fee& free1-
+Than! 'ou, 8i&dero',- said Dum&edore#
The si&ent .ro(d )arted to &et them )ass# 7o.!hart, &oo!ing e/.ited and im)ortant, hurried after Dum&edore5 so did
Professors $.8onaga&& and Sna)e#
35
As the' entered 7o.!hart*s dar!ened offi.e there (as a f&urr' of mo"ement a.ross the (a&&s5 Harr' sa( se"era& of the
7o.!harts in the )i.tures dodging out of sight, their hair in ro&&ers# The rea& 7o.!hart &it the .and&es on his des! and stood a.!#
Dum&edore &a' $rs# Norris on the )o&ished surfa.e and egan to e/amine her# Harr', Ron, and Hermione e/.hanged tense
&oo!s and san! into .hairs outside the )oo& of .and&e&ight, (at.hing#
The ti) of Dum&edore*s &ong, .roo!ed nose (as are&' an in.h from $rs# Norris*s fur# He (as &oo!ing at her .&ose&' through
his ha&f:moon s)e.ta.&es, his &ong fingers gent&' )rodding and )o!ing# Professor $.8onaga&& (as ent a&most as .&ose, her
e'es narro(ed# Sna)e &oomed ehind them, ha&f in shado(, (earing a most )e.u&iar e/)ression4 It (as as though he (as tr'ing
hard not to smi&e# And 7o.!hart (as ho"ering around a&& of them, ma!ing suggestions#
+It (as definite&' a .urse that !i&&ed her1)roa&' the Transmogrifian Torture1I*"e seen it used man' times, so un&u.!' I
(asn*t there, I !no( the "er' .ounter:.urse that (ou&d ha"e sa"ed her ##### #
7o.!hart*s .omments (ere )un.tuated ' 9i&.h*s dr', ra.!ing sos# He (as s&um)ed in a .hair ' the des!, una&e to &oo! at
$rs# Norris, his fa.e in his hands# $u.h as he detested 9i&.h, Harr' .ou&dn*t he&) fee&ing a it sorr' for him, though not near&'
as sorr' as he fe&t for himse&f If Dum&edore e&ie"ed 9i&.h, he (ou&d e e/)e&&ed for sure#
Dum&edore (as no( muttering strange (ords under his reath and ta))ing $rs# Norris (ith his (and ut nothing
ha))ened4 She .ontinued to &oo! as though she had een re.ent&' stuffed#
+###I rememer something "er' simi&ar ha))ening in Ouagadougou,- said 7o.!hart, +a series of atta.!s, the fu&& stor'*s in m'
autoiogra)h', I (as a&e to )ro"ide the to(nsfo&! (ith "arious amu&ets, (hi.h .&eared the matter u) at on.e###-
The )hotogra)hs of 7o.!hart on the (a&&s (ere a&& nodding in agreement as he ta&!ed# One of them had forgotten to remo"e
his hair net#
At &ast Dum&edore straightened u)#
+She*s not dead, Argus,- he said soft&'#
7o.!hart sto))ed aru)t&' in the midd&e of .ounting the numer of murders he had )re"ented#
+Not dead2- .ho!ed 9i&.h, &oo!ing through his fingers at $rs# Norris# +But (h'*s she a&&1a&& stiff and fro;en2-
+She has een Petrified,- said Dum&edore <+Ah, I thought so,- said 7o.!hart=# +But ho(, I .annot sa'###-
+As! him,- shrie!ed 9i&.h, turning his &ot.hed and tearstained fa.e to Harr'#
+No se.ond 'ear .ou&d ha"e done this,- said Dum&edore firm&'# +it (ou&d ta!e Dar! $agi. of the most ad"an.ed1-
+He did it, he did it,- 9i&.h s)at, his )ou.h' fa.e )ur)&ing# +You sa( (hat he (rote on the (a&&, He found1in m' offi.e1
he !no(s I*m a1I*m a1- 9i&.h*s fa.e (or!ed horri&'# +He !no(s I*m a S6ui,- he finished#
+I ne"er tou.hed $rs# Norris,- Harr' said &oud&', un.omforta&' a(are of e"er'one &oo!ing at him, in.&uding a&& the
7o.!harts on the (a&&s# +And I don*t e"en !no( (hat a S6ui is#-
+Ruish,- snar&ed 9i&.h# +He sa( m' A(i!s)e&& &etter,-
+If I might s)ea!, Headmaster,- said Sna)e from the shado(s, and Harr'*s sense of foreoding in.reased5 he (as sure
nothing Sna)e had to sa' (as going to do him an' good#
+Potter and his friends ma' ha"e sim)&' een in the (rong )&a.e at the (rong time,- he said, a s&ight sneer .ur&ing his mouth
as though he douted it# +But (e do ha"e a set of sus)i.ious .ir.umstan.es here# Wh' (as he in the u)stairs .orridor at a&&2
Wh' (asn*t he at the Ha&&o(een feast2-
Harr', Ron and Hermione a&& &aun.hed into an e/)&anation aout the deathda' )art'# +###there (ere hundreds of ghosts, the'*&&
te&& 'ou (e (ere there1-
+But (h' not 0oin the feast after(ard2- said Sna)e, his &a.! e'es g&ittering in the .and&e&ight# +Wh' go u) to that .orridor2-
Ron and Hermione &oo!ed at Harr'#
+Be.ause1e.ause1- Harr' said, his heart thum)ing "er' fast5 something to&d him it (ou&d sound "er' far:fet.hed if he
to&d them he had een &ed there ' a odi&ess "oi.e no one ut he .ou&d hear, +e.ause (e (ere tired and (anted to go to ed,-
he said#
+Without an' su))er2- said Sna)e, a trium)hant smi&e f&i.!ering a.ross his gaunt fa.e# +I didn*t thin! ghosts )ro"ided food
fit for &i"ing )eo)&e at their )arties#-
+We (eren*t hungr',- said Ron &oud&' as his stoma.h ga"e a huge rum&e#
Sna)e*s nast' smi&e (idened#
+I suggest, Headmaster, that Potter is not eing entire&' truthfu&,- he said# +It might e a good idea if he (ere de)ri"ed of
.ertain )ri"i&eges unti& he is read' to te&& us the (ho&e stor'# I )ersona&&' fee& he shou&d e ta!en off the 8r'ffindor >uiddit.h
team unti& he is read' to e honest#-
+Rea&&', Se"erus,- said Professor $.8onaga&& shar)&', +I see no reason to sto) the o' )&a'ing >uiddit.h# This .at (asn*t hit
o"er the head (ith a roomsti.!# There is no e"iden.e at a&& that Potter has done an'thing (rong#-
Dum&edore (as gi"ing Harr' a sear.hing &oo!# His t(in!&ing &ight&ue ga;e made Harr' fee& as though he (ere eing M:
ra'ed#
+Inno.ent unti& )ro"en gui&t', Se"erus,- he said firm&'#
Sna)e &oo!ed furious# So did 9i&.h#
+$' .at has een Petrified,- he shrie!ed, his e'es )o))ing# +I (ant to see some )unishment,-
+We (i&& e a&e to .ure her, Argus,- said Dum&edore )atient&'# +Professor S)rout re.ent&' managed to )ro.ure some
$andra!es# As soon as the' ha"e rea.hed their fu&& si;e, I (i&& ha"e a )otion made that (i&& re"i"e $rs# Norris#-
+I*&& ma!e it,- 7o.!hart utted in# +I must ha"e done it a hundred times# I .ou&d (hi) u) a $andra!e Restorati"e Draught in
m' s&ee)1-
+E/.use me,- said Sna)e i.i&'# +But I e&ie"e I am the Potions master at this s.hoo&#-
There (as a "er' a(!(ard )ause#
+You ma' go,- Dum&edore said to Harr', Ron, and Hermione#
The' (ent, as 6ui.!&' as the' .ou&d (ithout a.tua&&' running# When the' (ere a f&oor u) from 7o.!hart*s offi.e, the' turned
into an em)t' .&assroom and .&osed the door 6uiet&' ehind them# Harr' s6uinted at his friends* dar!ened fa.es#
36
+D*'ou thin! I shou&d ha"e to&d them aout that "oi.e I heard2-
+No,- said Ron, (ithout hesitation# +Hearing "oi.es no one e&se .an hear isn*t a good sign, e"en in the (i;arding (or&d#-
Something in Ron*s "oi.e made Harr' as!, +You do e&ie"e me, don*t 'ou2-
+Course I do,- said Ron 6ui.!&'# +But :'ou must admit it*s (eird###-
+I !no( it*s (eird,- said Harr'# +The (ho&e thing*s (eird# What (as that (riting on the (a&& aout2 The Chamer Has Been
O)ened### What*s that su))osed to mean2-
+You !no(, it rings a sort of e&&,- said Ron s&o(&'# +I thin! someone to&d me a stor' aout a se.ret .hamer at Hog(arts
on.e### might*"e een Bi&&###-
+And (hat on earth*s a S6ui2- said Harr'#
To his sur)rise, Ron stif&ed a snigger#
+We&&1it*s not funn' rea&&'1ut as it*s 9i&.h, he said# +A S6ui is someone (ho (as orn into a (i;arding fami&' ut hasn*t
got an' magi. )o(ers# Aind of the o))osite of $ugg&e:orn (i;ards, ut S6uis are 6uite unusua&# If 9i&.h*s tr'ing to &earn
magi. from a A(i!s)e&& .ourse, I re.!on he must e a S6ui# It (ou&d e/)&ain a &ot# 7i!e (h' he hates students so mu.h#- Ron
ga"e a satisfied smi&e# +He*s itter#-
A .&o.! .himed some(here#
+$idnight,- said Harr'# +We*d etter get to ed efore Sna)e .omes a&ong and tries to frame us for something e&se#-
9or a fe( da's, the s.hoo& .ou&d ta&! of &itt&e e&se ut the atta.! on $rs# Norris# 9i&.h !e)t it fresh in e"er'one*s minds '
)a.ing the s)ot (here she had een atta.!ed, as though he thought the atta.!er might .ome a.!# Harr' had seen him
s.ruing the message on the (a&& (ith $rs# S!o(er*s A&&:Pur)ose $agi.a& $ess Remo"er, ut to no effe.t5 the (ords sti&&
g&eamed as right&' as e"er on the stone# When 9i&.h (asn*t guarding the s.ene of the .rime, he (as s!u&!ing rede'ed through
the .orridors, &unging out at unsus)e.ting students and tr'ing to )ut them in detention for things &i!e +reathing &oud&'* and
+&oo!ing ha))'#-
8inn' Weas&e' seemed "er' distured ' $rs# Norris*s fate# A..ording to Ron, she (as a great .at &o"er#
+But 'ou ha"en*t rea&&' got to !no( $rs# Norris,- Ron to&d her ra.ing&'# +Honest&', (e*re mu.h etter off (ithout her#-
8inn'*s &i) trem&ed# +Stuff &i!e this doesn*t often ha))en at Hog(arts,- Ron assured her# +The'*&& .at.h the mania. (ho did it
and ha"e him out of here in no time# I 0ust ho)e he*s got time to Petrif' 9i&.h efore he*s e/)e&&ed# I*m on&' 0o!ing1- Ron
added hasti&' as 8inn' &an.hed#
The atta.! had a&so had an effe.t on Hermione# It (as 6uite usua& for Hermione to s)end a &ot of time reading, ut she (as
no( doing a&most nothing e&se# Nor .ou&d Harr' and Ron get mu.h res)onse from her (hen the' as!ed (hat she (as u) to,
and not unti& the fo&&o(ing Wednesda' did the' find out#
Harr' had een he&d a.! in Potions, (here Sna)e had made him sta' ehind to s.ra)e tue(orms off the des!s# After a
hurried &un.h, he (ent u)stairs to meet Ron in the &irar', and sa( @ustin 9in.h9&et.h&e', the Huff&e)uff o' from Hero&og',
.oming to(ard him# Harr' had 0ust o)ened his mouth to sa' he&&o (hen @ustin .aught sight of him, turned aru)t&', and s)ed
off in the o))osite dire.tion#
Harr' found Ron at the a.! of the &irar', measuring his Histor' of $agi. home(or!# Professor Binns had as!ed for a
three:foot &ong .om)osition on +The $edie"a& Assem&' of Euro)ean Wi;ards#- +I don*t e&ie"e it, I*m sti&& eight in.hes
short###- said Ron furious&', &etting go of his )ar.hment, (hi.h s)rang a.! into a ro&&# +And Hermione*s done four feet se"en
in.hes and her (riting*s tin'# +
+Where is she2- as!ed Harr', graing the ta)e measure and unro&&ing his o(n home(or!#
+Some(here o"er there,- said Ron, )ointing a&ong the she&"es# +7oo!ing for another oo!# I thin! she*s tr'ing to read the
(ho&e &irar' efore Christmas#-
Harr' to&d Ron aout @ustin 9in.h:9&et.h&e' running a(a' from him#
+Dunno (h' 'ou .are# I thought he (as a it of an idiot,- said Ron, s.ri&ing a(a', ma!ing his (riting as &arge as )ossi&e#
+A&& that 0un! aout 7o.!hart eing so great1-
Hermione emerged from et(een the oo!she&"es# She &oo!ed irrita&e and at &ast seemed read' to ta&! to them#
+A&& the .o)ies of Hog(arts, A Histor' ha"e een ta!en out,- she said, sitting do(n ne/t to Harr' and Ron# +And there*s a
t(o:(ee! (aiting &ist# I (ish I hadn*t &eft m' .o)' at home, ut I .ou&dn*t fit it in m' trun! (ith a&& the 7o.!hart oo!s#-
+Wh' do 'ou (ant it2- said Harr'#
+The same reason e"er'one e&se (ants it,- said Hermione, +to read u) on the &egend of the Chamer of Se.rets#-
+What*s that2- said Harr' 6ui.!&'#
+That*s 0ust it# I .an*t rememer,- said Hermione, iting her &i)# +And I .an*t find the stor' an'(here e&se1-
+Hermione, &et me read 'our .om)osition,- said Ron des)erate&', .he.!ing his (at.h#
+No, I (on*t,- said Hermione, sudden&' se"ere# +You*"e had ten da's to finish it1-
+I on&' need another t(o in.hes, .ome on1-
The e&& rang# Ron and Hermione &ed the (a' to Histor' of $agi., i.!ering#
Histor' of $agi. (as the du&&est su0e.t on their s.hedu&e# Professor Binns, (ho taught it, (as their on&' ghost tea.her, and
the most e/.iting thing that e"er ha))ened in his .&asses (as his entering the room through the &a.!oard# An.ient and
shri"e&ed, man' )eo)&e said he hadn*t noti.ed he (as dead# He had sim)&' got u) to tea.h one da' and &eft his od' ehind him
in an arm.hair in front of the staff room fire5 his routine had not "aried in the s&ightest sin.e#
Toda' (as as oring as e"er# Professor Binns o)ened his notes and egan to read in a f&at drone &i!e an o&d "a.uum .&eaner
unti& near&' e"er'one in the .&ass (as in a dee) stu)or, o..asiona&&' .oming to &ong enough to .o)' do(n a name or date, then
fa&&ing as&ee) again# He had een s)ea!ing for ha&f an hour (hen something ha))ened that had ne"er ha))ened efore#
Hermione )ut u) her hand#
Professor Binns, g&an.ing u) in the midd&e of a dead&' du&& &e.ture on the Internationa& War&o.! Con"ention of BICN, &oo!ed
ama;ed#
+$iss1er :2-
37
+8ranger, Professor# I (as (ondering if 'ou .ou&d te&& us an'thing aout the Chamer of Se.rets,- said Hermione in a .&ear
"oi.e#
Dean Thomas, (ho had een sitting (ith his mouth hanging o)en, ga;ing out of the (indo(, 0er!ed out of his tran.e5
7a"ender Bro(n*s head .ame u) off her arms and Ne"i&&e 7ongottom*s e&o( s&i))ed off his des!#
Professor Binns &in!ed#
+$' su0e.t is Histor' of $agi.,- he said in his dr', (hee;' "oi.e# +I dea& (ith fa.ts, $iss 8ranger, not m'ths and
&egends#- He .&eared his throat (ith a sma&& noise &i!e .ha&! s,:)ing and .ontinued, +In Se)temer of that 'ear, a su.ommittee
of Sardinian sor.erers1-
He stuttered to a ha&t# Hermione*s hand (as (a"ing in the air again#
+$iss 8rant2-
+P&ease, sir, don*t &egends a&(a's ha"e a asis in fa.t2-
Professor Binns (as &oo!ing at her in su.h ama;ement, Harr' (as sure no student had e"er interru)ted him efore, a&i"e or
dead#
+We&&,- said Professor Binns s&o(&', +'es, one .ou&d argue that, I su))ose#- He )eered at Hermione as though he had ne"er
seen a student )ro)er&' efore# +Ho(e"er, the &egend of (hi.h 'ou s)ea! is su.h a "er' sensationa&, e"en &udi.rous ta&e1-
But the (ho&e .&ass (as no( hanging on Professor Binns*s e"er' (ord# He &oo!ed dim&' at them a&&, e"er' fa.e turned to his#
Harr' .ou&d te&& he (as .om)&ete&' thro(n ' su.h an unusua& sho( of interest#
+Oh, "er' (e&&,- he said s&o(&'# +7et me see### the Chamer of Se.rets###
+You a&& !no(, of .ourse, that Hog(arts (as founded o"er a thousand 'ears ago1the )re.ise date is un.ertain1' the four
greatest (it.hes and (i;ards of the age# The four s.hoo& Houses are named after them4 8odri. 8r'ffindor, He&ga Huff&e)uff,
Ro(ena Ra"en.&a(, and Sa&a;ar S&'therin# The' ui&t this .ast&e together, far from )r'ing $ugg&e e'es, for it (as an age (hen
magi. (as feared ' .ommon )eo)&e, and (it.hes and (i;ards suffered mu.h )erse.ution#-
He )aused, ga;ed &eari&' around the room, and .ontinued#
+9or a fe( 'ears, the founders (or!ed in harmon' together, see!ing out 'oungsters (ho sho(ed signs of magi. and ringing
them to the .ast&e to e edu.ated# But then disagreements s)rang u) et(een them# A rift egan to gro( et(een S&'therin and
the others# S&'therin (ished to e more se&e.ti"e aout the students admitted to Hog(arts# He e&ie"ed that magi.a& &earning
shou&d e !e)t (ithin a&&:magi. fami&ies# He dis&i!ed ta!ing students of $ugg&e )arentage, e&ie"ing them to e untrust(orth'#
After a (hi&e, there (as a serious argument on the su0e.t et(een S&'therin and 8r'ffindor, and S&'therin &eft the s.hoo&#-
Professor Binns )aused again, )ursing his &i)s, &oo!ing &i!e a (rin!&ed o&d tortoise#
+Re&ia&e histori.a& sour.es te&& us this mu.h,- he said# +But these honest fa.ts ha"e een os.ured ' the fan.ifu& &egend of
the Chamer of Se.rets# The stor' goes that S&'therin had ui&t a hidden .hamer in the .ast&e, of (hi.h the other founders
!ne( nothing#
+S&'therin, a..ording to the &egend, sea&ed the Chamer of Se.rets so that none (ou&d e a&e to o)en it unti& his o(n true
heir arri"ed at the s.hoo&# The heir a&one (ou&d e a&e to unsea& the Chamer of Se.rets, un&eash the horror (ithin, and use it
to )urge the s.hoo& of a&& (ho (ere un(orth' to stud' magi.#-
There (as si&en.e as he finished te&&ing the stor', ut it (asn*t the usua&, s&ee)' si&en.e that fi&&ed Professor Binns*s .&asses#
There (as unease in the air as e"er'one .ontinued to (at.h him, ho)ing for more# Professor Binns &oo!ed faint&' anno'ed#
+The (ho&e thing is arrant nonsense, of .ourse,- he said# +Natura&&', the s.hoo& has een sear.hed for e"iden.e of su.h a
.hamer, man' times, ' the most &earned (it.hes and (i;ards# It does not e/ist# A ta&e to&d to frighten the gu&&i&e#-
Hermione*s hand (as a.! in the air#
+Sir1(hat e/a.t&' do 'ou mean ' the Hhorror (ithin* the Chamer2-
+That is e&ie"ed to e some sort of monster, (hi.h the Heir of S&'therin a&one .an .ontro&,- said Professor Binns in his dr',
reed' "oi.e#
The .&ass e/.hanged ner"ous &oo!s#
+I te&& 'ou, the thing does not e/ist,- said Professor Binns, shuff&ing his notes# +There is no Chamer and no monster#-
+But, sir,- said Seamus 9innigan, +if the Chamer .an on&' e o)ened ' S&'therin*s true heir, no one e&se (ou&d e a&e to
find it, (ou&d the'2-
+Nonsense, O*9&ahert',- said Professor Binns in an aggra"ated tone# +If a &ong su..ession of Hog(arts headmasters and
headmistresses ha"en*t found the thing1-
+But, Professor,- )i)ed u) Par"ati Pati&, +'ou*d )roa&' ha"e to use Dar! $agi. to o)en it1-
+@ust e.ause a (i;ard doesn*t use Dar! $agi. doesn*t mean he .an*t, $iss Penn'feather,- sna))ed Professor Binns# +I
re)eat, if the &i!es of Dum&edore1-
+But ma'e 'ou*"e got to e re&ated to S&'therin, so Dum&edore .ou&dn*t1- egan Dean Thomas, ut Professor Binns had
had enough#
+That (i&& do,- he said shar)&'# +It is a m'th, It does not e/ist, There is not a shred of e"iden.e that S&'therin e"er ui&t so
mu.h as a se.ret room .u)oard, I regret te&&ing 'ou su.h a foo&ish stor', We (i&& return, if 'ou )&ease, to histor', to so&id,
e&ie"a&e, "erifia&e fa.t,-
And (ithin fi"e minutes, the .&ass had sun! a.! into its usua& tor)or#
+I a&(a's !ne( Sa&a;ar S&'therin (as a t(isted o&d &oon',- Ron to&d Harr' and Hermione as the' fought their (a' through
the teeming .orridors at the end of the &esson to dro) off their ags efore dinner# +But I ne"er !ne( he started a&& this )ure:
&ood stuff# I (ou&dn*t e in his house if 'ou )aid me# Honest&', if the Sorting Hat had tried to )ut me in S&'therin, I*d*"e got
the train straight a.! home###-
Hermione nodded fer"ent&', ut Harr' didn*t sa' an'thing# His stoma.h had 0ust dro))ed un)&easant&'#
Harr' had ne"er to&d Ron and Hermione that the Sorting Hat had serious&' .onsidered )utting him in S&'therin# He .ou&d
rememer, as though it (ere 'esterda', the sma&& "oi.e that had s)o!en in his ear (hen he*d )&a.ed the hat on his head a 'ear
38
efore4 You .ou&d e great, 'ou !no(, it*s a&& here in 'our head, and S&'therin (ou&d he&) 'ou on the (a' to greatness, no
dout aout that###
But Harr', (ho had a&read' heard of S&'therin House*s re)utation for turning out Dar! (i;ards, had thought des)erate&', Not
S&'therin, and the hat had said, Oh, (e&&, if 'ou*re sure### etter e 8r'ffindor###
As the' (ere shunted a&ong in the throng, Co&in Cree"' (ent )ast#
+Hi'a, Harr',-
+Hu&&o, Co&in,- said Harr' automati.a&&'#
+Harr'1Harr'1a o' in m' .&ass has een sa'ing 'ou*re1-
But Co&in (as so sma&& he .ou&dn*t fight against the tide of )eo)&e earing him to(ard the 8reat Ha&&5 the' heard him
s6uea!, +See 'ou, Harr',- and he (as gone#
+What*s a o' in his .&ass sa'ing aout 'ou2- Hermione (ondered#
+That I*m S&'therin*s heir, I e/)e.t,- said Harr', his stoma.h dro))ing another in.h or so as he sudden&' rememered the
(a' @ustin 9in.h9&et.h&e' had run a(a' from him at &un.htime#
+Peo)&e here*&& e&ie"e an'thing,- said Ron in disgust#
The .ro(d thinned and the' (ere a&e to .&im the ne/t stair.ase (ithout diffi.u&t'#
+D*'ou rea&&' thin! there*s a Chamer of Se.rets2- Ron as!ed Hermione#
+I don*t !no(,- she said, fro(ning# +Dum&edore .ou&dn*t .ure $rs# Norris, and that ma!es me thin! that (hate"er atta.!ed
her might not e1(e&&1human#-
As she s)o!e, the' turned a .orner and found themse&"es at the end of the "er' .orridor (here the atta.! had ha))ened# The'
sto))ed and &oo!ed# The s.ene (as 0ust as it had een that night, e/.e)t that there (as no stiff .at hanging from the tor.h
ra.!et, and an em)t' .hair stood against the (a&& earing the message +The Chamer of Se.rets has een O)ened#-
+That*s (here 9i&.h has een !ee)ing guard,- Ron muttered#
The' &oo!ed at ea.h other# The .orridor (as deserted#
+Can*t hurt to ha"e a )o!e around,- said Harr', dro))ing his ag and getting to his hands and !nees so that he .ou&d .ra(&
a&ong, sear.hing for .&ues#
+S.or.h mar!s,- he said# +Here1and here1-
+Come and &oo! at this,- said Hermione# +This is funn'###-
Harr' got u) and .rossed to the (indo( ne/t to the message on the (a&&# Hermione (as )ointing at the to)most )ane, (here
around t(ent' s)iders (ere s.utt&ing, a))arent&' fighting to get through a sma&& .ra.!# A &ong, si&"er' thread (as dang&ing &i!e
a ro)e, as though the' had a&& .&imed it in their hurr' to get outside#
+Ha"e 'ou e"er seen s)iders a.t &i!e that2- said Hermione (ondering&'#
+No,- said Harr', +ha"e 'ou, Ron2 Ron2-
He &oo!ed o"er his shou&der# Ron (as standing (e&& a.! and seemed to e fighting the im)u&se to run#
+What*s u)2- said Harr'#
+I1don*t1&i!e1s)iders,- said Ron tense&'#
+I ne"er !ne( that,- said Hermione, &oo!ing at Ron in sur)rise# +You*"e used s)iders in Potions &oads of times###
+I don*t mind them dead,- said Ron, (ho (as .arefu&&' &oo!ing an'(here ut at the (indo(# +I 0ust don*t &i!e the (a' the'
mo"e###
Hermione gigg&ed#
+It*s not funn',- said Ron, fier.e&'# +If 'ou must !no(, (hen I (as three, 9red turned m'1m' tedd' ear into a dirt' great
s)ider e.ause I ro!e his to' roomsti.!### You (ou&dn*t &i!e them either if 'ou*d een ho&ding 'our ear and sudden&' it had
too man' &egs and###-
He ro!e off, shuddering# Hermione (as o"ious&' sti&& tr'ing not to &augh# 9ee&ing the' had etter get off the su0e.t, Harr'
said, +Rememer a&& that (ater on the f&oor2 Where did that .ome from2 Someone*s mo))ed it u)#-
+It (as aout here,- said Ron, re.o"ering himse&f to (a&! a fe( )a.es )ast 9i&.h*s .hair and )ointing# +7e"e& (ith this door#-
He rea.hed for the rass door!no ut sudden&' (ithdre( his hand as though he*d een urned#
+What*s the matter2- said Harr'#
+Can*t go in there,- said Ron gruff&'# +That*s a gir&s* toi&et#-
+Oh, Ron, there (on*t e an'one in there,- said Hermione, standing u) and .oming o"er# +That*s $oaning $'rt&e*s )&a.e#
Come on, &et*s ha"e a &oo!#-
And ignoring the &arge O3T of ORDER sign, she o)ened the door#
It (as the g&oomiest, most de)ressing athroom Harr' had e"er set foot in# 3nder a &arge, .ra.!ed, and s)otted mirror (ere a
ro( of .hi))ed sin!s# The f&oor (as dam) and ref&e.ted the du&& &ight gi"en off ' the stus of a fe( .and&es, urning &o( in
their ho&ders5 the (ooden doors to the sta&&s (ere f&a!ing and s.rat.hed and one of them (as dang&ing off its hinges#
Hermione )ut her fingers to her &i)s and set off to(ard the end sta&&# When she rea.hed it she said, +He&&o, $'rt&e, ho( are
'ou2-
Harr' and Ron (ent to &oo!# $oaning $'rt&e (as f&oating ao"e the tan! of the toi&et, )i.!ing a s)ot on her .hin#
+This is a gir&s* athroom,- she said, e'eing Ron and Harr' sus)i.ious&'# +The'*re not gir&s#-
+No,- Hermione agreed# +I 0ust (anted to sho( them ho( er1ni.e it is in here#-
She (a"ed "ague&' at the dirt' o&d mirror and the dam) f&oor#
+As! her if she sa( an'thing,- Harr' mouthed at Hermione#
+What are 'ou (his)ering2- said $'rt&e, staring at him#
+Nothing,- said Harr' 6ui.!&'# +We (anted to as!1-
+I (ish )eo)&e (ou&d sto) ta&!ing ehind m' a.!,- said $'rt&e, in a "oi.e .ho!ed (ith tears# +I do ha"e fee&ings, 'ou
!no(, e"en if I am dead1-
+$'rt&e, no one (ants to u)set 'ou,- said Hermione# +Harr' on&'1-
39
+No one (ants to u)set me, That*s a good one,- ho(&ed $'rt&e# +$' &ife (as nothing ut miser' at this )&a.e and no(
)eo)&e .ome a&ong ruining m' death,-
+We (anted to as! 'ou if 'ou*"e seen an'thing funn' &ate&',- said Hermione 6ui.!&'# +Be.ause a .at (as atta.!ed right
outside 'our front door on Ha&&o(een#-
+Did 'ou see an'one near here that night2- said Harr'#
+I (asn*t )a'ing attention,- said $'rt&e dramati.a&&'# +Pee"es u)set me so mu.h I .ame in here and tried to !i&& m'se&f Then,
of .ourse, I rememered that I*m1that I*m +
+A&read' dead,- said Ron he&)fu&&'#
$'rt&e ga"e a tragi. so, rose u) in the air, turned o"er, and di"ed headfirst into the toi&et, s)&ashing (ater a&& o"er them and
"anishing from sight, a&though from the dire.tion of her muff&ed sos, she had .ome to rest some(here in the 3:end#
Harr' and Ron stood (ith their mouths o)en, ut Hermione shrugged (eari&' and said, +Honest&', that (as a&most .heerfu&
for $'rt&e### # Come on, &et*s go#-
Harr' had are&' .&osed the door on $'rt&e*s gurg&ing sos (hen a &oud "oi.e made a&& three of them 0um)#
+RON,-
Per.' Weas&e' had sto))ed dead at the head of the stairs, )refe.t adge ag&eam, an e/)ression of .om)&ete sho.! on his fa.e#
+That*s a gir&s* athroom,- he gas)ed# +What (ere 'ou :2-
+@ust ha"ing a &oo! around,- Ron shrugged# +C&ues, 'ou !no(1-
Per.' s(e&&ed in a manner that reminded Harr' for.efu&&' of $rs# Weas&e'#
+8et1a(a'1from1there1- Perr' said, striding to(ard them and starting to ust&e them a&ong, f&a))ing his arms# +Don*t
'ou .are (hat this &oo!s &i!e2 Coming a.! here (hi&e e"er'one*s at dinner1-
+Wh' shou&dn*t (e e here2- said Ron hot&', sto))ing short and g&aring at Per.'# +7isten, (e ne"er &aid a finger on that .at,-
+That*s (hat I to&d 8inn',- said Per.' fier.e&', +ut she sti&& seems to thin! 'ou*re going to e e/)e&&ed, I*"e ne"er seen her
so u)set, .r'ing her e'es out, 'ou might thin! of her, a&& the first 'ears are thorough&' o"ere/.ited ' this usiness1-
+You don*t .are aout 8inn',- said Ron, (hose ears (ere no( reddening# +You*re 0ust (orried I*m going to mess u) 'our
.han.es of eing Head Bo'1-
+9i"e )oints from 8r'ffindor,- Per.' said terse&', fingering his )refe.t adge# +And I ho)e it tea.hes 'ou a &esson, No more
dete.ti"e (or!, or I*&& (rite to $um,-
And he strode off, the a.! of his ne.! as red as Ron*s ears#
Harr', Ron, and Hermione .hose seats as far as )ossi&e from Per.' in the .ommon room that night# Ron (as sti&& in a "er'
ad tem)er and !e)t &otting his Charms home(or!# When he rea.hed asent&' for his (and to remo"e the smudges, it ignited
the )ar.hment# 9uming a&most as mu.h as his home(or!, Ron s&ammed The Standard Boo! of S)e&&s, 8rade I shut# To Harr'*s
sur)rise, Hermione fo&&o(ed suit#
+Who .an it e, though2- she said in a 6uiet "oi.e, as though .ontinuing a .on"ersation the' had 0ust een ha"ing# +Who*d
(ant to frighten a&& the S6uis and $ugg&e:orns out of Hog(arts2-
+7et*s thin!,- said Ron in mo.! )u;;&ement# +Who do (e !no( (ho thin!s $ugg&e:orns are s.um2-
He &oo!ed at Hermione# Hermione &oo!ed a.!, un.on"in.ed#
+If 'ou*re ta&!ing aout $a&fo'1-
+Of .ourse I am,- said Ron# +You heard him1HYou*&& e ne/t, $ud&oods,*.ome on, 'ou*"e on&' got to &oo! at his fou& rat
fa.e to !no( it*s him1-
+$a&fo', the Heir of S&'therin2- said Hermione s!e)ti.a&&'#
+7oo! at his fami&',- said Harr', .&osing his oo!s, too# +The (ho&e &ot of them ha"e een in S&'therin5 he*s a&(a's oasting
aout it# The' .ou&d easi&' e S&'therin*s des.endants# His father*s definite&' e"i& enough#-
+The' .ou&d*"e had the !e' to the Chamer of Se.rets for .enturies,- said Ron# +Handing it do(n, father to son###-
+We&&,- said Hermione .autious&', +I su))ose it*s )ossi&e###-
+But ho( do (e )ro"e it2- said Harr' dar!&'#
+There might e a (a',- said Hermione s&o(&', dro))ing her "oi.e sti&& further (ith a 6ui.! g&an.e a.ross the room at Per.'#
+Of .ourse, it (ou&d e diffi.u&t# And dangerous, "er' dangerous# We*d e rea!ing aout fift' s.hoo& ru&es, I e/)e.t1-
+If, in a month or so, 'ou fee& &i!e e/)&aining, 'ou (i&& &et us !no(, (on*t 'ou2- said Ron irrita&'#
+A&& right,- said Hermione .o&d&'# +What (e*d need to do is to get inside the S&'therin .ommon room and as! $a&fo' a fe(
6uestions (ithout him rea&i;ing it*s us#-
+But that*s im)ossi&e,- Harr' said as Ron &aughed#
+No, it*s not,- said Hermione# +A&& (e*d need (ou&d e some Po&'0ui.e Potion#-
+What*s that2- said Ron and Harr' together#
+Sna)e mentioned it in .&ass a fe( (ee!s ago1-
+D*'ou thin! (e*"e got nothing etter to do in Potions than &isten to Sna)e2- muttered Ron#
+It transforms 'ou into someod' e&se# Thin! aout it, We .ou&d .hange into three of the S&'therins# No one (ou&d !no( it
(as us# $a&fo' (ou&d )roa&' te&& us an'thing# He*s )roa&' oasting aout it in the S&'therin .ommon room right no(, if
on&' (e .ou&d hear him#-
+This Po&'0ui.e stuff sounds a it dodg' to me,- said Ron, fro(ning# +What if (e (ere stu.! &oo!ing &i!e three of the
S&'therins fore"er2-
+It (ears off after a (hi&e,- said Hermione, (a"ing her hand im)atient&'# +But getting ho&d of the re.i)e (i&& e "er'
diffi.u&t# Sna)e said it (as in a oo! .a&&ed $oste Potente Potions and it*s ound to e in the Restri.ted Se.tion of the &irar'#-
There (as on&' one (a' to get out a oo! from the Restri.ted Se.tion4 You needed a signed note of )ermission from a
tea.her# +Hard to see (h' (e*d (ant the oo!, rea&&',- said Ron, +if (e (eren*t going to tr' and ma!e one of the )otions#-
+I thin!,- said Hermione, +that if (e made it sound as though (e (ere 0ust interested in the theor', (e might stand a
.han.e###-
40
+Oh, .ome on, no tea.her*s going to fa&& for that,- said Ron# +The'*d ha"e to e rea&&' thi.!###-
CHAPTER TEN
THE RO83E B73D8ER
Sin.e the disastrous e)isode of the )i/ies, Professor 7o.!hart had not rought &i"e .reatures to .&ass# Instead, he read
)assages from his oo!s to them, and sometimes reena.ted some of the more dramati. its# He usua&&' )i.!ed Harr' to he&)
him (ith these re.onstru.tions5 so far, Harr' had een for.ed to )&a' a sim)&e Trans'&"anian "i&&ager (hom 7o.!hart had
.ured of a Ba&ing Curse, a 'eti (ith a head .o&d, and a "am)ire (ho had een una&e to eat an'thing e/.e)t &ettu.e sin.e
7o.!hart had dea&t (ith him#
Harr' (as hau&ed to the front of the .&ass during their "er' ne/t Defense Against the Dar! Arts &esson, this time a.ting a
(ere(o&f If he hadn*t had a "er' good reason for !ee)ing 7o.!hart in a good mood, he (ou&d ha"e refused to do it#
+Ni.e &oud ho(&, Harr'1e/a.t&'1and then, if 'ou*&& e&ie"e it, I )oun.ed1&i!e this1s&ammed him to the f&oor1thus (ith
one hand, I managed to ho&d him do(n1(ith m' other, I )ut m' (and to his throat :I then s.re(ed u) m' remaining strength
and )erformed the immense&' .om)&e/ Homor)hus Charm1he &et out a )iteous moan1go on, Harr'1higher than that1good
1the fur "anished1the fangs shran!1and he turned a.! into a man# Sim)&e, 'et effe.ti"e1and another "i&&age (i&&
rememer me fore"er as the hero (ho de&i"ered them from the month&' terror of (ere(o&f atta.!s#-
The e&& rang and 7o.!hart got to his feet#
+Home(or!1.om)ose a )oem aout m' defeat of the Wagga Wagga Were(o&f, Signed .o)ies of $agi.a& $e to the author
of the est one,-
The .&ass egan to &ea"e# Harr' returned to the a.! of the room, (here Ron and Hermione (ere (aiting#
+Read'2- Harr' muttered#
+Wait ti&& e"er'one*s gone,- said Hermione ner"ous&'# +A&& right ## # +
She a))roa.hed 7o.!hart*s des!, a )ie.e of )a)er .&ut.hed tight&' in her hand, Harr' and Ron right ehind her#
+Er1Professor 7o.!hart2- Hermione stammered# +I (anted to1to get this oo! out of the &irar'# @ust for a.!ground
reading#- She he&d out the )ie.e of )a)er, her hand sha!ing s&ight&'# +But the thing is, it*s in the Restri.ted Se.tion of the
&irar', so I need a tea.her to sign for it1I*m sure it (ou&d he&) me understand (hat 'ou sa' in 8adding (ith 8hou&s aout
s&o(:a.ting "enoms###-
+Ah, 8adding (ith 8hou&s,- said 7o.!hart, ta!ing the note from Hermione and smi&ing (ide&' at her# +Possi&' m' "er'
fa"orite oo!# You en0o'ed it2-
+Oh, 'es,- said Hermione eager&'# +So .&e"er, the (a' 'ou tra))ed that &ast one (ith the tea:strainer1-
+We&&, I*m sure no one (i&& mind me gi"ing the est student of the 'ear a &itt&e e/tra he&),- said 7o.!hart (arm&', and he
)u&&ed out an enormous )ea.o.! 6ui&&# +Yes, ni.e, isn*t it2- he said, misreading the re"o&ted &oo! on Ron*s fa.e# +I usua&&' sa"e
it for oo!:signings#-
He s.ra(&ed an enormous &oo)' signature on the note and handed it a.! to Hermione#
+So, Harr',- said 7o.!hart, (hi&e Hermione fo&ded the note (ith fum&ing fingers and s&i))ed it into her ag# +Tomorro(*s
the first >uiddit.h mat.h of the season, I e&ie"e2 8r'ffindor against S&'therin, is it not2 I hear 'ou*re a usefu& )&a'er# I (as a
See!er, too# I (as as!ed to tr' for the Nationa& S6uad, ut )referred to dedi.ate m' &ife to the eradi.ation of the Dar! 9or.es#
Sti&&, if e"er 'ou fee& the need for a &itt&e )ri"ate training, don*t hesitate to as!# A&(a's ha))' to )ass on m' e/)ertise to &ess
a&e )&a'ers###-
Harr' made an indistin.t noise in his throat and then hurried off after Ron and Hermione#
+I don*t e&ie"e it,- he said as the three of them e/amined the signature on the note# +He didn*t e"en &oo! at the oo! (e
(anted#-
+That*s e.ause he*s a rain&ess git,- said Ron# +But (ho .ares, (e*"e got (hat (e needed1-
+He is not a rain&ess git,- said Hermione shri&&' as the' ha&f ran to(ard the &irar'#
+@ust e.ause he said 'ou (ere the est student of the 'ear1-
The' dro))ed their "oi.es as the' entered the muff&ed sti&&ness of the &irar'# $adam Pin.e, the &irarian, (as a thin, irrita&e
(oman (ho &oo!ed &i!e an underfed "u&ture#
+$oste Potente Potions2- she re)eated sus)i.ious&', tr'ing to ta!e the note from Hermione5 ut Hermione (ou&dn*t &et go#
+I (as (ondering if I .ou&d !ee) it,- she said reath&ess&'#
+Oh, .ome on,- said Ron, (ren.hing it from her gras) and thrusting it at $adam Pin.e# +We*&& get 'ou another autogra)h#
7o.!hart*&& sign an'thing if it stands sti&& &ong enough#-
$adam Pin.e he&d the note u) to the &ight, as though determined to dete.t a forger', ut it )assed the test# She sta&!ed a(a'
et(een the &oft' she&"es and returned se"era& minutes &ater .arr'ing a &arge and mo&d':&oo!ing oo!# Hermione )ut it
.arefu&&' into her ag and the' &eft, tr'ing not to (a&! too 6ui.!&' or &oo! too gui&t'#
9i"e minutes &ater, the' (ere arri.aded in $oaning $'rt&e*s out:oforder athroom on.e again# Hermione had o"erridden
Ron*s o0e.tions ' )ointing out that it (as the &ast )&a.e an'one in their right minds (ou&d go, so the' (ere guaranteed some
)ri"a.'# $oaning $'rt&e (as .r'ing noisi&' in her sta&&, ut the' (ere ignoring her, and she them#
Hermione o)ened $oste Potente Potions .arefu&&', and the three of them ent o"er the dam):s)otted )ages# It (as .&ear
from a g&an.e (h' it e&onged in the Restri.ted Se.tion# Some of the )otions had effe.ts a&most too gruesome to thin! aout,
and there (ere some "er' un)&easant i&&ustrations, (hi.h in.&uded a man (ho seemed to ha"e een turned inside out and a
(it.h s)routing se"era& e/tra )airs of arms out of her head#
+Here it is,- said Hermione e/.ited&' as she found the )age headed The Po&'0ui.e Potion# It (as de.orated (ith dra(ings of
)eo)&e ha&f(a' through transforming into other )eo)&e# Harr' sin.ere&' ho)ed the artist had imagined the &oo!s of intense )ain
on their fa.es#
41
+This is the most .om)&i.ated )otion I*"e e"er seen,- said Hermione as the' s.anned the re.i)e# +7a.e(ing f&ies, &ee.hes,
f&u/(eed, and !notgrass,- she murmured, running her finger do(n the &ist of ingredients# +We&&, the'*re eas' enough, the'*re in
the student store.u)oard, (e .an he&) ourse&"es### Oooh, &oo!, )o(dered horn of a Bi.orn1don*t !no( (here (e*re going to
get that1shredded s!in of a Booms&ang :# that*&& e tri.!', too and of .ourse a it of (hoe"er (e (ant to .hange into#-
+E/.use me2- said Ron shar)&'# +What d*'ou mean, a it of (hoe"er (e*re .hanging into2 I*m drin!ing nothing (ith
Crae*s toenai&s in it1-
Hermione .ontinued as though she hadn*t heard him#
+We don*t ha"e to (orr' aout that 'et, though, e.ause (e add those its &ast###
Ron turned, s)ee.h&ess, to Harr', (ho had another (orr'#
+D*'ou rea&i;e ho( mu.h (e*re going to ha"e to stea&, Hermione2 Shredded s!in of a ooms&ang, that*s definite&' not in the
students* .u)oard# What*re (e going to do, rea! into Sna)e*s )ri"ate stores2 I don*t !no( if this is a good idea###-
Hermione shut the oo! (ith a sna)#
+We&&, if 'ou t(o are going to .hi.!en out, fine,- she said# There (ere right )in! )at.hes on her .hee!s and her e'es (ere
righter than usua&# +I don*t (ant to rea! ru&es, 'ou !no(# I thin! threatening $ugg&e:orns is far (orse than re(ing u) a
diffi.u&t )otion# But if 'ou don*t (ant to find out if it*s $a&fo', I*&& go straight to $adam Pin.e no( and hand the oo! a.! in
:*
+I ne"er thought Id see the da' (hen 'ou*d e )ersuading us to rea! ru&es,- said Ron# +A&& right, (e*&& do it# But not
toenai&s, o!a'2-
+Ho( &ong (i&& it ta!e to ma!e, an'(a'2- said Harr' as Hermione, &oo!ing ha))ier, o)ened the oo! again#
+We&&, sin.e the f&u/(eed has got to e )i.!ed at the fu&& moon and the &a.e(ings ha"e got to e ste(ed for t(ent':one
da's### I*d sa' it*d e read' in aout a month, if (e .an get a&& the ingredients#-
+A month2- said Ron# +$a&fo' .ou&d ha"e atta.!ed ha&f the $ugg&eorns in the s.hoo& ' then,- But Hermione*s e'es
narro(ed dangerous&' again, and he added s(ift&', +But it*s the est )&an (e*"e got, so fu&& steam ahead, I sa'#-
Ho(e"er, (hi&e Hermione (as .he.!ing that the .oast (as .&ear for them to &ea"e the athroom, Ron muttered to Harr',
+It*&& e a &ot &ess hass&e if 'ou .an 0ust !no.! $a&fo' off his room tomorro(#
Harr' (o!e ear&' on Saturda' morning and &a' for a (hi&e thin!ing aout the .oming >uiddit.h mat.h# He (as ner"ous,
main&' at the thought of (hat Wood (ou&d sa' if 8r'ffindor &ost, ut a&so at the idea of fa.ing a team mounted on the fastest
ra.ing rooms go&d .ou&d u'# He had ne"er (anted to eat S&'therin so ad&'# After ha&f an hour of &'ing there (ith his
insides .hurning, he got u), dressed, and (ent do(n to rea!fast ear&', (here he found the rest of the 8r'ffindor team hudd&ed
at the &ong, em)t' ta&e, a&& &oo!ing u)tight and not s)ea!ing mu.h#
As e&e"en o*.&o.! a))roa.hed, the (ho&e s.hoo& started to ma!e its (a' do(n to the >uiddit.h stadium# It (as a mugg' sort
of da' (ith a hint of thunder in the air# Ron and Hermione .ame hurr'ing o"er to (ish Harr' good &u.! as he entered the
&o.!er rooms# The team )u&&ed on their s.ar&et 8r'ffindor roes, then sat do(n to &isten to Wood*s usua& )re:mat.h )e) ta&!#
+S&'therin has etter rooms than us,- he egan# +No )oint den'ing it# But (e*"e got etter )eo)&e on our rooms# We*"e
trained harder than the' ha"e, (e*"e een f&'ing in a&& (eathers1- <+Too true,- muttered 8eorge Weas&e'# +I ha"en*t een
)ro)er&' dr' sin.e August-= +and (e*re going to ma!e them rue the da' the' &et that &itt&e it of s&ime, $a&fo', u' his (a'
onto their team#-
Chest hea"ing (ith emotion, Wood turned to Harr'#
+It*&& e do(n to 'ou, Harr', to sho( them that a See!er has to ha"e something more than a ri.h father# 8et to that Snit.h
efore $a&fo' or die tr'ing, Harr', e.ause (e*"e got to (in toda', (e*"e got to#-
+So no )ressure, Harr'- said 9red, (in!ing at him#
As the' (a&!ed out onto the )it.h, a roar of noise greeted them5 main&' .heers, e.ause Ra"en.&a( and Huff&e)uff (ere
an/ious to see S&'therin eaten, ut the S&'therins in the .ro(d made their oos and hisses heard, too# $adam Hoo.h, the
>uiddit.h tea.her, as!ed 9&int and Wood to sha!e hands, (hi.h the' did, gi"ing ea.h other threatening stares and gri))ing
rather harder than (as ne.essar'#
+On m' (hist&e,- said $adam Hoo.h# +Three### t(o### one###
With a roar from the .ro(d to s)eed them u)(ard, the fourteen )&a'ers rose to(ard the &eaden s!'# Harr' f&e( higher than
an' of them, s6uinting around for the Snit.h#
+A&& right there, S.arhead2- 'e&&ed $a&fo', shooting underneath him as though to sho( off the s)eed of his room#
Harr' had no time to re)&'# At that "er' moment, a hea"' &a.! B&udger .ame )e&ting to(ard him5 he a"oided it so narro(&'
that he fe&t it ruff&e his hair as it )assed#
+C&ose one, Harr',- said 8eorge, strea!ing )ast him (ith his .&u in his hand, read' to !no.! the B&udger a.! to(ard a
S&'therin# Harr' sa( 8eorge gi"e the B&udger a )o(erfu& (ha.! in the dire.tion of Adrian Pu.e', ut the B&udger .hanged
dire.tion in midair and shot straight for Harr' again#
Harr' dro))ed 6ui.!&' to a"oid it, and 8eorge managed to hit it hard to(ard $a&fo'# On.e again, the B&udger s(er"ed &i!e a
oomerang and shot at Harr'*s head#
Harr' )ut on a urst of s)eed and ;oomed to(ard the other end of the )it.h# He .ou&d hear the B&udger (hist&ing a&ong
ehind him# What (as going on2 B&udgers ne"er .on.entrated on one )&a'er &i!e this5 it (as their 0o to tr' and unseat as man'
)eo)&e as )ossi&e###
9red Weas&e' (as (aiting for the B&udger at the other end# Harr' du.!ed as 9red s(ung at the B&udger (ith a&& his might5
the B&udger (as !no.!ed off .ourse#
+8ot.ha,- 9red 'e&&ed ha))i&', ut he (as (rong5 as though it (as magneti.a&&' attra.ted to Harr', the B&udger )e&ted after
him on.e more and Harr' (as for.ed to f&' off at fu&& s)eed#
It had started to rain5 Harr' fe&t hea"' dro)s fa&& onto his fa.e, s)&attering onto his g&asses# He didn*t ha"e a .&ue (hat (as
going on in the rest of the game unti& he heard 7ee @ordan, (ho (as .ommentating, sa', +S&'therin &ead, si/t' )oints to ;ero# *
42
The S&'therins* su)erior rooms (ere .&ear&' doing their 0os, and mean(hi&e the mad B&udger (as doing a&& it .ou&d to
!no.! Harr' out of the air# 9red and 8eorge (ere no( f&'ing so .&ose to him on either side that Harr' .ou&d see nothing at a&&
e/.e)t their f&ai&ing arms and had no .han.e to &oo! for the Snit.h, &et a&one .at.h it#
+Someone*s1tam)ered1(ith1this1B&udger1- 9red grunted, s(inging his at (ith a&& his might at it as it &aun.hed a
ne( atta.! on Harr'#
+We need time out,- said 8eorge, tr'ing to signa& to Wood and sto) the B&udger rea!ing Harr'*s nose at the same time#
Wood had o"ious&' got the message# $adam Hoo.h*s (hist&e rang out and Harr', 9red, and 8eorge di"ed for the ground,
sti&& tr'ing to a"oid the mad B&udger#
+What*s going on2- said Wood as the 8r'ffindor team hudd&ed together, (hi&e S&'therins in the .ro(d 0eered# +We*re eing
f&attened# 9red, 8eorge, (here (ere 'ou (hen that B&udger sto))ed Ange&ina s.oring2-
+We (ere t(ent' feet ao"e her, sto))ing the other B&udger from murdering Harr', O&i"er,- said 8eorge angri&'# +Someone*s
fi/ed it1it (on*t &ea"e Harr' a&one# It hasn*t gone for an'one e&se a&& game# The S&'therins must ha"e done something to it#-
+But the B&udgers ha"e een &o.!ed in $adam Hoo.h*s offi.e sin.e our &ast )ra.ti.e, and there (as nothing (rong (ith
them then###- said Wood, an/ious&'#
$adam Hoo.h (as (a&!ing to(ard them# O"er her shou&der, Harr' .ou&d see the S&'therin team 0eering and )ointing in his
dire.tion#
+7isten,- said Harr' as she .ame nearer and nearer, +(ith 'ou t(o f&'ing around me a&& the time the on&' (a' I*m going to
.at.h the Snit.h is if it f&ies u) m' s&ee"e# 8o a.! to the rest of the team and &et me dea& (ith the rogue one#-
+Don*t e thi.!,- said 9red# +It*&& ta!e 'our head off#-
Wood (as &oo!ing from Harr' to the Weas&e's#
+O&i"er, this is insane,- said A&i.ia S)inner angri&'# +You .an*t &et Harr' dea& (ith that thing on his o(n# 7et*s as! for an
in6uir'###-
+If (e sto) no(, (e*&& ha"e to forfeit the mat.h,- said Harr'# +And (e*re not &osing to S&'therin 0ust e.ause of a .ra;'
B&udger, Come on, O&i"er, te&& them to &ea"e me a&one,-
+This is a&& 'our fau&t,- 8eorge said angri&' to Wood# +8et the Snit.h or die tr'ing,- (hat a stu)id thing to te&& him,-
$adam Hoo.h had 0oined them#
+Read' to resume )&a'2- she as!ed Wood#
Wood &oo!ed at the determined &oo! on Harr'*s fa.e#
+A&& right,- he said# +9red, 8eorge, 'ou heard Harr' :&ea"e him a&one and &et him dea& (ith the B&udger on his o(n#-
The rain (as fa&&ing more hea"i&' no(# On $adam Hoo.h*s (hist&e, Harr' !i.!ed hard into the air and heard the te&&ta&e
(hoosh of the B&udger ehind him# Higher and higher Harr' .&imed5 he &oo)ed and s(oo)ed, s)ira&ed, ;ig;agged, and ro&&ed#
S&ight&' di;;', he ne"erthe&ess !e)t his e'es (ide o)en, rain (as s)e.!&ing his g&asses and ran u) his nostri&s as he hung u)side
do(n, a"oiding another fier.e di"e from the B&udger# He .ou&d hear &aughter from the .ro(d5 he !ne( he must &oo! "er'
stu)id, ut the rogue B&udger (as hea"' and .ou&dn*t .hange dire.tion as 6ui.!&' as Harr' .ou&d5 he egan a !ind of ro&&er:
.oaster ride around the edges of the stadium, s6uinting through the si&"er sheets of rain to the 8r'ffindor goa& )osts, (here
Adrian Pu.e' (as tr'ing to get )ast Wood###
A (hist&ing in Harr'*s ear to&d him the B&udger had 0ust missed him again5 he turned right o"er and s)ed in the o))osite
dire.tion#
+Training for the a&&et, Potter2- 'e&&ed $a&fo' as Harr' (as for.ed to do a stu)id !ind of t(ir& in midair to dodge the
B&udger, and he f&ed, the B&udger trai&ing a fe( feet ehind him5 and then, g&aring a.! at $a&fo' in hatred, he sa( it1the
8o&den Snit.h# It (as ho"ering in.hes ao"e $a&fo'*s &eft ear1and $a&fo', us' &aughing at Harr', hadn*t seen it#
9or an agoni;ing moment, Harr' hung in midair, not daring to s)eed to(ard $a&fo' in .ase he &oo!ed u) and sa( the Snit.h#
WHA$#
He had sta'ed sti&& a se.ond too &ong# The B&udger had hit him at &ast, smashed into his e&o(, and Harr' fe&t his arm rea!#
Dim&', da;ed ' the searing )ain in his arm, he s&id side(a's on his rain:dren.hed room, one !nee sti&& .roo!ed o"er it, his
right arm dang&ing use&ess at his side1the B&udger .ame )e&ting a.! for a se.ond atta.!, this time aiming at his fa.e1Harr'
s(er"ed out of the (a', one idea firm&' &odged in his num rain4 get to $a&fo'#
Through a ha;e of rain and )ain he di"ed for the shimmering, sneering fa.e e&o( him and sa( its e'es (iden (ith fear4
$a&fo' thought Harr' (as atta.!ing him#
+What the1- he gas)ed, .areening out of Harr'*s (a'#
Harr' too! his remaining hand off his room and made a (i&d snat.h5 he fe&t his fingers .&ose on the .o&d Snit.h ut (as
no( on&' gri))ing the room (ith his &egs, and there (as a 'e&& from the .ro(d e&o( as he headed straight for the ground,
tr'ing hard not to )ass out#
With a s)&attering thud he hit the mud and ro&&ed off his room# His arm (as hanging at a "er' strange ang&e5 ridd&ed (ith
)ain, he heard, as though from a distan.e, a good dea& of (hist&ing and shouting# He fo.used on the Snit.h .&ut.hed in his good
hand#
+Aha,- he said "ague&'# +We*"e (on#-
And he fainted#
He .ame around, rain fa&&ing on his fa.e, sti&& &'ing on the fie&d, (ith someone &eaning o"er him# He sa( a g&itter of teeth#
+Oh, no, not 'ou,- he moaned#
+Doesn*t !no( (hat he*s sa'ing,- said 7o.!hart &oud&' to the an/ious .ro(d of 8r'ffindors )ressing around them# +Not to
(orr', Harr'# I*m aout to fi/ 'our arm#-
+No,- said Harr'# +I*&& !ee) it &i!e this, than!s###-
He tried to sit u), ut the )ain (as terri&e# He heard a fami&iar .&i.!ing noise near'#
+I don*t (ant a )hoto of this, Co&in,- he said &oud&'#
+7ie a.!, Harr',- said 7o.!hart soothing&'# +It*s a sim)&e .harm I*"e used .ount&ess times1-
43
+Wh' .an*t I 0ust go to the hos)ita& (ing2- said Harr' through .&en.hed teeth#
+He shou&d rea&&', Professor,- said a mudd' Wood, (ho .ou&dn*t he&) grinning e"en though his See!er (as in0ured# +8reat
.a)ture, Harr', rea&&' s)e.ta.u&ar, 'our est 'et, Id sa'1-
Through the thi.!et of &egs around him, Harr' s)otted 9red and 8eorge Weas&e', (rest&ing the rogue B&udger into a o/# It
(as sti&& )utting u) a terrifi. fight#
+Stand a.!,- said 7o.!hart, (ho (as ro&&ing u) his 0ade:green s&ee"es#
+No1don*t1- said Harr' (ea!&', ut 7o.!hart (as t(ir&ing his (and and a se.ond &ater had dire.ted it straight at Harr'*s
arm#
A strange and un)&easant sensation started at Harr'*s shou&der and s)read a&& the (a' do(n to his fingerti)s# It fe&t as though
his arm (as eing def&ated# He didn*t dare &oo! at (hat (as ha))ening# He had shut his e'es, his fa.e turned a(a' from his
arm, ut his (orst fears (ere rea&i;ed as the )eo)&e ao"e him gas)ed and Co&in Cree"e' egan .&i.!ing a(a' mad&'# His arm
didn*t hurt an'more1nor did it fee& remote&' &i!e an arm#
+Ah,- said 7o.!hart# +Yes# We&&, that .an sometimes ha))en# But the )oint is, the ones are no &onger ro!en# That*s the
thing to ear in mind# So, Harr', 0ust todd&e u) to the hos)ita& (ing1ah, $r# Weas&e', $iss 8ranger, (ou&d 'ou es.ort him21
and $adam Pomfre' (i&& e a&e to1er1tid' 'ou u) a it#-
As Harr' got to his feet, he fe&t strange&' &o)sided# Ta!ing a dee) reath he &oo!ed do(n at his right side# What he sa(
near&' made him )ass out again#
Po!ing out of the end of his roes (as (hat &oo!ed &i!e a thi.!, f&esh.o&ored ruer g&o"e# He tried to mo"e his fingers#
Nothing ha))ened#
7o.!hart hadn*t mended Harr'*s ones# He had remo"ed them#
$adam Pomfre' (asn*t at a&& )&eased#
+You shou&d ha"e .ome straight to me,- she raged, ho&ding u) the sad, &im) remainder of (hat, ha&f an hour efore, had een
a (or!ing arm# +I .an mend ones in a se.ond1ut gro(ing them a.!1-
+You (i&& e a&e to, (on*t 'ou2- said Harr' des)erate&'#
+I*&& e a&e to, .ertain&', ut it (i&& e )ainfu&,- said $adam Pomfre' grim&', thro(ing Harr' a )air of )a0amas# +You*&& ha"e
to sta' the night###-
Hermione (aited outside the .urtain dra(n around Harr'*s ed (hi&e Ron he&)ed him into his )a0amas# It too! a (hi&e to
stuff the ruer', one&ess arm into a s&ee"e#
+Ho( .an 'ou sti.! u) for 7o.!hart no(, Hermione, eh2- Ron .a&&ed through the .urtain as he )u&&ed Harr'*s &im) fingers
through the .uff# +If Harr' had (anted de:oning he (ou&d ha"e as!ed#-
+An'one .an ma!e a mista!e,- said Hermione# +And it doesn*t hurt an'more, does it, Harr'2-
+No,- said Harr', getting into ed# +But it doesn*t do an'thing e&se either#-
As he s(ung himse&f onto the ed, his arm f&a))ed )oint&ess&'#
Hermione and $adam Pomfre' .ame around the .urtain# $adam Pomfre' (as ho&ding a &arge ott&e of something &ae&ed
S!e&e:8ro#
+You*re in for a rough night,- she said, )ouring out a steaming ea!erfu& and handing it to him# +Regro(ing ones is a nast'
usiness#
So (as ta!ing the S!e&e:8ro# It urned Harr'*s mouth and throat as it (ent do(n, ma!ing him .ough and s)&utter# Sti&& tut:
tutting aout dangerous s)orts and inee)t tea.hers, $adam Pomfre' retreated, &ea"ing Ron and Hermione to he&) Harr' gu&)
do(n some (ater#
+We (on, though,- said Ron, a grin rea!ing a.ross his fa.e# +That (as some .at.h 'ou made# $a&fo'*s fa.e### he &oo!ed
read' to !i&&,-
+I (ant to !no( ho( he fi/ed that B&udger,- said Hermione dar!&'#
+We .an add that to the &ist of 6uestions (e*&& as! him (hen (e*"e ta!en the Po&'0ui.e Potion,- said Harr', sin!ing a.! onto
his )i&&o(s# +I ho)e it tastes etter than this stuff###-
+If it*s got its of S&'therins in it2 You*"e got to e 0o!ing,- said Ron#
The door of the hos)ita& (ing urst o)en at that moment# 9i&th' and soa!ing (et, the rest of the 8r'ffindor team had arri"ed
to see Harr'#
+3ne&ie"a&e f&'ing, Harr',- said 8eorge# +I*"e 0ust seen $ar.us 9&int 'e&&ing at $a&fo'# Something aout ha"ing the Snit.h
on to) of his head and not noti.ing# $a&fo' didn*t seem too ha))'#- The' had rought .a!es, s(eets, and ott&es of )um)!in
0ui.e5 the' gathered around Harr'*s ed and (ere 0ust getting started on (hat )romised to e a good )art' (hen $adam
Pomfre' .ame storming o"er, shouting, +This o' needs rest, he*s got thirt':three ones to regro(, Out, O3T,-
And Harr' (as &eft a&one, (ith nothing to distra.t him from the staing )ains in his &im) arm#
Hours and hours &ater, Harr' (o!e 6uite sudden&' in the )it.h &a.!ness and ga"e a sma&& 'e&) of )ain4 His arm no( fe&t fu&&
of
&arge s)&inters# 9or a se.ond, he thought that (as (hat had (o!en him# Then, (ith a thri&& of horror, he rea&i;ed that someone
(as s)onging his forehead in the dar!#
+8et off,- he said &oud&', and then, +Do',-
The house:e&f*s gogg&ing tennis a&& e'es (ere )eering at Harr' through the dar!ness# A sing&e tear (as running do(n his
&ong, )ointed nose#
+Harr' Potter .ame a.! to s.hoo&,- he (his)ered misera&'# +Do' (arned and (arned Harr' Potter# Ah sir, (h' didn*t
'ou heed Do'2 Wh' didn*t Harr' Potter go a.! home (hen he missed the train2-
Harr' hea"ed himse&f u) on his )i&&o(s and )ushed Do'*s s)onge a(a'#
+What*re 'ou doing here2- he said# +And ho( did 'ou !no( I missed the train2-
Do'*s &i) trem&ed and Harr' (as sei;ed ' a sudden sus)i.ion#
+It (as 'ou,- he said s&o(&'# +You sto))ed the arrier from &etting us through,-
44
+Indeed 'es, sir,- said Do', nodding his head "igorous&', ears f&a))ing# +Do' hid and (at.hed for Harr' Potter and
sea&ed the gate(a' and Do' had to iron his hands after(ard-1he sho(ed Harr' ten &ong, andaged fingers1-ut Do'
didn*t .are, sir, for he thought Harr' Potter (as safe, and ne"er did Do' dream that Harr' Potter (ou&d get to s.hoo& another
(a',-
He (as ro.!ing a.!(ard and for(ard, sha!ing his ug&' head#
+Do' (as *so sho.!ed (hen he heard Harr' Potter (as a.! at Hog(arts, he &et his master*s dinner urn, Su.h a f&ogging
Do' ne"er had, sir###-
Harr' s&um)ed a.! onto his )i&&o(s#
+You near&' got Ron and me e/)e&&ed,- he said fier.e&'# +You*d etter get &ost efore m' ones .ome a.!, Do', or I
might strang&e 'ou#-
Do' smi&ed (ea!&'#
+Do' is used to death threats, sir# Do' gets them fi"e times a da' at home#-
He &e( his nose on a .orner of the fi&th' )i&&o(.ase he (ore, &oo!ing so )atheti. that Harr' fe&t his anger e a(a' in s)ite
of himse&f#
+Wh' d*'ou (ear that thing, Do'2- he as!ed .urious&'#
+This, sir2- said Do', )&u.!ing at the )i&&o(.ase# +*Tis a mar! of the house:e&f*s ens&a"ement, sir# Do' .an on&' e freed
if his masters )resent him (ith .&othes, sir# The fami&' is .arefu& not to )ass Do' e"en a so.!, sir, for then he (ou&d e free
to &ea"e their house fore"er#-
Do' mo))ed his u&ging e'es and said sudden&', +Harr' Potter must go home, Do' thought his B&udger (ou&d e
enough to ma!e1-
+Your B&udger2- said Harr', anger rising on.e more# +What d*'ou mean, 'our B&udger2 You made that B&udger tr' and !i&&
me2-
+Not !i&& 'ou, sir, ne"er !i&& 'ou,- said Do', sho.!ed# +Do' (ants to sa"e Harr' Potter*s &ife, Better sent home,
grie"ous&' in0ured, than remain here sir, Do' on&' (anted Harr' Potter hurt enough to e sent home,-
+Oh, is that a&&2- said Harr' angri&'# +I don*t su))ose 'ou*re going to te&& me (h' 'ou (anted me sent home in )ie.es2-
+Ah, if Harr' Potter on&' !ne(,- Do' groaned, more tears dri))ing onto his ragged )i&&o(.ase# +If he !ne( (hat he
means to us, to the &o(&', the ens&a"ed, (e dregs of the magi.a& (or&d, Do' rememers ho( it (as (hen He:Who:$ust:
Not:Be:Named (as at the height of his )o(ers, sir, We house:e&"es (ere treated &i!e "ermin, sir, Of .ourse, Do' is sti&&
treated &i!e that, sir,- he admitted, dr'ing his fa.e on the )i&&o(.ase# +But most&', sir, &ife has im)ro"ed for m' !ind sin.e 'ou
trium)hed o"er He:Who:$ust:Not:Be:Named# Harr' Potter sur"i"ed, and the Dar! 7ord*s )o(er (as ro!en, and it (as a
ne( da(n, sir, and Harr' Potter shone &i!e a ea.on of ho)e for those of us (ho thought the Dar! da's (ou&d ne"er end, sit###
And no(, at Hog(arts, terri&e things are to ha))en, are )erha)s ha))ening a&read', and Do' .annot &et Harr' Potter sta'
here no( that histor' is to re)eat itse&f, no( that the Chamer of Se.rets is o)en on.e more1-
Do' fro;e, horror:stru.!, then graed Harr'*s (ater 0ug from his edside ta&e and .ra.!ed it o"er his o(n head, to))&ing
out of sight# A se.ond &ater, he .ra(&ed a.! onto the ed, .ross:e'ed, muttering, +Bad Do', "er' ad Do'###-
+So there is a Chamer of Se.rets2- Harr' (his)ered# +And did 'ou sa' it*s een o)ened efore2 Te&& me, Do',-
He sei;ed the e&f*s on' (rist as Do'*s hand in.hed to(ard the (ater 0ug# +But I*m not $ugg&e:orn1ho( .an I e in
danger from the Chamer2-
+Ah, sir, as! no more, as! no more of )oor Do',- stammered the e&f, his e'es huge in the dar!# +Dar! deeds are )&anned in
this )&a.e, ut Harr' Potter must not e here (hen the' ha))en1go home, Harr' Potter, go home# Harr' Potter must not
medd&e in this, sir, *tis too dangerous1-
+Who is it, Do'2- Harr' said, !ee)ing a firm ho&d on Do'*s (rist to sto) him from hitting himse&f (ith the (ater 0ug
again# +Who*s o)ened it2 Who o)ened it &ast time2-
+Do' .an*t, sir, Do' .an*t, Do' mustn*t te&&,- s6uea&ed the e&f# +8o home, Harr' Potter, go home,-
+I*m not going an'(here,- said Harr' fier.e&'# +One of m' est friends is $ugg&e:orn5 she*&& e first in &ine if the Chamer
rea&&' has een o)ened1-
+Harr' Potter ris!s his o(n &ife for his friends,- moaned Do' in a !ind of misera&e e.stas'# +So no&e, So "a&iant, But he
must sa"e himse&f, he must, Harr' Potter must not1-
Do' sudden&' fro;e, his at ears 6ui"ering# Harr' heard it, too# There (ere footste)s .oming do(n the )assage(a'
outside#
+Do' must go,- reathed the e&f, terrified# There (as a &oud .ra.!, and Harr'*s fist (as sudden&' .&en.hed on thin air# He
s&um)ed a.! into ed, his e'es on the dar! door(a' to the hos)ita& (ing as the footste)s dre( nearer#
Ne/t moment, Dum&edore (as a.!ing into the dormitor', (earing a &ong (oo&&' dressing go(n and a night.a)# He (as
.arr'ing one end of (hat &oo!ed &i!e a statue# Professor $.8onaga&& a))eared a se.ond &ater, .arr'ing its feet# Together, the'
hea"ed it onto a ed#
+8et $adam Pomfre',- (his)ered Dum&edore, and Professor $.8onaga&& hurried )ast the end of Harr'*s ed out of sight#
Harr' &a' 6uite sti&&, )retending to e as&ee)# He heard urgent "oi.es, and then Professor $.8onaga&& s(e)t a.! into "ie(,
.&ose&' fo&&o(ed ' $adam Pomfre', (ho (as )u&&ing a .ardigan on o"er her nightdress# He heard a shar) inta!e of reath#
+What ha))ened2- $adam Pomfre' (his)ered to Dum&edore, ending o"er the statue on the ed#
+Another atta.!,- said Dum&edore# +$iner"a found him on the stairs#-
+There (as a un.h of gra)es ne/t to him,- said Professor $.8onaga&&# +We thin! he (as tr'ing to snea! u) here to "isit
Potter#-
Harr'*s stoma.h ga"e a horri&e &ur.h# S&o(&' and .arefu&&', he raised himse&f a fe( in.hes so he .ou&d &oo! at the statue on
the ed# A ra' of moon&ight &a' a.ross its staring fa.e#
It (as Co&in Cree"e'# His e'es (ere (ide and his hands (ere stu.! u) in front of him, ho&ding his .amera#
+Petrified2- (his)ered $adam Pomfre'#
45
+Yes,- said Professor $.8onaga&&# +But I shudder to thin!### If A&us hadn*t een on the (a' do(nstairs for hot .ho.o&ate1
(ho !no(s (hat might ha"e1-
The three of them stared do(n at Co&in# Then Dum&edore &eaned for(ard and (ren.hed the .amera out of Co&in*s rigid gri)#
+You don*t thin! he managed to get a )i.ture of his atta.!er2- said Professor $.8onaga&& eager&'#
Dum&edore didn*t ans(er# He o)ened the a.! of the .amera#
+8ood gra.ious,- said $adam Pomfre'#
A 0et of steam had hissed out of the .amera# Harr', three eds a(a', .aught the a.rid sme&& of urnt )&asti.#
+$e&ted,- said $adam Pomfre' (ondering&'# +A&& me&ted###-
+What does this mean, A&us2- Professor $.8onaga&& as!ed urgent&'#
+It means,- said Dum&edore, +that the Chamer of Se.rets is indeed o)en again#-
$adam Pomfre' .&a))ed a hand to her mouth# Professor $.8onaga&& stared at Dum&edore#
+But, A&us### sure&'### (ho2-
+The 6uestion is not (ho,- said Dum&edore, his e'es on Co&in# +The 6uestion is, ho(###-
And from (hat Harr' .ou&d see of Professor $.8onaga&&*s shado(' fa.e, she didn*t understand this an' etter than he did#
CHAPTER E7E%EN
THE D3E77IN8 C73B
Harr' (o!e u) on Sunda' morning to find the dormitor' &a;ing (ith (inter sun&ight and his arm reoned ut "er' stiff# He
sat u) 6ui.!&' and &oo!ed o"er at Co&in*s ed, ut it had een &o.!ed from "ie( ' the high .urtains Harr' had .hanged
ehind 'esterda'# Seeing that he (as a(a!e, $adam Pomfre' .ame ust&ing o"er (ith a rea!fast tra' and then egan ending
and stret.hing his arm and fingers#
+A&& in order,- she said as he .&umsi&' fed himse&f )orridge &eft:handed# +When 'ou*"e finished eating, 'ou ma' &ea"e#-
Harr' dressed as 6ui.!&' as he .ou&d and hurried off to 8r'ffindor To(er, des)erate to te&& Ron and Hermione aout Co&in
and Do', ut the' (eren*t there# Harr' &eft to &oo! for them, (ondering (here the' .ou&d ha"e got to and fee&ing s&ight&'
hurt that the' (eren*t interested in (hether he had his ones a.! or not#
As Harr' )assed the &irar', Per.' Weas&e' stro&&ed out of it, &oo!ing in far etter s)irits than &ast time the'*d met#
+Oh, he&&o, Harr',- he said# +E/.e&&ent f&'ing 'esterda', rea&&' e/.e&&ent# 8r'ffindor has 0ust ta!en the &ead for the House
Cu) 'ou earned fift' )oints,-
+You ha"en*t seen Ron or Hermione, ha"e 'ou2- said Harr'#
+No, I ha"en*t,- said Per.', his smi&e fading# +I ho)e Ron*s not in another gir&s* toi&et###-
Harr' for.ed a &augh, (at.hed Per.' (a&! out of sight, and then headed straight for $oaning $'rt&e*s athroom# He .ou&dn*t
see (h' Ron and Hermione (ou&d e in there again, ut after ma!ing sure that neither 9i&.h nor an' )refe.ts (ere around, he
o)ened the door and heard their "oi.es .oming from a &o.!ed sta&&#
+It*s me,- he said, .&osing the door ehind him# There (as a .&un!, a s)&ash, and a gas) from (ithin the sta&& and he sa(
Hermione*s e'e )eering through the !e'ho&e#
HHarr',- she said# +You ga"e us su.h a fright1.ome in ho(*s 'our arm2-
+9ine,- said Harr', s6uee;ing into the sta&&# An o&d .au&dron (as )er.hed on the toi&et, and a .ra.!&ing from under the rim
to&d Harr' the' had &it a fire eneath it# Con0uring u) )orta&e, (ater)roof fires (as a s)e.ia&it' of Hermione*s#
+We*d*"e .ome to meet 'ou, ut (e de.ided to get started on the Po&'0ui.e Potion,- Ron e/)&ained as Harr', (ith diffi.u&t',
&o.!ed the sta&& again# +We*"e de.ided this is the safest )&a.e to hide it#-
Harr' started to te&& them aout Co&in, ut Hermione interru)ted#
+We a&read' !no(1(e heard Professor $.8onaga&& te&&ing
Professor 9&it(i.! this morning# That*s (h' (e de.ided (e*d etter get going1-
+The sooner (e get a .onfession out of $a&fo', the etter,- snar&ed Ron# +D*'ou !no( (hat I thin!2 He (as in su.h a fou&
tem)er after the >uiddit.h mat.h, he too! it out on Co&in#-
+There*s something e&se,- said Harr', (at.hing Hermione tearing und&es of !notgrass and thro(ing them into the )otion#
+Do' .ame to "isit me in the midd&e of the night#-
Ron and Hermione &oo!ed u), ama;ed# Harr' to&d them e"er'thing Do' had to&d him1or hadn*t to&d him# Hermione and
Ron &istened (ith their mouths o)en#
+The Chamer of Se.rets has een o)ened efore2- Hermione said#
+This sett&es it,- said Ron in a trium)hant "oi.e# +7u.ius $a&fo' must*"e o)ened the Chamer (hen he (as at s.hoo& here
and no( he*s to&d dear o&d Dra.o ho( to do it# It*s o"ious# Wish Do'*d to&d 'ou (hat !ind of monster*s in there, though# I
(ant to !no( ho( .ome nood'*s noti.ed it snea!ing around the s.hoo&#-
+$a'e it .an ma!e itse&f in"isi&e,- said Hermione, )rodding &ee.hes to the ottom of the .au&dron# +Or ma'e it .an
disguise itse&f1)retend to e a suit of armor or something1I*"e read aout Chame&eon 8hou&s1-
+You read too mu.h, Hermione,- said Ron, )ouring dead &a.e(ings on to) of the &ee.hes# He .rum)&ed u) the em)t'
&a.e(ing ag and &oo!ed at Harr'#
+So Do' sto))ed us from getting on the train and ro!e 'our arm#- He shoo! his head# +You !no( (hat, Harr'2 If he
doesn*t sto) tr'ing to sa"e 'our &ife he*s going to !i&& 'ou#-
The ne(s that Co&in Cree"e' had een atta.!ed and (as no( &'ing as though dead in the hos)ita& (ing had s)read through
the entire s.hoo& ' $onda' morning# The air (as sudden&' thi.! (ith rumor and sus)i.ion# The first 'ears (ere no( mo"ing
around the .ast&e in tight:!nit grou)s, as though s.ared the' (ou&d e atta.!ed if the' "entured forth a&one#
8inn' Weas&e', (ho sat ne/t to Co&in Cree"e' in Charms, (as distraught, ut Harr' fe&t that 9red and 8eorge (ere going
the (rong (a' aout .heering her u)# The' (ere ta!ing turns .o"ering themse&"es (ith fur or oi&s and 0um)ing out at her
46
from ehind statues# The' on&' sto))ed (hen Per.', a)o)&e.ti. (ith rage, to&d them he (as going to (rite to $rs# Weas&e' and
te&& her 8inn' (as ha"ing nightmares#
$ean(hi&e, hidden from the tea.hers, a roaring trade in ta&ismans, amu&ets, and other )rote.ti"e de"i.es (as s(ee)ing the
s.hoo&# Ne"i&&e 7ongottom ought a &arge, e"i&:sme&&ing green onion, a )ointed )ur)&e .r'sta&, and a rotting ne(t tai& efore
the other 8r'ffindor o's )ointed out that he (as in no danger5 he (as a )ure&ood, and therefore un&i!e&' to e atta.!ed#
+The' (ent for 9i&.h first,- Ne"i&&e said, his round fa.e fearfu&# +And e"er'one !no(s I*m a&most a S6ui#-
In the se.ond (ee! of De.emer Professor $.8onaga&& .ame around as usua&, .o&&e.ting names of those (ho (ou&d e
sta'ing at s.hoo& for Christmas# Harr', Ron, and Hermione signed her &ist5 the' had heard that $a&fo' (as sta'ing, (hi.h
stru.! them as "er' sus)i.ious# The ho&ida's (ou&d e the )erfe.t time to use the Po&'0ui.e Potion and tr' to (orm a
.onfession out of him#
3nfortunate&', the )otion (as on&' ha&f finished# The' sti&& needed the Bi.orn horn and the ooms&ang s!in, and the on&'
)&a.e the' (ere going to get them (as from Sna)e*s )ri"ate stores# Harr' )ri"ate&' fe&t he*d rather fa.e S&'therin*s &egendar'
monster than &et Sna)e .at.h him roing his offi.e#
+What (e need,- said Hermione ris!&' as Thursda' afternoon*s dou&e Potions &esson &oomed nearer, +is a di"ersion# Then
one of us .an snea! into Sna)e*s offi.e and ta!e (hat (e need#-
Harr' and Ron &oo!ed at her ner"ous&'#
+I thin! Id etter do the a.tua& stea&ing,- Hermione .ontinued in a matter:of:fa.t tone# +You t(o (i&& e e/)e&&ed if 'ou get
into an' more trou&e, and I*"e got a .&ean re.ord# So a&& 'ou need to do is .ause enough ma'hem to !ee) Sna)e us' for fi"e
minutes or so#
Harr' smi&ed fee&'# De&ierate&' .ausing ma'hem in Sna)e*s Potions .&ass (as aout as safe as )o!ing a s&ee)ing dragon in
the e'e#
Potions &essons too! )&a.e in one of the &arge dungeons# Thursda' afternoon*s &esson )ro.eeded in the usua& (a'# T(ent'
.au&drons stood steaming et(een the (ooden des!s, on (hi.h stood rass s.a&es and 0ars of ingredients# Sna)e )ro(&ed
through the fumes, ma!ing (as)ish remar!s aout the 8r'ffindors* (or! (hi&e the S&'therins sniggered a))re.iati"e&'# Dra.o
$a&fo', (ho (as Sna)e*s fa"orite student, !e)t f&i.!ing )uffer:fish e'es at Ron and Harr', (ho !ne( that if the' reta&iated
the' (ou&d get detention faster than 'ou .ou&d sa' +3nfair#-
Harr'*s S(e&&ing So&ution (as far too runn', ut he had his mind on more im)ortant things# He (as (aiting for Hermione*s
signa&, and he hard&' &istened as Sna)e )aused to sneer at his (ater' )otion# When Sna)e turned and (a&!ed off to u&&'
Ne"i&&e, Hermione .aught Harr'*s e'e and nodded#
Harr' du.!ed s(ift&' do(n ehind his .au&dron, )u&&ed one of 9red*s 9i&iuster fire(or!s out of his )o.!et, and ga"e it a
6ui.! )rod (ith his (and# The fire(or! egan to fi;; and s)utter# Ano(ing he had on&' se.onds, Harr' straightened u), too!
aim, and &oed it into the air5 it &anded right on target in 8o'&e*s .au&dron#
8o'&e*s )otion e/)&oded, sho(ering the (ho&e .&ass# Peo)&e shrie!ed as s)&ashes of the S(e&&ing So&ution hit them# $a&fo'
got a fa.efu& and his nose egan to s(e&& &i!e a a&&oon5 8o'&e &undered around, his hands o"er his e'es, (hi.h had e/)anded
to the si;e of a dinner )&ate1Sna)e (as tr'ing to restore .a&m and find out (hat had ha))ened# Through the .onfusion, Harr'
sa( Hermione s&i) 6uiet&' into Sna)e*s offi.e#
+Si&en.e, SI7ENCE,- Sna)e roared# +An'one (ho has een s)&ashed, .ome here for a Def&ating Draft1(hen I find out (ho
did this1-
Harr' tried not to &augh as he (at.hed $a&fo' hurr' for(ard, his head droo)ing (ith the (eight of a nose &i!e a sma&&
me&on# As ha&f the .&ass &umered u) to Sna)e*s des!, some (eighted do(n (ith arms &i!e .&us, others una&e to ta&! through
giganti. )uffed:u) &i)s, Harr' sa( Hermione s&ide a.! into the dungeon, the front of her roes u&ging#
When e"er'one had ta!en a s(ig of antidote and the "arious s(e&&ings had susided, Sna)e s(e)t o"er to 8o'&e*s .au&dron
and s.oo)ed out the t(isted &a.! remains of the fire(or!# There (as a sudden hush#
+If I e"er find out (ho thre( this,- Sna)e (his)ered, +I sha&& ma!e sure that )erson is e/)e&&ed#-
Harr' arranged his fa.e into (hat he ho)ed (as a )u;;&ed e/)ression# Sna)e (as &oo!ing right at him, and the e&& that rang
ten minutes &ater .ou&d not ha"e een more (e&.ome#
+He !ne( it (as me,- Harr' to&d Ron and Hermione as the' hurried a.! to $oaning $'rt&e*s athroom# +I .ou&d te&&#-
Hermione thre( the ne( ingredients into the .au&dron and egan to stir fe"erish&'#
+It*&& e read' in t(o (ee!s,- she said ha))i&'#
+Sna)e .an*t )ro"e it (as 'ou,- said Ron reassuring&' to Harr'# +What .an he do2-
+Ano(ing Sna)e, something fou&,- said Harr' as the )otion frothed and u&ed#
A (ee! &ater, Harr', Ron, and Hermione (ere (a&!ing a.ross the entran.e ha&& (hen the' sa( a sma&& !not of )eo)&e
gathered around the noti.e oard, reading a )ie.e of )ar.hment that had 0ust een )inned u)# Seamus 9innigan and Dean
Thomas e.!oned them o"er, &oo!ing e/.ited#
+The'*re starting a Due&ing C&u,- said Seamus# +9irst meeting tonight, I (ou&dn*t mind due&ing &essons5 the' might .ome in
hand' one of these da's###-
+What, 'ou re.!on S&'therin*s monster .an due&2- said Ron, ut he, too, read the sign (ith interest#
+Cou&d e usefu&,- he said to Harr' and Hermione as the' (ent into dinner# +Sha&& (e go2-
Harr' and Hermione (ere a&& for it, so at eight o*.&o.! that e"ening the' hurried a.! to the 8reat Ha&&# The &ong dining
ta&es had "anished and a go&den stage had a))eared a&ong one (a&&, &it ' thousands of .and&es f&oating o"erhead# The .ei&ing
(as "e&"et' &a.! on.e more and most of the s.hoo& seemed to e )a.!ed eneath it, a&& .arr'ing their (ands and &oo!ing
e/.ited#
+I (onder (ho*&& e tea.hing us2- said Hermione as the' edged into the .hattering .ro(d# +Someone to&d me 9&it(i.! (as a
due&ing .ham)ion (hen he (as 'oung1ma'e it*&& e him#-
+As &ong as it*s not1- Harr' egan, ut he ended on a groan4 8i&dero' 7o.!hart (as (a&!ing onto the stage, res)&endent in
roes of dee) )&um and a..om)anied ' none other than Sna)e, (earing his usua& &a.!#
47
7o.!hart (a"ed an arm for si&en.e and .a&&ed * +8ather round, gather round, Can e"er'one see me2 Can 'ou a&& hear me2
E/.e&&ent,
+No(, Professor Dum&edore has granted me )ermission to start this &itt&e due&ing .&u, to train 'ou a&& in .ase 'ou e"er need
to defend 'ourse&"es as I m'se&f ha"e done on .ount&ess o..asions1for fu&& detai&s, see m' )u&ished (or!s#
+7et me introdu.e m' assistant, Professor Sna)e,- said 7o.!hart, f&ashing a (ide smi&e# +He te&&s me he !no(s a tin' &itt&e
it aout due&ing himse&f and has s)orting&' agreed to he&) me (ith a short demonstration efore (e egin# No(, I don*t (ant
an' of 'ou 'oungsters to (orr'1'ou*&& sti&& ha"e 'our Potions master (hen I*m through (ith him, ne"er fear,-
+Wou&dn*t it e good if the' finished ea.h other off2- Ron muttered in Harr'*s ear#
Sna)e*s u))er &i) (as .ur&ing# Harr' (ondered (h' 7o.!hart (as sti&& smi&ing5 if Sna)e had een &oo!ing at him &i!e that
he*d ha"e een running as fast as he .ou&d in the o))osite dire.tion#
7o.!hart and Sna)e turned to fa.e ea.h other and o(ed5 at &east, 7o.!hart did, (ith mu.h t(ir&ing of his hands, (hereas
Sna)e 0er!ed his head irrita&'# Then the' raised their (ands &i!e s(ords in front of them#
+As 'ou see, (e are ho&ding our (ands in the a..e)ted .omati"e )osition,- 7o.!hart to&d the si&ent .ro(d# +On the .ount of
three, (e (i&& .ast our first s)e&&s# Neither of us (i&& e aiming to !i&&, of .ourse#-
+I (ou&dn*t et on that,- Harr' murmured, (at.hing Sna)e aring his teeth#
+One1t(o1three1-
Both of them s(ung their (ands ao"e their heads and )ointed them at their o))onent5 Sna)e .ried4 +E/)e&&iarmus,- There
(as a da;;&ing f&ash of s.ar&et &ight and 7o.!hart (as &asted off his feet4 He f&e( a.!(ard off the stage, smashed into the
(a&&, and s&id do(n it to s)ra(& on the f&oor#
$a&fo' and some of the other S&'therins .heered# Hermione (as dan.ing on ti)toes# +Do 'ou thin! he*s a&& right2- she
s6uea&ed through her fingers#
+Who .ares2- said Harr' and Ron together#
7o.!hart (as getting unsteadi&' to his feet# His hat had fa&&en off and his (a"' hair (as standing on end#
+We&&, there 'ou ha"e it,- he said, tottering a.! onto the )&atform# +That (as a Disarming Charm1as 'ou see, I*"e &ost m'
(and1ah, than! 'ou, $iss Bro(n1'es, an e/.e&&ent idea to sho( them that, Professor Sna)e, ut if 'ou don*t mind m'
sa'ing so, it (as "er' o"ious (hat 'ou (ere aout to do# If I had (anted to sto) 'ou it (ou&d ha"e een on&' too eas'1
ho(e"er, I fe&t it (ou&d e instru.ti"e to &et them see###-
Sna)e (as &oo!ing murderous# Possi&' 7o.!hart had noti.ed, e.ause he said, +Enough demonstrating, I*m going to .ome
amongst 'ou no( and )ut 'ou a&& into )airs# Professor Sna)e, if 'ou*d &i!e to he&) me1-
The' mo"ed through the .ro(d, mat.hing u) )artners# 7o.!hart teamed Ne"i&&e (ith @ustin 9in.h:9&et.h&e', ut Sna)e
rea.hed Harr' and Ron first#
+Time to s)&it u) the dream team, I thin!,- he sneered# +Weas&e', 'ou .an )artner 9innigan# Potter1-
Harr' mo"ed automati.a&&' to(ard Hermione#
+I don*t thin! so,- said Sna)e, smi&ing .o&d&'# +$r# $a&fo', .ome o"er here# 7et*s see (hat 'ou ma!e of the famous Potter#
And 'ou, $iss 8ranger1'ou .an )artner $iss Bu&strode#-
$a&fo' strutted o"er, smir!ing# Behind him (a&!ed a S&'therin gir& (ho reminded Harr' of a )i.ture he*d seen in Ho&ida's
(ith Hags# She (as &arge and s6uare and her hea"' 0a( 0utted aggressi"e&'# Hermione ga"e her a (ea! smi&e that she did not
return#
+9a.e 'our )artners,- .a&&ed 7o.!hart, a.! on the )&atform# +And o(,-
Harr' and $a&fo' are&' in.&ined their heads, not ta!ing their e'es off ea.h other#
+Wands at the read',- shouted 7o.!hart# +When I .ount to three, .ast 'our .harms to disarm 'our o))onents1on&' to
disarm them1(e don*t (ant an' a..idents1one### t(o### three###-
Harr' s(ung his (and high, ut $a&fo' had a&read' started on +t(o-4 His s)e&& hit Harr' so hard he fe&t as though he*d een
hit o"er the head (ith a sau.e)an# He stum&ed, ut e"er'thing sti&& seemed to e (or!ing, and (asting no more time, Harr'
)ointed his (and straight at $a&fo' and shouted, +Ri.tusem)ra,-
A 0et of si&"er &ight hit $a&fo' in the stoma.h and he dou&ed u), (hee;ing#
+I said disarm on&',- 7o.!hart shouted in a&arm o"er the heads of the att&ing .ro(d, as $a&fo' san! to his !nees5 Harr' had
hit him (ith a Ti.!&ing Charm, and he .ou&d are&' mo"e for &aughing# Harr' hung a.!, (ith a "ague fee&ing it (ou&d e
uns)orting to e(it.h $a&fo' (hi&e he (as on the f&oor, ut this (as a mista!e5 gas)ing for reath, $a&fo' )ointed his (and at
Harr'*s !nees, .ho!ed, +Taranta&&egra,- and the ne/t se.ond Harr'*s &egs egan to 0er! around out of his .ontro& in a !ind of
6ui.!ste)#
+Sto), Sto),- s.reamed 7o.!hart, ut Sna)e too! .harge#
+9inite In.antatem,- he shouted5 Harr'*s feet sto))ed dan.ing, $a&fo' sto))ed &aughing, and the' (ere a&e to &oo! u)#
A ha;e of greenish smo!e (as ho"ering o"er the s.ene# Both Ne"i&&e and @ustin (ere &'ing on the f&oor, )anting5 Ron (as
ho&ding u) an ashen:fa.ed Seamus, a)o&ogi;ing for (hate"er his ro!en (and had done5 ut Hermione and $i&&i.ent Bu&strode
(ere sti&& mo"ing5 $i&&i.ent had Hermione in a head&o.! and Hermione (as (him)ering in )ain5 oth their (ands &a'
forgotten on the f&oor# Harr' &ea)t for(ard and )u&&ed $i&&i.ent off# It (as diffi.u&t4 She (as a &ot igger than he (as#
+Dear, dear,- said 7o.!hart, s!ittering through the .ro(d, &oo!ing at the aftermath of the due&s# +3) 'ou go, $a.mi&&an###
Carefu& there, $iss 9a(.ett### Pin.h it hard, it*&& sto) &eeding in a se.ond, Boot###-
+I thin! Id etter tea.h 'ou ho( to &o.! unfriend&' s)e&&s,- said 7o.!hart, standing f&ustered in the midst of the ha&&# He
g&an.ed at Sna)e, (hose &a.! e'es g&inted, and &oo!ed 6ui.!&' a(a'# +7et*s ha"e a "o&unteer )air17ongottom and 9in.h:
9&et.h&e', ho( aout 'ou1-
+A ad idea, Professor 7o.!hart,- said Sna)e, g&iding o"er &i!e a &arge and ma&e"o&ent at# +7ongottom .auses de"astation
(ith the sim)&est s)e&&s# We*&& e sending (hat*s &eft of 9in.h:9&et.h&e' u) to the hos)ita& (ing in a mat.ho/#- Ne"i&&e*s
round, )in! fa.e (ent )in!er# +Ho( aout $a&fo' and Potter2- said Sna)e (ith a t(isted smi&e#
48
+E/.e&&ent idea,- said 7o.!hart, gesturing Harr' and $a&fo' into the midd&e of the ha&& as the .ro(d a.!ed a(a' to gi"e
them room#
+No(, Harr',- said 7o.!hart# +When Dra.o )oints his (and at 'ou, 'ou do this#-
He raised his o(n (and, attem)ted a .om)&i.ated sort of (igg&ing a.tion, and dro))ed it# Sna)e smir!ed as 7o.!hart 6ui.!&'
)i.!ed it u), sa'ing, +Whoo)s :m' (and is a &itt&e o"ere/.ited1-
Sna)e mo"ed .&oser to $a&fo', ent do(n, and (his)ered something in his ear# $a&fo' smir!ed, too# Harr' &oo!ed u)
ner"ous&' at 7o.!hart and said, +Professor, .ou&d 'ou sho( me that &o.!ing thing again2-
+S.ared2- muttered $a&fo', so that 7o.!hart .ou&dn*t hear him#
+You (ish,- said Harr' out of the .orner of his mouth#
7o.!hart .uffed Harr' merri&' on the shou&der# +@ust do (hat I did, Harr',-
+What, dro) m' (and2-
But 7o.!hart (asn*t &istening#
+Three1t(o1one1go,- he shouted#
$a&fo' raised his (and 6ui.!&' and e&&o(ed, +Ser)ensortia,-
The end of his (and e/)&oded# Harr' (at.hed, aghast, as a &ong &a.! sna!e shot out of it, fe&& hea"i&' onto the f&oor
et(een them, and raised itse&f, read' to stri!e# There (ere s.reams as the .ro(d a.!ed s(ift&' a(a', .&earing the f&oor#
+Don*t mo"e, Potter,- said Sna)e &a;i&', .&ear&' en0o'ing the sight of Harr' standing motion&ess, e'e to e'e (ith the angr'
sna!e# +I*&& get rid of it###-
+A&&o( me,- shouted 7o.!hart# He randished his (and at the sna!e and there (as a &oud ang5 the sna!e, instead of
"anishing, f&e( ten feet into the air and fe&& a.! to the f&oor (ith a &oud sma.!# Enraged, hissing furious&', it s&ithered straight
to(ard @ustin 9in.h:9&et.h&e' and raised itse&f again, fangs e/)osed, )oised to stri!e#
Harr' (asn*t sure (hat made him do it# He (asn*t e"en a(are of de.iding to do it# A&& he !ne( (as that his &egs (ere
.arr'ing him for(ard as though he (as on .asters and that he had shouted stu)id&' at the sna!e, +7ea"e him a&one,- And
mira.u&ous&'1ine/)&i.a&'1the sna!e s&um)ed to the f&oor, do.i&e as a thi.!, &a.! garden hose, its e'es no( on Harr'# Harr'
fe&t the fear drain out of him# He !ne( the sna!e (ou&dn*t atta.! an'one no(, though ho( he !ne( it, he .ou&dn*t ha"e
e/)&ained#
He &oo!ed u) at @ustin, grinning, e/)e.ting to see @ustin &oo!ing re&ie"ed, or )u;;&ed, or e"en gratefu&1ut .ertain&' not
angr' and s.ared#
+What do 'ou thin! 'ou*re )&a'ing at2- he shouted, and efore Harr' .ou&d sa' an'thing, @ustin had turned and stormed out
of the ha&&#
Sna)e ste))ed for(ard, (a"ed his (and, and the sna!e "anished in a sma&& )uff of &a.! smo!e# Sna)e, too, (as &oo!ing at
Harr' in an une/)e.ted (a'4 It (as a shre(d and .a&.u&ating &oo!, and Harr' didn*t &i!e it# He (as a&so dim&' a(are of an
ominous muttering a&& around the (a&&s# Then he fe&t a tugging on the a.! of his roes#
+Come on,- said Rods "oi.e in his ear# +$o"e1.ome on1-
Ron steered him out of the ha&&, Hermione hurr'ing a&ongside them# As the' (ent through the doors, the )eo)&e on either
side dre( a(a' as though the' (ere frightened of .at.hing something# Harr' didn*t ha"e a .&ue (hat (as going on, and neither
Ron nor Hermione e/)&ained an'thing unti& the' had dragged him a&& the (a' u) to the em)t' 8r'ffindor .ommon room# Then
Ron )ushed Harr' into an arm.hair and said, +You*re a Parse&mouth# Wh' didn*t 'ou te&& us2-
+I*m a (hat2- said Harr'#
HA Parse&mouth,- said Ron# +You .an ta&! to sna!es,-
+I !no(,- said Harr'# +I mean, that*s on&' the se.ond time I*"e e"er done it# I a..identa&&' set a oa .onstri.tor on m' .ousin
Dud&e' at the ;oo on.e1&ong stor'1ut it (as te&&ing me it had ne"er seen Bra;i& and I sort of set it free (ithout meaning to
that (as efore I !ne( I (as a (i;ard1-
+A oa .onstri.tor to&d 'ou it had ne"er seen Bra;i&2- Ron re)eated faint&'#
+So2- said Harr'# +I et &oads of )eo)&e here .an do it#-
+Oh, no the' .an*t,- said Ron# +It*s not a "er' .ommon gift# Harr', this is ad#-
+What*s ad2- said Harr', starting to fee& 6uite angr'# +What*s (rong (ith e"er'one2 7isten, if I hadn*t to&d that sna!e not to
atta.! @ustin1-
+Oh, that*s (hat 'ou said to it2-
+What d*'ou mean2 You (ere there1'ou heard me1-
+I heard 'ou s)ea!ing Parse&tongue,- said Ron# +Sna!e &anguage# You .ou&d ha"e een sa'ing an'thing1no (onder @ustin
)ani.!ed, 'ou sounded &i!e 'ou (ere egging the sna!e on or something1it (as .ree)', 'ou !no(1-
Harr' ga)ed at him#
+I s)o!e a different &anguage2 But1I didn*t rea&i;e1ho( .an I s)ea! a &anguage (ithout !no(ing I .an s)ea! it2-
Ron shoo! his head# Both he and Hermione (ere &oo!ing as though someone had died# Harr' .ou&dn*t see (hat (as so
terri&e#
+D*'ou (ant to te&& me (hat*s (rong (ith sto))ing a massi"e sna!e iting off @ustin*s head2- he said# +What does it matter
ho( I did it as &ong as @ustin doesn*t ha"e to 0oin the Head&ess Hunt2-
+It matters,- said Hermione, s)ea!ing at &ast in a hushed "oi.e, +e.ause eing a&e to ta&! to sna!es (as (hat Sa&a;ar
S&'therin (as famous for# That*s (h' the s'mo& of S&'therin House is a ser)ent#-
Harr'*s mouth fe&& o)en#
+E/a.t&',- said Ron# +And no( the (ho&e s.hoo&*s going to thin! 'ou*re his great:great:great:great:grandson or something
1-
+But I*m not,- said Harr', (ith a )ani. he .ou&dn*t 6uite e/)&ain#
+You*&& find that hard to )ro"e,- said Hermione# +He &i"ed aout a thousand 'ears ago5 for a&& (e !no(, 'ou .ou&d e#-
49
Harr' &a' a(a!e for hours that night# Through a ga) in the .urtains around his four:)oster he (at.hed sno( starting to drift
)ast the to(er (indo( and (ondered###
Cou&d he e a des.endant of Sa&a;ar S&ithering2 He didn*t !no( an'thing aout his father*s fami&', after a&&# The Durs&e's
had a&(a's foridden 6uestions aout his (i;arding re&ati"es#
>uiet&', Harr' tried to sa' something in Parse&tongue# The (ords (ou&dn*t .ome# It seemed he had to e fa.e:to:fa.e (ith a
sna!e to do it#
+But I*m in 8r'ffindor,- Harr' thought# +The Sorting Hat (ou&dn*t ha"e )ut me in here if I had S&'therin &ood###-
+Ah,- said a nast' &itt&e "oi.e in his rain, +ut the Sorting Hat (anted to )ut 'ou in S&'therin, don*t 'ou rememer2-
Harr' turned o"er# He*d see @ustin the ne/t da' in Hero&og' and he*d e/)&ain that he*d een .a&&ing the sna!e off, not egging
it on, (hi.h <he thought angri&', )umme&ing his )i&&o(= an' foo& shou&d ha"e rea&i;ed#
B' ne/t morning, ho(e"er, the sno( that had egun in the night had turned into a &i;;ard so thi.! that the &ast Hero&og'
&esson of the term (as .an.e&ed4 Professor S)rout (anted to fit so.!s and s.ar"es on the $andra!es, a tri.!' o)eration she
(ou&d entrust to no one e&se, no( that it (as so im)ortant for the $andra!es to gro( 6ui.!&' and re"i"e $rs# Norris and Co&in
Cree"e'#
Harr' fretted aout this ne/t to the fire in the 8r'ffindor .ommon room, (hi&e Ron and Hermione used their time off to )&a'
a game of (i;ard .hess#
+9or hea"en*s sa!e, Harr',- said Hermione, e/as)erated, as one of Ron*s isho)s (rest&ed her !night off his horse and
dragged him off the oard# +8o and find @ustin if it*s so im)ortant to 'ou#-
So Harr' got u) and &eft through the )ortrait ho&e, (ondering (here @ustin might e#
The .ast&e (as dar!er than it usua&&' (as in da'time e.ause of the thi.!, s(ir&ing gra' sno( at e"er' (indo(# Shi"ering,
Harr' (a&!ed )ast .&assrooms (here &essons (ere ta!ing )&a.e, .at.hing snat.hes of (hat (as ha))ening (ithin# Professor
$.8onaga&& (as shouting at someone (ho, ' the sound of it, had turned his friend into a adger# Resisting the urge to ta!e a
&oo!, Harr' (a&!ed on ', thin!ing that @ustin might e using his free time to .at.h u) on some (or!, and de.iding to .he.!
the &irar' first#
A grou) of the Huff&e)uffs (ho shou&d ha"e een in Hero&og' (ere indeed sitting at the a.! of the &irar', ut the' didn*t
seem to e (or!ing# Bet(een the &ong &ines of high oo!she&"es, Harr' .ou&d see that their heads (ere .&ose together and the'
(ere ha"ing (hat &oo!ed &i!e an asoring .on"ersation# He .ou&dn*t see (hether @ustin (as among them# He (as (a&!ing
to(ard them (hen something of (hat the' (ere sa'ing met his ears, and he )aused to &isten, hidden in the In"isii&it' se.tion#
+So an'(a',- a stout o' (as sa'ing, +I to&d @ustin to hide u) in our dormitor'# I mean to sa', if Potter*s mar!ed him do(n
as his ne/t "i.tim, it*s est if he !ee)s a &o( )rofi&e for a (hi&e# Of .ourse, @ustin*s een (aiting for something &i!e this to
ha))en e"er sin.e he &et s&i) to Potter he (as $ugg&e:orn# @ustin a.tua&&' to&d him he*d een do(n for Eton# That*s not the
!ind of thing 'ou and' aout (ith S&'therin*s heir on the &oose, is it2-
+You definite&' thin! it is Potter, then, Ernie2- said a gir& (ith &onde )igtai&s an/ious&'#
+Hannah,- said the stout o' so&emn&', +he*s a Parse&mouth# E"er'one !no(s that*s the mar! of a Dar! (i;ard# Ha"e 'ou
e"er heard of a de.ent one (ho .ou&d ta&! to sna!es2 The' .a&&ed S&'therin himse&f Ser)ent:tongue#-
There (as some hea"' murmuring at this, and Ernie (ent on, +Rememer (hat (as (ritten on the (a&&2 Enemies of the
Heir, Be(are# Potter had some sort of run:in (ith 9i&.h# Ne/t thing (e !no(, 9&i.h*s .at*s atta.!ed# That first 'ear, Cree"e',
(as anno'ing Potter at the >uiddit.h mat.h, ta!ing )i.tures of him (hi&e he (as &'ing in the mud# Ne/t thing (e !no(1
Cree"e'*s een atta.!ed#-
+He a&(a's seems so ni.e, though,- said Hannah un.ertain&', +and, (e&&, he*s the one (ho made You:Ano(:Who disa))ear#
He .an*t e a&& ad, .an he2-
Ernie &o(ered his "oi.e m'sterious&', the Huff&e)uffs ent .&oser, and Harr' edged nearer so that he .ou&d .at.h Ernie*s
(ords#
+No one !no(s ho( he sur"i"ed that atta.! ' You:Ano(:Who# I mean to sa', he (as on&' a a' (hen it ha))ened# He
shou&d ha"e een &asted into smithereens# On&' a rea&&' )o(erfu& Dar! (i;ard .ou&d ha"e sur"i"ed a .urse &i!e that#- He
dro))ed his "oi.e unti& it (as are&' more than a (his)er, and said, +That*s )roa&' (h' YouAno(:Who (anted to !i&& him in
the first )&a.e# Didn*t (ant another Dar! 7ord .om)eting (ith him# I (onder (hat other )o(ers Potter*s een hiding2-
Harr' .ou&dn*t ta!e an'more# C&earing his throat &oud&', he ste))ed out from ehind the oo!she&"es# If he hadn*t een
fee&ing so angr', he (ou&d ha"e found the sight that greeted him funn'4 E"er' one of the Huff&e)uffs &oo!ed as though the'
had een Petrified ' the sight of him, and the .o&or (as draining out of Ernie*s fa.e#
+He&&o,- said Harr'# +I*m &oo!ing for @ustin 9in.h:9&et.h&e'#-
The Huff&e)uffs* (orst fears had .&ear&' een .onfirmed# The' a&& &oo!ed fearfu&&' at Ernie#
+What do 'ou (ant (ith him2- said Ernie in a 6ua"ering "oi.e#
+I (anted to te&& him (hat rea&&' ha))ened (ith that sna!e at the Due&ing C&u,- said Harr'#
Ernie it his (hite &i)s and then, ta!ing a dee) reath, said, +We (ere a&& there# We sa( (hat ha))ened#-
+Then 'ou noti.ed that after I s)o!e to it, the sna!e a.!ed off2- said Harr'#
+A&& I sa(,- said Ernie stuorn&', though he (as trem&ing as he s)o!e, +(as 'ou s)ea!ing Parse&tongue and .hasing the
sna!e to(ard @ustin# +
+I didn*t .hase it at him,- Harr' said, his "oi.e sha!ing (ith anger# +It didn*t e"en tou.h him,-
+It (as a "er' near miss,- said Ernie# +And in .ase 'ou*re getting ideas,- he added hasti&', +I might te&& 'ou that 'ou .an
tra.e m' fami&' a.! through nine generations of (it.hes and (ar&o.!s and m' &ood*s as )ure as an'one*s, so1-
+I don*t .are (hat sort of &ood 'ou*"e got,- said Harr' fier.e&'# +Wh' (ou&d I (ant to atta.! $ugg&e:orns2-
+I*"e heard 'ou hate those $ugg&es 'ou &i"e (ith,- said Ernie s(ift&'#
+It*s not )ossi&e to &i"e (ith the Durs&e's and not hate them,- said Harr'# +Id &i!e to see 'ou tr' it#-
He turned on his hee& and stormed out of the &irar', earning himse&f a re)ro"ing g&are from $adam Pin.e, (ho (as
)o&ishing the gi&ded .o"er of a &arge s)e&&oo!#
50
Harr' &undered u) the .orridor, are&' noti.ing (here he (as going, he (as in su.h a fur'# The resu&t (as that he (a&!ed
into something "er' &arge and so&id, (hi.h !no.!ed him a.!(ard onto the f&oor#
+Oh, he&&o, Hagrid,- Harr' said, &oo!ing u)#
Hagrid*s fa.e (as entire&' hidden ' a (oo&&', sno(:.o"ered a&a.&a"a, ut it .ou&dn*t )ossi&' e an'one e&se, as he fi&&ed
most of the .orridor in his mo&es!in o"er.oat# A dead rooster (as hanging from one of his massi"e, g&o"ed hands#
+A&& righ*, Harr'2- he said, )u&&ing u) the a&a.&a"a so he .ou&d s)ea!# +Wh' aren*t 'eh in .&ass2-
+Can.e&ed,- said Harr', getting u)# +What*re 'ou doing in here2-
Hagrid he&d u) the &im) rooster#
+Se.ond one !i&&ed this term,- he e/)&ained# +It*s either fo/es or a B&ood:Su.!in Bugear, an* I need the Headmaster*s
)ermission ter )ut a .harm around the hen .oo)#-
He )eered more .&ose&' at Harr' from under his thi.!, sno(:f&e.!ed e'ero(s#
+Yeh sure 'eh*re a&& righ*2 Yeh &oo! a&& hot an* othered1-
Harr' .ou&dn*t ring himse&f to re)eat (hat Ernie and the rest of the Huff&e)uffs had een sa'ing aout him#
+It*s nothing,- he said# +Id etter get going, Hagrid, it*s Transfiguration ne/t and I*"e got to )i.! u) m' oo!s#-
He (a&!ed off, his mind sti&& fu&& of (hat Ernie had said aout him#
+@ustin*s een (aiting for something &i!e this to ha))en e"er sin.e he &et s&i) to Potter he (as $ugg&e:orn###-
Harr' stam)ed u) the stairs and turned a&ong another .orridor, (hi.h (as )arti.u&ar&' dar!5 the tor.hes had een
e/tinguished ' a strong, i.' draft that (as &o(ing through a &oose (indo()ane# He (as ha&f(a' do(n the )assage (hen he
tri))ed head&ong o"er something &'ing on the f&oor#
He turned to s6uint at (hat he*d fa&&en o"er and fe&t as though his stoma.h had disso&"ed#
@ustin 9in.h:9&et.h&e' (as &'ing on the f&oor, rigid and .o&d, a &oo! of sho.! fro;en on his fa.e, his e'es staring &an!&' at
the .ei&ing# And that (asn*t a&&# Ne/t to him (as another figure, the strangest sight Harr' had e"er seen#
It (as Near&' Head&ess Ni.!, no &onger )ear&':(hite and trans)arent, ut &a.! and smo!', f&oating immoi&e and
hori;onta&, si/ in.hes off the f&oor# His head (as ha&f off and his fa.e (ore an e/)ression of sho.! identi.a& to @ustin*s#
Harr' got to his feet, his reathing fast and sha&&o(, his heart doing a !ind of drum:ro&& against his ris# He &oo!ed (i&d&' u)
and do(n the deserted .orridor and sa( a &ine of s)iders s.utt&ing as fast as the' .ou&d a(a' from the odies# The on&' sounds
(ere the muff&ed "oi.es of tea.hers from the .&asses on either side#
He .ou&d run, and no one (ou&d e"er !no( he had een there# But he .ou&dn*t 0ust &ea"e them &'ing here### He had to get
he&)### Wou&d an'one e&ie"e he hadn*t had an'thing to do (ith this2
As he stood there, )ani.!ing, a door right ne/t to him o)ened (ith a ang# Pee"es the Po&tergeist .ame shooting out#
+Wh', it*s )ott' (ee Potter,- .a.!&ed Pee"es, !no.!ing Harr'*s g&asses as!e( as he oun.ed )ast him# +What*s Potter u) to2
Wh'*s Potter &ur!ing1-
Pee"es sto))ed, ha&f(a' through a midair somersau&t# 3)side do(n, he s)otted @ustin and Near&' Head&ess Ni.!# He f&i))ed
the right (a' u), fi&&ed his &ungs and, efore Harr' .ou&d sto) him, s.reamed, +ATTACA, ATTACA, ANOTHER ATTACA,
NO $ORTA7 OR 8HOST IS SA9E, R3N 9OR YO3R 7I%ES, ATTAAAACA,-
Crash1.rash1.rash1door after door f&e( o)en a&ong the .orridor and )eo)&e f&ooded out# 9or se"era& &ong minutes, there
(as a s.ene of su.h .onfusion that @ustin (as in danger of eing s6uashed and )eo)&e !e)t standing in Near&' Head&ess Ni.!#
Harr' found himse&f )inned against the (a&& as the tea.hers shouted for 6uiet# Professor $.8onaga&& .ame running, fo&&o(ed
' her o(n .&ass, one of (hom sti&& had &a.!:and:(hite:stri)ed hair# She used her (and to set off a&oud ang, (hi.h restored
si&en.e, and ordered e"er'one a.! into their .&asses# No sooner had the s.ene .&eared some(hat than Ernie the Huff&e)uff
arri"ed, )anting, on the s.ene#
+Caught in the a.t,- Ernie 'e&&ed, his fa.e star! (hite, )ointing his finger dramati.a&&' at Harr'#
+That (i&& do, $a.mi&&an,- said Professor $.8onaga&& shar)&'#
Pee"es (as oing o"erhead, no( grinning (i.!ed&', sur"e'ing the s.ene5 Pee"es a&(a's &o"ed .haos# As the tea.hers ent
o"er @ustin and Near&' Head&ess Ni.!, e/amining them, Pee"es ro!e into song4
+Oh, Potter, 'ou rotter, oh, (hat ha"e 'ou done, You*re !i&&ing off* students, 'ou thin! it*s good fun1-
+That*s enough Pee"es,- ar!ed Professor $.8onaga&&, and Pee"es ;oomed a(a' a.!(ard, (ith his tongue out at Harr'#
@ustin (as .arried u) to the hos)ita& (ing ' Professor 9&it(i.! and Professor Sinistra of the Astronom' de)artment, ut
nood' seemed to !no( (hat to do for Near&' Head&ess Ni.!# In the end, Professor $.8onaga&& .on0ured a &arge fan out of
thin air, (hi.h she ga"e to Ernie (ith instru.tions to (aft Near&' Head&ess Ni.! u) the stairs# This Ernie did, fanning Ni.!
a&ong &i!e a si&ent &a.! ho"er.raft# This &eft Harr' and Professor $.8onaga&& a&one together#
+This (a', Potter,- she said#
+Professor,- said Harr' at on.e, +I s(ear I didn*t1-
+This is out of m' hands, Potter,- said Professor $.8onaga&& .urt&'#
The' mar.hed in si&en.e around a .orner and she sto))ed efore a &arge and e/treme&' ug&' stone gargo'&e#
+7emon dro),- she said# This (as e"ident&' a )ass(ord, e.ause the gargo'&e s)rang sudden&' to &ife and ho))ed aside as
the (a&& ehind him s)&it in t(o# E"en fu&& of dread for (hat (as .oming, Harr' .ou&dn*t fai& to e ama;ed# Behind the (a&&
(as a s)ira& stair.ase that (as mo"ing smooth&' u)(ard, &i!e an es.a&ator# As he and Professor $.8onaga&& ste))ed onto it,
Harr' heard the (a&& thud .&osed ehind them# The' rose u)(ard in .ir.&es, higher and higher, unti& at &ast, s&ight&' di;;',
Harr' sa( a g&eaming oa! door ahead, (ith a rass !no.!er in the sha)e of a griffin#
He !ne( no( (here he (as eing ta!en# This must e (here Dum&edore &i"ed#
CHAPTER TWE7%E
THE PO7Y@3ICE POTION
51
The' ste))ed off the stone stair.ase at the to), and Professor $.8onaga&& ra))ed on the door# It o)ened si&ent&' and the'
entered# Professor $.8onaga&& to&d Harr' to (ait and &eft him there, a&one#
Harr' &oo!ed around# One thing (as .ertain4 of a&& the tea.hers* offi.es Harr' had "isited so far this 'ear, Dum&edore*s (as
' far the most interesting# If he hadn*t een s.ared out of his (its that he (as aout to e thro(n out of s.hoo&, he (ou&d ha"e
een "er' )&eased to ha"e a .han.e to &oo! around it#
It (as a &arge and eautifu& .ir.u&ar room, fu&& of funn' &itt&e noises# A numer of .urious si&"er instruments stood on s)ind&e:
&egged ta&es, (hirring and emitting &itt&e )uffs of smo!e# The (a&&s (ere .o"ered (ith )ortraits of o&d headmasters and
headmistresses, a&& of (hom (ere snoo;ing gent&' in their frames# There (as a&so an enormous, .&a(:footed des!, and, sitting
on a she&f ehind it, a sha', tattered (i;ard*s hat1the Sorting Hat#
Harr' hesitated# He .ast a (ar' e'e around the s&ee)ing (it.hes and (i;ards on the (a&&s# Sure&' it .ou&dn*t hurt if he too!
the hat do(n and tried it on again2 @ust to see### 0ust to ma!e sure it had )ut him in the right House
He (a&!ed 6uiet&' around the des!, &ifted the hat from its she&f, and &o(ered it s&o(&' onto his head# It (as mu.h too &arge
and s&i))ed do(n o"er his e'es, 0ust as it had done the &ast time he*d )ut it on# Harr' stared at the &a.! inside of the hat,
(aiting# Then a sma&& "oi.e said in his ear, +Bee in 'our onnet, Harr' Potter2-
+Er, 'es,- Harr' muttered# +Er1sorr' to other 'ou1I (anted to as!1-
+You*"e een (ondering (hether I )ut 'ou in the right House,- said the hat smart&'# +Yes### 'ou (ere )arti.u&ar&' diffi.u&t to
)&a.e# But I stand ' (hat I said efore-1Harr'*s heart &ea)t1-'ou (ou&d ha"e done (e&& in S&'therin1-
Harr'*s stoma.h )&ummeted# He graed the )oint of the hat and )u&&ed it off# It hung &im)&' in his hand, gru' and faded#
Harr' )ushed it a.! onto its she&f, fee&ing si.!#
+You*re (rong,- he said a&oud to the sti&& and si&ent hat# It didn*t mo"e# Harr' a.!ed a(a', (at.hing it# Then a strange,
gagging noise ehind him made him (hee& around#
He (asn*t a&one after a&&# Standing on a go&den )er.h ehind the door (as a de.re)it:&oo!ing ird that resem&ed a ha&f:
)&u.!ed tur!e'# Harr' stared at it and the ird &oo!ed a&efu&&' a.!, ma!ing its gagging noise again# Harr' thought it &oo!ed
"er' i&&# Its e'es (ere du&& and, e"en as Harr' (at.hed, a .ou)&e more feathers fe&& out of its tai&#
Harr' (as 0ust thin!ing that a&& he needed (as for Dum&edore*s
)et ird to die (hi&e he (as a&one in the offi.e (ith it, (hen the ird urst into f&ames#
Harr' 'e&&ed in sho.! and a.!ed a(a' into the des!# He &oo!ed fe"erish&' around in .ase there (as a g&ass of (ater
some(here ut .ou&dn*t see one5 the ird, mean(hi&e, had e.ome a firea&&5 it ga"e one &oud shrie! and ne/t se.ond there (as
nothing ut a smou&dering )i&e of ash on the f&oor#
The offi.e door o)ened# Dum&edore .ame in, &oo!ing "er' somer#
+Professor,- Harr' gas)ed# +Your ird1I .ou&dn*t do an'thing1he 0ust .aught fire1-
To Harr'*s astonishment, Dum&edore smi&ed#
+Aout time, too,- he said# +He*s een &oo!ing dreadfu& for da's5 I*"e een te&&ing him to get a mo"e on#-
He .hu.!&ed at the stunned &oo! on Harr'*s fa.e#
+9a(!es is a )hoeni/, Harr'# Phoeni/es urst into f&ame (hen it is time for them to die and are reorn from the ashes# Wat.h
him###-
Harr' &oo!ed do(n in time to see a tin', (rin!&ed, ne(orn ird )o!e its head out of the ashes# It (as 6uite as ug&' as the
o&d one#
+It*s a shame 'ou had to see him on a Burning Da',- said Dum&edore, seating himse&f ehind his des!# +He*s rea&&' "er'
handsome most of the time, (onderfu& red and go&d )&umage# 9as.inating .reatures, )hoeni/es# The' .an .arr' immense&'
hea"' &oads, their tears ha"e hea&ing )o(ers, and the' ma!e high&' faithfu& )ets#-
In the sho.! of 9a(!es .at.hing fire, Harr' had forgotten (hat he (as there for, ut it a&& .ame a.! to him as Dum&edore
sett&ed himse&f in the high .hair ehind the des! and fi/ed Harr' (ith his )enetrating, &ight:&ue stare#
Before Dum&edore .ou&d s)ea! another (ord, ho(e"er, the door of the offi.e f&e( o)en (ith an a&might' ang and Hagrid
urst in, a (i&d &oo! in his e'es, his a&a.&a"a )er.hed on to) of his shagg' &a.! head and the dead rooster sti&& s(inging from
his hand#
+It (asn* Harr', Professor Dum&edore,- said Hagrid urgent&'# +I (as ta&!in* ter him se.onds efore that !id (as found, he
ne"er had time, sir1-
Dum&edore tried to sa' something, ut Hagrid (ent ranting on, (a"ing the rooster around in his agitation, sending feathers
e"er'(here#
+it .an*t*"e in him, I*&& s(ear it in front o* the $inistr' o* $agi. if I ha"e to1-
+Hagrid, I1-
+'eh*"e got the (rong o', sir, I !no( Harr' ne"er O*
+Hagrid,- said Dum&edore &oud&'# +I do not thin! that Harr' atta.!ed those )eo)&e#-
+Oh,- said Hagrid, the rooster fa&&ing &im)&' at his side# +Right# I*&& (ait outside then, Headmaster#-
And he stom)ed out &oo!ing emarrassed#
+You don*t thin! it (as me, Professor2- Harr' re)eated ho)efu&&' as Dum&edore rushed rooster feathers off his des!#
+No, Harr', I don*t,- said Dum&edore, though his fa.e (as somer again# +But I sti&& (ant to ta&! to 'ou#-
Harr' (aited ner"ous&' (hi&e Dum&edore .onsidered him, the ti)s of his &ong fingers together#
+I must as! 'ou, Harr', (hether there is an'thing 'ou*d &i!e to te&& me,- he said gent&'# +An'thing at a&&#-
Harr' didn*t !no( (hat to sa'# He thought of $a&fo' shouting, +You*&& e ne/t, $ud&oods,- and of the Po&'0ui.e Potion
simmering a(a' in $oaning $'rt&e*s athroom# Then he thought of the disemodied "oi.e he had heard t(i.e and
rememered (hat Ron had said4 +Hearing "oi.es no one e&se .an hear isn*t a good sign, e"en in the (i;arding (or&d#- He
thought, too, aout (hat e"er'one (as sa'ing aout him, and his gro(ing dread that he (as someho( .onne.ted (ith Sa&a;ar
S&'therin#
+No,- said Harr'# +There isn*t an'thing, Professor###-
52
The dou&e atta.! on @ustin and Near&' Head&ess Ni.! turned (hat had hitherto een ner"ousness into rea& )ani.# Curious&',
it (as Near&' Head&ess Ni.!*s fate that seemed to (orr' )eo)&e most# What .ou&d )ossi&' do that to a ghost2 )eo)&e as!ed
ea.h other5 (hat terri&e )o(er .ou&d harm someone (ho (as a&read' dead2 There (as a&most a stam)ede to oo! seats on the
Hog(arts E/)ress so that students .ou&d go home for Christmas#
+At this rate, (e*&& e the on&' ones &eft,- Ron to&d Harr' and Hermione# +3s, $a&fo', Crae, and 8o'&e# What a 0o&&'
ho&ida' it*s going to e#-
Crae and 8o'&e, (ho a&(a's did (hate"er $a&fo' did, had signed u) to sta' o"er the ho&ida's, too# But Harr' (as g&ad
that most )eo)&e (ere &ea"ing# He (as tired of )eo)&e s!irting around him in the .orridors, as though he (as aout to s)rout
fangs or s)it )oison5 tired of a&& the muttering, )ointing, and hissing as he )assed#
9red and 8eorge, ho(e"er, found a&& this "er' funn'# The' (ent out of their (a' to mar.h ahead of Harr' do(n the
.orridors, shouting, +$a!e (a' for the Heir of S&'therin, serious&' e"i& (i;ard .oming through###
Per.' (as dee)&' disa))ro"ing of this eha"ior#
+It is not a &aughing matter,- he said .o&d&'#
+Oh, get out of the (a', Per.',- said 9red# +Harr'*s in a hurr'#-
+Yeah, he*s off to the Chamer of Se.rets for a .u) of tea (ith his fanged ser"ant,- said 8eorge, .hort&ing#
8inn' didn*t find it amusing either#
+Oh, don*t,- she (ai&ed e"er' time 9red as!ed Harr' &oud&' (ho he (as )&anning to atta.! ne/t, or (hen 8eorge )retended
to (ard Harr' off (ith a &arge .&o"e of gar&i. (hen the' met#
Harr' didn*t mind5 it made him fee& etter that 9red and 8eorge, at &east, thought the idea of his eing S&'therin*s heir (as
6uite &udi.rous# But their anti.s seemed to e aggra"ating Dra.o $a&fo', (ho &oo!ed in.reasing&' sour ea.h time he sa( them
at it#
+It*s e.ause he*s ursting to sa' it*s rea&&' him,- said Ron !no(ing&'# +You !no( ho( he hates an'one eating him at
an'thing, and 'ou*re getting a&& the .redit for his dirt' (or!#-
+Not for &ong,- said Hermione in a satisfied tone# +The Po&'0ui.e Potion*s near&' read'# We*&& e getting the truth out of him
an' da' no(#-
At &ast the term ended, and a si&en.e dee) as the sno( on the grounds des.ended on the .ast&e# Harr' found it )ea.efu&, rather
than g&oom', and en0o'ed the fa.t that he, Hermione, and the Weas&e's had the run of 8r'ffindor To(er, (hi.h meant the'
.ou&d )&a' E/)&oding Sna) &oud&' (ithout othering an'one, and )ra.ti.e due&ing in )ri"ate# 9red, 8eorge, and 8inn' had
.hosen to sta' at s.hoo& rather than "isit Bi&& in Eg')t (ith $r# and $rs# Weas&e'#
Per.', (ho disa))ro"ed of (hat he termed their .hi&dish eha"ior, didn*t s)end mu.h time in the 8r'ffindor .ommon room#
He had a&read' to&d them )om)ous&' that he (as on&' sta'ing o"er Christmas e.ause it (as his dut' as a )refe.t to su))ort
the tea.hers during this trou&ed time#
Christmas morning da(ned, .o&d and (hite# Harr' and Ron, the on&' ones &eft in their dormitor', (ere (o!en "er' ear&' '
Hermione, (ho urst in, fu&&' dressed and .arr'ing )resents for them oth#
+Wa!e u),- she said &oud&', )u&&ing a.! the .urtains at the (indo(#
+Hermione1'ou*re not su))osed to e in here1- said Ron, shie&ding his e'es against the &ight#
+$err' Christmas to 'ou, too,- said Hermione, thro(ing him his )resent# +I*"e een u) for near&' an hour, adding more
&a.e(ings to the )otion# It*s read'#-
Harr' sat u), sudden&' (ide a(a!e#
+Are 'ou sure2-
+Positi"e,- said Hermione, shifting S.aers the rat so that she .ou&d sit do(n on the end of Ron*s four:)oster# +If (e*re
going to do it, I sa' it shou&d e tonight#-
At that moment, Hed(ig s(oo)ed into the room, .arr'ing a "er' sma&& )a.!age in her ea!#
+He&&o,- said Harr' ha))i&' as she &anded on his ed# +Are 'ou s)ea!ing to me again2-
She ni&ed his ear in an affe.tionate sort of (a', (hi.h (as a far etter )resent than the one that she had rought him,
(hi.h turned out to e from the Durs&e's# The' had sent Harr' a tooth)i.! and a note te&&ing him to find out (hether he*d e
a&e to sta' at Hog(arts for the summer "a.ation, too#
The rest of Harr'*s Christmas )resents (ere far more satisfa.tor'# Hagrid had sent him a &arge tin of trea.&e fudge, (hi.h
Harr' de.ided to soften ' the fire efore eating5 Ron had gi"en him a oo! .a&&ed 9&'ing (ith the Cannons, a oo! of
interesting fa.ts aout his fa"orite >uiddit.h team, and Hermione had ought him a &u/ur' eag&e:feather 6ui&&# Harr' o)ened
the &ast )resent to find a ne(, hand:!nitted s(eater from $rs# Weas&e' and a &arge )&um .a!e# He read her .ard (ith a fresh
surge of gui&t, thin!ing aout $r# Weas&e'*s .ar <(hi.h hadn*t een seen sin.e its .rash (ith the Whom)ing Wi&&o(=, and the
out of ru&e:rea!ing he and Ron (ere )&anning ne/t#
No one, not e"en someone dreading ta!ing Po&'0ui.e Potion &ater, .ou&d fai& to en0o' Christmas dinner at Hog(arts#
The 8reat Ha&& &oo!ed magnifi.ent# Not on&' (ere there a do;en frost:.o"ered Christmas trees and thi.! streamers of ho&&'
and mist&etoe .riss.rossing the .ei&ing, ut en.hanted sno( (as fa&&ing, (arm and dr', from the .ei&ing# Dum&edore &ed them
in a fe( of his fa"orite .aro&s, Hagrid ooming more and more &oud&' (ith e"er' go&et of eggnog he .onsumed# Per.', (ho
hadn*t noti.ed that 9red had e(it.hed his )refe.t adge so that it no( read +Pinhead,- !e)t as!ing them a&& (hat the' (ere
sniggering at# Harr' didn*t e"en .are that Dra.o $a&fo' (as ma!ing &oud, snide remar!s aout his ne( s(eater from the
S&'therin ta&e# With a it of &u.!, $a&fo' (ou&d e getting his .omeu))an.e in a fe( hours* time#
Harr' and Ron had are&' finished their third he&)ings of Christmas )udding (hen Hermione ushered them out of the ha&& to
fina&i;e their )&ans for the e"ening#
+We sti&& need a it of the )eo)&e 'ou*re .hanging into,- said Hermione matter:of:fa.t&', as though she (ere sending them to
the su)ermar!et for &aundr' detergent# +And o"ious&', it*&& e est if 'ou .an get something of Crae*s and 8o'&e*s5 the'*re
53
$a&fo's est friends, he*&& te&& them an'thing# And (e a&so need to ma!e sure the rea& Crae and 8o'&e .an*t urst in on us
(hi&e (e*re interrogating him#
+I*"e got it a&& (or!ed out,- she (ent on smooth&', ignoring Harr'*s and Ron*s stu)efied fa.es# She he&d u) t(o )&um)
.ho.o&ate .a!es# +I*"e fi&&ed these (ith a sim)&e S&ee)ing Draught# A&& 'ou ha"e to do is ma!e sure Crae and 8o'&e find
them# You !no( ho( greed' the' are, the'*re ound to eat them# On.e the'*re as&ee), )u&& out a fe( of their hairs and hide
them in a room .&oset#-
Harr' and Ron &oo!ed in.redu&ous&' at ea.h other#
+Hermione, I don*t thin!1-
+That .ou&d go serious&' (rong1-
But Hermione had a stee&' g&int in her e'e not un&i!e the one Professor $.8onaga&& sometimes had#
+The )otion (i&& e use&ess (ithout Crae*s and 8o'&e*s hair,- she said stern&'# +You do (ant to in"estigate $a&fo', don*t
'ou2-
+Oh, a&& right, a&& right,- said Harr'# +But (hat aout 'ou2 Whose hair are 'ou ri))ing out2-
+I*"e a&read' got mine,- said Hermione right&', )u&&ing a tin' ott&e out of her )o.!et and sho(ing them the sing&e hair
inside it# +Rememer $i&&i.ent Bu&strode (rest&ing (ith me at the Due&ing C&u2 She &eft this on m' roes (hen she (as
tr'ing to strang&e me, And she*s gone home for Christmas1so I*&& 0ust ha"e to te&& the S&'therins I*"e de.ided to .ome a.!#-
When Hermione had ust&ed off to .he.! on the Po&'0ui.e Potion again, Ron turned to Harr' (ith a doom:&aden e/)ression#
+Ha"e 'ou e"er heard of a )&an (here so man' things .ou&d go (rong2-
But to Harr'*s and Ron*s utter ama;ement, stage one of the o)eration (ent 0ust as smooth&' as Hermione had said# The'
&ur!ed in the deserted entran.e ha&& after Christmas tea, (aiting for Crae and 8o'&e (ho had remained a&one at the S&'therin
ta&e, sho"e&ing do(n fourth he&)ings of trif&e# Harr' had )er.hed the .ho.o&ate .a!es on the end of the anisters# When the'
s)otted Crae and 8o'&e .oming out of the 8reat Ha&&, Harr' and Ron hid 6ui.!&' ehind a suit of armor ne/t to the front
door#
+Ho( thi.! .an 'ou get2- Ron (his)ered e.stati.a&&' as Crae g&eefu&&' )ointed out the .a!es to 8o'&e and graed them#
8rinning stu)id&', the' stuffed the .a!es (ho&e into their &arge mouths# 9or a moment, oth of them .he(ed greedi&', &oo!s of
trium)h on their fa.es# Then, (ithout the sma&&est .hange of e/)ression, the' oth !ee&ed o"er a.!(ard onto the f&oor#
B' far the hardest )art (as hiding them in the .&oset a.ross the ha&&# On.e the' (ere safe&' sto(ed among the u.!ets and
mo)s, Harr' 'an!ed out a .ou)&e of the rist&es that .o"ered 8o'&e*s forehead and Ron )u&&ed out se"era& of Crae*s hairs#
The' a&so sto&e their shoes, e.ause their o(n (ere far too sma&& for Craeand 8o'&e:si;e feet# Then, sti&& stunned at (hat
the' had 0ust done, the' s)rinted u) to $oaning $'rt&e*s athroom#
The' .ou&d hard&' see for the thi.! &a.! smo!e issuing from the sta&& in (hi.h Hermione (as stirring the .au&dron# Pu&&ing
their roes u) o"er their fa.es, Harr' and Ron !no.!ed soft&' on the door#
+Hermione2-
The' heard the s.ra)e of the &o.! and Hermione emerged, shin'fa.ed and &oo!ing an/ious# Behind her the' heard the g&oo)
g&oo) of the u&ing, g&utinous )otion# Three g&ass tum&ers stood read' on the toi&et seat#
+Did 'ou get them2- Hermione as!ed reath&ess&'#
Harr' sho(ed her 8o'&e*s hair#
+8ood# And I snea!ed these s)are roes out of the &aundr',- Hermione said, ho&ding u) a sma&& sa.!# +You*&& need igger
si;es on.e 'ou*re Crae and 8o'&e#-
The three of them stared into the .au&dron# C&ose u), the )otion &oo!ed &i!e thi.!, dar! mud, u&ing s&uggish&'#
+I*m sure I*"e done e"er'thing right,- said Hermione, ner"ous&' rereading the s)&ot.hed )age of $oste Potente Potions# +It
&oo!s &i!e the oo! sa's it shou&d### on.e (e*"e drun! it, (e*&& ha"e e/a.t&' an hour efore (e .hange a.! into ourse&"es#-
+No( (hat2- Ron (his)ered#
+We se)arate it into three g&asses and add the hairs#-
Hermione &ad&ed &arge do&&o)s of the )otion into ea.h of the g&asses# Then, her hand trem&ing, she shoo! $i&&i.ent
Bu&strode*s hair out of its ott&e into the first g&ass#
The )otion hissed &oud&' &i!e a oi&ing !ett&e and frothed mad&'# A se.ond &ater, it had turned a si.! sort of 'e&&o(#
+3rgh1essen.e of $i&&i.ent Bu&strode,- said Ron, e'eing it (ith &oathing# +Bet it tastes disgusting#-
+Add 'ours, then,- said Hermione#
Harr' dro))ed 8o'&e*s hair into the midd&e g&ass and Ron )ut Crae*s into the &ast one# Both g&asses hissed and frothed4
8o'&e*s turned the !ha!i .o&or of a ooger, Crae*s a dar!, mur!' ro(n#
+Hang on,- said Harr' as Ron and Hermione rea.hed for their g&asses# +We*d etter not a&& drin! them in here### On.e (e
turn into Crae and 8o'&e (e (on*t fit# And $i&&i.ent Bu&strode*s no )i/ie#
+8ood thin!ing,- said Ron, un&o.!ing the door# +We*&& ta!e se)arate sta&&s#-
Carefu& not to s)i&& a dro) of his Po&'0ui.e Potion, Harr' s&i))ed into the midd&e sta&&#
+Read'2- he .a&&ed#
+Read',- .ame Ron*s and Hermione*s "oi.es#
+One1t(o1three1-
Pin.hing his nose, Harr' dran! the )otion do(n in t(o &arge gu&)s# It tasted &i!e o"er.oo!ed .aage#
Immediate&', his insides started (rithing as though he*d 0ust s(a&&o(ed &i"e sna!es1dou&ed u), he (ondered (hether he
(as going to e si.!1then a urning sensation s)read ra)id&' from his stoma.h to the "er' ends of his fingers and toes1ne/t,
ringing him gas)ing to a&& fours, .ame a horri&e me&ting fee&ing, as the s!in a&& o"er his od' u&ed &i!e hot (a/1and
efore his e'es, his hands egan to gro(, the fingers thi.!ened, the nai&s roadened, the !nu.!&es (ere u&ging &i!e o&ts :his
shou&ders stret.hed )ainfu&&' and a )ri.!&ing on his forehead to&d him that hair (as .ree)ing do(n to(ard his e'ero(s1his
roes ri))ed as his .hest e/)anded &i!e a arre& ursting its hoo)s1his feet (ere agon' in shoes four si;es too sma&&#
54
As sudden&' as it had started, e"er'thing sto))ed# Harr' &a' fa.edo(n on the stone:.o&d f&oor, &istening to $'rt&e gurg&ing
morose&' in the end toi&et# With diffi.u&t', he !i.!ed off his shoes and stood u)# So this (as (hat it fe&t &i!e, eing 8o'&e# His
&arge hand trem&ing, he )u&&ed off his o&d roes, (hi.h (ere hanging a foot ao"e his an!&es, )u&&ed on the s)are ones, and
&a.ed u) 8o'&e*s oat&i!e shoes# He rea.hed u) to rush his hair out of his e'es and met on&' the short gro(th of (ir' rist&es,
&o( on his forehead# Then he rea&i;ed that his g&asses (ere .&ouding his e'es e.ause 8o'&e o"ious&' didn*t need them1he
too! them off and .a&&ed, +Are 'ou t(o o!a'2- 8o'&e*s &o( ras) of a "oi.e issued from his mouth#
+Yeah,- .ame the dee) grunt of Crae from his right#
Harr' un&o.!ed his door and ste))ed in front of the .ra.!ed mirror# 8o'&e stared a.! at him out of du&&, dee):set e'es#
Harr' s.rat.hed his ear# So did 8o'&e#
Ron*s door o)ened# The' stared at ea.h other# E/.e)t that he &oo!ed )a&e and sho.!ed, Ron (as indistinguisha&e from
Crae, from the )udding:o(& hair.ut to the &ong, gori&&a arms#
+This is une&ie"a&e,- said Ron, a))roa.hing the mirror and )rodding Crae*s f&at nose# +3ne&ie"a&e# +
+We*d etter get going,- said Harr', &oosening the (at.h that (as .utting into 8o'&e*s thi.! (rist# +We*"e sti&& got to find out
(here the S&'therin .ommon room is# I on&' ho)e (e .an find someone to fo&&o(###-
Ron, (ho had een ga;ing at Harr', said, +You don*t !no( ho( i;arre it is to see 8o'&e thin!ing#- He anged on
Hermione*s door# +C*mon, (e need to go1-
A high:)it.hed "oi.e ans(ered him#
+I1I don*t thin! I*m going to .ome after a&&# You go on (ithout me#
+Hermione, (e !no( $i&&i.ent Bu&strode*s ug&', no one*s going to !no( it*s 'ou1-
+No1rea&&'1I don*t thin! I*&& .ome# You t(o hurr' u), 'ou re (asting time
Harr' &oo!ed at Ron, e(i&dered#
+That &oo!s more &i!e 8o'&e,- said Ron# +That*s ho( he &oo!s e"er' time a tea.her as!s him a 6uestion#-
+Hermione, are 'ou o!a'2- said Harr' through the door#
+9ine1I*m fine1go on1-
Harr' &oo!ed at his (at.h# 9i"e of their )re.ious si/t' minutes had a&read' )assed#
+We*&& meet 'ou a.! here, a&& right2- he said#
Harr' and Ron o)ened the door of the athroom .arefu&&', .he.!ed that the .oast (as .&ear, and set off#
+Don*t s(ing 'our arms &i!e that,- Harr' muttered to Ron#
+Eh2-
+Crae ho&ds them sort of stiff###-
+Ho(*s this2-
+Yeah, that*s etter###-
The' (ent do(n the mar&e stair.ase# A&& the' needed no( (as a S&'therin that the' .ou&d fo&&o( to the S&'therin .ommon
room, ut there (as nood' around#
+An' ideas2- muttered Harr'#
+The S&'therins a&(a's .ome u) to rea!fast from o"er there,- said Ron, nodding at the entran.e to the dungeons# The (ords
had are&' &eft his mouth (hen a gir& (ith &ong, .ur&' hair emerged from the entran.e#
+E/.use me,- said Ron, hurr'ing u) to her# +We*"e forgotten the (a' to our .ommon room#-
+I eg 'our )ardon2- said the gir& stiff&'# +Our .ommon room2 I*m a Ra"en.&a(#-
She (a&!ed a(a', &oo!ing sus)i.ious&' a.! at them#
Harr' and Ron hurried do(n the stone ste)s into the dar!ness, their footste)s e.hoing )arti.u&ar&' &oud&' as Crae*s and
8o'&e*s huge feet hit the f&oor, fee&ing that this (asn*t going to e as eas' as the' had ho)ed#
The &a'rinthine )assages (ere deserted# The' (a&!ed dee)er and dee)er under the s.hoo&, .onstant&' .he.!ing their
(at.hes to see ho( mu.h time the' had &eft# After a 6uarter of an hour, 0ust (hen the' (ere getting des)erate, the' heard a
sudden mo"ement ahead#
+Ha,- said Ron e/.ited&'# +There*s one of them no(,-
The figure (as emerging from a side room# As the' hurried nearer, ho(e"er, their hearts san!# It (asn*t a S&'therin, it (as
Per.'#
+What*re 'ou doing do(n here2- said Ron in sur)rise#
Per.' &oo!ed affronted#
+That,- he said stiff&', +is none of 'our usiness# It*s Crae, isn*t it2-
+Wh1oh, 'eah,- said Ron#
+We&&, get off to 'our dormitories,- said Per.' stern&'# +It*s not safe to go (andering around dar! .orridors these da's#-
+You are,- Ron )ointed out#
+I,- said Per.', dra(ing himse&f u), +am a )refe.t# Nothing*s aout to atta.! me#-
A "oi.e sudden&' e.hoed ehind Harr' and Ron# Dra.o $a&fo' (as stro&&ing to(ard them, and for the first time in his &ife,
Harr' (as )&eased to see him#
+There 'ou are,- he dra(&ed, &oo!ing at them# +Ha"e 'ou t(o een )igging out in the 8reat Ha&& a&& this time2 I*"e een
&oo!ing for 'ou5 I (ant to sho( 'ou something rea&&' funn'#-
$a&fo' g&an.ed (ithering&' at Per.'#
+And (hat*re 'ou doing do(n here, Weas&e'2- he sneered#
Per.' &oo!ed outraged#
+You (ant to sho( a it more res)e.t to a s.hoo& )refe.t,- he said# +I don*t &i!e 'our attitude,-
$a&fo' sneered and motioned for Harr' and Ron to fo&&o( him# Harr' a&most said something a)o&ogeti. to Per.' ut .aught
himse&f 0ust in time# He and Ron hurried after $a&fo', (ho said as the' turned into the ne/t )assage, +That Peter Weas&e'1-
+Per.',- Ron .orre.ted him automati.a&&'#
55
+Whate"er,- said $a&fo'# +I*"e noti.ed him snea!ing around a &ot &ate&'# And I et I !no( (hat he*s u) to# He thin!s he*s
going to .at.h S&'therin*s heir sing&e:handed#-
He ga"e a short, derisi"e &augh# Harr' and Ron e/.hanged e/.ited &oo!s#
$a&fo' )aused ' a stret.h of are, dam) stone (a&&#
+What*s the ne( )ass(ord again2- he said to Harr'#
+Er1- said Harr'#
+Oh, 'eah :)ure:&ood,- said $a&fo', not &istening, and a stone door .on.ea&ed in the (a&& s&id o)en# $a&fo' mar.hed
through it, and Harr' and Ron fo&&o(ed him#
The S&'therin .ommon room (as a &ong, &o( underground room (ith rough stone (a&&s and .ei&ing from (hi.h round,
greenish &am)s (ere hanging on .hains# A fire (as .ra.!&ing under an e&aorate&' .ar"ed mante&)ie.e ahead of them, and
se"era& S&'therins (ere si&houetted around it in high:a.!ed .hairs#
+Wait here,- said $a&fo' to Harr' and Ron, motioning them to a )air of em)t' .hairs set a.! from the fire# +I*&& go and get
it m' father*s 0ust sent it to me1-
Wondering (hat $a&fo' (as going to sho( them, Harr' and Ron sat do(n, doing their est to &oo! at home#
$a&fo' .ame a.! a minute &ater, ho&ding (hat &oo!ed &i!e a ne(s)a)er .&i))ing# He thrust it under Ron*s nose#
+That*&& gi"e 'ou a &augh,- he said#
Harr' sa( Ron*s e'es (iden in sho.!# He read the .&i))ing 6ui.!&', ga"e a "er' for.ed &augh, and handed it to Harr'#
It had een .&i))ed out of the Dai&' Pro)het, and it said4
IN>3IRY AT THE $INISTRY O9 $A8IC
Arthur Weas&e', Head of the $isuse of $ugg&e Artifa.ts Offi.e, (as toda' fined fift' 8a&&eons for e(it.hing a $ugg&e .ar#
$r# 7u.ius $a&fo', a go"ernor of Hog(arts S.hoo& of Wit.h.raft and Wi;ardr', (here the en.hanted .ar .rashed ear&ier this
'ear, .a&&ed toda' for $r# Weas&e'*s resignation#
+Weas&e' has rought the $inistr' into disre)ute,- $r# $a&fo' to&d our re)orter# +He is .&ear&' unfit to dra( u) our &a(s and
his ridi.u&ous $ugg&e Prote.tion A.t shou&d e s.ra))ed immediate&'#-
$r# Weas&e' (as una"ai&a&e for .omment, a&though his (ife to&d re)orters to .&ear off or she*d set the fami&' ghou& on them#
+We&&2- said $a&fo' im)atient&' as Harr' handed the .&i))ing a.! to him# +Don*t 'ou thin! it*s funn'2-
+Ha, ha,- said Harr' &ea!&'#
+Arthur Weas&e' &o"es $ugg&es so mu.h he shou&d sna) his (and in ha&f and go and 0oin them,- said $a&fo' s.ornfu&&'#
+You*d ne"er !no( the Weas&e's (ere )ure:&oods, the (a' the' eha"e#-
Ron*s1or rather, Crae*s1fa.e (as .ontorted (ith fur'#
+What*s u) (ith 'ou, Crae2- sna))ed $a&fo'#
+Stoma.ha.he,- Ron grunted#
+We&&, go u) to the hos)ita& (ing and gi"e a&& those $ud&oods a !i.! from me,- said $a&fo', sni.!ering# +You !no(, I*m
sur)rised the Dai&' Pro)het hasn*t re)orted a&& these atta.!s 'et,- he (ent on thoughtfu&&'# +I su))ose Dum&edore*s tr'ing to
hush it a&& u)# He*&& e sa.!ed if it doesn*t sto) soon# 9ather*s a&(a's said o&d Dum&edore*s the (orst thing that*s e"er ha))ened
to this )&a.e# He &o"es $ugg&e:orns# A de.ent headmaster (ou&d ne"er*"e &et s&ime &i!e that Cree"e' in#-
$a&fo' started ta!ing )i.tures (ith an imaginar' .amera and did a .rue& ut a..urate im)ression of Co&in4 +HPotter, .an I
ha"e 'our )i.ture, Potter2 Can I ha"e 'our autogra)h2 Can I &i.! 'our shoes, )&ease, Potter2?*
He dro))ed his hands and &oo!ed at Harr' and Ron#
+What*s the matter (ith 'ou t(o2-
9ar too &ate, Harr' and Ron for.ed themse&"es to &augh, ut $a&fo' seemed satisfied5 )erha)s Crae and 8o'&e (ere
a&(a's s&o( on the u)ta!e#
+Saint Potter, the $ud&oods* friend,- said $a&fo' s&o(&'# +He*s another one (ith no )ro)er (i;ard fee&ing, or he (ou&dn*t
go around (ith that 0um)ed u) 8ranger $ud&ood# And )eo)&e thin! he*s S&'therin*s heir,-
Harr' and Ron (aited (ith ated reath4 $a&fo' (as sure&' se.onds a(a' from te&&ing them it (as him1ut then
+I (ish I !ne( (ho it is,- said $a&fo' )etu&ant&'# +I .ou&d he&) them#-
Ron*s 0a( dro))ed so that Crae &oo!ed e"en more .&ue&ess than usua&# 9ortunate&', $a&fo' didn*t noti.e, and Harr',
thin!ing fast, said, +You must ha"e some idea (ho*s ehind it a&&###-
+You !no( I ha"en*t, 8o'&e, ho( man' times do I ha"e to te&& 'ou2- sna))ed $a&fo'# +And 9ather (on*t te&& me an'thing
aout the &ast time the Chamer (as o)ened either# Of .ourse, it (as fift' 'ears ago, so it (as efore his time, ut he !no(s a&&
aout it, and he sa's that it (as a&& !e)t 6uiet and it*&& &oo! sus)i.ious if I !no( too mu.h aout it# But I !no( one thing1&ast
time the Chamer of Se.rets (as o)ened, a $ud&ood died# So I et it*s a matter of time efore one of them*s !i&&ed this time###
I ho)e it*s 8ranger,- he said (ith re&ish#
Ron (as .&en.hing Crae*s giganti. fists# 9ee&ing that it (ou&d e a it of a gi"ea(a' if Ron )un.hed $a&fo', Harr' shot
him a (arning &oo! and said, +D*'ou !no( if the )erson (ho o)ened the Chamer &ast time (as .aught2-
+Oh, 'eah### (hoe"er it (as e/)e&&ed,- said $a&fo'# +The'*re )roa&' sti&& in A;!aan#-
+A;!aan2- said Harr', )u;;&ed#
+A;!aan1the (i;ard )rison, 8o'&e,- said $a&fo', &oo!ing at him in dise&ief +Honest&', if 'ou (ere an' s&o(er, 'ou*d e
going a.!(ard#-
He shifted rest&ess&' in his .hair and said, +9ather sa's to !ee) m' head do(n and &et the Heir of S&'therin get on (ith it# He
sa's the s.hoo& needs ridding of a&& the $ud&ood fi&th, ut not to get mi/ed u) in it# Of .ourse, he*s got a &ot on his )&ate at the
moment# You !no( the $inistr' of $agi. raided our manor &ast (ee!2-
Harr' tried to for.e 8o'&e*s du&& fa.e into a &oo! of .on.ern#
+Yeah###- said $a&fo'# +7u.!i&', the' didn*t find mu.h# 9ather*s got some "er' "a&ua&e Dar! Arts stuff# But &u.!i&', (e*"e
got our o(n se.ret .hamer under the dra(ing:room f&oor1-
+Ho,- said Ron#
56
$a&fo' &oo!ed at him# So did Harr'# Ron &ushed# E"en his hair (as turning red# His nose (as a&so s&o(&' &engthening1
their hour (as u), Ron (as turning a.! into himse&f, and from the &oo! of horror he (as sudden&' gi"ing Harr', he must e,
too#
The' oth 0um)ed to their feet#
+$edi.ine for m' stoma.h,- Ron grunted, and (ithout further ado the' s)rinted the &ength of the S&'therin .ommon room,
hur&ed themse&"es at the stone (a&&, and dashed u) the )assage, ho)ing against ho)e that $a&fo' hadn*t noti.ed an'thing# Harr'
.ou&d fee& his feet s&i))ing around in 8o'&e*s huge shoes and had to hoist u) his roes as he shran!5 the' .rashed u) the ste)s
into the dar! entran.e ha&&, (hi.h (as fu&& of a muff&ed )ounding .oming from the .&oset (here the'*d &o.!ed Crae and
8o'&e# 7ea"ing their shoes outside the .&oset door, the' s)rinted in their so.!s u) the mar&e stair.ase to(ard $oaning
$'rt&e*s athroom#
+We&&, it (asn*t a .om)&ete (aste of time,- Ron )anted, .&osing the athroom door ehind them# +I !no( (e sti&& ha"en*t
found out (ho*s doing the atta.!s, ut I*m going to (rite to Dad tomorro( and te&& him to .he.! under the $a&fo's* dra(ing
room#-
Harr' .he.!ed his fa.e in the .ra.!ed mirror# He (as a.! to norma&# He )ut his g&asses on as Ron hammered on the door of
Hermione*s sta&&#
+Hermione, .ome out, (e*"e got &oads to te&& 'ou1-
+8o a(a',- Hermione s6uea!ed#
Harr' and Ron &oo!ed at ea.h other#
+What*s the matter2- said Ron# +You must e a.! to norma& ' no(, (e are1-
But $oaning $'rt&e g&ided sudden&' through the sta&& door# Harr' had ne"er seen her &oo!ing so ha))'#
+Ooooooh, (ait ti&& 'ou see,- she said# +It*s a(fu&:-
The' heard the &o.! s&ide a.! and Hermione emerged, soing, her roes )u&&ed u) o"er her head#
+What*s u)2- said Ron un.ertain&'# +Ha"e 'ou sti&& got $i&&i.ent*s nose or something2-
Hermione &et her roes fa&& and Ron a.!ed into the sin!#
Her fa.e (as .o"ered in &a.! fur# Her e'es had turned 'e&&o( and there (ere &ong, )ointed ears )o!ing through her hair#
+It (as a .:.at hair,- she ho(&ed# +$:$i&&i.ent Bu&strode m:must ha"e a .at, And the ):)otion isn*t su))osed to e used for
anima& transformations,-
+3h:oh,- said Ron#
+You*&& e teased something dreadfu&,- said $'rt&e ha))i&'#
+It*s o!a', Hermione,- said Harr' 6ui.!&'# +We*&& ta!e 'ou u) to the hos)ita& (ing# $adam Pomfre' ne"er as!s too man'
6uestions###-
It too! a &ong time to )ersuade Hermione to &ea"e the athroom# $oaning $'rt&e s)ed them on their (a' (ith a heart'
guffa(# +Wait ti&& e"er'one finds out 'ou*"e got a tai&,-
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
THE %ERY SECRET DIARY
Hermione remained in the hos)ita& (ing for se"era& (ee!s# There (as a f&urr' of rumor aout her disa))earan.e (hen the
rest of the s.hoo& arri"ed a.! from their Christmas ho&ida's, e.ause of .ourse e"er'one thought that she had een atta.!ed#
So man' students fi&ed )ast the hos)ita& (ing tr'ing to .at.h a g&im)se of her that $adam Pomfre' too! out her .urtains again
and )&a.ed them around Hermione*s ed, to s)are her the shame of eing seen (ith a furr' fa.e#
Harr' and Ron (ent to "isit her e"er' e"ening# When the ne( term started, the' rought her ea.h da'*s home(or!#
+If Id s)routed (his!ers, Id ta!e a rea! from (or!,- said Ron, ti))ing a sta.! of oo!s onto Hermione*s edside ta&e one
e"ening#
+Don*t e si&&', Ron, I*"e got to !ee) u),- said Hermione ris!&'# Her s)irits (ere great&' im)ro"ed ' the fa.t that a&& the
hair had gone from her fa.e and her e'es (ere turning s&o(&' a.! to ro(n# +I don*t su))ose 'ou*"e got an' ne( &eads2- she
added in a (his)er, so that $adam Pomfre' .ou&dn*t hear her#
+Nothing,- said Harr' g&oomi&'#
+I (as so sure it (as $a&fo',- said Ron, for aout the hundredth time#
+What*s that2- as!ed Harr', )ointing to something go&d sti.!ing out from under Hermione*s )i&&o(#
+@ust a get (e&& .ard,- said Hermione hasti&', tr'ing to )o!e it out of sight, ut Ron (as too 6ui.! for her# He )u&&ed it out,
f&i.!ed it o)en, and read a&oud4
+To $iss 8ranger, (ishing 'ou a s)eed' re.o"er', from 'our .on.erned tea.her, Professor 8i&dero' 7o.!hart, Order of
$er&in, Third C&ass, Honorar' $emer of the Dar! 9or.e Defense 7eague, and fi"e:time (inner of Wit.h Wee!&'*s
$ostCharming:Smi&e A(ard# +
Ron &oo!ed u) at Hermione, disgusted#
+You s&ee) (ith this under 'our )i&&o(2-
But Hermione (as s)ared ans(ering ' $adam Pomfre' s(ee)ing o"er (ith her e"ening dose of medi.ine#
+Is 7o.!hart the smarmiest &o!e 'ou*"e e"er met, or (hat2- Ron said to Harr' as the' &eft the infirmar' and started u) the
stairs to(ard 8r'ffindor To(er# Sna)e had gi"en them so mu.h home(or!, Harr' thought he (as &i!e&' to e in the si/th 'ear
efore he finished it# Ron (as 0ust sa'ing he (ished he had as!ed Hermione ho( man' rat tai&s 'ou (ere su))osed to add to a
Hair:Raising Potion (hen an angr' outurst from the f&oor ao"e rea.hed their ears#
+That*s 9i&.h,- Harr' muttered as the' hurried u) the stairs and )aused, out of sight, &istening hard#
+You don*t thin! someone e&se*s een atta.!ed2- said Ron tense&'#
The' stood sti&&, their heads in.&ined to(ard 9&i.h*s "oi.e, (hi.h sounded 6uite h'steri.a&#
57
H### e"en more (or! for me, $o))ing a&& night, &i!e I ha"en*t got enough to do, No, this is the fina& stra(, I*m going to
Dum&edore###-
His footste)s re.eded a&ong the out:of:sight .orridor and the' heard a distant door s&am#
The' )o!ed their heads around the .orner# 9i&.h had .&ear&' een manning his usua& &oo!out )ost4 The' (ere on.e again on
the s)ot (here $rs# Norris had een atta.!ed# The' sa( at a g&an.e (hat 9i&.h had een shouting aout# A great f&ood of (ater
stret.hed o"er ha&f the .orridor, and it &oo!ed as though it (as sti&& see)ing from under the door of $oaning $'rt&e*s athroom#
No( that 9i&.h had sto))ed shouting, the' .ou&d hear $'rt&e*s (ai&s e.hoing off the athroom (a&&s#
+No( (hat*s u) (ith her2- said Ron#
+7et*s go and see,- said Harr', and ho&ding their roes o"er their an!&es the' ste))ed through the great (ash of (ater to the
door earing its O3T O9 ORDER sign, ignored it as a&(a's, and entered#
$oaning $'rt&e (as .r'ing, if )ossi&e, &ouder and harder than e"er efore# She seemed to e hiding do(n her usua& toi&et#
It (as dar! in the athroom e.ause the .and&es had een e/tinguished in the great rush of (ater that had &eft oth (a&&s and
f&oor soa!ing (et#
+What*s u), $'rt&e2- said Harr'#
+Who*s that2- g&ugged $'rt&e misera&'# +Come to thro( something e&se at me2-
Harr' (aded a.ross to her sta&& and said, +Wh' (ou&d I thro( something at 'ou2-
+Don*t as! me,- $'rt&e shouted, emerging (ith a (a"e of 'et more (ater, (hi.h s)&ashed onto the a&read' so))ing f&oor#
+Here I am, minding m' o(n usiness, and someone thin!s it*s funn' to thro( a oo! at me###-
+But it .an*t hurt 'ou if someone thro(s something at 'ou,- said Harr', reasona&'# +I mean, it*d 0ust go right through 'ou,
(ou&dn*t it2-
He had said the (rong thing# $'rt&e )uffed herse&f u) and shrie!ed, +7et*s a&& thro( oo!s at $'rt&e, e.ause she .an*t fee&
it, Ten )oints if 'ou .an get it through her stoma.h, 9ift' )oints if it goes through her head, We&&, ha, ha, ha, What a &o"e&'
game, I don*t thin!,-
+Who thre( it at 'ou, an'(a'2- as!ed Harr'#
+I don*t !no(### I (as 0ust sitting in the 3:end, thin!ing aout death, and it fe&& right through the to) of m' head,- said
$'rt&e, g&aring at them# +It*s o"er there, it got (ashed out###-
Harr' and Ron &oo!ed under the sin! (here $'rt&e (as )ointing# A sma&&, thin oo! &a' there# It had a sha' &a.! .o"er
and (as as (et as e"er'thing e&se in the athroom# Harr' ste))ed for(ard to )i.! it u), ut Ron sudden&' f&ung out an arm to
ho&d him a.!#
+What2- said Harr'#
+Are 'ou .ra;'2- said Ron# +It .ou&d e dangerous#-
+Dangerous2- said Harr', &aughing# +Come off it, ho( .ou&d it e dangerous2-
+You*d e sur)rised,- said Ron, (ho (as &oo!ing a))rehensi"e&' at the oo!# +Some of the oo!s the $inistr'*s .onfis.ated
Dad*s to&d me1there (as one that urned 'our e'es out# And e"er'one (ho read Sonnets of a Sor.erer s)o!e in &imeri.!s for
the rest of their &i"es# And some o&d (it.h in Bath had a oo! that 'ou .ou&d ne"er sto) reading, You 0ust had to (ander around
(ith 'our nose in it, tr'ing to do e"er'thing one:handed# And1-
+A&& right, I*"e got the )oint,- said Harr'#
The &itt&e oo! &a' on the f&oor, nondes.ri)t and sogg'#
+We&&, (e (on*t find out un&ess (e &oo! at it,- he said, and he du.!ed around Ron and )i.!ed it u) off the f&oor#
Harr' sa( at on.e that it (as a diar', and the faded 'ear on the .o"er to&d him it (as fift' 'ears o&d# He o)ened it eager&'#
On the first )age he .ou&d 0ust ma!e out the name +T $# Ridd&e- in smudged in!#
+Hang on,- said Ron, (ho had a))roa.hed .autious&' and (as &oo!ing o"er Harr'*s shou&der# +I !no( that name### T# $#
Ridd&e got an a(ard for s)e.ia& ser"i.es to the s.hoo& fift' 'ears ago#-
+Ho( on earth d*'ou !no( that2- said Harr' in ama;ement#
+Be.ause 9i&.h made me )o&ish his shie&d aout fift' times in detention,- said Ron resentfu&&'# +That (as the one I ur)ed
s&ugs a&& o"er# If 'ou*d (i)ed s&ime off a name for an hour, 'ou*d rememer it, too#-
Harr' )ee&ed the (et )ages a)art# The' (ere .om)&ete&' &an!# There (asn*t the faintest tra.e of (riting on an' of them, not
e"en Auntie $ae&*s irthda', or dentist, ha&f:)ast three#
+He ne"er (rote in it,- said Harr', disa))ointed#
+I (onder (h' someone (anted to f&ush it a(a'2- said Ron .urious&'#
Harr' turned to the a.! .o"er of the oo! and sa( the )rinted name of a "ariet' store on %au/ha&& Road, 7ondon#
+He must*"e een $ugg&e:orn,- said Harr' thoughtfu&&'# +To ha"e ought a diar' from %au/ha&& Road###-
+We&&, it*s not mu.h use to 'ou,- said Ron# He dro))ed his "oi.e# +9ift' )oints if 'ou .an get it through $'rt&e*s nose#-
Harr', ho(e"er, )o.!eted it#
Hermione &eft the hos)ita& (ing, de:(his!ered, tai&:&ess, and fur:free, at the eginning of 9eruar'# On her first e"ening a.!
in 8r'ffindor To(er, Harr' sho(ed her T# $# Ridd&e*s diar' and to&d her the stor' of ho( the' had found it#
+Oooh, it might ha"e hidden )o(ers,- said Hermione enthusiasti.a&&', ta!ing the diar' and &oo!ing at it .&ose&'#
+If it has, it*s hiding them "er' (e&&,- said Ron# +$a'e it*s sh'# I don*t !no( (h' 'ou don*t .hu.! it, Harr'#-
+I (ish I !ne( (h' someone did tr' to .hu.! it,- said Harr'# +I (ou&dn*t mind !no(ing ho( Ridd&e got an a(ard for s)e.ia&
ser"i.es to Hog(arts either#-
+Cou&d*"e een an'thing,- said Ron# +$a'e he got thirt' O# W# 7s or sa"ed a tea.her from the giant s6uid# $a'e he
murdered $'rt&e5 that (ou&d*"e done e"er'one a fa"or###-
But Harr' .ou&d te&& from the arrested &oo! on Hermione*s fa.e that she (as thin!ing (hat he (as thin!ing#
+What2- said Ron, &oo!ing from one to the other#
+We&&, the Chamer of Se.rets (as o)ened fift' 'ears ago, (asn*t it2- he said# +That*s (hat $a&fo' said#-
+Yeah###- said Ron s&o(&'#
58
+And this diar' is fift' 'ears o&d,- said Hermione, ta))ing it e/.ited&'#
+So2-
+Oh, Ron, (a!e u),- sna))ed Hermione# +We !no( the )erson (ho o)ened the Chamer &ast time (as e/)e&&ed fift' 'ears
ago# We !no( T# $# Ridd&e got an a(ard for s)e.ia& ser"i.es to the s.hoo& fift' 'ears ago# We&&, (hat if Ridd&e got his s)e.ia&
a(ard for .at.hing the Heir of S&'therin2 His diar' (ou&d )roa&' te&& us e"er'thing1(here the Chamer is, and ho( to
o)en it, and (hat sort of .reature &i"es in it1the )erson (ho*s ehind the atta.!s this time (ou&dn*t (ant that &'ing around,
(ou&d the'2-
+That*s a ri&&iant theor', Hermione,- said Ron, +(ith 0ust one tin' &itt&e f&a(# There*s nothing (ritten in his diar'#-
But Hermione (as )u&&ing her (and out of her ag#
+It might e in"isi&e in!,- she (his)ered#
She ta))ed the diar' three times and said, +A)are.ium,-
Nothing ha))ened# 3ndaunted, Hermione sho"ed her hand a.! into her ag and )u&&ed out (hat a))eared to e a right red
eraser#
+It*s a Re"ea&er, I got it in Diagon A&&e',- she said#
She rued hard on @anuar' first# Nothing ha))ened#
+I*m te&&ing 'ou, there*s nothing to find in there,- said Ron# +Ridd&e 0ust got a diar' for Christmas and .ou&dn*t e othered
fi&&ing it in#-
Harr' .ou&dn*t e/)&ain, e"en to himse&f, (h' he didn*t 0ust thro( Ridd&e*s diar' a(a'# The fa.t (as that e"en though he !ne(
the diar' (as &an!, he !e)t asentminded&' )i.!ing it u) and turning the )ages, as though it (ere a stor' he (anted to finish#
And (hi&e Harr' (as sure he had ne"er heard the name T# $# Ridd&e efore, it sti&& seemed to mean something to him, a&most
as though Ridd&e (as a friend he*d had (hen he (as "er' sma&&, and had ha&f:forgotten# But this (as asurd# He*d ne"er had
friends efore Hog(arts, Dud&e' had made sure of that#
Ne"erthe&ess, Harr' (as determined to find out more aout Ridd&e, so ne/t da' at rea!, he headed for the tro)h' room to
e/amine Ridd&e*s s)e.ia& a(ard, a..om)anied ' an interested Hermione and a thorough&' un.on"in.ed Ron, (ho to&d them
he*d seen enough of the tro)h' room to &ast him a &ifetime#
Ridd&e*s urnished go&d shie&d (as tu.!ed a(a' in a .orner .ainet# It didn*t .arr' detai&s of (h' it had een gi"en to him
<+8ood thing, too, or it*d e e"en igger and Id sti&& e )o&ishing it,- said Ron=# Ho(e"er, the' did find Ridd&e*s name on an o&d
$eda& for $agi.a& $erit, and on a &ist of o&d Head Bo's#
+He sounds &i!e Per.',- said Ron, (rin!&ing his nose in disgust# +Prefe.t, Head Bo'### )roa&' to) of e"er' .&ass1-
+You sa' that &i!e it*s a ad thing,- said Hermione in a s&ight&' hurt "oi.e#
The sun had no( egun to shine (ea!&' on Hog(arts again# Inside the .ast&e, the mood had gro(n more ho)efu&# There had
een no more atta.!s sin.e those on @ustin and Near&' Head&ess Ni.!, and $adam Pomfre' (as )&eased to re)ort that the
$andra!es (ere e.oming mood' and se.reti"e, meaning that the' (ere fast &ea"ing .hi&dhood#
+The moment their a.ne .&ears u), the'*&& e read' for re)otting again,- Harr' heard her te&&ing 9i&.h !ind&' one afternoon#
+And after that, it (on*t e &ong unti& (e*re .utting them u) and ste(ing them# You*&& ha"e $rs# Norris a.! in no time#-
Perha)s the Heir of S&'therin had &ost his or her ner"e, thought Harr'# It must e getting ris!ier and ris!ier to o)en the
Chamer of Se.rets, (ith the s.hoo& so a&ert and sus)i.ious# Perha)s the monster, (hate"er it (as, (as e"en no( sett&ing itse&f
do(n to hiernate for another fift' 'ears###
Ernie $a.mi&&an of Huff&e)uff didn*t ta!e this .heerfu& "ie(# He (as sti&& .on"in.ed that Harr' (as the gui&t' one, that he
had +gi"en himse&f a(a'- at the Due&ing C&u# Pee"es (asn*t he&)ing matters5 he !e)t )o))ing u) in the .ro(ded .orridors
singing +Oh, Potter, 'ou rotter###- no( (ith a dan.e routine to mat.h#
8i&dero' 7o.!hart seemed to thin! he himse&f had made the atta.!s sto)# Harr' o"erheard him te&&ing Professor $.8onaga&&
so (hi&e the 8r'ffindors (ere &ining u) for Transfiguration#
+I don*t thin! there*&& e an' more trou&e, $iner"a,- he said, ta))ing his nose !no(ing&' and (in!ing# +I thin! the Chamer
has een &o.!ed for good this time# The .u&)rit must ha"e !no(n it (as on&' a matter of time efore I .aught him# Rather
sensi&e to sto) no(, efore I .ame do(n hard on him#
+You !no(, (hat the s.hoo& needs no( is a mora&e:ooster# Wash a(a' the memories of &ast term, I (on*t sa' an' more 0ust
no(, ut I thin! I !no( 0ust the thing###-
He ta))ed his nose again and strode off#
7o.!hart*s idea of a mora&e:ooster e.ame .&ear at rea!fast time on 9eruar' fourteenth# Harr' hadn*t had mu.h s&ee)
e.ause of a &aterunning >uiddit.h )ra.ti.e the night efore, and he hurried do(n to the 8reat Ha&&, s&ight&' &ate# He thought,
for a moment, that he*d (a&!ed through the (rong doors#
The (a&&s (ere a&& .o"ered (ith &arge, &urid )in! f&o(ers# Worse sti&&, heart:sha)ed .onfetti (as fa&&ing from the )a&e &ue
.ei&ing# Harr' (ent o"er to the 8r'ffindor ta&e, (here Ron (as sitting &oo!ing si.!ened, and Hermione seemed to ha"e een
o"er.ome (ith gigg&es#
+What*s going on2- Harr' as!ed them, sitting do(n and (i)ing .onfetti off his a.on#
Ron )ointed to the tea.hers* ta&e, a))arent&' too disgusted to s)ea!# 7o.!hart, (earing &urid )in! roes to mat.h the
de.orations, (as (a"ing for si&en.e# The tea.hers on either side of him (ere &oo!ing ston':fa.ed# 9rom (here he sat, Harr'
.ou&d see a mus.&e going in Professor $.8onaga&&*s .hee!# Sna)e &oo!ed as though someone had 0ust fed him a &arge ea!er of
S!e&e:8ro#
+Ha))' %a&entine*s Da',- 7o.!hart shouted# +And ma' I than! the fort':si/ )eo)&e (ho ha"e so far sent me .ards, Yes, I
ha"e ta!en the &iert' of arranging this &itt&e sur)rise for 'ou a&&1and it doesn*t end here,-
7o.!hart .&a))ed his hands and through the doors to the entran.e ha&& mar.hed a do;en sur&':&oo!ing d(arfs# Not 0ust an'
d(arfs, ho(e"er# 7o.!hart had them a&& (earing go&den (ings and .arr'ing har)s#
+$' friend&', .ard:.arr'ing .u)ids,- eamed 7o.!hart# +The' (i&& e ro"ing around the s.hoo& toda' de&i"ering 'our
"a&entines, And the fun doesn*t sto) here, I*m sure m' .o&&eagues (i&& (ant to enter into the s)irit of the o..asion, Wh' not as!
59
Professor Sna)e to sho( 'ou ho( to (hi) u) a 7o"e Potion, And (hi&e 'ou*re at it, Professor 9&it(i.! !no(s more aout
Entran.ing En.hantments than an' (i;ard I*"e e"er met, the s&' o&d dog,-
Professor 9&it(i.! uried his fa.e in his hands# Sna)e (as &oo!ing as though the first )erson to as! him for a 7o"e Potion
(ou&d e for.e:fed )oison#
+P&ease, Hermione, te&& me 'ou (eren*t one of the fort':si/, EB said Ron as the' &eft the 8reat Ha&& for their first &esson#
Hermione sudden&' e.ame "er' interested in sear.hing her ag for her s.hedu&e and didn*t ans(er#
A&& da' &ong, the d(arfs !e)t arging into their .&asses to de&i"er "a&entines, to the anno'an.e of the tea.hers, and &ate that
afternoon as the 8r'ffindors (ere (a&!ing u)stairs for Charms, one of the d(arfs .aught u) (ith Harr'#
+O', 'ou, *Art' Potter,- shouted a )arti.u&ar&' grim:&oo!ing d(arf, e&o(ing )eo)&e out of the (a' to get to Harr'#
Hot a&& o"er at the thought of eing gi"en a "a&entine in front of a &ine of first 'ears, (hi.h ha))ened to in.&ude 8inn'
Weas&e', Harr' tried to es.a)e# The d(arf, ho(e"er, .ut his (a' through the .ro(d ' !i.!ing )eo)&e*s shins, and rea.hed him
efore he*d gone t(o )a.es#
+I*"e got a musi.a& message to de&i"er to *Arr' Potter in )erson,- he said, t(anging his har) in a threatening sort of (a'#
+Not here,- Harr' hissed, tr'ing to es.a)e#
+Sta' sti&&,- grunted the d(arf, graing ho&d of Harr'*s ag and )u&&ing him a.!#
+7et me go,- Harr' snar&ed, tugging#
With a &oud ri))ing noise, his ag s)&it in t(o# His oo!s, (and, )ar.hment, and 6ui&& s)i&&ed onto the f&oor and his in! ott&e
smashed o"er e"er'thing#
Harr' s.ram&ed around, tr'ing to )i.! it a&& u) efore the d(arf started singing, .ausing something of a ho&du) in the
.orridor#
+What*s going on here2- .ame the .o&d, dra(&ing "oi.e of Dra.o $a&fo'# Harr' started stuffing e"er'thing fe"erish&' into his
ri))ed ag, des)erate to get a(a' efore $a&fo' .ou&d hear his musi.a& "a&entine#
+What*s a&& this .ommotion2- said another fami&iar "oi.e as Per.' Weas&e' arri"ed#
7osing his head, Harr' tried to ma!e a run for it, ut the d(arf sei;ed him around the !nees and rought him .rashing to the
f&oor#
+Right,- he said, sitting on Harr'*s an!&es# +Here is 'our singing "a&entine4
His e'es are as green as a fresh )i.!&ed toad, His hair is as dar! as a &a.!oard# I (ish he (as mine, he*s rea&&' di"ine, The
hero (ho .on6uered the Dar! 7ord#-
Harr' (ou&d ha"e gi"en a&& the go&d in 8ringotts to e"a)orate on the s)ot# Tr'ing "a&iant&' to &augh a&ong (ith e"er'one
e&se, he got u), his feet num from the (eight of the d(arf, as Per.' Weas&e' did his est to dis)erse the .ro(d, some of (hom
(ere .r'ing (ith mirth#
+Off 'ou go, off 'ou go, the e&& rang fi"e minutes ago, off to .&ass, no(,- he said, shooing some of the 'ounger students
a(a'# +And 'ou, $a&fo'1-
Harr', g&an.ing o"er, sa( $a&fo' stoo) and snat.h u) something# 7eering, he sho(ed it to Crae and 8o'&e, and Harr'
rea&i;ed that he*d got Ridd&e*s diar'#
+8i"e that a.!,- said Harr' 6uiet&'#
+Wonder (hat Potter*s (ritten in this2- said $a&fo', (ho o"ious&' hadn*t noti.ed the 'ear on the .o"er and thought he had
Harr'*s o(n diar'# A hush fe&& o"er the on&oo!ers# 8inn' (as staring from the diar' to Harr', &oo!ing terrified#
+Hand it o"er, $a&fo',- said Per.' stern&'#
+When I*"e had a &oo!,- said $a&fo', (a"ing the diar' taunting&' at Harr'#
Per.' said, +As a s.hoo& )refe.t1- ut Harr' had &ost his tem)er# He )u&&ed out his (and and shouted, +E/)e&&iarmus,- and
0ust as Sna)e had disarmed 7o.!hart, so $a&fo' found the diar' shooting out of his hand into the air# Ron, grinning road&',
.aught it#
+Harr',- said Per.' &oud&'# +No magi. in the .orridors# I*&& ha"e to re)ort this, 'ou !no(,-
But Harr' didn*t .are, he (as one:u) on $a&fo', and that (as (orth fi"e )oints from 8r'ffindor an' da'# $a&fo' (as
&oo!ing furious, and as 8inn' )assed him to enter her .&assroom, he 'e&&ed s)itefu&&' after her, +I don*t thin! Potter &i!ed 'our
"a&entine mu.h,-
8inn' .o"ered her fa.e (ith her hands and ran into .&ass# Snar&ing, Ron )u&&ed out his (and, too, ut Harr' )u&&ed him
a(a'# Ron didn*t need to s)end the (ho&e of Charms e&.hing s&ugs#
It (asn*t unti& the' had rea.hed Professor 9&it(i.!*s .&ass that Harr' noti.ed something rather odd aout Ridd&e*s diar'# A&&
his other oo!s (ere dren.hed in s.ar&et in!# The diar', ho(e"er, (as as .&ean as it had een efore the in! ott&e had smashed
a&& o"er it# He tried to )oint this out to Ron, ut Ron (as ha"ing trou&e (ith his (and again5 &arge )ur)&e u&es (ere
&ossoming out of the end, and he (asn*t mu.h interested in an'thing e&se#
Harr' (ent to ed efore an'one e&se in his dormitor' that night# This (as )art&' e.ause he didn*t thin! he .ou&d stand 9red
and 8eorge singing, +His e'es are as green as a fresh )i.!&ed toad- one more time, and )art&' e.ause he (anted to e/amine
Ridd&e*s diar' again, and !ne( that Ron thought he (as (asting his time#
Harr' sat on his four:)oster and f&i.!ed through the &an! )ages, not one of (hi.h had a tra.e of s.ar&et in! on it# Then he
)u&&ed a ne( ott&e out of his edside .ainet, di))ed his 6ui&& into it, and dro))ed a &ot onto the first )age of the diar'#
The in! shone right&' on the )a)er for a se.ond and then, as though it (as eing su.!ed into the )age, "anished# E/.ited,
Harr' &oaded u) his 6ui&& a se.ond time and (rote, +$' name is Harr' Potter#-
The (ords shone momentari&' on the )age and the', too, san! (ithout tra.e# Then, at &ast, something ha))ened#
Oo;ing a.! out of the )age, in his "er' o(n in!, .ame (ords Harr' had ne"er (ritten#
+He&&o, Harr' Potter# $' name is Tom Ridd&e# Ho( did 'ou .ome ' m' diar'2-
These (ords, too, faded a(a', ut not efore Harr' had started to s.ri&e a.!#
+Someone tried to f&ush it do(n a toi&et#-
He (aited eager&' for Ridd&e*s re)&'#
60
+7u.!' that I re.orded m' memories in some more &asting (a' than in!# But I a&(a's !ne( that there (ou&d e those (ho
(ou&d not (ant this diar' read# +
+What do 'ou mean2- Harr' s.ra(&ed, &otting the )age in his e/.itement#
+I mean that this diar' ho&ds memories of terri&e things# Things that (ere .o"ered u)# Things that ha))ened at Hog(arts
S.hoo& of Wit.h.raft and Wi;ardr'# +
+That*s (here I am no(,- Harr' (rote 6ui.!&'# +I*m at Hog(arts, and horri&e stuff*s een ha))ening# Do 'ou !no( an'thing
aout the Chamer of Se.rets2-
His heart (as hammering# Ridd&e*s re)&' .ame 6ui.!&', his (riting e.oming untidier, as though he (as hurr'ing to te&& a&&
he !ne(#
+Of .ourse I !no( aout the Chamer of Se.rets# In m' da', the' to&d us it (as a &egend, that it did not e/ist# But this (as a
&ie# In m' fifth 'ear, the Chamer (as o)ened and the monster atta.!ed se"era& students, fina&&' !i&&ing one# I .aught the )erson
(ho*d o)ened the Chamer and he (as e/)e&&ed# But the Headmaster, Professor Di))et, ashamed that su.h a thing had
ha))ened at Hog(arts, forade me to te&& the truth# A stor' (as gi"en out that the gir& had died in a frea! a..ident# The' ga"e
me a ni.e, shin', engra"ed tro)h' for m' trou&e and (arned me to !ee) m' mouth shut# But I !ne( it .ou&d ha))en again#
The monster &i"ed on, and the one (ho had the )o(er to re&ease it (as not im)risoned# +
Harr' near&' u)set his in! ott&e in his hurr' to (rite a.!#
+It*s ha))ening again no(# There ha"e een three atta.!s and no one seems to !no( (ho*s ehind them# Who (as it &ast
time2-
+I .an sho( 'ou, if 'ou &i!e,- .ame Ridd&e*s re)&'# +You don*t ha"e to ta!e m' (ord for it# I .an ta!e 'ou inside m' memor'
of the night (hen I .aught him# +
Harr' hesitated, his 6ui&& sus)ended o"er the diar'# What did Ridd&e mean2 Ho( .ou&d he e ta!en inside someod' e&se*s
memor'2 He g&an.ed ner"ous&' at the door to the dormitor', (hi.h (as gro(ing dar!# When he &oo!ed a.! at the diar', he
sa( fresh (ords forming#
+7et me sho( 'ou# +
Harr' )aused for a fra.tion of a se.ond and then (rote t(o &etters#
+OA#-
The )ages of the diar' egan to &o( as though .aught in a high (ind, sto))ing ha&f(a' through the month of @une# $outh
hanging o)en, Harr' sa( that the &itt&e s6uare for @une thirteenth seemed to ha"e turned into a minis.u&e te&e"ision s.reen# His
hands trem&ing s&ight&', he raised the oo! to )ress his e'e against the &itt&e (indo(, and efore he !ne( (hat (as ha))ening,
he (as ti&ting for(ard5 the (indo( (as (idening, he fe&t his od' &ea"e his ed, and he (as )it.hed headfirst through the
o)ening in the )age, into a (hir& of .o&or and shado(#
He fe&t his feet hit so&id ground, and stood, sha!ing, as the &urred sha)es around him .ame sudden&' into fo.us#
He !ne( immediate&' (here he (as# This .ir.u&ar room (ith the s&ee)ing )ortraits (as Dum&edore*s offi.e1ut it (asn*t
Dum&edore (ho (as sitting ehind the des!# A (i;ened, frai&:&oo!ing (i;ard, a&d e/.e)t for a fe( (is)s of (hite hair, (as
reading a &etter ' .and&e&ight# Harr' had ne"er seen this man efore#
+I*m sorr',- he said sha!i&'# +I didn*t mean to utt in1-
But the (i;ard didn*t &oo! u)# He .ontinued to read, fro(ning s&ight&'# Harr' dre( nearer to his des! and stammered, +Er1
I*&& 0ust go, sha&& I2-
Sti&& the (i;ard ignored him# He didn*t seem e"en to ha"e heard him# Thin!ing that the (i;ard might e deaf, Harr' raised
his "oi.e#
+Sorr' I distured 'ou# I*&& go no(,- he ha&f:shouted#
The (i;ard fo&ded u) the &etter (ith a sigh, stood u), (a&!ed )ast Harr' (ithout g&an.ing at him, and (ent to dra( the
.urtains at his (indo(#
The s!' outside the (indo( (as ru':red5 it seemed to e sunset# The (i;ard (ent a.! to the des!, sat do(n, and t(idd&ed
his thums, (at.hing the door#
Harr' &oo!ed around the offi.e# No 9a(!es the )hoeni/1no (hirring si&"er .ontra)tions# This (as Hog(arts as Ridd&e had
!no(n it, meaning that this un!no(n (i;ard (as Headmaster, not Dum&edore, and he, Harr', (as &itt&e more than a )hantom,
.om)&ete&' in"isi&e to the )eo)&e of fift' 'ears ago#
There (as a !no.! on the offi.e door#
+Enter,- said the o&d (i;ard in a fee&e "oi.e#
A o' of aout si/teen entered, ta!ing off his )ointed hat# A si&"er )refe.t*s adge (as g&inting on his .hest# He (as mu.h
ta&&er than Harr', ut he, too, had 0et:&a.! hair#
+Ah, Ridd&e,- said the Headmaster#
+You (anted to see me, Professor Di))et2- said Ridd&e# He &oo!ed ner"ous#
+Sit do(n,- said Di))et# +I*"e 0ust een reading the &etter 'ou sent me#
+Oh,- said Ridd&e# He sat do(n, gri))ing his hands together "er' tight&'#
+$' dear o',- said Di))er !ind&', +I .annot )ossi&' &et 'ou sta' at s.hoo& o"er the summer# Sure&' 'ou (ant to go home
for the ho&ida's2-
+No,- said Ridd&e at on.e# +Id mu.h rather sta' at Hog(arts than go a.! to that1to that1-
+You &i"e in a $ugg&e or)hanage during the ho&ida's, I e&ie"e2- said Di))et .urious&'#
+Yes, sir,- said Ridd&e, reddening s&ight&'#
+You are $ugg&e:orn2-
+Ha&f:&ood, sir,- said Ridd&e# +$ugg&e father, (it.h mother#-
+And are oth 'our )arents :2-
+$' mother died 0ust after I (as orn, sir# The' to&d me at the or)hanage she &i"ed 0ust &ong enough to name me1Tom after
m' father, $ar"o&o after m' grandfather#-
61
Di))er .&u.!ed his tongue s'm)atheti.a&&'#
+The thing is, Tom,- he sighed, +S)e.ia& arrangements might ha"e een made for 'ou, ut in the .urrent .ir.umstan.es###-
+You mean a&& these atta.!s, sir2- said Ridd&e, and Harr'*s heart &ea)t, and he mo"ed .&oser, s.ared of missing an'thing#
+Pre.ise&',- said the headmaster# +$' dear o', 'ou must see ho( foo&ish it (ou&d e of me to a&&o( 'ou to remain at the
.ast&e (hen term ends# Parti.u&ar&' in &ight of the re.ent traged'### the death of that )oor &itt&e gir&### You (i&& e safer ' far at
'our or)hanage# As a matter of fa.t, the $inistr' of $agi. is e"en no( ta&!ing aout .&osing the s.hoo&# We are no nearer
&o.ating the er1sour.e of a&& this un)&easantness###-
Ridd&e*s e'es had (idened#
+Sir1if the )erson (as .aught1if it a&& sto))ed1-
+What do 'ou mean2- said Di))et (ith a s6uea! in his "oi.e, sitting u) in his .hair# +Ridd&e, do 'ou mean 'ou !no(
something aout these atta.!s2-
+No, sir,- said Ridd&e 6ui.!&'#
But Harr' (as sure it (as the same sort of +no- that he himse&f had gi"en Dum&edore#
Di))et san! a.!, &oo!ing faint&' disa))ointed#
+You ma' go, Tom ##-
Ridd&e s&id off his .hair and s&ou.hed out of the room# Harr' fo&&o(ed him#
Do(n the mo"ing s)ira& stair.ase the' (ent, emerging ne/t to the gargo'&e in the dar!ening .orridor# Ridd&e sto))ed, and so
did Harr', (at.hing him# Harr' .ou&d te&& that Ridd&e (as doing some serious thin!ing# He (as iting his &i), his forehead
furro(ed#
Then, as though he had sudden&' rea.hed a de.ision, he hurried off, Harr' g&iding noise&ess&' ehind him# The' didn*t see
another )erson unti& the' rea.hed the entran.e ha&&, (hen a ta&& (i;ard (ith &ong, s(ee)ing auurn hair and a eard .a&&ed to
Ridd&e from the mar&e stair.ase#
+What are 'ou doing, (andering around this &ate, Tom2-
Harr' ga)ed at the (i;ard# He (as none other than a fift':'ear'ounger Dum&edore#
+I had to see the headmaster, sir,- said Ridd&e#
+We&&, hurr' off to ed,- said Dum&edore, gi"ing Ridd&e e/a.t&' the !ind of )enetrating stare Harr' !ne( so (e&&# +Best not
to roam the .orridors these da's# Not sin.e ## #-
He sighed hea"i&', ade Ridd&e good night, and strode off# Ridd&e (at.hed him (a&! out of sight and then, mo"ing 6ui.!&',
headed straight do(n the stone ste)s to the dungeons, (ith Harr' in hot )ursuit#
But to Harr'*s disa))ointment, Ridd&e &ed him not into a hidden )assage(a' or a se.ret tunne& ut to the "er' dungeon in
(hi.h Harr' had Potions (ith Sna)e# The tor.hes hadn*t een &it, and (hen Ridd&e )ushed the door a&most .&osed, Harr' .ou&d
on&' 0ust see him, standing sto.!:sti&& ' the door, (at.hing the )assage outside#
It fe&t to Harr' that the' (ere there for at &east an hour# A&& he .ou&d see (as the figure of Ridd&e at the door, staring through
the .ra.!, (aiting &i!e a statue# And 0ust (hen Harr' had sto))ed fee&ing e/)e.tant and tense and started (ishing he .ou&d
return to the )resent, he heard something mo"e e'ond the door#
Someone (as .ree)ing a&ong the )assage# He heard (hoe"er it (as )ass the dungeon (here he and Ridd&e (ere hidden#
Ridd&e, 6uiet as a shado(, edged through the door and fo&&o(ed, Harr' ti)toeing ehind him, forgetting that he .ou&dn*t e
heard#
9or )erha)s fi"e minutes the' fo&&o(ed the footste)s, unti& Ridd&e sto))ed sudden&', his head in.&ined in the dire.tion of ne(
noises# Harr' heard a door .rea! o)en, and then someone s)ea!ing in a hoarse (his)er#
+C*mon### gotta get 'eh outta here### C*mon no(### in the o/###-
There (as something fami&iar aout that "oi.e#
Ridd&e sudden&' 0um)ed around the .orner# Harr' ste))ed out ehind him# He .ou&d see the dar! out&ine of a huge o' (ho
(as .rou.hing in front of an o)en door, a "er' &arge o/ ne/t to it#
+E"ening, Rueus,- said Ridd&e shar)&'#
The o' s&ammed the door shut and stood u)#
+What 'er doin* do(n here, Tom2-
Ridd&e ste))ed .&oser#
+It*s a&& o"er,- he said# +I*m going to ha"e to turn 'ou in, Rueus# The'*re ta&!ing aout .&osing Hog(arts if the atta.!s don*t
sto)#-
+What d*'eh1-
+I don*t thin! 'ou meant to !i&& an'one# But monsters don*t ma!e good )ets# I su))ose 'ou 0ust &et it out for e/er.ise and1-
+It ne"er !i&&ed no one,- said the &arge o', a.!ing against the .&osed door# 9rom ehind him, Harr' .ou&d hear a funn'
rust&ing and .&i.!ing#
+Come on, Rueus,- said Ridd&e, mo"ing 'et .&oser# +The dead gir&*s )arents (i&& e here tomorro(# The &east Hog(arts .an
do is ma!e sure that the thing that !i&&ed their daughter is s&aughtered###-
+It (asn*t him,- roared the o', his "oi.e e.hoing in the dar! )assage# +He (ou&dn*, He ne"er,-
+Stand aside,- said Ridd&e, dra(ing out his (and#
His s)e&& &it the .orridor (ith a sudden f&aming &ight# The door ehind the &arge o' f&e( o)en (ith su.h for.e it !no.!ed
him into the (a&& o))osite# And out of it .ame something that made Harr' &et out a &ong, )ier.ing s.ream unheard ' an'one
A "ast, &o(:s&ung, hair' od' and a tang&e of &a.! &egs5 a g&eam of man' e'es and a )air of ra;or:shar) )in.ers1Ridd&e
raised his (and again, ut he (as too &ate# The thing o(&ed him o"er as it s.utt&ed a(a', tearing u) the .orridor and out of
sight# Ridd&e s.ram&ed to his feet, &oo!ing after it5 he raised his (and, ut the huge o' &ea)t on him, sei;ed his (and, and
thre( him a.! do(n, 'e&&ing, +NOOOOOOO,-
The s.ene (hir&ed, the dar!ness e.ame .om)&ete5 Harr' fe&t himse&f fa&&ing and, (ith a .rash, he &anded s)read:eag&ed on
his four:)oster in the 8r'ffindor dormitor', Ridd&e*s diar' &'ing o)en on his stoma.h#
62
Before he had had time to regain his reath, the dormitor' door o)ened and Ron .ame in#
+There 'ou are,- he said#
Harr' sat u)# He (as s(eating and sha!ing#
+What*s u)2- said Ron, &oo!ing at him (ith .on.ern#
+It (as Hagrid, Ron# Hagrid o)ened the Chamer of Se.rets fift' 'ears ago#-
CHAPTER 9O3RTEEN
CORNE7I3S 93D8E
Harr', Ron, and Hermione had a&(a's !no(n that Hagrid had an unfortunate &i!ing for &arge and monstrous .reatures#
During their first 'ear at Hog(arts he had tried to raise a dragon in his &itt&e (ooden house, and it (ou&d e a &ong time efore
the' forgot the giant, threeheaded dog he*d .hristened +9&uff'#- And if, as a o', Hagrid had heard that a monster (as hidden
some(here in the .ast&e, Harr' (as sure he*d ha"e gone to an' &engths for a g&im)se of it# He*d )roa&' thought it (as a
shame that the monster had een .oo)ed u) so &ong, and thought it deser"ed the .han.e to stret.h its man' &egs5 Harr' .ou&d
0ust imagine the thirteen:'ear:o&d Hagrid tr'ing to fit a &eash and .o&&ar on it# But he (as e6ua&&' .ertain that Hagrid (ou&d
ne"er ha"e meant to !i&& an'od'#
Harr' ha&f (ished he hadn*t found out ho( to (or! Ridd&e*s diar'# Again and again Ron and Hermione made him re.ount
(hat
he*d seen, unti& he (as hearti&' si.! of te&&ing them and si.! of the &ong, .ir.u&ar .on"ersations that fo&&o(ed#
+Ridd&e might ha"e got the (rong )erson,- said Hermione# +$a'e it (as some other monster that (as atta.!ing )eo)&e###-
+Ho( man' monsters d*'ou thin! this )&a.e .an ho&d2- Ron as!ed du&&'#
+We a&(a's !ne( Hagrid had een e/)e&&ed,- said Harr' misera&'# +And the atta.!s must*"e sto))ed after Hagrid (as
!i.!ed out# Other(ise, Ridd&e (ou&dn*t ha"e got his a(ard#-
Ron tried a different ta.!#
+Ridd&e does sound &i!e Per.'1(ho as!ed him to s6uea& on Hagrid, an'(a'2-
+But the monster had !i&&ed someone, Ron,- said Hermione#
+And Ridd&e (as going to go a.! to some $ugg&e or)hanage if the' .&osed Hog(arts,- said Harr'# +I don*t &ame him for
(anting to sta' here###-
+You met Hagrid do(n Ano.!turn A&&e', didn*t 'ou, Harr'2-
+He (as u'ing a 9&esh:Eating S&ug Re)e&&ent,- said Harr' 6ui.!&'#
The three of them fe&& si&ent# After a &ong )ause, Hermione "oi.ed the !nottiest 6uestion of a&& in a hesitant "oi.e#
+Do 'ou thin! (e shou&d go and as! Hagrid aout it a&&2-
+That*d e a .heerfu& "isit,- said Ron# +*He&&o, Hagrid# Te&& us, ha"e 'ou een setting an'thing mad and hair' &oose in the
.ast&e &ate&'2?*
In the end, the' de.ided that the' (ou&d not sa' an'thing to Hagrid un&ess there (as another atta.!, and as more and more
da's (ent ' (ith no (his)er from the disemodied "oi.e, the' e.ame ho)efu& that the' (ou&d ne"er need to ta&! to him
aout (h' he had een e/)e&&ed# It (as no( near&' four months sin.e @ustin and Near&' Head&ess Ni.! had een Petrified, and
near&' e"er'od' seemed to thin! that the atta.!er, (hoe"er it (as, had retired for good# Pee"es had fina&&' got ored of his
+Oh, Potter, 'ou rotter- song, Ernie $a.mi&&an as!ed Harr' 6uite )o&ite&' to )ass a u.!et of &ea)ing toadstoo&s in Hero&og'
one da', and in $ar.h se"era& of the $andra!es thre( a &oud and rau.ous )art' in greenhouse three# This made Professor
S)rout "er' ha))'#
+The moment the' start tr'ing to mo"e into ea.h other*s )ots, (e*&& !no( the'*re fu&&' mature,- she to&d Harr'# +Then (e*&&
e a&e to re"i"e those )oor )eo)&e in the hos)ita& (ing#-
The se.ond 'ears (ere gi"en something ne( to thin! aout during their Easter ho&ida's# The time had .ome to .hoose their
su0e.ts for the third 'ear, a matter that Hermione, at &east, too! "er' serious&'#
+it .ou&d affe.t our (ho&e future,- she to&d Harr' and Ron as the' )ored o"er &ists of ne( su0e.ts, mar!ing them (ith
.he.!s#
+I 0ust (ant to gi"e u) Potions,- said Harr'#
+We .an*t,- said Ron g&oomi&'# +We !ee) a&& our o&d su0e.ts, or I*d*"e dit.hed Defense Against the Dar! Arts#-
+But that*s "er' im)ortant,- said Hermione, sho.!ed#
+Not the (a' 7o.!hart tea.hes it,- said Ron# +I ha"en*t &earned an'thing from him e/.e)t not to set )i/ies &oose#-
Ne"i&&e 7ongottom had een sent &etters from a&& the (it.hes and (i;ards in his fami&', a&& gi"ing him different ad"i.e on
(hat to .hoose# Confused and (orried, he sat reading the su0e.t &ists (ith his tongue )o!ing out, as!ing )eo)&e (hether the'
thought Arithman.' sounded more diffi.u&t than the stud' of An.ient Runes# Dean Thomas, (ho, &i!e Harr', had gro(n u)
(ith $ugg&es, ended u) .&osing his e'es and 0aing his (and at the &ist, then )i.!ing the su0e.ts it &anded on# Hermione too!
nood'*s ad"i.e ut signed u) for e"er'thing#
Harr' smi&ed grim&' to himse&f at the thought of (hat 3n.&e %ernon and Aunt Petunia (ou&d sa' if he tried to dis.uss his
.areer in (i;ardr' (ith them# Not that he didn*t get an' guidan.e4 Per.' Weas&e' (as eager to share his e/)erien.e#
+De)ends (here 'ou (ant to go, Harr',- he said# +It*s ne"er too ear&' to thin! aout the future, so Id re.ommend Di"ination#
Peo)&e sa' $ugg&e Studies is a soft o)tion, ut I )ersona&&' thin! (i;ards shou&d ha"e a thorough understanding of the non:
magi.a& .ommunit', )arti.u&ar&' if the'*re thin!ing of (or!ing in .&ose .onta.t (ith them1&oo! at m' father, he has to dea&
(ith $ugg&e usiness a&& the time# $' rother Char&ie (as a&(a's more of an outdoor t')e, so he (ent for Care of $agi.a&
Creatures# P&a' to 'our strengths, Harr'#-
But the on&' thing Harr' fe&t he (as rea&&' good at (as >uiddit.h# In the end, he .hose the same ne( su0e.ts as Ron,
fee&ing that if he (as &ous' at them, at &east he*d ha"e someone friend&' to he&) him#
63
8r'ffindor*s ne/t >uiddit.h mat.h (ou&d e against Huff&e)uff# Wood (as insisting on team )ra.ti.es e"er' night after
dinner, so that Harr' are&' had time for an'thing ut >uiddit.h and home(or!# Ho(e"er, the training sessions (ere getting
etter, or at &east drier, and the e"ening efore Saturda'*s mat.h he (ent u) to his dormitor' to dro) off his roomsti.! fee&ing
8r'ffindor*s .han.es for the >uiddit.h .u) had ne"er een etter#
But his .heerfu& mood didn*t &ast &ong# At the to) of the stairs to the dormitor', he met Ne"i&&e 7ongottom, (ho (as &oo!ing
franti.#
+Harr'1I don*t !no( (ho did it1I 0ust found1-
Wat.hing Harr' fearfu&&', Ne"i&&e )ushed o)en the door#
The .ontents of Harr'*s trun! had een thro(n e"er'(here# His .&oa! &a' ri))ed on the f&oor# The ed.&othes had een
)u&&ed off his four:)oster and the dra(er had een )u&&ed out of his edside .ainet, the .ontents stre(n o"er the mattress#
Harr' (a&!ed o"er to the ed, o)en:mouthed, treading on a fe( &oose )ages of Tra"e&s (ith Tro&&s# As he and Ne"i&&e )u&&ed
the &an!ets a.! onto his ed, Ron, Dean, and Seamus .ame in# Dean s(ore &oud&'#
+What ha))ened, Harr'2-
+No idea,- said Harr'# But Ron (as e/amining Harr'*s roes# A&& the )o.!ets (ere hanging out#
+Someone*s een &oo!ing for something,- said Ron# +Is there an'thing missing2-
Harr' started to )i.! u) a&& his things and thro( them into his trun!# It (as on&' as he thre( the &ast of the 7o.!hart oo!s
a.! into it that he rea&i;ed (hat (asn*t there#
+Ridd&e*s diar'*s gone,- he said in an undertone to Ron#
+What2-
Harr' 0er!ed his head to(ard the dormitor' door and Ron fo&&o(ed him out# The' hurried do(n to the 8r'ffindor .ommon
room, (hi.h (as ha&f:em)t', and 0oined Hermione, (ho (as sitting a&one, reading a oo! .a&&ed An.ient Runes $ade Eas'#
Hermione &oo!ed aghast at the ne(s#
+But1on&' a 8r'ffindor .ou&d ha"e sto&en1nood' e&se !no(s our )ass(ord1-
+E/a.t&',- said Harr'#
The' (o!e the ne/t da' to ri&&iant sunshine and a &ight, refreshing ree;e#
+Perfe.t >uiddit.h .onditions,- said Wood enthusiasti.a&&' at the 8r'ffindor ta&e, &oading the team*s )&ates (ith s.ram&ed
eggs# +Harr', u.! u) there, 'ou need a de.ent rea!fast#-
Harr' had een staring do(n the )a.!ed 8r'ffindor ta&e, (ondering if the ne( o(ner of Ridd&e*s diar' (as right in front of
his e'es# Hermione had een urging him to re)ort the roer', ut Harr' didn*t &i!e the idea# He*d ha"e to te&& a tea.her a&&
aout the diar', and ho( man' )eo)&e !ne( (h' Hagrid had een e/)e&&ed fift' 'ears ago2 He didn*t (ant to e the one (ho
rought it a&& u) again#
As he &eft the 8reat Ha&& (ith Ron and Hermione to go and .o&&e.t his >uiddit.h things, another "er' serious (orr' (as
added to Harr'*s gro(ing &ist# He had 0ust set foot on the mar&e stair.ase (hen he heard it 'et again
+Ai&& this time### &et me ri)### tear###-
He shouted a&oud and Ron and Hermione oth 0um)ed a(a' from him in a&arm#
+The "oi.e,- said Harr', :&oo!ing o"er his shou&der# +I 0ust heard it again1didn*t 'ou2-
Ron shoo! his head, (ide:e'ed# Hermione, ho(e"er, .&a))ed a hand to her forehead#
+Harr'1I thin! I*"e 0ust understood something, I*"e got to go to the &irar',-
And she s)rinted a(a', u) the stairs#
+What does she understand2- said Harr' distra.ted&', sti&& &oo!ing around, tr'ing to te&& (here the "oi.e had .ome from#
+7oads more than I do,- said Ron, sha!ing his head#
+But (h'*s she got to go to the &irar'2-
+Be.ause that*s (hat Hermione does,- said Ron, shrugging# +When in dout, go to the &irar'#-
Harr' stood, irreso&ute, tr'ing to .at.h the "oi.e again, ut )eo)&e (ere no( emerging from the 8reat Ha&& ehind him,
ta&!ing &oud&', e/iting through the front doors on their (a' to the >uiddit.h )it.h#
+You*d etter get mo"ing,- said Ron# +It*s near&' e&e"en1the mat.h1-
Harr' ra.ed u) to 8r'ffindor To(er, .o&&e.ted his Nimus T(o Thousand, and 0oined the &arge .ro(d s(arming a.ross the
grounds, ut his mind (as sti&& in the .ast&e a&ong (ith the odi&ess "oi.e, and as he )u&&ed on his s.ar&et roes in the &o.!er#
room, his on&' .omfort (as that e"er'one (as no( outside to (at.h the game#
The teams (a&!ed onto the fie&d to tumu&tuous a))&ause# O&i"er Wood too! off for a (arm:u) f&ight around the goa& )osts5
$adam Hoo.h re&eased the a&&s# The Huff&e)uffs, (ho )&a'ed in .anar' 'e&&o(, (ere standing in a hudd&e, ha"ing a &ast:
minute dis.ussion of ta.ti.s#
Harr' (as 0ust mounting his room (hen Professor $.8onaga&& .ame ha&f mar.hing, ha&f running a.ross the )it.h, .arr'ing
an enormous )ur)&e mega)hone#
Harr'*s heart dro))ed &i!e a stone#
+This mat.h has een .an.e&&ed,- Professor $.8onaga&& .a&&ed through the mega)hone, addressing the )a.!ed stadium#
There (ere oos and shouts# O&i"er Wood, &oo!ing de"astated, &anded and ran to(ard Professor $.8onaga&& (ithout getting
off his roomsti.!#
+But, Professor,- he shouted# +We*"e got to )&a'1the .u)18r'ffindor1-
Professor $.8onaga&& ignored him and .ontinued to shout through her mega)hone4 +A&& students are to ma!e their (a' a.!
to the House .ommon rooms, (here their Heads of Houses (i&& gi"e them further information# As 6ui.!&' as 'ou .an, )&ease,-
Then she &o(ered the mega)hone and e.!oned Harr' o"er to her#
+Potter, I thin! 'ou*d etter .ome (ith me###-
Wondering ho( she .ou&d )ossi&' sus)e.t him this time, Harr' sa( Ron deta.h himse&f from the .om)&aining .ro(d5 he
.ame running u) to them as the' set off to(ard the .ast&e# To Harr'*s sur)rise, Professor $.8onaga&& didn*t o0e.t#
+Yes, )erha)s 'ou*d etter .ome, too, Weas&e'###-
64
Some of the students s(arming around them (ere grum&ing aout the mat.h eing .an.e&ed5 others &oo!ed (orried# Harr'
and Ron fo&&o(ed Professor $.8onaga&& a.! into the s.hoo& and u) the mar&e stair.ase# But the' (eren*t ta!en to an'od'*s
offi.e this time#
+This (i&& e a it of a sho.!,- said Professor $.8onaga&& in a sur)rising&' gent&e "oi.e as the' a))roa.hed the infirmar'#
+There has een another atta.!### another dou&e atta.!#-
Harr'*s insides did a horri&e somersau&t# Professor $.8onaga&& )ushed the door o)en and he and Ron entered#
$adam Pomfre' (as ending o"er a fifth:'ear gir& (ith &ong, .ur&' hair# Harr' re.ogni;ed her as the Ra"en.&a( the'*d
a..identa&&' as!ed for dire.tions to the S&'therin .ommon room# And on the ed ne/t to her (as 1
+Hermione,- Ron groaned#
Hermione &a' utter&' sti&&, her e'es o)en and g&ass'#
+The' (ere found near the &irar',- said Professor $.8onaga&&# +I don*t su))ose either of 'ou .an e/)&ain this2 It (as on the
f&oor ne/t to them###-
She (as ho&ding u) a sma&&, .ir.u&ar mirror#
Harr' and Ron shoo! their heads, oth staring at Hermione#
+I (i&& es.ort 'ou a.! to 8r'ffindor To(er,- said Professor $.8onaga&& hea"i&'# +I need to address the students in an' .ase#
+A&& students (i&& return to their House .ommon rooms ' si/ o*.&o.! in the e"ening# No student is to &ea"e the dormitories
after that time# You (i&& e es.orted to ea.h &esson ' a tea.her# No student is to use the athroom una..om)anied ' a tea.her#
A&& further >uiddit.h training and mat.hes are to e )ost)oned# There (i&& e no more e"ening a.ti"ities#-
The 8r'ffindors )a.!ed inside the .ommon room &istened to Professor $.8onaga&& in si&en.e# She ro&&ed u) the )ar.hment
from (hi.h she had een reading and said in a some(hat .ho!ed "oi.e, +I need hard&' add that I ha"e rare&' een so
distressed# It is &i!e&' that the s.hoo& (i&& e .&osed un&ess the .u&)rit ehind these atta.!s is .aught# I (ou&d urge an'one (ho
thin!s the' might !no( an'thing aout them to .ome for(ard#-
She .&imed some(hat a(!(ard&' out of the )ortrait ho&e, and the 8r'ffindors egan ta&!ing immediate&'#
+That*s t(o 8r'ffindors do(n, not .ounting a 8r'ffindor ghost, one Ra"en.&a(, and one Huff&e)uff, + said the Weas&e'
t(ins* friend 7ee @ordan, .ounting on his fingers# +Ha"en*t an' of the tea.hers noti.ed that the S&'therins are a&& safe2 Isn*t it
o"ious a&& this stuff*s .oming from S&'therin2 The Heir of S&'therin, the monster of S&'therin1(h' don*t the' 0ust .hu.! a&&
the S&'therins out2- he roared, to nods and s.attered a))&ause#
Per.' Weas&e' (as sitting in a .hair ehind 7ee, ut for on.e he didn*t seem !een to ma!e his "ie(s heard# He (as &oo!ing
)a&e and stunned#
+Per.'*s in sho.!,- 8eorge to&d Harr' 6uiet&'# +That Ra"en.&a( gir&1Pene&o)e C&ear(ater1she*s a )refe.t# I don*t thin! he
thought the monster (ou&d dare atta.! a )refe.t#-
But Harr' (as on&' ha&f:&istening# He didn*t seem to e a&e to get rid of the )i.ture of Hermione, &'ing on the hos)ita& ed
as though .ar"ed out of stone# And if the .u&)rit (asn*t .aught soon, he (as &oo!ing at a &ifetime a.! (ith the Durs&e's# Tom
Ridd&e had turned Hagrid in e.ause he (as fa.ed (ith the )ros)e.t of a $ugg&e or)hanage if the s.hoo& .&osed# Harr' no(
!ne( e/a.t&' ho( he had fe&t#
+What*re (e going to do2- said Ron 6uiet&' in Harr'*s ear# +D*'ou thin! the' sus)e.t Hagrid2-
+We*"e got to go and ta&! to him,- said Harr', ma!ing u) his mind# +I .an*t e&ie"e it*s him this time, ut if he set the monster
&oose &ast time he*&& !no( ho( to get inside the Chamer of Se.rets, and that*s a start#-
+But $.8onaga&& said (e*"e got to sta' in our to(er un&ess (e*re in .&ass1-
+I thin!,- said Harr', more 6uiet&' sti&&, +it*s time to get m' dad*s o&d .&oa! out again#-
Harr' had inherited 0ust one thing from his father4 a &ong and si&"er' In"isii&it' C&oa!# It (as their on&' .han.e of snea!ing
out of the s.hoo& to "isit Hagrid (ithout an'one !no(ing aout it# The' (ent to ed at the usua& time, (aited unti& Ne"i&&e,
Dean, and Seamus had sto))ed dis.ussing the Chamer of Se.rets and fina&&' fa&&en as&ee), then got u), dressed again, and
thre( the .&oa! o"er themse&"es#
The 0ourne' through the dar! and deserted .ast&e .orridors (asn*t en0o'a&e# Harr', (ho had (andered the .ast&e at night
se"era& times efore, had ne"er seen it so .ro(ded after sunset# Tea.hers, )refe.ts, and ghosts (ere mar.hing the .orridors in
)airs, staring around for an' unusua& a.ti"it'# Their In"isii&it' C&oa! didn*t sto) them ma!ing an' noise, and there (as a
)arti.u&ar&' tense moment (hen Ron stued his toe on&' 'ards from the s)ot (here Sna)e stood standing guard# Than!fu&&',
Sna)e snee;ed at a&most e/a.t&' the moment Ron s(ore# It (as (ith re&ief that the' rea.hed the oa! front doors and eased
them o)en#
It (as a .&ear, starr' night# The' hurried to(ard the &it (indo(s of Hagrid*s house and )u&&ed off the .&oa! on&' (hen the'
(ere right outside his front door#
Se.onds after the' had !no.!ed, Hagrid f&ung it o)en# The' found themse&"es fa.e:to:fa.e (ith him aiming a .rosso( at
them# 9ang the oarhound ar!ed &oud&' ehind him#
+Oh,- he said, &o(ering the (ea)on and staring at them# +What*re 'ou t(o doin* here2-
+What*s that for2- said Harr', )ointing at the .rosso( as the' ste))ed inside#
+Nothin*1nothin*1- Hagrid muttered# +I*"e in e/)e.tin* doesn* matter1Sit do(n1I*&& ma!e tea1-
He hard&' seemed to !no( (hat he (as doing# He near&' e/tinguished the fire, s)i&&ing (ater from the !ett&e on it, and then
smashed the tea)ot (ith a ner"ous 0er! of his massi"e hand#
+Are 'ou o!a', Hagrid2- said Harr'# +Did 'ou hear aout Hermione2-
+Oh, I heard, a&& righ*,- said Hagrid, a s&ight rea! in his "oi.e#
He !e)t g&an.ing ner"ous&' at the (indo(s# He )oured them oth &arge mugs of oi&ing (ater <he had forgotten to add tea
ags= and (as 0ust )utting a s&a of fruit.a!e on a )&ate (hen there (as a &oud !no.! on the door#
Hagrid dro))ed the fruit.a!e# Harr' and Ron e/.hanged )ani.:stri.!en &oo!s, then thre( the In"isii&it' C&oa! a.! o"er
themse&"es and retreated into a .orner# Hagrid .he.!ed that the' (ere hidden, sei;ed his .rosso(, and f&ung o)en his door
on.e more#
65
+8ood e"ening, Hagrid#-
It (as Dum&edore# He entered, &oo!ing dead&' serious, and (as fo&&o(ed ' a se.ond, "er' odd:&oo!ing man#
The stranger had rum)&ed gra' hair and an an/ious e/)ression, and (as (earing a strange mi/ture of .&othes4 a )instri)ed
suit, a
s.ar&et tie, a &ong &a.! .&oa!, and )ointed )ur)&e oots# 3nder his arm he .arried a &ime:green o(&er#
+That*s Dad*s oss,- Ron reathed# +Corne&ius 9udge, the $inister of $agi.,-
Harr' e&o(ed Ron hard to ma!e him shut u)#
Hagrid had gone )a&e and s(eat'# He dro))ed into one of his .hairs and &oo!ed from Dum&edore to Corne&ius 9udge#
+Bad usiness, Hagrid,- said 9udge in rather .&i))ed tones# +%er' ad usiness# Had to .ome# 9our atta.!s on $ugg&e:orns#
Things*"e gone far enough# $inistr'*s got to a.t#-
+I ne"er,- said Hagrid, &oo!ing im)&oring&' at Dum&edore# +You !no( I ne"er, Professor Dum&edore, sir1-
+I (ant it understood, Corne&ius, that Hagrid has m' fu&& .onfiden.e,- said Dum&edore, fro(ning at 9udge#
+7oo!, A&us,- said 9udge, un.omforta&'# +Hagrid*s re.ord*s against him# $inistr'*s got to do something1the s.hoo&
go"ernors ha"e een in tou.h1-
+Yet again, Corne&ius, I te&& 'ou that ta!ing Hagrid a(a' (i&& not he&) in the s&ightest,- said Dum&edore# His &ue e'es (ere
fu&& of a fire Harr' had ne"er seen efore#
+7oo! at it from m' )oint of "ie(,- said 9udge, fidgeting (ith his o(&er# +I*m under a &ot of )ressure# 8ot to e seen to e
doing something# If it turns out it (asn*t Hagrid, he*&& e a.! and no more said# But I*"e got to ta!e him# 8ot to# Wou&dn*t e
doing m' dut'1-
+Ta!e me2- said Hagrid, (ho (as trem&ing# +Ta!e me (here2-
+9or a short stret.h on&',- said 9udge, not meeting Hagrid*s e'es# +Not a )unishment, Hagrid, more a )re.aution# If someone
e&se is .aught, 'ou*&& e &et out (ith a fu&& a)o&og'1-
+Not A;!aan2- .roa!ed Hagrid#
Before 9udge .ou&d ans(er, there (as another &oud ra) on the door#
Dum&edore ans(ered it# It (as Harr'*s turn for an e&o( in the ris5 he*d &et out an audi&e gas)#
$r# 7u.ius $a&fo' strode into Hagrid*s hut, s(athed in a &ong &a.! tra"e&ing .&oa!, smi&ing a .o&d and satisfied smi&e# 9ang
started to gro(&#
+A&read' here, 9udge,- he said a))ro"ing&'# +8ood, good###-
+What*re 'ou doin* here2- said Hagrid furious&'# +8et outta m' house,-
+$' dear man, )&ease e&ie"e me, I ha"e no )&easure at a&& in eing inside 'our1er1d*'ou .a&& this a house2- said 7u.ius
$a&fo', sneering as he &oo!ed around the sma&& .ain# +I sim)&' .a&&ed at the s.hoo& and (as to&d that the headmaster (as
here#-
+And (hat e/a.t&' did 'ou (ant (ith me, 7u.ius2- said Dum&edore# He s)o!e )o&ite&', ut the fire (as sti&& &a;ing in his
&ue e'es#
+Dreadfu& thing, Dum&edore,- said $a&fo' &a;i&', ta!ing out a &ong ro&& of )ar.hment, +ut the go"ernors fee& it*s time for
'ou to ste) aside# This is an Order of Sus)ension1'ou*&& find a&& t(e&"e signatures on it# I*m afraid (e fee& 'ou*re &osing 'our
tou.h# Ho( man' atta.!s ha"e there een no(2 T(o more this afternoon, (asn*t it2 At this rate, there*&& e no $ugg&e:orns
&eft at Hog(arts, and (e a&& !no( (hat an a(fu& &oss that (ou&d e to the s.hoo&#-
+Oh, no(, see here, 7u.ius,- said 9udge, &oo!ing a&armed, +Dum&edore sus)ended1no, no1&ast thing (e (ant 0ust no(###-
+The a))ointment1or sus)ension1of the headmaster is a matter for the go"ernors, 9udge,- said $r# $a&fo' smooth&'#
+And as Dum&edore has fai&ed to sto) these atta.!s1-
+See here, $a&fo', if Dum&edore .an*t sto) them,- said 9udge, (hose u))er &i) (as s(eating no(, +I mean to sa', (ho
.an2-
+That remains to e seen,- said $r# $a&fo' (ith a nast' smi&e# +But as a&& t(e&"e of us ha"e "oted1-
Hagrid &ea)t to his feet, his shagg' &a.! head gra;ing the .ei&ing#
*An* ho( man' did 'eh ha"e ter threaten an* &a.!mai& efore the' agreed, $a&fo', eh2- he roared#
+Dear, dear, 'ou !no(, that tem)er of 'ours (i&& &ead 'ou into trou&e one of these da's, Hagrid,- said $r# $a&fo'# +I (ou&d
ad"ise 'ou not to shout at the A;!aan guards &i!e that# The' (on*t &i!e it at a&&#-
+Yeh .an* ta!e Dum&edore,- 'e&&ed Hagrid, ma!ing 9ang the oarhound .o(er and (him)er in his as!et# +Ta!e him a(a',
an* the $ugg&e:orns (on* stand a .han.e, There*&& e !i&&in* ne/t,-
+Ca&m 'ourse&f, Hagrid,- said Dum&edore shar)&'# He &oo!ed at 7u.ius $a&fo'#
+If the go"ernors (ant m' remo"a&, 7u.ius, I sha&& of .ourse ste) aside1-
+But1- stuttered 9udge#
+No,- gro(&ed Hagrid#
Dum&edore had not ta!en his right &ue e'es off 7u.ius $a&fo'*s .o&d gra' ones#
+Ho(e"er,- said Dum&edore, s)ea!ing "er' s&o(&' and .&ear&' so that none of them .ou&d miss a (ord, +'ou (i&& find that I
(i&& on&' tru&' ha"e &eft this s.hoo& (hen none here are &o'a& to me# You (i&& a&so find that he&) (i&& a&(a's e gi"en at
Hog(arts to those (ho as! for it#-
9or a se.ond, Harr' (as a&most sure Dum&edore*s e'es f&i.!ered to(ards the .orner (here he and Ron stood hidden#
+Admira&e sentiments,- said $a&fo', o(ing# +We sha&& a&& miss 'our1er1high&' indi"idua& (a' of running things, A&us,
and on&' ho)e that 'our su..essor (i&& manage to )re"ent an'1ah1-!i&&in*s-#-
He strode to the .ain door, o)ened it and o(ed Dum&edore out# 9udge, fidd&ing (ith his o(&er, (aited for Hagrid to go
ahead of him, ut Hagrid stood his ground, too! a dee) reath and said .arefu&&', +If an'one (anted ter find out some stuff, a&&
the'*d ha"e ter do (ou&d e ter fo&&o( the s)iders# That*d &ead *em right, That*s a&& I*m sa'in*#-
9udge stared at him in ama;ement#
66
+A&& right, I*m .omin*,- said Hagrid, )u&&ing on his mo&es!in o"er.oat# But as he (as aout to fo&&o( 9udge through the door,
he sto))ed again and said &oud&', +An* someone*&& need ter feed 9ang (hi&e I*m a(a'#-
The door anged shut and Ron )u&&ed the In"isii&it' C&oa! off#
+We*re in trou&e no(,- he said hoarse&'# +No Dum&edore# The' might as (e&& .&ose the s.hoo& tonight# There*&& e an atta.!
a da' (ith him gone#-
9ang started ho(&ing, s.rat.hing at the .&osed door#
CHAPTER 9I9TEEN
ARA8O8
Summer (as .ree)ing o"er the grounds around the .ast&e5 s!' and &a!e a&i!e turned )eri(in!&e &ue and f&o(ers &arge as
.aages urst into &oom in the greenhouses# But (ith no Hagrid "isi&e from the .ast&e (indo(s, striding the grounds (ith
9ang at his hee&s, the s.ene didn*t &oo! right to Harr'5 no etter, in fa.t, than the inside of the .ast&e, (here things (ere so
horri&' (rong#
Harr' and Ron had tried to "isit Hermione, ut "isitors (ere no( arred from the hos)ita& (ing#
+We*re ta!ing no more .han.es,- $adam Pomfre' to&d them se"ere&' through a .ra.! in the infirmar' door# +No, I*m sorr',
there*s e"er' .han.e the atta.!er might .ome a.! to finish these )eo)&e off###-
With Dum&edore gone, fear had s)read as ne"er efore, so that the sun (arming the .ast&e (a&&s outside seemed to sto) at
the mu&&ioned (indo(s# There (as are&' a fa.e to e seen in the s.hoo& that didn*t &oo! (orried and tense, and an' &aughter
that rang through the .orridors sounded shri&& and unnatura& and (as 6ui.!&' stif&ed#
Harr' .onstant&' re)eated Dum&edore*s fina& (ords to himse&f +I (i&& on&' tru&' ha"e &eft this s.hoo& (hen none here are
&o'a& to me### He&) (i&& a&(a's e gi"en at Hog(arts to those (ho as! for it#- But (hat good (ere these (ords2 Who e/a.t&'
(ere the' su))osed to as! for he&), (hen e"er'one (as 0ust as .onfused and s.ared as the' (ere2
Hagrid*s hint aout the s)iders (as far easier to understand the trou&e (as, there didn*t seem to e a sing&e s)ider &eft in the
.ast&e to fo&&o(# Harr' &oo!ed e"er'(here he (ent, he&)ed <rather re&u.tant&'= ' Ron# The' (ere ham)ered, of .ourse, ' the
fa.t that the' (eren*t a&&o(ed to (ander off on their o(n ut had to mo"e around the .ast&e in a )a.! (ith the other
8r'ffindors# $ost of their fe&&o( students seemed g&ad that the' (ere eing she)herded from .&ass to .&ass ' tea.hers, ut
Harr' found it "er' ir!some#
One )erson, ho(e"er, seemed to e thorough&' en0o'ing the atmos)here of terror and sus)i.ion# Dra.o $a&fo' (as strutting
around the s.hoo& as though he had 0ust een a))ointed Head Bo'# Harr' didn*t rea&i;e (hat he (as so )&eased aout unti& the
Potions &esson aout t(o (ee!s after Dum&edore and Hagrid had &eft, (hen, sitting right ehind $a&fo', Harr' o"erheard him
g&oating to Crae and 8o'&e#
+I a&(a's thought 9ather might e the one (ho got rid of Dum&edore,- he said, not trou&ing to !ee) his "oi.e do(n# +I to&d
'ou he thin!s Dum&edore*s the (orst headmaster the s.hoo&*s e"er had# $a'e (e*&& get a de.ent headmaster no(# Someone
(ho (on*t (ant the Chamer of Se.rets .&osed# $.8onaga&& (on*t &ast &ong, she*s on&' fi&&ing in###-
Sna)e s(e)t )ast Harr', ma!ing no .omment aout Hermione*s em)t' seat and .au&dron#
+Sir,- said $a&fo' &oud&'# +Sir, (h' don*t 'ou a))&' for the headmaster*s 0o2-
+No(, no(, $a&fo',- said Sna)e, though he .ou&dn*t su))ress a thin&i))ed smi&e# +Professor Dum&edore has on&' een
sus)ended ' the go"ernors# I daresa' he*&& e a.! (ith us soon enough#-
+Yeah, right,- said $a&fo', smir!ing# +I e/)e.t 'ou*d ha"e 9ather*s "ote, sir, if 'ou (anted to a))&' for the 0o1I*&& te&&
9ather 'ou*re the est tea.her here, sir1-
Sna)e smir!ed as he s(e)t off around the dungeon, fortunate&' not s)otting Seamus 9innigan, (ho (as )retending to "omit
into his .au&dron#
+I*m 6uite sur)rised the $ud&oods ha"en*t a&& )a.!ed their ags ' no(,- $a&fo' (ent on# +Bet 'ou fi"e 8a&&eons the ne/t
one dies# Pit' it (asn*t 8ranger1-
The e&& rang at that moment, (hi.h (as &u.!'5 at $a&fo'*s &ast (ords, Ron had &ea)t off his stoo&, and in the s.ram&e to
.o&&e.t ags and oo!s, his attem)ts to rea.h $a&fo' (ent unnoti.ed#
+7et me at him,- Ron gro(&ed as Harr' and Dean hung onto his arms# +I don*t .are, I don*t need m' (and, I*m going to !i&&
him (ith m' are hands1-
+Hurr' u), I*"e got to ta!e 'ou a&& to Hero&og',- ar!ed Sna)e o"er the .&ass*s heads, and off the' mar.hed, (ith Harr',
Ron, and Dean ringing u) the rear, Ron sti&& tr'ing to get &oose# It (as on&' safe to &et go of him (hen Sna)e had seen them
out of the .ast&e and the' (ere ma!ing their (a' a.ross the "egeta&e )at.h to(ard the greenhouses#
The Hero&og' .&ass (as "er' sudued5 there (ere no( t(o missing from their numer, @ustin and Hermione#
Professor S)rout set them a&& to (or! )runing the A'ssinian Shri"e&figs# Harr' (ent to ti) an armfu& of (ithered sta&!s onto
the .om)ost hea) and found himse&f fa.e:to:fa.e (ith Ernie $a.mi&&an# Ernie too! a dee) reath and said, "er' forma&&', +I
0ust (ant to sa', Harr', that I*m sorr' I e"er sus)e.ted 'ou# I !no( 'ou*d ne"er atta.! Hermione 8ranger, and I a)o&ogi;e for
a&& the stuff I said# We*re a&& in the same oat no(, and, (e&&1-
He he&d out a )udg' hand, and Harr' shoo! it#
Ernie and his friend Hannah .ame to (or! at the same Shri"e&fig as Harr' and Ron#
+That Dra.o $a&fo' .hara.ter,- said Ernie, rea!ing off dead t(igs, +he seems "er' )&eased aout a&& this, doesn*t he2 D*'ou
!no(, I thin! he might e S&'therin*s heir#-
+That*s .&e"er of 'ou,- said Ron, (ho didn*t seem to ha"e forgi"en Ernie as readi&' as Harr'#
+Do 'ou thin! it*s $a&fo', Harr'2- Ernie as!ed#
+No,- said Harr', so firm&' that Ernie and Hannah stared#
67
A se.ond &ater, Harr' s)otted something#
Se"era& &arge s)iders (ere s.utt&ing o"er the ground on the other side of the g&ass, mo"ing in an unnatura&&' straight &ine as
though ta!ing the shortest route to a )rearranged meeting# Harr' hit Ron o"er the hand (ith his )runing shears#
+Ou.h, What*re 'ou1-
Harr' )ointed out the s)iders, fo&&o(ing their )rogress (ith his e'es s.re(ed u) against the sun#
+Oh, 'eah,- said Ron, tr'ing, and fai&ing, to &oo! )&eased# +But (e .an*t fo&&o( them no(1-
Ernie and Hannah (ere &istening .urious&'#
Harr'*s e'es narro(ed as he fo.used on the s)iders# If the' )ursued their fi/ed .ourse, there .ou&d e no dout aout (here
the' (ou&d end u)#
+7oo!s &i!e the'*re heading for the 9oridden 9orest###-
And Ron &oo!ed e"en unha))ier aout that#
At the end of the &esson Professor S)rout es.orted the .&ass to their Defense Against the Dar! Arts &esson# Harr' and Ron
&agged ehind the others so the' .ou&d ta&! out of earshot#
+We*&& ha"e to use the In"isii&it' C&oa! again,- Harr' to&d Ron# +We .an ta!e 9ang (ith us# He*s used to going into the
forest (ith Hagrid, he might e some he&)#-
+Right,- said Ron, (ho (as t(ir&ing his (and ner"ous&' in his fingers# +Er1aren*t there1aren*t there su))osed to e
(ere(o&"es in the forest2- he added as the' too! their usua& )&a.es at the a.! of 7o.!hart*s .&assroom#
Preferring not to ans(er that 6uestion, Harr' said, +There are good things in there, too# The .entaurs are a&& right, and the
uni.orns###-
Ron had ne"er een into the 9oridden 9orest efore# Harr' had entered it on&' on.e and had ho)ed ne"er to do so again#
7o.!hart ounded into the room and the .&ass stared at him# E"er' other tea.her in the )&a.e (as &oo!ing grimmer than
usua&, ut 7o.!hart a))eared nothing short of uo'ant#
+Come no(,- he .ried, eaming around him# +Wh' a&& these &ong fa.es2-
Peo)&e s(a))ed e/as)erated &oo!s, ut nood' ans(ered#
+Don*t 'ou )eo)&e rea&i;e,- said 7o.!hart, s)ea!ing s&o(&', as though the' (ere a&& a it dim, +the danger has )assed, The
.u&)rit has een ta!en a(a'1-
+Sa's (ho2- said Dean Thomas &oud&'#
+$' dear 'oung man, the $inister of $agi. (ou&dn*t ha"e ta!en Hagrid if he hadn*t een one hundred )er.ent sure that he
(as gui&t',- said 7o.!hart, in the tone of someone e/)&aining that one and one made t(o#
+Oh, 'es he (ou&d,- said Ron, e"en more &oud&' than Dean#
+I f&atter m'se&f I !no( a tou.h more aout Hagrid*s arrest than 'ou do, $r# Weas&e',- said 7o.!hart in a se&f:satisfied tone#
Ron started to sa' that he didn*t thin! so, someho(, ut sto))ed in mid:senten.e (hen Harr' !i.!ed him hard under the
des!#
+We (eren*t there, rememer2- Harr' muttered#
But 7o.!hart*s disgusting .heeriness, his hints that he had a&(a's thought Hagrid (as no good, his .onfiden.e that the (ho&e
usiness (as no( at an end, irritated Harr' so mu.h that he 'earned to thro( 8adding (ith 8hou&s right in 7o.!hart*s stu)id
fa.e# Instead he .ontented himse&f (ith s.ra(&ing a note to Ron4 7et*s do it tonight#
Ron read the message, s(a&&o(ed hard, and &oo!ed side(a's at the em)t' seat usua&&' fi&&ed ' Hermione# The sight seemed
to stiffen his reso&"e, and he nodded#
The 8r'ffindor .ommon room (as a&(a's "er' .ro(ded these da's, e.ause from si/ o*.&o.! on(ard the 8r'ffindors had
no(here e&se to go# The' a&so had )&ent' to ta&! aout, (ith the resu&t that the .ommon room often didn*t em)t' unti& )ast
midnight#
Harr' (ent to get the In"isii&it' C&oa! out of his trun! right after dinner, and s)ent the e"ening sitting on it, (aiting for the
room to .&ear# 9red and 8eorge .ha&&enged Harr' and Ron to a fe( games of E/)&oding Sna), and 8inn' sat (at.hing them,
"er' sudued in Hermione*s usua& .hair# Harr' and Ron !e)t &osing on )ur)ose, tr'ing to finish the games 6ui.!&', ut e"en so,
it (as (e&& )ast midnight (hen 9red, 8eorge, and 8inn' fina&&' (ent to ed#
Harr' and Ron (aited for the distant sounds of t(o dormitor' doors .&osing efore sei;ing the .&oa!, thro(ing it o"er
themse&"es, and .&iming through the )ortrait ho&e#
It (as another diffi.u&t 0ourne' through the .ast&e, dodging a&& the tea.hers# At &ast the' rea.hed the entran.e ha&&, s&id a.!
the &o.! on the oa! front doors, s6uee;ed et(een them, tr'ing to sto) an' .rea!ing, and ste))ed out into the moon&it grounds#
+Course,- said Ron aru)t&' as the' strode a.ross the &a.! grass, +(e might get to the forest and find there*s nothing to
fo&&o(# Those s)iders might not*"e een going there at a&&# I !no( it &oo!ed &i!e the' (ere mo"ing in that sort of genera&
dire.tion, ut###-
His "oi.e trai&ed a(a' ho)efu&&'#
The' rea.hed Hagrid*s house, sad and sorr':&oo!ing (ith its &an! (indo(s# When Harr' )ushed the door o)en, 9ang (ent
mad (ith 0o' at the sight of them# Worried he might (a!e e"er'one at the .ast&e (ith his dee), ooming ar!s, the' hasti&' fed
him trea.&e fudge from a tin on the mante&)ie.e, (hi.h g&ued his teeth together#
Harr' &eft the In"isii&it' C&oa! on Hagrid*s ta&e# There (ou&d e no need for it in the )it.h:dar! forest#
+C*mon, 9ang, (e*re going for a (a&!,- said Harr', )atting his &eg, and 9ang ounded ha))i&' out of the house ehind them,
dashed to the edge of the forest, and &ifted his &eg against a &arge s'.amore tree#
Harr' too! out his (and, murmured, +7umos,- and a tin' &ight a))eared at the end of it, 0ust enough to &et them (at.h the
)ath for signs of s)iders#
+8ood thin!ing,- said Ron# +I*d &ight mine, too, ut 'ou !no(1it*d )roa&' &o( u) or something###-
Harr' ta))ed Ron on the shou&der, )ointing at the grass# T(o so&itar' s)iders (ere hurr'ing a(a' from the (and&ight into
the shade of the trees#
+O!a',- Ron sighed as though resigned to the (orst, +I*m read'# 7et*s go#-
68
So, (ith 9ang s.am)ering around them, sniffing tree roots and &ea"es, the' entered the forest# B' the g&o( of Harr'*s (and,
the' fo&&o(ed the stead' tri.!&e of s)iders mo"ing a&ong the )ath# The' (a&!ed ehind them for aout t(ent' minutes, not
s)ea!ing, &istening hard for noises other than rea!ing t(igs and rust&ing &ea"es# Then, (hen the trees had e.ome thi.!er than
e"er, so that the stars o"erhead (ere no &onger "isi&e, and Harr'*s (and shone a&one in the sea of dar!, the' sa( their s)ider
guides &ea"ing the )ath#
Harr' )aused, tr'ing to see (here the s)iders (ere going, ut e"er'thing outside his &itt&e s)here of&ight (as )it.h:&a.!# He
had ne"er een this dee) into the forest efore# He .ou&d "i"id&' rememer Hagrid ad"ising him not to &ea"e the forest )ath &ast
time he*d een in here# But Hagrid (as mi&es a(a' no(, )roa&' sitting in a .e&& in A;!aan, and he had a&so said to fo&&o(
the s)iders#
Something (et tou.hed Harr'*s hand and he 0um)ed a.!(ard, .rushing Rods foot, ut it (as on&' 9ang*s nose#
+What d*'ou re.!on2- Harr' said to Ron, (hose e'es he .ou&d 0ust ma!e out, ref&e.ting the &ight from his (and#
+We*"e .ome this far,- said Ron#
So the' fo&&o(ed the darting shado(s of the s)iders into the trees# The' .ou&dn*t mo"e "er' 6ui.!&' no(5 there (ere tree
roots and stum)s in their (a', are&' "isi&e in the near &a.!ness# Harr' .ou&d fee& 9ang*s hot reath on his hand# $ore than
on.e, the' had to sto), so that Harr' .ou&d .rou.h do(n and find the s)iders in the (and&ight#
The' (a&!ed for (hat seemed &i!e at &east ha&f an hour, their roes snagging on &o(:s&ung ran.hes and ram&es# After a
(hi&e, the' noti.ed that the ground seemed to e s&o)ing do(n(ard, though the trees (ere as thi.! as e"er#
Then 9ang sudden&' &et &oose a great, e.hoing ar!, ma!ing oth Harr' and Ron 0um) out of their s!ins#
+What2- said Ron &oud&', &oo!ing around into the )it.h:dar!, and gri))ing Harr'*s e&o( "er' hard#
+There*s something mo"ing o"er there,- Harr' reathed# +7isten### sounds &i!e something ig###-
The' &istened# Some distan.e to their right, the something ig (as sna))ing ran.hes as it .ar"ed a )ath through the trees#
+Oh, no,- said Ron# +Oh, no, oh, no, oh1-
+Shut u),- said Harr' franti.a&&'# +It*&& hear 'ou#-
+Hear me2- said Ron in an unnatura&&' high "oi.e# +It*s a&read' heard 9ang,-
The dar!ness seemed to e )ressing on their e'ea&&s as the' stood, terrified, (aiting# There (as a strange rum&ing noise
and then si&en.e#
+What d*'ou thin! it*s doing2- said Harr'#
+Proa&' getting read' to )oun.e,- said Ron#
The' (aited, shi"ering, hard&' daring to mo"e#
+D*'ou thin! it*s gone2- Harr' (his)ered#
+Dunno1-
Then, to their right, .ame a sudden &a;e of &ight, so right in the dar!ness that oth of them f&ung u) their hands to shie&d
their e'es# 9ang 'e&)ed and tried to run, ut got &odged in a tang&e of thorns and 'e&)ed e"en &ouder#
+Harr',- Ron shouted, his "oi.e rea!ing (ith re&ief +Harr', it*s our .ar,-
+What2-
+Come on,-
Harr' &undered after Ron to(ard the &ight, stum&ing and tri))ing, and a moment &ater the' had emerged into a .&earing#
$r# Weas&e'*s .ar (as standing, em)t', in the midd&e of a .ir.&e of thi.! trees under a roof of dense ran.hes, its head&ights
a&a;e# As Ron (a&!ed, o)en:mouthed, to(ard it, it mo"ed s&o(&' to(ard him, e/a.t&' &i!e a &arge, tur6uoise dog greeting its
o(ner#
+It*s een here a&& the time,- said Ron de&ighted&', (a&!ing around the .ar# +7oo! at it# The forest*s turned it (i&d###-
The sides of the .ar (ere s.rat.hed and smeared (ith mud# A))arent&' it had ta!en to trund&ing around the forest on its o(n#
9ang didn*t seem at a&& !een on it5 he !e)t .&ose to Harr', (ho .ou&d fee& him 6ui"ering# His reathing s&o(ing do(n again,
Harr' stuffed his (and a.! into his roes#
+And (e thought it (as going to atta.! us,- said Ron, &eaning against the .ar and )atting it# +I (ondered (here it had gone,-
Harr' s6uinted around on the f&ood&it ground for signs of more s)iders, ut the' had a&& s.utt&ed a(a' from the g&are of the
head&ights#
+We*"e &ost the trai&,- he said# +C*mon, &et*s go and find them#-
Ron didn*t s)ea!# He didn*t mo"e# His e'es (ere fi/ed on a )oint some ten feet ao"e the forest f&oor, right ehind Harr'# His
fa.e (as &i"id (ith terror#
Harr' didn*t e"en ha"e time to turn around# There (as a &oud .&i.!ing noise and sudden&' he fe&t something &ong and hair'
sei;e him around the midd&e and &ift him off the ground, so that he (as hanging fa.edo(n# Strugg&ing, terrified, he heard more
.&i.!ing, and sa( Ron*s &egs &ea"e the ground, too, heard 9ang (him)ering and ho(&ing1ne/t moment, he (as eing s(e)t
a(a' into the dar! trees#
Head hanging, Harr' sa( that (hat had ho&d of him (as mar.hing on si/ immense&' &ong, hair' &egs, the front t(o .&ut.hing
him tight&' e&o( a )air of shining &a.! )in.ers# Behind him, he .ou&d hear another of the .reatures, no dout .arr'ing Ron#
The' (ere mo"ing into the "er' heart of the forest# Harr' .ou&d hear 9ang fighting to free himse&f from a third monster,
(hining &oud&', ut Harr' .ou&dn*t ha"e 'e&&ed e"en if he had (anted to5 he seemed to ha"e &eft his "oi.e a.! (ith the .ar in
the .&earing#
He ne"er !ne( ho( &ong he (as in the .reature*s .&ut.hes5 he on&' !ne( that the dar!ness sudden&' &ifted enough for him to
see that the &eaf:stre(n ground (as no( s(arming (ith s)iders# Craning his ne.! side(a's, he rea&i;ed that the' had rea.hed
the ridge of a "ast ho&&o(, a ho&&o( that had een .&eared of trees, so that the stars shone right&' onto the (orst s.ene he had
e"er &aid e'es on#
S)iders# Not tin' s)iders &i!e those surging o"er the &ea"es e&o(# S)iders the si;e of .arthorses, eight:e'ed, eight:&egged,
&a.!, hair', giganti.# The massi"e s)e.imen that (as .arr'ing Harr' made its (a' do(n the stee) s&o)e to(ard a mist',
69
domed (e in the "er' .enter of the ho&&o(, (hi&e its fe&&o(s .&osed in a&& around it, .&i.!ing their )in.ers e/.ited&' at the sight
of its &oad#
Harr' fe&& to the ground on a&& fours as the s)ider re&eased him# Ron and 9ang thudded do(n ne/t to him# 9ang (asn*t
ho(&ing an'more, ut .o(ering si&ent&' on the s)ot# Ron &oo!ed e/a.t&' &i!e Harr' fe&t# His mouth (as stret.hed (ide in a
!ind of si&ent s.ream and his e'es (ere )o))ing#
Harr' sudden&' rea&i;ed that the s)ider that had dro))ed him (as sa'ing something# It had een hard to te&&, e.ause he
.&i.!ed his )in.ers (ith e"er' (ord he s)o!e#
+Aragog,- it .a&&ed# +Aragog,-
And from the midd&e of the mist', domed (e, a s)ider the si;e of a sma&& e&e)hant emerged, "er' s&o(&'# There (as gra' in
the &a.! of his od' and &egs, and ea.h of the e'es on his ug&', )in.ered head (as mi&!' (hite# He (as &ind#
+What is it2- he said, .&i.!ing his )in.ers ra)id&'#
+$en,- .&i.!ed the s)ider (ho had .aught Harr'#
+Is it Hagrid2- said Aragog, mo"ing .&oser, his eight mi&!' e'es (andering "ague&'#
+Strangers,- .&i.!ed the s)ider (ho had rought Ron#
+Ai&& them,- .&i.!ed Aragog fretfu&&'# +I (as s&ee)ing### ###
+We*re friends of Hagrid*s,- Harr' shouted# His heart seemed to ha"e &eft his .hest to )ound in his throat#
C&i.!, .&i.!, .&i.! (ent the )in.ers of the s)iders a&& around the ho&&o(#
Aragog )aused#
+Hagrid has ne"er sent men into our ho&&o( efore,- he said s&o(&'#
+Hagrid*s in trou&e,- said Harr', reathing "er' fast# +That*s (h' (e*"e .ome#-
+In trou&e2- said the aged s)ider, and Harr' thought he heard .on.ern eneath the .&i.!ing )in.ers# +But (h' has he sent
'ou2-
Harr' thought of getting to his feet ut de.ided against it5 he didn*t thin! his &egs (ou&d su))ort him# So he s)o!e from the
ground, as .a&m&' as he .ou&d#
+The' thin!,, u) at the s.hoo&, that Hagrid*s een setting a1a1something on students# The'*"e ta!en him to A;!aan#-
Aragog .&i.!ed his )in.ers furious&', and a&& around the ho&&o( the sound (as e.hoed ' the .ro(d of s)iders5 it (as &i!e
a))&ause, e/.e)t a))&ause didn*t usua&&' ma!e Harr' fee& si.! (ith fear#
+But that (as 'ears ago,- said Aragog fretfu&&'# +Years and 'ears ago# I rememer it (e&&# That*s (h' the' made him &ea"e
the s.hoo&# The' e&ie"ed that I (as the monster that d(e&&s in (hat the' .a&& the Chamer of Se.rets# The' thought that
Hagrid had o)ened the Chamer and set me free#-
+And 'ou### 'ou didn*t .ome from the Chamer of Se.rets2- said Harr', (ho .ou&d fee& .o&d s(eat on his forehead#
+I,- said Aragog, .&i.!ing angri&'# +I (as not orn in the .ast&e# I .ome from a distant &and# A tra"e&er ga"e me to Hagrid
(hen I (as an egg# Hagrid (as on&' a o', ut he .ared for me, hidden in a .u)oard in the .ast&e, feeding me on s.ra)s from
the ta&e# Hagrid is m' good friend, and a good man# When I (as dis.o"ered, and &amed for the death of a gir&, he )rote.ted
me# I ha"e &i"ed here in the forest e"er sin.e, (here Hagrid sti&& "isits me# He e"en found me a (ife, $osag, and 'ou see ho(
our fami&' has gro(n, a&& through Hagrid*s goodness###-
Harr' summoned (hat remained of his .ourage#
+So 'ou ne"er1ne"er atta.!ed an'one2-
+Ne"er,- .roa!ed the o&d s)ider# +It (ou&d ha"e een m' instin.t, ut out of res)e.t for Hagrid, I ne"er harmed a human# The
od' of the gir& (ho (as !i&&ed (as dis.o"ered in a athroom# I ne"er sa( an' )art of the .ast&e ut the .u)oard in (hi.h I
gre( u)# Our !ind &i!e the dar! and the 6uiet###-
+But then### Do 'ou !no( (hat did !i&& that gir&2- said Harr'# +Be.ause (hate"er it is, it*s a.! and atta.!ing )eo)&e again
1-
His (ords (ere dro(ned ' a &oud outrea! of .&i.!ing and the rust&ing of man' &ong &egs shifting angri&'5 &arge &a.!
sha)es shifted a&& around him#
+The thing that &i"es in the .ast&e,- said Aragog, +is an an.ient .reature (e s)iders fear ao"e a&& others# We&& do I rememer
ho( I )&eaded (ith Hagrid to &et me go, (hen I sensed the east mo"ing aout the s.hoo&#-
+What is it2- said Harr' urgent&'#
$ore &oud .&i.!ing, more rust&ing5 the s)iders seemed to e .&osing in#
+We do not s)ea! of it,- said Aragog fier.e&'# +We do not name it, I ne"er e"en to&d Hagrid the name of that dread .reature,
though he as!ed me, man' times#-
Harr' didn*t (ant to )ress the su0e.t, not (ith the s)iders )ressing .&oser on a&& sides# Aragog seemed to e tired of ta&!ing#
He (as a.!ing s&o(&' into his domed (e, ut his fe&&o( s)iders .ontinued to in.h s&o(&' to(ard Harr' and Ron#
+We*&& 0ust go, then,- Harr' .a&&ed des)erate&' to Aragog, hearing &ea"es rust&ing ehind him#
+8o2- said Aragog s&o(&'# +I thin! not###-
+But1ut1-
+$' sons and daughters do not harm Hagrid, on m' .ommand# But I .annot den' them fresh meat, (hen it (anders so
(i&&ing&' into our midst# 8ood:'e, friend of Hagrid#-
Harr' s)un around# 9eet a(a', to(ering ao"e him, (as a so&id (a&& of s)iders, .&i.!ing, their man' e'es g&eaming in their
ug&' &a.! heads#
E"en as he rea.hed for his (and, Harr' !ne( it (as no good, there (ere too man' of them, ut as he tried to stand, read' to
die fighting, a &oud, &ong note sounded, and a &a;e of &ight f&amed through the ho&&o(#
$r# Weas&e'*s .ar (as thundering do(n the s&o)e, head&ights g&aring, its horn s.ree.hing, !no.!ing s)iders aside5 se"era&
(ere thro(n onto their a.!s, their end&ess &egs (a"ing in the air# The .ar s.ree.hed to a ha&t in front of Harr' and Ron and the
doors f&e( o)en#
70
+8et 9ang,- Harr' 'e&&ed, di"ing into the front seat5 Ron sei;ed the oarhound around the midd&e and thre( him, 'e&)ing,
into the a.! of the .ar1the doors s&ammed shut1Ron didn*t tou.h the a..e&erator ut the .ar didn*t need him5 the engine
roared and the' (ere off, hitting more s)iders# The' s)ed u) the s&o)e, out of the ho&&o(, and the' (ere soon .rashing through
the forest, ran.hes
(hi))ing the (indo(s as the .ar (ound its (a' .&e"er&' through the (idest ga)s, fo&&o(ing a )ath it o"ious&' !ne(#
Harr' &oo!ed side(a's at Ron# His mouth (as sti&& o)en in the si&ent s.ream, ut his e'es (eren*t )o))ing an'more#
+Are 'ou o!a'2-
Ron stared straight ahead, una&e to s)ea!#
The' smashed their (a' through the undergro(th, 9ang ho(&ing &oud&' in the a.! seat, and Harr' sa( the side mirror sna)
off as the' s6uee;ed )ast a &arge oa!# After ten nois', ro.!' minutes, the trees thinned, and Harr' .ou&d again see )at.hes of
s!'#
The .ar sto))ed so sudden&' that the' (ere near&' thro(n into the (indshie&d# The' had rea.hed the edge of the forest# 9ang
f&ung himse&f at the (indo( in his an/iet' to get out, and (hen Harr' o)ened the door, he shot off through the trees to Hagrid*s
house, tai& et(een his &egs# Harr' got out too, and after a minute or so, Ron seemed to regain the fee&ing in his &ims and
fo&&o(ed, sti&& stiff:ne.!ed and staring# Harr' ga"e the .ar a gratefu& )at as it re"ersed a.! into the forest and disa))eared
from "ie(#
Harr' (ent a.! into Hagrid*s .ain to get the In"isii&it' C&oa!# 9ang (as trem&ing under a &an!et in his as!et# When
Harr' got outside again, he found Ron eing "io&ent&' si.! in the )um)!in )at.h#
+9o&&o( the s)iders,- said Ron (ea!&', (i)ing his mouth on his s&ee"e# +I*&& ne"er forgi"e Hagrid# We*re &u.!' to e a&i"e#-
+I et he thought Aragog (ou&dn*t hurt friends of his,- said Harr'#
+That*s e/a.t&' Hagrid*s )ro&em,- said Ron, thum)ing the (a&& of the .ain# +He a&(a's thin!s monsters aren*t as ad as
the'*re made out, and &oo! (here it*s got him, A .e&& in A;!aan,- He (as shi"ering un.ontro&&a&' no(# +What (as the )oint
of sending us in there2 What ha"e (e found out, Id &i!e to !no(2-
+That Hagrid ne"er o)ened the Chamer of Se.rets,- said Harr', thro(ing the .&oa! o"er Ron and )rodding him in the arm
to ma!e him (a&!# +He (as inno.ent#-
Ron ga"e a &oud snort# E"ident&', hat.hing Aragog in a .u)oard (asn*t his idea of eing inno.ent#
As the .ast&e &oomed nearer Harr' t(it.hed the .&oa! to ma!e sure their feet (ere hidden, then )ushed the .rea!ing front
doors a0ar# The' (a&!ed .arefu&&' a.! a.ross the entran.e ha&& and u) the mar&e stair.ase, ho&ding their reath as the' )assed
.orridors (here (at.hfu& sentries (ere (a&!ing# At &ast the' rea.hed the safet' of the 8r'ffindor .ommon room, (here the fire
had urned itse&f into g&o(ing ash# The' too! off the .&oa! and .&imed the (inding stair to their dormitor'#
Ron fe&& onto his ed (ithout othering to get undressed# Harr', ho(e"er, didn*t fee& "er' s&ee)'# He sat on the edge of his
four:)oster, thin!ing hard aout e"er'thing Aragog had said#
The .reature that (as &ur!ing some(here in the .ast&e, he thought, sounded &i!e a sort of monster %o&demort1e"en other
monsters didn*t (ant to name it# But he and Ron (ere no .&oser to finding out (hat it (as, or ho( it Petrified its "i.tims# E"en
Hagrid had ne"er !no(n (hat (as in the Chamer of Se.rets#
Harr' s(ung his &egs u) onto his ed and &eaned a.! against his )i&&o(s, (at.hing the moon g&inting at him through the
to(er (indo(#
He .ou&dn*t see (hat e&se the' .ou&d do# The' had hit dead ends e"er'(here# Ridd&e had .aught the (rong )erson, the Heir
of S&'therin had got off, and no one .ou&d te&& (hether it (as the same )erson, or a different one, (ho had o)ened the Chamer
this time# There (as nood' e&se to as!# Harr' &a' do(n, sti&& thin!ing aout (hat Aragog had said#
He (as e.oming dro(s' (hen (hat seemed &i!e their "er' &ast ho)e o..urred to him, and he sudden&' sat o&t u)right#
+Ron,- he hissed through the dar!, +Ron1-
Ron (o!e (ith a 'e&) &i!e 9ang*s, stared (i&d&' around, and sa( Harr'#
+Ron :that gir& (ho died# Aragog said she (as found in a athroom,- said Harr', ignoring Ne"i&&e*s snuff&ing snores from the
.orner# +What if she ne"er &eft the athroom2 What if she*s sti&& there2-
Ron rued his e'es, fro(ning through the moon&ight# And then he understood, too#
+You don*t thin!1not $oaning $'rt&e2-
CHAPTER SIMTEEN
THE CHA$BER O9 SECRETS
+A&& those times (e (ere in that athroom, and she (as 0ust three toi&ets a(a',- said Ron itter&' at rea!fast ne/t da', +and
(e .ou&d*"e as!ed her, and no( ##-
It had een hard enough tr'ing to &oo! for s)iders# Es.a)ing their tea.hers &ong enough to snea! into a gir&s* athroom, the
gir&s* athroom, moreo"er, right ne/t to the s.ene of the first atta.!, (as going to e a&most im)ossi&e#
But something ha))ened in their first &esson, Transfiguration, that dro"e the Chamer of Se.rets out of their minds for the
first time in (ee!s# Ten minutes into the .&ass, Professor $.8onaga&& to&d them that their e/ams (ou&d start on the first of
@une, one (ee! from toda'#
+E/ams2- ho(&ed Seamus 9innigan# +We*re sti&& getting e/ams2-
There (as a &oud ang ehind Harr' as Ne"i&&e 7ongottom*s (and s&i))ed, "anishing one of the &egs on his des!# Professor
$.8onaga&& restored it (ith a (a"e of her o(n (and, and turned, fro(ning, to Seamus#
+The (ho&e )oint of !ee)ing the s.hoo& o)en at this time is for 'ou to re.ei"e 'our edu.ation,- she said stern&'# +The e/ams
(i&& therefore ta!e )&a.e as usua&, and I trust 'ou are a&& stud'ing hard#-
Stud'ing hard, It had ne"er o..urred to Harr' that there (ou&d e e/ams (ith the .ast&e in this state# There (as a great dea&
of mutinous muttering around the room, (hi.h made Professor $.8onaga&& s.o(& e"en more dar!&'#
71
+Professor Dum&edore*s instru.tions (ere to !ee) the s.hoo& running as norma&&' as )ossi&e, she said# +And that, I need
hard&' )oint out, means finding out ho( mu.h 'ou ha"e &earned this 'ear#
Harr' &oo!ed do(n at the )air of (hite raits he (as su))osed to e turning into s&i))ers# What had he &earned so far this
'ear2 He .ou&dn*t seem to thin! of an'thing that (ou&d e usefu& in an e/am#
Ron &oo!ed as though he*d 0ust een to&d he had to go and &i"e in the 9oridden 9orest#
+Can 'ou imagine me ta!ing e/ams (ith this2- he as!ed Harr', ho&ding u) his (and, (hi.h had 0ust started (hist&ing &oud&'#
Three da's efore their first e/am, Professor $.8onaga&& made another announ.ement at rea!fast#
+I ha"e good ne(s,- she said, and the 8reat Ha&&, instead of fa&&ing si&ent, eru)ted#
+Dum&edore*s .oming a.!,- se"era& )eo)&e 'e&&ed 0o'fu&&'#
+You*"e .aught the Heir of S&'therin,- s6uea&ed a gir& at the Ra"en.&a( ta&e#
+>uiddit.h mat.hes are a.! on,- roared Wood e/.ited&'#
When the huu had susided, Professor $.8onaga&& said, +Professor S)rout has informed me that the $andra!es are
read' for .utting at &ast# Tonight, (e (i&& e a&e to re"i"e those )eo)&e (ho ha"e een Petrified# I need hard&' remind 'ou a&&
that one of them ma' (e&& e a&e to te&& us (ho, or (hat, atta.!ed them# I am ho)efu& that this dreadfu& 'ear (i&& end (ith our
.at.hing the .u&)rit#-
There (as an e/)&osion of .heering# Harr' &oo!ed o"er at the S&'therin ta&e and (asn*t at a&& sur)rised to see that Dra.o
$a&fo' hadn*t 0oined in# Ron, ho(e"er, (as &oo!ing ha))ier than he*d &oo!ed in da's#
+It (on*t matter that (e ne"er as!ed $'rt&e, then,- he said to Harr'# +Hermione*&& )roa&' ha"e a&& the ans(ers (hen the'
(a!e her u), $ind 'ou, she*&& go .ra;' (hen she finds out (e*"e got e/ams in three da's* time# She hasn*t studied# It might e
!inder to &ea"e her (here she is ti&& the'*re o"er#-
@ust then, 8inn' Weas&e' .ame o"er and sat do(n ne/t to Ron# She &oo!ed tense and ner"ous, and Harr' noti.ed that her
hands (ere t(isting in her &a)#
+What*s u)2- said Ron, he&)ing himse&f to more )orridge#
8inn' didn*t sa' an'thing, ut g&an.ed u) and do(n the 8r'ffindor ta&e (ith a s.ared &oo! on her fa.e that reminded Harr'
of someone, though he .ou&dn*t thin! (ho#
+S)it it out,- said Ron, (at.hing her#
Harr' sudden&' rea&i;ed (ho 8inn' &oo!ed &i!e# She (as ro.!ing a.!(ard and for(ard s&ight&' in her .hair, e/a.t&' &i!e
Do' did (hen he (as teetering on the edge of re"ea&ing foridden information#
+I*"e got to te&& 'ou something,- 8inn' mum&ed, .arefu&&' not &oo!ing at Harr'#
+What is it2- said Harr'#
8inn' &oo!ed as though she .ou&dn*t find the right (ords#
+What2- said Ron#
8inn' o)ened her mouth, ut no sound .ame out# Harr' &eaned for(ard and s)o!e 6uiet&', so that on&' 8inn' and Ron .ou&d
hear him#
+Is it something aout the Chamer of Se.rets2 Ha"e 'ou seen something2 Someone a.ting odd&'2-
8inn' dre( a dee) reath and, at that )re.ise moment, Per.' Weas&e' a))eared, &oo!ing tired and (an#
+If 'ou*"e finished eating, I*&& ta!e that seat, 8inn'# I*m star"ing, I*"e on&' 0ust .ome off )atro& dut'#-
8inn' 0um)ed u) as though her .hair had 0ust een e&e.trified, ga"e Per.' a f&eeting, frightened &oo!, and s.am)ered a(a'#
Per.' sat do(n and graed a mug from the .enter of the ta&e#
+Per.',- said Ron angri&'# +She (as 0ust aout to te&& us some:* thing im)ortant,-
Ha&f(a' through a gu&) of tea, Per.' .ho!ed#
+What sort of thing2- he said, .oughing#
+I 0ust as!ed her if she*d seen an'thing odd, and she started to sa'
+Oh1that1that*s nothing to do (ith the Chamer of Se.rets,- said Per.' at on.e#
+Ho( do 'ou !no(2- said Ron, his e'ero(s raised#
+We&&, er, if 'ou must !no(, 8inn', er, (a&!ed in on me the other da' (hen I (as1(e&&, ne"er mind1the )oint is, she
s)otted me doing something and I, um, I as!ed her not to mention it to an'od'# I must sa', I did thin! she*d !ee) her (ord# It*s
nothing, rea&&', Id 0ust rather1-
Harr' had ne"er seen Per.' &oo! so un.omforta&e#
+What (ere 'ou doing, Per.'2- said Ron, grinning# +8o on, te&& us, (e (on*t &augh#-
Per.' didn*t smi&e a.!#
+Pass me those ro&&s, Harr', I*m star"ing#-
Harr' !ne( the (ho&e m'ster' might e so&"ed tomorro( (ithout their he&), ut he (asn*t aout to )ass u) a .han.e to
s)ea! to $'rt&e if it turned u)1and to his de&ight it did, midmorning, (hen the' (ere eing &ed to Histor' of $agi. '
8i&dero' 7o.!hart#
7o.!hart, (ho had so often assured them that a&& danger had )assed, on&' to e )ro"ed (rong right a(a', (as no(
(ho&ehearted&' .on"in.ed that it (as hard&' (orth the trou&e to see them safe&' do(n the .orridors# His hair (asn*t as s&ee! as
usua&5 it seemed he had een u) most of the night, )atro&&ing the fourth f&oor#
+$ar! m' (ords,- he said, ushering them around a .orner# +The first (ords out of those )oor Petrified )eo)&e*s mouths (i&&
e +It (as Hagrid#- 9ran!&', I*m astounded Professor $.8onaga&& thin!s a&& these se.urit' measures are ne.essar'#-
+I agree, sir,- said Harr', ma!ing Ron dro) his oo!s in sur)rise#
+Than! 'ou, Harr', said 7o.!hart gra.ious&' (hi&e the' (aited for a &ong &ine of Huff&e)uffs to )ass# +I mean, (e tea.hers
ha"e 6uite enough to e getting on (ith, (ithout (a&!ing students to .&asses and standing guard a&& night###-
+That*s right,- said Ron, .at.hing on# +Wh' don*t 'ou &ea"e us here, sir, (e*"e on&' got one more .orridor to go1-
+You !no(, Weas&e', I thin! I (i&&,- said 7o.!hart# +I rea&&' shou&d go and )re)are m' ne/t .&ass1-
72
And he hurried off#
+Pre)are his .&ass,- Ron sneered after him# +8one to .ur& his hair, more &i!e#-
The' &et the rest of the 8r'ffindors dra( ahead of them, then darted do(n a side )assage and hurried off to(ard $oaning
$'rt&e*s athroom# But 0ust as the' (ere .ongratu&ating ea.h other on their ri&&iant s.heme
+Potter, Weas&e', What are 'ou doing2-
It (as Professor $.8onaga&&, and her mouth (as the thinnest of thin &ines#
+We (ere :(e (ere:- Ron stammered# +We (ere going to1to go and see1-
+Hermione,- said Harr'# Ron and Professor $.8onaga&& oth &oo!ed at him#
+We ha"en*t seen her for ages, Professor,- Harr' (ent on hurried&', treading on Ron*s foot, +and (e thought (e*d snea! into
the hos)ita& (ing, 'ou !no(, and te&& her the $andra!es are near&' read' and, er, not to (orr'1-
Professor $.8onaga&& (as sti&& staring at him, and for a moment, Harr' thought she (as going to e/)&ode, ut (hen she
s)o!e, it (as in a strange&' .roa!' "oi.e#
+Of .ourse,- she said, and Harr', ama;ed, sa( a tear g&istening in her ead' e'e# +Of .ourse, I rea&i;e this has a&& een
hardest on the friends of those (ho ha"e een### I 6uite understand# Yes, Potter, of .ourse 'ou ma' "isit $iss 8ranger# I (i&&
inform Professor Binns (here 'ou*"e gone# Te&& $adam Pomfre' I ha"e gi"en m' )ermission#-
Harr' and Ron (a&!ed a(a', hard&' daring to e&ie"e that the'*d a"oided detention# As the' turned the .orner, the' distin.t&'
heard Professor $.8onaga&& &o( her nose#
+That,- said Ron fer"ent&', +(as the est stor' 'ou*"e e"er .ome u) (ith#-
The' had no .hoi.e no( ut to go to the hos)ita& (ing and te&& $adam Pomfre' that the' had Professor $.8onaga&&*s
)ermission to "isit Hermione#
$adam Pomfre' &et them in, ut re&u.tant&'#
+There*s 0ust no )oint ta&!ing to a Petrified# )erson,- she said, and the' had to admit she had a )oint (hen the'*d ta!en their
seats ne/t to Hermione# It (as )&ain that Hermione didn*t ha"e the faintest in!&ing that she had "isitors, and that the' might 0ust
as (e&& te&& her edside .ainet not to (orr' for a&& the good it (ou&d do#
+Wonder if she did see the atta.!er, though2- said Ron, &oo!ing sad&' at Hermione*s rigid fa.e# +Be.ause if he snea!ed u) on
them a&&, no one*&& e"er !no(###-
But Harr' (asn*t &oo!ing at Hermione*s fa.e# He (as more interested in her right hand# It &a' .&en.hed on to) of her
&an!ets, and ending .&oser, he sa( that a )ie.e of )a)er (as s.run.hed inside her fist#
$a!ing sure that $adam Pomfre' (as no(here near, he )ointed this out to Ron#
+T8 and get it out,- Ron (his)ered, shifting his .hair so that he &o.!ed Harr' from $adam Pomfre'*s "ie(#
It (as no eas' tas!# Hermione*s hand (as .&am)ed so tight&' around the )a)er that Harr' (as sure he (as going to tear it#
Whi&e Ron !e)t (at.h he tugged and t(isted, and at &ast, after se"era& tense minutes, the )a)er .ame free#
It (as a )age torn from a "er' o&d &irar' oo!# Harr' smoothed it out eager&' and Ron &eaned .&ose to read it, too#
Of the man' fearsome easts and monsters that roam our &and, there is none more .urious or more dead&' than the Basi&is!,
!no(n a&so as the Aing of Ser)ents# This sna!e, (hi.h ma' rea.h giganti. si;e and &i"e man' hundreds of 'ears, is orn from a
.hi.!en*s egg, hat.hed eneath a toad# Its methods of !i&&ing are most (ondrous, for aside from its dead&' and "enomous fangs,
the Basi&is! has a murderous stare, and a&& (ho are fi/ed (ith the eam of its e'e sha&& suffer instant death# S)iders f&ee efore
the Basi&is!, for it is their morta& enem', and the Basi&is! f&ees on&' from the .ro(ing of the rooster, (hi.h is fata& to it#
And eneath this, a sing&e (ord had een (ritten, in a hand Harr' re.ogni;ed as Hermione*s# Pi)es#
It (as as though someod' had 0ust f&i.!ed a &ight on in his rain#
+Ron,- he reathed# +This is it# This is the ans(er# The monster in the Chamer*s a asi&is!1a giant ser)ent, That (h' I*"e
een hearing that "oi.e a&& o"er the )&a.e, and nood' e&se has heard it# It*s e.ause I understand Parse&tongue###-
Harr' &oo!ed u) at the eds around him#
+The asi&is! !i&&s )eo)&e ' &oo!ing at them# But no one*s died1e.ause no one &oo!ed it straight in the e'e# Co&in sa( it
through his .amera# The asi&is! urned u) a&& the fi&m inside it, ut Co&in 0ust got Petrified# @ustin### @ustin must*"e seen the
asi&is! through Near&' Head&ess Ni.!, Ni.! got the fu&& &ast of it, ut he .ou&dn*t die again### and Hermione and that
Ra"en.&a( )refe.t (ere found (ith a mirror ne/t to them# Hermione had 0ust rea&i;ed the monster (as a asi&is!# I et 'ou
an'thing she (arned the first )erson she met to &oo! around .orners (ith a mirror first, And that gir& )u&&ed out her mirror1
and1-
Rods 0a( had dro))ed#
+And $rs# Norris2- he (his)ered eager&'#
Harr' thought hard, )i.turing the s.ene on the night of Ha&&o(een#
+The (ater###- he said s&o(&'# +The f&ood from $oaning $'rt&e*s athroom# I et 'ou $rs# Norris on&' sa( the ref&e.tion###-
He s.anned the )age in his hand eager&'# The more he &oo!ed at it, the more it made sense#
+###The .ro(ing of the rooster### is fata& to it,- he read a&oud# +Hagrid*s roosters (ere !i&&ed, The Heir of S&'therin didn*t (ant
one an'(here near the .ast&e on.e the Chamer (as o)ened, S)iders f&ee efore it, It a&& fits,-
+But ho(*s the asi&is! een getting around the )&a.e2- said Ron# +A giant sna!e### Someone (ou&d*"e seen###-
Harr', ho(e"er, )ointed at the (ord Hermione had s.ri&ed at the foot of the )age#
+Pi)es,- he said# +Pi)es### Ron, it*s een using the )&uming# I*"e een hearing that "oi.e inside the (a&&s###-
Ron sudden&' graed Harr'*s arm#
+The entran.e to the Chamer of Se.rets,- he said hoarse&'# +What if it*s a athroom2 What if it*s in1-
+$oaning $'rt&e*s athroom, +said Harr'#
The' sat there, e/.itement .oursing through them, hard&' a&e to e&ie"e it#
+This means,- said Harr', +I .an*t e the on&' Parse&mouth in the s.hoo&# The Heir of S&'therin*s one, too# That*s ho( he*s
een .ontro&&ing the asi&is!#-
73
+What*re (e going to do2- said Ron, (hose e'es (ere f&ashing# +Shou&d (e go straight to $.8onaga&&2-
+7et*s go to the staff room,- said Harr', 0um)ing u)# +She*&& e there in ten minutes# It*s near&' rea!#-
The' ran do(nstairs# Not (anting to e dis.o"ered hanging around in another .orridor, the' (ent straight into the deserted
staff room# It (as a &arge, )ane&ed room fu&& of dar!, (ooden .hairs# Harr' and Ron )a.ed around it, too e/.ited to sit do(n#
But the e&& to signa& rea! ne"er .ame#
Instead, e.hoing through the .orridors .ame Professor $.8onaga&&*s "oi.e, magi.a&&' magnified#
+A&& students to return to their House dormitories at on.e# A&& tea.hers return to the staff room# Immediate&', )&ease#-
Harr' (hee&ed around to stare at Ron#
+Not another atta.!2 Not no(2-
+What*&& (e do2- said Ron, aghast# +8o a.! to the dormitor'2-
+No,- said Harr', g&an.ing around# There (as an ug&' sort of (ardroe to his &eft, fu&& of the tea.hers* .&oa!s# +In here# 7et*s
hear (hat it*s a&& aout# Then (e .an te&& them (hat (e*"e found out#-
The' hid themse&"es inside it, &istening to the rum&ing of hundreds of )eo)&e mo"ing o"erhead, and the staff room door
anging o)en# 9rom et(een the must' fo&ds of the .&oa!s, the' (at.hed the tea.hers fi&tering into the room# Some of them
(ere &oo!ing )u;;&ed, others do(nright s.ared# Then Professor $.8onaga&& arri"ed#
+It has ha))ened,- she to&d the si&ent staff room# +A student has een ta!en ' the monster# Right into the Chamer itse&f#-
Professor 9&it(i.! &et out a s6uea&# Professor S)rout .&a))ed her hands o"er her mouth# Sna)e gri))ed the a.! of a .hair
"er' hard and said, +Ho( .an 'ou e sure2-
+The Heir of S&'therin,- said Professor $.8onaga&&, (ho (as "er' (hite, +&eft another message# Right underneath the first
one# Her s!e&eton (i&& &ie in the Chamer fore"er#-
Professor 9&it(i.! urst into tears#
+Who is it2- said $adam Hoo.h, (ho had sun!, (ea!:!need, into a .hair# +Whi.h student2-
+8inn' Weas&e',- said Professor $.8onaga&&#
Harr' fe&t Ron s&ide si&ent&' do(n onto the (ardroe f&oor eside him#
+We sha&& ha"e to send a&& the students home tomorro(,- said Professor $.8onaga&&# +This is the end of Hog(arts#
Dum&edore a&(a's said###-
The staff:room door anged o)en again# 9or one (i&d moment, Harr' (as sure it (ou&d e Dum&edore# But it (as
7o.!hart, and he (as eaming#
+So sorr'1do;ed off1(hat ha"e I missed2-
He didn*t seem to noti.e that the other tea.hers (ere &oo!ing at him (ith something remar!a&' &i!e hatred# Sna)e ste))ed
for(ard#
+@ust the man,- he said# +The "er' man# A gir& has een snat.hed ' the monster, 7o.!hart# Ta!en into the Chamer of
Se.rets itse&f# Your moment has .ome at &ast#-
7o.!hart &an.hed#
+That*s right, 8i&dero',- .hi))ed in Professor S)rout# +Weren*t 'ou sa'ing 0ust &ast night that 'ou*"e !no(n a&& a&ong (here
the entran.e to the Chamer of Se.rets is2-
+I1(e&&, I :+s)uttered 7o.!hart#
+Yes, didn*t 'ou te&& me 'ou (ere sure 'ou !ne( (hat (as inside it2- )i)ed u) Professor 9&it(i.!#
+D:did I2 I don*t re.a&&1-
+I .ertain&' rememer 'ou sa'ing 'ou (ere sorr' 'ou hadn*t had a .ra.! at the monster efore Hagrid (as arrested,- said
Sna)e# +Didn*t 'ou sa' that the (ho&e affair had een ung&ed, and that 'ou shou&d ha"e een gi"en a free rein from the first2-
7o.!hart stared around at his ston':fa.ed .o&&eagues#
+I1I rea&&' ne"er1'ou ma' ha"e misunderstood1-
+We*&& &ea"e it to 'ou, then, 8i&dero',- said Professor $.8onaga&&# +Tonight (i&& e an e/.e&&ent time to do it# We*&& ma!e
sure e"er'one*s out of 'our (a'# You*&& e a&e to ta.!&e the monster a&& ' 'ourse&f# A free rein at &ast#-
7o.!hart ga;ed des)erate&' around him, ut nood' .ame to the res.ue# He didn*t &oo! remote&' handsome an'more# His &i)
(as trem&ing, and in the asen.e of his usua&&' tooth' grin, he &oo!ed (ea!:.hinned and fee&e#
+%1"er' (e&&,- he said# +I*&&1I*&& e in m' offi.e, getting1getting read'#-
And he &eft the room#
+Right,- said Professor $.8onaga&&, (hose nostri&s (ere f&ared,
+that*s got him out from under our feet# The Heads of Houses shou&d go and inform their students (hat has ha))ened# Te&&
them the Hog(arts E/)ress (i&& ta!e them home first thing tomorro(# Wi&& the rest of 'ou )&ease ma!e sure no students ha"e
een &eft outside their dormitories#-
The tea.hers rose and &eft, one ' one#
It (as )roa&' the (orst da' of Harr'*s entire &ife# He, Ron, 9red, and 8eorge sat together in a .orner of the 8r'ffindor
.ommon room, una&e to sa' an'thing to ea.h other# Per.' (asn*t there# He had gone to send an o(& to $r# and $rs# Weas&e',
then shut himse&f u) in his dormitor'#
No afternoon e"er &asted as &ong as that one, nor had 8r'ffindor To(er e"er een so .ro(ded, 'et so 6uiet# Near sunset, 9red
and 8eorge (ent u) to ed, una&e to sit there an' &onger#
+She !ne( something, Harr',- said Ron, s)ea!ing for the first time sin.e the' had entered the (ardroe in the staff room#
+That*s (h' she (as ta!en# It (asn*t some stu)id thing aout Per.' at a&&#, She*d found out something aout the Chamer of
Se.rets# That must e (h' she (as1- Ron rued his e'es franti.a&&'# +I mean, she (as a )ure&ood# There .an*t e an' other
reason#-
Harr' .ou&d see the sun sin!ing, &ood:red, e&o( the s!'&ine# This (as the (orst he had e"er fe&t# If on&' there (as
something the' .ou&d do# An'thing#
74
+Harr'- said Ron# +D*'ou thin! there*s an' .han.e at a&& she*s not1'ou !no(1-
Harr' didn*t !no( (hat to sa'# He .ou&dn*t see ho( 8inn' .ou&d sti&& e a&i"e#
+D*'ou !no( (hat2- said Ron# +I thin! (e shou&d go and see 7o.!hart# Te&& him (hat (e !no(# He*s going to tr' and get
into the Chamer# We .an te&& him (here (e thin! it is, and te&& him it*s a asi&is! in there#-
Be.ause Harr' .ou&dn*t thin! of an'thing e&se to do, and e.ause he (anted to e doing something, he agreed# The
8r'ffindors around them (ere so misera&e, and fe&t so sorr' for the Weas&e's, that nood' tried to sto) them as the' got u),
.rossed the room, and &eft through the )ortrait ho&e#
Dar!ness (as fa&&ing as the' (a&!ed do(n to 7o.!hart*s offi.e# There seemed to e a &ot of a.ti"it' going on inside it# The'
.ou&d hear s.ra)ing, thum)s, and hurried footste)s#
Harr' !no.!ed and there (as a sudden si&en.e from inside# Then the door o)ened the tiniest .ra.! and the' sa( one of
7o.!hart*s e'es )eering through it#
+Oh1$r# Potter1$r# Weas&e'1- he said, o)ening the door a it (ider# +I*m rather us' at the moment1if 'ou (ou&d e
6ui.!1-
+Professor, (e*"e got some information for 'ou,- said Harr'# +We thin! it*&& he&) 'ou#-
+Er1(e&&1it*s not terri&'1- The side of 7o.!hart*s fa.e that the' .ou&d see &oo!ed "er' un.omforta&e# +I mean1(e&& a&&
right1-
He o)ened the door and the' entered#
His offi.e had een a&most .om)&ete&' stri))ed# T(o &arge trun!s stood o)en on the f&oor# Roes, 0ade:green, &i&a., midnight
&ue, had een hasti&' fo&ded into one of them5 oo!s (ere 0um&ed untidi&' into the other# The )hotogra)hs that had .o"ered
the (a&&s (ere no( .rammed into o/es on the des!#
+Are 'ou going some(here2- said Harr'#
+Er, (e&&, 'es,- said 7o.!hart, ri))ing a &ife:si;e )oster of himse&f from the a.! of the door as he s)o!e and starting to ro&& it
u)# +3rgent .a&&1una"oida&e1got to go1-
+What aout m' sister2- said Ron 0er!i&'#
+We&&, as to that1most unfortunate1- said 7o.!hart, a"oiding their e'es as he (ren.hed o)en a dra(er and started
em)t'ing the .ontents into a ag# +No one regrets more than I1-
+You*re the Defense Against the Dar! Arts tea.her,- said Harr'# +You .an*t go no(, Not (ith a&& the Dar! stuff going on
here,-
+We&&1I must sa'1(hen I too! the 0o1- 7o.!hart muttered, no( )i&ing so.!s on to) of his roes# +nothing in the 0o
des.ri)tion1didn*t e/)e.t1-
+You mean 'ou*re running a(a'2- said Harr' dise&ie"ing&'# +After a&& that stuff 'ou did in 'our oo!s1-
+Boo!s .an e mis&eading,- said 7o.!hart de&i.ate&'#
+You (rote them,- Harr' shouted#
+$' dear o',- said 7o.!hart, straightening u) and fro(ning at Harr'# +Do use 'our .ommon sense# $' oo!s (ou&dn*t
ha"e so&d ha&f as (e&& if )eo)&e didn*t thin! Id done a&& those things# No one (ants to read aout some ug&' o&d Armenian
(ar&o.!, e"en if he did sa"e a "i&&age from (ere(o&"es# He*d &oo! dreadfu& on the front .o"er# No dress sense at a&&# And the
(it.h (ho anished the Bandon Banshee had a hare&i)# I mean, .ome on1-
+So 'ou*"e 0ust een ta!ing .redit for (hat a &oad of other )eo)&e ha"e done2- said Harr' in.redu&ous&'#
+Harr', Harr',- said 7o.!hart, sha!ing his head im)atient&', +it*s not near&' as sim)&e as that# There (as (or! in"o&"ed# I
had to tra.! these )eo)&e do(n# As! them e/a.t&' ho( the' managed to do (hat the' did# Then I had to )ut a $emor' Charm
on them so the' (ou&dn*t rememer doing it# If there*s one thing I )ride m'se&f on, it*s m' $emor' Charms# No, it*s een a &ot
of (or!, Harr'# It*s not a&& oo! signings and )u&i.it' )hotos, 'ou !no(# You (ant fame, 'ou ha"e to e )re)ared for a &ong
hard s&og#-
He anged the &ids of his trun!s shut and &o.!ed them#
+7et*s see,- he said# +I thin! that*s e"er'thing# Yes# On&' one thing &eft#-
He )u&&ed out his (and and turned to them#
+A(fu&&' sorr', o's, ut I*&& ha"e to )ut a $emor' Charm on 'ou no(# Can*t ha"e 'ou &aing m' se.rets a&& o"er the
)&a.e# Id ne"er se&& another oo!1-
Harr' rea.hed his (and 0ust in time# 7o.!hart had are&' raised his, (hen Harr' e&&o(ed, +E/)e&&iarmus,-
7o.!hart (as &asted a.!(ard, fa&&ing o"er his trun!5 his (and f&e( high into the air5 Ron .aught it, and f&ung it out of the
o)en (indo(#
+Shou&dn*t ha"e &et Professor Sna)e tea.h us that one,- said Harr' furious&', !i.!ing 7o.!hart*s trun! aside# 7o.!hart (as
&oo!ing u) at him, fee&e on.e more# Harr' (as sti&& )ointing his (and at him#
+What d*'ou (ant me to do2- said 7o.!hart (ea!&'# +I don*t !no( (here the Chamer of Se.rets is# There*s nothing I .an
do#-
+You*re in &u.!,- said Harr', for.ing 7o.!hart to his feet at (and)oint# +We thin! (e !no( (here it is# And (hat*s inside it#
7et*s go#-
The' mar.hed 7o.!hart out of his offi.e and do(n the nearest stairs, a&ong the dar! .orridor (here the messages shone on
the (a&&, to the door of $oaning $'rt&e*s athroom#
The' sent 7o.!hart in first# Harr' (as )&eased to see that he (as sha!ing#
$oaning $'rt&e (as sitting on the tan! of the end toi&et#
+Oh, it*s 'ou,- she said (hen she sa( Harr'# +What do 'ou (ant this time2-
+To as! 'ou ho( 'ou died,- said Harr'#
$'rt&e*s (ho&e as)e.t .hanged at on.e# She &oo!ed as though she had ne"er een as!ed su.h a f&attering 6uestion#
+Ooooh, it (as dreadfu&,- she said (ith re&ish# +It ha))ened right in here# I died in this "er' sta&&# I rememer it so (e&&# Id
hidden e.ause O&i"e Horn' (as teasing me aout m' g&asses# The door (as &o.!ed, and I (as .r'ing, and then I heard
75
someod' .ome in# The' said something funn'# A different &anguage, I thin! it must ha"e een# An'(a', (hat rea&&' got me
(as that it (as a o' s)ea!ing# So I un&o.!ed the door, to te&& him to go and use his o(n toi&et, and then1- $'rt&e s(e&&ed
im)ortant&', her fa.e shining# +I died#-
+Ho(2- said Harr'#
+No idea,- said $'rt&e in hushed tones# +I 0ust rememer seeing a )air of great, ig, 'e&&o( e'es# $' (ho&e od' sort of
sei;ed u), and then I (as f&oating a(a'###- She &oo!ed dreami&' at Harr'# +And then I .ame a.! again# I (as determined to
haunt O&i"e Horn', 'ou see# Oh, she (as sorr' she*d e"er &aughed at m' g&asses#-
+Where e/a.t&' did 'ou see the e'es2- said Harr'#
+Some(here there,- said $'rt&e, )ointing "ague&' to(ard the sin! in front of her toi&et#
Harr' and Ron hurried o"er to it# 7o.!hart (as standing (e&& a.!, a &oo! of utter terror on his fa.e#
It &oo!ed &i!e an ordinar' sin!# The' e/amined e"er' in.h of it, inside and out, in.&uding the )i)es e&o(# And then Harr'
sa( it4 S.rat.hed on the side of one of the .o))er ta)s (as a tin' sna!e#
+That ta)*s ne"er (or!ed,- said $'rt&e right&' as he tried to turn it#
+Harr',- said Ron# +Sa' something# Something in Parse&tongue#-
+But1- Harr' thought hard# The on&' times he*d e"er managed to s)ea! Parse&tongue (ere (hen he*d een fa.ed (ith a rea&
sna!e# He stared hard at the tin'engra"ing, tr'ing to imagine it (as rea&#
+O)en u),- he said#
He &oo!ed at Ron, (ho shoo! his head#
+Eng&ish,- he said#
Harr' &oo!ed a.! at the sna!e, (i&&ing himse&f to e&ie"e it (as a&i"e# If he mo"ed his head, the .and&e&ight made it &oo! as
though it (ere mo"ing#
+O)en u),- he said#
E/.e)t that the (ords (eren*t (hat he heard5 a strange hissing had es.a)ed him, and at on.e the ta) g&o(ed (ith a ri&&iant
(hite &ight and egan to s)in# Ne/t se.ond, the sin! egan to mo"e5 the sin!, in fa.t, san!, right out of sight, &ea"ing a &arge
)i)e e/)osed, a )i)e (ide enough for a man to s&ide into#
Harr' heard Ron gas) and &oo!ed u) again# He had made u) his mind (hat he (as going to do#
+I*m going do(n there,- he said#
He .ou&dn*t not go, not no( the' had found the entran.e to the Chamer, not if there (as e"en the faintest, s&immest, (i&dest
.han.e that 8inn' might e a&i"e#
+$e too,- said Ron#
There (as a )ause#
+We&&, 'ou hard&' seem to need me,- said 7o.!hart, (ith a shado( of his o&d smi&e# +I*&& 0ust1-
He )ut his hand on the door !no, ut Ron and Harr' oth )ointed their (ands at him#
+You .an go first,- Ron snar&ed#
White:fa.ed and (and&ess, 7o.!hart a))roa.hed the o)ening#
+Bo's,- he said, his "oi.e fee&e# +Bo's, (hat good (i&& it do2-
Harr' 0aed him in the a.! (ith his (and# 7o.!hart s&id his &egs into the )i)e#
+I rea&&' don*t thin!1- he started to sa', ut Ron ga"e him a )ush, and he s&id out of sight# Harr' fo&&o(ed 6ui.!&'# He
&o(ered himse&f s&o(&' into the )i)e, then &et go#
It (as &i!e rushing do(n an end&ess, s&im', dar! s&ide# He .ou&d see more )i)es ran.hing off in a&& dire.tions, ut none as
&arge as theirs, (hi.h t(isted and turned, s&o)ing stee)&' do(n(ard, and he !ne( that he (as fa&&ing dee)er e&o( the s.hoo&
than e"en the dungeons# Behind him he .ou&d hear Ron, thudding s&ight&' at the .ur"es#
And then, 0ust as he had egun to (orr' aout (hat (ou&d ha))en (hen he hit the ground, the )i)e &e"e&ed out, and he shot
out of the end (ith a (et thud, &anding on the dam) f&oor of a dar! stone tunne& &arge enough to stand in# 7o.!hart (as getting
to his feet a &itt&e (a's a(a', .o"ered in s&ime and (hite as a ghost# Harr' stood aside as Ron .ame (hi;;ing out of the )i)e,
too#
+We must e mi&es under the s.hoo&,- said Harr', his "oi.e e.hoing in the &a.! tunne&#
+3nder the &a!e, )roa&',- said Ron, s6uinting around at the dar!, s&im' (a&&s#
A&& three of them turned to stare into the dar!ness ahead#
+7umos,- Harr' muttered to his (and and it &it again# +C*mon,- he said to Ron and 7o.!hart, and off the' (ent, their
footste)s s&a))ing &oud&' on the (et f&oor#
The tunne& (as so dar! that the' .ou&d on&' see a &itt&e distan.e ahead# Their shado(s on the (et (a&&s &oo!ed monstrous in
the (and&ight#
+Rememer,- Harr' said 6uiet&' as the' (a&!ed .autious&' for(ard, +an' sign of mo"ement, .&ose 'our e'es right a(a'###-
But the tunne& (as 6uiet as the gra"e, and the first une/)e.ted sound the' heard (as a &oud .run.h as Ron ste))ed on (hat
turned out to e a rat*s s!u&&# Harr' &o(ered his (and to &oo! at the f&oor and sa( that it (as &ittered (ith sma&& anima& ones#
Tr'ing "er' hard not to imagine (hat 8inn' might &oo! &i!e if the' found her, Harr' &ed the (a' for(ard, around a dar! end
in the tunne&#
+Harr'1there*s something u) there1- said Ron hoarse&', graing Harr'*s shou&der#
The' fro;e, (at.hing# Harr' .ou&d 0ust see the out&ine of something huge and .ur"ed, &'ing right a.ross the tunne&# It (asn*t
mo"ing#
+$a'e it*s as&ee),- he reathed, g&an.ing a.! at the other t(o# 7o.!hart*s hands (ere )ressed o"er his e'es# Harr' turned
a.! to &oo! at the thing, his heart eating so fast it hurt#
%er' s&o(&', his e'es as narro( as he .ou&d ma!e them and sti&& see, Harr' edged for(ard, his (and he&d high#
The &ight s&id o"er a giganti. sna!e s!in, of a "i"id, )oisonous green, &'ing .ur&ed and em)t' a.ross the tunne& f&oor# The
.reature that had shed it must ha"e een t(ent' feet &ong at &east#
76
+B&ime',- said Ron (ea!&'#
There (as a sudden mo"ement ehind them# 8i&dero' 7o.!hart*s !nees had gi"en (a'#
+8et u),- said Ron shar)&', )ointing his (and at 7o.!hart#
7o.!hart got to his feet1then he di"ed at Ron, !no.!ing him to the ground#
Harr' 0um)ed for(ard, ut too &ate17o.!hart (as straightening u), )anting, Ron*s (and in his hand and a g&eaming smi&e
a.! on his fa.e#
+The ad"enture ends here, o's,- he said# +I sha&& ta!e a it of this s!in a.! u) to the s.hoo&, te&& them I (as too &ate to sa"e
the gir&, and that 'ou t(o tragi.a&&' &ost 'our minds at the sight of her mang&ed od'1sa' good:'e to 'our memories,-
He raised Ron*s S)e&&ota)ed (and high o"er his head and 'e&&ed, +O&i"iate,-
The (and e/)&oded (ith the for.e of a sma&& om# Harr' f&ung his arms o"er his head and ran, s&i))ing o"er the .oi&s of
sna!e s!in, out of the (a' of great .hun!s of tunne& .ei&ing that (ere thundering to the f&oor# Ne/t moment, he (as standing
a&one, ga;ing at a so&id (a&& of ro!en ro.!#
+Ron,- he shouted# +Are 'ou o!a'2 Ron,-
+I*m here,- .ame Ron*s muff&ed "oi.e from ehind the ro.!fa&&# +I*m o!a'1this git*s not, though1he got &asted ' the
(and1-
There (as a du&& thud and a &oud +o(,- It sounded as though Ron had 0ust !i.!ed 7o.!hart in the shins#
+What no(2- Ron*s "oi.e said, sounding des)erate# +We .an*t get through1it*&& ta!e ages###-
Harr' &oo!ed u) at the tunne& .ei&ing# Huge .ra.!s had a))eared in it# He had ne"er tried to rea! a)art an'thing as &arge as
these ro.!s ' magi., and no( didn*t seem a good moment to tr'1(hat if the (ho&e tunne& .a"ed in2
There (as another thud and another +o(,- from ehind the ro.!s# The' (ere (asting time# 8inn' had a&read' een in the
Chamer of Se.rets for hours### Harr' !ne( there (as on&' one thing to do#
+Wait there,- he .a&&ed to Ron# +Wait (ith 7o.!hart# I*&& go on### If I*m not a.! in an hour###-
There (as a "er' )regnant )ause,
+I*&& tr' and shift some of this ro.!,- said Ron, (ho seemed to e tr'ing to !ee) his "oi.e stead'# +So 'ou .an1.an get a.!
through# And, Harr'1-
+See 'ou in a it,- said Harr', tr'ing to in0e.t some .onfiden.e into his sha!ing "oi.e#
And he set off a&one )ast the giant sna!e s!in#
Soon the distant noise of Ron straining to shift the ro.!s (as gone# The tunne& turned and turned again# E"er' ner"e in
Harr'*s od' (as ting&ing un)&easant&'# He (anted the tunne& to end, 'et dreaded (hat he*d find (hen it did# And then, at &ast,
as he .re)t around 'et another end, he sa( a so&id (a&& ahead on (hi.h t(o ent(ined ser)ents (ere .ar"ed, their e'es set (ith
great, g&inting emera&ds#
Harr' a))roa.hed, his throat "er' dr'# There (as no need to )retend these stone sna!es (ere rea&5 their e'es &oo!ed strange&'
a&i"e#
He .ou&d guess (hat he had to do# He .&eared his throat, and the emera&d e'es seemed to f&i.!er#
+O)en, +said Harr', in a &o(, faint hiss#
The ser)ents )arted as the (a&& .ra.!ed o)en, the ha&"es s&id smooth&' out of sight, and Harr', sha!ing from head to foot,
(a&!ed inside#
CHAPTER SE%ENTEEN
THE HEIR O9 S7YTHERIN
He (as standing at the end of a "er' &ong, dim&' &it .hamer# To(ering stone )i&&ars ent(ined (ith more .ar"ed ser)ents
rose to su))ort a .ei&ing &ost in dar!ness, .asting &ong, &a.! shado(s through the odd, greenish g&oom that fi&&ed the )&a.e#
His heart eating "er' fast, Harr' stood &istening to the .hi&& si&en.e# Cou&d the asi&is! e &ur!ing in a shado(' .orner,
ehind a )i&&ar2 And (here (as 8inn'2
He )u&&ed out his (and and mo"ed for(ard et(een the ser)entine .o&umns# E"er' .arefu& footste) e.hoed &oud&' off the
shado(' (a&&s# He !e)t his e'es narro(ed, read' to .&am) them shut at the sma&&est sign of mo"ement# The ho&&o( e'e so.!ets
of the stone sna!es seemed to e fo&&o(ing him# $ore than on.e, (ith a 0o&t of the stoma.h, he thought he sa( one stir#
Then, as he dre( &e"e& (ith the &ast )air of )i&&ars, a statue high as the Chamer itse&f &oomed into "ie(, standing against the
a.! (a&&#
Harr' had to .rane his ne.! to &oo! u) into the giant fa.e ao"e4 It (as an.ient and mon!e':&i!e, (ith a &ong, thin eard that
fe&& a&most to the ottom of the (i;ard*s s(ee)ing stone roes, (here t(o enormous gra' feet stood on the smooth Chamer
f&oor# And et(een the feet, fa.edo(n, &a' a sma&&, &a.!:roed figure (ith f&aming:red hair#
+8inn',- Harr' muttered, s)rinting to her and dro))ing to his !nees# +8inn'1don*t e dead1)&ease don*t e dead1- He
f&ung his (and aside, graed 8inn'*s shou&ders, and turned her o"er# Her fa.e (as (hite as mar&e, and as .o&d, 'et her e'es
(ere .&osed, so she (asn*t Petrified# But then she must e
+8inn', )&ease (a!e u),- Harr' muttered des)erate&', sha!ing her# 8inn'*s head &o&&ed ho)e&ess&' from side to side#
+She (on*t (a!e,- said a soft "oi.e#
Harr' 0um)ed and s)un around on his !nees#
A ta&&, &a.!:haired o' (as &eaning against the nearest )i&&ar, (at.hing# He (as strange&' &urred around the edges, as
though Harr' (ere &oo!ing at him through a misted (indo(# But there (as no mista!ing him
+Tom1Tom Ridd&e2-
Ridd&e nodded, not ta!ing his e'es off Harr'*s fa.e#
+What d*'ou mean, she (on*t (a!e2- Harr' said des)erate&'# +She*s not1she*s not :2-
+She*s sti&& a&i"e,- said Ridd&e# +But on&' 0ust#-
77
Harr' stared at him# Tom Ridd&e had een at Hog(arts fift' 'ears ago, 'et here he stood, a (eird, mist' &ight shining aout
him, not a da' o&der than si/teen#
+Are 'ou a ghost2- Harr' said un.ertain&'#
+A memor',- said Ridd&e 6uiet&'# +Preser"ed in a diar' for fift' 'ears#-
He )ointed to(ard the f&oor near the statue*s giant toes# 7'ing o)en there (as the &itt&e &a.! diar' Harr' had found in
$oaning $'rt&e*s athroom# 9or a se.ond, Harr' (ondered ho( it had got there1ut there (ere more )ressing matters to dea&
(ith#
+You*"e got to he&) me, Tom,- Harr' said, raising 8inn'*s head again# +We*"e got to get her out of here# There*s a asi&is!### I
don*t !no( (here it is, ut it .ou&d e a&ong an' moment### P&ease, he&) me#-
Ridd&e didn*t mo"e# Harr', s(eating, managed to hoist 8inn' ha&f off the f&oor, and ent to )i.! u) his (and again#
But his (and had gone#
+Did 'ou see :2-
He &oo!ed u)# Ridd&e (as sti&& (at.hing him1t(ir&ing Harr'*s (and et(een his &ong fingers#
+Than!s,- said Harr', stret.hing out his hand for it#
A smi&e .ur&ed the .orners of Ridd&e*s mouth# He .ontinued to stare at Harr', t(ir&ing the (and id&'#
+7isten,- said Harr' urgent&', his !nees sagging (ith 8inn'*s dead (eight# +We*"e got to go, If the asi&is! .omes1-
+It (on*t .ome unti& it is .a&&ed,- said Ridd&e .a&m&'#
Harr' &o(ered 8inn' a.! onto the f&oor, una&e to ho&d her u) an' &onger#
+What d*'ou mean2- he said# +7oo!, gi"e me m' (and, I might need it1-
Ridd&e*s smi&e roadened#
+You (on*t e needing it,- he said#
Harr' stared at him#
+What d*'ou mean, I (on*t e :2-
+I*"e (aited a &ong time for this, Harr' Potter,- said Ridd&e# +9or the .han.e to see 'ou# To s)ea! to 'ou#-
+7oo!,- said Harr', &osing )atien.e, +I don*t thin! 'ou get it# We*re in the Chamer of Se.rets# We .an ta&! &ater1-
+We*re going to ta&! no(,- said Ridd&e, sti&& smi&ing road&', and he )o.!eted Harr'*s (and#
Harr' stared at him# There (as something "er' funn' going on here#
+Ho( did 8inn' get &i!e this2- he as!ed s&o(&'#
+We&&, that*s an interesting 6uestion,- said Ridd&e )&easant&'# +And 6uite a &ong stor'# I su))ose the rea& reason 8inn'
Weas&e'*s &i!e this is e.ause she o)ened her heart and s)i&&ed a&& her se.rets to an in"isi&e stranger#-
+What are 'ou ta&!ing aout2- said Harr'#
+The diar',- said Ridd&e# H$' diar'# 7itt&e 8inn'*s een (riting in it for months and months, te&&ing me a&& her )itifu& (orries
and (oes1ho( her rothers tease her, ho( she had to .ome to s.hoo& (ith se.ondhand roes and oo!s, ho(- :Ridd&e*s e'es
g&inted +ho( she didn*t thin! famous, good, great Harr' Potter (ou&d e"er &i!e her###-
A&& the time he s)o!e, Ridd&e*s e'es ne"er &eft Harr'*s fa.e# There (as an a&most hungr' &oo! in them#
+It*s "er' oring, ha"ing to &isten to the si&&' &itt&e trou&es of an e&e"en'ear:o&d gir&,- he (ent on# +But I (as )atient# I (rote
a.!# I (as s'm)atheti., I (as !ind# 8inn' sim)&' &o"ed me# No one*s e"er understood me &i!e 'ou, Tom### I*m so g&ad I*"e got
this diar' to .onfide in### It*s &i!e ha"ing a friend I .an .arr' around in m' )o.!et###-
Ridd&e &aughed, a high, .o&d &augh that didn*t suit him# It made the hairs stand u) on the a.! of Harr'*s ne.!#
+If I sa' it m'se&f, Harr', I*"e a&(a's een a&e to .harm the )eo)&e I needed# So 8inn' )oured out her sou& to me, and her
sou& ha))ened to e e/a.t&' (hat I (anted### I gre( stronger and stronger on a diet of her dee)est fears, her dar!est se.rets# I
gre( )o(erfu&, far more )o(erfu& than &itt&e $iss Weas&e'# Po(erfu& enough to start feeding $iss Weas&e' a fe( of m'
se.rets, to start )ouring a &itt&e of m' sou& a.! into her###-
+What d*'ou mean2- said Harr', (hose mouth had gone "er' dr'#
+ Ha"en*t 'ou guessed 'et, Harr' Potter2- said Ridd&e soft&'# +8inn' Weas&e' o)ened the Chamer of Se.rets# She strang&ed
the s.hoo& roosters and daued threatening messages on the (a&&s# She set the Ser)ent of S&'therin on four $ud&oods, and the
S6ui*s .at#
+No,- Harr' (his)ered#
+Yes,- said Ridd&e, .a&m&'# +Of .ourse, she didn*t !no( (hat she (as doing at first# It (as "er' amusing# I (ish 'ou .ou&d
ha"e seen her ne( diar' entries### far more interesting, the' e.ame### Dear Tom,- he re.ited, (at.hing Harr'*s horrified fa.e, HI
thin! I*m &osing m' memor'# There are rooster feathers a&& o"er m' roes and B don*t !no( ho( the' got there# Dear Tom, &
.an*t rememer (hat B did on the night of Ha&&o(een, ut a .at (as atta.!ed and I*"e got )aint a&& do(n m' front# Dear Tom,
Per.' !ee)s te&&ing me I*m )a&e and I*m not m'se&f# I thin! he sus)e.ts me### There (as another atta.! toda' and I don*t !no(
(here I (as# Tom, (hat am I going to do2 I thin! I*m going mad### I thin! I*m the one atta.!ing e"er'one, Tom,-
Harr'*s fists (ere .&en.hed, the nai&s digging dee) into his Pa&ms#
+it too! a "er' &ong time for stu)id &itt&e 8inn' to sto) trusting her diar',- said Ridd&e# +But she fina&&' e.ame sus)i.ious
and tried to dis)ose of it# And that*s (here 'ou .ame in, Harr'# You found it, and I .ou&dn*t ha"e een more de&ighted# Of a&&
the )eo)&e (ho .ou&d ha"e )i.!ed it u), it (as 'ou, the "er' )erson I (as most an/ious to meet###-
+And (h' did 'ou (ant to meet me2- said Harr'# Anger (as .oursing through him, and it (as an effort to !ee) his "oi.e
stead'#
+We&&, 'ou see, 8inn' to&d me a&& aout 'ou, Harr',- said Ridd&e# +Your (ho&e fas.inating histor'# + His e'es ro"ed o"er the
&ightning s.ar on Harr'*s forehead, and their e/)ression gre( hungrier# +I !ne( I must find out more aout 'ou, ta&! to 'ou,
meet 'ou if I .ou&d# So I de.ided to sho( 'ou m' famous .a)ture of that great oaf, Hagrid, to gain 'our trust1-
+Hagrid*s m' friend,- said Harr', his "oi.e no( sha!ing# +And 'ou framed him, didn*t 'ou2 I thought 'ou made a mista!e,
ut1-
Ridd&e &aughed his high &augh again#
78
+It (as m' (ord against Hagrid*s, Harr'# We&&, 'ou .an imagine ho( it &oo!ed to o&d Armando Di))et# On the one hand,
Tom Ridd&e, )oor ut ri&&iant, )arent&ess ut so ra"e, s.hoo& )refe.t, mode& student### on the other hand, ig, &undering
Hagrid, in trou&e e"er' other (ee!, tr'ing to raise (ere(o&f .us under his ed, snea!ing off to the 9oridden 9orest to
(rest&e tro&&s### ut I admit, e"en I (as sur)rised ho( (e&& the )&an (or!ed# I thought someone must rea&i;e that Hagrid
.ou&dn*t )ossi&' e the Heir of S&'therin# It had ta!en me fi"e (ho&e 'ears to find out e"er'thing I .ou&d aout the Chamer of
Se.rets and dis.o"er the se.ret entran.e### as though Hagrid had the rains, or the )o(er,
+On&' the Transfiguration tea.her, Dum&edore, seemed to thin! Hagrid (as inno.ent# He )ersuaded Di))er to !ee) Hagrid
and train him as game!ee)er# Yes, I thin! Dum&edore might ha"e guessed### Dum&edore ne"er seemed to &i!e me as mu.h as
the other tea.hers did###-
+I et Dum&edore sa( right through 'ou,- said Harr', his teeth gritted#
+We&&, he .ertain&' !e)t an anno'ing&' .&ose (at.h on me after Hagrid (as e/)e&&ed,- said Ridd&e .are&ess&'# +I !ne( it
(ou&dn*t e safe to o)en the Chamer again (hi&e I (as sti&& at s.hoo&# But I (asn*t going to (aste those &ong 'ears Id s)ent
sear.hing for it# I de.ided to &ea"e ehind a diar', )reser"ing m' si/teen:'ear:o&d se&f in its )ages, so that one da', (ith &u.!, I
(ou&d e a&e to &ead another in m' footste)s, and finish Sa&a;ar S&'therin*s no&e (or!#-
+We&&, 'ou ha"en*t finished it,- said Harr' trium)hant&'# +No one*s died this time, not e"en the .at# In a fe( hours the
$andra!e Draught (i&& e read' and e"er'one (ho (as Petrified (i&& e a&& right again1-
+Ha"en*t I a&read' to&d 'ou,- said Ridd&e 6uiet&', +that !i&&ing $ud&oods doesn*t matter to me an'more2 9or man' months
no(, m' ne( target has een :'ou#-
Harr' stared at him#
+Imagine ho( angr' I (as (hen the ne/t time m' diar' (as o)ened, it (as 8inn' (ho (as (riting to me, not 'ou# She sa(
'ou (ith the diar', 'ou see, and )ani.!ed# +What if 'ou found out ho( to (or! it, and I re)eated a&& her se.rets to 'ou2 What
if, e"en (orse, I to&d 'ou (ho*d een strang&ing roosters2 So the foo&ish &itt&e rat (aited unti& 'our dormitor' (as deserted
and sto&e it a.!# But I !ne( (hat I must do# It (as .&ear to me that 'ou (ere on the trai& of S&'therin*s heir# 9rom e"er'thing
8inn' had to&d me aout 'ou, I !ne( 'ou (ou&d go to an' &engths to so&"e the m'ster' :)arti.u&ar&' if one of 'our est friends
(as atta.!ed# And 8inn' had to&d me the (ho&e s.hoo& (as u;;ing e.ause 'ou .ou&d s)ea! Parse&tongue###-
+So I made 8inn' (rite her o(n fare(e&& on the (a&& and .ome do(n here to (ait# She strugg&ed and .ried and e.ame "er'
oring# But there isn*t mu.h &ife &eft in her### She )ut too mu.h into the diar', into me# Enough to &et me &ea"e its )ages at &ast###
I ha"e een (aiting for 'ou to a))ear sin.e (e arri"ed here# I !ne( 'ou*d .ome# I ha"e man' 6uestions for 'ou, Harr' Potter#-
+7i!e (hat2- Harr' s)at, fists sti&& .&en.hed#
+We&&,- said Ridd&e, smi&ing )&easant&', +ho( is it that 'ou a s!inn' o' (ith no e/traordinar' magi.a& ta&ent1managed to
defeat the greatest (i;ard of a&& time2 Ho( did 'ou es.a)e (ith nothing ut a s.ar, (hi&e 7ord %o&demort*s )o(ers (ere
destro'ed2-
There (as an odd red g&eam in his hungr' e'es no(#
+Wh' do 'ou .are ho( I es.a)ed2- said Harr' s&o(&'# +%o&demort (as after 'our time###-
+%o&demort,- said Ridd&e soft&', +is m' )ast, )resent, and future, Harr' Potter###-
He )u&&ed Harr'*s (and from his )o.!et and egan to tra.e it through the air, (riting three shimmering (ords4
TO$ $AR%O7O RIDD7E
Then he (a"ed the (and on.e, and the &etters of his name rearranged themse&"es4
I A$ 7ORD %O7DE$ORT
+You see2- he (his)ered# +It (as a name I (as a&read' using at Hog(arts, to m' most intimate friends on&', of .ourse# You
thin! I (as going to use m' fi&th' $ugg&e father*s name fore"er2 I, in (hose "eins runs the &ood of Sa&a;ar S&'therin himse&f,
through m' mother*s side2 I, !ee) the name of a fou&, .ommon $ugg&e, (ho aandoned me e"en efore I (as orn, 0ust
e.ause he found out his (ife (as a (it.h2 No, Harr'1I fashioned m'se&f a ne( name, a name I !ne( (i;ards e"er'(here
(ou&d one da' fear to s)ea!, (hen I had e.ome the greatest sor.erer in the (or&d,-
Harr'*s rain seemed to ha"e 0ammed# He stared num&' at Ridd&e, at the or)haned o' (ho had gro(n u) to murder Harr'*s
o(n )arents, and so man' others### At &ast he for.ed himse&f to s)ea!#
+You*re not,- he said, his 6uiet "oi.e fu&& of hatred#
+Not (hat2- sna))ed Ridd&e#
+Not the greatest sor.erer in the (or&d,- said Harr', reathing fast# +Sorr' to disa))oint 'ou and a&& that, ut the greatest
(i;ard in the (or&d is A&us Dum&edore# E"er'one sa's so# E"en (hen 'ou (ere strong, 'ou didn*t dare tr' and ta!e o"er at
Hog(arts# Dum&edore sa( through 'ou (hen 'ou (ere at s.hoo& and he sti&& frightens 'ou no(, (here"er 'ou*re hiding these
da's1-
The smi&e had gone from Ridd&e*s fa.e, to e re)&a.ed ' a "er' ug&' &oo!#
+Dum&edore*s een dri"en out of this .ast&e ' the mere memor' of me,- he hissed#
+He*s not as gone as 'ou might thin!,- Harr' retorted# He (as s)ea!ing at random, (anting to s.are Ridd&e, (ishing rather
than e&ie"ing it to e true
Ridd&e o)ened his mouth, ut fro;e#
$usi. (as .oming from some(here# Ridd&e (hir&ed around to stare do(n the em)t' Chamer# The musi. (as gro(ing
&ouder# It (as eerie, s)ine:ting&ing, unearth&'5 it &ifted the hair on Harr'*s s.a&) and made his heart fee& as though it (as
s(e&&ing to t(i.e its norma& si;e# Then, as the musi. rea.hed su.h a )it.h that Harr' fe&t it "irating inside his o(n ris, f&ames
eru)ted at the to) of the nearest )i&&ar#
A .rimson ird the si;e of a s(an had a))eared, )i)ing its (eird musi. to the "au&ted .ei&ing# It had a g&ittering go&den tai& as
&ong as a )ea.o.!*s and g&eaming go&den ta&ons, (hi.h (ere gri))ing a ragged und&e#
A se.ond &ater, the ird (as f&'ing straight at Harr'# It dro))ed the ragged thing it (as .arr'ing at his feet, then &anded
hea"i&' on his shou&der# As it fo&ded its great (ings, Harr' &oo!ed u) and sa( it had a &ong, shar) go&den ea! and a ead'
&a.! e'e#
79
The ird sto))ed singing# It sat sti&& and (arm ne/t to Harr'*s .hee!, ga;ing steadi&' at Ridd&e#
+That*s a )hoeni/,- said Ridd&e, staring shre(d&' a.! at it#
+9a(!es2- Harr' reathed, and he fe&t the ird*s go&den .&a(s s6uee;e his shou&der gent&'
+And that1- said Ridd&e, no( e'eing the ragged thing that 9a(!es had dro))ed, +that*s the o&d s.hoo& Sorting Hat1-
So it (as# Pat.hed, fra'ed, and dirt', the hat &a' motion&ess at Harr'*s feet#
Ridd&e egan to &augh again# He &aughed so hard that the dar! .hamer rang (ith it, as though ten Ridd&es (ere &aughing at
on.e
+This is (hat Dum&edore sends his defender, A songird and an o&d hat, Do 'ou fee& ra"e, Harr' Potter2 Do 'ou fee& safe
no(2-
Harr' didn*t ans(er# He might not see (hat use 9a(!es or the Sorting Hat (ere, ut he (as no &onger a&one, and he (aited
for Ridd&e to sto) &aughing (ith his .ourage mounting#
+To usiness, Harr',- said Ridd&e, sti&& smi&ing road&'# +T(i.e1in 'our )ast, in m' future1(e ha"e met# And t(i.e I
fai&ed to !i&& 'ou# Ho( did 'ou sur"i"e2 Te&& me e"er'thing# The &onger 'ou ta&!,- he added soft&', +the &onger 'ou sta' a&i"e#-
Harr' (as thin!ing fast, (eighing his .han.es# Ridd&e had the (and# He, Harr', had 9a(!es and the Sorting Hat, neither of
(hi.h (ou&d e mu.h good in a due&# It &oo!ed ad, a&& right### ut the &onger Ridd&e stood there, the more &ife (as d(ind&ing
out of 8inn'### and in the meantime, Harr' noti.ed sudden&', Ridd&e*s out&ine (as e.oming .&earer, more so&id### # If it had to
e a fight et(een him and Ridd&e, etter sooner than &ater#
+No one !no(s (h' 'ou &ost 'our )o(ers (hen 'ou atta.!ed me,- said Harr' aru)t&'# +I don*t !no( m'se&f But I !no(
(h' 'ou .ou&dn*t !i&& me# Be.ause m' mother died to sa"e me# $' .ommon $ugg&e:orn mother,- he added, sha!ing (ith
su))ressed rage# +She sto))ed 'ou !i&&ing me# And I*"e seen the rea& 'ou, I sa( 'ou &ast 'ear# You*re a (re.!# You*re are&'
a&i"e# That*s (here a&& 'our )o(er got 'ou# You*re in hiding# You*re ug&', 'ou*re fou&1-
Ridd&e*s fa.e .ontorted# Then he for.ed it into an a(fu& smi&e# +So# Your mother died to sa"e 'ou# Yes, that*s a )o(erfu&
.ounter:.harm# I .an see no(### there is nothing s)e.ia& aout 'ou, after a&&# I (ondered, 'ou see# There are strange &i!enesses
et(een us, after a&&# E"en 'ou must ha"e noti.ed# Both ha&f:&oods, or)hans, raised ' $ugg&es# Proa&' the on&' t(o
Parse&mouths to .ome to Hog(arts sin.e the great S&'therin himse&f# We e"en &oo! something a&i!e### But after a&&, it (as
mere&' a &u.!' .han.e that sa"ed 'ou from me# That*s a&& I (anted to !no(#-
Harr' stood, tense, (aiting for Ridd&e to raise his (and# But Ridd&e*s t(isted smi&e (as (idening again#
+No(, Harr', I*m going to tea.h 'ou a &itt&e &esson# 7et*s mat.h the )o(ers of 7ord %o&demort, Heir of Sa&a;ar S&'therin,
against famous Harr' Potter, and the est (ea)ons Dum&edore .an gi"e him###-
He .ast an amused e'e o"er 9a(!es and the Sorting Hat, then (a&!ed a(a'# Harr', fear s)reading u) his num &egs, (at.hed
Ridd&e sto) et(een the high )i&&ars and &oo! u) into the stone fa.e of S&'therin, high ao"e him in the ha&f:dar!ness# Ridd&e
o)ened his mouth (ide and hissed1ut Harr' understood (hat he (as sa'ing###
+S)ea! to me, S&'therin, greatest of the Hog(arts 9our# +
Harr' (hee&ed around to &oo! u) at the statue, 9a(!es s(a'ing on his shou&der#
S&'therin*s giganti. stone fa.e (as mo"ing# Horrorstru.!, Harr' sa( his mouth o)ening, (ider and (ider, to ma!e a huge
&a.! ho&e#
And something (as stirring inside the statue*s mouth# Something (as s&ithering u) from its de)ths#
Harr' a.!ed a(a' unti& he hit the dar! Chamer (a&&, and as he shut his e'es tight he fe&t 9a(!es* (ing s(ee) his .hee! as
he too! f&ight# Harr' (anted to shout, +Don*t &ea"e me,- ut (hat .han.e did a )hoeni/ ha"e against the !ing of ser)ents2
Something huge hit the stone f&oor of the Chamer# Harr' fe&t it shudder1he !ne( (hat (as ha))ening, he .ou&d sense it,
.ou&d a&most see the giant ser)ent un.oi&ing itse&f from S&'therin*s mouth# Then he heard Ridd&e*s hissing "oi.e4 +Ai&& him#-
The asi&is! (as mo"ing to(ard Harr'5 he .ou&d hear its hea"' od' s&ithering hea"i&' a.ross the dust' f&oor# E'es sti&&
tight&' shut, Harr' egan to run &ind&' side(a's, his hands outstret.hed, fee&ing his (a'1%o&demort (as &aughing###
Harr' tri))ed# He fe&& hard onto the stone and tasted &ood the ser)ent (as are&' feet from him, he .ou&d hear it .oming#
There (as a &oud, e/)&osi"e s)itting sound right ao"e him, and then something hea"' hit Harr' so hard that he (as
smashed into the (a&&# Waiting for fangs to sin! through his od' he heard more mad hissing, something thrashing (i&d&' off
the )i&&ars#
He .ou&dn*t he&) it1he o)ened his e'es (ide enough to s6uint at (hat (as going on#
The enormous ser)ent, right, )oisonous green, thi.! as an oa! trun!, had raised itse&f high in the air and its great &unt head
(as (ea"ing drun!en&' et(een the )i&&ars# As Harr' trem&ed, read' to .&ose his e'es if it turned, he sa( (hat had distra.ted
the sna!e#
9a(!es (as soaring around its head, and the asi&is! (as sna))ing furious&' at him (ith fangs &ong and thin as saers#
9a(!es di"ed# His &ong go&den ea! san! out of sight and a sudden sho(er of dar! &ood s)attered the f&oor# The sna!e*s tai&
thrashed, narro(&' missing Harr', and efore Harr' .ou&d shut his e'es, it turned1Harr' &oo!ed straight into its fa.e and sa(
that its e'es, oth its great, u&ous 'e&&o( e'es, had een )un.tured ' the )hoeni/5 &ood (as streaming to the f&oor, and the
sna!e (as s)itting in agon'#
+NO,- Harr' heard Ridd&e s.reaming# +7EA%E THE BIRD, 7EA%E THE BIRD, THE BOY IS BEHIND YO3# YO3 CAN
STI77 S$E77 HI$# AI77 HI$,-
The &inded ser)ent s(a'ed, .onfused, sti&& dead&'# 9a(!es (as .ir.&ing its head, )i)ing his eerie song, 0aing here and
there at its s.a&' nose as the &ood )oured from its ruined e'es#
+He&) me, he&) me,- Harr' muttered (i&d&', +someone1an'one,-
The sna!e*s tai& (hi))ed a.ross the f&oor again# Harr' du.!ed# Something soft hit his fa.e#
The asi&is! had s(e)t the Sorting Hat into Harr'*s arms# Harr' sei;ed it# It (as a&& he had &eft, his on&' .han.e1he rammed
it onto his head and thre( himse&f f&at onto the f&oor as the asi&is!*s tai& s(ung o"er him again#
+He&) me1he&) me1- Harr' thought, his e'es s.re(ed tight under the hat# +P&ease he&) me,-
There (as no ans(ering "oi.e# Instead, the hat .ontra.ted, as though an in"isi&e hand (as s6uee;ing it "er' tight&'#
80
Something "er' hard and hea"' thudded onto the to) of Harr'*s head, a&most !no.!ing him out# Stars (in!ing in front of his
e'es, he graed the to) of the hat to )u&& it off and fe&t something &ong and hard eneath it#
A g&eaming si&"er s(ord had a))eared inside the hat, its hand&e g&ittering (ith ruies the si;e of eggs#
+AI77 THE BOY, 7EA%E THE BIRD, THE BOY IS BEHIND YO3# SNI991S$E77 HI$#-
Harr' (as on his feet, read'# The asi&is!*s head (as fa&&ing, its od' .oi&ing around, hitting )i&&ars as it t(isted to fa.e him#
He .ou&d see the "ast, &ood' e'e so.!ets, see the mouth stret.hing (ide, (ide enough to s(a&&o( him (ho&e, &ined (ith fangs
&ong as his s(ord, thin, g&ittering, "enomous###
It &unged &ind&'# Harr' dodged and it hit the Chamer (a&&# It &unged again, and its for!ed tongue &ashed Harr'*s side# He
raised the s(ord in oth his hands#
The asi&is! &unged again, and this time its aim (as true1Harr' thre( his (ho&e (eight ehind the s(ord and dro"e it to the
hi&t into the roof of the ser)ent*s mouth#
But as (arm &ood dren.hed Harr'*s arms, he fe&t a searing )ain 0ust ao"e his e&o(# One &ong, )oisonous fang (as sin!ing
dee)er and dee)er into his arm and it s)&intered as the asi&is! !ee&ed o"er side(a's and fe&&, t(it.hing, to the f&oor#
Harr' s&id do(n the (a&&# He gri))ed the fang that (as s)reading )oison through his od' and (ren.hed it out of his arm#
But he !ne( it (as too &ate# White:hot )ain (as s)reading s&o(&' and steadi&' from the (ound# E"en as he dro))ed the fang
and (at.hed his o(n &ood soa!ing his roes, his "ision (ent fogg'# The Chamer (as disso&"ing in a (hir& of du&& .o&or#
A )at.h of s.ar&et s(am )ast, and Harr' heard a soft .&atter of .&a(s eside him#
+9a(!es,- said Harr' thi.!&'# +You (ere fantasti., 9a(!es###- He fe&t the ird &a' its eautifu& head on the s)ot (here the
ser)ent*s fang had )ier.ed him#
He .ou&d hear e.hoing footste)s and then a dar! shado( mo"ed in front of him#
+You*re dead, Harr' Potter,- said Ridd&e*s "oi.e ao"e him# +Dead# E"en Dum&edore*s ird !no(s it# Do 'ou see (hat he*s
doing, Potter2 He*s .r'ing#-
Harr' &in!ed# 9a(!es*s head s&id in and out of fo.us# Thi.!, )ear&' tears (ere tri.!&ing do(n the g&oss' feathers#
+I*m going to sit here and (at.h 'ou die, Harr' Potter# Ta!e 'our time# I*m in no hurr'#-
Harr' fe&t dro(s'# E"er'thing around him seemed to e s)inning#
+So ends the famous Harr' Potter,- said Ridd&e*s distant "oi.e# +A&one in the Chamer of Se.rets, forsa!en ' his friends,
defeated at &ast ' the Dar! 7ord he so un(ise&' .ha&&enged# You*&& e a.! (ith 'our dear $ud&ood mother soon, Harr'###
She ought 'ou t(e&"e 'ears of orro(ed time### ut 7ord %o&demort got 'ou in the end, as 'ou !ne( he must###-
If this is d'ing, thought Harr', it*s not so ad# E"en the )ain (as &ea"ing him###
But (as this d'ing2 Instead of going &a.!, the Chamer seemed to e .oming a.! into fo.us# Harr' ga"e his head a &itt&e
sha!e and there (as 9a(!es, sti&& resting his head on Harr'*s arm# A )ear&' )at.h of tears (as shining a&& around the (ound1
e/.e)t that there (as no (ound#
+8et a(a', ird,- said Ridd&e*s "oi.e sudden&'# +8et a(a' from him1I said, get a(a',-
Harr' raised his head# Ridd&e (as )ointing Harr'*s (and at 9a(!es5 there (as a ang &i!e a gun, and 9a(!es too! f&ight
again in a (hir& of go&d and s.ar&et#
+Phoeni/ tears###- said Ridd&e 6uiet&', staring at Harr'*s arm# +Of .ourse### hea&ing )o(ers### I forgot###-
He &oo!ed into Harr'*s fa.e# +But it ma!es no differen.e# In fa.t, I )refer it this (a'# @ust 'ou and me, Harr' Potter### 'ou and
me###-
He raised the (and#
Then, in a rush of (ings, 9a(!es had soared a.! o"erhead and something fe&& into Harr'*s &a)1the diar'#
9or a s)&it se.ond, oth Harr' and Ridd&e, (and sti&& raised, stared at it# Then, (ithout thin!ing, (ithout .onsidering, as
though he had meant to do it a&& a&ong, Harr' sei;ed the asi&is! fang on the f&oor ne/t to him and )&unged it straight into the
heart of the oo!#
There (as a &ong, dreadfu&, )ier.ing s.ream# In! s)urted out of the diar' in torrents, streaming o"er Harr'*s hands, f&ooding
the f&oor# Ridd&e (as (rithing and t(isting, s.reaming and f&ai&ing and then###
He had gone# Harr'*s (and fe&& to the f&oor (ith a .&atter and there (as si&en.e# Si&en.e e/.e)t for the stead' dri) dri) of in!
sti&& oo;ing from the diar'# The asi&is! "enom had urned a si;;&ing ho&e right through it#
Sha!ing a&& o"er, Harr' )u&&ed himse&f u)# His head (as s)inning as though he*d 0ust tra"e&ed mi&es ' 9&oo )o(der# S&o(&',
he gathered together his (and and the Sorting Hat, and, (ith a huge tug, retrie"ed the g&ittering s(ord from the roof of the
asi&is!*s mouth#
Then .ame a faint moan from the end of the Chamer# 8inn' (as stirring# As Harr' hurried to(ard her, she sat u)# Her
emused e'es tra"e&ed from the huge form of the dead asi&is!, o"er Harr', in his &ood:soa!ed roes, then to the diar' in his
hand# She dre( a great, shuddering gas) and tears egan to )our do(n her fa.e#
+Harr'1oh, Harr'1I tried to te&& 'ou at :rea!fast, ut I .:.ou&dn*t sa' it in front of Per.'1it (as me, Harr'1ut I1I s:
s(ear I d:didn*t mean to1R:Ridd&e made me, he t:too! me o"er1and1ho( did 'ou !i&& that1that thing2 W:(here*s Ridd&e2
The &ast thing I rrememer is him .oming out of the diar'1-
+ It*s a&& right,- said Harr', ho&ding u) the diar', and sho(ing 8inn' the fang ho&e, +Ridd&e*s finished# 7oo!, Him and the
asi&is!# C*mon, 8inn', &et*s get out of here1-
+I*m going to e e/)e&&ed,- 8inn' (e)t as Harr' he&)ed her a(!(ard&' to her feet# +I*"e &oo!ed for(ard to .oming to
Hog(arts e"er sin.e B:Bi&& .ame and n:no( I*&& ha"e to &ea"e and1(:(hat*&& $um and Dad sa'2-
9a(!es (as (aiting for them, ho"ering in the Chamer entran.e# Harr' urged 8inn' for(ard5 the' ste))ed o"er the
motion&ess .oi&s of the dead asi&is!, through the e.hoing g&oom, and a.! into the tunne&# Harr' heard the stone doors .&ose
ehind them (ith a soft hiss#
After a fe( minutes* )rogress u) the dar! tunne&, a distant sound of s&o(&' shifting ro.! rea.hed Harr'*s ears#
+Ron,- Harr' 'e&&ed, s)eeding u)# +8inn'*s o!a', I*"e got her,-
81
He heard Ron gi"e a strang&ed .heer, and the' turned the ne/t end to see his eager fa.e staring through the si;a&e ga) he
had managed to ma!e in the ro.! fa&&#
+8inn',- Ron thrust an arm through the ga) in the ro.! to )u&& her through first# +You*re a&i"e, I don*t e&ie"e it, What
ha))ened2- Ho(1(hat1(here did that ird .ome from2-
9a(!es had s(oo)ed through the ga) after 8inn'#
+He*s Dum&edore*s,- said Harr', s6uee;ing through himse&f
+Ho( .ome 'ou*"e got a s(ord2- said Ron, ga)ing at the g&ittering (ea)on in Harr'*s hand#
+I*&& e/)&ain (hen (e get out of here,- said Harr' (ith a side(a's g&an.e at 8inn', (ho (as .r'ing harder than e"er#
+But1-
+7ater,- Harr' said short&'# He didn*t thin! it (as a good idea to te&& Ron 'et (ho*d een o)ening the Chamer, not in front
of 8inn', an'(a'# +Where*s 7o.!hart2-
+Ba.! there,- said Ron, sti&& &oo!ing )u;;&ed ut 0er!ing his head u) the tunne& to(ard the )i)e# +He*s in a ad (a'# Come
and see#-
7ed ' 9a(!es, (hose (ide s.ar&et (ings emitted a soft go&den g&o( in the dar!ness, the' (a&!ed a&& the (a' a.! to the
mouth of the )i)e# 8i&dero' 7o.!hart (as sitting there, humming )&a.id&' to himse&f#
+His memor'*s gone,- said Ron# +The $emor' Charm a.!fired# Hit him instead of us# Hasn*t got a .&ue (ho he is, or (here
he is, or (ho (e are# I to&d him to .ome and (ait here# He*s a danger to himse&f-
7o.!hart )eered good:natured&' u) at them a&&#
+He&&o,- he said# +Odd sort of )&a.e, this, isn*t it2 Do 'ou &i"e here2-
+No,- said Ron, raising his e'ero(s at Harr'#
Harr' ent do(n and &oo!ed u) the &ong, dar! )i)e#
+Ha"e 'ou thought ho( (e*re going to get a.! u) this2- he said to Ron#
Ron shoo! his head, ut 9a(!es the )hoeni/ had s(oo)ed )ast Harr' and (as no( f&uttering in front of him, his ead' e'es
right in the dar!# He (as (a"ing his &ong go&den tai& feathers# Harr' &oo!ed un.ertain&' at him#
+He &oo!s &i!e he (ants 'ou to gra ho&d ##- said Ron, &oo!ing )er)&e/ed# +But 'ou*re mu.h too hea"' for a ird to )u&& u)
there1-
+9a(!es,- said Harr', +isn*t an ordinar' ird#- He turned 6ui.!&' to the others# +We*"e got to ho&d on to ea.h other# 8inn',
gra Ron*s hand# Professor 7o.!hart1-
+He means 'ou,- said Ron shar)&' to 7o.!hart#
+You ho&d 8inn'*s other hand1-
Harr' tu.!ed the s(ord and the Sorting Hat into his e&t, Ron too! ho&d of the a.! of Harr'*s roes, and Harr' rea.hed out
and too! ho&d of 9a(!es*s strange&' hot tai& feathers#
An e/traordinar' &ightness seemed to s)read through his (ho&e od' and the ne/t se.ond, in a rush of (ings, the' (ere
f&'ing u)(ard through the )i)e# Harr' .ou&d hear 7o.!hart dang&ing e&o( him, sa'ing, +Ama;ing, Ama;ing, This is 0ust &i!e
magi.,- The .hi&& air (as (hi))ing through Harr'*s hair, and efore he*d sto))ed en0o'ing the ride, it (as o"er1a&& four of
them (ere hitting the (et f&oor of $oaning $'rt&e*s athroom, and as 7o.!hart straightened his hat, the sin! that hid the )i)e
(as s&iding a.! into )&a.e#
$'rt&e gogg&ed at them#
+You*re a&i"e,- she said &an!&' to Harr'#
+There*s no need to sound so disa))ointed,- he said grim&', (i)ing f&e.!s of &ood and s&ime off his g&asses#
+Oh, (e&&### Id 0ust een thin!ing### if 'ou had died, 'ou*d ha"e een (e&.ome to share m' toi&et,- said $'rt&e, &ushing
si&"er#
+3rgh,- said Ron as the' &eft the athroom for the dar!, deserted .orridor outside# +Harr', I thin! $'rt&e*s gro(n fond of
'ou, You*"e got .om)etition, 8inn',-
But tears (ere sti&& f&ooding si&ent&' do(n 8inn'*s fa.e#
+Where no(2- said Ron, (ith an an/ious &oo! at 8inn'# Harr' )ointed#
9a(!es (as &eading the (a', g&o(ing go&d a&ong the .orridor# The' strode after him, and moments &ater, found themse&"es
outside Professor $.8onaga&&*s offi.e#
Harr' !no.!ed and )ushed the door o)en#
CHAPTER EI8HTEEN
DOBBY*S REWARD
9or a moment there (as si&en.e as Harr', Ron, 8inn', and 7o.!hart stood in the door(a', .o"ered in mu.! and s&ime and
<in Harr'*s .ase= &ood# Then there (as a s.ream#
+8inn',-
It (as $rs# Weas&e', (ho had een sitting .r'ing in front of the fire# She &ea)t to her feet, .&ose&' fo&&o(ed ' $r# Weas&e',
and oth of them f&ung themse&"es on their daughter#
Harr', ho(e"er, (as &oo!ing )ast them# Professor Dum&edore (as standing ' the mante&)ie.e, eaming, ne/t to Professor
$.8onaga&&, (ho (as ta!ing great, stead'ing gas)s, .&ut.hing her .hest# 9a(!es (ent (hooshing )ast Harr'*s ear and sett&ed
on Dum&edore*s shou&der, 0ust as Harr' found himse&f and Ron eing s(e)t into $rs# Weas&e's tight emra.e#
+You sa"ed her, You sa"ed her, Ho( did 'ou do it2-
+I thin! (e*d a&& &i!e to !no( that,- said Professor $.8onaga&& (ea!&'#
$rs# Weas&e' &et go of Harr', (ho hesitated for a moment, then (a&!ed o"er to the des! and &aid u)on it the Sorting Hat, the
ru':en.rusted s(ord, and (hat remained of Ridd&e*s diar'#
82
Then he started te&&ing them e"er'thing# 9or near&' a 6uarter of an hour he s)o!e into the ra)t si&en.e4 He to&d them aout
hearing the disemodied "oi.e, ho( Hermione had fina&&' rea&i;ed that he (as hearing a asi&is! in the )i)es5 ho( he and Ron
had fo&&o(ed the s)iders into the forest, that Aragog had to&d them (here the &ast "i.tim of the asi&is! had died5 ho( he had
guessed that $oaning $'rt&e had een the "i.tim, and that the entran.e to the Chamer of Se.rets might e in her athroom###
+%er' (e&&,- Professor $.8onaga&& )rom)ted him as he )aused, +so 'ou found out (here the entran.e (as1rea!ing a
hundred s.hoo& ru&es into )ie.es a&ong the (a', I might add1ut ho( on earth did 'ou a&& get out of there a&i"e, Potter2-
So Harr', his "oi.e no( gro(ing hoarse from a&& this ta&!ing, to&d them aout 9a(!es*s time&' arri"a& and aout the Sorting
Hat gi"ing him the s(ord# But then he fa&tered# He had so far a"oided mentioning Ridd&e*s diar'1or 8inn'# She (as standing
(ith her head against $rs# Weas&e'*s shou&der, and tears (ere sti&& .oursing si&ent&' do(n her .hee!s# What if the' e/)e&&ed
her2 Harr' thought in )ani.# Ridd&e*s diar' didn*t (or! an'more### Ho( .ou&d the' )ro"e it had een he (ho*d made her do it
a&&2
Instin.ti"e&', Harr' &oo!ed at Dum&edore, (ho smi&ed faint&', the fire&ight g&an.ing off his ha&f:moon s)e.ta.&es#
+PWhat interests me most,- said Dum&edore gent&', +is ho( 7ord %o&demort managed to en.hant 8inn', (hen m' sour.es
te&& me he is .urrent&' in hiding in the forests of A&ania#-
Re&ief1(arm, s(ee)ing, g&orious re&ief1s(e)t o"er Harr'# +W:(hat*s that2- said $r# Weas&e' in a stunned "oi.e# +You:
Ano(:Who2 En:en.hant 8inn'2 But 8inn'*s not### 8inn' hasn*t een### has she2-
+It (as this diar',- said Harr' 6ui.!&', )i.!ing it u) and sho(ing it to Dum&edore# +Ridd&e (rote it (hen he (as si/teen###-
Dum&edore too! the diar' from Harr' and )eered !een&' do(n his &ong, .roo!ed nose at its urnt and sogg' )ages#
+Bri&&iant,- he said soft&'# +Of .ourse, he (as )roa&' the most ri&&iant student Hog(arts has e"er seen#- He turned around
to the Weas&e's, (ho (ere &oo!ing utter&' e(i&dered#
+%er' fe( )eo)&e !no( that 7ord %o&demort (as on.e .a&&ed Tom Ridd&e# I taught him m'se&f, fift' 'ears ago, at Hog(arts#
He disa))eared after &ea"ing the s.hoo&### tra"e&ed far and (ide### san! so dee)&' into the Dar! Arts, .onsorted (ith the "er'
(orst of our !ind, under(ent so man' dangerous, magi.a& transformations, that (hen he resurfa.ed as 7ord %o&demort, he (as
are&' re.ogni;a&e# Hard&' an'one .onne.ted 7ord %o&demort (ith the .&e"er, handsome o' (ho (as on.e Head Bo' here#-
+But, 8inn',- said $rs# Weas&e'# +What*s our 8inn' got to do (ith1(ith1him2-
+His d:diar',- 8inn' soed# +I*"e :een (riting in it, and he*s een (:(riting a.! a&& 'ear1-
+8inn',- said $r# Weas&e', f&aergasted# +Ha"en*t I taught 'ou an'thing# What ha"e I a&(a's to&d 'ou2 Ne"er trust
an'thing that .an thin! for itse&f if 'ou .an*t see (here it !ee)s its rain2 Wh' didn*t 'ou sho( the diar' to me, or 'our
mother2 A sus)i.ious o0e.t &i!e that, it (as .&ear&' fu&& of Dar! $agi.,-
+I d:didn*t !no(,- soed 8inn'# +I found it inside one of the oo!s $um got me# I th:thought someone had 0ust &eft it in
there and forgotten aout it1-
+$iss Weas&e' shou&d go u) to the hos)ita& (ing right a(a',- Dum&edore interru)ted in a firm "oi.e# +This has een a
terri&e ordea& for her# There (i&& e no )unishment# O&der and (iser (i;ards than she ha"e een hood(in!ed ' 7ord
%o&demort#- He strode o"er to the door and o)ened it# +Bed rest and )erha)s a &arge, steaming mug of hot .ho.o&ate# I a&(a's
find that .heers me u),- he added, t(in!&ing !ind&' do(n at her# +You (i&& find that $adam Pomfre' is sti&& a(a!e# She*s 0ust
gi"ing out $andra!e 0ui.e1I daresa' the asi&is!*s "i.tims (i&& e (a!ing u) an' moment#-
+So Hermione*s o!a',- said Ron right&'#
+There has een no &asting harm done, 8inn',- said Dum&edore#
$rs# Weas&e' &ed 8inn' out, and $r# Weas&e' fo&&o(ed, sti&& &oo!ing dee)&' sha!en#
+You !no(, $iner"a,- Professor Dum&edore said thoughtfu&&' to Professor $.8onaga&&, +I thin! a&& this merits a good
feast# $ight I as! 'ou to go and a&ert the !it.hens2-
+Right,- said Professor $.8onaga&& .ris)&', a&so mo"ing to the door# +I*&& &ea"e 'ou to dea& (ith Potter and Weas&e', sha&&
I2-
+Certain&',- said Dum&edore#
She &eft, and Harr' and Ron ga;ed un.ertain&' at Dum&edore# What e/a.t&' had Professor $.8onaga&& meant, dea& (ith
them2 Sure&'1sure&'1the' (eren*t aout to e )unished2
+I seem to rememer te&&ing 'ou oth that I (ou&d ha"e to e/)e& 'ou if 'ou ro!e an' more s.hoo& ru&es, said Dum&edore#
Ron o)ened his mouth in horror#
+Whi.h goes to sho( that the est of us must sometimes eat our (ords,- Dum&edore (ent on, smi&ing# +You (i&& oth
re.ei"e S)e.ia& A(ards for Ser"i.es to the S.hoo& and1&et me see1'es, I thin! t(o hundred )oints a)ie.e for 8r'ffindor#-
Ron (ent as right&' )in! as 7o.!hart*s "a&entine f&o(ers and .&osed his mouth again#
+But one of us seems to e !ee)ing mighti&' 6uiet aout his )art in this dangerous ad"enture,- Dum&edore added# +Wh' so
modest, 8i&dero'2-
Harr' ga"e a start# He had .om)&ete&' forgotten aout 7o.!hart# He turned and sa( that 7o.!hart (as standing in a .orner of
the room, sti&& (earing his "ague smi&e# When Dum&edore addressed him, 7o.!hart &oo!ed o"er his shou&der to see (ho he
(as ta&!ing to#
+Professor Dum&edore,- Ron said 6ui.!&', +there (as an a..ident do(n in the Chamer of Se.rets# Professor 7o.!hart1-
+Am I a )rofessor2- said 7o.!hart in mi&d sur)rise# +8oodness# I e/)e.t I (as ho)e&ess, (as I2-
+He tried to do a $emor' Charm and the (and a.!fired,- Ron e/)&ained 6uiet&' to Dum&edore#
+Dear me,- said Dum&edore, sha!ing his head, his &ong si&"er musta.he 6ui"ering# +Im)a&ed u)on 'our o(n s(ord,
8i&dero',-
+S(ord2- said 7o.!hart dim&'# +Ha"en*t got a s(ord# That o' has, though#- He )ointed at Harr'# +He*&& &end 'ou one#-
+Wou&d 'ou mind ta!ing Professor 7o.!hart u) to the infirmar', too2- Dum&edore said to Ron# +Id &i!e a fe( more (ords
(ith Harr'###-
7o.!hart am&ed out# Ron .ast a .urious &oo! a.! at Dum&edore and Harr' as he .&osed the door#
Dum&edore .rossed to one of the .hairs ' the fire#
83
+Sit do(n, Harr',- he said, and Harr' sat, fee&ing una..ounta&' ner"ous#
+9irst of a&&, Harr', I (ant to than! 'ou,- said Dum&edore, e'es t(in!&ing again# +You must ha"e sho(n me rea& &o'a&t'
do(n in the Chamer# Nothing ut that .ou&d ha"e .a&&ed 9a(!es to 'ou#-
He stro!ed the )hoeni/, (hi.h had f&uttered do(n onto his !nee# Harr' grinned a(!(ard&' as Dum&edore (at.hed him#
+And so 'ou met Tom Ridd&e,- said Dum&edore thoughtfu&&'# +I imagine he (as most interested in 'ou###-
Sudden&', something that (as nagging at Harr' .ame tum&ing out of his mouth#
+Professor Dum&edore### Ridd&e said I*m &i!e him# Strange &i!enesses, he said###-
+Did he, no(2- said Dum&edore, &oo!ing thoughtfu&&' at Harr' from under his thi.! si&"er e'ero(s# +And (hat do 'ou
thin!, Harr'2-
+I don*t thin! I*m &i!e him,- said Harr', more &oud&' than he*d intended# +I mean, I*m1I*m in 8r'ffindor, I*m###-
But he fe&& si&ent, a &ur!ing dout resurfa.ing in his mind#
+Professor,- he started again after a moment# +The Sorting Hat to&d me I*d1I*d ha"e done (e&& in S&'therin# E"er'one
thought I (as S&'therin*s heir for a (hi&e### e.ause I .an s)ea! Parse&tongue###-
+You .an s)ea! Parse&tongue, Harr',- said Dum&edore .a&m&', +e.ause 7ord %o&demort1(ho is the &ast remaining
an.estor of Sa&a;ar S&'therin1.an s)ea! Parse&tongue# 3n&ess I*m mu.h mista!en, he transferred some of his o(n )o(ers to
'ou the night he ga"e 'ou that s.ar# Not something he intended to do, I*m sure###-
+%o&demort )ut a it of himse&f in me2- Harr' said, thunderstru.!#
+It .ertain&' seems so#-
+So I shou&d e in S&'therin,- Harr' said, &oo!ing des)erate&' into Dum&edore*s fa.e# +The Sorting Hat .ou&d see S&'therin*s
)o(er in me, and it1-
+Put 'ou in 8r'ffindor,- said Dum&edore .a&m&'# +7isten to me, Harr'# You ha))en to ha"e man' 6ua&ities Sa&a;ar S&'therin
)ri;ed in his hand)i.!ed students# His o(n "er' rare gift, Parse&tongue1resour.efu&ness1determination1a .ertain disregard
for ru&es,- he added, his musta.he 6ui"ering again# +Yet the Sorting Hat )&a.ed 'ou in 8r'ffindor# You !no( (h' that (as#
Thin!#-
+It on&' )ut me in 8r'ffindor,- said Harr' in a defeated "oi.e, +e.ause I as!ed not to go in S&'therin###-
+E/a.t&',- said Dum&edore, eaming on.e more# +Whi.h ma!es 'ou "er' different from Tom Ridd&e# It is our .hoi.es,
Harr', that sho( (hat (e tru&' are, far more than our ai&ities#- Harr' sat motion&ess in his .hair, stunned# +If 'ou (ant )roof,
Harr', that 'ou e&ong in 8r'ffindor, I suggest 'ou &oo! more .&ose&' at this#-
Dum&edore rea.hed a.ross to Professor $.8onaga&&*s des!, )i.!ed u) the &ood:stained si&"er s(ord, and handed it to
Harr'# Du&&', Harr' turned it o"er, the ruies &a;ing in the fire&ight# And then he sa( the name engra"ed 0ust e&o( the hi&t#
8odri. 8r'ffindor
+On&' a true 8r'ffindor .ou&d ha"e )u&&ed that out of the hat, Harr',- said Dum&edore sim)&'#
9or a minute, neither of them s)o!e# Then Dum&edore )u&&ed o)en one of the dra(ers in Professor $.8onaga&&*s des! and
too! out a 6ui&& and a ott&e of in!#
What 'ou need, Harr', is some food and s&ee)# I suggest 'ou go do(n to the feast, (hi&e I (rite to A;!aan1(e need our
game!ee)er a.!# And I must draft an ad"ertisement for the Dai&' Pro)het, too,- he added thoughtfu&&'# +We*&& e needing a
ne( Defense Against the Dar! Arts tea.her### Dear me, (e do seem to run through them, don*t (e2-
Harr' got u) and .rossed to the door# He had 0ust rea.hed for the hand&e, ho(e"er, (hen the door urst o)en so "io&ent&' that
it oun.ed a.! off the (a&&#
7u.ius $a&fo' stood there, fur' in his fa.e# And .o(ering ehind his &egs, hea"i&' (ra))ed in andages, (as Do'#
+8ood e"ening, 7u.ius,- said Dum&edore )&easant&'#
$r# $a&fo' a&most !no.!ed Harr' o"er as he s(e)t into the room# Do' (ent s.urr'ing in after him, .rou.hing at the hem
of his .&oa!, a &oo! of a0e.t terror on his fa.e#
The e&f (as .arr'ing a stained rag (ith (hi.h he (as attem)ting to finish .&eaning $r# $a&fo's shoes# A))arent&' $r#
$a&fo' had set out in a great hurr', for not on&' (ere his shoes ha&f:)o&ished, ut his usua&&' s&ee! hair (as dishe"e&ed#
Ignoring the e&f oing a)o&ogeti.a&&' around his an!&es, he fi/ed his .o&d e'es u)on Dum&edore#
+So,- he said +You*"e .ome a.!# The go"ernors sus)ended 'ou, ut 'ou sti&& sa( fit to return to Hog(arts#-
+We&&, 'ou see, 7u.ius,- said Dum&edore, smi&ing serene&', +the other e&e"en go"ernors .onta.ted me toda'# It (as
something &i!e eing .aught in a hai&storm of o(&s, to te&& the truth# The'*d heard that Arthur Weas&e's daughter had een
!i&&ed and (anted me a.! here at on.e# The' seemed to thin! I (as the est man for the 0o after a&&# %er' strange ta&es the'
to&d me, too### Se"era& of them seemed to thin! that 'ou had threatened to .urse their fami&ies if the' didn*t agree to sus)end me
in the first )&a.e#-
$r# $a&fo' (ent e"en )a&er than usua&, ut his e'es (ere sti&& s&its of fur'#
+So1ha"e 'ou sto))ed the atta.!s 'et2- he sneered# +Ha"e 'ou .aught the .u&)rit2-
+We ha"e,- said Dum&edore, (ith a smi&e#
+We&&2- said $r# $a&fo' shar)&'# +Who is it2-
+The same )erson as &ast time, 7u.ius,- said Dum&edore# +But this time, 7ord %o&demort (as a.ting through someod'
e&se# B' means of this diar'#-
He he&d u) the sma&& &a.! oo! (ith the &arge ho&e through the .enter, (at.hing $r# $a&fo' .&ose&'# Harr', ho(e"er, (as
(at.hing Do'#
The e&f (as doing something "er' odd# His great e'es fi/ed meaningfu&&' on Harr', he !e)t )ointing at the diar', then at $r#
$a&fo', and then hitting himse&f hard on the head (ith his fist#
+I see###- said $r# $a&fo' s&o(&' to Dum&edore#
+A .&e"er )&an,- said Dum&edore in a &e"e& "oi.e, sti&& staring $r# $a&fo' straight in the e'e# +Be.ause if Harr' here-1$r#
$a&fo' shot Harr' a s(ift, shar) &oo!1-and his friend Ron hadn*t dis.o"ered this oo!, (h'18inn' Weas&e' might ha"e
ta!en a&& the &ame# No one (ou&d e"er ha"e een a&e to )ro"e she hadn*t a.ted of her o(n free (i&&###-
84
$r# $a&fo' said nothing# His fa.e (as sudden&' mas!:&i!e#
+And imagine,- Dum&edore (ent on, +(hat might ha"e ha))ened then### The Weas&e's are one of our most )rominent )ure:
&ood fami&ies# Imagine the effe.t on Arthur Weas&e' and his $ugg&e Prote.tion A.t, if his o(n daughter (as dis.o"ered
atta.!ing and1!i&&ing $ugg&e:orns### %er' fortunate the diar' (as dis.o"ered, and Ridd&e*s memories (i)ed from it# +Who
!no(s (hat the .onse6uen.es might ha"e een other(ise###-
$r# $a&fo' for.ed himse&f to s)ea!#
+%er' fortunate,- he said stiff&'#
And sti&&, ehind his a.!, Do' (as )ointing, first to the diar', then to 7u.ius $a&fo', then )un.hing himse&f in the head#
And Harr' sudden&' understood# He nodded at Do', and Do' a.!ed into a .orner, no( t(isting his ears in )unishment#
+Don*t 'ou (ant to !no( ho( 8inn' got ho&d of that diar', $r# $a&fo'2- said Harr'#
7u.ius $a&fo' rounded on him#
+Ho( shou&d I !no( ho( the stu)id &itt&e gir& got ho&d of it2- he said#
+Be.ause 'ou ga"e it to her,- said Harr'# +In 9&ourish and B&otts# You )i.!ed u) her o&d Transfiguration oo! and s&i))ed the
diar' inside it, didn*t 'ou2-
He sa( $r# $a&fo'*s (hite hands .&en.h and un.&en.h#
+Pro"e it,- he hissed#
+Oh, no one (i&& e a&e to do that,- said Dum&edore, smi&ing at Harr'# +Not no( that Ridd&e has "anished from the oo!#
On the other hand, I (ou&d ad"ise 'ou, 7u.ius, not to go gi"ing out an' more of 7ord %o&demort*s o&d s.hoo& things# If an'
more of them find their (a' into inno.ent hands, I thin! Arthur Weas&e', for one, (i&& ma!e sure the' are tra.ed a.! to 'ou###-
7u.ius $a&fo' stood for a moment, and Harr' distin.t&' sa( his right hand t(it.h as though he (as &onging to rea.h for his
(and# Instead, he turned to his house:e&f
+We*re going, Do',-
He (ren.hed o)en the door and as the e&f .ame hurr'ing u) to him, he !i.!ed him right through it# The' .ou&d hear Do'
s6uea&ing (ith )ain a&& the (a' a&ong the .orridor# Harr' stood for a moment, thin!ing hard# Then it .ame to him 1
+Professor Dum&edore,- he said hurried&'# +Can I gi"e that diar' a.! to $r# $a&fo', )&ease2-
+Certain&', Harr',- said Dum&edore .a&m&'# +But hurr'# The feast, rememer###-
Harr' graed the diar' and dashed out of the offi.e# He .ou&d hear Do'*s s6uea&s of )ain re.eding around the .orner#
>ui.!&', (ondering if this )&an .ou&d )ossi&' (or!, Harr' too! off one of his shoes, )u&&ed off his s&im', fi&th' so.!, and
stuffed the diar' into it# Then he ran do(n the dar! .orridor#
He .aught u) (ith them at the to) of the stairs#
+$r# $a&fo',- he gas)ed, s!idding to a ha&t, +I*"e got something for 'ou1-
And he for.ed the sme&&' so.! into 7u.ius $a&fo'*s hand#
+What the :2-
$r# $a&fo' ri))ed the so.! off the diar', thre( it aside, then &oo!ed furious&' from the ruined oo! to Harr'#
You*&& meet the same sti.!' end as 'our )arents one of these da's, Harr' Potter,- he said soft&'# +The' (ere medd&esome
foo&s, too#
He turned to go#
+Come, Do'# I said, .ome#-
But Do' didn*t mo"e# He (as ho&ding u) Harr'*s disgusting, s&im' so.!, and &oo!ing at it as though it (ere a )ri.e&ess
treasure#
+$aster has gi"en a so.!,- said the e&f in (onderment# +$aster ga"e it to Do'#-
+What*s that2- s)at $r# $a&fo'# +What did 'ou sa'2-
+8ot a so.!,- said Do' in dise&ief# +$aster thre( it, and Do' .aught it, and Do'1Do' is free# +
7u.ius $a&fo' stood fro;en, staring at the e&f Then he &unged at Harr'#
+You*"e &ost me m' ser"ant, o',-
But Do' shouted, +You sha&& not harm Harr' Potter,-
There (as a &oud ang, and $r# $a&fo' (as thro(n a.!(ard# He .rashed do(n the stairs, three at a time, &anding in a
.rum)&ed hea) on the &anding e&o(# He got u), his fa.e &i"id, and )u&&ed out his (and, ut Do' raised a &ong, threatening
finger#
+You sha&& go no(,- he said fier.e&', )ointing do(n at $r# $a&fo'# +You sha&& not tou.h Harr' Potter# You sha&& go no(#-
7u.ius $a&fo' had no .hoi.e# With a &ast, in.ensed stare at the )air of them, he s(ung his .&oa! around him and hurried out
of sight#
+Harr' Potter freed Do',- said the e&f shri&&', ga;ing u) at Harr', moon&ight from the nearest (indo( ref&e.ted in his or:
&i!e e'es# +Harr' Potter set Do' free,-
+7east I .ou&d do, Do',- said Harr', grinning# +@ust )romise ne"er to tr' and sa"e m' &ife again#-
The e&f*s ug&' ro(n fa.e s)&it sudden&' into a (ide, tooth' smi&e#
+I*"e 0ust got one 6uestion, Do',- said Harr' as Do' )u&&ed on Harr'*s so.! (ith sha!ing hands# +You to&d me a&& this
had nothing to do (ith He:Who:$ust:Not:Be:Named, rememer2 We&&1-
+It (as a .&ue, sir,- said Do', his e'es (idening, as though this (as o"ious# +Was gi"ing 'ou a .&ue# The Dar! 7ord,
efore he .hanged his name, .ou&d e free&' named, 'ou see2-
+Right,- said Harr' (ea!&'# +We&&, Id etter go# There*s a feast, and m' friend Hermione shou&d e a(a!e ' no(###-
Do' thre( his arms around Harr'*s midd&e and hugged him#
+Harr' Potter is greater ' far than Do' !ne(,- he soed# +9are(e&&, Harr' Potter,-
And (ith a fina& &oud .ra.!, Do' disa))eared#
Harr' had een to se"era& Hog(arts feasts, ut ne"er one 6uite &i!e this# E"er'od' (as in their )a0amas, and the .e&eration
&asted a&& night# Harr' didn*t !no( (hether the est it (as Hermione running to(ard him, s.reaming +You so&"ed it, You
85
so&"ed it,- or @ustin hurr'ing o"er from the Huff&e)uff ta&e to (ring# his hand and a)o&ogi;e end&ess&' for sus)e.ting him, or
Hagrid turning u) at ha&f )ast three, .uffing Harr' and Ron so hard on the shou&ders that the' (ere !no.!ed into their )&ates of
trif&e, or his and Ron*s four hundred )oints for 8r'ffindor se.uring the House Cu) for the se.ond 'ear running, or Professor
$.8onaga&& standing u) to te&& them a&& that the e/ams had een .an.e&ed as a s.hoo& treat <+Oh, no,- said Hermione=, or
Dum&edore announ.ing that, unfortunate&', Professor 7o.!hart (ou&d e una&e to return ne/t 'ear, o(ing to the fa.t that he
needed to go a(a' and get his memor' a.!# >uite a fe( of the tea.hers 0oined in the .heering that greeted this ne(s#
+Shame,- said Ron, he&)ing himse&f to a 0am doughnut# +He (as starting to gro( on me#-
The rest of the fina& term )assed in a ha;e of &a;ing sunshine# Hog(arts (as a.! to norma& (ith on&' a fe(, sma&&
differen.es1Defense Against the Dar! Arts .&asses (ere .an.e&ed <+ut (e*"e had )&ent' of )ra.ti.e at that an'(a',- Ron to&d
a disgrunt&ed Hermione= and 7u.ius $a&fo' had een sa.!ed as a s.hoo& go"ernor# Dra.o (as no &onger strutting around the
s.hoo& as though he o(ned the )&a.e# On the .ontrar', he &oo!ed resentfu& and su&!'# On the other hand, 8inn' Weas&e' (as
)erfe.t&' ha))' again#
Too soon, it (as time for the 0ourne' home on the Hog(arts E/)ress# Harr', Ron, Hermione, 9red, 8eorge, and 8inn' got a
.om)artment to themse&"es# The' made the most of the &ast fe( hours in (hi.h the' (ere a&&o(ed to do magi. efore the
ho&ida's# The' )&a'ed E/)&oding Sna), set off the "er' &ast of 9red and 8eorge*s 9i&iuster fire(or!s, and )ra.ti.ed disarming
ea.h other ' magi.# Harr' (as getting "er' good at it#
The' (ere a&most at Aing*s Cross (hen Harr' rememered something#
+8inn'1(hat did 'ou see Per.' doing, that he didn*t (ant 'ou to te&& an'one2-
+Oh, that,- said 8inn', gigg&ing# +We&&1Per.'*s got a gir&friend#- 9red dro))ed a sta.! of oo!s on 8eorge*s head#
+What2-
+It*s that Ra"en.&a( )refe.t, Pene&o)e C&ear(ater,- said 8inn'# +That*s (ho he (as (riting to a&& &ast summer# He*s een
meeting her a&& o"er the s.hoo& in se.ret# I (a&!ed in on them !issing in an em)t' .&assroom one da'# He (as so u)set (hen
she (as1'ou !no(1atta.!ed# You (on*t tease him, (i&& 'ou2- she added an/ious&'#
+Wou&dn*t dream of it,- said 9red, (ho (as &oo!ing &i!e his irthda' had .ome ear&'#
+Definite&' not,- said 8eorge, sniggering#
The Hog(arts E/)ress s&o(ed and fina&&' sto))ed#
Harr' )u&&ed out his 6ui&& and a it of )ar.hment and turned to Ron and Hermione#
+This is .a&&ed a te&e)hone numer,- he to&d Ron, s.ri&ing it t(i.e, tearing the )ar.hment in t(o, and handing it to them# +I
to&d 'our dad ho( to use a te&e)hone &ast summer1he*&& !no(# Ca&& me at the Durs&e's*, o!a'2 I .an*t stand another t(o
months (ith on&' Dud&e' to ta&! to###-
+Your aunt and un.&e (i&& e )roud, though, (on*t the'2- said Hermione as the' got off the train and 0oined the .ro(d
thronging to(ard the en.hanted arrier# +When the' hear (hat 'ou did this 'ear2-
+Proud2- said Harr'# +Are 'ou .ra;'2 A&& those times I .ou&d*"e died, and I didn*t manage it2 The'*&& e furious###-
And together the' (a&!ed a.! through the gate(a' to the $ugg&e (or&d#
86