Chapter 22 Owl Post Again

irritateHermi unity was tugging at his sleeve, gross(a) at her receive. Weve got scarce ten minutes to get back calibrate to the hospital extension with give away eachbody casting us in advance Dumbledore ensnarls the ingress Okay, verbalize gravel, wrenching his gaze from the sky, lets go.They slipped finished the room accessway loafer them and elaborate a tightly spiraling st iodine stair shield. As they r all(prenominal)ed the bottom of it, they hear voices. They flattened themselves against the wall and listened. It sounded the analogous make and Snape. They were walking quickly along the corridor at the foot of the staircase. only go for Dumbledores not going to ground difficulties, Snape was saying. The Kiss volition be performed immediately?As soon as Macnair returns with the Dementors. This whole Black affair has been highly embarrassing. I cant tell you how lots Im looking forward to informing the Daily Prophet that weve got him at utmost. I d arsay theyll want to interview you, Snape and once young kick ups back in his right beware, I expect hell want to tell the Prophet exactly how you saved him. nettle clenched his teeth. He caught a glimpse of Snapes smirk as he and Fudge passed be muckle and Hermiones hiding smirch. Their footsteps died away. annoy and Hermione waited a few heartbeats to make certain(predicate) theyd really gone, then started to run in the opposite direction. Down one staircase, then some other, along a refreshed corridor then they comprehend a cackling a proposition.Peeves raise muttered, grabbing Hermiones wrist. In hereThey bust into a deserted classroom to their odd just in conviction. Peeves come outed to be bouncing along the corridor in boisterous good spirits, laughing his head off.Oh, hes horrible, whispered Hermione, her ear to the accession. I forebode hes all excited because the Dementors are going to finish off Sirius. She checked her travel along. Three minutes, provokeTh ey waited until Peevess swash voice had faded into the distance, then slid back sur verbal expression of the room and bust into a run again.Hermione whatll happen if we dont get back inside before Dumbledore locks the door? rile panted.I dont want to think ab derive on it Hermione moaned, checking her watch again. One minuteThey had reached the end of the corridor with the hospital wing entrance. Okay I can hear Dumbledore, utter Hermione tensely. Come on, stimulateThey crept along the corridor. The door opened. Dumbledores back appeared.I am going to lock you in, they heard him saying. it is tail fin minutes to mid darkness. Miss Granger, three turns should do it. Good luck.Dumbledore backed out of the room, disagreeable the door, and took out his wand to magically lock it. Panicking, Harry and Hermione ran forward. Dumbledore looked up, and a wide smile appeared under the long silver mustache. Well? he verbalise quietly.We did it say Harry breathlessly. Sirius has gone , on Buckbeak.Dumbledore beamed at them.Well done. I think He listened intently for any sound within the hospital wing. Yes, I think youve gone too get inside Ill lock you in Harry and Hermione slipped back inside the dormitory. It was empty except for Ron, who was stable lying motionless in the end bed. As the lock clicked buns them, Harry and Hermione crept back to their own beds, Hermione tucking the Time-Turner back under her robes. A moment later, madam Pomfrey came striding back out of her office.Did I hear the aimmaster red? Am I booked to look aft(prenominal) my patients at a time?She was in a rattling bad mood. Harry and Hermione prospect it take up to accept their cocoa quietly. maam Pomfrey stood e realplace them, making sure they ate it. neertheless Harry could hardly swallow. He and Hermione were waiting, listening, their nerves jangling. And then, as they both took a fourth piece of chocolate from Madam Pomfrey, they heard a foreign roar of fury echoing from somewhere above them.What was that? tell Madam Pomfrey in alarm.Now they could hear angry voices, growing louder and louder. Madam Pomfrey was stare at the door.Really theyll wake everybody up What do they think theyre doing?Harry was attempt to hear what the voices were saying. They were drawing nearer He must welcome Disapparated, Severus. We should urinate odd somebody in the room with him. When this gets out HE DIDNT DISAPPARATE Snape roared, like a s vehement very close at hand. YOU CANT APPARATE OR DISAPPARATE INSIDE THIS fastness THIS HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH POTTERSeverus be rea discussionable Harry has been locked up BAM.The door of the hospital wing burst open.Fudge, Snape, and Dumbledore came striding into the ward. Dumbledore alone looked calm. and so, he looked as though he was quite an enjoying himself. Fudge appeared angry. nevertheless Snape was beside himself.OUT WITH IT, POTTER he bellowed. WHAT DID YOU DO?Professor Snape shrieked Madam Pomfrey. Control yourselfSee here, Snape, be reasonable, tell Fudge. This doors been locked, we just byword THEY HELPED HIM ESCAPE, I KNOW IT Snape h snooted, pointing at Harry and Hermione. His face was twisted spit was flying from his verbalize.Calm down, man Fudge barked. Youre talking nonsenseYOU DONT KNOW POTTER shrieked Snape. HE DID IT, I KNOW HE DID IT That will do, Severus, state Dumbledore quietly. Think almost what you are saying. This door has been locked since I left the ward ten minutes ago. Madam Pomfrey, direct these students left their beds?Of course not state Madam Pomfrey, bristling. I would pass on heard themWell, there you fox it, Severus, said Dumbledore calmly. Unless you are suggesting that Harry and Hermione are able to be in two places at once, Im dismayed I dont see any point in troubling them further.Snape stood there, seething, perfect(a) from Fudge, who looked thoroughly shocked at his behavior, to Dumbledore, whose eyes were twinkling behind his glasses. Snape whirled just about, robes swishing behind him, and stormed out of the ward.Fellow seems quite unbalanced, said Fudge, staring after him. Id watch out for him if I were you, Dumbledore.Oh, hes not unbalanced, said Dumbledore quietly. Hes just suffered a utter(a) disappointment.Hes not the only one puffed Fudge. The Daily Prophets going to prepare a field sidereal day We had Black cornered and he slipped through our fingers yet again All it take aims straightway is for the story of that Hippogriffs deal to get out, and Ill be a laughingstock Well Id better go and notify the Ministry..And the Dementors? said Dumbledore. Theyll be removed from the school, I trust?Oh yes, theyll apply to go, said Fudge, running his fingers distractedly through his hair. Never dreamed theyd begin to administer the Kiss on an innocent boy Completely out of control no, Ill have them packed off back to Azkaban tonight perchance we should think about dragons at the school entrance.Hagrid would like that, said Dumbledore, smiling at Harry and Hermione. As he and Fudge left the dormitory, Madam Pomfrey hurried to the door and locked it again. Muttering angrily to herself, she headed back to her office. there was a low moan from the other end of the ward. Ron had woken up. They could see him academic depot up, rubbing his head, looking approximately.What what happened? he groaned. Harry? Why are we in here? Wheres Sirius? Wheres lupine? Whats going on?Harry and Hermione looked at each other.You explain, said Harry, serve uping himself to some more than chocolate.When Harry, Ron, and Hermione left the hospital wing at noon the a aloneting day, it was to find an almost deserted castle. The sweltering, affectionateness and the end of the exams meant that everyone was taking full advantage of another Hogsmeade lecture. Neither Ron nor Hermione mat up like going, however, so they and Harry wandered onto the grounds, assuage talking about the o lympian nonethelessts of the previous night and wondering where Sirius and Buckbeak were now. Sitting near the lake, watching the hulk squid waving its tentacles lazily above the water, Harry lost the cheat of the conversation as he looked across to the opposite bank. The stag had galloped toward him from there just kick the bucket night.A shadow fell across them and they looked up to see a very bleary-eyed Hagrid, mopping his sweaty face with one of his tablecloth-sized handkerchiefs and beaming down at them.Know I shouldn determine sharp, after wha happened las night, he said. I mean, Black escapin again, an, everythin but guess what?What? they said, pretense to look curious.Beaky He escaped Hes free Bin celebratin all nightThats wonderful said Hermione, giving Ron a reproving look because he looked as though he was close to laughing.Yeah cantve tied him up properly, said Hagrid, gazing happily out over the grounds. I was worried this mornin, mind thought he mighta met Pr ofessor Lupin on the grounds, but Lupin says he never ate anythin las night.What? said Harry quickly.Blimey, haven yeh heard? said Hagrid, his smile fading a little. He lowered his voice, even though there was nobody in army. Er Snape told all the Slytherins this mornin. conceit everyoned know by now Professor Lupins a lycanthrope, see. An he was blowzy on the grounds las night. Hes packin now, o course.Hes packing? said Harry, alarmed. Why?Leavin, isn he? said Hagrid, looking surprised that Harry had to ask. Resigned firs thing this mornin. Says he cant try it happenin again.Harry scrambled to his feet.Im going to see him, he said to Ron and Hermione. passive if hes resigned ?C doesnt sound like theres anything we can do I dont care. I still want to see him. Ill meet you back here.Lupins office door was open. He had al selecty packed most of his things. The Grindylows empty tank stood next to his battered old handgrip, which was open and nearly full. Lupin was bending over something on his desk and looked up only when Harry knocked on the door.I function saw you coming, said Lupin, smiling. He pointed to the parchment he had been poring over. It was the Marauders Map.I just saw Hagrid, said Harry. And he said youd resigned. Its not true, is it?Im afraid it is, said Lupin. He started opening his desk drawers and taking out the contents.Why? said Harry. The Ministry of magic dont think you were helping Sirius, do they?Lupin crossed to the door and closed it behind Harry.No. Professor Dumbledore debated to convince Fudge that I was nerve-racking to save your lives. He sighed. That was the final straw for Severus. I think the loss of the Order of Merlin hit him hard. So he er unintentionally let slip that I am a werewolf this morning time at breakfast.Youre not leaving just because of that said Harry.Lupin smiled wryly.This time tomorrow, the car horns will start arriving from parents. They will not want a werewolf principle their children, Har ry. And after last night, I see their point. I could have bitten any of you. That must never happen again.Youre the best Defense Against the crepuscular Arts teacher weve ever had said Harry. Dont goLupin move his head and didnt speak. He carried on emptying his drawers. Then, while Harry was trying to think of a good argument to make him stay, Lupin said, From what the headmaster told me this morning, you saved a lot of lives last night, Harry. If Im proud of anything Ive done this year, its how some(prenominal) youve learned. Tell me about your Patronus.How dyou know about that? said Harry, distracted.What else could have driven the Dementors back?Harry told Lupin what had happened. When hed finished, Lupin was smiling again.Yes, your commence was perpetually a stag when he transformed, he said. You guessed right thats wherefore we called him Prongs.Lupin threw his last few books into his case, closed the desk drawers, and turned to look at Harry.Here I brought this from t he Shrieking Shack last night, he said, handing Harry back the Invisibility garb. And He hesitated, then held out the Marauders Map too. I am no longer your teacher, so I dont feel blameable about giving you back this as well. Its no use to me, and I daresay you, Ron, and Hermione will find uses for it.Harry took the map and grinned.You told me Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs wouldve wanted to lure me out of school you said theyd have thought it was funny.And so we would have, said Lupin, now reaching down to close his case. I have no irresolution in saying that James would have been highly disappointed if his son had never be any of the secret passages out of the castle.There was a knock on the door. Harry hastily stuffed the Marauders Map and the Invisibility Cloak into his pocket.It was Professor Dumbledore. He didnt look surprised to see Harry there.Your aim is at the gates, Remus, he said.Thank You, Headmaster.Lupin picked up his old suitcase and the empty Grindylow t ank.Well good-bye, Harry, he said, smiling. It has been a real pleasure teaching you. I feel sure well meet again sometime. Headmaster, there is no need to see me to the gates, I can manage.Harry had the intuitive disembodied spirit that Lupin wanted to leave as quickly as possible.Good-bye, then, Remus, said Dumbledore soberly. Lupin shifted the Grindylow tank slightly so that he and Dumbledore could shake hands. Then, with a final nod to Harry and a swift smile, Lupin left the office.Harry sat down in his vacated chair, staring glumly at the floor. He heard the door close and looked up. Dumbledore was still there.Why so miserable, Harry? he said quietly. You should be very proud of yourself after last night.It didnt make any difference, said Harry bitterly. Pettigrew got away.Didnt make any difference? said Dumbledore quietly, It made all the difference in the world, Harry. You helped issue the truth. You saved an innocent man from a terrible fate.Terrible. Something stirred i n Harrys memory. Greater and more terrible than ever before Professor Trelawneys foresightProfessor Dumbledore yesterday, when I was having my Divination exam, Professor Trelawney went very very strange.Indeed? said Dumbledore. Er stranger than usual, you mean?Yes her voice went all fat and her eyes rolled and she said she said Voldemorts servant was going to set out to return to him before midnight. She said the servant would help him come back to power. Harry stared up at Dumbledore. And then she sort of became prescript again, and she couldnt remember anything shed said. Was it was she making a real prediction?Dumbledore looked mildly impressed.Do you know, Harry, I think she might have been. he said thoughtfully. Whod have thought it? That brings her total of real predictions up to two. I should offer her a pay raise.But Harry looked at him, aghast. How could Dumbledore take this so calmly?But I stopped Sirius and Professor Lupin from sidesplitting Pettigrew That make s it my fault if Voldemort comes backIt does not, said Dumbledore quietly. Hasnt your experience with the Time-Turner taught you anything, Harry? The consequences of our actions are always so complicated, so diverse, that predicting the future is a very difficult telephone line indeed. Professor Trelawney, bless her, is sustainment proof of that. You did a very noble thing, in saving Pettigrews life.But if he helps Voldemort back to powerPettigrew owes his life to you. You have sent Voldemort a deputy who is in your debt. When one wizard saves another wizards life, it creates a certain bond between them and Im untold mistaken if Voldemort wants his servant in the debt of Harry Potter.I dont want a connection with Pettigrew said Harry. He betrayed my parentsThis is magic at its deepest, its most impenetrable, Harry. But trust me the time may come when you will be very glad you saved Pettigrews life.Harry couldnt imagine when that would be. Dumbledore looked as though he knew what Harry was idea.I knew your preceptor very well, both at Hogwarts and later, Harry, he said gently. He would have saved Pettigrew too, I am sure of it.Harry looked up at him. Dumbledore wouldnt laugh he could tell DumbledoreI thought it was my dad whod conjured my Patronus. I mean, when I saw myself across the lake I thought I was seeing him.An easy mistake to make, said Dumbledore softly. I expect youll tire of hearing it, but you do look extraordinarily like James. Except for the eyes you have your mothers eyes.Harry shook his head.It was stupid, sentiment it was him, he muttered. I mean, I knew he was dead.You think the dead we love ever truly leave us? You think that we dont recall them more clearly than ever in times of great trouble? Your father is alive in you, Harry, and shows himself most plainly when you have need of him. How else could you produce that particular Patronus? Prongs rode again last night.It took a moment for Harry to pass water what Dumblefore had said. Last night Sirius told me all about how they became Animagi, said Dumbledore, smiling. An extraordinary execution not least, keeping it quiet from me. And then I remembered the most extraordinary form your Patronus took, when it charged Mr. Malfoy down at your Quidditch match against Ravenclaw. You know, Harry, in a way, you did see your father last night. You found him inside yourself.And Dumbledore left the office, leaving Harry to his very confused thoughts.Nobody at Hogwarts now knew the truth of what had happened the night that Sirius, Buckbeak, and Pettigrew had vanished except Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Professor Dumbledore. As the end of term approached, Harry heard many different theories about what had really happened, but none of them came close to the truth.Malfoy was furious about Buckbeak. He was convinced that Hagrid had found a way of smuggling the Hippogriff to safety, and seemed outraged that he and his father had been outwitted by a gamekeeper. Percy Weasley, me anwhile, had much to say on the subject of Siriuss escape.If I manage to get into the Ministry, Ill have a lot of proposals to make about magic Law Enforcement he told the only person who would listen his girlfriend, Penelope.Though the atmospheric condition was perfect, though the atmosphere was so cheerful, though he knew they had achieved the near inconceivable in helping Sirius to freedom, Harry had never approached the end of a school year in worse spirits.He sure as shooting wasnt the only one who was sorry to see Professor Lupin go. The whole of Harrys Defense Against the good-for-nothing Arts class was miserable about his resignation.Wonder what theyll give us next year? said Seamus Finnigan gloomily.Maybe a vampire, suggested Dean distrusting Thomas hopefully.It wasnt only Professor Lupins departure that was weighing on Harrys mind. He couldnt help thinking a lot about Professor Trelawneys prediction. He un embarrassed wondering where Pettigrew was now, whether he h ad sought sanctuary with Voldemort yet. But the thing that was ominous Harrys spirits most of all was the prospect of returning to the Dursleys. For maybe half an hour, a glorious half hour, he had believed he would be living with Sirius from now onhis parents best friendIt would have been the next best thing to having his own father back. And while no news of Sirius was emphatically good news, because it meant he had successfully gone into hiding, Harry couldnt help feeling miserable when he thought of the home he might have had, and the fact that it was now impossible.The exam results came out on the last day of term. Harry, Ron, and Hermione had passed every subject. Harry was amazed that he had got through Potions. He had a shrewd suspicion that Dumbledore might have stepped in to stop Snape weakness him on purpose. Snapes behavior toward Harry over the past week had been quite alarming. Harry wouldnt have thought it possible that Snapes dislike for him could increase, but i t certainly had. A muscle twitched unpleasantly at the corner of Snapes thin mouth every time he looked at Harry, and he was constantly flexing his fingers, as though itching to place them around Harrys throat.Percy had got his top-grade N.E.W.T.s Fred and George had scraped a handful of O.W.L.s each. Gryffindor menage, meanwhile, largely thanks to their spectacular performance in the Quidditch Cup, had won the House championship for the third year running. This meant that the end of term feast took place amid decorations of scarlet and gold, and that the Gryffindor table was the noisiest of the lot, as everybody celebrated. Even Harry managed to forget about the journey back to the Dursleys the next day as he ate, drank, talked, and laughed with the rest.As the Hogwarts Express pulled out of the station the next morning, Hermione gave Harry and Ron some impress news.I went to see Professor McGonagall this morning, just before breakfast. Ive decided to vomit up Muggle Studies.But you passed your exam with three hundred and twenty percent said Ron.I know, sighed Hermione, but I cant stand another year like this one. That Time-Turner, it was driving me mad. Ive handed it in. Without Muggle Studies and Divination, Ill be able to have a linguistic rule schedule again.I still cant believe you didnt tell us about it, said Ron grumpily. Were supposed to be your friends.I promised I wouldnt tell anyone, said Hermione severely. She looked around at Harry, who was watching Hogwarts disappear from view behind a mountain. Two whole months before hed see it again.Oh, cheer up, Harry said Hermione sadly.Im okay, said Harry quickly. Just thinking about the holidays.Yeah, Ive been thinking about them too, said Ron. Harry, youve got to come and stay with us. Ill fix it up with mammary gland and Dad, then Ill call you. I know how to use a fellytone now A telephone, Ron, said Hermione. Honestly, you should take Muggle Studies next year.Ron ignored her.Its the Quidditch dry land Cup this summer How about it, Harry? Come and stay, and well go and see it Dad can usually get tickets from work.This proposal had the effect of hearten Harry up a great deal.Yeah I bet the Dursleysd be pleased to let me come especially after what I did to Aunt Marge.Feeling considerably more cheerful, Harry conjugated Ron and Hermione in several games of Exploding Snap, and when the witch with the tea cart arrived, he bought himself a very large lunch, though nothing with chocolate in it.But it was late in the afternoon before the thing that made him truly happy turned up.Harry, said Hermione suddenly, peering over his shoulder. Whats that thing away(p) your window?Harry turned to look outside. Something very small and greyness was bobbing in and out of sight beyond the glass. He stood up for a better look and saw that it was a tiny owl, carrying a earn that was much too big for it. The owl was so small, in fact, that it unplowed tumbling over in the air, buffeted this wa y and that in the trains slipstream. Harry quickly pulled down the window, stretched out his arm, and caught it. It felt like a very fluffy Snitch. He brought it carefully inside.The owl dropped its letter onto Harrys seat and began zooming around their compartment, apparently very pleased with itself for accomplishing its task. Hedwig clicked her beak with a sort of ennoble disapproval. Crookshanks sat up in his seat, following the owl with his great colour eyes. Ron, noticing this, snatched the owl safely out of harms way.Harry picked up the letter. It was addressed to him. He ripped open the letter, and shouted, Its from SiriusWhat? said Ron and Hermione excitedly. Read it aloudDear Harry, I hope this finds you before you reach your aunt and uncle. I dont know whether theyre used to owl post. Buckbeak and I are in hiding. I wont tell you where, in case this owl falls into the wrong hands. I have some doubt about his reliability, but he is the best I could find, and he did seem eager for the job. I believe the Dementors are still searching for me, but they havent a hope of finding me here. I am planning to allow some Muggles to glimpse me soon, a long way from Hogwarts, so that the bail on the castle will be lifted. There is something I never got around to telling you during our brief meeting. It was I who sent you the Firebolt Ha said Hermione triumphantly. See I told you it was from himYes, but he hadnt jinxed it, had he? said Ron. Ouch The tiny owl now hooting happily in his hand, had nibbled one of his fingers in what it seemed to think was an affectionate way.?C Crookshanks took the order to the Owl Office for me. I used your name but told them to take the gold from my own Gringotts vault. recreate consider it as thirteen birthdays worth of presents from your godfather. I would also like to apologize for the fright I think I gave you that night last year when you left your uncles house. I had only hoped to get a glimpse of you before starting my jo urney north, but I think the sight of me alarmed you. I am enclosing something else for you, which I think will make your next year at Hogwarts more enjoyable. If ever you need me, send word. Your owl will find me. Ill write again soon. Sirius Harry looked eagerly inside the envelope. There was another piece of parchment in there. He read it through quickly and felt suddenly as warm and contented as though hed swallowed a bottle of hot butterbeer in one gulp.I, Sirius Black, Harry Potters godfather, hereby give him permission to visit Hogsmeade on weekends. Thatll be good enough for Dumbledore said Harry happily. He looked back at Siriuss letter. Hang on, theres a PS. I thought your friend Ron might like to keep this owl, as its my fault he no longer has a rat. Rons eyes widened. The minute owl was still hooting excitedly. Keep him? he said uncertainly. He looked closely at the owl for a moment then, to Harrys and Hermiones great surprise, he held him out for Crookshanks to sniff.Wh at do you prefigure? Ron asked the cat. Definitely an owl?Crookshanks purred.Thats good enough for me, said Ron happily. Hes mine.Harry read and reread the letter from Sirius all the way back into Kings Cross station. It was still clutched tightly in his hand as he, Ron, and Hermione stepped back through the obstruction of platform nine and three-quarters. Harry spotted Uncle Vernon at once. He was standing(a) a good distance from Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, eyeing them suspiciously, and when Mrs. Weasley hugged Harry in greeting, his worst suspicions about them seemed confirmed.Ill call about the World Cup Ron yelled after Harry as Harry bid him and Hermione good-bye, then wheeled the trolley look his trunk and Hedwigs cage toward Uncle Vernon, who greeted him in his usual fashion.Whats that? he snarled, staring at the envelope Harry was still clutching in his hand. If its another form for me to sign, youve got another Its not, said Harry cheerfully. Its a letter from my godfather.God father? sputtered Uncle Vernon. You havent got a godfatherYes, I have, said Harry brightly. He was my mum and dads best friend. Hes a convicted murderer, but hes broken out of wizard prison and hes on the run. He likes to keep in touch with me, though keep up with my news check if Im happy And, grinning broadly at the look of horror on Uncle Vernons face, Harry set off toward the station exit, Hedwig rattling along in count of him, for what looked like a much better summer than the last.